Mercury Travels

Mumbai - Aurangabad - Udaipur - Jaipur - Agra - Khajuraho - Varanasi - Delhi

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE TOUR

Visit Mani Bhavan in Mumbai, a smalll museum dedicated to the life and works of Mahtma Gandhi.

Visit the Craft Museum in Delhi to see their Textile Gallery.

See the local Folk Museum at Udaipur.

Visit the Prince of Wales Museum, Mumbai and see its extensive collection of 18th and 19th century miniature paintings. Its collection of Nepalese and Tibetan art is also quite noteworthy.

Explore the National Museum in Delhi. Their collection of Indian miniature paintings of the Rajput and Pahari schools is remarkable.

Sense and Sensibility

Visit the Ajanta Caves which have Buddhist carvings dated between the 2nd century BC and the 7th century AD. Also see the Ellora caves which have carvings by Buddhist, Jain and Hindu monks between the 7th and 13th centuries.

See the sensual carvings of the Khajuraho temples.

India is a land with a rich past and a wonderful heritage that is preserved in its many museums across the country. These museums are microcosms of glorious bygone eras that allow us to reconstruct the past and get a glimpse into India's eventful history.

The spectrum of art is vast. Art, dance and music have an all pervading quality. It plays an integral role in the life of India, reaffirming faith and heritage down the ages. Even in the Vedas rituals manifest themselves through music, dance and drama.

India has a rich repository of heritage museums and art galleries. It is from them that you can get a close look at its momentous history and invaluable artifacts. Ravaged by time and pillaged by conquerors, India's legacy is hard to pin down. However, a tour of the country's premier museums does provide that aesthetic insight into the traditions and disciplines of Indian art through the ages. A lesson time cannot make redundant.

DAY 1 Arrive Mumbai
Reception at airport upon arrival and transfer to hotel. Breakfast at hotel. Morning free for independent activities. Afternoon - sightseeing tour of Mumbai.

DAY 2 Mumbai-Aurangabad
Breakfast at hotel. Morning - visit to Prince of Wales Museum. Afternoon transfer from hotel to the airport in time to board flight to Aurangabad. Meeting and assistance upon arrival and transfer from airport to hotel.

DAY 3 Aurangabad
Breakfast at hotel. Full day excursion to Ajanta Caves.

DAY 4 Aurangabad-Mumbai
Breakfast at hotel. Morning - visit the extraordinary cave temples of Ellora. After sightseeing transfer to airport for flight to Mumbai. Reception upon arrival and transfer from airport to the hotel.

DAY 5 Mumbai-Udaipur
Early morning transfer from hotel to airport in time to board flight to Udaipur. Reception upon arrival and transfer from airport to hotel. After breakfast, sightseeing tour of Udaipur, stopping first at City Palace. Also visit the lovely Sahelion-ki-Bari Gardens; the Jagdish Temple; and the Local Folk Museum. Lunch at hotel. After lunch, motor launch cruise on the placid waters of Lake Pichola. Visit to Jag Mandir Palace - the other lovely island palace in the middle of the lake, Borra Mahal, Khas Mahal and the courts, gardens and fountains.

DAY 6 Udaipur
Breakfast at hotel. Full day excursion to Ranakpur. Visit to famous Jain Temple, dating back to the 15th century. Lunch at Hotel Maharani Bagh, Ranakpur.

DAY 7 Udaipur-Jaipur
Breakfast at hotel. Morning transfer from hotel to airport in time to board flight to Jaipur. Reception at airport upon arrival and transfer to hotel. Afternoon tour of Jaipur city.

DAY 8 Jaipur
Breakfast at hotel. Morning excursion to Amber Fort on elephant back. Afternoon free for independent activities.

DAY 9 Jaipur
Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Samode (40 kms/1 hour) for Rajasthani Gala Evening.

DAY 10 Jaipur-Agra
Breakfast at hotel. Morning, drive from Jaipur to Agra (221 kms/6 hours) en route visit to Fatehpur Sikri. Upon arrival check-in at hotel. Rest of day at leisure.

DAY 11 Agra-Khajuraho
Breakfast at hotel. City tour of Agra. Visit to Taj Mahal and Agra Fort. Afternoon transfer from hotel to the airport in time to board the flight to Khajuraho. Reception upon arrival and transfer from airport to hotel.

DAY 12 Khajuraho-Varanasi
Breakfast at hotel. Morning - sightseeing tour of the famous Chandela Dynasty Temples. These temples are really amazing - rising in many peaks and spirals, intricately carved and designed with statues and friezes. These temples are also known for their renowned erotic carvings. Afternoon - transfer from hotel to airport in time to board flight to Varanasi. Reception upon arrival and transfer from airport to the hotel.

DAY 13 Varanasi
Early morning - drive to Daswamedh Ghat for boat ride on the sacred river Ganges. Breakfast at hotel. Later, sightseeing tour of Varanasi with its numerous temples, narrow lanes and bazaars selling the world famous Banaras silks.

DAY 14 Varanasi-Delhi
Transfer from hotel to airport in time to board flight to Delhi. Reception upon arrival and transfer from airport to hotel. Rest of day at leisure.

DAY 15 Delhi
Morning visit Craft Museum to view the Textile Gallery and also the Handicrafts Musuem at Pragati Maidan. Afternoon visit to National Museum.

DAY 16 Delhi
Breakfast at hotel. Morning - sightseeing tour of New Delhi. Afternoon - sightseeing tour of Old Delhi. Evening transfer to international airport. Departure Delhi.