India Heritage Tour

Day 01: Arrive Delhi
Arrive Delhi International airport. Meeting and assistance by Max Holiday’s representative and transfer to your hotel. After completing check in formalities, relax at the hotel.


Day 02: Delhi - Sightseeing
After breakfast full day sightseeing tour of Old and New Delhi .
In Old Delhi one can visit The Jama Mosque- built in 1650 AD - the India’s largest mosque, which is made of alternating vertical strips of red sandstone and white marble. Drive past the northern gate of the mosque which leads to fabled Chandni Chowk (Moonlight square) and is the main area of the old city. Also visit the breathtaking Red Fort (1639-48) built by the builder of the Taj Mahal – Shah Jehan, famous for its delicately carved inlaid and Royal chambers. Thereafter proceed on to Raj Ghat –the cremation site of the father of the nation Mahatma Gandhi, who died in 1948.
The sightseeing tour of New Delhi includes a visit to Humayun’s Tomb (1565 AD). Drive past Safdarjang’s Tomb (1753 AD) and visit the Qutab Minar 73 meters high which tapers from a 15 m diameter base to just 2.5 m at the top. The walls consist intricately carved quotations from Koran (the holy book of the Muslims) and is one of the most perfect towers of the Persian world. Nearby amidst the ruins of Quwat-ul-Islam mosque stands the Iron pillar, which has stood the vagaries of weather and has not rusted over 1500 years. The drive through New Delhi, includes the Embassy area (Diplomatic enclave), Rastrapati Bhawan (The President’s House –1929 ) and the Government buildings (1921-30 ).


Day 03 : Delhi/ Jaipur ( By road )
Morning drive to Jaipur ( Pink city and capital of Rajasthan ) . Arrive and check in at hotel.

Day 04:Jaipur
Morning after breakfast visit to Amer fort .
Afternoon sightseeing tour of the city, also includes a visit to the City Palace which covers a large area divided into a series of courtyards, gardens and buildings. A part of this Palace is a now aeum, containing three wings of Armoury, Textiles and Artefacts. City Palace is delightful blend of Mughal and traditional Rajasthani architecture. A part of the palace is still the house of the former Maharaja of Jaipur. Also visit to the famous Jantar Mantar Observatory built by Raja Jai Singh in 1728. It is an excellent example of the marvelous precision wherein each construction has a specific purpose to measure the position of stars, altitudes and azimuths or calculating eclipses. The most striking instrument is the Sun Dial which is 90 feet high . Drive past Hawa Mahal.


Day 05 : Jaipur- Agra ( By road )
Morning after breakfast drive to Agra enroute visiting Fatehpur sikri.
37 kms from Agra is built a city predominantly in Red Sandstone and is called Fatehpur Sikri. This town was built by the Mughal Emperor, Akbar. He had planned this city as his capital but shortage of water compelled him to abandon the city. After this within 20 years, the capital of Mughals was shifted to Lahore. Today this ghost city has a population of about 30,000. This deserted city has retained many of the old structures, because of the efforts of the Archaeological department . Fatehpur Sikri is the best example of the culmination of Hindu and Muslim architecture. Fatehpur Sikri Mosque is said to be a copy of the mosque in Mecca and has designs, derived from the Persian & Hindu architecture.
Arrive and check in at hotel.


Day 06: Agra
Morning sightseeing of Agra - once the capital of Mughal India, it is famous for the world renowned Taj Mahal, the mammoth Fort and the impressive Itmad-ud-Daulah
The Taj Mahal is a tear on the face of eternity - as described by the famous Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore and symbolises eternal love frozen in white Marble. Emperor Shah Jahan constructed this famous Mughal Monument (closed on Fridays) in the memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal.


Day 07 : Agra/ Jhansi/ Khajuraho
Morning transfer to the railway station to board Shatabdi express for Jhansi . Arrive Jhansi station and drive to Khajuraho enroute visiting Orchha .
Orcha lies 11 kilometres from Jhansi and although now little more than a village, it was once the capital of Orcha state. Visit the Ramji Mandir which a prototype of Rajput architecture. The second palace, the Raj Mandir, was built between 1554 and 1591, which comprises of a solid single block crowned by pavilions. The third and by far the most accomplished palace are the Jahangir Mandir.
Arrive and check in at hotel.

Day 08: Khajuraho / Varanasi ( By flight )
Morning sightseeing of Eastern and Western group of temples . The Khajuraho temples are famous not only for their symmetry and design but also for intricate and erotic carvings on their walls. The main temples are Kandariya, Mahadeoa, Chitragupats, Parsvanath and the Ghantai. Architecturally the temples have some unique feature - they stand on high platforms and do not have the customary enclosures.
Intime transfer to the airport to board flight for Varanasi . Arrive and transfetel.
Afternoon city tour of Varanasi visiting the Benaras Hindu University campus to the south of the city. It has a number of interesting secular buildings, erected since its foundation at the turn of the century. The museum (Bharat Kala Bhavan) has a splendid collection of miniature paintings and sculptures of National importance.
Also visit some of the many Hindu temples that are dotted along the banks of The River Ganges.


Day 09 : Varanasi / New Jalpaiguri ( By train )
Early Morning Boat Ride : For the boat-ride on the Holy river Ganges, cruise along the Dashashvamedha Ghat the most popular Ghat, drawing crowds of bathers each morning at dawn. Rows of priests sit on platforms beneath bamboo umbrellas administering to the needs of the devout. The Ghat is celebrated as the site where God Brahma performed the ten sacrifices for the King Divodasa. Also see Yogis perform exercises and meditate in the numerous cubicles.
Sarnath : At this site, Buddha preached his first sermon, usually referred to as "Turning the Wheel of the Law". Owing to the sanctity of the site, Sarnath rapidly became one of the leading pilgrimage places of Buddhism. Visit the Dhamekh Stupa, the most imposing of Sarnaths monuments is this cylindrical tower (98 ft. high). It is a solid structure with a drum of stonework; the dilapidated upper part is of brick. The designs include luxuriant foliation with stalks, leaves and flowers, various geometric patterns and occasional flowers with birds. Visit the main shrine built in the 03rd BC with delicately carved stone jambs, which are preserved at the doorways. West of the main shrine lies the Ashokas column inscribed with an edict threatening dissident monks with expulsion. End the tour with a visit to the archaeological museum which demonstrates the importance of Sarnath as an art centre for more than a millennium. From the 03rd century BC comes the most celebrated of all the artefacts from Ashokas reign, the Lion capital that now serves as the emblem of modern India.
Evening transfer to the railway station to board atring for New Jalpaiguri. Overnight on board .


Day 10 : Arrive New Jalpaiguri and drive to Darjeeling
Upon arrival at the New Jalpaiguri meet our driver followed by 03 hours drive to Darjeeling. Rest of the day at leisure. Night stay at your hotel.


Day 11 : Darjeeling
After breakfast leave for sightseeing of Darjeeling. Darjeeling has been called the "Queen of Hill Stations". In 1835 Darjeeling was given to the East India Company by the king of Sikkim. It became the famous hill resort for the British who wanted to escape from the scorching heat of the plains.Tiger Hill is the highest point in the area from where one can have the Panoramic view of Kanchenjunga.Himalayan Mountaineering Institute is located just 02 Kilometres from the market place which was established after the conquest of Everest in 1954 by the then Prime Minister of India Jawahar Lal Nehru.Ghoom Monastery , your tour to Darjeeling is incomplete if you escape Ghoom monastery. It is situated 06 Kilometres away from the main town.The hillock is dominated bythe famousYigaChoeling monastery and a 4.5 metre tall image of Maitreya Buddha.Ghoom is at an altitude of 2407 metres and offers a spectacular view of the Valley. A strategic point to watch the spectacular sunrise is Tiger Hill, located at an altitude of 2,590 metres above sea level. It offers a magnificent view of the rising sun over the snow-capped Mt. Kanchenjunga and other great Eastern Himalayan peaks. You can also witness some of the high Himalayan peaks from here on a clear day. While in Darjeeling get to know some little-known details of the cuppa that cheers by visiting the tea gardens that dot the valley. In fact, the Darjeeling tea has attained for itself a name and a flavour that can neither be matched nor duplicated. There was a time when Darjeeling tea was a brew against which all other brands of tea used to be graded. Even today, connoisseurs fondly refer to it as the 'champagne of teas'. Evening free for own activities. Night stay at your hotel.

Day 12 : Darjeeling - Kalimpong (50 kms 2 hrs.)
After breakfast drive to Kalimpong which is about 50 Km and the journey time is about 02 hours. Kalimpong is nurtured by its calm ambience due to the presence of monastries and churches across the town. It is situated at the foothills of mighty Himalayas at an altitude of 1250 metres above sea level.Rest of the day free for own activities.night stay at your hotel.

Day 13 : Kalimpong
After breakfast leave for sightseeing of Kalimpong which includes Durpin Dara the highest point in Kalimpong which can be reached by car from where you can see the meandering Teesta river and the plains. Thongsha Gumpha is Bhutanese monastery built in 1630 A.D and is the oldest of the region.Zong Dog Palri Fo Brtang monastery is a newly constructed monastery from where one can view the town & surroundings. S.D.R.Graham's Homes an educational institution started in 1900 A.D by Dr.John Anderson Graham a Missionary with six orphans the school is situated in a 500 acre estate at slopes of Kalimpong's highest hill Dealo. Kalimpong Market where you can see the villagers in their local costumes selling their farm products. Night stay at your hotel.

Day 14 : Kalimpong - Pemyangtse ( 65 Km & 02 Hours drive)
After breakfast leave for Pemyangtse which is 65 Km and is about 02 Hours drive. Pemyangtse is located in the western part of Sikkim, famous for Buddhist pilgrims. Most of the visitors come to here to see its monastery. This second oldest monastery in the state (built in 1705) is the main center of the Nyingamapa sect, a tantrik sect of Buddhism founded in the 8th century AD. The sect is also known as Red Hat because its followers wear red hats rather than the yellow hat worn by the monks in other monasteries. Traditional frescoes depicting tantrik Buddhist themes adorn the walls of this monastery. The depiction of Sangthopalri (or heaven) sculpted intricately on wood is an interesting feature of the Pemyangtse monastery. Traditional austere dwellings of the monks can be found near the monastery. Sangacholing Monastery Founded by Lhatsum Chempo in 1697, is one of the largest monasteries in the state. The monastery is situated on a ridge over here. Belonging to the Nyingmapa sect, the 17th-century clay statues preserved in the monastery are among the oldest in the entire state. Night stay at your hotel.

Day 15 : Pemyangtse - Gangtok ( 117 Km / 3.5 hrs)
After breakfast leave for Gangtok enroute visiting Rumtek monastery. The ancient Rumtek Monastery was built in 1717 A.D. but did not survive for l;ong and it was rebuilt in again in the year in 1960 by Gyalwa Karmapa and followed the architectural designs in Tibet from where the Karmapa had come. Upon arrival check in the hotel rest of the day free for own activities. Night stay at your hotel.

Day 16 : Gangtok Sightseeing
After breakfast leave for sightseeing of Gangtok which includes Do Drul Chorten is one of the most important Stupa of Sikkim built in 1945 by Trulsshi Rimpoche, head of Nyingma order of Tibetean Buddhism. This stupa has sacred gold Shikhara with 108 prayer wheels. Enchey monastery is another place which is to be visted Enchaney monastery means solitary temple. Religious dances called 'Chaam' is performed in the month of January at this monastery.Another place which holds attractions for the visitors are Orchid Sanctuary where there is rare and extensive collections of Orchids. It has almost 454 species of orchids found Sikkim.Tashi Ling is about 06 Kilometres from the main town one can have an astounding view of Kanchenjunga from here. Tsuk La Khang is depository of large collections of scriptures, this is the principal place of worship and assembly for local Buddhists one can view mural covered interiorslavishly decorated altars or images of Buddha. Evening free for own activities. Night stay at your hotel.

Day 17 : Gangtok - Bagdogra ( 127 Km 03 hrs.)
After breakfast leave for Bagdogra airport for your onward flight to Delhi. Arrive Delhi and transfer to the hotel. Night stay at the hotel.