DELHI, the capital of kingdoms and empires is now a sprawling metropolis with a fascinating blend of the past and the present. It is a perfect introduction to the composite culture of an ancient land. A window to the kaleidoscope - that is India.

Overnight at Delhi.

Badal Singh established the city of Taj in 1475. Agra finds mention in the Mahabharat as Agraban. This city in those days was considered to be the sister-city of Mathura, which was more prominent than Agraban. Agra came into its own when the Lodhi Kings chose this place beside the RIVER YAMUNA to be their capital city. Sikander Lodhi made Agra his capital but Babar defeated the Lodhis to capture not only Agra but also laid the foundation of the Mughal empire.

In the Mid 16th century and earlier 17th century Agra witnessed a frenzied building activity and it was during this time when the symbol of love Taj Mahal was built. The buildings made during this era were purely in the contemporary Mughal style and of very high quality. The same is still reflected in whatever monuments remain in Agra. The narrow lanes of Agra filled with aroma of Mughlai cuisine, the craftsman who are busy in crating master pieces with their skill all remind of the Mughal royalty which this city had once experienced. Today whatever remains, has become a major tourist attraction which has taken Agra again to the heights of glory but this time as a major tourist destination of India.

Visit the TAJ MAHAL - one of the Seven Wonders of the World was built by Shah Jahan in 1631 AD and was completed in 1651AD. Taj Mahal - The symbol of Love was built in the memory of Mumtaz Mahal (Shah Jahan' s second Wife).

AGRA FORT - Built by the famed Mughal emperor Akbar in 1565 AD, the fort is predominantly of red sandstone. Ensconced within is the picture perfect Pearl Mosque, which is a major tourist attraction.

After Agra Fort we will visit BABY TAJ - The interiors of which are considered better than the Taj.

After morning feast you will drive to Fatehpur Sikri and visit the Buland Darwaza. The deserted, red Sandstone City, Emperor Akbar built that as his capital and palace in the late 16th century is an exhilarating experience. It a veritable fairytale city and its "ruins" are in pristine condition ... it's not hard to imagine what the court life must have been like in the days of its grandeur. Also visit the Buland Darwaza, the largest gateway in the world. Transfer to airport for flight to Varanasi. Arrive Varanasi and visit Sarnath.

Varanasi is the world's most prehistoric existing town. First light on the riverfront, as seen from a ferry, can be mentally an uplifting sight. Jam-packed with temples, and its maze of streets, the town attracts the greatest amount of tourists. The spiritual center of Hinduism, Varanasi is the rug manufacturing place of India. It was formerly known as Kashi - the city that illuminates. The current name is resultant from the truth that the town is at the convergence of the rivers Varuna and Asi.

Sarnath:
Just 5 miles out of Varanasi lays one of the most sacred Buddhist place in the globe, where Buddha preached his initial discourse in 590 BC. Observe the remains of a previously prosperous Buddhist monastery and also see an excellent Museum which houses an exceptional compilation of Buddhist art and sculptures found at the location. Overnight will be at Varanasi.

After morning feast, take a ferry trip in the holy waters of the River Ganges to observe and understand the ceremonies undertaken by Hindu clerics and followers. Take an afternoon excursion of Varanasi visiting the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Gyanvapi Mosque and Banaras Hindu University.

After having lunch at the hotel in afternoon, proceed for Bodh Gaya. Bodh Gaya is a major pilgrimage center for the Buddhists as well as the Hindus. Here at the base of the Bodhi Tree, Gautam Buddha attained supreme knowledge to become the `Enlightened One'. Though Buddha was born as a Sakya prince in the Terai foothills of the Himalayas, Buddhism as a religion was actually born in Bihar and evolved here in Bodh Gaya.

Enjoy visiting the attractions of Maha Bodhi Temple and Tree. Visit the Chinese Temple. In the day, visit Niranjana Temple and River. Visit the school of the impoverished. Lunch and dinner will be at Bodh Gaya. Overnight will be at a hotel in Bodh Gaya.  

After early morning feast, proceed to visit the historical towns of Nalanda & Rajgir. Have lunch at Rajgir. Carry on to Patna after lunch. Overnight will be at a hotel in Patna.

NALANDA - Nalanda, where remains of the grand prehistoric university have been excavated, is located at a space of 90 km. south east of Patna by road. It falls on way to Rajgir.

RAJGIR - Rajgir is located in a verdant valley surrounded by rocky hills. It was in Rajgir that Lord Buddha gave a number of his prominent sermons. Once a big city, Rajgir is presently a rural community these days, only the bits and pieces of a celebrated and historical past linger. The Saptparni cave is also the resource of the Rajgir warm Water Springs that have restorative qualities and are revered to the Hindus.

Explore Patna, the capital city of Bihar, which is also a very old city, and was earlier known by the name of Patiliputra. Explore the side where Buddha was cremated and visit Mahaparinirvana Temple. Overnight will be at Kushinagar.

VAISHALI - Vaishali has a history that pre-dates recorded history. It is also attributed with being the World's primary democracy to have a suitably chosen congress of legislatures and well-organized government.

KUSHINAGAR - The Buddha is supposed to have breathed his last in the small settlement of Kushinagar, 53 km west of Gorakhpur. The land is respected as the location of the Buddha's Mahaparinirvana, his bereavement and burial that marked his ultimate freedom from the sequences of death and regeneration.

Proceed after breakfast. Reach and sightseeing. The place of birth of Gautam Buddha, Lumbini, is the Mecca of each Buddhist. Buddha himself acknowledged four places of future pilgrimage: the sites of his birth, illumination, first speech, and passing away. Hence the nativity of Gautam Buddha makes it one of the most sanctified seats in the planet.

The Maya Devi Temple: Maya Devi temple is devoted to the mother of the Buddha and has been digged out and restored. The temple has a stone artifact depicting the nativity of the Buddha. Maya Devi, his mother, gave birth to the baby on her approach to her parent's home in Devadaha while taking respite in Lumbini under a Sal tree in the month of May in the year 642 BC.

By road, Sight seeing of Shravasti visit: Saheth & Maheth.

Explore this imperial town of Nawabs. Lucknow is wedged in a moments of past and present. It exists in an in-between land of the past and the present looking back continually to the reminiscences of a colonial-Nawabi history.

The Urdu speech acquired its inexplicable phonetic nuances and sophisticated flawlessness here. It was in Nawab Wajed Ali Shah's court that the most advanced of all classical Indian dance forms, the Kathak, took shape. The well-liked Parsi theatre originated from the Urdu theatre of this city. The tabla and the sitar were first heard on the streets of Lucknow.

Arrive in Delhi and straight away, check in to the hotel.

OLD DELHI - A tourism trip of Old Delhi would necessitate visiting the Raj Ghat - the commemorative place where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated; Jama Masjid - the prime mosque in India and the Red Fort - once the most lavish stronghold and fortress of the Mughal kingdom. Catch a Cycle rickshaw journey from Jama Masjid to Chandni Chowk.

NEW DELHI - An all-embracing going to places of interest tour of New Delhi would comprise a trip to the Humayun's Tomb, the Qutab Minar, you will drive along the traditional avenue - Raj Path, past the magnificent India Gate, Parliament House, and the President's Residence and would end with driving through the ambassadorial Enclave. Overnight will be at a hotel in Delhi.

Today you will be free to explore city on your own and indulge in some very last minute shopping. Check out in the dusk and continue for The Dances of India Show. Have formal meal then relocate to Airport for flight home.