1
DELHI – SAFDARJUNG STATION
Welcome to India! You’ll be met by our representative at Safdarjung Railway Station, we’ll get you checked in and tonight, your majestic journey begins.
2
JODHPUR
The second largest city in Rajasthan, Jodhpur is famous for its commanding Meharangarh Fort, Umaid Bhawan Palace and the Jaswant Thada, a shrine built in memory of Maharaja Jaswant II. We’ll share lunch at a wonderful five-star heritage hotel, still the residence of royalty.
3
CHITTORGARH
The story of Chittorgarh is a saga of valor, tenacity and sacrifice. The Fort of Chittorgarh is a treasure trove of history and offers the traveler insight into the life of the Great Rajput rulers. The Vijay Stambh, or Victory Tower, is one of the main attractions of the fort and an excellent spot from which to explore. The Gaumukh reservoir, source of water in times of siege, the palace of the legendary beauty, Queen Padmini and the Rana Kumbha Palace itself all await you.
4
JAIPUR
Today we’ll explore one of India’s most fabled cities – the “Pink City”, Jaipur. You’ll enter the stunning Amber Fort as did the rulers of old – on the back of an elephant! We’ll have time to explore shops, share lunch at a five-star hotel and visit the Hawa Mahal, or “Palace of the Winds” and the 18th century City Palace, residence of the Maharaja of Jaipur, now a museum housing countless treasures. You’ll visit the observatory built by the founder of Jaipur, Maharaja Sawai Jai II, a noted astronomer. Tonight we’ll dine at Hotel Jai Mahal Palace and enjoy an entertaining cultural program.
5
KHAJURAHO
The 9th – 12th century temple complex of Khajuraho is one of India’s great architectural legacies. Situated in Madhya Pradesh, these temples – twenty-one survive — convey through elaborate series of reliefs eroticism, dance and passion that marked the Chandela Dynasty of their creators.
6
VARANASI (BANARAS)
Varanasi, the spiritual centre of India is one of the oldest continuously-occupied cities in the world. Famous as a city of temples, they seem to appear every few paces. Jyotirlinga Visvantha, or The Golden Temple, rebuilt in 1776, is amongst the holiest shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva. Here you’ll visit the Jnana Vapi, the“Well of Wisdom”, believed to have been dug by Shiva himself. The Ganga Ghats, riverfront steps leading to the Ganges River, are the most popular pilgrimage sites of Varanasi and serve as centres of music and learning. This holy city has been a home of spiritualism, philosophy and mysticism for thousands of years – to walks its streets is to walk in the steps of saints and mystics of legend: Guatama Buddha, Mahavira, Kabir, Tulsidas, Shankaracharya and Patanjali.
7
AGRA, TAJ MAHAL
Agra, seat of Mughal power, home to the Taj Mahal, the Fatehpur Sikri Mosque and the imposing Red Fort is one of the most recognizable cultural centres in the world. Famous for handicrafts — everything from marble to leather, saris to carpets, brass work to jewelry – here is the perfect place to find meaningful mementoes of this splendid journey by rail.
8
DELHI
Tour End at Delhi Railway Station.
