|
JOURNEY
TO THE GANGES
A
World Heritage Sites Tour of India |
 |
This
is a journey into the oldest city and cultural center
of India. This is where every day, 365 days a year, thousands
of Hindu pilgrims congregate on the bank of the River
Ganges to bathe in this holy river. The cultural roots
from Varanasi and Khajuraho of ancient India to the medieval
Mughal cities of Jaipur, Agra and Delhi to the pre and
post independent India, all come into light and are received
as a story of India - one of the most diverse and fascinating
countries in our world. Journey to the Ganges offers the
flexibility of extending your journey to either Nepal
or Eastern India. |
Tour
Summary
|
Map |
Day
|
Place
|
|
01
|
Delhi |
|
02
|
Delhi |
| 03 |
Delhi
|
|
04
|
Delhi
/ Mandawa |
|
05
|
Mandawa |
|
06
|
Mandawa
/ Jaipur |
|
07
|
Jaipur
|
|
08
|
Jaipur
/ Fatehpur Sikri / Agra |
|
09
|
Agra
|
|
10
|
Agra
/ Khajuraho |
|
11
|
Khajuraho
/Varanasi |
| 12 |
Varanasi
/Delhi |
| 13 |
Delhi
|
| 14 |
Delhi
|
|
|
 |
UNESCO
World Heritage Sites Visited
This tour has been tailored to include the following World
Heritage Sites |
|
World Heritage Sites in India covered on this tour |
|
Agra Fort (1983) |
Near
the gardens of the Taj Mahal stands the important 16th-
century Mughal monument known as the Red Fort of Agra.
This powerful fortress of red sandstone encompasses, within
its 2.5- km-long enclosure walls, the imperial city of
the Mughal rulers. It comprises many fairy-tale palaces,
such as the Jahangir Palace and the Khas Mahal, built
by Shah Jahan; audience halls, such as the Diwan-i-Khas;
and two very beautiful mosques. |
| Taj
Mahal (1983) |
An
immense mausoleum of white marble, built in Agra between
1631 and 1648 by order of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan
in memory of his favourite wife, the Taj Mahal is the
jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally
admired masterpieces of the world's heritage. |
| Fatehpur
Sikri (1986) |
Built
during the second half of the 16th century by the Emperor
Akbar, Fatehpur Sikri (the City of Victory) was the capital
of the Mughal Empire for only some 10 years. The complex
of monuments and temples, all in a uniform architectural
style, includes one of the largest mosques in India, the
Jama Masjid. |
|
Qutb Minar and its Monuments, Delhi (1993) |
Built
in the early 13th century a few kilometres south of Delhi,
the red sandstone tower of Qutb Minar is 72.5 m high,
tapering from 2.75 m in diameter at its peak to 14.32
m at its base, and alternating angular and rounded flutings.
The surrounding archaeological area contains funerary
buildings, notably the magnificent Alai-Darwaza Gate,
the masterpiece of Indo-Muslim art (built in 1311), and
two mosques, including the Quwwatu'l-Islam, the oldest
in northern India, built of materials reused from some
20 Brahman temples. |
| Khajuraho
Group of Monuments (1986) |
The
temples at Khajuraho were built during the Chandella dynasty,
which reached its apogee between 950 and 1050. Only about
20 temples remain; they fall into three distinct groups
and belong to two different religions - Hinduism and Jainism.
They strike a perfect balance between architecture and
sculpture. The Temple of Kandariya is decorated with a
profusion of sculptures that are among the greatest masterpieces
of Indian art. |
| Detailed
Itinerary |
Day
01: Sunday Arrive New Delhi
Namaste! We are warmly greeted the traditional Indian
way with hands together.
Overnight: Hotel Siddharth (3 nights) (B, D)
Day 02: Monday 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:Tuesday Delhi
Our tour of Old Delhi takes us back to the reign of the
Mughuls 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:Wednesday Delhi / Mandawa (Drive 260 kms / 160
miles)
This morning we head off for the colourful province of
Rajasthan. This journey provides us with our first exposure
to the countryside and rural life of India.
Overnight: Castle Mandawa (2 nights) (B, D)
Day 05:Thursday Mandawa
Today we take in a full day tour of this rural and feudal
center of the country. Mandawa is located in the Shekawati
region of Northwest Rajasthan and consists of heritage
buildings of the feudal lords called havelis. The town
has an air of serenity and royal prestige. We meet the
local folks, who maintain an air of dignity in their style
and culture. Evening we visit the colourful Manadaw bazaar
followed by dinner the Rajput style at the Castle.
(B, D)
Day 06: Friday Mandawa / Jaipur (Drive 230 kms / 140
miles)
Driving through the Rajasthani country we head south for
the famous city of Jaipur. En route we stop to take pictures
and meet the local people in the various villages along
our way.
Overnight: Hotel Trident Oberoi, Jaipur (2 nights)
(B, D)
Day 07: Saturday 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 08: Sunday Jaipur / Fatehpur Sikri / Agra (Drive
235kms / 145 miles)
A short drive gets us to Fatehpur Sikri, the beautiful
capital built in 1640 by the Mughal King, Akbar the Great.
A superb example of Mughal architecture, it stands perfectly
preserved in the desert having been abandoned by its inhabitants
due to a lack of water. 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. We arrive in Agra in
time for a delicious dinner
Overnight: Jaypee Palace, Agra (2 nights) (B, D)
Day 09: Monday 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 10: Tuesday Agra / Khajuraho (Train)
Today we board the famous Shatabdi Express Train to Jhansi
then continue by coach to visit Orchha, an amazing medieval
fortress-city located on the shores of the Betwa River.
After our visit of Orchha we proceed to Khajuraho, home
of splendid temples. Evening we may enjoy an optional
Sound and Light Show.
Overnight: Hotel Jass Trident (1 night) (B, D)
Day 11: Wednesday Khajuraho / Varanasi (Flight)
Our Khajuraho visit begins with the series of temples
that have been designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
The temples were built during the apogee of the Chandella
dynasty between 950 and 1050 AD. Today only about 20 temples
remain and they fall into three distinct groups and belong
to two different religions - Hinduism and Jainism. The
Kandariya is decorated with a profusion of sculptures
that are among the greatest masterpieces of Indian art.
These beautiful temples strike a perfect balance between
architecture and sculpture.
After our sightseeing of Khajuraho we take a short flight
to the holy city of Varanasi - amongst the oldest living
cities on the Sub Continent. We start our Varanasi experience
with a visit to the old part of the city and Bharat Mata
Temple which houses a huge relief map of India made of
marble. Varanasi is famous for its many temples and today
we cover the Durga temple, the Tulsi Manas Mandir beside
the Banaras Hindu University and the Mosque of Mughal
Emperor Aurangazeb. Varanasi is also famous for its Banarasi
silk sarees and we visit some of the houses where they
are woven. Evening is free to enjoy this 5000-year-old
city and experience sunset on the Ganges.
Overnight: Hotel Taj Ganges Varanasi (1 night) (B,
D)
Day 12: Thursday Varanasi / Delhi (Flight))
Early morning a serene experience begins as we take a
sunrise cruise on the River Ganges. One of the cardinal
principles of Hinduism is the belief in the holiness of
the Ganges and every morning scores of pilgrim and priests
fill the riverbanks performing the holy dip and various
other rituals. This is a site that has to be seen and
experienced as it is so different from anything 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 before visiting
local homes to see in-home silk weaving and soak up some
local customs, culture and hospitality. This evening we
fly to Delhi. (B, D)
Overnight: Hotel Siddharth (2 nights)
Day 13: Friday Delhi
We have this day free for shopping in Delhi. The capital
cities of Old and New Delhi offer a wide variety of markets,
bazaars, activities and archaeological sites to visit.
This evening we enjoy a typical Indian dinner at a local
restaurant. (B, D)
Day 14: Saturday Delhi / Home (Flight)
Today you bid farewell to India after what will have been
an excellent experience of a culture that is as old as
history. (B)
|
|
B
= Breakfast
|
L
= Lunch
|
D
= Dinner
|
|
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|
Departure Dates |
|
Jan 21, Feb 18, Mar
11, Apr 15, May 13, Jun 17,
Jul 15, Aug 12 & Sep 16
|
| Prices |
| Season |
Tour
Price US$ / CA$ |
Single
Sup US$ / CA$ |
| 2007 |
2630 |
890 |
| |
| Tour
Price Includes |
Tour
Price Does Not Include: |
•
Hotel accommodation as mentioned
• Meal plan as mentioned
• All sightseeing and transfers
• Entrance Fees to Museums and Sites
• Local English speaking guides
• Porterage
• Visa Support as required |
•
International Airfare / Departure Taxes
• Personal Insurances
• Visa Fees
• Drinks / Beverages with meals
• Tips / Gratuities to Drivers & Guides |
| Domestic
/ Regional Airfare INCLUDED in Tour Price |
|
Khajuraho
/ Varanasi / Delhi
|
| Estimated
International Airfare(not
included in tour price) |
| East
Coast |
US $ / CA $
1250 |
| West
Coast |
US $ / CA $
1350 |
| Please
note:
This tour operates with a minimum of 02
and a maximum of N/A
participants. |
| Other
Dates / Customized Itinerary / Languages |
In addition to our set programs we are also pleased
to offer customized tours.
Please do not hesitate to contact us to discuss your
individual needs.
Customized tours can be conducted in English, French,
German, Spanish or Italian. Each departure is conducted
in the designated language only. |
| Contact
Information |
|
|
Fax:
+1-604-264-7774
|
| 206–8678
Greenall Ave |
Phone:
+1-604-264-7378 |
| Burnaby
B.C., Canada |
Toll
Free (US & Canada): 1-800-663-0844 |
| V5J
3M6 |
Email:
bestway@bestway.com |
|
30
years in small group journeys
|
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Site
updated April 04, 2008
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