Route: DELHI(2N)–VARANASI(2N)–KHAJURAHO(1N)–BANDHAVGARH(2N)–JABALPUR(1N) – KANHA(2N)–RAIPUR(1N)–BALANGIR(1N)–SONEPUR(1N)–BHUBANESHWAR(2N)–PURI(1N)-Delhi(1N)
Date: You decide (October to March)
Note: This itinerary is fully customisable
“Those who have not seen India with their eyes, but with their soul, will remain homesick for the country” (Hermann Hesse). It’s no wonder. This vast country, where women stroll in silk saris and men go about their business in bright turbans, fascinates with its vibrant
traditions and everyday culture. India is also the birthplace of two of the world’s religions: Hinduism and Buddhism. Anyone travelling to India, however, needs to be prepared for the extremes: the glorious temples on one side, the slums of the metropolises on the other. This tour gives you an excellent overview of the cultural diversity of India’s heartland, Rajasthan. We visit sacred temples and fairytale palaces. We admire mighty forts and interesting natural monuments. You will also get to know the spiritual side of India, which does not allow you to distance yourself, but invites you to get involved. With a little bit of luck on your side, you might be able to get an audience with the Royal Bengal Tiger in one of the National Parks on your trip.
On your arrival at the Delhi airport you will be met by our representative who will drive you to the hotel. Rooms available from 2 pm onwards.
Overnight at hotel.
Breakfast at hotel. In the morning , you will be taken on a combined city tour of Old and New Delhi. Proceed to the historical sites of the city such as Qutab Minar, India Gate (War Memorial), a drive past Rashtrapati Bhawan (President’s Estate), Parliament House and Secretariat building. Further on, proceed to Jama Masjid, and drive past Red Fort and Chandni Chowk – a traditional shopping hub. After sightseeing in the city, return to your hotel and spend the night. Overnight at hotel.
After a sumptuous breakfast at the hotel, you will be transferred to the airport for a flight to the religious city of Varanasi. Upon arrival in Varanasi, check-in at a hotel. In the afternoon, head out for a half-day excursion to Sarnath, an important Buddhist pilgrimage centre. Marvel at the huge Buddha statue of Sarnath. After sightseeing in the city, return to your hotel and spend the night. Overnight at hotel
Take an early morning boat ride on river Ganges. The long string of ghats - the chain of stone steps - along the western bank of the Ganges forms the major attraction of Varanasi. There are plenty of history and legends associated with these ghats. After the boat ride, tuck into a hearty breakfast and proceed to visit the beautiful temples and bustling bazaars. After sightseeing in the city, return to your hotel and spend the night. Overnight at hotel
Breakfast at hotel, later, you will be transferred to the airport to board a flight for Khajuraho. Upon arrival in Khajuraho, check-in at a hotel. After noon, go on a sightseeing tour of Khajuraho. Marvel at the architecture of the temples and the intricately carved sculptures of gods and goddesses from Indian mythology. Made of finely grained stone, the colors of the sculptures range from pale buff, pink, yellow and brown. The human body depicted in various sensuous postures is widely found in Khajuraho. Visit the largest temple is Kandariya Hahodeo, dedicated to Lord Shiva. Overnight at hotel.
Breakfast at hotel, drive to Bandhavgarh. Approx 250 kms / 8 hours drive. Upon arrival in Bandhavgarh, check-in at a hotel. Afternoon Game Viewing inside the jungle. Overnight.
Full day Game Viewing inside the jungle. The density of the tiger population at Bandhavgarh is relatively high. The possibility of spotting Sloth Bear, Wild Boar, Leopard and Tiger is very good. The park is also densely populated with animals like the Chital (Spotted Deer), Sambhar, Barking Deer, Nilgai (Blue Bull), Chowsingha (Four Horned Antelope) and is rich in bird life. Overnight at Hotel.
Breakfast at hotel, drive to Jabalpur. Approx 4 hours drive. Upon arrival in Jabalpur, check-in at a hotel. In the afternoon visit Bhedaghat. Enjoy a boat ride (on direct payment basis) on the river, Narmada (boats are available between November and May). Overnight in hotel.
Breakfast at hotel, today proceed to the dense forest of Kanha National Park. On arrival check into your hotel and the rest of the evening is at leisure.
The bliss continues as we leave for an early morning Jungle Safari. Upon return to the resort, breakfast is served. After freshening up, relaxation and lunch we leave for the second jungle safari. Evening time is leisure time. Dinner & Campfire mark the end of the day.
Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Raipur. On arrival check into your hotel and the rest of the evening is at leisure. Overnight at hotel.
After breakfast, drive to Balangir via Mahasamund ,enroute visiting visit the traditional villages, and Rajim temple. On arrival check into your hotel and the rest of the evening is at leisure. Overnight at hotel.
After breakfast, drive to Ranipur Jharial to see the 64 Yogini Brick temple and also visit the local weaving village. On arrival at Sonepur, check into your hotel . Continue, drive to Sonepur, the textile city of Western Orissa visiting Sagarpali to see Koseleswar weaving center at Sagarpali to explore Jalla work done by craftsmen of the local community. Continue drive to Sonepur to see other indigenous weaving techniques Handloom Sector is an important Cottage Industry of the State. It has sizable employment potential being next to that of agriculture. Handloom cloth of Orissa, particularly woven by the weavers of Bargarh district have been appreciated all over the Country and abroad because of its appealing form, workmanship, design and colour combination. Overnight at Sonepur.
After breakfast drive to Bhubaneshwar enroute visting Nuapatna weaving village - This village with many co-operatives of weavers, where centuries of tradition woven into fabric. The weavers of this village are a class by themselves. The TIE & DYE patterns popularly known as ‘IKAT’ is a unique mechanism of texturing. One can watch all the steps of Ikat Bandha. As per the tradition they weave in silk. Sadeibarni - Dokra crafts - The Dhokra casting, a variety of metal casting is essentially a folk craft and is limited to a few pockets of Orissa. In Sadeiberni, in Dhenkanal district, it is being practiced by an aboriginal caste called sithulias. While the lost wax process is followed, the raw materials used are not pure brass but contain miscellaneous scraps of other metals which give it an antique look. Its motifs are mostly drawn from folk culture. Overnight at hotel.
After breakfast, drive to Puri, enroute visiting the Buddhist Monastic complex at Ratnagiri and Udayagiri. RATNAGIRI: By the river Birupa, about 100 kms. Away from Bhubaneswar, Ratnagiri has a rich concentration of Buddhist antiquities. A large excavation has unearthed Buddhist shrines, large monasteries, a big stupa and a number of vovite stupas. Established way back in 6th century AD., it appears that Buddhism was fostered at this place unhindered up to the 12th century AD. UDAYAGIRI: Nearby Udayagiri is known for its bell-shaped stupa signifying Vajrajana from of Buddhism. One of the largest Buddhist complexes in Odisha, Udayagiri is about 90 kms. Away from Bhubaneswar. The ancient name of this complex was Madhavapura Mahavihara. Chronologically, this complex came in to being after Ratnagiri and Lalitgiri, flourishing between 7th and 12th century AD. It is located in the basin of a U-shaped hill. The remains suggest the presence of brick monastery, a brick stupa, rock-cut sculptures and a sepped well with an inspiration. The images of Dhyani Buddha, Bodhisattva, Avalokiteswara, Tara, Jambhala, Aparajita, Heruka and others, found during excavation, make Udayagiri a unique site of Buddhist heritage. Finally we travel to Puri. On the way we visit Pipli - the artists' village where the locals make appliqués, a town of craftsmen famous for their brightly coloured cloth. Later we take a walk on the sun-drenched beach of Puri. Watch the stunning sunset. Overnight at hotel.
Today we visit the Jagannath Temple - one of the largest pilgrimage centres in India. We then visit Chandrabhaga Beach. Later visit Konark Sun Temple - an architectural marvel, UNESCO World Heritage Site and Arka Khetra Sun Temple Interpretation Centre. Full day to relax at the beach.
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