DAY 01 : ARRIVE DELHI
Arrive Delhi International aiport. Upon arrival, you will be met by our representative & transfer to your hotel.
Delhi is the capital of India, and its third largest city. Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 02 : DELHI
After breakfast, start your sightseeing from older part of Delhi which includes a visit to Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India; a rickshaw ride through narrow alleys and lanes in Chandni Chowk, one of the oldest and largest trading markets of the country; and drive past Red Fort, the place that marked the announcement of India’s freedom from the British Raj.
Later proceed to visit Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, the largest Sikh temple of Delhi, with a gold dome, still in active worship and Qutab Minar, a fine example of Indo-Islamic architecture and the world’s tallest brick minaret and
Drive past President's House, Parliament House and other Government Secretariat Buildings, the most imposing features of Lutyen’s Delhi and take a photo stop at the iconic war memorial arch, the India Gate.
Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 03 : DELHI – AGRA (210 Km / 4.5 hours)
After breakfast, drive to Agra, city of world-famous Taj Mahal. Upon arrival check in at your hotel.
This afternoon visit the splendid Agra Fort, built in red sandstone, encapsulating magnificent palaces, halls of public and private audience and beautiful gardens.
Then, witness the surreal views of the Taj Mahal during sunset. Step inside this eternal symbol of love and appreciate the intricate designs and symmetries that rhyme as a poem written in marble. Taj Mahal is an extravagant display of love, built by Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. You may choose to stay back to see the glistening white marble beauty at sunset.
Overnight at the hotel
DAY 04 : AGRA – FATEHPUR SIKRI – JAIPUR (240 Km / 7.5 hours including sightseeing)
After breakfast, transfer by road to Jaipur en-route visiting the deserted city of Mughal Empire, Fatehpur Sikri
The city itself was founded as the capital of Mughal Empire in 1571 by Emperor Akbar, serving this role from 1571 to 1585, when Akbar abandoned it due to a campaign in Punjab and was later completely abandoned in 1610.
continue your drive to reach Galtaji Temple, which is an ancient pilgrimage centre in Jaipur. Set amidst low hills, situated about 10 km away in the east of jaipur in the town of khania-Balaji and locally called known as Monkey temple (Galwar Bagh). It gets this moniker because of a large group of resident monkeys. The green landscape and chattering monkeys add to the delight of the area.
Upon arrival at Jaipur, check-in your hotel.
Jaipur is an exuberance of colour, dance and traditional arts and crafts. Known, as the 'Pink City', Jaipur is home to ancient forts and palaces and is one of India's most well-planned cities.
Evening at leisure.
Overnight at the hotel
DAY 05 : JAIPUR
This morning, visit Amber fort, a fine amalgamation of Hindu and Muslim architecture and ornamentation, built in the 16th century. To ascend up the fort, you may choose to walk, drive or take an elephant ride.
Visit Anokhi Museum (Closed on Monday) – is a highly successful textile company which, from its beginnings almost 40 years ago, helped resurrect languishing Rajasthani block printing textile Industry. In this beautifully restored Haveli which won a UNESCO prize for restoration, you can admire textile traditions that the company has helped preserve. (Anokhi museum and Café are closed on Mondays and major national & local holidays and for exhibition changeover and maintenance of the galleries)
Thereafter take a photo stop at the iconic water palace Jal Mahal a palace in the middle of the Man Sagar Lake in Jaipur city; Then take a photo stop at the Hawa Mahal, Palace of the Winds, with its unique layer-cake honeycomb windows designed to enable erstwhile women of the royal court to observe passing life without being seen. Jantar Mantar, the largest astronomical observatory built in stone.
The City Palace of Jaipur which was constructed by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. As most structures in Jaipur this palace also reflects the fusion of Mughal and Rajput architecture. It also served as a residence for former Maharaja of Jaipur.
Rest of the day free. You can also plan for Bazaar “Local Market" to explore the crafts such as semi-precious jewels, pottery, colourful embroidered fabrics with mirror work, woven carpets etc – watch artisans at work and enjoy souvenir shopping in this colourful city of Jaipur.
Overnight at the hotel
DAY 06 : JAIPUR – VARANASI (By Flight)
Morning in time transfer to Jaipur Airport to board flight for Varanasi.
Upon arrival, proceed to visit Sarnath. Lord Buddha gave his first sermon here after attaining enlightenment at Bodhgaya. The huge Dhamek Stupa marks the spot where Buddha first preached. The Sarnath Museum has a small but extremely impressive collection of Buddhist artefacts including the famous Lion Capital of Ashoka.
Later check-in at your hotel.
Varanasi is one of the major pilgrimage spots in India. Varanasi is located on the banks of the sacred river Ganges. Over 2000 years Varanasi has been a center of learning.
Afternoon, city tour of Varanasi covering Durga Temple, Bharat Mata Temple followed by a visit to handloom and witness the artwork of local artisians.
Evening witness the grand ‘Aarti’ ceremony at Dasaswamedh Ghat, conducted every day at sunset by white-robed priests. Spiritually enlightening and fantastically photogenic, this evening aarti ceremony is a spectacular show with young priests in traditional Indian clothes swaying in seemingly choreographed movements, worshiping the river goddess with incense, flowers and earthen lamps.
Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 07 : VARANASI – KHAJURAHO (By Flight)
Early morning enjoy a sunrise boat cruise on the Holy River Ganges. See the ‘bathing ghats’ where thousands of pilgrims pay homage to the Sun God by immersing themselves in the holy water of River Ganges, and the ‘burning ghats’ where cremations are conducted. The ghats of River Ganges in Varanasi are believed to be most sacred, engulfing the entire circle of life and death.
Follow the boat cruise with a guided walk through the old city, seeing morning life in the historic and ancient bylanes of Varanasi. You get an opportunity to closely observe some morning rituals at the various small street temples along the way. The most sacred and important temple here is Kashi Vishvanath temple.
Later in the afternoon, transfer to Varanasi Airport to board flight for Khajuraho – a UNESCO world heritage site in central India, famous for its erotic sculptured temples.
Upon arrival transfer to your hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 08 : KHAJURAHO – DELHI (By flight)
Morning visit the enchanting temples of Khajuraho with sculptures that draw their inspiration from the ancient art of Kama sutra. Khajuraho Temples were built by the Chandela kings between 950 AD and 1050 AD.
Later in time transfer to Khajuraho airport to board flight for Delhi.
On arrival, transfer to your airport hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 09 : DEPART DELHI
Morning in time transfer to Delhi International airport to board flight for onward destination.
