Gwalior Tour Package

The splendor of this royal city is living since sixth century. Once upon a time the patron saint of the shepherds and cowherds, Gwallipa, cured a king a of leprosy and thus the city got its name Gwalior on the saint. With the decline of Muslim power in Delhi, Gwalior fell under the sway the Marathas- Scindias assumed sovereign power. The Scindias, counted among the most glamorous of Indian princes, became famous of their wealth and were popular with successive viceroys because of their generous hospitality and capacity to organize thrilling tiger shoots for visiting dignitaries.

A glazed frieze in Gwalior Fort :- Towering 100 meters above the town in splendid isolation on a solid rock of sandstone, the fort is reckoned the most imposing citadel in India and the Palace houses a priceless collection of rare objects de art.Then there are huge rock cut icons of Bahubali, a Jain Master which the visitor of the giant Buddhas found in Bamiyan in Afghanistan. Executed in the 15th century the tallest figure is almost17 meters high is made on the rock over which the fort is situated.The main entrance on the eastern side affords a breathtaking view of the ever-extending plains of the Indian heartland. Six gates built in a distinct Hindu or Muslim style lead the way up to the summit. There are six Palaces encircled by the massive ramparts of this fort- these again show a beautiful blending of the Hindu and Muslim styles and testify the catholic taste and tolerance of the ruling dynasty. There are many water tanks in the fort. The most prominent are the Johar Kund, where the Rajput women immolated themselves to save their honour when defeat and disgrace were imminent, and the Suraj Kund, where the family deity of the Scindias,the sun god, was worshipped. It is an impressive mustachioed Surya that blazons forth from the royal emblem of Gwalior.

Jai Vilas Palace :- ai Vilas is unmatched in scale and splendour The durbar hall for formal audience measures 15 meters by 85 meters with the roof over 12 meters high. The ceiling is painted in pale green and gold and the floor is covered with perhaps the largest one-piece carpet woven in situ by the carpet makers in the world. This is the room about which lady Dufferin the Vicereine exclaimed in 1884, " The magnificent room in which we lost ourselves last night". The two crystal chandeliers are reputed to be the largest in the world with the possible exception of one on display in the Tsar's winter palace outside Moscow. When the huge chandeliers were about to be installed, doubts were expressed whether the ceiling would bear the combined weight of about six tons. The ruler of Gwalior could indulge in such expensive fancies because he was one of the richest men of his tome. Griffith, a British author, has provided a glimpse of the treasure he had amassed.

"In addition to coins, there was an inestimable quantity of Jewels which rivaled Alladin's store. Thos collection… was the largest in the world He ( Jayajirao Scindia) had in his vaults, silver coins that could be counted in millions, manigicent pearls and diamonds by the ten thousands, rubies, emeralds and other gems by the thousands and wrought and melted gold by the maund". ( A maund, it is useful to recall, is Indian measure of weight used for wholesale purchase of grains and equals 35 kilos approximately.)

Mansing Palace :- Mansingh palace is the most attractive of the palaces. The façade was originally covered with white plaster and the domes plated with copper. The courtyard and the rooms are ornamented with intricate carvings. A wall of hewn stand stone about 100 meters long and 30 meters high crowned by ornamental frieze of brilliant tiles, the ornamentation is further embellished by beautiful domes connected together by a balustrade of delicately wrought stone carvings.

Gujari Mahal :- There is an other beautiful palace named Gujari Mahal, commissioned by Mansingh to satisfy a whim of his beloved queen Mrignayani. The epithet refers to the lady's fawn like eyes. She is the heroine of many a folk ballad and the subject of a many historical novel. ( Mrignayani by Vrindavanlal Varma is a beautiful novel on her)There are other surprises that Gwalior stores in its magic box. These includes the beautiful buildings namely Teli ka Mandir, Sas Bahu ka Mandir and the mausoleum of the sufi saint Gaus Mohammad are among the most well known.Teli ka Mandir dates back to 8th century. It is the loftiest building in the fort soaring 35 meters high and presents a curious blending of the North Indian and the southern style of temples architecture. Sculptures decorating it indicate that it started as a temple dedicated to Vishnu but was later converted for the worship of the other major Hindu God Shiva. The Sas Bahu Ka Mandir was built by the Mahipala the Kachchwah king in the early 11th century. It was originally called the Sahastrabahu temple and is the most ancient structure in the fort.

Moti Mahal :- Jaivilas despite its opulence did not become the Maharaja's favorite. It was more suited for a European prince than an oriental potentate. Another Palace was commissioned. Thus was Moti Mahal born, a modest mansion with nine hundred rooms. It draws inspiration from the medieval buildings in Gwalior and has an unmistakable oriental ambience with curving colonnaded terraces flanked by square towers. In the rear is the grand fort and in front an artificial lake sets it off as a showpiece.

Central India Temples with Taj
9 Nights
Delhi - Varanasi - Khajuraho - Orchha - Shivpuri - Gwalior - Agra

Overview :- Opt for Central India Temples with Taj, which along with the major religious places in Madhya Pradesh, will also offer you a visit to other popular destinations of India as well. During the tour, you are going to explore places like Delhi, Varanasi, Khajuraho, Orchha, Shivpuri, Gwalior and Agra. A boat ride in the river Ganga, visit to the world-famous Khajuraho and an early morning visit to the Taj Mahal, are the few major attractions of the trip.

Trip Highlights:-

* Visit to Delhi's popular attractions like Red Fort, jama majid and Qutub Minar complex
* Early morning boat ride in the river Ganga at Varanasi
* Guided tours to popular Varanasi temples
* Excursion to the world-renowned Khajuraho temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
* Early morning visit to the Taj Mahal, Agra

Itinerary Details

Day 1: Arrival Delhi
After late evening arrival at the Delhi airport or railway station, get an assisted transfer to your pre-booked hotel. Overnight stay.

Day 2: Delhi sightseeing
After breakfast, step out of your room for visiting the attractions of Old and New Delhi. You are going to cover Raj Ghat, Jama Masjid, Red Fort. Post-lunch visits are going to include monuments such as Humayun's Tomb, Qutub Minar complex. Drive past the city's important landmarks such as India Gate, Rajpath, President's House, Parliament House Diplomatic Enclave. Stay overnight.

Day 3: Delhi -Varanasi
Get an on-time transfer to the Delhi airport to catch a flight to the holy city of Varanasi. On arrival, check-in to your hotel. Post lunch drive to Sarnath, an important Buddhist site, a deer park where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon. Back to Varanasi. Attend the mesmerizing evening Aarti on the banks of river Ganga. Overnight stay.

Day 4: Varanasi
Start your day with an early morning boat ride in the river Ganga. Back to the hotel for a sumptuous breakfast. Later, enjoy sightseeing. Cover the major temples and Ghats that will include Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Darbhanga Ghat, Durga temple, Panchganga Ghat and more. Overnight stay.

Day 5: Varanasi - Khajuraho
After breakfast, get transferred to the airport to catch a flight for Khajuraho, the site for a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its temples are world-renowned.

Once you reach Khajuraho, move to your hotel. Have some rest and later visit the group of temples.

These Hindu and Jain temples, erected during the medieval times in the reign of Chandela rulers, glorify erotica through its sculptures. Overnight stay.

Day 6: Khajuraho - Orchha
Post breakfast, drive towards Orchha. Move to your hotel once you arrive. Later, leave for sightseeing that may include the Chhatri, Havelis, Raja Mahal, Laxmi Narayan Temple etc. Stay overnight.

Day 7: Orchha - Chanderi - Shivpuri
After breakfast, hit the road to go to Shivpuri, an ancient town popular for its religious attractions. Midway, take a short trip towards Chanderi to its major historic attractions, which may include Chanderi fort, Badal Mahal Gate etc. Proceed to Shivpuri, on arrival, move to your hotel. Visit the Chattris, a popular attraction. Overnight stay.

Day 8: Shivpuri - Gwalior
After breakfast, leave for Gwalior by road. On arrival, move to your hotel. Relax for some time. Later, leave for sightseeing that might include Gwalior Fort, Saas Bahu temple, Suraj Kund etc. Overnight stay.

Day 9: Gwalior - Agra
After breakfast, leave by road for Agra, the Mughal city. Once you arrive in Agra, check into your pre-booked hotel. Have your lunch, and leave for exploring the popular markets of Agra where you can shop for handicrafts, special embroidered dress material, do not miss buying miniature Taj replicas, Petha and Daal Mooth. Night stay.

Day 10: Agra – Delhi-Departure
An Early morning visit to the Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, which looks even more beautiful in the glory of the shining sun. Breakfast at the hotel. Now proceed to visit the magnificent Agra Fort also known as the Red Fort. After having your lunch, back to Delhi by road. After dinner, get transported to the airport or the railway station for your onward journey.