TEMPLES & GHATS OF HOLY RIVER GANGES

Day 01: Agra - Gwalior - Orchha In Agra guests will be taken for Early morning visit to the the Taj Mahal at dawn. The guests travel to the Taj Mahal on the 'decorated tongas' (horse carriage).Words cannot alone describe this architectural marvel which is always the soul raison and desire for every tourist's visit to Agra. . It was built in 1632 by the Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan, to house the tomb of his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The Taj complex houses a forecourt, a supercilious entrance, a fascinating formal Mughal garden with canals and a central tank with a series of fountains, the tomb proper, and an attached mosque on the west and its proportioned counterpart on the east. The Taj is notable for its perfect proportions and rich pietra dura, with minute details executed with great skill and perfection. The building, often styled "a dream in marble" took at least 22 years (1631-1653) to be built.

India's greatest poet RabindraNath Tagore described Taj in these evocative words -
Though emeralds, rubies, pearls are all
But as the glitter of a rainbow
Tricking out empty air
And must pass away
Yet still one solitary tear
Would hang on the cheek of time
In the form of this
White and gleaming Taj Mahal

After seeing Taj Mahal get transferred to the Railway Station to catch train to Gwalior for a full day sightseeing tour.

Leave: Agra (by Shatabdi Express at 0820 hrs.) Arrive: Gwalior at 0940 hrs
Upon arrival at Gwalior Railway Station, the guests directly proceed for sightseeing tour.
Your sightseeing tour includes the enormous 19th century Jai Vilas Palace. This Palace is famed for its ornate chandeliers & crystal. Some of the rooms in the palace have been converted into a museum filled with the Scindia dynasty memorabilia. From here you directly proceed to the Usha Kiran Palace hotel for a lunch. This Palace was once a Maharaja's guesthouse.

After having lunch you travel to the huge Gwalior Fort - where you can visit the sun temple which is believed to have been constructed within the area of the fort. You then proceed to Man Mandir which is a six-towered palace & which also forms the eastern wall of the fort. In this fort you can also see monuments dating back to 8th century AD onwards & is one of the largest forts in India.

Gujri Mahal, is a turreted palace of stone which now houses the archaeological museum. Gwalior also compromises the Tomb of Muhammad Ghaus, a saint revered by the Mughals. You also visit the Tomb of the famous musician Tansen here. After this you proceed with the onward journey to Orchha.

Orchha set on the island on a bend in the Betwa Riverflowing through a rugged century side, it still retains the captivating air of the bygone era. It is higher above the surrounding wooded countryside. Orchha overlooked by the modern era, this beautiful medieval town, which was once the capital of Bundela kings. Upon arrival in Orchha - check-in at the hotel. Have dinner and relax overnight at hotel.

Day 02: Orchha - Khajuraho Take a morning sightseeing tour of Orchha. Take a tour of the century old temples and forts, each with its own poignant history, and rest amidst the beauty of the ruins. Amongst the various impressivestructures, of particular interest are the Jehangiri Mahal, built by Raja Bir Singh Deo to memorialize the visit of Moghul Emperor Jehangir, The Raj Mahal and the Laxmi Narayan temple, both noted for their fine frescoes and mural paintings. In the afternoon after lunch drive to Khajuraho (170 kms)

Khajuraho–was a city Founded by the rulers of Chandela Dynasty in the 9th and 10th century, and is spectacular feat of architecture carved with the roughest of tools. Each temple has a large number of pinnacles in ascending order depicting man's spiritual aspirations and goals. They are a centre of tourist attraction because they have the most magnificent, sensuous and erotic sculptures and are romantically situated miles from anywhere in the dry and hot plains of Madhya Pradesh.

Upon reachingKhajuraho - check-in at the hotel. Relax overnight at hotel

Day 03:Khajuraho - Varanasi In the morning you can enjoy visiting temples.
Take a tour of the Eastern group of temples which consists of 3 Hindu and 3 Jain temples, their geographical locationsstands a witness to the religious tolerance of the times in general and of the Chandela rulers in particular.

Also visit the most important and fascinating western group of temples. The renowned temples of Khajuraho have been acknowledged a 'world heritage' site by UNESCO in order to preserve the rich legacy of architecture, bestowed to future generations by the Kings of the Chandela dynasty. These temples are famous for their sophisticated sculptures and erotic carvings that are one of the outstanding achievements of Indian art. Late afternoon get transferred to airport for Khajuraho/Varanasi flight (1320/1400 hrs.).

Upon arrival proceed for a sightseeing city tour of Varanasi. Walk through the web of narrow lanes in the old city, travel past the many ancient temples, shrines and little shops packed with customers looking for the famous silver & gold brocades for weddings or even for cremation cloth. The most famous temple is the Kashi Vishvanath or Golden temple. This temple though off-limits to non-Hindus, can be seen from the top floor of the old house opposite it.
After sightseeing proceed to the hotel. Check in at hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 04 : Varanasi Early in the morning take a drive to DaswamedhGhat.Take a nostalgicboat ride on the sacred Ganges river to see theworld famous cremation Ghats and also experience the living traditions of one of the world's oldest and most important religions. After that you journey back to the hotel for breakfast.

Post lunch you travel toSarnath - 5 miles out of Varanasi. Sarnath is one of the holiest Buddhist sites in the world, where Buddha gave his first Sermon in 590 B.C. Here you can also witness the ruins of a once flourishing Buddhist monastery. You carry on your tour with a visit to the fine Museum which houses an excellent collection of Buddhist art and sculptures found at the site.

In the afternoon you get transferred to the airport to catch your flight back to Varanasi/Delhi (1430/1540 hrs.). Upon arrival at Delhi airport, the guests will be received by our representative and transferred to hotel where rooms will be available for wash or change. Enjoy dinner at the hotel. Later on proceed to airport for flight back home.

Day 05 : Delhi - Abroad Departure from Delhi.