Een prachtige 10-daagse combinatie van natuur en heilige plaatsen.
Programma 'Nature & Sacred places'
DAY 1 : ARRIVE DELHI
Meeting on arrival and transfer to hotel.
DAY 2 : DELHI
In the morning, visit New Delhi. Designed and built by the British in the 1920's - it's a city of wide boulevards impressive Government buildings, green parks and gardens. First you will visit Qutab Minar. Then your drive takes you along the ceremonial avenue, Rajpath, past the imposing India Gate and Parliament House.
In the afternoon, visit Old Delhi, an ancient walled city. Here you will see the Red Fort, the most opulent Fort and Palace of the Moghul Empire; Raj Ghat, the memorial site of the Mahatma Gandhi; Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India; and Chandni Chowk, the bustling and colorful market of the old city.
DAY 3 : DELHI-BHARATPUR
After breakfast, drive to Bharatpur - 4 to 5 hrs. On arrival, check-in at hotel.
In the afternoon, rickshaw ride in to the Keoladeo National Park - once the royal hunting reserve of the princes of Bharatpur, it is one of the finest bird sanctuaries in the world inundated with over 400 species of water birds. Exotic migratory birds from Afghanistan, central Asia, Tibet as well as Siberian cranes from the arctic, greyleg geese from Siberia and bareheaded geese from China, come here to spend the winters in warmer climate.
DAY 4 : BHARATPUR-AGRA - CHAMBAL
In the morning, drive to Agra - 1 ½ hrs. On arrival, visit the Taj Mahal and Fort Taj Mahal – perhaps the most perfect architectural monument in the world, which was constructed by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal.
It has been described as the most extravagant monument ever built for love.
Agra Fort – Within a radius of 3 kilometres, on the banks of the River Yamuna, rises the crescent-like Agra Fort. Designed and built by Akbar in 1565 A.D., the fort is surrounded by a 70-foot high wall. It houses the beautiful Pearl Mosque and numerous palaces including the Jahangiri Mahal, Diwan-i-Khaas, Diwan-i-Am and Moti Masjid.
After the visit, continue your drive towards Chambal -2 hrs. On arrival, check-in at hotel.
DAY 5 : CHAMBAL
After breakfast, visit the Bateshwar Temples.
The ancient temple complex at Bateshwar on the river Yamuna, 10 km from the Chambal Safari Lodge, consists of more than a hundred temples dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva. Referred to as Surajpur in ancient texts, Bateshwar derives its current name from its reigning deity Lord Bateshwar Mahadev (another name for Shiva). The ravines surrounding the temples and river are home to a number of Naga sadhus (snake worshiping ascetics) who have carved out little caves and temples within the mud walls.
In the afternoon, village walk.
The Villages around the Chambal Safari Lodge provide an interesting insight into rural India. One can still find a potter at his wheel making earthen ware kullars (cups), a cobbler using the simplest implements to fashion and repair a most interesting variety of leather items, and shops selling all manner of goods from jaggery blocks to hand-woven quilts. The Chambal Safari organises short Village Walks allowing access to all this and more.
DAY 6 : CHAMBAL-GWALIOR- ORCHHA
In the morning, drive to Orchha 5 to 6 hrs. En-route visit Gwalior Fort.
Gwalior city (8th century), visit the Gwalior Fort – a magnificent monument made of sandstone, the outer walls is two miles in length and 35 feet high it stand as a witness to its reputation as an INVINCIBLE STRUCTURE. Also visit the Gujari Palace inside the fort. Later see Jai Vilas Palace, the residence of Scindia family (Former Maharaja’s of Gwalior) and now 35 rooms of this palace have been converted into a museum.
After the visit, continue your drive towards Orchha. En-route visit Datia & Sanagiri Temple.
Datia - Known for its seven-storied palace of Raja Bir Singh Deo. This structure is a unique example of 17th century architecture, built in brick and stone. The palace houses some of the fine Bundela paintings. Within the palace are some fine wall paintings of the Bundela school. In 1818 Datia played host to the British Governer-General, Lord Hastings and a splendid durbar was held in 1902 for the Viceroy, Lord Curzon.
After the visit, continue your drive towards Orchha. On arrival, check-in at hotel.
DAY 7 : ORCHHA
In the morning, visit Orchha - once the Capital city of powerful Rajput kingdom. Orchha (hidden place) is now just a village, set among a wonderful complex of well preserved palaces and temples. The main palaces were protected inside fortified walls on an island in the Betwa River. The Palaces (The Jehangir Mahal, The Raj Mahal, Raj Praveen Mahal) The impressive Chhatris (cenotaphs) to orchha’s rulers, down the Betwa River are worth visiting.
DAY 8 : ORCHHA – KHAJURAHO
After breakfast, drive to Khajuraho - 4 hrs. On arrival, check-in at hotel.
In the afternoon, visit Khajuraho.
Khajuraho is known for its magnificent temples, which are among the most creative examples of Indian architecture. Built between 950 and 1050 A.D., only 22 temples out of 85 now survive. Khajuraho sculpture is sublime and sensuous, the center of new imagery in art. The popular theme is woman; reflective, playful, amorous. The carvings also depict griffin's nymphs, beasts, and demons in revolt, gods in cosmic evolution, fear, doubt, jealousy, ardent love and consummate passion. The temples of Khajuraho can be divided into three geographical groups - western, eastern and southern.
Visit the temples of Khajuraho, which are world famous not only for their symmetry and design, but also for intricate and erotic carvings on their walls. The main temples are Kandariya Mahadeo, Chitragupta, Parsvanath and the Ghantai Temples.
DAY 9 : KHAJURAHO – VARANASI
Morning free.
In the afternoon, transfer to the airport to board flight to Varanasi.
Meeting on arrival and transfer to hotel. En-route visit Sarnath.
Sarnath -10 km from the centre of the city, Sarnath symbolises the birth of Buddhism. It was here that Buddha revealed his doctrine and founded his monastic community. The museum at Sarnath is amongst the most important in India and contains carvings representing a whole range of styles.
Evening view the night ceremony on the main Ghat.
DAY 10 : VARANASI – DELHI – OUT
Early morning, boat ride on the Ganges (if water level permits).
After breakfast, city tour of Varanasi.
Varanasi City Tour visiting the City Temples - the Durga Temple, better known as the monkey temple on account of the large number of monkeys residing there and the Temple of Vishwanath (or Visheshwar."Lord of the Universe") are the most sacred spots in the city.
In the afternoon, transfer to the airport to board flight to Delhi. On arrival in Delhi, meeting on arrival and transfer to the airport to board flight back home.
