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Ajanta Ellora Caves & Mumbai Tour

DAY 01 : ARRIVE DELHI
Arrive Delhi in the evening. Upon arrival, you shall meet & assisted at the international airport by our executive and transferred to pre booked hotel.

Delhi : India’s capital & a major gateway to the country, contemporary Delhi is a bustling metropolis which successfully combines in its fold the ancient & the modern. Its strategic location was one of the prime reasons why successive dynasties chose it as their seat of power. New Delhi also reflects the legacy the British left behind . The division between New & Old Delhi is the distinction between the capitals of the British & the Moghuls respectively. So, wherever the visitor goes, he will invariably confront the citys’ past.

DAY 02 : DELHI
After an early breakfast, half day city tour of Old Delhi. Visit Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India. Built by Shah Jahan, the construction was started in 1844 and was not completed until 1658; Red Fort, which was also built by Shah Jehan. This massive fort was built from 1638 to 1648; Chandni Chowk and Rajghat - the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi.

Afternoon, city tour of New Delhi. Visit Humayuns Tomb, built in mid 16th century this is an early example of Mughal architecture, Qutab Minar, drive past India Gate, President House, Akshardham temple, Lotus Temple, Connaught Place. The tour ends with a visit to Laxmi Narayan Temple ( Birla Temple ).

DAY 03 : DELHI - AGRA (203 KMS, 04-05 HRS)
After an early breakfast, drive to Agra. Enroute visit Sikandra - the Mausoleum of Mughal Emperor Akbar. Arrive Agra & check-in at your pre booked hotel.

Afternoon, city tour of Agra : Visit Red fort, which was built by Emperor Akbar in 1565, and additions were made up until the time of his grandson, Shah Jahan. It contains the hall of public and private audiences amongst many other beautiful structues; Itmad-ud-daulah, which was contructed by Nur Jahan between 1622 and 1628 and is very similar to the tomb she constructed for her husband, Jehangir, near Lahore in Pakistan; the highlight of the day - The Taj Mahal, which was constructed by Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. Contruction of the Taj began in 1631 and was not completed until 1653.

DAY 04 : AGRA - FATEHPUR SIKRI - JAIPUR (240 KMS, 06-07 HRS DRIVE)
After breakfast, leave for Jaipur. Enroute visit the abandoned Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri - built by Emperor Akbar in 1569, was the old capital of the Moghuls, which was abandoned after 15 years due to scarcity of water. See the graceful buildings including the Jama Masjid, Tomb of Salim Chisti, Panch Mahal & other Palaces which are still preserved in its original glory. Continue drive to Jaipur.

Arrive Jaipur and check-in at prebooked hotel. Rest of the day at leisure

DAY 05 : JAIPUR
After breakfast, excursion to Amber Fort. Elephant ride from the foothills of the Aravallis to the fort entrance. Amber Fort : At a distance of 11 kms from Jaipur, Amber was the ancient capital of Jaipur state. Construction of the fort began in 1592 by Raja Man Singh, the Rajput commander of Akbar's army and is a superb example of Rajput architecture.

Afternoon, city tour of Jaipur. Visit the City Palace which has museum having an extensive collection of art, carpets, enamel ware and weapons; Jantar Mantar - the observatory built my Maharaja Jai Singh in 1728 and the façade of Hawa Mahal.

DAY 06 : JAIPUR - UDAIPUR
After breakfast, leave for Udaipur. Enroute visiting the Jain temples at Ranakpur : The cluster of temples, made of intricately sculpted white marble,come across as a marvellousfeat of architecture. It would take anyone by surprise to learn that they were built in 1460, so well preserved & sparkling is the marble. The main temple is supported on 1,444 pillars – none of which is similarly carved. After the visit, continue drive to Udaipur.

Arrive Udaipur and check-in at prebooked hotel. Rest of the day at leisure.

DAY 09 : UDAIPUR
After breakfast, visit the romantic city of Udaipur. Visit the City Palace which is the largest palace complex in Rajasthan; Jagdish temple, a fine Indo Aryan temple built in 1651; Sahelion ki Bari or Garden of the Maids of Honour, which is a small garden with its fountains, kiosks, marble elephants & lotus pool.

Afternoon, free. In the evening, boat ride on Lake Pichola.

DAY 10 : UDAIPUR - MUMBAI
Early morning, transfer to the airport to board flight for Mumbai. Arrive Mumbai and transfer to prebooked hotel.

Afternoon, city tour of Mumbai - Located on the west coast of India, the group of islands which has grown into the city of Mumbai. The city was called Bombay for much of the last four hundred years. The origin of the name is obscure, but is often said to come from the Portuguese phrase bom bahia meaning "good bay". The name Mumbai has been used in the main local languages for as long, and is ascribed to the local goddess, Mumba (ai means mother in Marathi). The name of the city was changed to Mumbai by an act of the parliament in 1997.

DAY 11 : MUMBAI - AURANGABAD
After an early breakfast, excursion to Elephanta caves. Afternoon, transfer to the airport to board flight for Aurangabad. Arrive Aurangabad and transfer to prebooked hotel.

Located near the city of Aurangabad in Maharashtra, the famous Ajanta and Ellora are cave shrines cut out of rock, by hand, and rank amongst some of the most outstanding specimens of ancient Indian architectural heritage. The 34 caves at Ellora and the 29 caves at Ajanta, were remained shrouded in obscurity for over a millennium, till John Smith, a British Army Officer, accidentally stumbled upon them while on a hunting expedition in 1819. Ajanta has been designated as a World Heritage Site, to be preserved as an artistic legacy that will come to inspire and enrich the lives of generations to come.

DAY 12 : AURANGABAD
After breakfast, excursion to Ajanta caves : It was only in the 19th century, that the Ajanta group of caves, lying deep within the Sahyadri hills, cut into the curved mountain side, above the Waghora river, were discovered. They depict the story of Buddhism, spanning a period from 200 BC to 650 AD. The 29 caves were built as secluded retreats of the Buddhist monks, who taught and performed rituals in the Chaityas and Viharas, the ancient seats of learning, and nerve - centers of the Buddhist cultural movement. Using simple tools like hammer and chisel, the monks carved out the impressive figures adorning the walls of these structures. Many of the caves house panels depicting stories from the Jatakas, a rich mine of tales of the several incarnations of the Buddha. Images of nymphs and princesses amongst others, are also elaborately portrayed.

Return to Aurangabad for overnight stay.

DAY 13 : AURANGABAD-MUMBAI (FLIGHT, IC 888, 1720-1805 HRS)
After an early breakfast in hotel, excursion to Ellora caves - 34 in number, are carved into the sides of a basaltic hill, 30 kms from Aurangabad. The finest specimens of cave - temple architecture, they house elaborate facades and exquisitely adorned interiors. These structures representing the three faiths of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism, were carved during the 350 AD to 700 AD period. The12 caves to the south are Buddhist, the 17 in the centre dedicated to Hinduism, and the 5 caves to the north are Jain. The sculpture in the Buddhist caves accurately convey the nobility, grace and serenity inherent in the Buddha. Caves 6 and 10 house images from the Buddhist and Hindu faith, under the same roof, the latter dedicated to Vishwakarma, the patron saint of Indian craftsmen. The Vishvakarma cave is both a Chaitya and a Vihara, with a seated Buddha placed in the stupa. Its two - storied structure sports a colourful pageant of dwarfs, dancing and making music.

Afternoon, transfer to the airport to board flight for Mumbai. Arrive Mumbai and transfer to prebooked hotel.

DAY 14 : DEPART MUMBAI - Onward Destinations
Transfer to the airport to board flight back home.