Spectacular India Solo Group 9 Nov to 22 Nov 2018 Day 01: 09 Nov 2018: Arrive Delhi Welcome to India!!! Upon your arrival at the airport, Total Holiday Options Executive will meet you at the arrival lounge holding a placard. Thereafter you will be assisted with transfer and check-in at the hotel. After hotel check-in, have some free time on your own to adjust to the new time zone. Stay for two nights in Delhi. Day 02: 10 Nov 2018: Delhi After breakfast meet your tour manager and your tour escort at the hotel lobby for a short briefing, where he will share tips about your tour and clarify your doubts, followed by guided sightseeing tour of Old & New Delhi. This morning you are joined by a local expert for a stroll through the alleyways of Old Delhi through Chandni Chowk market, past Jama Masjid, the biggest mosque in India, through the by-lanes of the walled city ending in the colourful spice market. Next, we explore New Delhi, built by the British in the 1930s as their Imperial capital. Majestic government and administrative offices line its wide, tree-lined avenues. The red sandstone arch of India Gate, memorial to Indian and British soldiers who laid down their lives in World War I, leads us to the Parliament House, the magnificent seat of the world s largest democracy. The day s tour ends at the Qutub Minar. Built in 1193 by Qutubuddin Aibak, a slave general, it is the tallest stone tower in India and marks the site of the country s first Muslim kingdom. The iron tower in a square opposite is unique in that it never rusts, although it has been exposed to the elements for centuries. After the sightseeing tour return back to the hotel and get ready for the welcome dinner at the hotel s in house restaurant Twenty-9, the eclectic all-day dine offers an exotic choice of delicious Mediterranean, Asian and local favourites, with live themed buffet counters, and delectable desserts from the Chocolate Bar. Enjoy the theme buffets with live counters and round up your meal with a selection of exquisite desserts at the chocolate bar. Overnight in Delhi. (B, D) Day 03: 11 Nov 2018: Delhi Varanasi After breakfast, you will be transferred to Delhi domestic airport to board flight to Varanasi. On arrival, you will be met by THO Tour Executive at the arrival lounge holding a placard, he will assist with transfer and check-in at the hotel for overnight stay. Later in the evening approx. 1700hrs we proceed to the Dasawamedha Ghat for evening Aarti, one of the most spectacular sights in Varanasi. Hundreds of pilgrims, photographers, and tourists rent boats to watch the magnificence of
the Aarti as it unfolds every evening. At the end of the ceremony, your tour escort will drop you at the hotel. Stay two nights in Varanasi. (B, D) Day 04: 12 Nov 2018: Varanasi Wake up early morning approx. 5:00 am and get ready for morning boat ride at the dawn. We can observe Hindu s way of life on the bank of the river Ganges (Ganga). There are number of temples on the bank of the Ganges River in Varanasi. Later return to the hotel for breakfast. After breakfast drive to Sarnath which is around 10 Km from Varanasi City. This place is revered by the Buddhist because Buddha delivered his first sermon in a DEER PARK. Main attractions of Sarnath are: Archaeological & Excavation Area (Sarnath, Deer park), Ashoka Pillar (National Emblem of India) & Archaeological Museum (Sarnath museum is closed on Friday). We conclude the day strolling along the city s narrow lanes and alleys to Dal Mandi, a wholesale market of silk garments and puja (ceremonial Hindu prayer) items. From there, you ll continue towards the kite market, decorated with colourful paper kites of different shapes and sizes. visit the Chowk area and Vishwanath Gali, one of the largest silk markets in Varanasi. Later return to the hotel for overnight stay. (B, D) Day 05: 13 Nov 2018: Varanasi Agra (Approx. Travel Time: 04hrs) Morning after breakfast transfer to Varanasi Airport to board flight for Delhi. On arrival assisted transfer to Agra Hotel. Evening we explore the famous Agra chaat Galli which offers around 40-45 varieties of chaat items, but is most famous for its 'Agra Special'. The final stop on this tour is Deviram Sweet Shop, where you can choose from around 60 different varieties of Indian traditional sweets for dessert. Later return to the hotel for dinner. Overnight in Agra. (B, D) Day 06: 14 Nov 2018: Agra Jaipur (Approx. Travel Time: 05hrs) Early morning 1 hour yoga session (indoor or outdoor). Yogic day mantra is to rise early from bed, a quick morning stroll in midst of the mist filled plantations helps to freshen up before the daily yoga practices. Morning practices emphasis on asanas for warm up, stretching and other poses. After a leisure breakfast visit Taj Mahal (closed on Fridays), a UNESCO Heritage Site, to catch the sun rising over the Taj Mahal - undisputedly one of the world s most beautiful buildings. In the sun-light, as the mist rises from the Yamuna River, it seems to float like a mirage above the surrounding landscape. Built from dazzling marble, its color changes from white to yellow, cream and to almost orange an exquisite image that you ll remember forever.
Also visit Agra Fort; built by Emperor Akbar, its construction commenced in 1565 and was completed in 1571. It is built with red sandstone and is a mixture of the Islamic and Hindu styles of architecture & Agra Fort. Later drive to Jaipur, the first planned city of India, is a treasure-trove of culture, art and history, famous for its colour, life style and Rajasthani cuisine. Stay for two nights in Jaipur. (B, D) Day 07: 15 Nov 2018: Jaipur Morning after an early breakfast proceed for guided visit of Amber Fort, En-route photo stop at Hawa Mahal (Wind Palace); Admire the facade of the Hawa Mahal, poetically known as the Palace of Winds. Continue to Amber Fort (Shared Jeep), the former ancient capital of Jaipur state built by Raja Man Singh, the Rajput commander of Akbar's army, which is a superb example of Rajput architecture. Later proceed for guided tour of Jaipur city starting with City Palace Museum; boasts to have some of the priceless handwritten Hindu scriptures of the ancient past, miniature delicate paintings, preserved painted ceilings and the elephant saddles (haudas), and is registered in the Guinness Book of Records to contain the biggest silver objects in the world. Conclude your sightseeing with a visit to Jantar Mantar; one of the famed observatories built by Sawai Jai Singh is a complex of astronomical instruments, chiseled out of stone which provides fairly accurate information to this day. Overnight in Jaipur. (B, D) Day 08: 16 Nov 2018: Jaipur Pushkar (Approx. Travel Time: 03½hrs) Today we travel to a tiny tranquil town of Pushkar, lying along the bank of the picturesque Pushkar Lake, in a narrow dry valley, overshadowed by impressive rocky hills, offering the most spectacular views of the desert during sunset. It is one of the five most sacred places of pilgrimage of Hindus. As per Indian mythology, the city was created when a lotus leaf fell from Lord Brahma s hand and the holy lake sprouted up there. It is surrounded by hills on three sides and sand dunes on one which makes it the most fascinating. On arrival check into your hotel. Later visit Brahma temple and Puskar Lake. Evening is free at leisure. Stay overnight in Pushkar. (B, D)
Day 09: 17 Nov 2018: Pushkar Day free at leisure in Pushkar to explore the Camel Fair. Stay Overnight in Pushkar. (B, L, D) The Pushkar Cattle Fair is one of the largest in India and the only one of its kind in the entire world. During the fair, Lakhs of people from rural India flock to Pushkar, along with camel and cattle for several days of livestock trading, horse dealing, pilgrimage and religious festival. This small town, becomes a cultural phenomenon when colourfully dressed devotees, musicians, acrobats, folk dancers, traders, comedians, sadhus and tourists reach here during Pushkar fair. According to Hindu chronology, it takes place in the month of Kartika (October or November) beginning on ashtmi 8th day of Lunar Calendar and continues till full moon ( Poornima ). The camel and cattle trading is at its peak during the first half of festival period. During the latter half, religious activities dominate the scenario. Devotees take dip in the holy "Sarovar" lake, as the sacred water is known to bestow salvation. Day 10: 18 Nov 2018: Pushkar Jodhpur (Approx. Travel Time: 06hrs) Today you will experience the feeling of travelling back in time with a journey to Jodhpur, while you catch a glimpse of the splendor and magnificence of this ancient desert city built on the edge of the Thar Desert. At its best, it is a doorway to the wonderland of sand dunes and shrubs, rocky terrain and thorny trees. On arrival check into hotel. Rest of the day is free to explore the rustic rural life of the locals. The folks here wear nice and lovely multihued costumes. The bazaars have a range of items from tie and dye textiles, embroidered leather shoes, lacquer ware, antiques, carpets and puppets to the exquisite Rajasthani textiles, clay figurines, miniature camels and elephants, marble inlay work and classic silver jewellery. Stay for two nights in Jodhpur. (B, D) Day 09: 19 Nov 2018: Jodhpur After breakfast proceed for guided visit to Mehrangarh Fort; one of the largest forts in India, the beauty and grandeur of numerous palaces inside narrates a saga of hard sandstones yielding to the chisels of skilled Jodhpuri sculptures and to enter, seven gates have to be crossed. It was built by Rao Jodha, the founder of Jodhpur city in 1459. The palaces in this fort have their own peculiar style, with narrow staircases, serving as the only means of access to the royal residence within.
A collection of musical instruments, palanquins, furniture and cannons on the forts ramparts are well preserved. Also visit Old city; surrounded by a 10 km long wall, has 8 gates serving as entrances, the winding streets offer colourful street markets with blue houses alternated with white houses and drive past Clock tower; a prominent landmark. The new city is settled around this walled area. Stay overnight in Jodhpur. (B, D) Day 10: 20 Nov 2018: Jodhpur Udaipur (Approx. Travel Time: 05½hrs) Morning after breakfast check out of the hotel and travel towards the lake city Udaipur, En-route pass lush green valleys, streams and heart capturing views before visiting Ranakpur, with intricately carved marble Pillars and Domes. Tucked away in a remote valley in the Aravalli ranges, it boasts of one of the largest and most important Jain Temples in the country. On arrival check into hotel and stay for two nights at Udaipur. (B, D) Day 11: 21 Nov 2018: Udaipur After breakfast proceed on a guided tour and visit some of the most stunning palaces in Udaipur. First we visit City Palace one of the most famous architectural marvels of Udaipur and also a perfect illustration of architecture and Crystal Gallery. After city tour drive for an excursion trip to Rawla Khempur to visit Best Exotic Marigold hotel followed by Lunch (Approx. Travel Time: 01½hrs each way) Post orientation tour drive back to Udaipur and enjoy sunset boat cruise on Lake Pichola. With the perfect backdrop of lush green hills, Pichola Lake is the oldest lake in Udaipur and one of the most beautiful lakes in Rajasthan. The pristine lake is enveloped by range of lofty palaces, temples, bathing ghats and elevated hills on all its sides. Stay overnight in Udaipur. (B, L, D) Day 12: 22 Nov 2018: Udaipur Departure Morning after breakfast checkout from the hotel (Check-out: 1200hrs). Tour finishes with wonderful memories and direct transfer to Udaipur airport to board flight for onward destination. (B)