Dussehra, also called Vijayadashmi, one of the fascinating festivals of India, is celebrated with joy and enthusiasm for ten continuous days. The first nine nights are spent in the worship of goddess Durga, these nights are known as "Navaratri", commemorates the death of the evil king Ravana at the hands of Rama.

While Rama, the exiled prince of Ayodhya, was living in the forest, his wife Sita was abducted by Ravana the demon king of Lanka.  Rama, assisted by an army of monkeys, attacked Lanka to rescue her. A fierce battle ensued between the two armies for many days as it was proving very difficult to beat the mighty Ravana. Rama then prayed for nine days to nine different aspects of Durga and accumulated enough strength to defeat Ravana.  Durga divulged the secret to Rama how he could kill Ravana.

Ramalila, a dance-drama narrating the story of Rama's life according to the Ramayana, is enacted for the nine days preceding Dussehra. Almost every area stages its own version of the play, preparations for which take place many days in advance.

A major attraction for the children in these enactments are the Vanar Senas or
the monkey forces, headed by the monkey God Hanuman. The air resounds with slogans in praise of Lord Rama. Huge effigies of the vanquished Ravana along with his brother Kumbhkarana and his son Meghnath, made of paper & bamboo and stuffed with crackers are set alight.

Classical North India/Dusherra Festival Oct 11 thu Oct 26 2004
15 Nights      Group Size: 15
Day 1  Oct 11 USA - Delhi:
Meet & Greet at the airport and transfer to hotel. overnight

Day 2 Delhi:
Morning tour of historic city of Old Delhi to include magnificent Red Fort. The Jama Masjid, India`s largest mosque, Rajghat - memorial of Mahatma Gandhi.

Afternoon sightseeing in New Delhi to include Humayun`s Tomb, Bhai Temple, Qutab Minar, India gate and Government buildings. overnight at hotel

 Day 3  Delhi - Varanasi:
Morning - after breakfast fly to Varanasi, the holiest of the Hindu cities, where you will have your first view of the sacred Ganges river. You will do a excursion to village of Sarnath in the afternoon, where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon. overnight at hotel
Day 4 Varanasi - Khajuraho:
An early morning start for a dawn boat ride on the Ganges river. Ritual is a very important aspect of Hindusim and there is no better place to observe it than at the Ganges. You will view the thread ceremony, head shaving and food being offered to the departing souls. Also along its bank witness devotees bathing, cremating their dead and doing laundry. A walk through narrow twisting lanes will give you a chance to witness the various rituals of the pilgrims  followed by city tour. In the afternoon depart by flight for Khajuraho. overnight

Day 5  Khajuraho - Agra:
A morning half day sightseeing of the temples in Khajuraho includes the tour of 9th to 13th century erotic Hindu temples. Well preserved, the sculptures depict gods, goddesses, warriors, animals, and amorous couples. Later drive to Jhansi to connect shatabdi express to Agra. overnight   

Day 6 Agra:
Morning after breakfast begin the full day sightseeing of Agra. Agra is the home of the Taj Mahal and the famous Red Fort. The Moghul Empoerer Shah Jehan built the extravagant Taj Mahal as a mausoleum for his most beloved wife and was imprisoned in the Red Fort overlooking the Taj by his son until death. Both buildings are truly spectacular and the Taj Mahal is now one of the wonders of the World. overnight

Day 7 Agra - Fatehpur Sikri - Jaipur:
Morning drive to Jaipur enroute visit Fatehpur Sikri. This was emperor Akbar`s capital, designed and built in Red stone, the city is another architectural wonder. Later drive to Jaipur. overnight 

Day 8 Jaipur:
Morning excursion to Amber Fort riding on the Elephant back. Afternoon city tour of the famous "Pink City" which reminds of a galorious past and there is so much to see and enjoy here. It is also famous for its blue - art pottery and inlaid brasswork. overnight

Day 9 Jaipur - Jodhpur:
Morning drive to Jodhpur (350 kms), afternoon at leisure to use the hotel facilities. Overnight at Hotel
Day 10  Jodhpur:
Gateway to the Thar desert, the city is known for its striking Forts, stately palaces and gracious buildings. Some of these are now India`s finest hotels. The city was built in 1459 by Rao Jodha of The Rajput clan.

Sightseeing in Jodhpur includes Mehrangarh Fort built by the city`s founder five centuries ago, Jaswant Thada, museum, bazaar and excursion to Mandore. overnight

Day 11 Jodhpur - Ranakpur - Udaipur:
Morning drive to Udaipur. Enroute visit Ranakpur temple complex (open at 1200 hours). Ranakpur, a 15th century Chaumukh Jain temple, is one of the most beautifully crafted and sculpted temples in India. overnight

Day 12  Udaipur:
Udaipur is the most romantic city in Rajasthan. With its hilltop fortesses, fairytale palaces, exotic legends and its urban and industrial centres, the city is proud of its heritage as a center for performing arts, painting and crafts. Most of the marble palaces and fortification have now been transformed into palace hotels.

Sightseeing of Udaipur include, City palace museum, Bharatiya Lok Mandal, Sahelyon Ki bari, Partap memorial and afternoon boat ride on the lake Pichola to visit Jagmandir. Overnight

Day 13 Udaipur - Mumbai:
Morning fly to Mumbai (0850-1035). On arrival transfer to hotel, followed by City tour of Bombay - the great port city with its Victorian Gothic buildings from the British Raj Era mingling with the modern. The tour includes 'Gateway of India' overlooking the Harbour, the 'Towers of Silence', 'Marine Drive', the 'Colaba Causeway' - the commercial heart of Bombay and the Dhobi Ghat, the unique and colourful outdoor 'laundry'. Drive upto the Malabar Hill to the lovely 'Hanging Gardens' and the Kamla Nehru Park  where you will see a wonderful view of Mumbai and the Arabian Sea spread out before you. Also visit Mani Bhawan, a small museum dedicated to the life and works of Mahatma Gandhi, and the bustling Crawford Market. Afternoon free for your own activities. Overnight at hotel

Day 14 Mumbai - Aurangabad:
Morning fly to Aurangabad, on arrival full day excursion to famous Ajanta caves. These 2nd century caves are fine achievements by Buddhist monks. Beautiful frescoes, wall paintings and vivid sculptures reflect the peak of ancient Indian art and architecture. The horseshoe shaped gorge has 30 caves built in two phases spread over a period of 900 years. Overnight

Day 15  Aurangabad - Mumbai:
Morning excursion to Ellora caves. The World Heritage site is one of the fines example of rockcut caves. There are 34 caves - 12 Buddhist (600-800 AD), 17 Hindu(900 AD), and five Jain (800-1000 AD). Cave 16 is the most famous and has Lord Shiva sculpted on the rocks. The largest monolith in the world it is said to have taken 7000 labourers, working in continuous shifts and 150 Years to build. The other popular cave is No 32 where a shrine contains the seated Lord Mahavir, last of the 24 tirthankars of Jainism.

Evening transfer to airport for your flight to Mumbai. overnight at hotel

Day 16 Oct 26 Mumbai - Departure:
Early morning transfer to international airport for your onward flight.

Tour Cost : 15 Nights
* Per person cost for the above program minimum based on 15 pax will be:
Min. 15 in Group
SGL Room supplement
Entrance fee supplement
Dinner supplement
Air Fare supplement
 		usd = 1169.00 per person
usd = 479.00
usd = 100.00 per person
usd = 182.00 per person
usd = 530.00 per person
(DELHI/VARANASI/KHAJURAHO-UDAIPUR/MUMBAI/AURANGABAD/MUMBAI: Economy class )
Hotels used :
Hotel Siddharth - Delhi , Clarks - Varanasi, Jass - Khajuraho, Clarks Shiraz - Agra, Clarks Amer - Jaipur, Balsamand/Ajit Bhawan - Jodhpur, Shikarbadi - Udaipur, Fariyas - Mumbai, The Meadows - Aurangabad, Leela - Mumbai

Services Include :
    • Accommodation on twin sharing as per the above mentioned hotels or similar on bed & breakfast basis.
    • Arrival/departure transfer and sightseeing with airconditioned coach
      • English speaking local guide in Delhi, Varanasi, Khajuraho, Mumbai and Aurangabad and accompanying guide from Agra to Udaipur.
    • Jhansi/Agra train fare in a/c chair car train.
    • Elephant ride in Jaipur
    • Boatride in Udaipur.
    • Welcome drinks on arrival (non alcoholic).
    • Welcome with Flowers garlands at the airport.
    • Assistance at airport and hotels.
Does not include :
Above mentioned cost does not include any air fare, airport tax, unspecified meals, table drinking, telephone calls, laundry, camera fee, tips, insurance, Entrance fee and any other expenses of personal nature and not mentioned above.

*Above rates are subject to change without notice and are subject to availability.

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