 Day
1, Monday: Arrive Delhi (early AM): Clear
immigration and customs. A High Points representative will be waiting for
you outside the arrival hall, holding a “High Points Of India” placard.
Transfer to hotel. PM: Half day guided city tour of New Delhi. The buildings
of Edward Lutyens - architect of modern Delhi - are truly majestic . The
Presidential Palace, Parliament House and India Gate are all reminiscent
of the British "Raj". We drive through Delhi’s beautiful tree-lined avenues
and the Diplomatic Enclave enroute to the 12th century, 234 foot high fluted
minaret of Qutab Minar. Later, we shall stop at the Hauz Khas, to explore
its art galleries, boutiques and exotic restaurants set amidst 1000 year
old fortifications and a lively village. A welcome dinner atop the fort,
with a live introduction to Indian folk music and dances, shall prepare
us for the magic of the days to follow.
PM: Half-day drive to Jaipur. Approaching Jaipur, we drive past stretches of golden sand and low, rocky hills dotted with tiny fortresses. Occasional camel-drawn carts share the road. Their riders wear the colorful turbans and fierce mustaches of the fabled Rajput clans. We shall reach our hotel in Jaipur by early evening. PM: A lively programme of Rajasthan's famous folk dances shall precede dinner in the gardens of our exquisite palace hotel. Day 3, Wednesday :Jaipur: AM: Guided Tour. High above the city, the towers and domes of the Amber Fort are reminiscent of scenes from some fairy tale. We shall ascend to the fort atop gaily decorated elephants, as did the Maharajah's of yore. Within the fort walls lies an assortment of buildings famous for their intricate mirror inlays - the Hall of Mirrors, Kali’s Temple, palaces with latticed windows and beautifully sculpted arches and pillars.
PM: This afternoon we will tour Jaipur City, visiting the Maharaja’s City Palace. The City Palace is still the residence of the Jaipur family, and its museum displays a fabulous collection of paintings, carpets, jewelry and arms. We will also visit the Jantar Mantar (Royal Observatory), and the Hawa Mahal, or "Palace of the Winds". This is a multi-storied, intricately latticed facade of pink sandstone, designed for the pleasures of the ladies of the royal court. From here they could look out upon the quaint bazaars that still thrive around the palace, without exposing themselves to the prying stares of the commoners. Later, we shall explore the same colorful bazaars on foot. Here we may have memorable encounters with the descendents of those commoners, many still living in their ancestral "havelis" along the main market street. The sheer variety of the items that are sold off the street is fascinating, ranging from the mundane to the exotic, or even the simply baffling. Optional: PM:Visit the exquisite Samode Palace for dinner (about one hours’ drive out of Jaipur). |
 Day
4, Thursday: Jaipur-Agra : AM: Half-day drive
to Agra. PM: After exploring the Agra Fort - "a splendid fusion of military
might and lavish ornamentation" - we shall break for lunch. We spend the
afternoon and early evening at the Taj Mahal, the magnificent monument
to an emperor's love for his queen.
Day
5, Friday: Agra-Khajuraho :
AM: Departure transfer to the airport for a short flight to Khajuraho. Met on arrival and transfer to your hotel. PM: Guided tour of the Khajuraho Temples. At Khajuraho, the mighty Chandela kings built 85 temples from about 950 AD to 1000 AD. The few that have survived represent an unparalleled fusion of architecture, sculpture, religion, philosophy, and even ribaldry. Both sublime and sensual, the sculpture of Khajuraho venerates the Creator as well as a wonderful life of celebrations, dancing - and Loving. Here, handsome lovers are eternally frozen in stone in the most plastic postures of sensual love. Day
6, Saturday:Khajuraho-Varanasi: AM: Departure
transfer to the airport for the short flight to Varanasi. Met on arrival
and transfer to hotel. PM: Half day guided tour of Sarnath, where the Buddha
preached his first sermon. Optional: Cycle-rickshaw
ride through the colorful streets and bazaars of Varanasi, probably the
world’s oldest living city, contemporary of Babylon, Nineveh and Thebes.
Day
7, Sunday: Varanasi-Katmandu: Early morning
boat ride on the river Ganges. Witness the colorful, ancient and sometimes
amazing rituals performed on the banks of the river by thousands of devout
pilgrims. PM: Transfer to the airport for the short flight to Katmandu.
Met on arrival and transfer to your hotel.
Day
8, Monday: Katmandu: AM: Half day guided tour
of Katmandu including the Durbar Square. The temple or the residence of
the Living Goddess, Kumari, is situated in the vicinity of Hanuman
Dhoka Palace. The building has profusely carved wooden balconies and window
screens. The Kumari must be of the Newari Shakya caste, and must be a virgin
with no body marks or injuries. When she attains puberty she is replaced
by another Kumari. PM:
Pashupatinath: Situated 2 miles east of Katmandu city, the Pashupatinath
temple is one of the holiest of Hindu temples. Set amidst lush green forests
on the banks of the sacred Bagmati river, the temple is built in the pagoda
style, with a gilted roof and richly carved silver doors. Boudhanath, 5
miles east of Katmandu city is one of the largest stupas in the world.
It stands with four pairs of eyes scanning the four cardinal directions,
keeping watch over human prosperity and righteous behaviour. The stupa
is built on an octagonal base inset with prayer wheels. The shrine is ringed
by the simple homes of Lamas (Buddhist monks).
Day
9, Tuesday: Katmandu-Delhi: AM: At leisure.
Optional: walk or ride cycle -rickshaws through the older parts of Katmandu.
PM: Transfer to airport for the flight to Delhi. Met upon arrival and assisted in connecting with your onward flight. |
