Rajasthan and the Ganges Valley

Arrive Delhi. Reception at the airport. Transfer and overnight at the hotel.

Day dedicated to the visit of Delhi, capital of India has a fascinating history and dynamic present. First, Old Delhi, the ancient city of the Mughal sultans with steep and narrow streets teeming with people and New Delhi, the capital of the Indian Empire with wide tree lined avenues designed and built by the British as Edwin Lutyens a garden city. In the morning, Old Delhi with a visit to Raj Ghat, the site where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated; Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India; passing in front of the Red Fort was once the most opulent fort and palace of the Mughal empire and the bustling shopping district of Chandi Chowk. The afternoon Visiting New Delhi with the minaret Qutb Minar, the tallest minaret in the world. Then Connaught Circus, the heart of public life in New Delhi, Rajpath and India Gate, Parliament and the President’s residence. Overnight at hotel.

Morning transfer to airport for flight to Delhi to Jodhpur, the ancient capital of Marwar. On arrival, tour of the city known for its fort, Mehrangarh Fort, overlooking the town like a sentinel. Built in 1459, it contains many palaces built by successive rulers. Jodhpur is commonly known as the Blue City because most of the houses in the old city are painted that color. Jaswant Thada and visit of the royal cenotaphs. Beautiful white marble mausoleum in memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II, is nicknamed the Rajasthan Taj Mahal. Then walk to the fortified in the colorful and lively bazaar, Sardar Bazar, around the Clock Tower. Overnight at hotel.

To reach Kumbhalgarh, one of the greatest strengths of the kingdom of Mewar, the road winds and rises gradually in the Aravelli mountains over a thousand meters. Formidable sentinel built in the 15th century, this imposing fortress stands its huge crenellated ramparts running on over 36 kilometers. The visit of this fortress, guarded by seven massive gates greatly impressed. Then, drive to Ranakpur and visit one of the finest complexes of Jain temples in India. The complex, which dates back to the 15th century, is a magnificent beauty and her work in stone recalls the delicacy of lace. Continue to Udaipur. Overnight at hotel.

Visit the most romantic city of Rajasthan and the jewel of Mewar kingdom. With its marble palaces with undeniable charm with towers, domes and intricately carved balconies, Udaipur is an enchanting spectacle. Visit the City Palace, a huge palace of 1567, Rajput and Mughal mixture of influences surrounded by crenellated walls with panoramic views of Lake Pichola and its two islands. Continue to Jagdish Temple and Sahelion Ki Bari visit, garden bridesmaids of the Maharani. In the late afternoon boat ride on Lake Pichola. Overnight at hotel.

Departure to Pushkar and current path, visit Chittorgarh. Chittorgarh, the ancient capital of Mewar, is the symbol of the Rajput spirit, courage, pride and love. Discovery of this impressive Mughal fortress considered the largest in India and best preserved of the state of Rajasthan founded in the 7th century. It is here that the Rajput warriors repeatedly gave their lives preferring death to dishonor and submission of the enemy. Continue to Pushkar, one of the centers of Hinduism and pilgrimage center. The city has the privilege of having the only temple of Brahma, the Creator God of the Universe. On the banks of the lake, ghats allow pilgrims to perform their rituals in the sacred waters to cleanse their souls and thus release from rebirth. Overnight at hotel.

To Jaipur, capital of Rajasthan. Jaipur, or the Heart of Rajput chivalry, built in 1727 is known as the Pink City because of the color of its walls. In the afternoon, visit the City Palace and its splendid museum containing many treasures, the Astronomical Observatory, the Jantar Mantar Observatory and its amazing instruments that still admired today. Stop at the Palace of Winds, Hawa Mahal, with multiple openings. Built in 1799 and close to the City Palace, this amazing architectural fantasy was built for women of royal families so they can attend processions without being seen. Overnight at hotel.

Morning drive to Amber and visit the Amber Fort, the ancient capital of Jaipur Maharajas. This 16th century fortress, built atop a rocky outcrop, is accessible by elephant. Tour of the fort and its many small more sumptuous palaces as each other. Back to Jaipur in the afternoon pedicab ride to take the pulse of the old city of Jaipur where markets, shops and bazaars abound. Typical areas have not lost this special atmosphere there for centuries. Overnight at hotel.

Drive through the beautiful countryside to get to Agra. Abhaneri stop and visit a beautiful wells degrees, the Chand Baori. This superb book 8th century has twelve levels double flights of stairs that sink up to thirty meters into the rock. It is the oldest and deepest wells degrees in India. Continuation of the road to the walled city of red sandstone, Fatehpur Sikri, built by Emperor Akbar to commemorate the birth of his son. Its construction was completed in 1574 but the city was abandoned 15 years later. It is nicknamed the “Ghost Town” and has kept many vestiges. The interest of the tour focuses on the streets and the palace of Akbar. Proceed to Agra. Overnight at hotel.

At sunrise visit Taj Mahal, unforgettable white marble mausoleum. Agra reached its zenith under the Mughal Empire when it was the capital. It is inside the Taj Mahal, in an underground crypt, rests Mumtaz, wife of Emperor Shah Jehan. Grief crazy, he built her this tomb whose work lasted 22 years. Entirely of white marble, its decoration made of semi-precious stones overlay it a true masterpiece. Then visit the Red Fort is the largest fort in India a UNESCO Cultural Heritage. Mentioned for the first time in 1080, it was then a simple red brick fort. In 1558, Emperor Akbar decided to Agra his capital and rebuilt the fort in order to make a residential palace. Overnight at hotel.

After breakfast, drive to Gwalior fortress that evokes the glitzy Rajput chivalry. En route, stop at Dholpur and visit the sacred site of Muchund. Continue to Gwalior. Visit the Fort, huge construction equipped with high ramparts of ten meters, has many monuments. It is located on a platform overlooking the city almost 100 meters high. This is a beautiful complex of yellow stones decorated with blue glazed clay tiles. In the afternoon, stroll through the bazaar of Gwalior. Overnight at hotel.

Morning drive to Orchha. Discovery of this ancient capital known for its temples and royal palaces that preserve beautiful murals. The grandeur of this magnificent city captured in stone has survived the centuries without a hitch. All its royal palaces and temples built in the 16th and 17th centuries still carry the prestige of the dynasty. Overnight at hotel.

In the morning, drive to Khajuraho visiting temples listed as UNESCO World Heritage. Khajuraho was the religious capital of the Chandela dynasty that built a large complex of temples that had up to 85, but only 22 remain today. Abandoned and overgrown by the jungle, we rediscovered only in 1840. They are covered with refined sculptures of figures and animals and are also famous for their erotic figures. Overnight at hotel.

Morning transfer to airport for flight to Khajuraho Varanasi. Upon arrival, drive to Sarnath, high religious place. This is where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon after receiving enlightenment. This new religion enjoyed extraordinary popularity and was broadcast throughout Asia. Sarnath became a kind of spiritual school from the 16th century BC. Back to Varanasi and transfer to hotel. In the evening Puja ceremony at ghats. Overnight at hotel. 

Varanasi is entirely located on the left bank of the Ganga, facing the rising sun. Early morning boat ride on the Ganges ghats along that allow Hindu devotees to go down to the river to practice to their prayers and ablutions. The bath in the Ganges is supposed to wash away all sins. It is also on the ghats that cremation is practiced. Then stroll through the old Varanasi. In the afternoon, transfer to airport for flight to Varanasi Delhi.