Itinerary Specially Prepared for Winston Salem State University WED (01) 31 JULY`13 ARRIVE DELHI Arrive Delhi by International flight After clearing customs and immigration formalities, proceed towards the arrival lounge of the airport where you will be accorded a traditional welcome and assisted by our representative. Later, transfer to the hotel (hotel check-in time is 1200 hrs). Delhi - the capital of India, is a fascinating city with complexities and contradictions, beauty and dynamism, where the past co-exists with the present. Many dynasties ruled from here and the city is rich in the architecture of its monuments. Delhi is not only the present metropolis of India but also a Necropolis. Because of its location, being on the banks of the river Yamuna, many cities have risen and fallen over the last five millenniums. Overnight in DELHI TAJ MAHAL THU (02) 01 AUG`13 DELHI Morning travel through the streets of New Delhi that takes you past the architecture of British India - the imposing President s House, the North and South Blocks, the government offices and Parliament House. Visit Old Delhi, pausing at Mahatma Gandhi s funerary memorial at Rajghat before continuing to the atmospheric medieval settlement still referred to as Shahjahanabad. Upon arrival board cycle rickshaws which will drive you through the narrow lanes of the Old City of Delhi, where time has virtually stood still for hundreds of years. This ride will be most fascinating as you get a first-hand view of the merchants, the little food and artifact stalls and the teeming population, busy in their daily activities. The cycle Rickshaw ride will pass by the Red Fort - Shah Jehan s elegant citadel in red sandstone. Very near the Fort is the Jama Masjid (Friday Mosque), India s largest mosque, also built by Shah Jehan.
THU (02) 01 AUG`13 DELHI (Continues.) Later proceed to Jamia Milia Islamia University for a pre organized business meeting from 1430-1730hrs Evening: Welcome Dinner at a Veda Restaurant. Overnight in DELHI TAJ MAHAL FRI (03) 02 AUG`13 DELHI Morning proceed to Bandhwari Village, located 15 kms from Gurgaon, where Incentive Foundation and IDF are working on the project. Afternoon, proceed for a city tour of New Delhi. Arrive at the Qutab Minar (Qutab s Tower). This monument is a key record of the first encounter between Islam and Hinduism in North India. You take time to understand this monument, to decipher the rich clues etched in stone concerning Hindu and Muslim faith, architecture, and art. Our tour guide will explain the far-reaching impact of India s encounter with Islam, from the early beginnings to modern political dynamics. From Qutab Minar drive to Humayun s Tomb. This architectural gift to history from Emperor Humayun s widow prefigures the Taj Mahal and shows Moghul refinement at its zenith. The Tomb reveals a synthesis between medieval Hinduism and Islam, in court and spiritual life. Overnight in DELHI TAJ MAHAL SAT (04) 03 AUG`13 DELHI Morning proceed to Lady Sri Ram College for a pre organized business meeting Rest of the day at leisure for shopping Overnight in DELHI TAJ MAHAL
SUN (05) 04 AUG`13 DELHI/ AGRA/ BHARATPUR Early morning drive to Agra through newly opened Yamuna Expressway (approx 4hrs drive) Packed breakfast will be organized Meeting on arrival and proceed for a city tour of Agra Agra is famous as the home to one of the Seven Wonders of the World - the Taj Mahal. The architectural splendor of the mausoleums, the fort and the palaces in Agra is a vivid reminder of the opulence of the legendary Mughal Empire. Agra was their capital for nearly a hundred years from 1564. A pleasant town, with a comparatively easy pace, Agra is known for its superb inlay work on marble and soapstone, by artisans who are hereditary craft persons. The city is also famous for its carpets, gold thread embroidery and leather shoes. Arrive at the Taj Mahal - the inimitable poem in white marble and see its glory. Built over a period of 22 years, by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1630, for his Queen Mumtaz Mahal to enshrine her mortal remains, it is one of the seven modern wonders of the World. Stay at the monument till the Sunset. Lunch at a city restaurant After lunch visit to the Agra Fort, built by three Mughal Emperors starting from Akbar the Great in 1565 AD, which is a masterpiece of design and construction. Within the fort are a number of exquisite buildings including the Moti Masjid, Jahangir s Palace, Khas Mahal and the Sheesh Mahal, Diwan-i-Am, Diwane-i-Khas and Musamman Burj, where Emperor Shah Jahan, the fifth Mughal Emperor, died a prisoner. Later drive to Bharatpur en route visiting the deserted Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri Fatehpur Sikri is the exquisite city built by Akbar the Great in 1569, in red sandstone, with its forts, palaces and mosques, and abandoned 14 years after its creation due to political reasons. Arrive Bharatpur in the evening. Upon arrival check in to hotel Laxmi Vilas Palace. This Palace was built in 1857 by Raja Raghunath Singh, the then ruler of Bharatpur and now converted into a hotel and open to public. Overnight in BHARATPUR LAXMI VILAS PALACE
MON (06) 05 AUG`13 BHARATPUR/ NAWALGARH Early Later drive to Nawalgarh (295kms/ approx 6hrs drive). Upon arrival check in to the hotel Founded in the 18th Century by Nawal Singh, Nawalgarh has some of the finest frescoes in the Shekhawati region. A huge fort with a colourful bazaar and numerous havelis with elaborate architecture make it an interesting destination. There are a few prominent havelis like Anandilal Poddar Haveli, Aath Haveli, Hodh Raj Patodia Haveli, etc., which are to be visited, as also the two forts. Rest of the day at leisure to explore the finest Shekhawati frescoes at Nawalgarh Overnight at NAWALGARH ROOP VILAS PALACE TUE (07) 06 AUG`13 NAWALGARH/ SIKAR/ NAWALGARH Morning drive to Modi Institute of Technology & Science, Sikar for a full day business meeting (Arranged by Winston Salem State University) Later return to the hotel Overnight at NAWALGARH ROOP VILAS PALACE WED (08) 07 AUG`13 NAWALGARH/ JAIPUR/ BANGALORE Morning, transfer to the Jaipur airport (155kms/ approx 3hrs drive) to board the flight to Bangalore via Delhi Depart Jaipur 1330 hrs AI 612 Arrive Delhi 1510 hrs Connect. Depart Delhi 1630 hrs AI 607 Arrive Bangalore 1805 hrs Contd.
WED (08) 07 AUG`13 NAWALGARH/ JAIPUR/ BANGALORE Meeting on arrival at airport and transfer to hotel.contd Bangalore, also known as the `Garden City and the `Silicon Valley of India, is the capital of the modern state of Karnataka. The city was founded by Kempa Gauda, a local chieftain, in the 16th century. It became an important fortress city two centuries later, under the rulers of Karnataka - Hyder Ali and Tippu Sultan. Overnight in BANGALORE CHANCERY PAVILLION THU (09) 08 AUG`13 BANGALORE Morning half day vehicle at disposal for pre organized business visit to Wipro (Arranged by Winston Salem State University) (4 hrs/ 25 miles within city limits) Afternoon proceed for a city sightseeing of Bangalore visiting Summer Palace of Tipu Sultan. The Summer Palace was the summer residence of Tipu Sultan till his death in the year 1799 during the Fourth Anglo- Mysore War. Its construction was started by Hyder Ali within the walls of the Bangalore Fort and completed during the reign of Tipu Sultan in the year 1791. This magnificent structure has been built entirely with French Rose wood and stands adorned with pillars, arches and balconies. Later the Bull Temple, built in the Dravidian style over a monolithic bull, presumably by the founder of the city Kempa Gowda. See the botanical gardens of Lal Bagh laid out by Hyder Ali, the ruler of Mysore, in the 18th century, covering 240 acres with a wide variety of exotic trees and plants. It has a glass house, built on the lines of the Crystal Palace of London, which is the venue for fruit, flower and vegetable shows twice a year. Also see (from outside) the magnificent post-independence government building - the Vidhan Soudha, which is a landmark in modern construction. Built in 1954 in granite, in the Neo-Dravidian style of architecture, it houses both the Legislatures and the Secretariat. Overnight in BANGALORE CHANCERY PAVILLION
FRI (10) 09 AUG`13 BANGALORE/ CHENNAI Morning, transfer to the airport to board the flight to Chennai Depart Bangalore 1025 hrs 9W 2308 Arrive Chennai 1125 hrs Meeting on arrival at airport and transfer to hotel Chennai is the fourth largest city in India and the capital of Tamil Nadu. Retaining much of its traditional charm, this 350 year-old city is the gateway to the South, providing many fascinating vignette of southern heritage. In Chennai city the Kapaleeswarar temple, an ancient Shiva temple, is the biggest temple in Chennai. A masterpiece of Dravidian style, it displays the architectural elements gopurams, mandapams and a tank. There are also some fragmentary inscriptions dating back to 1250 AD. The Cathedral of San Thome the last resting place of St. Thomas, the Apostle who brought Christianity to India in 52 AD. Thereafter, drive along the beach road to see the old colonial buildings, and then drive past the High Court. Late morning half day vehicle at disposal for pre organized business visits (4 hrs/ 25 miles within city limits) Later proceed for sightseeing. You will be driven to The Cathedral of San Thome - the last resting place of St. Thomas, the Apostle who brought Christianity to India in 52 AD and Fort George - where most of Chennai s history was written, are focal points. The St Mary s Church in the Fort was built between 1678-80 and Robert Clive was married in this church in 1753. Today the Fort houses the Secretariat and the Legislative Assembly. Also visit the Kapaleeswarar Temple, a very fine example of Dravidian style and architecture. Overnight in CHENNAI VIVANTA BY TAJ CONNEMARA
SAT (11) 10 AUG`13 CHENNAI/ KANCHIPURAM/ MAMALLAPURAM Morning drive along the Chennai/Bangalore highway to Kanchipuram, one of the Seven Sacred Cities (70 kms/1½ hrs) Kanchipuram, literally meaning the `City of Gold or the `Golden City is one of the seven sacred cities in India. An erstwhile capital of the Pallavas and Cholas, Kanchipuram is dotted with the soaring spires of a thousand temples. It has been a seat of learning and a centre of culture since early times. By universal acknowledgement this town produces the finest silk wedding saris Kanchipuram Silk in India. Their designers and weavers have been doing this for centuries to justifiable acclaim. Visit the village of Pallia Pullam and the homes of weavers who create this glory. Their forefathers are remembered at the museum of folk art, a four hundred year old house with a wonderful collection of old saris. A Kanjeevaram saree is a must have in every Indian woman s closet. These sarees are characterized by gold dipped silver thread that is woven on the premium quality silk. These sarees are also known for their durability. The silk base is thicker than any other silk saree and this thickness makes it one of the most expensive silk sarees in India. It is believed that The heavier is the silk, the better is the quality. The most common motifs found in Kanjeevaram sarees are Peacock and parrot. Continue drive to Mamallapuram. On arrival check in to the hotel Mamallapuram is a historical retreat set amidst natural beauty. Lying 58 kms South of Chennai, this ancient seaport of the Pallava dynasty invites connoisseurs of art. Its monuments hewn out of slid rock, though ravaged by the sea and wind, still bear testimony to the magnificent heritage of Dravidian architecture. The sculpture here is particularly interesting because it shows scenes of everyday life women milking buffaloes, pompous city dignitaries and artful looking young girls. Overnight at MAMALLAPURAM RADISSON BLU TEMPLE BAY
SUN (12) 11 AUG`13 MAMALLAPURAM/ CHENNAI Morning, visit the great Bas-relief of Arjuna's penance. This panel (27m by 9m) depicts the mythical story of the River Ganges issuing from its source high in the Himalayas and also shows animals, deities and other semi divine creatures, fables from the Panchatantra and Arjuna doing a penance to obtain a boon from Shiva. The five Rathas, are full-sized models of different kinds of temples and are named after the heroes of the Mahabharata epic. The Mahishasura Mardhini, Krishna and the Varaha Mandapas are shallow rock-cut halls. They are mainly of interest for their internal figure sculptures. Also visit the glorious Shore Temple, one of the oldest in South India, stands on the seashore with its paved forecourts. It represents the final phase of Pallava art built in the late 7th century. The weathered perimeter walls support long lines of bulls and mythical deities guard the entrances. Also enjoy the beauty of the sun set in the Bay of Bengal from the temple. Afternoon drive to Chennai en route visiting Dakshinchitra Dakshinchitra is located 20 kms before you come to Chennai. Dakshinchitra is a unique Heritage Village situated at Muttukadu on the new Mamallapuram Coastal Road. It offers the visitor an unforgettable and authentic insight into the lifestyles of the diverse people of South India. The Arts and Crafts Village, Dakshinachitra narrates the story of South Indian Culture. Architecture of the past 200 years is represented in a real rural setting. Every house is typical of its own professional group. Traders, potters, weavers and others working in the traditional way make exquisite pottery, baskets, and carved stone items, some of which are for sale. The center is now been developed to include cultural tableaux from all the four states of South India. Continue drive to Chennai. Upon arrival proceed for Farewell Dinner at The Raintree Restaurant in Vivanta By Taj Connemara. You can use the lobby facility for wash and change Enjoy your dinner while Classical Music and Dance performance entertain you Later transfer to the international airport for flight back home in the very early morning of 12 Aug`13 :: TOUR ENDS::