GEMS OF CENTRAL INDIA

Day 1 DELHI
You will be met and transferred to your hotel on arrival in Delhi. Overnight Delhi.

Day 2 DELHI
A half day city tour this morning will introduce you to Old Delhi, including an exhilarating bicycle rickshaw ride through Chandni Chowk – a hustling & bustling market place and a maze of narrow streets.Visits will be made to:
• Jama Masjid – an architectural extravaganza of Shah Jahan, with its vast marble domes and minarets. The largest mosque in India, this is a handsome structure that is still used today
• Red Fort – an impressive and immense red sandstone Mughal fort enclosing beautiful palaces and gardens within*
• Raj Ghat – where the Father of India, Mahatama Gandhi, was cremated in 1948
This afternoon you will discover New Delhi, driving past India Gate, Parliament House, and the President’s House. Time will be spent at Qutab Minar, an 11th century, 73 meter high victory tower built by slave king Qutubuddin Aibak and later completed by his successor Iltumish. If time permits, a visit will also be made to a Sikh Temple. Overnight Delhi. (B).

Day 3 DELHI -VARANASI
Transfer to the airport after breakfast for your morning flight to Varanasi. On arrival in Varanasi, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. An afternoon tour of Sarnath, where Buddha first preached his message of enlightenment, will include visits of Buddhist and Jain temples, plus the Sarnath Archaeological Museum. Take a short cruise on the Ganges this evening to view cremations, then witness the spiritual Arti closing ceremony on the banks of the Ganges from your boat. Overnight Varanasi. (B)

Day 4 VARANASI-KHAJURAHO
Enjoy a morning boat cruise in the Ganges, the holiest river of the world, to see the sun rise over the river, and witness the ritual bath of sadhus and saints on the Ghats (platforms). Return to your hotel for a leisurely breakfast, then transfer to the airport for your flight. Depart Varanasi 12.20 pm Jet Airways Flight 9W333 Arrive Khajuraho 1.00 pm Economy Class You will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel. Your afternoon is free to relax, before viewing a Sound & Light performance of the Temples in the evening. (B)

Day 5 -KHAJURAHO-BANDHAVGAR NATIONAL PARK
Visit Khajuraho including the stunning Temples, recognised for their sculptural beauty by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. One of the most celebrated manifestations of Indian architecture is to be found in a group of over thirty temples at Khajuraho in central India. Row upon row of gods and goddesses, dancers and maidens, warriors and beasts rise up to the sky, perfectly proportioned. Built by the Chandela rulers in the 9th and 10th centuries, these temples represent, one might say, a happy and almost unique coincidence of religious emotion, abundant patronage, artistic genius, and aesthetic sensibility. Fortunately, these temples have weathered the climate for a thousand years and have withstood neglectsurprisingly well. Drive to Bandhavgarh National Park, for a 3 night stay, Here is the best success rate for viewing tigers of all the National Parks in India. Overnight Bandhavgarh National Park.** (B/D)

Days 6 & 7 BANDHAVGARH NATIONAL PARK
This is a very attractive park, and is some of the left out preserved wild pockets of Madhya Pradesh of what were once splendid forests that extended across the whole of Central India. White Tigers of Rewa were discovered here. Take some exciting game drives morning and evening by jeep, and/or on elephant back. Overnight Bandhavgarh. (B/L/D)

Day 8 BANDHAVGARH NATIONAL PARK-JHANSI-ORCHHA
After a morning of game viewing, spend some relaxing time on your veranda before being transferred to Katni station late afternoon for an evening train to Jhansi, departing at 5.10 p.m. and arriving at approximately 1 a.m. in the morning. You will be met on arrival in Jhansi and transferred 25kms to the village of Orchha to overnight. Note that a boxed dinner will be provided for you by the hotel. (B/L/D)

Day 9 ORCHHA-JHANSI-GWALIOR
After a leisurely breakfast, enjoy a morning tour of Orchha. Set on a bend along the Betwa river, Orchha is considered one of the most beautiful of the country’s ancient settlements. Once the capital of Bundela kings, the town of Orchha must have been absolutely splendid in its era, with three enormous Palaces dominating the town, its numerous Temples, its graceful Cenotaphs and the Betwa River with its bridges. Although these Palaces are now very much in need of renovations, apart from some paintings which have been restored, Orchha is a definite highlight, and well worth a visit.
Return to Jhansi to board a train to Gwalior, departing at 2.30 p.m., and arriving Gwalior at 3.55 p.m. Transfer to your hotel to overnight. You will be taken to experience a spectacular Sound & Light performance of Gwalior Fort this evening. Overnight Gwalior. (B)

In legend Gwalior’s history goes back to 8 A.D. when its chieftain was cured by a hermit saint, Gwalipa. In gratitude, he named the city’s most famous landmark after him. Within the walls of the Fort are several interesting temples and ruined palaces. Its dramatic and colourful history dates back over 1000 years. The glory of Gwalior is gleaned in its magnificent monuments, temples, museums, palaces and tradition of Indian music. Guests always savour the rich history of the city.

Day 10 GWALIOR-AGRA
This morning a tour of Gwalior will include the superb, interestingly decorated Fort, Jai Vilas Palace, the Tombs of Mohammed Ghaus and Tamsen, the Archaeological Museum, and the main square, the second largest square in Asia, with its six different styles of architecture – Hindu, Persian, English-Victorian, Greek, French and Italianate. In 1794 the India ruler had excellent relations with all the above countries. The antique motorised (1HP) rickshaws are also a sight to see. Gwalior’s Fort is an outstanding monument, and is one of the oldest, best maintained forts in India. On the way up to the Fort, you will pass some outstanding Jain statues carved into the rocks.

Enjoy an afternoon at leisure in Gwalior. We recommend indulging in some pampering at the excellent Jiva Spa, at the Usha Kiran Palace. Highly recommended is their signature treatment – a Royal auspicious bath, experienced only by the royalty of India in earlier days. This is a luxurious 3 hours of pure pampering, whilst being serenaded by a live musician and singer. Take the early evening Shatabdi Express train to Agra, departing at 7.10 p.m., and arriving at 8.35 p.m. Overnight Agra. (B)

Day 11 AGRA
Morning tour of Agra including the the breathtakingly beautiful Taj Mahal, and the Red Fort [also known as Agra Fort] – The original red sandstone fort was built by Akbar in 1565. Shahjahan added the marble palaces inside. Inside the fort is a famous pure marble mosque, the Moti Masjid. Explore the colourful local bazaar, and also see the intricate work of marble inlaid with fine gemstones which is unique to Agra. The magnificent Taj Mahal*** really warrants a second visit, to appreciate its beauty, and to see it in a different light. Experience the ethereal beauty of the Taj Mahal – symbol of love – at sunset this evening. (B)

An immense mausoleum of white marble, built in Agra between 1631 and 1648 by order of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favourite wife, the Taj Mahal is the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world’s heritage. Agra, with its laid-back lifestyle and its immense wealth of architecture, handicrafts and jewellery, is amongst the most remarkable cities of the world. In terms of ambience it is still associated with its Mughal period led by Babur, who arrived in 1526. Agra grew in prominence, and under the rule of Akbar, it became a leading centre of art, science, commerce and culture.

Day 12 AGRA
After breakfast you will be transferred to Delhi airport or a hotel, where your tour ends. (B)

Alternately, we highly recommend joining one of our excellent Rajasthan tours. Note: If this tour is too long for the time you have available, we will gladly offer you a shorter tour. Any destination in this itinerary can be taken on its own, or you can combine just 2 or 3 of the places of interest.

*The Red Fort is closed on Mondays. The places visited may not be in the same order.
**The Park is open from November to June.
***The Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays.

GEMS OF CENTRAL INDIA tour costs includes:
• Transportation in private vehicle with chauffeur 
• English speaking local guides for sightseeing
• Domestic Airfares (quoted separately) and Train Tickets where applicable
• Accommodation for the mentioned number of nights
• Daily breakfast • English speaking guides for sightseeing
• Porterage • Entrance fees at monuments & places of visit
• All sightseeing and tours – including a full or half day city tour at each major destination

COST PER PERSON – Land Only – Daily Departure

BOOK DURING FEBRUARY 2010 AND SAVE 5% ON THE PRICE BELOW

Tour Validity: As most National Parks are closed from July to October, the Summer rates are only valid up until 30 June.