Welcome to Enchanting Journeys

Namaste & welcome to incredible Republic of India - one of the friendliest countries on earth, combining glorious architecture with a warm-hearted welcome.

With its sumptuous mix of traditions, spiritual beliefs, festivals, architecture & landscapes, your memories of India will blaze bright long after you have left its shores.

Early morning, around 6.00 am, you will be met by The Journeys representative who will ensure your comfort, discuss the program, introduce you to your chauffeur for your 4 Day trip to Agra & Khajuraho & see you off.

Depart for Agra enroute stopping over at Sikandra Fort, the last resting place of the Mughal emperor Akbar.

Akbar was the greatest of the Mughal emperors and one of the most secular minded royalties of his time. He was the heir to a long tradition of oriental refinement, a great patron of the arts, literature, philosophy and science. Akbar's vast, beautifully carved, red-ochre sandstone tomb is set amidst a lush garden. Akbar himself planned his own tomb and selected a suitable site for it. To construct a tomb in one's lifetime was a Tartary custom which the Mughals followed religiously. Akbar's son Jahangir completed the construction of this pyramidal tomb in 1613.

Continue your drive towards Agra.

Check-in at the hotel on arrival.

There are very few cities in the world that can match the history & heritage of Agra.

Situated on the west bank of River Yamuna, Agra is a part of the great Northern Indian plains. The architectural splendour of the city is reflected in the glorious monuments of medieval India built by great Mughals who ruled India for more than 300 years. In the mid16^th century and earlier 17^th 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 & of very high quality which is still reflected in whatever monuments remain.

The splendour of Agra remains undiminished, from the massive Agra Fort to the magnificent Taj Mahal. Monuments here depict some of the first examples of extensive marble usage in the architectural styles. Today, a visitor to Agra is caught up in a world of contrasting edifices, of red sandstone and white marble, narrow galleys and quaint buggies, and that irresistible charm that this favorite city of the Mughals still retains. It is not surprising, that modern Agra still reflects its Mughal heritage most conspicuously.

Meet the Tour-guide in the Lobby at 10.30 am & proceed for a full day 8 hour sightseeing tour of this royal city.

The Guide will take you back in time & help you to visualise the life in the bygone era illustrated by the majestic citadels & the serene Taj Mahal.

One knows that ‘The Taj’ is one amongst the World’s Wonders!

One knows that it is one amongst the UNESCO World Heritage Sites!!

One knows The Taj as a legend of eternal love of an Emperor for his favourite Queen!!!

Well, ‘The Taj’ has distinctions much beyond just these! Therefore, ‘The Taj’, surely, deserves your visit once & more!!! The Taj Mahal is the jewel of Muslim art in India & one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage.. Hailed as one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Taj Mahal’ beauty has to be seen to be believed.

Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder! Probably for Taj Mahal, the axiom is just the other way round. The Taj is the beauty personified! The Taj displays its different moods through its varied shades. The Taj has as many shades as any kind of beauty can ever have! The Taj is pinkish in the morning, milky white in the evening, golden when the moon shines & the intermediary variants during different hours of the day & during different seasons in a year.

Little needs to be said about this architectural wonder which is always the soul raison-de-etre for every tourist's visit to Agra. Built by Shah Jahan in memory of his beautiful wife Mumtaz Mahal, the mausoleum was completed in 1653, it took 22 years to be completed and was designed & planned by Persian architect Ustad Isa. A staggering total of 20,000 workers contributed their skills, in the construction of this unique mausoleum.

Apart from its stunning design balance & perfect symmetry, the Taj is also noted particularly for its elegant domes, intricately carved screens & some of the best inlay work ever seen.   Hailed as one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Taj Mahal’s beauty has to be seen to be believed. A visit there is a sublime experience of the greatest love story ever told.

The Mausoleum stands in a formally laid-out walled garden entered through a pavilion on the main axis. The tomb, raised on a terrace and first seen reflected in the central canal, is entirely sheathed in marble, but the mosque & counter-mosque on the transverse axis are built in red sandstone. The four minarets, set symmetrically about the tomb, "The interior of the building is dimly lit through pierced marble lattices and contains a virtuoso display of carved marble. Externally the building gains an ethereal quality from its marble facings, which respond with extraordinary subtlety to changing light & weather."

The Taj will keep you indulged with thoughts superimposing your sight & would make you feel the presence of Shah Jahan, the ‘maker’ and Mumtaz  Mahal, the ‘reason’.  As you breathlessly continue staring at ‘The Taj’, you would sense them standing beside you!

Walk along the pathway beside the reflecting pool with fountains upto the mausoleum crafted in soft & pure marble & jewelled with semi-precious stones, where in the serenity of paradise rests the Queen in peace with her King. Come to unfold the pages from the past to churn the charm out of its mystique & enrich your imagination about this marvel of an epic in stone, The Taj!

Visit the 16^th century Mughal monument known as the Red Fort of Agra. This powerful fortress of red sandstone encompasses, within its 2.5 km long enclosure walls, the imperial city of the Mughal rulers. Built by the famed Mughal emperor Akbar in 1565 AD, the fort has imposing gates & walls of red sandstone & a moat. Behind its colossal walls are some of the finest Mughal buildings in India. Construction of the fort commenced during Akbar’s reign and additions continued to be made until the rule of his grandson Shah Jahan. During Akbar’s time, it was primarily a military fort though later the focus shifted and it partially became a palace. It comprises many fairy-tale palaces, such as the Jahangir Palace and the Khas Mahal, built by Shah Jahan; audience halls, such as the Diwan-i-Khas; and two very beautiful mosques.

Last stop would be the Tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah, also known as the 'Baby Taj' because of the architectural similarities. It showcases intricate latticework & carvings on marble to produce stunning marble screens. The delicate pietradura work done on the walls of this serene marble mausoleum with its four minarets set in the midst of a char bagh style garden is believed to have inspired the inlay work done on the Taj Mahal that was constructed on similar lines, though on an extremely grand scale.

Return to the hotel by late afternoon.

Balance of the day free to relax or to explore the Agra’s rich heritage of handicrafts in its markets or for optional activities (we would be happy to offer suggestions & make the arrangements).

Overnight.         

Early morning today, you will be met by a Journeys rep & transferred to the Station to board the train for Jhansi, the nearest rail-head for the temple town of Khajuraho,

On arrival, at the Jhansi Station, you will be met by a Journeys Rep / Driver who will ensure your comfort & transfer you to Khajuraho, enroute stopping at Orchha, which has remarkably withstood the onslaught of time.

Orchha was a medieval city founded by the Bundela Rajput chieftain, Rudra Pratap Singh, located by the side of the beautiful boulder-strewn Betwa River, in the 16^th century, as the seat of an eponymous former princely state of central India, in the Bundelkhand region (now known as the state of Madhya Pradesh).When the Tughlaqs, who were ruling Delhi in the 15^th century, pushed the Bundelkhand rajas out of Garkhundar, they retreated to distant Orchha.

Orchha seems to have frozen in time, its palaces & temples still retaining their original grandeur. Orchha had the distinction of being the capital of one of the largest & most powerful kingdoms of central India. It showcases a supreme display of Mughal architecture, some of which is similar to that of nearby Khajuraho (albeit without such high-quality artistry) with much grander palaces & cenotaphs dotting the pastoral landscape as well. The town is known for its Chatris which were built in the memory of the kings & are flanked by Betwa river.

The atmosphere in Orchha, though, is far more laid-back & hassle-free, which makes for a relaxing stay. Tranquil & serene, it has historically been referred to as one of India’s most beautifully preserved princely states, keeping the old Bundelkhand alive.

Proceed for sightseeing of Orchha, visiting sites within the Fort Complex.

The 17^th century Orchha Fort complex is the biggest tourist draw of this small town. Visit some of the numerous palaces, pavilions, lodges & temples. The complex itself is divided into three parts.

See Jahangir Mahal, another stunning piece of architecture in this hidden gem of a place. Built by King Vir Singh in honor of his childhood friend & Mughal prince, Jahangir,to be a garrison & citadel for the Mughals to allow greater control over the Bundela region. Learn how Emperor Jahangir presented the state of Bundelkhand to King Vir Singh who helped him defeat the army of Abul Fazi and take a dip in the interesting history of the land.

From the Fort, board a tuk-tuk & proceed to the unique cenotaphs, built in the memory of Bundela Kings. Commonly known as Chhatris, these cenotaphs are laid down in a row along the banks of Betwa River and are an excellent example of Rajput & Mughal architecture.

Enjoy lunch here & immediately after, continue on your drive to Khajuraho.

Check-in on arrival.

Situated in the northernmost part of Madhya Pradesh, Khajuraho is famous for its enchanting temples & its legendary annual Khajuraho dance festival. Modern Khajuraho is a small town, serving the tourist trade with hotels & an airport.

Th Khajuraho is a tourist & archaeological town located in the Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh, known for its sculptured temples dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu & Jain patriarchs. Khajuraho's name derives from the prevalence of khajur (date palms) which is grown abundantly in the region.

Khajuraho was one of the capitals of the Chandela kings, who from the 9^th to 11^th CE developed a large realm, which at its height included almost all of what is now Madhya Pradesh state and contained about 85 temples built by multiple rulers. In the late 11^th century, the Chandelas, in a period of chaos & decline, moved to hill forts elsewhere.

The town continued its religious importance until the 14^th century (Ibn Batuta was impressed by it) but was afterwards largely forgotten; its remoteness probably saved it from the desecration that Muslim conquerors generally inflicted on Hindu monuments. The temple complex was discovered in the jungles of Khajuraho in 1838 by a British Army captain.

The beautiful temples that dot Khajuraho are believed to have been built by the mighty Chandela rulers in the 9^th & 10^th century AD. The engravings on these temples are highly sensual & erotic and depict in graceful forms intimate scenes of the whole range of human emotions & relationships. These sculptures congeal in stone a lyrical paean to love & passion and reflect the Chandela dynasty’s immense appreciation of arts.

The Khajuraho Temples are dedicated to a celebration of womanhood, her myriad moods & facets. Famous for its erotic architecture, the carvings include, women writing a letter, applying eye makeup, combing her tresses, dancing & playing with her child. Her innocent, blushed, charming, seductive, ardent beauty, all depicted in exquisitely sculptured details. These temples have been designed & carved to lead the eyes from ground level upward till you seem to be looking at heaven.

Afternoon at leisure.

Later in the evening, around 06:00 pm, proceed to the garden of western group of temples, to enjoy a 50 minute Son et Lumiere Show conducted by Tourism Department.

This fascinating light & sound spectacle evokes the life & times of the great Chandela Kings & traces the legend & grandeur of the unique temples story from the 10^th century to the present day, narrated in the voice of Amitabh Bachan - the Bollywood legend.

The show is entertaining & informative about the construction, history & importance of the temples.  Technicolour floodlights sweep across the temples of the western group as Indian classical music soundtracks play in the background. Photography is prohibited.

Return to the hotel.

Balance of the evening at leisure. 

Overnight.  B 

Morning, meet the Tour-guide at 08:00 am & proceed to the Temple Complex again to enjoy the famous monuments.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site in central India, Khajuraho Temples in Madhya Pradesh are amongst the most beautiful medieval monuments in India. Still the largest group of Hindu & Jain temples in the world, of the original group of 85, only about 25 of them remain today.

Most temples constructed of hard river sandstone, the remaining temples are still reasonably well preserved. Both internally & externally, the temples are richly carved with excellent sculptures that are frequently sensual &, at times, sexually explicit.

Divided into three complexes - the western is the largest & best known, containing the magnificent Shaivite temple Kandariya Mahadev, a 31m high agglomeration of porches & turrets culminating in a spire.

The erotic carvings that swathe Khajuraho’s three groups of temples are among the finest temple art in the world & have awed generations of people with their architectural brilliance, intricate carvings &, most famously, their erotic sculptures. The Western Group of temples, in particular, contains some stunning sculptures.

They are superb examples of Indo-Aryan architecture & depict images of gods & goddesses, warriors & musicians, real & mythological animals & erotic figures running through the whole Kama Sutra positions & possibilities.

Most of the temples here belong to Jain faith but there are three Hindu temples of the group, namely, the Brahma temple enshrining a four-faced linga; the Vamana temple with divine carvings of sensuous celestial maidens in various poses adorning its outer walls & the Javari temple with an opulently carved doorway & ostentatious sculptures on its exteriors.

Some of the Temples you will visit today:

Kandariya Mahadeo: The 31m high temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva & enshrining the 'linga', is the largest & most typical Khajuraho temple with exquisite carvings and intricate & detailed craftsmanship in stone depicting divine deities, celestial maidens, eternal lovers, gods and goddesses. & goddesses.

Chaunsath Yogini: The 900AD granite temple is the earliest temple of the group that has survived & is  dedicated Goddess Kali.

Chitragupta Temple is dedicated to the Sun God (Surya Dev). It faces towards eastor the rising sun & the imposing image of the image of the deity in the inner sanctum is as high as five feet & is shown driving a horse-drawn chariot. It is in front of this temple & the Vishwanatha temple that most of the dance performances take place during the Khajuraho Dance Festival.

Vishwanatha Temple has impressive entrances with magnificent stone guarding its northern steps & royal masonry elephants taking care of the southern steps. The three-headed image of Lord Brahma in the Temple is no less captivating.

Lakshmana Temple is a pretty Vaishnava temple flaunting a lintel over its entrance depicting the divine trinity of Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu & Lord Shiva along with Goddess Lakshmi, the wife of Lord Vishnu  

Matangeshwara Temple situated outside the premises of Western group of temples, is a Shiva temple  known for the daunting eight feet high lingam (male organ representing the natural process of reproduction & the continuity of human life form) that it enshrines.

Come back to the hotel.

Balance of the day free to relax or walk around on your own (we will be happy to offer suggestions, although the choices are limited here).  

Overnight.   B 

Morning free to relax or to explore independently. Stroll around the very small town.

Check-out of the hotel by 12:00 noon (if the departure time is later in the evening, we will request the hotel to allow use of the hotel facilities & leave the luggage at the Bell Desk). 

In time, you will be met by a Journeys Rep, who will ensure your comfort & transfer you to Jhansi Train Station where you will board for Delhi. 

Alas, this wonderful experience comes to an end. Time to say good-bye to incredible India  & go home. But, we sure hope that you may want to discover a bit more of this multi-ethnic kaleidoscope that 1.2 billion people call home, on your next visit.

On arrival at New Delhi Station, you will be welcomed by a Journeys Rep & transferred to Terminal 3 - Delhi Indira Gandhi Airport for your onward journey. Or to the hotel if you are staying longer.   B

***        End of Services      ***