Historical Caves, Taj Mahal & Valley of Kashmir

Arrive Mumbai

On arrival at Mumbai airport meet with our office executive assistance and transfer to hotel. (hotel check in / out time 1200hr afternoon early check in subject to rooms availability). Rest time free and easy to relax.

Mumbai is a city that is disciplined by no time frame neither day nor night. Dazzling shopping arcades, exciting sport activity, nightclubs & discotheques, theatre, music & gourmet restaurants offers visitors a heady mix of all this and more.

Overnight at Hotel

Mumbai

transfer to Gateway on India. From here cruise by motorboats to Elephanta Caves (Monday closed). A flight of 100 steps takes you to the top of the hill. These caves house rock cut temples dating back to the 5th century BC. Afterwards in the afternoon cruise back to Gateway of India and then city tour drive thrught Marine Drive one of the most beautifully laid boulevards in the city.

Parliament House the Maharashtra State Assembly (view from outside), Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, formerly Victoria Terminus, a UNESCO World Heritage Site (view from outside). Visit Dhobhi Ghat the city's famous open-air laundry in action, Prince of Wales Museum (Monday closed) a heritage museum comprises of a number of ancient artifacts. Mani Bhawan a Museum, Gandhi laid the foundation for many independence movements from here. Mount Mary Church, an ancient church, built in 1640 and then rebuilt in 1761, The Basilica of Our Lady of the Mount an important religious place in Mumbai. In the evening, visit Iskcon Temple dedicated to Lord Krishna, The architectural splendour of the ISKCON Temple is adorned with murals and sculptures. If time permits visit to Bandra and Juhu area where bollywood celebrity houses are located like Shahrukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Salman Khan etc. (can be seen from outside). Overnight at hotel.

Overnight at Hotel

Mumbai – Aurangabad (flight)

transfer to airport to board flight for Aurangabad. On arrival assistance and transfer to hotel.

Later excursion to visit Ellora, a UNESCO World heritage sites (Tuesday closed). It houses 34 monasteries and temples with some exclusive uninterrupted sequence of monuments that date back from 600 to 1000 AD. The temples of Ellora are dedicated to Brahmanism, Jainism, and Buddhism. It also has some of the excellent stonework depicting the legends related to Lord Shiva.

Grishneshwar Jyotirlinga, one of the 12 Jyotirlinga shrines mentioned in the Shiva Purana. The temple is an important pilgrimage site in Shaivism tradition of Hinduism, which considers it as the last or twelfth Jyotirlinga (linga of light).

On way back visit Daulatabad Fort one of the most powerful forts of the medieval Deccan. The defence system that made Daulatabad virtually impregnable comprises fortifications with double and even triple rows of massive walls.

Overnight at Hotel

Aurangabad – Ajanta (105kms/ 2 hrs approx one way)

Excursion to Ajanta Caves (Monday closed). The Buddhist Caves of Ajanta were discovered by the British officers in 1819 while tiger hunting. Ajanta Caves were first mentioned in the writings of the Chinese pilgrim Hiuen Tsang who visited India between A.D 629 and 645. The Caves at Ajanta are older than those at Ellora, which date from about 200 B.C to 650 A.D. Thirty beautiful Buddhist Caves with mesmerizing sculptures and paintings depicting Buddha's life as well the lives of the Buddha in his previous births. Five of these Caves are Chaityas (Place of worship) while the other twenty-five are Viharas (monasteries). Ajanta Caves are divided in two categories based on two schools of Buddhist thought - Hinayana Caves and Mahayana Caves.

After sightseeing drive back to Aurangabad.

Visit Bibi ka Maqbara Built by Azam Shah in 1678, the Bibi ka Maqbara is a son's loving tribute to his mother. Due to its similar design standing spectacularly on the lawns of the landscaped garden with ponds, fountains and water channels, the white marbled monument is popularly known as the mini Taj of the Deccan. Panchakki which literally means 'Water Mill'. It receives water from an underground channel, with its source being 6 km away in the mountains. An artificial waterfall has been created near the mill, through which this water is discharged on to the wheel to power the flourmill and grind grain for the pilgrims. Overnight at hotel.

Overnight at Hotel

Aurangabad – Delhi (flight)

transfer to airport to board flight for Delhi. On arrival assistance and transfer to the hotel. Later city tour of Delhi, visiting landmark of Old Delhi which include Red Fort the residence of the Mughal emperor for nearly 200 years until 1857. Jama Masjid one of the largest mosques in the world, built by Shah Jahan. Cycle Rickshaw ride in Chandni chowk & Khari Baoli Spice Market a busy shopping area with markets full of spices, dried fruit, silver jewelry and vivid saris, while the narrow side streets are crowded with tiny shops selling essential oils, stationery and traditional Indian sweets. Raj Gath the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi where he was cremated after his assassination.

New Delhi visit Humayun Tomb the first garden-tomb in Indian subcontinent and an early example of Mughal architecture commissioned by Humayun's first wife Empress Bega Begum in 1569-70. Qutab Minar a 73-metres tall minaret that forms part of the Qutb complex a fine examples of Afghan architecture. Lotus Temple a Baháʼí House of Worship notable for its flowerlike shape open to all, regardless of religion.
Drive thrugh VVIP areas passing President House, Parliament & India Gate etc.

Overnight at hotel.

Delhi - Agra - Delhi (200kms/ 4hrs approx one way)

Full day excursion to Agra. Visit Taj Mahal an ivory-white marble mausoleum on the bank of the Yamuna river commissioned in 1632 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan to house the tomb of his favourite wife Mumtaz Mahal, it also houses the tomb of Shah Jahan himself. Agra Fort the main residence of the emperors of the Mughal Dynasty until 1638, when the capital was shifted from Agra to Delhi. Itmad-ud-Daula Tomb a Mughal mausoleum commissioned by Nur Jahan, the wife of Jahangir, for her father Mirza Ghiyas Beg.

After sightseeing drive back to Delhi.

Overnight at hotel.

Delhi – Srinagar (flight)

transfer to airport to board flight for Srinagar. On arrival assistance and transfer hotel/ houseboat check in.

Later visit Mughal gardens, Shalimar Bagh, Nishat Bagh & Chashma Shahi. Later visit Shankaracharya Temple the sacred temple occupies the top of the hills known as Takht-I-Sulaiman in the south-east of Srinagar. The site dates back to 250BC. Evening Shikara ride on the Dal Lake, visiting floating vegetable gardens.

Overnight at houseboat/ hotel.

Srinagar – Gulmarg (56kms/ 2hrs approx)

drive to Gulmarg (The Meadow of the Flowers) located at the altitude of 9,000ft. Today Gulmarg is not merely a mountain resort of exceptional beauty it also has the highest green golf course in the world, at an altitude of 2,650m, and is the country's premier ski resort in the winter.

Enjoy a cable car ride on Gondola which will take you to the Majestic height of 13,000ft above sea level covering the magnificent views of Himalayan Mountains and Pirpanjal ranges. You can also enjoy a view of Nanga Parbat if the weather permits. Golf playing, Horse Riding, Hiking & Snow Skiing are other activities available here at additional cost.

Overnight at hotel.

Gulmarg – Pahalgam (142kms/ 3hrs approx)

drive to Pahalgam the Valley of Shepherds 7,000ft above sea level. On the way visit the famous Saffron growing fields and Awantipur Ruins (1100 years old temple of lord Vishnu build by King Awantivarman), enjoy the beautiful countryside on the way. On arrival check-in at hotel.

Pahalgam; situated at the confluence of the streams flowing from Sheshnag Lake and the Lidder River, was once a humble shepherd's village with breathtaking views. The most beautiful of these is the huge, undulating meadow of Baisaran, surrounded by thickly wooded forests of pine. Hajan, on the way to Chandanwari, is an idyllic spot. There is a Shiva temple considered to be Kashmir's oldest existing temple, dating to the 5th century.

Overnight at hotel.

Pahalgam – Srinagar (83kms/ 3hrs approx) / Mumbai (flight)

drive to Srinagar airport to board flight for Delhi. On arrival assistance and transfer hotel check in. Rest time to visit any place of your interest with your driver.

Overnight at hotel.