India Kaleidoscope

In this 16 day holiday, we start in Delhi, the capital city of India. We follow in the footsteps of Mughal emperors and colonial overlords, explore the wonderful medieval monuments of Gwalior and Orchha and gaze upon the infamous carvings at the temples of Khajuraho. Seek out the epitome of the natural world – the Bengal tigers at Bandhavgarh National Park. Visiting the timeless setting in Varanasi, one of the oldest and holiest cities on earth, where we watch the flowing waters of the Ganges reputedly dividing the worlds of men and gods. Finally, we stand amongst the Buddhist ruins of Bodh Gaya, where the Lord Buddha himself attained enlightenment. All in all, this is a wonderful offbeat India tour, taking in many cultural highlights.

Our Program

Day 01 - ARRIVE DELHI
Late evening: On arrival in Delhi by your international flight, meet and greet at the airport and transfer to hotel for immediate occupancy.
Day 02 - IN DELHI
After a relaxed breakfast, proceed for a full day guided city tour of New Delhi and Old Delhi covering largest Mosque in Asia, an unforgettable cycle rickshaw ride through the narrow lanes of Old Delhi, Mughal architecture, soul-stirring temples and the 72 pts tall minaret. Evening you the option of dining at one of the many Indian specialty restaurants.
Day 03 - DELHI / GWALIOR
Early Morning you will be transferred to train station in time to board Shatabdi Express to Gwalior. On arrival, assistance, and transfer to hotel. Afternoon: A guided tour of the Royal city of Gwalior and visit the huge fort of Gwalior and the splendid Palace of Maharaja of Gwalior. Also, explore the busy bazaars of the old city.
Day 04 - GWALIOR / ORCHHA
Today morning is at leisure to walk around the town. Later drive to the medieval gem of Orchha (2 hrs) situated on the Betwa River. Rest of the day at leisure.
Day 05 - IN ORCHHA
A city tour of this ancient capital of Bundela Empire shows us all the significant landmarks dating back to the golden age of Indian architecture, including the delicate murals of the Raj Mahal and the beautiful two-story Raj Parveen Mahal. Visit Jehangir Mahal built by Raja Bir Singh Ju Deo for the Mughal Emperor Jehangir is worth visiting. Also, visit Chaturbhuj temple dedicated to Lord Rama and various Chhatris (Cenotaphs). Rest of the day is at leisure.
Day 06 - ORCHHA / KHAJURAHO
After a leisurely breakfast drive to Khajuraho (4 hrs). This is a wonderful city and boasts of the largest collection of medieval Hindu and Jain temples in India and has a remarkable series of erotic carvings. Rest of the day is at leisure.
Day 07 - IN KHAJURAHO
Full day guided sight-seeing of this historical place and see the erotic temples of Khajuraho. Visit the world famous temples of Khajuraho begin with the Western group of temples followed by the Eastern and Southern group. These renowned Khajuraho sacred temples are one of the seven amazing things of India, second only to the amazing Taj Mahal. The amazing work of art on these temples are to be seen to be believed. The rest is on your imagination!!
Day 08 - KHAJURAHO / BANDHAVGARH
Today we take a scenic journey through rural India to the home of the Bengal tigers at Bandhavgarh National Park (5 hrs) and on arrival check in at the jungle resort. Afternoon enjoys a game drive in the park.
Day 09 - IN BANDHAVGARH
Early Morning and Late afternoon: Enjoy your two game rides in the park. Spread over 450 sq km, Bandhavgarh national park has the distinction of having the highest density of tiger population. You would spot a Nilgai, Chausingha, Chital, Chinkara, Wild Boar and sometimes a Fox or Jackal, not to talk about the king of the jungle himself.
Day 10 - BANDHAVGARH / KHAJURAHO / VARANASI
After an early breakfast drives back to Khajuraho airport in time to board the flight to Varanasi. On arrival in Varanasi, assistance by our representative at the airport and transfer to hotel. In the evening your guide will meet you and take you on an evening boat cruise on river Ganges to witness the evening ceremony on the banks of Ganges. This offering of prayers to Mother Ganges is a captivating ritual. Return to hotel for the next day’s early morning boat ride.
Day 11 - IN VARANASI
Today early morning you will be taken on a boat ride. You will be cruising down many bathing ghats, where you will see seekers immersing themselves in the waters of Ganges to purify them and offering their prayers. You will also pass through the burning ghats here the dead bodies are burnt as per Hindu traditions. Once on the banks, the guide will lead you through the narrow bylanes of the old city giving you the history of the many bathing ghats and the importance of Varanasi in the lives of every Hindu. Return back to the hotel for breakfast and later proceed for the city tour of Varanasi covering temples including Bharat Mata temple, dedicated to Mother India and Benaras Hindu University founded in 1916 and its museum. In the afternoon visit Sarnath, where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon after attaining enlightenment and the museum (closed on Monday).
Day 12 - VARANASI / BODH GAYA
Today you will head to the Buddhist pilgrimage site of Bodh Gaya (6 hrs), en route visit the impressive tomb of the Afghan King Sher Shah Suri in Sasaram. On arrival in Bodhgaya, check in at your hotel. Rest of the day at leisure.
Day 13 - IN BODH GAYA
Bodh Gaya is the place where the Lord Buddha achieved enlightenment more than 2600 years ago and is a key site for Buddhists. Early Morning you will visit the Mahabodhi temple and the Mahabodhi tree under which Lord Buddha attained enlightenment. Buddhists from all over the world come here to look for peace and knowledge. Visit the Animesh Lochana Temple, massive Buddhist Dharma Chakra, Lotus tank, Archaeological Museum, Thai Temple, Indosan Nipponji Temple, Gelugpa Tibetan Monastery and the Giant statue of Buddha. Rest of the day is at leisure.
Day 14 - BODHGAYA / NALANDA / RAJGIR
Today morning you will drive to Rajgir (5 hrs) en-route visiting the ruined former educational city of Nalanda, sacked by the Afghans in the 12th century. Nalanda, a part of the Buddhist circuit, is famous for the ancient International Monastic University. Established in 5th century BC by the Gupta Emperors, it was a famous learning center in ancient times. The university had centers for studies in Buddhism, Vedas, Logic, Grammar, Medicine, Meta-Physics, Prose Composition, and Rhetoric. Lord Buddha and Lord Mahavira have also taught here. The university library had a mammoth collection of 9 million volumes. The university remains are scattered around an area of 14 hectares. Though a large part of the university has been explored, a huge portion remains unexcavated. It is believed that the university could accommodate 10,000 students and 2,000 teachers easily. Rajgir was the ancient capital city of the Magadha kings. After Buddha reached “parity-nirvana” his followers met at the Saptaparni cave in Rajgir, the first Buddhist council ever held. It was here that the teachings of the Buddha were recorded for the first time. The places of interest are Bimbisara ka jail, Jarasandha ka akhra, Swamabhandar cave, Viswa Shanti Stupa, the famous hot water springs and ruins of the old fort.
Day 15 - RAJGIR / PATNA / DELHI
Today we drive to Patna for a short sightseeing tour Patna; the erstwhile Pataliputra situated on the banks of the River Ganga was the capital of the Mauryan Empire of the 3rd century B.C. It prospered as the center of all political and cultural activities for ten centuries. Kumraha – the Archaeological findings in this area establish Patna’s claim to over a thousand years of political glory – 600 BC to 600 AD, and then again, 16th century onwards, spanning the rule of several dynasties. The Patna Museum has the largest collection of terracotta exhibits in the country. The Golghar, an immense granary built by the British in the last century, which dominates the landscape, but was strangely enough, never actually used. The stairway winding around this monument offers a magnificent panoramic view of the city and the Ganga flowing by Later transfer to airport to connect flight to Delhi and on arrival in Delhi, assistance at the airport by our representative and transfer to hotel.
Day 16 - DEPART DELHI
In time you will be transferred to the airport to connect onward flight…

Important notes

Inclusion:

  • All sightseeing program as per the itinerary.
  • All transfers, sightseeing & excursions will be by an AC Vehicle.
  • Services of an English speaking local guide for the monuments as per the program.
  • All entrances to the monuments and activities as per the program.
  • Road taxes, parking fee, fuel charges and interstate taxes as per the program.
  • Mineral water bottles in the vehicle [02 bottles each day]s
  • Wet tissues places in the vehicle for the entire tour.
  • Representative for assistance on all arrival and departure transfers with meet and Assist.
  • All currently applicable taxes, including, GST of 5% applicable on total invoice amount

Little gifts from Travel East:

  • Departure Gift.
  • Free WIFI in Vehicles.

Exclusion:

  •  Expenses of personal nature like tipping, laundry, telephone / fax calls, alcoholic beverages, Camera /video camera fees at monuments, medical expenses, airport departure taxes, etc.
  • Any meals, other than those specified above.
  • Any meals other than specified in the quote-supplement mentioned above.
  • Any insurance
  • Any visa fees
  • Any optional activities
  • Any optional activities as mentioned in the program
  • Domestic air-fare.
  • Any other services not mentioned in the inclusion
  • Any additional transfers
  • Early Check-In/Late Check Out
  • Any Tips / Porter charges

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Tour Map

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

  • Early morning boat ride on River Ganges
  • Sarnath Visit, where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon after attaining enlightenment and the museum .
  • Visit of Mahabodhi temple and the Mahabodhi tree under which Lord Buddha attained enlightenment.
  • Visit of the ruined former educational city of Nalanda,. 
  • Sightseeing tour Patna; the erstwhile Pataliputra situated on the banks of the River Ganga was the capital of the Mauryan Empire of the 3rd century B.C.

Tour Map

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

  • Early morning boat ride on River Ganges
  • Sarnath Visit, where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon after attaining enlightenment and the museum .
  • Visit of Mahabodhi temple and the Mahabodhi tree under which Lord Buddha attained enlightenment.
  • Visit of the ruined former educational city of Nalanda,. 
  • Sightseeing tour Patna; the erstwhile Pataliputra situated on the banks of the River Ganga was the capital of the Mauryan Empire of the 3rd century B.C.