 THE
MOGHUL RAJ
A cultural tour of India
The Moghuls have the unique distinction of being the builders of the most famous buildings, gardens, tombs and mausoleums in India. Amongst their outstanding aesthetic creations are the Taj Mahal, Shalimar Garden, the spectacular Jama Masjid, Badhshahi Mosque, Red Forts in Delhi & Agra as well as many more. Our tour provides an experience of India as it was in the Mughal Raj heyday.
|
Tour
Summary
|
Map
|
Day
|
Place
|
|
01-03
|
Delhi |
|
04
|
Delhi
/ Jaipur |
| 05 |
Jaipur |
|
06
|
Jaipur
/ Agra |
|
07
|
Agra |
|
08
|
Agra
/ Gwalior |
|
09
|
Gwailor
/ Orcha / Khajuraho |
| 10 |
Khajuraho |
| 11 |
Khajuraho
/ Varanasi |
| 12 |
Varanasi
/ Lucknow (Train) |
| 13 |
Lucknow |
| 14 |
Lucknow
/ Delhi |
| 15 |
New
Delhi / Home |
|
|
Day 01: Arrive Delhi
Namaste! We are warmly greeted the traditional Indian
way with hands together.
Overnight: Hotel in Delhi (3 nights) (B, D)
 Day
02: Delhi
The capital of India is a true reflection of the old
and new of India. We visit the famous India Gate followed
by the Houses of Parliament, Connaught Place and the
Qutb Minar - a perfect minaret towering 102 m into the
sky. New Delhi is an exotic blend of Mughal, Hindu, British
and modern independent India. (B, D)
Day 03: Delhi
Our tour of Old Delhi takes us back to the
reign of the Moghuls with the famous Red
Fort. Built by Shah Jehan, this was once
the most opulent fort of the Mughal Empire.
Next we visit the majestic Jama Masjid, India's
largest mosque, followed by the Raj Ghat,
the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi. We
end our tour with a bazaar experience at
Chandni Chawlk, the street of silver and
goldsmiths. Evening is free to enjoy an optional
Sound and Light Show at the Delhi Red Fort.
(B, D)
Day 04: Delhi / Jaipur (drive
260 kms / 156 mi)
An interesting drive conveys
us to Jaipur, the rose pink capital
of Rajasthan. En-route we visit
Sikandra, the burial site of
Akbar the Great.
Overnight: Hotel in Jaipur (2
nights) (B, D)
Day 05: Jaipur
We are treated like
the royalty of yesteryear
with an elephant
ride to the intriguing
Amber Palace, a distinguished
example of 17th Century
Rajput architecture.
Next we visit the
old astronomical
observatory, the
Palace, home to a
rare collection of
Indian art and Hawa
Mahal, the most prominent
of the buildings
in the pink city.
We end the day at
the colourful bazaar.
(B, D)
Day 06:
Jaipur
/ Agra
(drive
235 kms
/ 145
mi)
Today
we drive
to the
World
Heritage
Site
of Fatehpur
Sikri,
the beautiful
capital
built
in 1640
by the
Mughal
King
Akbar
the Great
and later
abandoned
for lack
of water.
A superb
example
of Mughal
architecture,
it stands
perfectly
preserved
in the
desert.
We also
visit
the artistically
designed
mausoleum
of Salim
Chisty
who is
reputed
to have
prayed
for a
son for
Akbar
leading
to the
birth
of Salim
Jehangir,
the builder
of the
Taj.
After
our visit
here
we continue
to the
city
home
of the
world
famous
Taj Mahal.
Overnight:
Hotel
in Agra
(2 nights)
(B, D)
 Day
07: Agra
Our tour
of Agra
begins
with
the spectacular
Taj Mahal,
probably
the best
known
World
Heritage
Site.
Built
by Shah
Jehan
as a
mausoleum
for his
favourite
wife,
Mumtaz
Mahal,
the Taj
is built
of white
marble,
beautifully
carved
and inlaid
with
semi-precious
stones.
Next
we visit
Agra
Fort
followed
by Agra
town
and bazaar.
Later
we have
free
time
for shopping
for replicas
of the
Taj,
handicrafts
and various
other
curios
that
the descendants
of the
builders
of the
Taj are
famous
for crafting.
(B, D)
Day 08: Agra - Gwalior
Today we depart for former princely state of Gwalior
aves. The state was formed in the mid-18th cent. By Ranoji
Sindhia, a Maratha chief Half day tour visiting the Man
Mandir- Built between 1486 and 1517 by Raja Mansingh.
Within the palace rooms stand bare, stripped of their
former glory, testifying to the passing of the centuries.
Vast chambers with fine stone screens were once the music
halls, and behind these screens, the royal ladies would
learn music from the great masters of the day. Below,
circular dungeons housed the state prisoners of the Mughals.
Emperor Aurangzeb had his brother, Murad imprisoned,
and later executed here. Close by is Jauhar Pond, where
in the Rajput tradition, the Ranis committed mass sati
after their consorts had been defeated in battle. At
Man Mandir Palace, a poignant ambience of those days
of chivalry and heroism still lingers in the silent chambers.
Later we visit Gujari Mahal- The 15th century Gujari
Mahal is a monument to the love of Raja Mansingh Tomar
for his intrepid Gujar Queen, Mrignayani.
Overnight: Hotel in Gwalior (1 Night) (B, D)
Day 9 Gwalior-Orcha- Khajuraho (Train and road)
Today we board the famous Shatabdi Express Train to Jhansi
and continue by coach to Orchha, an amazing medieval
fortress-city located on the shores of the Betwa River.
After our visit to Orchha we proceed to Khajuraho Famous
for its Exotic temples built during the apogee of the
Chandella dynasty between 950 and 1050 AD. Today only
20 temples remain and these fall into three distinct
groups, belonging to two different religions - Hinduism
and Jainism.
Overnight: Hotel in Khajuraho (2 nights) (B, D)
 Day
10: Khajuraho
Today we visit the world famous erotic sculptures in
Khajuraho. The most important ones include the Mahadev
Temple, Chitragupta, Vishvanath and Nandi Temples. Theses
beautiful temples strike a perfect balance between architecture
and sculpture. The Kandariya, the most exquisite of the
temples, is decorated with a profusion of sculptures
recognized Our afternoon is free to wander in the traditional
bazaars of Khajuraho. (B, D)
Day
11: Khajuraho / Varanasi (flight)
After further sightseeing in Khajuraho we take a short
flight to the holy city of Varanasi. This afternoon we
tour the oldest city of India visiting Bharat Mata Temple,
home to a large marble relief map of India, the Durga
temple, and the Tulsi Manas Mandir. Banaras Hindu University,
which has an Art Gallery and the Mosque of Mughal Emperor
Aurangazeb. This evening is free to explore the city's
amazing bazaars.
Overnight: Hotel in Varanasi (1 night) (B, D)
Day 12: Varanasi / Lucknow (Train)
Early morning we take a sunrise cruise on the River Ganges.
One of the cardinal principles of Hinduism is the belief
of the holiness of the Ganges and every morning scores
of pilgrims and priests fill the riverbanks performing
the holy dip and other rituals. This is a site that has
to be seen and experienced as it is so different from
anything else one may have seen anywhere else in the
world.
Later we tour Sarnath, the site of Lord Buddha's first
sermon after attaining enlightenment. At Sarnath we meet
many Buddhist monks and followers. Then we visit local
homes to see in-home silk weaving and soak up some local
customs, culture and hospitality. Later we take train
to Lucknow.
Overnight: Hotel in Lucknow (2 nights) (B, D)
Day 13: Lucknow
Lucknow is a city that reflects
the last remains of the Mughal
Raj within its lifestyle, dress,
customs and architecture. Visit
the great Imambara, Jama Masjid,
Picture gallery, the Clock Tower,
Roomi Darwaza, and Residency & Dilkusha
Palace. (B, D)
Day 14: Lucknow / Delhi (Shatabdi
Express train)
Today we are transferred to railway
station to board our train to
Delhi.
Overnight: Hotel in Delhi
(1 night) (B, D)
Day 15: Depart New Delhi / Home
Today is free for shopping and
personal pursuits. In the evening
we are transferred to the airport
for our flight back home or to
connect to another Indian adventure
in the South or East of the country.
(B)
Departure
Dates |
| 2012
English Speaking Departures
Jan 16, Feb 07, Mar 05, Apr 09, May 07, Jun 11, Jul 09, Aug 06, Sep 10, Oct 08, Nov 12 & Dec 03 |
Inclusions |
| Tour
Price Includes |
Tour
Price Does Not Include |
Accommodation on twin-share basis in hotels as selected. |
International airfare, airport taxes |
Daily buffet breakfast and dinner as per the itinerary (B=Breakfast D=Dinner) |
Lunch throughout |
Transport in air-conditioned vehicle for all sightseeing tours, arrival and departure transfers as per the itinerary |
Visa Fees / Insurance |
Assistance on arrival / departure and Porter's fee at the airport and railway station only |
|
Services of local English speaking guide for the sight-seeing as per the itinerary at each city. |
|
Entrances to the monuments of visit as per the itinerary. |
|
| Train Fare for Gwalior/Jhansi, Varanasi/Lucknow & Lucknow/Delhi in Executive Class. |
|
| Domestic airfare Khajuraho / Varanasi sector in Economy Class (Subject To Change) |
|
|
Tour
Price |
|
| We
accept payment in US $ (US Dollars),
CA $ (Canadian Dollars) or equivalent
EURO (for clients outside North America).
Bestway
Tours & Safaris offers conversion rate protection.
Once full payment has been received, and no
modification has been made to the tour itinerary,
we will honour that rate.
For
complete payment procedures, please download
 Bestway_Payment_Info.pdf
Note: to read this file you must have Adobe
Acrobat. |
| Hotel
Category |
Double
Occupancy |
Single
Room Supplement |
| Option 1 |
US
$ 3075 |
US
$ 1095 |
| Option 2 |
US
$ 3725 |
US
$ 1525 |
| Option 3 |
US
$ 4675 |
US
$ 2020 |
Hotels
| City |
Option 1 |
Option 2 |
Option 3 |
Delhi
(4 Nights) |
Ramada Plaza
(Standard Room) |
Jaypee Siddharth
(Standard Room) |
Taj Palace Hotel
(Superior Room) |
Jaipur
(2 Nights) |
The Ramada
(Deluxe Room) |
Country Inn & Suites (Deluxe Garden View) |
Jai Mahal Palace
(Deluxe Room) |
Agra
(2 Nights) |
Mansingh Palace
(Standard Room) |
The Gateway Hotel
(Standard Room) |
The Gateway Hotel
(Standard Room) |
Gwalior
(1 Night) |
Usha Kiran Palace
(Superior Room) |
Usha Kiran Palace
(Superior Room) |
Usha Kiran palace
(Superior Room) |
Khajuraho
(2 Nights) |
The Ramada
(Deluxe Room) |
Radisson Jass Hotel
(Deluxe Room) |
Taj Chandela
(Superior Garden Facing) |
Varanasi
(1 Night) |
Hindustan International
(Superior Room) |
Ramada Plaza
(Superior Room) |
The Gateway Hotel Ganges
(Standard Room) |
Lucknow
(2 Nights) |
Taj Residency
(Standard Room) |
Taj Residency
(Standard Room) |
Taj Palace Hotel
(Superior room) |
|
Estimated
International Airfare - International
airfare is NOT included in this tour |
| Canada
- West Coast |
US
$ 1600 |
USA
- West Coast |
US
$ 1400 |
| Canada
- East Coast |
US
$ 1200 |
USA
- East Coast |
US
$ 1000 |
|
Participants |
| This
tour operates on a minimum of 02 and a maximum
of 15 participants. |
Notes
|
Customised
Itinerary
If you would like to have a tour on dates
other than the above ones or with a customised
itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy
to work out an exclusive program for you.
Foreign Language Departures
Please contact us for information on French,
German,
Italian and Spanish
speaking departures.
You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com
or call us at 604.264.7378. Residents of
U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1.800.663.0844. |
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