Tour Description : An ideal tour for a traveler covering the most important tourist spots in North of India. The tour offers rich and vast cultural experience India can offer. Starting from New Delhi which has charm of both British and Mughal India, visit magical Varanasi, the exquisite Murals of Khajuraho, The Monument of love Taj Mahal, Magnificent fort of Agra, The Abandoned city of Fatehpur Sikri, Feel like a king in Jaipur with an Elephant ride at the Amber Fort.

Day 1: Arrive Delhi
Namaste! We are welcomed the traditional Indian way with hands clapped together. After immigration and custom formalities, we are assisted and driven through the city to our hotel. New Delhi, the capital of India is a fusion of the ancient and the modern India. It unwinds a picture rich with culture, architecture and human diversity, deep in history, monuments, museums, galleries, gardens and exotic shows. Comprising of two contrasting yet harmonious parts, the Old Delhi and New Delhi, the city is a travel hub of Northern India. Narrating the city's Mughal past, Old Delhi, takes through the labyrinthine streets passing through formidable mosques, monuments and forts. The imperial city of New Delhi displays the finely curved architecture of British Raj. It generates a mesmerizing charm reflecting well-composed and spacious streets under the shade of beautifully lined avenues of trees and tall and imposing government buildings. Overnight: The Oberoi - 5 Star Deluxe (Premier Room) (3 Nights) (B)

Day 2: Delhi
We start our morning tour with New Delhi and visit Birla House - The Former Residence of Mahatma Gandhi. Mahatma Gandhi spent his later years at Birla House before he was assassinated by Nathu Ram Godse on January 30, 1948. Later we visit the famous India Gate followed by the Houses of Parliament, Connaught Place, Humayun's Tomb and the Qutub Minar - a perfect minaret towering 72.5 meters / 80.5 yards into the sky and there are 379 stairs inside the tower. Rest of the day is free. (B)
Please Note: The Birla House remains closed on Monday

Day 03: Delhi
Today we visit Old Delhi, starting with the famous Red Fort. Built by Shah Jehan, this was once the most opulent fort of the Mughal Empire. Next we visit another Mughal majesty, the Jama Masjid, India's largest mosque, followed by the Raj Ghat, the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi. We end our tour with a bazaar experience at Chandni Chowk, the street of silver and goldsmiths. (B)
Please Note : Red fort remains closed on Monday and Chandni Chowk remains closed on Sunday

Day 04: Delhi - Varanasi: By Flight
Today we are transferred to airport for our flight to Varanasi. Varanasi is the spiritual centre of Hindus, Buddhists and Muslims alike. This is also the pilgrim centre for the Hindus who come daily to dip themselves in the holy water of the Ganges. Late afternoon, we start our experience of Varanasi by visiting the Bharat Mata Temple which houses a big relief map of India made from marble. Varanasi is famous for its many temples and we visit the Durga temple, the Tulsi Manas Mandir, the Banaras Hindu University and the Mosque of Mughal Emperor, Aurangzeb. The city is famous also for its Banarasi silk sarees and we visit some of the houses where such silk sarees are still being weaved. In the evening we witness the Aarti ceremony on the Ghats of Ganges. Overnight: Nadesar Palace- 5 Star Deluxe (Palace Room) (2 Nights) (B)

Day 05: Varanasi:
Early morning a serene experience begins as we take a sunrise cruise on the River Ganges. One of the cardinal principles of Hinduism is the belief in the holiness of the Ganges. Every morning scores of pilgrim and priests fill the riverbanks performing the holy dip and various other rituals. This is a site that has to be seen and experienced as it is so different from anything else what may have seen anywhere in the world. Later we leave for Sarnath the site of Lord Buddha's first sermon after attaining enlightenment. At Sarnath we meet many Buddhist monks and followers before visiting local homes to see in-home silk weaving and soak up some local customs, culture and hospitality. Rest of the day is free for personal activities. (B)

Day 06: Varanasi- Khajuraho: By Flight (Please note, flight from Varanasi to Khajuraho in May, June and July operates only on Monday, Wednesday and Friday - Air India # AI 406, Departure: 12:25 Hrs, Arrival: 13:15 Hrs, Jet airways has daily flight in April, August and September. Jet Airways does not operate in May, June and July)
Today we are transferred to airport for our flight to Khajuraho. On arrival we are transferred to our Hotel. Our Khajuraho visit starts with the temples that have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temples were built during the apogee of the Chandela dynasty between 950 and 1050 AD. Today only 20 temples remain and they fall into three distinct groups and belong to two different religions - Hinduism and Jainism. These beautiful temples strike a perfect balance between architecture and sculpture. The Kandariya is decorated with a profusion of sculptures that are among the greatest masterpieces of Indian art. The most important ones include the Mahadev Temple, Chitragupta or Bharatji Temple with a lovely image of 11 headed Vishnu, Vishvanath and Nandi Temples, Lakshmana Temple, Visha Temple that was dedicated to Shiva, which is the largest and most typical of temples. Overnight: The Lalit Temple View - 5 Star Deluxe (Deluxe Room) (1 Night) (B)

Day 07: Khajuraho- Orchha- Jhansi- Agra: By Drive & Train
Jhansi - Agra Train # 12001 - NDLS Shatabadi, Departure: 17:55 Hrs, Arrival: 20:25 Hrs Today we drive to Jhansi en-route visiting Orchha, an amazing medieval fortress-city located on the shores of the Betwa River. After our visit to Orchha we proceed to the Railway Station in Jhansi to embark on the luxury first class train to Agra. This is a very comfortable train journey lasting just over 2 hours with four brief stops en route. It offers air-conditioned "business class airline" seating with meal services on board. We are welcomed in Agra and transferred to our Hotel. Overnight: The Oberoi Amar Vilas- 5 Star Luxury (Premier Room) (2 Nights) (B)

Day 08: Agra:
We start our day with a visit to one of the most well known wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal. Built by Shah Jehan as a mausoleum for his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj is built of white marble, beautifully carved and inlaid with semi-precious stones. Next we visit Agra Fort, where Shah Jehan, in the later years of his life, was imprisoned by his son to prevent him from spending the family fortunes on a black echo of the Taj Mahal. We also visit Itmad-Ud-Daulah, often called as Baby Taj. A highly ornate edifice, this mausoleum is considered as the imminent precursor of the Taj Mahal as far as elaborate carvings and inlay work are concerned. Though the structure does not have much to offer architecturally, it makes a clear departure from the earlier Mughal tombs built during the period and is more softer and with a lot of inlay carvings. We end our tour with a visit to some of the local factories famous for inlay work on marbles and witness the complex art inlaying precious and semiprecious stones on the world famous Marbles for the mines of Makrana. (B)
Please Note: Taj Mahal remains closed on Friday

Day 09: Agra- Fatehpur Sikri - Jaipur (Drive: 235 Km/ 5 Hrs)
A short drive gets us to Fatehpur Sikri, the beautiful capital built in 1640 by the Mughal King, Akbar the Great. The city was later abandoned for lack of water. A superb example of Mughal architecture, it stands perfectly preserved in the desert. We also visit the artistically designed mausoleum of Salim Chisty who is reputed to have prayed for a son for Akbar leading to the birth of Salim Jehangir. From here we continue on a countryside drive to Jaipur. On arrival we check in our Hotel. Later in the evening we visit the Lakshmi Narayan Temple, a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu the creator of Universe. The temple is the latest addition to the list of monuments in Jaipur and is an all marble temple with beautiful carvings. Overnight: The Oberoi Raj Vilas- 5 Star Luxury (Premier Room) (2 Nights)(B)

Day 10: Jaipur:
A royal experience awaits us as we take an elephant ride uphill to the intriguing Amber Palace, a distinguished example of 17th Century Rajput architecture. After the tour and enjoying a panoramic view, we return to Jaipur to visit the old astronomical observatory built by Jai Singh the founder of the city. We also visit the majestic Palace, which houses a rare collection of Indian art and the colorful bazaar. Jaipur is noted for its craftsmen, skilled in brass inlay, lacquer work and stone setting. Most of the buildings in the old city are made of pink sandstone and one of the most beautiful is Hawa Mahal, Palace of Winds, where the ladies of the royal harem used to watch the city from behind the intricately carved facade. Evening is free to enjoy both shopping and a cultural experience in the bazaars of Jaipur.(B)

Day 11: Jaipur - Samode - Gurgaon (NCR Delhi): (Drive: 250 Km/ 5 Hrs)
In the morning after breakfast we drive to Samode- It is a place of great interest for people who appreciate culture and arts. Samode is situated around 60 kms from Jaipur; this small village is famous for its haveli and fort. We visit Samode and take our lunch at Samode Palace. After visiting Samode, we drive to Gurgaon (NCR Delhi). On arrival in Gurgaon, we check in our Hotel. Overnight: The Oberoi - 5 Star Deluxe ( Premier Room) (1 Night) (B, L)

Day 12: Gurgaon - Delhi Airport - Home
Today we are transferred to Delhi airport for our flight to onward destination.(B)

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PRICES OF THE ABOVE TOUR -
(All Prices on Per Person Basis in GBP / EURO)

Validity	Per person cost on twin sharing basis			Single Room Supplement
	2 Pax	3 Pax	4 Pax
16 April 2011 to 30 September 2011	USD 2677	USD 2482	USD 2386	USD 1637
01 October 2011 to 31 March 2012 except between 20 Dec. 2011 to 05 Jan. 2012	USD 3781	USD 3587	USD 3492	USD 2698
Supplement of accompanying tour escort cum guide throughout the tour---- If required	USD 332	USD 197	USD 148	N/A

City	Hotel Name	Category of room	No.of nights
Delhi	The Oberoi - 5 Star Deluxe	Premier Room	3 Nights
Varanasi	Nadesar Palace- 5 Star Deluxe	Palace Room	2 Nights
Khajuraho	The Lalit Temple View- 5 Star Deluxe	Deluxe Room	1 Nights
Agra	The Oberoi Raj Vilas- 5 Star Luxury	Premier Room	2 Nights
Jaipur	The Oberoi - 5 Star Deluxe	Premier Room	1 Nights

Inclusions	Exclusions
Accommodation on twin share basis in the mentioned hotels for 11 Nights with daily buffet Breakfast	International Airfare, visa fees, airport tax or any kind of insurance cover
Transfers and sightseeing as per the itinerary by air-conditioned TOYOTA INNOVA	Items of personal nature like drinks, laundry, telephone calls, tips, etc.
Road tax, Toll Charges, parking fees and driver’s overnight wages	Any other meals than those mentioned in the itinerary
Entrances to the monuments of visit	Liability for change in itinerary due to reasons beyond our control like change in schedule / cancellation of flights / trains / political disturbances, natural phenomenon etc.
Elephant ride at Amber fort- Jaipur (Subject to availability)	Accompanying tour escort cum guide throughout the tour - Supplement quoted above Any other item not specifically mentioned above as 'INCLUDED'
Train Fare in Executive class from Jhansi to Agra
Services of an English speaking Local guide at each city as per the itinerary
Domestic airfare in economy class (Delhi –Varanasi, Varanasi –Khajuraho)
All presently applicable taxes including service tax on package @ 2.58%