01 DAY : Arrive Delhi (Flight TBA)

Welcome to India!
Arrive at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport.
You are met by our company representative with traditional and sacred marigold flower garland.
Delhi stands as the capital of Modern India. Here you can see the mingling of the Old and New India, the ancient and the modern. Delhi has seen the rise and fall of many emperors, which has left behind a plethora of monuments that commemorate the grandeur and glory of bygone ages.
Standard check in time at 1400 Hours (Early check in is subject to availability)
Check in at Hotel.
Overnight stay at hotel

02 DAY : In Delhi

American Breakfast
Mughal tour of Old Delhi: the once ancient walled city. The Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan shifted the Mughal capital from Agra to Delhi. Possessing remarkable talent in architecture, he created the seventh city and in the process brought about Delhi’s glorious renaissance.

Jama Masjid: One of Asia’s largest mosques can hold a mind-blowing 25,000 people. Towering over Old Delhi, the ‘Friday Mosque’ was Shah Jahan’s final architectural opus, built between 1644 and 1658.

Explore the intricate bustling lanes on a Cycle Rickshaw, also known as pedicab. A local form of transport. Through the narrow lanes of Chandni Chowk (literally, ‘Silver Street’), once the most opulent perfume market of India along with a visit to Asia’s largest wholesale Spice Market.

Drive past the Red Fort, Shah Jahans symbol of power and elegance. Home to Mughal emperors for over 200 years. Named for its massive enclosing wall built in red sandstone, it was once the fortified palace of the then capital, Shahjahnabad.

Afternoon Sightseeing of New Delhi

The Delhi Sultanate
Humanyu Tomb visit a masterpiece of Mughal architecture.

Experiential Extra activities at no extra cost
Historic Gardens
Lodi-Gardens -Take a walk along with the local Delhi- Ites
Lodi Garden spans over 90 acres. Steeped in history, the gardens are home to Mughal architectural tombs and mausoleums; the most prominent being that of Sikandar Lodi An Archeological Survey of India protected zone, Lodi Gardens has an old world charm amidst New Delhi.

The Delhi Sultanate
Qutab Minar visit the tallest minaret in India

Footsteps of Lutyens. The greatest British architect
Drive past the Imperial part of the city designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens for the British in the 1920s. Continue along the main avenue, the impressive Rajpath to the World War I memorial arch, the India Gate and past the Rashtrapati Bhawan, the President’s residence and the Parliament Buildings.

Experiential Extra activities at no extra cost
Visit Bangla Sahib Gurudwara and live kitchen.
The most prominent Sikh Temple. They serve free meals known as” langar “where over 10,000 people come to eat everyday despite different religion, caste and creed.
The food is made in one of the largest live kitchens and you can have a chance to take part in the same.
Overnight stay at hotel

03 DAY : Delhi – Jaipur (approximately 270 kms 6 hours)

American Brekfast
In the time check out and drive to Jaipur
On arrival transfer to hotel
Check into the hotel
Overnight stay at hotel

04 DAY : In Jaipur

American Breakfast

Forts of Rajasthan
Sightseeing of Amber Fort on elephant back.
This hilltop fortress was the Royal Family’s residence and is one of the most enchanting forts of India. A complex of palaces, temples, mirror inlaid public halls and beautifully manicured gardens, the fortress is an exquisite example of Rajput architecture. Within the fort are enchanting palaces and chambers notable amongst them being the Sheesh Mahal (Palace of Mirrors) and Diwan-e-Aam (Hall of Public Audience).

Afternoon City tour of the Pink City of Jaipur, Jantar Mantar Observatory, City Palace & drive past the magnificent façade of Hawa Mahal.

City Palace & Observatory

City Palace. This beautiful palace was built during the reign of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh. This Palace stands apart, with its outstanding art and architecture.

Jantar Mantar an Observatory
A collection of architectural astronomical instruments, built by Sawai Jai Singh who was a Rajput king. The name is derived from jantar (“instrument”), and mantar (“formula”, or in this context “calculation”). Therefore jantar mantar means literally ‘calculation instrument’.

Evening proceed on to visit Govind Dev Ji Temple
This Krishna temple has been highly preserved by the erstwhile royal family. Sawai Jai Singh installed the image of GOVIND DEV JI (an incarnation of lord Krishna) after it was brought from Vrindavan. Housed within the sanctum of this spire less temple, the patron deity of the royal family is very religiously worshipped by most of the Hindus in the city and nearby areas. Witness the aarti ceremony where many devotees and followers gather in the courtyard to pay their respects.
Overnight stay at Hotel

05 DAY : Jaipur – Agra via Fatehpur Sikri (approximately 270 kms 6-7 hours)

American Breakfast
In time, check out & drive to Agra

Experiential Extra activities at no extra cost
Abhaneri Step Well
Continue your drive to visit one of the most amazing sites of this tour ‘Abhaneri Step Wells’. The small village of Abhaneri has one of India’s deepest and largest step wells (or “baolis”). Step wells are unique to India. They were used as cool places of resort, as pools for ritual cleansing before a temple visit and as a water supply for dry weather.

Continue drive to Agra En route Visit Fatehpur Sikri
This magnificent fortified ghost city was constructed by Akbar in 1659 to honor the Saint Sheikh Salim Chisti, who had foretold the birth of Akbar’s son, Jahangir. The city is a combination of Hindu and Persian architecture, and is in a remarkable state of preservation. It is a fine example of a Mughal city at the height of the empire’s splendor. Akbar’s court occupied this city until it was abandoned, after the local wells.

Later continue drive to Agra
Check in to the hotel

Later visit Taj Mahal (closed on Friday)
Build by Emperor Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his beloved Queen Begum Mumtaz. This wonder of the world is said to have taken 21 years to build. It has an enormous shimmering white dome with four corner minarets and is marked by perfect symmetry and harmony, be it the shape of the minarets; the cupolas; the central arch in the façade; the perfectly arranged arched recesses or the intricate stone inlay work. It is the most extravagant monument ever built for love.
Overnight stay at Hotel

06 DAY : Agra Jhansi (Shatabdi express 0802-1043 hours) drive to Orchha Onwards drive to Khajuraho

American Breakfast

In the morning transfer to the railway station and train to Jhansi.

Upon arrival meeting with local staff and transfer vehicle for Orcha, where there is, on an island produced by a loop of the river Betwa, an ancient stronghold Rajpur.

En route we will visit Orchha, the town established by Maharaja Rudra Pratap Singh in 1501, as the seat of an eponymous former princely state of central India. Orchha lies on the Betwa River.

On a seasonal island on the bank of the Betwa River, which has been surrounded by a battlement wall, stands a huge Palace-fort. The fort consists of several connected buildings erected at different times, the most noteworthy of which are the Raja Mahal and the Jahangir Mahal.

Later drive to Khajuraho village listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Once a great Chandela capital, Khajuraho is now a quiet village in Madhya Pradesh which is fast metamorphosing into a tourist town. The tiny village of Khajuraho shot to fame on the World Map after its erotic sculptures were discovered in 1838. Some believe them to be physical embodiments of the greatest treatise on love – The Kama Sutra. The name Khajuraho is derived from the Khajur (Date Palm) trees that line the borders of the village.

Khajuraho has the largest group of medieval Hindu and Jain temples, famous for their erotic sculptures. The temples are well preserved and have not been destroyed by invaders like other temples in northern India.

Overnight stay at Hotel

07 DAY : Khajuraho – Varanasi (9W 2424 1405 1455 hours)

American Breakfast

Proceed to visit the Eastern & Western Group of Temples.

The temples are grouped into three geographical divisions: Western, Eastern and Southern. However, the most prominent are the Eastern & Western ones.

The world-famous Khajuraho sacred temples have two significant features – structure and statues. While the structure reveals the best of ancient Hindu design, the statues signify the best of individual expertise, efficiency and information of individual human body. The variety and complications of these statues truly make the Khajuraho sacred temples a rock scene on this planet. The Khajuraho temples contain sexual or erotic art outside the temple or near the deities. Some of the temples that have two layers of walls have small erotic carvings on the outside of the inner wall.

Departure transfer from hotel to Airport to board flight for Varanasi.

Varanasi: Spiritual, beautiful and chaotic.

Varanasi, the holy city of India has been the city of Moksha for Hindus since centuries. One of the 7 Holiest cities in the world, in Hinduism it is believed that those who die and are cremated here get an instant gateway to liberation from the cycle of birth and rebirths.

Spiritual India

Considered as the abode of Lord Shiva, Varanasi is situated on the banks of the River Ganges, which is believed to have the power of washing away all of one’s sins.

The city has always been the beating heart of the Hindu universe, a crossing place between the physical and spiritual worlds, and the Ganges is viewed as a river of salvation, an everlasting symbol of hope to past, present and future generations.

Varanasi, the magical but sometimes overwhelming city is where the most intimate rituals of life and death take place in public on the city’s Ghats.

Check-in at Hotel
Rest of the day leisure
Overnight Stay at Hotel

08 DAY : In Varanasi

American Breakfast

Morning proceed on a city tour.

The city’s life revolves around its seven km long sweep of about 100 bathing Ghats that skirt the west bank of the Ganges. Most of them are used for bathing. Some are used for cremating bodies. The most sacred Ghats are the Asi Ghat, Dasashwamedh Ghat, Manikarnika and Panchganga. Pilgrims who bathe in each one consecutively believe their prayers will be fulfilled. A short boat trip from Manikarnika Ghat can be an interesting introduction to the river.

It is believed that cremation at Manikarnika Ghat ensures a safe place in Heaven, as the cremators of this Ghat are believed to have the patronage of Shiva. The furthermost upstream Ghat is Assi Ghat, which marks the confluence of the Ganges and the Assi rivers Dashashvamedh Ghat, Varanasi’s liveliest bathing place was constructed by Peshwa Balaji Baji Rao. Its name indicates that Brahma sacrificed 10 horses here. It’s one of the most important Ghats and is conveniently central. Another important cremation ghat is the Hirishchandra ghat, named after the King Harishchandra who worked as a cremator at the cremation grounds.

Later visit Sarnath – Buddhists worldwide look upon India as the land of the Buddha and a visit to Sarnath means a pilgrimage to the place sacred to the memory of the Enlightened One. After the Buddha attained enlightenment in Bodh gaya he came to Sarnath. In the Deer Park, he delivered his first sermon, or in the religious term, he set in motion the wheel of Law (Maha – Dharmachakra Pravartan). Later, the great Buddhist Emperor Ashoka built here the Dharmarajika Stupa and near it erected a pillar surmounted by the magnificent capital of four adored lions, which today forms the national emblem of India.

Evening witness the Evening Aarti on the banks of River Ganges, where you will experience the rhythmic chant of mantras and through the aarti ceremony Agni Pooja will be performed where commitment is made to Lord Shiva and the universe created by him, Goddess Ganges and Agni the god of fire.
Overnight Stay at Hotel

09 DAY : Varanasi – Delhi (AI 433 1535 1700 hours) Delhi Out ( Flight TBA)

A poetic sunrise on the banks of the Mother River Ganga.

A local boat will take you along the river where you watch the city of Varanasi waking up.

Locals bathing in the Ganga, washing off their sins or simply getting ready to start their day. Priests standing on balconies offering morning prayers and aarti to the Ganga and the Gods.

Guests will also stop at Manikarnika ghat – a holy cremation ghat for Hindu religion.

Return to hotel for Breakfast

Departure transfer to Airport to board flight for Delhi and conacting flight for last destination