Group Tours
Private Tours
Wildlife
Kashmir
Indian Himalayas
Nepal
Tibet - China
Bhutan
Burma
Thailand
Cambodia/Laos
Vietnam
Mongolia
Bali
Sri Lanka
Gen. Info/Policies
Our Credentials
What Travelers Say
Travel Insurance
Travel Resources
links, books, health kit
FAQs
What's Your Style?
Spirit of India Story
Destinations:
a photo overview
Maps - Icons
Home
Looking for a Travel Partner?
Click Here to View & Place Postings
| Request Brochure | Contact Us | Home |
|---|
February 13-29 & October 28-November 13 2008
In-depth tour of India's most Impressive Art & Architecture
Accommodations are Palace Hotels and Heritage Properties
where available and Deluxe Hotels elsewhere
Click Here to Return to Art & Architecture Main Page
Art & Architecture Tour Map
Art & Architecture Tour Map
Pop Up Map
Detailed Itinerary
Delhi - Day 1
Evening arrival in Delhi. Transfer to Taj Palace Hotel.
Delhi - Day 2 (B, D)
Delhi, the capital of the country, and one of India's fastest growing cities, has spread far beyond the "seven cities" created between the 13th and the 17th centuries. It has sprawled over the West Bank of the Yamuna River, straddling it. Remnants of the glorious past survive cheek - by - jowl with soaring skyscrapers, posh residential colonies and bustling commercial complexes. Delhi has some of the finest museums in the country. Its boutiques and shopping arcades offer access to a wealth of traditional and contemporary crafts, from all over the country. Delhi has sprawling parks and gardens ablaze with flowers, and in the winter months, a variety of cultural events. The myriad faces of the city are simply tantalizing, and entice the curious traveler into a fascinating journey of discovery.Relaxed morning to recover from the flight. Late morning greetings and orientation. If anyone in the group feels energetic, a walk around the hotel neighborhood can be organized: visit Rajasthani street markets, the Tibetan market or Connaught Place. After lunch, visit architectural highlights of Delhi including Qutab Minar, the oldest Indian Mosque of the 12th century; Safdarjang Maqbarah, the last period of the Mughul architecture 11th century; Red Fort and Shah Jahan Jami Masjid, the biggest mosque in the world built in 1650.
Evening interactive talk with Dr.Subir Saha - Director School of Planning and Architecture Delhi with dinner at the India International Centre.
Morning visit the Crafts Museum, the most popular museum for daily life utensils, toys, textiles and unique tribal art exhibition, the only one in the country. The Crafts Museum was designed by leading Indian architect Charles Correa. In a natural setting, there are over 20,000 examples of Indian art and architecture. Most of the exhibits represent some of the rarer arts in India, especially from the remote tribal belts. Many of these art forms are now dying, and some of the exhibits are the only examples of particular art forms in existence. In a bid to encourage the continuance of these skills, the museum invites master craftsman to display their talents in the open courtyard of the museum. Each month new sets of artisans are invited, and we can spend time with them after touring the museum.After lunch, visit the National Museum which has a good collection of Indian bronzes, terracotta and wood sculptures dating back to the Mauryan period (2nd-3rd century BC), exhibits from the Vijayanagar period in south India, miniature and mural paintings, and costumes of the various tribal peoples. Afterwards, a quick visit to the Archeological Survey of India office, which is next door. Publications available here cover all the main sites in India.
Fly Delhi - Khajuraho - Day 4 (B)
9W 723 dep 1040 /arr 1300. Hotel Taj Chandela. or Jass Oberoi.
After lunch, visit Classical Temples, Chandella Style of the 9th- 11th century, illustrated with remarkable sculptures of the classical erotic literature, the KAMA SUTRA.
Chandela Forts - Day 5 (B, L)
Day excursion to visit a little known Chandela Fort: Kalingar (130km). Built before the 10th century Chandela dynasty rose to power, this fort rivals the best of the Chandala royal temples with the added attraction of a wild strategic setting. Enroute, we will stop for tea at Ken River Lodge and enjoy a five minute audience with the local Nagod Raja who owns the lodge. We will also visit a local village and house in Kalinjar. Box lunch from the hotel included.
Day 6 Khajuraho - Orchha - Gwailor Hotel Usha Kiran Palace. (B, D)
Morning drive to Orchha (170 Kms.), which was the capital of the kingdom of the Bundella Rajputs from 1531 to 1783. Visit Jahangir Mahal Palace, Indo-Persian style of the Mughul period and the Ram Raja Temple of the17th century. Lunch on your own at the Orchha Palace Hotel. Continue drive to Gwailor. Rich in history, this 120-year-old palace played host to the King of England and is now a heritage hotel. Set amidst 9 acres of beautifully landscaped lawns, this regal palace is outfitted with artistic stone carvings and delicate filigree work.
Introduction to the Indo-Persian architecture of the Timurid Dynasty and the famous marble inlay work of Agra, pietra dura. Agra is globally renown as the city of the Taj Mahal, but this royal Mughal City has, in addition to the legendary Taj, many monuments that epitomize the high point of Mughal architecture. In the Mughal period, in the 16th and 17th centuries, Agra was the capital of India. It was here that the founder of the dynasty, Babar, laid out the first formal Persian garden on the banks of the Yamuna River. Here, Akbar his grandson raised the towering ramparts of the great Red Fort. Within its walls, Jehangir built rose-red palaces, courts and gardens and Shahajahan embellished it with marble mosques, palaces and pavilions of gem-inlaid white marble.After check-in, visit Itimad-ud-Daulah, the first white marble inlaid grave in pure Indo-Persian style built between 1622 to 1628. Afterwards visit Agra Fort. We will also visit Oswolds Shop, where you can see the inland marble technique which is passed down through the generations within families. Sunset visit to Taj Mahal.
Sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal. Return to hotel for breakfast.Afterwards drive to Fatehpur Sikri, capital from 1570 to 1586 of the Great Mughul Empire, a unique architectural concept reflecting Akbar's belief in unity of all religions. Visit the Derviche Saint Mosque , Pir Shaikh Salim Chisti, Wazir Birbal's house, Astrologer's seat and Panch Manzil Mahal and introduction to Islam and Sufism. Afternoon drive to Jaipur. Evening a traditional Rajasthani buffet dinner at our hotel, Samode Haveli.
Jaipur, popularly known as the Pink City, is the capital of the state of Rajasthan. In the 1720‰s, Sawai Jai Singh II began to build the new city of Jaipur. The city turned out to be an astonishing well-planned one based on the ancient Hindu treatise on architecture, the Shilpa Shastra. Different streets were allotted for different professions such as potters, weavers, dyers, jewelers and bankers. Jaipur has a variety of manufacturing industries. It is especially known for its arts and crafts, jewelry, enamel work, hand-printed fabrics and stone sculptures. The sprawling City Palace was an integral part of Raja Sawai Jai Singh II's new city of Jaipur. Today it is a museum that displays art, textiles and armory. Nearby is the ornate Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds). It is a delightfully idiosyncratic five-tier composition of arches and balconies. The Jaipur astronomical observatory built by Raja Saw Jai Singh II in 1827 is an amazing monument. Wandering through the bazaars of old Jaipur is an experience in itself. They are colorful, noisy and happily chaotic and you can buy anything here.Full day to explore the old city, the only city in India built according to the Vedic Shilpashastra in 1727 by the same Dynasty that gave us the world renown Hava Mahal.
After breakfast, drive to Amber, the ancient kingdom of Jaipur. Amber was also the name of its ancient capital, situated 7 miles away. Its' history can be traced backed to the 12th century. Amber Fort is superbly located, protected by wild Arrival Hills on all sides. Originally built in the 11th Century, it was extended by Raja Mannish 1 in the late 16th Century. The ascent to the Fort will be on elephant backs. Afternoon, visit City Palace complex, the Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds), Jal Mahal (Water Palace). (Note: Akbar's magnificently illustrated Ramayana and Razmnama are sometimes on display at the Jaipur Library--if so, we can view these). There will be opportunities to visit block printing factory, gem cutting, carpet factory, silk shops.
Day 10 Drive Jaipur-Jodhpur. (315 km/5-6 hrs) Ajit Bhawan or Ranbaka Hotel (B)
Afternoon excursion to Ossian, a peaceful village north of Jodhpur in the Thar Desert. The ancient town of Ossian contains the largest group of 8th to 10th century Hindu and Jain Temples in Rajasthan. The typical temple of this area is set on a terrace whose walls are finely decorated with moldings and miniatures. The doorways are decorated with river goddesses, serpents and scrollwork. The 23 temples are grouped in several sites north, west and south of the town. The best preserved are the western group on a hillock above the town, while the 12th century Sachiya Mata temple is a living temple of the Golden Durga. Camel ride in the sand dunes just before sunset.
Morning half day city tour of Jodhpur. The best way to trace the history of Jodhpur is to visit the 15th century Mehrangarh Fort perched majestically on a high hill dominating the skyline. Entered through gates which bear the evocative handprints of the Sati queens, women of the royal harem who took their own lives when their men were defeated in battle. The fort has a series of spectacular palaces, each decorated with exquisite engravings, lattice and mirror work. Of particular note is the museum that exhibits a magnificent collection of royal memorabilia; we stop to admire the graceful cenotaph at Jaswant Thada. Lunch at the exquisite Umaid Bhawan Palace. Afterwards some time to browse in the bazaars of the old city, for Jodhpur is well known for its glass bangles, puppets and other folk art. Ornate glass bangles with mirrors embedded and lacquer finished can be found here. The area around the bazaars is a wonderful example of 19th century town planning, blending Rajasthani concepts with more contemporary styles. Can also visit antique shops along the road between our hotel and the palace if interested.
Enroute visit the magnificent Ranakpur Jain Temples built in 1439, dedicated to Adinath, the first Jain Tirthankar. The three temples in the complex each are distinct in design, carved ceilings, and arches decorated with friezes depicting scenes from the lives of the Jain saints. The largest, Adinatha, is noted for its grandiose scale and elaborate ornamentation and for its 1444 sculptured pillars, all with different scenes from Jain mythology and cosmology. The temples are situated in the Haldigathi Jungle where monkeys, wild boars and panthers are dwelling as well as exotic trees such as cinnamon apple and babur maple.Lunch at Maharani Bagh (Mango Orchard of the Maharaja of Jodhpur) near the Temples. Transfer to Hotel Fateh Prakash Palace, a part of the City Palace complex, it is an itimate hotel of only 8 lake view rooms. It is across the courtyard from Shiv Niwas Palace. Sunset boat ride on Lake Picola.
Special dinner at Baghor Ki Haveli, includes an authentic cultural program.
The Venice of India , the city of Lakes, Palaces and the Gardens. There is no place in India which appeals more to the imagination of poets and painters, travelers and writers, than Udaipur, the lovely lake side capital of Mewar. The city's inherent romance and beauty, and its remarkable past, bristling with episodes of heroism and splendor, continue to enthrall the visitor. Udaipur, the City of Dawn, looms up like a vision in white. Surrounded by hills and mountains, and set on the edge of three lakes, which give on to a fertile plain, it is bewitching in all its details - narrow streets lined by vivid colored stalls, gardens, temples and palaces - every feature mirrored in the placid blue waters of Lake Pichhola.Morning visit the City Palace, the largest Palace complex Museum of Rajasthan. The City Palace is a blend of stern Rajput military architecture on the outside and lavish Mughal-inspired decorative art on the inside. Set on a hill overlooking Lake Pichhola, it is a sprawling edifice made up of at least four separate inter-connecting palaces, built over a period of nearly 3 centuries. The Palace museum contains a wonderful collection of old Rajput weaponry.
Also visit Crystal Gallery. Afternoon, introduction to the world of miniature paintings; visit artists' studios. Afterwards, some independent time to stroll the quaint city, take a walk through the colorful Bapu Bazaar. It is easy to walk about independently just outside the city palace gates for a real experience of the local culture beyond the tourist shops. Suggest lunch on your own at the excellant and intimate Fateh Prakhash restaurant.
Fly to Bombay 9W 3406 1925/2110. Transfer to hotel Taj Mahal (new wing)
Pulsating, Alive, On the Move, Vibrant, Fun -- this is Mumbai or as it is still frequently referred to -- Bombay. The most modern city in India, it captures the spirit of the changing pace set by liberalization and modernisation. Once a cluster of seven islands, Mumbai was presented to King Charles II in 1661 as part of the dowry when he married Princess Catherine de Braganza of Portugal. Over the years, as colonialism gave way to independence, Mumbai has transformed itself into an entity with thriving markets, businesses and many different communities reflecting a cosmopolitan and trendy atmosphere. Mumbai represents the ever-changing face of today's India -- the old, steeped in Indian customs and values, coupled with the dynamic new. It is the capital of Maharashtra state, and its official language is Marathi although English and Hindi are widely spoken and understood. Mumbai is a shopper's delight with bargain buys, exclusive boutiques, ethnic markets and mini bazaars. This busy city is also the hub of a thriving cultural life, with a constant stream of performances in music, dance and drama. The seat of the Hindi film industry, known locally as Bollywood, it produces the largest number of films in the world. Mumbai caters to the adventurous and the romantic through its sporting activities, nightclubs, pubs, theatres, beaches and restaurants. Old and new, rich and poor, classical and modern -- its all here for you to savour and enjoy!Day 14 Bombay
Bombay Morning visit the Jain Temple, Prince of Wales Museum, the largest Fine Art Museum in India, and Gandhi House. Afternoon, join Bombay Heritage Walking Club (art & architecture students /professionals). They organise a 2 hr. walk through the old part of Bombay. This walk is subject to a minimum of 10 participants. In case there are less than 10, our local guide will take you for this walk. Hotel Taj Mahal (new wing) (B)
Morning, we drive down to the Gateway of India for an introduction to the Indo Saracenic architectural styles that influenced many of India's monuments. From here we board a launch for a half-hour journey across Mumbai harbor to the cave temples on Elephanta Island. Excavated during the 9th century, the caves, carved between 450 and 750 A.D., are dedicated to the trinity of Indian deities - Bhrama, Vishnu and Shiva. We will also visit to the Mahadeva Trimurti (triple headed Shiva) and the Ardhanareshvara sculptures, famous iconographical representations of Lord Shiva. The caves are at the top of a gentle outdoor staircase lined with handicraft stalls and monkeys.Fly Bombay-Aurangabad IC 887 (1540 /1625) Hotel Taj Residency or Jass. (B) Aurangabad is a convenient base for organising visits to the famous rock-cut temples of Ajanta & Ellora. The town is named after Aurangzeb, the last of the six great Mughal Emperors, who built a mausoleum here for his wife. The most notable feature of these cave temples is that entire hillsides were cut away with the artisan's chisel to produce some of the world's most exquisite sculpture. Ellora's 34 caves are over 10 centuries old and represent elaborate sculptures of Hindu, Buddhist and Jain faiths. The caves at Ajanta date back to the 5th century and contain paintings and sculptures of major events in the life of the Buddha.
Day 16 Ajanta - Hotel Taj Residency or Jass (B)
A full day excursion to the caves at Ajanta which date from 200 BC to 650 AD. There are 29 caves. These caves or vihararas (monasteries) are remarkable for the quality of their murals which relates the life story of Buddha and reveals the life and culture of the people, royal court settings, family life, street scenes and superb studies of birds and animals. In some of the caves the murals relate to the Buddha's previous births, showing the progress of the soul.
The Buddhist, Jain and Hindu caves at Ellora, noted for their sculptures, are considered to be the finest in India and date between 600 and 1100 AD. The landmark of this collection of rock cut sculptures is the magnificent Kailasanatha Temple, the only building that was begun from the top and is a tribute to the imagination and craftsmanship of those who conceived and built this masterpiece. It is the most extraordinary free standing monolithic temple (there are only two of these in India), with unique carvings of the Ramayana and Vishnupurana. You will spend the morning visiting the most outstanding of the 34 cave temples in the area. VAlso visit sites in Aurangabad, time permitting.
Fly to Bombay Jet Air 9W 3110 dep 1955 /arr 2055 and transfer to international airport for flight home or continue with us on our South India Journey.
Group Size:
Minimum of 4; Maximum of 16 people
Price:Feb Tour: $4725, per person based on min 4 people; single room supplement: $1540.
October Tour: $4945; single room: $1625
Plus Airfares (Subject to Change) Delhi - KhajurahoÊ$201, Udaipur - Bombay $173, Bombay - Aurangabad - Bombay $272+ $30 serv fee
Includes:
- Accompanying escort ( min 4 people)
- Accommodations (dble occupancy)
- All entrance fees to monuments
- Land transportation by ac bus
- Train ticket in A/C chair car from Jhansi to Agra by Shatbadi Express
- Daily breakfast & oher meals as mentioned in itinerary
- Special lunch at Maharani Bagh (Mango Orchard of the Maharaja of Jodhpur)
- Special dinners/programs
- Special presentations
Does Not Include
- International flight
- Airport departure taxes
- Trip cancellation/travel insurance
- Tips
- Any expenses of a personal nature such as phone, laundry, drinks
International Flight
We offer discounted consolidator tickets.
Extensions
We offer extensions to South India, Nepal, Bhutan, Burma, Vietnam, Cambodia & Tibet. Please inquire!
Back to Art & Architecture Main Page
(888) 367-6147 - Intl (415) 381-5861
P.O. Box 446 Mill Valley, CA 94941
all text & photos © 1997-08, Barbara Sansone