Essence of India

Duration: 14 nights / 15 days
Destinations Covered: Delhi - Agra - Jaipur - Jodhpur - Jaisalmer - Udaipur - Mumbai - Goa

Day 01 - Arrive Delhi
Welcome on arrival at Delhi and transfer to hotel.

Day 02 - Delhi
After breakfast sightseeing tour of Old & New Delhi.
Delhi - The capital of India has been a center of power almost continuously since the 13th century. The huge city is divided into Old & New Delhi, the former also comprise the seventh city of the Mughals; Shahjahnabad. Places of interest are Qutub Minar built in 1199 rises to a height of 72.5 metres from a base of 14.32 metres; Humayun's Tomb begun in 1564 is one of the finest examples of garden Tomb, the Red Fort an imposing citadel built in the 17th century and Jama Mosque the largest mosque in India. Also visit Government Buildings, India Gate, President House & Birla Temple. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 03 - Delhi-Agra drive 204 kms
Breafkast & drive to Agra enroute visiting Sikandra - the Mausoleum of great Mughal Emperor Akbar. Check into hotel on arrival. Afternoon on visit Taj Mahal - The Symbol of Love Engraved in Stone. Also visit Agra Fort - the center of power for Moughals for a long time. Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daulah is one of the best-ornamented structures in India and many of the features in Taj Mahal were replicated and refined from here. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 04 : Agra-Fatehpur Sikri-Jaipur 235 kms
After breakfast proceed to Jaipur by drive. Visit Fatehpur Sikri - the deserted capital of Moughals en route. Appreciate the beauty of magnificent Buland Darwaza, Jama Masjid, Birbal Mahal, Panch Mahal, and Jodha Bai Palace. On arrival, check into the hotel. Overnight at Hotel.

Day 05 : Jaipur / Jaisalmer Train
After breakfast, visit Amber fort, once the capital of Kachwahas before they moved to their newly built capital in Jaipur. This is the only fort where still one can go by the elephant back even today like a Maharaja. Afternoon, proceed for the city tour including City Palace and museum; Jantar Mantar - an observatory built by Sawai Jai Singh, the founder of Jaipur; and Jaipur Bazaar - a bustling shopping mart with exotic handicraft items on sale.. Evening transfer to railway station in time to board overnight train 4759 Jaisalmer Express for Jaisalmer at 2350 hrs, Overnight on board the train.

Day 06 : Arrive Jaisalmer
Arrive Jaisalmer at 1240 hrs, assistance on arrival and transfer to hotel. Late afternoon excursion to Sam Dunes to see sunset and enjoy camel ride and overnight.

Day 07 : Jaisalmer
Breakfast and proceed for sightseeing tour of Jaisalmer. Jaisalmer - Rawal Jaisal laid the foundation of the city in 1156 AD after consulting a local hermit. The Jaisalmer Fort stands almost 100 metres over the city with its 99 bastions, several entrances, a group of Jain Temples from 12th to 13th century. Salim Singh Ki Haveli, Patwaon- Ki- Haveli, each famous for its intricately latticed and consipicuous facades. Afternoon at leisure and overnight at the hotel.

Day 08 : Jaisalmer / Jodhpur drive 287 kms
After breakfast drive to Jaisalmer. On arrival check-in at hotel. Afternoon sightseeing tour of Jodhpur.
Jodhpur:- The former capital of Marwar state was founded in 1459 by Rao Jodha. Alongwith Bikaner and Jaisalmer, Jodhpur too is situated on the ancient silk route that linked central asia and northern india with the seaports of Gujarat. Jodhpur is still the leading trade centre for cattle, camels, wood, salt and crops. Menrangarh Fort spreading over 5 kms on a perpendicular hill and looking down 125 metres it was built on advice of a saint in 1459 to establish an impregnable headquarter. The fort is one of the best in India with its exquisitely latticed windows, carved panels, elaborately adorned windows and walls of Moti Mahal, Phool Mahal, Sheesh Mahal. A collection of musical instruments, palanquins, royal costumes. Close to the fort lies the Jaswant Thada, this 19th century royal cenotaphs built in white marble. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 09 : Jodhpur / Ranakpur / Udaipur drive 318 kms
Ranakpur - Known for its superbly carved Jain Temples, built during liberal and gifted Monarch Rana Kumbha in the 15th century. The main "Chaumukha Temple" is dedicated to tirthankara Rishabji and a four faced image is enshrined in the inner sanctum, open on all four sides. The temple has an enormous basement covers 48000 sq feet area. On arrival check-in at hotel for overnight.

Day 10 : Udaipur / Mumbai
After breakfast, sightseeing Udaipur - Built by Maharaja Udai Singh in 1567 is one of the most beautiful cities in India. Udaipur or the city of lakes nestles in a scenic valley, ringed by the green Aravali Hills, it is built around three lakes - Pichola, Fatehsagar & Udai Sagar a little further out. City Palace started by Udai Singh this enormous edifice 30.4 metres high and 244 metres in length was added to by later rulers. The approach is through Hati Pol, the Elephant Gate alongwith main street of the old city. The building has massive octagonal towers crowned with cupolas. Sahelion-Ki-Bari, the garden of the Maids of Honour with extensive lawns and shady walks, stands on the shore of the lake Fatehsagar. Jagdish Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu built in 1651 AD and Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandal, a museum of folk art with rich collection of folk dresses, ornaments, puppets, masks, dolls, folk musical instrument are the other places of interest.
Late afternoon sharing boat cruise on Lake Pichola.
Later transfer to airport for flight to Mumbai (1925-2110 hrs).
Upon arrival in Mumbai, transfer to hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 11 : Mumbai
Breakfast and proceed for full day tour of Elephanta Caves & Mumbai.
Elephanta Caves - The rock-cut Hindu temples at Elephanta, an island 6 miles across the harbour provide an exciting glimpses of Indian sculpture dating from 600 AD. Huge panels depict episodes relating to Lord Shiva, the central one being the most imposing one - a five metre bust of the God, represents his three aspects as creator, preserver and destroyer. Motor-launch takes about an hour to reach the island where the caves are situated.
Mumbai - Political capital of Maharashtra and commercial capital of India, Mumbai is many cities in one. As the world's largest textile market, a major industrial center and country's busiest port handling over 40 percent of India maritime trade. Mumbai has no recorded ancient past. Mumbai 's colonial legacy is the Gateway of India built to commemorate the royal visit of George V and Queen Mary in 1911. Places of interest are Prince of Wales Museum commemorates George V's first visit to India in 1905 houses collections of Indian sculpture, miniature paintings and Nepalese and Tibetan art. Flora Fountain, St.Thomas Cathedral, Crawford Market, Chor Bazaar (thieves market), Marine Drive, Malabar Hill, Hanging Gardens & Kamla Nehru Park are the other places of interest.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 12 : Mumbai / Goa
Breakfast and transfer to airport for flight from Mumbai to Goa. Assistance on arrival transfer to the hotel. Relax on beach. Overnight at hotel.

Day 13 : Goa
In Goa at beach. Overnight at hotel.

Day 14 : Goa
In Goa at beach. Overnight at hotel.

Day 15 : Goa / Mumbai / Onward destination
Transfer to airport for flight to Mumbai and on arrival, transfer to international airport for connecting onward flight.