The Classical India
Delhi – Pushkar – Jaipur – Agra – Vrindavan – Delhi

9 Nights 10 Days

General information:

Appropriate trip season: August – April
Shabbat in Chabad Hous Pushkar


Highlights:

  • Camel Cart ride in Pushkar
  • Elephant ride in  Jaipur
  • Rajasthan Dance performance
  • Bollywood movie show at Raaj Mandir
  • Rickshaw ride – Delhi
  • Day 01, Arrive Delhi:

    As soon as you arrive at Delhi airport, our representative will welcome you before you are transferred to your hotel.
    Later  we visit the “Judah Chaim” Synagogue. Jews have lived in India since ancient times, and their communities are even mentioned in the Talmud. Later set out to explore and experience the capital of Muslim India between the 12th and 20th centuries, the Old Delhi. A Persian couplet inscribed on a wall in the magnificent Red Fort (from outside) says, “If on earth be an eden of bliss, it is this, it is this, none but this.” No doubt the emperor whose home it became found it pretty blissful, with its many plush private apartments and trappings of Mughal grandeur, wealth and power. Constructed in 1639 AD, this UNESCO World Heritage Site will amaze you with what you find inside it today.
    And speaking of grandeur, the nearby Jama Masjid Mosque, the largest in India, has a courtyard that can hold 25,000 worshippers.
    Followed by Rickshaw ride. A poignant visit to Rajghat, the site of Mahatma Gandhi’s cremation and a memorial to this humble man who so changed the world.
    Afternoon we explore India’s bustling capital city the New Delhi visiting the Vijay Chowk, “Victory Square”, stopover at the Presidential Palace with its intriguing combination of classical and Indian design elements and the India Gate memorializing Indian soldiers who died in World War I. And lastly visit the Qutab Minar, the tallest brick minaret in the world. Also, visit to Humayun’s Tomb.
    Overnight at hotel in Delhi
    • Delhi, this bustling capital, on the surface it is very much a symbol of developing, modern India but scattered throughout the city are testaments to Delhi’s intriguing past. The vast Red Fort and the Jama Masjid Mosque, one of the largest in India, remain central to the old city’s structure and are a wonderful introduction to the architectural splendors of northern India. Between the two run the narrow lanes of Chandni Chowk, where spice traders continue to ply their pungent wares in a scene unchanged for centuries.
      The designation of New Delhi as the British capital in 1911 heralded the construction of wide tree-lined streets and colonial architecture designed by Lutyens. Open parkland and imposing colonial buildings are connected by a series of vast boulevards that contrast markedly with the winding alleys of Old Delhi.
  • Day 2, Delhi – Pushkar (Surface: 400 Kms/07 Hours)

    Morning after breakfast, drive to Pushkar enroute enjoy beautiful and unique route to Pushkar, you can observe wildlife, deer, Monkey and more. Enroute enjoy a visit to Ajmer for visiting the famous Dargah Shariff,  One of the most important muslim sites in India, it houses the tomb of the grat sufi saint Hazrat Mu’in ud-Din Chisti (c.1138-1236), also known as “Gharib navaz” (Protector of the poor). Upon arrival check-in at Hotel.
    Overnight at hotel in Pushkar
    • Every November in accordance with the lunar cycle, the normally tranquil lakeside town of Pushkar changes completely thanks to the camel festival. Thousands of colourful Rajasthanis come to trade and race camels or to enjoy the annual celebrations as the desert transforms into a huge tented city. The festivities are concentrated during a one week period but the day’s preceding the fair are just as exciting as the participants arrive from all corners of Rajasthan.
  • Day 3, Pushkar (Friday)

     
    You will rise early and walk up to the mountain overlooking the Pushkar River to view the spectacular sunrise. After returning to the hotel for breakfast, you will take a long, enjoyable camel ride. This will be followed by a tour of the desert surrounding Pushkar and its remote villages.
    After returning to the hotel, you will be free for the rest of the day to prepare for Shabbat.
    Overnight at hotel in Pushkar
    • Riding on camels This trip is a historical journey back in time Beginning of the journey will be in the deserts surrounding Pushkar We will go through the desert ‘ reaching remote villages and experiencing ancient life as it was centuries ago. In the villages we’ll visit with local families, and will be exposed to their special way of life
    • On Sabbat we’ll be guests at the Chabad House Pushkar, where we will eat the Shabbat meals and experience the unique atmosphere of the Sabbath.  About 200 Israelis are gathered at the Chabad House and play together the “Yedid Nefesh” And “lecha Dodi” and then they all sit down to Shabbes dinner, rich with melodies and singing.
  • Day 4, Pushkar

    After Shabbat prayers and the Shabbat meals, you will take a walk near the central market of Pushkar. There, you will enjoy a traditional Rajasthani dance performance, including fire and snake dances, during dinner.
    Overnight at hotel in Pushkar
    • Pushkar – is indeed a very small town in terms of India, but it is a pilgrimage site for many Israelis too. At the height of the season in Pushkar there are about 500 Israelis.
      at the market’s main street you will find signs in Hebrew, inviting  Israeli’s to eat  falafel and to surf  the  Internet. The average Israeli is in Pushkar for two weeks, and usually spends most of his time in smoking … and eating.
  • Day 5, Sunday. Pushkar – Jaipur (Surface: 140 Kms/03 hours)

    Drive to Jaipur – the capital of the state of Rajasthan, also popularly known as the “pink city” because the buildings in its old, walled city are all constructed from pink-colored sandstone. Jaipur owes its name, foundation, and careful planning to the great warrior-astronomer Maharaja Jai Singh II (1699-1744), who laid out the city, with its surrounding walls and six rectangular blocks, according to the principles of town planning set down in an ancient Hindu treatise on architecture. In 1728 he constructed the remarkable observatory, which is still one of Jaipur’s main attractions. Visit the Galtaji Temple, which is popularly known as the “Monkey Temple” due to the large tribe of monkeys that lives here. You will also visit the famous milk market of Jaipur.
    Evening enjoy Bollywood movie show at Raj Mandir
    Overnight at hotel in Jaipur
  • Day 6, Jaipur

    In the morning, after breakfast, you will take an excursion to the splendid Amber Fort, an architectural masterpiece of great historical significance. Begun in the 16th century and built from red sandstone and marble, the seemingly rough exterior gives no hint of the warm and opulent ambiance of the interior, as you’ll discover this morning. Here you will also get an opportunity to climb up to the fort on the back of a decorated elephant. From there, you will visit Jaipur’s milk market and the old city of Jaipur, which is very colorful and has a bustling market. Here you can view a range of various Indian saris, jewelry, copper art, and wood carvings.

    In the afternoon also visit the splendid City Palace & Museum, which opens a door into the opulent world of the Rajput princes and the treasures with which they surrounded themselves. Jantar Mantar, the world’s biggest stone observatory, was built between 1727 and 1733. You’ll be amazed by the “tools” used to study the heavens in those days – and how they still provide accurate information even today.

    You will also visit the Palace of Winds, also known as Hawa Mahal, a five-story wonder that has a spectacular pyramidal facade and overhanging windows with latticed screens, domes, and spires.


    Overnight at hotel in Jaipur
  • Day 7, Jaipur – Agra (Surface: 240 Kms/05 hours)

     
    Drive to Agra, and on the way you will visit Fatehpur Sikri. Built by Akbar in 1569 as a ceremonial capital, this is one of the most important sites from the Mughal era. Unfortunately this magnificent city was eventually abandoned, due to the scarcity of drinking water, and Akbar returned to Agra.
    After sightseeing continue your drive to Agra. On reaching Agra, you will check into your hotel.
    Later, visit the Taj Mahal, one of the world’s most admired architectural masterpieces. Witness the majestic marble-domed mausoleum built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife, to symbolize his undying love for her.  Also visit the massive Agra Fort, with its splendid remains of sandstone and marble palaces
    Overnight at hotel in Agra
    • “Taj Mahal” – This is a mausoleum built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan to commemorate his wife Parsee who died during the birth of their 14th child. The construction of the Taj began in 1630. 20 000 laborers worked for 23 years until the job was completed, thousands of elephants carried the red sandstone, and the building blocks were brought in from neighboring countries.
    •  Agra Fort is located 2.5 miles  from the Taj Mahal, and is actually a walled royal city. The most important kings of India lived in the fort, and every king immortalized his reign with a building which was characterized by the spirit of the period. Visiting the fort is a fascinating architectural historic journey.
  • Day 8, Agra – Vrindavan – Delhi (Surface: 200 Kms/05 hours)

    In the morning, drive to Delhi, visiting Vrindavan on the way. Vrindavan is one of the most popular cities for Indian pilgrims. Its narrow streets are usually crowded with thousands of pilgrims. From there, you will proceed to Delhi and on arrival, check-in at hotel.
    later Enjoy a rickshaw ride at Delhi’s market and soak up the unique atmosphere and the intoxicating smell of the market
    Overnight at hotel in Delhi
  • Day 9, Delhi + Depart

    Transfer to international airport in time to connect flight for back home.