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| 14 Days Unusual India
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'PRIVATELY GUIDED' TOUR- TRAVEL ANY DAY
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| Featuring Delhi, Amritsar, Dharamsala, Agra- Taj Mahal, Bhopal- Sanchi and Bhimbetka, Maheshwar- Ujjain and Mandu and Aurangabad- Ajanta and Ellora caves
Extend your tour to Hampi ruins or Bhuj
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In a country as inexhaustible as India the most romantic and instructive sites often lie off the beaten track. This tour has been specially designed for those keen to explore the real India and to savor its classical past. The itinerary traverses the vast states of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh on a journey deep into the heart of the subcontinent. It is a journey in time, from the
Golden Temple, the holiest shrine of the Sikh religion, the Buddhist sites in Dharamsala, Sanchi and Ajanta, to the earliest Hindu monuments at Ellora, Kangra, Maheshwar and Ujjain, the irresistibly romantic palaces of 16th - 18th century Mandu, the Islamic and British heritage of Delhi, and the architectural masterpiece, Taj Mahal.
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Day 1
ARRIVE DELHI
TLate night arrival in Delhi, capital of India. Its history goes back 2000 years.
SHANGRI- LA |
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Day 2
DELHI (B)
New Delhi tour visits the impressive Qutab Minar, a 234-ft sandstone tower and Humayun's tomb. |
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See the Government buildings and presidential palace along the broad and majestic Rajpath. Tour Old Delhi to see the Red Fort, a symbol of Mughal power. On return, visit Raj Ghat, a memorial to the great Mahatma Gandhi.
Day 3 DELHI- AMRITSAR (B)
Fly to Amritsar, centre of Sikh religion. Tour of Golden Temple, Jallianwala Bagh and Durgiana Temple. Witness the flag down ceremony at the Wagah Indo-Pakistan border. Evening re-visit the Golden Temple. ISTA HOTEL |
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Day 4 AMRITSAR- DHARAMSALA (B)
Drive today to Dharamsala, seat of the Tibet's government in exile and the temporary residence of His Holiness, Dalai Lama. Afternoon tour of McLeod Gunj and Norbulingka Institute.
CHONOR HOUSE |
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Day 5 DHARAMSALA (B)
Visit the temple towns of Kangra, Jwala Mukhi and Masrur.
Day 6 DHARAMSALA- DELHI- AGRA (B)
Fly to Delhi and drive to Agra. ITC MUGHAL |
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Day 7 AGRA (B)
Visit the Taj Mahal built by Emperor Shah Jahan in 1648 AD in memory of his Queen. It took the world's best craftsmen and over 20,000 workers almost 20 years to build this dream. Also visit the Agra Fort and sample the arts of the region.
Day 8 AGRA- BHOPAL (B)
First class train ride to Bhopal. Tour of Bhopal visiting Jama Masjid, Taj-ul-Masjid, Birla Mandir, Archaeological Museum and Bharat Bhavan.
NOOR US SABBAH PALACE
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Day 9 BHOPAL (B)
Excursion to Sanchi Stupa and Udaygiri, important centers of Buddhist pilgrimage. Later, tour of Bhimbetka ruins, famous for the large number of cave paintings dating back from the Old Stone Age to medieval times. On return, visit the Bhojpur Temple. Day 10
BHOPAL- MAHESHWAR (B)
Drive today to Maheshwar visiting en route Ujjain. Maheshwar is a town revered by followers of Lord Shiva and the most important temples worth visiting are the Kaleshwara, Rajarajeshwara, Vithaleshwara and the Ahileshwar. The town is also known for its Maheshwar saris. Explore the Ahilya Fort and walk down to the riverside to the beautiful ghats where you can watch the daily rituals of the ordinary local villagers. AHILYA FORT |
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 Day 11
MAHESHWAR (B)
Excursion to Mandu, a deserted city located across a broad hilltop and known for its fine Hindu and Muslim architecture. Mandu was known in the 15th century as the 'City of Joy' and was the magnificent capital of the central Indian kingdom of Malwa. Renowned for its fine Rajput and Muslim architecture Mandu also fostered the development of both Hindu and Jain art and literature.
Day 12 MAHESHWAR- AURANGABAD (B)
Drive to Aurangabad, home of one of the most impressive sights of India.
TAJ RESIDENCY
Day 13
AURANGABAD (B)
Morning visit Ajanta cave temples. Completed around the 7th century AD Buddhist monks spent centuries carving 29 caves into a horseshoe-shaped cliff. Afternoon tour of Ellora. Over 2000 years ago stonecutters removed an estimated 200,000 ton of solid rock by using chisel and hammer to build the 34 caves, sculptures, columns and decorative facades. The enormous Kailash Temple carved out of a single rock is perhaps the largest monolith in the world.
Day 14
AURANGABAD- MUMBAI- HOMEBOUND (B)
Fly to Mumbai, commercial capital of India. Tour of Mumbai city, visiting the Gateway of India, a 162-ft high gateway overlooking the sea, Prince of Wales museum, Hanging gardens, Dhobi Ghat (outdoor laundry) and the Gandhi Museum. Later, transfer to the airport for your homebound flight.
| Extend your tour to Hampi (3 days) |
Day 1
AURANGABAD- MUMBAI- HUBLI- HOSPET
Fly to Hubli via Mumbai. Drive to Hospet, the base of our explorations into the Hampi ruins. MALLIGI HOTEL
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Day 2
HOSPET (B)
Tour of the world heritage Hampi ruins. |
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Day 3
HOSPET - HUBLI - MUMBAI - HOMEBOUND (B)
Drive to Hubli airport for your flight to Mumbai and connect your homebound flight.
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Extend your tour to Bhuj (4 days)
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Day 1
AURANGABAD- MUMBAI- BHUJ
Fly to Bhuj via Mumbai. Bhuj is a treasure trove of heritage and culture.
GARHA SAFARI LODGE
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Day 2
BHUJ (B)
Full day excursion to the north side Banni villages to see the Jat, Harijan and Sodha community villages to see the embroidery, houses and costumes |
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Day 3
BHUJ (B)
Full day excursion to south side Banni villages and visit the Rabari nomad villages.
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Day 4
BHUJ - MUMBAI - HOMEBOUND (B)
Fly to Mumbai and connect your homebound flight.
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| Click-here to see additional 'Tour Extension' ideas |
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