Welcome to the GOUNESCO Trip

Dream.Discover.Explore.Be ready to have a time of your life because the next 15 days will be

loaded with fun and thrill!

We start our exciting journey from the City Of Joy, Kolkata. Our first stop is the Sundarbans National

Park.

DAY 1- JOURNEY-Report at Phoolbagan Bata at 6a.m from where we

start our journey. We have hired an AC Hyundai car that charges Rs 180 per hour to travel to Gosaba, which is 85 kms away and will take about 3 hours to reach. Thereafter we will hire a boat for half a day which will cost Rs. 650(including the boat permit fees of Rs. 50) and then travel from Godkhali Port to Sajnekhali which is another 45 kms away and will take another 2 hours. Hence we reach Sajnekhali at 11 am.

STAY- We will stay at Sajnekhali Tourist Lodge, operated by the West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation and located in the national park area because by staying here we automatically get the permit to visit the park. It will cost us Rs. 800 for the night.

At the Sundarbans National Park, which is accessible only by a boat, which we already hired for half a day, we pay Rs 150 as entrance fees, Rs. 300 for guide fees and Rs 20 for carrying the camera. On Day 1 we visit the two sanctuaries outside Sajnekhali. We spend the day at the park and after 7p.m we go inside our Lodge, have dinner and go to sleep.

FOOD-We brought chips, biscuits, wai-wai along with us for emergency which we ate throughout the day. At night we spent Rs 200 for eating a Bengal favourite, Luchi-aloodum as dinner.

SUNDARBANS NATIONAL PARK

• A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Sundarbans National Park is a magnificent tangle of mangrove jungle that's the only one of its kind in the world. It's spread over 54 islands and extends into neighboring Bangladesh. Part of the Sundarbans is home to a 2,585 sq kilometer (1,606 sq mile) Tiger Reserve, which includes a 1,330 sq kilometer (826 sq mile) national park.

• The Sundarbans has three wildlife sanctuaries, one within the national park at Sajnekhali, as well as south of the park at Lothian Island and Haliday Island. In addition to tigers, the area is full of reptiles, birds, and other animals such as monkeys, wild boar, and deer.

DAY 2- We wake up at 6 a.m. in the morning. Cook wai-wai for breakfast and then go to visit the wildlife sancuary in Sajnekhali itself. We return at 10 a.m. And then we propose to leave. We again hire a boat for half a day which cost us Rs 600 again and travel from Sajnekhali to Canning.We reach Canning at 2 p.m. From Canning we this time take a train to Sealdah Station (Rs 50 per ticket) which takes another two hours. We reach Sealdah Station at 4 p.m. and get ready for the next stop.

DAY 2-We board the Sealdah-New Delhi Rajdhani

which departs at 4:30 p.m. Our next stop is Delhi. :D

Train fare- Rs. 2140 per person inclusive of food.

DAY 3- The train reaches New Delhi station at 10:30 a.m. We get off the train and head to Hotel Delhi City Centre in Paharganj which is very close to the station. The cost per night is Rs. 800. We freshen up and then leave the hotel at around 12. Our first stop in Delhi is Humayun’s Tomb.

We go to the nearest metro station- Chandni Chowk and from there take the metro and get down at Jangpura. From there we take a rickshaw to Humayun’s Tomb.

• Located near the crossing of Mathura road and Lodhi road, this magnificent garden tomb is the first substantial example of Mughal architecture in India.

• Humayun’s Tomb was built in 1565 A.D. ,nine years after the death of Humayun, by his senior widow Bega Begam. Inside the walled enclosure the most notable features are the garden squares (chaharbagh) with pathways water channels, centrally located well proportional mausoleum topped by double dome.

• There are several graves of Mughal rulers located inside the walled enclosure and from here in 1857 A.D; Lieutenant Hudson had captured the last Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah II.

JAMA MASJID

This great mosque of Old Delhi is the largest in India, with a courtyard capable of holding 25,000 devotees. It was begun in 1644 and ended up being the final architectural extravagance of Shah Jahan, the Mughal emperor who built the Taj Mahal and the Red Fort.

The highly decorative mosque has three great gates, four towers and two 40 m-high minarets constructed of strips of red sandstone and white marble.

The entrance fee to the tomb was Rs 10. We reached the tomb at 1 p.m and stayed there till 5 p.m. The intricate Mughal architecure left us in complete awe. From there we went to Delhi’s Khan Market, which is quite nearby. We had the famous ‘Khan Chacha’s Rolls’ and hen came back to our hotel. We then went to bed early that night to prepare for the next day.

DAY 4 Today we shall cover places near to the hotel area- Red Fort, Jama Masjid

and India gate. We need to get ready by 10 a.m and head towards Red Fort. The red sandstone walls of the massive Red Fort (Lal Qila) rise 33-m above the clamour of Old Delhi as a reminder of the magnificent power and pomp of the Mughal emperors. The walls, built in 1638, were designed to keep out invaders, now they mainly keep out the noise and confusion of the city.The main gate, Lahore Gate, is one of the emotional and symbolic focal points of the modern Indian nation and attracts a major crowd on each Independence Day.The vaulted arcade of Chatta Chowk, a bazaar selling tourist trinkets, leads into the huge fort compound. Inside is a veritable treasure trove of buildings, including the Drum House, the Hall of Public Audiences, the white marble Hall of Private Audiences, the Pearl Mosque, Royal Baths and Palace of Color.

We stay at the Red Fort from 11 a.m to 1 p.m. after which we intend to have the famous paranthas of ‘Parantha gali’ in Chandni Chowk. Thereafter, we head to Jama Masjid at around 2 p.m. At about 3 p.m we come out and then come back to the hotel for rest. We shall leave the hotel at about 8 p.m., have dinner in Chandni Chowk again and then take an auto for India Gate. The auto will charge about Rs 80 roughly. We shall then spend 2-3 hours at the magnificent India Gate.

INDIA GATE In the centre of New Delhi stands the 42 m high India Gate, an "Arc-de-Triomphe" like archway in

the middle of a crossroad. Almost similar to its French counterpart, it commemorates the 70,000 Indian soldiers who lost their lives fighting for the British Army during the World War I. The memorial bears the names of more than 13,516 British and Indian soldiers killed in the Northwestern Frontier in the Afghan war of 1919.

The foundation stone of India Gate was laid by His Royal Highness, the Duke of Connaught in 1921 and it was designed by Edwin Lutyens. The monument was dedicated to the nation 10 years later by the then Viceroy, Lord Irwin. Another memorial, Amar Jawan Jyoti was added much later, after India got its independence. The eternal flame burns day and night under the arch to remind the nation of soldiers who laid down their lives in the Indo-Pakistan War of December 1971.

The entire arch stands on a low base of red Bharatpur stone and rises in stages to a huge moulding. The cornice is inscribed with the Imperial suns while both sides of the arch have INDIA, flanked by the dates MCMXIV (1914 left) and MCMXIX (1919 right).

During nightfall, India Gate is dramatically floodlit while the fountains nearby make a lovely display with coloured lights. India Gate stands at one end of Rajpath, and the area surrounding it is generally referred to as 'India Gate'.

DAY 5 We returned late the last night and hence we rest. At about 11 a.m we set out. The two destinations to

be covered are- Qutub Minar and Sarojini Nagar Market. We shall take a metro train from Chandni Chowk to Qutub Minar. The journey shall take 50 minutes. From the metro station, Qutub Minar is a small walk.

Qutab Minar is a soaring, 73 m-high tower of victory, built in 1193 by Qutab-ud-din Aibak immediately after the defeat of Delhi's last Hindu kingdom. The tower has five distinct storeys, each marked by a projecting balcony and tapers from a 15 m diameter at the base to just 2.5 m at the top. The first three storeys are made of red sandstone; the fourth and fifth storeys are of marble and sandstone. At the foot of the tower is the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque, the first mosque to be built in India. An inscription over its eastern gate provocatively informs that it was built with material obtained from demolishing '27 Hindu temples'. A 7 m-high iron pillar stands in the courtyard of the mosque. It is said that if you can encircle it with your hands while standing with your back to it your wish will be fulfilled.

Qutab-ud-din Aibak, the first Muslim ruler of Delhi, commenced the construction of the Qutab Minar

in 1200 AD, but could only finish the basement. His successor, Iltutmush, added three more storeys, and in 1368, Firoz Shah Tughlak constructed the fifth and the last storey.

SAROJINI NAGAR MARKET

From Qutub Minar, we again board a metro train and get down at INA,from where we take a rickshaw to Sarojini Nagar Market. As a girl, I intend to take full advantage of coming to Delhi and do some serious shopping at Delhi’s Sarojini Nagar Market. Branded tops, dresses, scarves, kurtis, I intend to fill my bag as much as I can!

DAY 6

Today, we intend to leave the capital city and head towards Agra. We board the UPSRTC bus from ISBT at 7 a.m. The bus reaches Agra at 10:30 a.m. We check in to Hotel Love Kush and then set out at 11:30 a.m to visit one of the Wonders of the World- the magnificent Taj Mahal. The hotel costs Rs. 1200 for each night spent and food charges for day 6 amount to Rs 500.

DAY 8 We set out for Fatehpur Sikri, 39 kms away, at around 8 a.m in the morning. We

board the local bus which takes 50 minutes. We check in to the Govardhan Tourist Complex which charges about Rs 400 for the night.We visit the places of attraction at Fatehpur Sikri, four main buildings replete with architectural grandeur characteristic of the Mughal Dynasty- Buland Darwaza, Fatehpur Sikri Fort, Tomb of Salim Chishti and the Panch Mahal. Fatehpur Sikri is an epic in red sandstone. A city of yeasteryear, today lost in the mists of time. Fatehpur Sikri was built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar during 1564 A.D.. Mughal Emperor Akbar had no heir. He visited holy men to enlist their prayers for his son. When he visited Sheikh Salim Chishti who was living at the village of Sikri the saint foretold the emperor that he would be blessed with a son. When is son was born, he is gratitude, constructed his capital city and named it Fatehpur Sikri. Later, due to shortage of water and unrest in North-West, Akbar has to abandon this city. The beautiful marvel tomb of Sheikh Salim Chishti still attract thousands who seek blessings of the revered saint. Other renowned places are Dewane-e-Am, Dewane-e-Khaas, Buland Darwaja, Panch Mahal, Jodha Bai Palace and Birbal Bhawan.

TAJ MAHAL The Taj-Mahal is India’s most iconic building and a UNESCO World

Heritage-listed site.The marble mausoleum, was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved third wife, Mumtaz Mahal, and combines Persian, Turkish and Indian architectural styles.

Spanning an area of about 1,000 acres (400 hectares), this majestic architectural wonder offers incredible sights. One can just admire the structure’s magnificent construction, the intricate exterior and interior decor, the beautiful garden and the outlying red-sandstone buildings. The Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daulah, situated on the opposite bank of the Yamuna from the Taj Mahal and commonly known as the Baby Taj. Built between 1622 and 1628 by Empress Nur Jahan for her father, the mausoleum is often described as a jewel box. Admire the trellis work and precious stone inlay as you listen to your guide’s commentary and learn about the strong Persian influence on the tomb’s design—the first in India entirely made out of marble.

DAY 7

We intend to visit The Agra Fort and the Jama masjid at Agra today. The UNESCO World Heritage-listed Agra Fort is a treasure house of Mughal architecture. This 94-acre (34-hectare) brick fort dates back to 1080 AD and has seen many battles and undergone major renovations. One can witness the interesting fusion of Hindu and Islamic influences on its construction and decor as you walk inside the fort with your guide and learn about the different functions of the buildings including the Moti Masjid (Pearl Fort), Diwan-i-Khas (Hall of Private Audience), Diwan-i-Am (Hall of Public Audience), Sheesh Mahal (Mirror Palace) and more.

DAY 9

We set out from Fatehpur Sikri at 9 a.m and head towards Agra. We reach Agra at 10 a.m. And at 10:30 a.m we board the UPSRTC bus towardes Delhi. We reach Delhi at 2 p.m. and then we head towards the New Delhi station. We board the Mumbai BCT Rajdhani at 4:30 p.m. The charges are Rs 2140 per person.

DAY 12

We start heading towards our next stop- Ajanta and Ellora Caves located in Northen Maharashtra. We hire a car and head towards Aurangabad which is 6 hours away (400 kms). From Aurangabad, Ellora caves takes about 45minutes (29 km) and from there Ajanta is 76 km away which takes another 2 hours. We started our journey at 9 a.m, reached Aurangabad at 3 p.m and Ellora at 4 p.m. We decide to stay at Hotel Kailas which charges 800 per night. After having travelled for 429 kms on this day, we decide to call it off for the day.

DAY 10 We reach Mumbai at 9:30 a.m. We check into Bentley’s Hotel in Colaba that

charges around Rs 2060 per night with breakfast included. We shall rest for a while and then a about 4 p.m we set out to first visit the Gateway of India and then the Kala Ghodha Art Precinct.

Mumbai's most recognized monument, the Gateway of India, was constructed to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to the city. The looming Gateway is designed to be the first thing that visitors see when approaching Mumbai by boat. It's also a popular place to start exploring Mumbai. These days the atmosphere around the monument resembles a circus at times, with numerous vendors peddling everything from balloons to Indian tea.

Kala Ghoda, meaning "Black Horse" in reference to a statue that was once located there, is Mumbai's cultural center. This crescent-shaped stretch is home to Mumbai's best art galleries and museums. It's also filled with cultural spaces, including some wonderful pavement galleries.

DAY 11 We intend to set out at 11 a.m today and first visit the Chhatrapati Shivaji

Terminus during the day. And in the evening we shall visit Juhu beach and Marine Drive. Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) is popular railway station and is a spitting image of Victorian-Gothic style of architecture in India. Located in the heart of Mumbai, the CST is also a 'World Heritage Site' declared by UNESCO in 2004. Built in 1888, the station is the grand reminder of the British Raj pre-independence and is still one of the most historical landmarks within the Central Business District (CBD) of Mumbai. A bustling terminus, the CST is well-connected by rail to all parts of the country. The structure represents the heart of the mercantile facet of the city and also symbolizes the British Commonwealth. Apart from being Victorian-Gothic in architecture, parts of this grand edifice also contain remnants of Mughal styled architecture. After viewing this bustling station, we intend to have fun, eat vada-pav and shrikhant at he Juhu beach!

DAY 13• Astonishingly carved into hillside rock in the middle of nowhere are the Ajanta

and Ellora caves. There are 34 caves at Ellora dating from between the 6th and 11th centuries AD, and 29 caves at Ajanta dating back to between the 2nd century BC and 6th century AD.

• The caves at Ajanta are all Buddhist, while the caves at Ellora are a mixture of Buddhist, Hindu and Jain.

• Ajanta Cave is a protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India and has been listed in the World Heritage list of monuments.The 30 caves of Ajanta were created over a span of some 600 years.

• In their range of time and treatments they provide a panorama of life in ancient India and are a source of all kinds of information- hair styles, ornaments, textiles, musical instruments, details of architecture, customs etc. It was from this collection of classical Indian art that a particular style was formed that traveled with Buddhism to many parts of the world. Similar paintings can be seen in Sigiriya in Sri Lanka, Bamiyan in Afghanistan, temples and shrines in Tibet, Nepal, China and Japan.

DAY 14

We set out early in the morning at 6 a.m and thereby reach Mumbai by 1 p.m. Thereafter we check in to the hotel we stayed earlier, take rest and in the evening go to the famous Siddhivinayak Temple.

DAY 15 We get ready at 8 a.m in the morning and head out towards Gateway Of India

from where we shall take a boat/ferry ride from there. The journey takes one hour by sea. Tickets for a deluxe boat are Rs. 140 for adults and Rs. 90 for children. Located close to the concrete jungle of Mumbai, the Elephanta Caves lie just off the coast of the Arabian Sea, situated at a 10 km radius from the bustling metropolis. One of the oldest rock cut structures in the country, the Elephanta Caves are the perfect expressions of archaic Indian art associated to the cult of Lord Shiva. Primarily believed to be the abode of Lord Shiva, the Elephanta Caves are an epitome of Hindu Cave culture and are a unique testimony to a bygone civilization.

The Elephanta Caves is a great place to get away from the hustle and bustle of Mumbai metropolis. This trip to the caves will take you back in time, when faith, religion, hard labor, art and romanticism served as a base for everyday living. The Elephanta Caves are a glorious testimony to the aesthetics of a forgotten world and stand as one of the most popular tourist destinations, along with being a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

DAY 16

As the trip comes to an end, we board the Gitanjali Express to Kolkata at 6 a.m. The fare is 2140.

GOUNESCO HERITAGE SITES COVERED

• Sundarbans National Park• Humayun’s Tomb• Red Fort• Qutub Minar• Taj Mahal• Agra Fort• Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus• Ajanta Caves• Ellora Caves• Elephanta caves

TOTAL EXPENSES INCURRED• Day 1- Rs. 2660• Day 2- Rs. 2790• Day 3- Rs. 1570• Day 4- Rs. 370• Day 5- Rs. 350• Day 6- Rs. 2500• Day 7- Rs. 1700• Day 8- Rs. 800• Day 9- Rs. 3040• Day 10- Rs. 2560• Day 11- Rs. 2860• Day 12- Rs. 2100• Day 13- Rs. 1350• Day 14- Rs. 2660• Day 15- Rs. 540• Day 16- Rs. 2140 TOTAL – Rs. 29990

(Note: All expenses include food and lodging expenses. All expenses are done approximately.)

SUBMITTED BY :MEGHA MALPANI