Marvels of Rajasthan

Today in the morning we leave for the visit to the National Rail Museum and National Handicrafts & Handlooms Museum.

First, we visit the National Rail Museum that’s hidden in Delhi’s diplomatic hub. On exhibit are several railway engine and carriage replicas. Additionally, it keeps a replica of the steam engine that traveled from Mumbai to Thane on India’s first railway in 1853. The museum is stretched out across 10 acres of land and has a wealth of knowledge on the 150-year history of Indian railways. The National Handicrafts and Handlooms Museum is our next stop. It is one of India’s biggest craft museums. Its holds a collection of nearly 35,000 rare and unique items showcasing the ongoing legacy of Indian artisans in painting, embroidery, textiles, and a variety of clay, stone, and wood crafts.

We finish the day by visiting Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, a Sikh place of worship where every day thousands of people from every walk of life are fed. Here you have an option to assist the kitchen volunteers.

Overnight stay is at the hotel.

Board your morning flight to Varanasi. On arrival, you are received by a Terra Viaggi representative and escorted to the hotel for check-in.

In the afternoon enjoy a visit to Sarnath. This is the site where Lord Buddha preached his first sermon “Maha Dharma Chakra Pravartan” (in Buddhist terminology, ‘turned the wheel of the law’) after his enlightenment. Later in the evening, with the whirling of oil lamps, chorus chanting, flower offerings, and other activities, a large rhythmic aarti ceremony is performed at dusk. Goddess Shitala, who is regarded as the element of life and death, is said to reside at the Dashashwamedh Ghat.

Overnight stay is at the hotel.

Early this morning around 0530 for a sunrise boat excursion on the holy River Ganges. Then we visit the mud arena known as Akhara. Wrestlers learn and perform the form of grappling we refer to as Kushti or Pehlwani. Return to the hotel for breakfast and later visit different temples of Varanasi.

Later board your flight to Khajuraho. On arrival, you are received by a Terra Viaggi representative and escorted to the hotel for check-in.

This afternoon we leave for sightseeing of Khajuraho Group of Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was constructed by the Chandela Dynasty during the Middle Ages and is renowned for its Nagara-Style architecture and beautiful statues of nayikas (Hindu Mythological female characters) and deities. According to historical records, there were 85 temples in the temple complex in the 12th century, covering 20 square kilometers. Only 25 of these temples—scattered throughout a six-square-kilometer area—have endured the passage of time.

After visiting the Eastern & Western groups of temples, we take a leisurely walk in the nearby Jatkara Village. This is the village of pot makers. Feel the warmth of the villagers as you interact with a local family.

Overnight stay is at the hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, we drive to Jhansi en route stop for a guided tour of Orchha; a medieval temple town situated on the Betwa River. We explore the 16th – 17th century palaces and temples built by the Bundela rulers; most of them still in their pristine perfection. We visit the fort complex consisting of palaces, temples, cenotaphs, and memorials. Lunch is at the hotel.  

After the visit, we drive to Jhansi railway station to board your train up to Agra.

On arrival, transfer to your hotel in Agra for check-in overnight stay.

Today we will visit three Taj’s in Agra: John Hessing’s Tomb (Red Taj), Itimad-ud-Daulah (Baby Taj), and the Taj Mahal. Red Taj is a smaller replica of the Taj Mahal and serves as a tomb for a Dutch soldier. Itimad-ud-Daulah is a tomb dedicated to the Mughal courtier Mirza Ghiyas Beg Tehrani and was commissioned by his daughter, Nur Jahan. In the evening we will visit Agra Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the Taj Mahal, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, built by Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. Overnight stay is at the hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, we leave for Jaipur en route stop to visit Fatehpur Sikri. This spectacular walled historic city is located west of Agra and served as the Mughal empire’s transient capital from 1572 to 1585 under Emperor Akbar. The city, an Indo-Islamic wonder, was built in an allegedly water-scarce location and was thus abandoned soon after Akbar’s demise.

Before reaching Jaipur, we make a brief stop to visit the surprisingly amazing Abhaneri – one of the largest stepwells in the world. It was built during the 8^th century for water harvesting. This stepwell has 3,500 narrow steps arranged in perfect symmetry. It is about 64 feet deep and is India’s largest and deepest stepwell. The steps form a magical maze and the consequent play of light and shadow on the structure gives it a captivating look.

Check-in at the hotel upon arrival. Overnight stay is at the hotel.

Today’s sightseeing includes visiting many gems of Jaipur. We begin with exploring the resplendent Amber Fort, which is sprawled across the summit of a natural hill outside of Jaipur. Amber Fort, which is pronounced “AH-meer” is a well-preserved structure from the heyday of the Rajput monarchy in Rajasthan. It is historically significant and artistically spectacular. The elaborate Maharaja’s palace from the sixteenth century is a distinctive fusion of Islamic and Hindu architecture. While coming back from the fort we will make a brief photography stop at Hawa Mahal – The Palace of Winds.

Next, we visit City Palace, the present-day home of the Maharaja and the erstwhile royal family of Jaipur. Chief Architect Vidyadar Bhattacharya combined Mughal and Rajasthani styles to create the architecture of the palace, which is built according to the principles of Vastushastra. The palace’s key features include stunning arches, imposing gates, and walls with distinctive patterns throughout its courtyards, structures, pavilions, gardens, and temples. Lastly, we visit Jantar Mantar, a monumental astronomical observatory constructed entirely out of stone and based on the astronomical tables of the French mathematician Phillipe de la Hire. It also has the world’s second-largest sundial, made entirely out of stone.

Overnight stay is at the hotel.

Drive to the blue city of Jodhpur and relax at the hotel.

In the afternoon we begin the sightseeing by visiting Jaswant Thada, a cluster of royal cenotaphs in the white marble built in 1899 AD in memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II.

Later, we visit the colossal Mehrangarh Fort, an impregnable fortress towering above a 10km wall with soaring archways leading into the centre. The fort has a series of spectacular palaces, each decorated with exquisite engravings, lattice and mirror work. The museum displays an unusual collection of miniature paintings, gilded palanquins and solid silver “howdah” presented by a Mughal emperor to the Maharaja. From the fort you walk down through the bylanes and Blue houses of the Old town to reach the Clock Tower and the nearby Sardar Market, a historical local trading market for spices. We walk through the local spice market and you could take home some Indian spices.

Overnight stay is at the hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, we leave for Udaipur en route visit Ranakpur Jain Temples. Situated in the lovely Aravali valley, these Jain Temples were built in the 15th century and they are one of the major pilgrimage centers for the Jain community of India. The temples are renowned for their elaborate and intricate construction style. There are 1444 pillars in the temples and no two of them are similar. After the visit, we continue with our drive to Udaipur. Check-in at the hotel upon arrival.

The remainder of the day is at leisure. Overnight stay is at the hotel.

Today we start the tour of Udaipur. The beautiful city of lakes, Udaipur, is surrounded by lakes with blue water and is encircled by the verdant Aravalis hills. Udaipur is a captivating combination of views, sounds, and sensations that is a source of inspiration for poets, artists, and authors. It is a vision in white that is bathed in romance and beauty. Begin with a private guided tour of the City Palace – the focal point of the city and has several areas of interest like the Suraj Gokhada, Badi Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, Mor Chowk (the peacock courtyard), and the Zenana Mahal. Next, we visit the Jagdish Temple, located close to the Palace with its imposing sculpted figures and heavily ornamented interiors.

Late afternoon, we enjoy a shared boat ride at Lake Pichola which is famous for its picturesque beauty and scenic surrounding. Enjoy wonderful views of the City Palace stretching along the east bank and of the gardens that run down to the south bank waterside. The boat ride will be for approx 40min.

Overnight stay is at the hotel.

Board your flight to Mumbai. On arrival, you are received by a Terra Viaggi representative and escorted to the hotel for check-in.

Later in the afternoon embark on a walking tour and get a unique glimpse into everyday life of many Mumbaikars while breaking down the negative stereotypes associated with slums.

Overnight stay is at the hotel.

Early in the morning, see this amazing city’s hidden side and learn what makes it tick. This walk reveals a distinct aspect of the city; we discuss about many elements that constitute Mumbai like the supply chain economy, the end of artisanal fishing, marginalization of the indigenous population, and the establishment of Bombay’s mills during the American Civil War that contributed to the city’s microeconomic success.

In the evening, leave for the airport to catch your flight back home.