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Goa Tour Packages
A
Dream Like India
Through centuries people all over the world realised their
one time dream of coming to India. Aryans, Greeks, Persians,
Turks, Mughals and Europeans, collectively enhanced the rich
cultural fabric of today’s India.
Abandon
yourself to culture, art and aesthetics in a bewildering variety
of moods, forms and manifestations. Explore modern cities that
have grown organically from the roots of a multi-hued past.
Meander through lands steeped in chivalry and pageantry that begin
before recorded history. Indo Asia makes your dream come true.
Delhi (02 Nights) |
Varanasi (01 Night) | Agra (02 Nights) | Jaipur (02 Nights) |
Jodhpur (01 Night) | Udaipur (02 Nights) | Goa (03 Nights) |
Mumbai (01 Night)
Day 1 Delhi
Flight
to Delhi and transfer to the hotel. Check in time is 1200 hrs.
Day 2 Delhi
In
Delhi’s 3000 years of existence, seven cities stood where the
present capital of India stands. Here you’ll encounter a
fascinating blend of the ancient and the contemporary - where
government buildings, medieval palaces and bazaars exist besides a
modern metropolis. Delhi is
a city waiting to be explored.
After
breakfast sightseeing of Old
and
New Delhi.
Visit
the 7th city of Delhi, Shahjahanabad
(Old Delhi) which was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan
(1639-48 AD) after he shifted his capital from Agra to Delhi.
Red Fort –
the 17th century imposing fortress built in red
sandstone is surrounded by a huge boundary wall 33m high. Inside
are exquisite palaces and beautiful gardens.Opposite the Red Fort
lies Jama Masjid
(Friday Mosque) made of red sandstone and white marble, completed
in 1656. It is India’s largest mosque where more than 20.000
people can kneel in prayer. Visit
Raj Ghat on the banks
of the river Yamuna, Mahatma Gandhi’s Memorial, where he was
cremated following his assassination in January 1948. The memorial
lies in the midst of landscaped gardens and made of a simple
square platform of black marble inscribed with his last words
“Hey Ram”. An eternal flame burns 24 hours.
Afternoon
visit New Delhi.
Visit
the Humayun’s Tomb,
built by his wife Haji Begum in the 16th. Century. An early
example of Mughal architecture considered the predecessor of the
Taj Mahal. The Qutub Minar
– the landmark of Delhi, a huge tower of victory started in 1199
and completed in 1368. The minar is 72.5m high with a diameter at
the base 14.4m and 2.7m at the top. Proceed to the Rashtrapati
Bhawan once the Viceroy’s residence is now the official
residence of the President of India. Designed by Lutyens, it
combines western and eastern styles – the dome reflects the
Buddhist stupa, the chattris Hindu and the graceful colonnades
very British. It has 340 rooms. The Government
Buildings designed by Baker, are topped by baroque domes and
decorated with lotus motifs and elephants, while the north and
south gateways are Mughal in design.
The northern
building
has an inscription with “Liberty will not descend to a
people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.
It is a blessing which must be earned before it can be
enjoyed”. The Parliament
House,
designed by Baker is 173m in diameter. Inside is the
library and chambers for the council of state, chamber of princes
and legislative assembly. The India
Gate (42m), commemorates the 70,000 Indian soldiers who died
in the 1st world war. 13516 names of British and Indian
soldiers killed in the Afghan War of 1919 are engraved on the arch
and foundations. Under the arch, the Amar Jawan Jyoti
commemorating Indian armed forces’ losses in the Indo-Pakistan
war of 1971.
Overnight
in hotel.
Day 3 Delhi/Varanasi
After
breakfast transfer to the airport to connect flight to Varanasi.
Varanasi
derives its name from the two streams – Varuna in the north and
Assi in the south, the British corrupted the name Varanasi to
Banaras. The oldest name is Kashi, which means `the City of
Light’. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is the holiest city
for the Hindus, also for the Jains, because the three tirthankars,
7th, 11th & 23rd were born
here. It is believed that anyone who dies here goes straight to
heaven The city draws pilgrims from all over the world, to
worship, meditate and above all to bathe.
Arrival
in Varanasi and transfer to the hotel.
After
check in excursion to Sarnath,
9 km from Varanasi, one of Buddhism’s major centers in India. It
was here that Buddha gave his first Sermon after attaining
Nirvana. In the complex is the Dhamekh
Stupa (5th-6th AD) or Dharma Chakra, the
most imposing monument at Sarnath built to commemorate the place
where Buddha delivered his first sermon to the five disciples.
Also visit Dharmarajika
Stupa that was built by Emperor Ashoka (273-326 BC). From this
stupa a green marble casket containing human bones and pearls was
found, said to be the relics of Buddha. It was the seat for
Buddha’s meditation. To the rear is the 5m lower portion
polished sandstone Asokan
Column (3rd century). The Deer
Park on the south – west, has several species of deer. On
the way back to the Hotel visit a modern Buddhist temple which has
beautiful life size frescos of Buddhas life. In the vicinity is
the sapling of the Bodhi tree brought from Sri Lanka, under which
Buddha sat and attained enlightenment.
Overnight
at the hotel.
Day 4 Varanasi/Agra
Today
early morning you experience the life of this ancient city. See
the beauty of the rising sun on the Ganges Boat
Ride. The boat ride passes along some of the 100 ghats, with
numerous palaces built by Hindu kings.
Experience the early morning rituals of the Hindus being
performed, thousands of people taking a bath in the holy river
believing they will be free from the circle of rebirth. It is
interesting to see the pilgrims offering sweets, flowers and holy
water to the Sun God.
After boat ride
drive back to hotel. In time transfer to the airport to connect
flight to Agra. On arrival in Agra transfer to the hotel.
Agra
stands on the right bank of the river
Yamuna, was once the seat of the Mughal rulers, the zenith of art
and an enshrined romance. A town famous for its beautiful medieval
monuments. The passion of the Mughals for building endowed it with
some of the loveliest buildings in the world.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 5 Agra
After
breakfast visit the world famous monument of India, the Taj
Mahal (1631-1653), a poem in white marble, built by Shah Jahan
in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaj Mahal, who died giving birth
to their 14th child. It
employed 20,000 workers from the Central Asia and Europe for 22
years to construct this extravagant monument of love, inlaying the
white marble edifice with precious and semi precious stones. After
Taj Mahal visit Agra Fort
(Fort and Palace) situated on the west bank of the river Jamuna,
made by the Mughal King Akbar in the 16th century and
completed by his grandson Shah Jahan, who was imprisoned by his
son Aurangzeb for 8 years in this fort, before his death. The fort
is crescent - shaped and the perimeter is 2.4 km long. Also visit
the stunning tomb of
Itimad-ud-Daulah or the `Baby Taj’- a marble memorial with
exquisite inlay work built in 1628 by Nur Jahan, queen of Jehangir,
for her father Mirza Ghiyas Beg.
Overnight at hotel.
IMP: TAJ MAHAL IS
CLOSED ON FRIDAY.
Day 6 Agra/Jaipur
(230 kms)
After
breakfast drive to Jaipur. En-route sightseeing of Fatehpur
Sikri.
40 km (1 hour) from Agra, lies the beautiful and deserted
medieval city built by Akbar the Great in the 16th
century to serve as the capital of his vast empire. It was
mysteriously abandoned 13 years later. Today, it is perfectly
preserved as a ghost city built at the height of the empire’s
splendor.
Further
drive to Jaipur. After arrival check-in to hotel. Jaipur was built
in the 18th century by Maharaja Jai Singh II. It is a
planned city built with ancient Hindu rules as the colonial
capital of a richly colorful state. It was made attractive with
the pink wash - a traditional colour of welcome in 1853 in honour
of the visit of Prince Albert.
Overnight
stay at the hotel in Jaipur.
Day 7 Jaipur
After
breakfast, half-day excursion trip takes you to Amber Fort. En
route, make a photo stop at the palace of winds the Hawa
Mahal. A 5 stored building with 25cm thick facade from the 18
century having 953 windows and niches so that ladies of royal
family could see the procession and events in the city without
being visible to the people. Proceed to the
Amber City Fort situated 130m high with the Aravalli hills
around and 11 km north of Jaipur. It was the ancient capital of
the Kachhawaha Rajputs till 1037. Enjoy an Elephant ride to the
top of the Palace fort.
Afternoon
visit the “Pink City” of Jaipur. The City
Palace occupies the center of Jaipur. It now houses the Royal
residence and museums with collections of textiles and costumes,
armoury, manuscripts, paintings etc. Also visit Jantar
Mantar (1728-34) by king astrologer Jai Singh II. The
instruments are built of stone with marble facing on the important
plains for measuring the harmony of the heavens. Each instrument
serves a particular function and each gives an accurate reading.
In
case you have time stroll through the colourful bazaar of Jaipur,
where the coulours, sights and sounds with enthrall you.
Overnight
in hotel.
Day 8 Jaipur/Jodhpur
After
early breakfast transfer to the airport to connect flight to
Jodhpur.
Jodhpur
the second largest city of Rajasthan, once the capital of Marwar,
sprawls around the massively impressive cliff top Meherangarh
Fort.
Upon
arrival check-in to the hotel.
After some rest half day sightseeing of Jodhpur. Visit visit the
impressive Mehrangarh Fort
on a 37 m low sandstone hill built by Rao Jodha in 1459 . From the
top of the fort one can get a bird’s eye view of the old city.
You will notice the predominance of blue houses referred to
as Brahmin houses - the colour being associated with the high
caste. Proceed to the Jaswant
Thada, an imposing marble cenotaph built in 1899 for Maharajah
Jaswant Singh II, and smaller memorials to other Maharajahs of
Jodhpur. At the end of the tour enjoy a short walk through the
local and vibrant bazaar of Jodhpur.
Overnight
at the hotel.
Day 9 Jodhpur/Udaipur
After breakfast
transfer to airport to connect flight to Udaipur.
The
city of Udaipur lies in the Girwa valley amidst the Aravali hills
of south Rajasthan. It is considered a romantic city - with its
lakes, gardens, temples and palaces - an Oasis in the Thar desert.
The old city is a traditionally planned fortified walled city, a
maze of narrow winding lanes flanked by houses with doorways
decorated with Mewar folk art, windows with stained glass or jali
screens, massive havelis with large inner courtyards and shops.
The legendary Ranas who ruled, traced their ancestry to the Sun
Dynasty.
On
arrival in Udaipur transfer to the hotel.
Afternoon half day sightseeing of Udaipur. Visit the City
Palace built on the bank of the Pichola Lake, by Maharana Udai
Singh in 1570. The impressive complex of several palaces is a
blend of Rajput and Mughul influences.
Half of it is still occupied by the Royal family, and part
converted into a museum.
The Jagdish Temple
– (1651) was built by Maharana Jagat Singh. A fine example of
the Nagara style of temple architecture. A brass Garuda stands
outside and stone elephants flank the entrance steps. Inside is a
black stone image of Vishnu as Jagannath, the Lord of the
Universe. Sahelion-ki Bari
an ornamental pleasure garden specially made for the ladies of the
palace in the 18th century. It has beautiful fountains,
trees and flowers.
Overnight in hotel.
Day 10 Udaipur
After
breakfast an excursion to Nagda and Eklingji.
Nagda
(40 km), it has three temples: the ruined 11th
century Jain temple of Adbhutji
temple is considered
the predecessor of the famous Khajuraho Temples because of its
erotic descriptions. The Hindu Vaishnavite Sas
Bahu temple (9th
century) - the Mother-in-law and Daughter-in-law Temple, dedicated
to Lord Shiva. The complex, though comparatively small, has very
intricate carving on pillars, ceiling and mandapa walls. Visit the
white marble Eklingii
temple with a two storey mandapa of Shiva, the family deity of
the Mewars, dates from 734 AD, rebuilt in the 15th
century. There is a silver door, screen and a silver Nandi facing
the black marble Shiva.
In
the evening boat ride on Lake Pichola.
Overnight
at the hotel.
Day 11 Udaipur/Mumbai/Goa
In
time transfer to the airport to connect flight to Bombay. On
arrival in Bombay assistance at the airport to connect further
flight to Goa.
Arrival
in Goa, transfer to the hotel.
Overnight
at the hotel.
Day 12-14 Goa
In
Goa, you are free.
Goa
was a Portuguese settlement and joined the Indian Republic only in
1961. Unforgettable Goa, is a blend of serenity and excitement
down a 100 km coastline studded with some of the world’s finest
beaches. Create you own kind of holiday. Sun bathe in a quiet
secluded spot, choose the exhilarating thrills of parasailing,
speed boating, water-skiing, wind surfing and deep sea diving.
Celebrate with the Goans a feast of its famous cuisine and
a spirit of joyous fun. It also has the spiritual pilgrimage
centre for Christians at Old Goa. Yet inland Goa, is predominantly
Hindu.
Overnight
at the hotel.
Day 14 Goa/Mumbai
Morning
transfer to the airport to connect flight to Bombay. Arrival in
Bombay and transfer to the hotel.
India’s most
cosmopolitan city, an ancient port and trading centre. This palm-
fringed shore of the Arabian Sea was the British Empire’s
entrance to its `Crown Jewel’. Mumbai is also the centre for
Hindi films. It is called Bollywood, with a credit of almost 900
films a year.
After
some rest half day sightseeing of Bombay,
rich blend of East and West. The tour includes the 26 meter high
British-built Arch “Gateway
of India”, Mumbai’s landmark built to honour the visit of
George V and Queen Mary in 1911. Marine
Drive dubbed as the Queen’s
Necklace is Mumbai’s most popular promenades and a favourite
sunset watching spot. The Kamla
Nehru Park from where you have a picturesque view of the city,
Hanging Gardens are so
named since they are located on top of a series of tanks that
supply water to Mumbai. Pass by the `towers of silence’ the
crematorium of the Parsis. Also visit Mani
Bhawan a private house where Mahatma Gandhi used to stay when
he visited Mumbai. It is
now a museum and research library with 20,000 volumes.
Rest
of the day free at the hotel.
Day 15 Mumbai/Fly
Home
Early
morning transfer to the airport to connect flight back home.
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