This is a tour which takes you back in time when man was living in the
caves & then moves on to the 3rd century when the Great Emperor Ashoka
spread his empire far & wide. The famous Asoka Pillar which has been
immortalized by the government of India from where the emblem of lion has
been adopted is on this tour at Sanchi. The 8th century which was epitomized
as the golden age of the Gupta dynasty also spread from this area. Then came
the Chandellas of Khajurao & the Bundhelas of Orcha.
Day - 1 -- Delhi
Arrival Delhi in the morning. "Namaste" a warm welcome to India,
a sincere greeting with a bow and folded hands. Transfer to a 5-star hotel
in New Delhi. After a short break we embark on our first journey to discover
India. Our introduction to India will be by a " Rickshaw" ride a
mode of transport used in small towns and in Old Delhi.
We head for a guided city tour to the most interesting sights of the city
that is the Red Fort a fort made of red sand stone which once housed the
world famous PEACOCK throne and the Jama Masjid mosque. Welcome Dinner at
the old Hauz Khas village complex overnight stay at the hotel.
Day - 2 -- Bhopal
Take an executive class airconditioned train to Bhopal a city which has
been at the centre of many kingdoms. Overnight at the hotel.
Day - 3 -- Bhimbetka Caves
Around
Bhopal. Early morning drive to Bhimbetka caves which are just like the caves
of Kalahari or that of Australia. The oldest paining in these caves dates
back 12000 years. Afternoon visit Tribal Museum thereafter the art gallery
at Bharat Bhavan. Overnight at the hotel.
Day - 4 -- Sanchi
Early morning drive to Sanchi a city associated with Emperor Asoka who
converted to Budhism & built a Stupa in the 3rd century. Sanchi and its
surrounding areas are an archaeologists delight with its various Stupas of
different eras monastries, temples, Gupta caves of Udaigiri dating to 320 to
606 A.D. or the famous Asoka Pillar from which has been derived the emblem
of India. Overnight hotel.
Day - 5 -- Lalitpur - Deogarh
Take the train to Lalitpur. Disembark for Deogarh a drive of 23 km, which
is associated with the history of the Guptas, the Pratiharas, the Gondas,
the Muslim rulers of Delhi, the Marathas and the British. The Gupta age,
because of its superb sculptures, is "in the annals of classical India
almost what the Periclean age is in the history of Greece".
The fort has a remarkable group of 31 Jain Temples. The site was a Jain
centre from the 8th to the 17th centuries. It's a virtual treasure trove of
Jainism sculpted though being constantly vandalised but its still one of the
best open art gallery that can be associated with Jainism another sect to
have come out of Hinduism just like Budhism. Overnight at a rest house.
Day - 6 -- Chanderi
Drive to Chanderi the ancient capital of Chandela kings the builders of
Khajurao temples & the halt of the Moghul army that went to conquer the
deccan plateau. Huge 12th-13th century Jain carvings approximately 20 feet
tall cut out in the hillside. The town also has fine examples of Rajput and
Sultanate architecture. A magnificient Mughal fort dominates the skyline.
To the Indian women this town, is associated with its gossamer-like sarees.
We visit the houses where these world famous Chanderi saris are made. We
also get to see Bidis the Indian cigar being made. Later in the evening
drive to Tikamgarh overnight at the rest house/farmhouse/camp.
Day - 7 -- Tikamgarh
Around
Tikamgarh which became the capital of the Bundhela kings once the idols of
Lord Ram was established in Orcha who is revered as a king in Bundelkhand.
Visit the 5th century Sun temple, the bath of the queen of Orcha, a house
built of empty liquor bottles by the Maharaja of Orcha.
Day - 8 -- Khajuraho
Drive to Khajuraho the citadel of power of the Chandela Kings in 10th &11th
century. Khajurao has been declared a World Heritage Site. Though famous for
its Erotic temple sculpture Khajurao is much more then just Kamasutra. The
question which comes to mind is how could any society approve of such
eroticism in a place of worship. To answer this question only a visit to
khajurao can do. Overnight at the hotel.
Day - 9 -- Khajuraho
Explore Khajuraho overnight hotel.
Day - 10 -- Khajuraho
Drive to Panna national park lunch at tree house. Overnight Khajurao.
Day - 11 -- Orcha
Drive to Orcha the old capital of the Bundhela Kings who were the
contempories of the Mughal Emperors. Check into the hotel on the banks of
the river. Go exploring the marvels of Bundelkhandok. Overnight at the
hotel.
Day - 12 -- Agra
Take the train to Agra. Check in to the hotel. Evening we visit The Taj
Mahal a monument of Love built by an Emperor for his queen.
Day - 13 -- Agra
The tour of Agra continues from the famous Sikandra the mouselum built for
the greatest Emperor of the Mughal dynasty Akbar the Great. Followed by Agra
Fort a massive complex with exquisite work on pillars and ceiling. Emperor
Shajahan the builder of Taj was held captive here by his son Emperor
Aurangzeb who usurped the throne. It was from here that Emperor Shahjahn
would view the Taj. In the evening we take to the streets of Agra. Overnight
at Agra.
Day - 14 -- Jaipur
We
leave for Jaipur the pink city of the Kachawa dynasty enroute stopping at
the abandoned city of Fatehpur Sikri built as the capital in 1571 and
abandoned 15 years later when the wells went dry. Evening check in to the
hotel.
Day - 15 -- Jaipur
A tour of the city palace, the palace of winds and then proceed to Amber
fort the ancient capital of Jaipur built in the 16th century by Raja Man
Singh in red sandstone and marble. It has some very intersting apartments
like the Sheesh Mahal the glass canopy apartments and Jai Mandir, Sukh Niwas
Baodi etc. The highlight of this trip is the elephant ride up the ramparts
of the fort just like the maharajas did. After this we visit the Jaigarh
fort the armoury of the erstwhile state which houses the biggest cannon on
wheels in the world. Overnight at hotel.
Day - 16 -- Samode
Half day sight seeing of the city and its street. We leave for Samode after
lunch traveling down the national highway towards Delhi and turning of to
Samode to reach Samode in late evening. Rest of the evening at Leisure to
explore the village.
Day - 17 -- Delhi
We leave for Delhi to catch the flight back home.
Note : As this is an offbeat tour the accommodation at Sanchi, Deogarh,
Tikamgarh is in tourist bunglows. This tour can only be done for a minimum 6
to 8 pax.
