Central India with Varanasi & Khajuraho

After breakfast you have the opportunity to explore the contrasts of New & Old Delhi with including drive past Presidents Palace, Houses of Parliament and impressive India Gate with its eternal flame. Visit the Sikh Temple “Bangla Sahab Gurudwara” where the community kitchen serves free meals to thousands of people in a day.
Continue towards Old Delhi pausing on the way at Rajghat, the monument to Mahatma Gandhi erected on the site of his funeral pyre. Drive past Red Fort followed by a visit to Jama Masjid Mosque that can accommodate upto 20000 people at a given time and explore the Bazaars through the bustling alleys of 500 years old city – Chandni Chowk, where silver merchants ply their trade

Later visit Humayun’s Tomb- The monument that served as a model for the Taj Mahal and beautifully restored by Aga Khan Foundation. This red sandstone tomb is built amidst a garden divided into four main parterres known as Charbagh. At the center of this garden a shallow water-channel makes it more beautiful. Overnight at hotel.
Overnight at hotel.

Morning breakfast at the hotel and drive to Jaipur (5 Hours’ Drive, 235 KM). Jaipur the magical city carved out of the desert still blush pink even 273 yrs later. It was found by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II in 1727. Today it has become the most popular tourist destination in Rajasthan ‘making’ “Golden Triangle” (Delhi- Agra- Jaipur). In the evening, we invite you to the palace cinema Raj Mandir and take you into the colorful world of Bollywood cinema. Raj mandir – The pride of Asia has always remains as a symbol of beauty and creativity. The main lobby of this cinema hall casts a magic spell on each and every visitor. One of its unique features is the lightning system. Before the show starts the lobby is illuminated by white lights, whereas in the interval the light changes its colour to magnificent blue. Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast full day sightseeing of the pink city “Jaipur” including Amber Fort- the final ascent to this ancient fort is made in truly royal style, on Jeep. In Amber, you will see magnificent palaces with walls covered with mirrored mosaics.

Visit City Palace where the present Maharaja continues to live with its many regal courtyards, temples and pavilions, proceeding towards world’s largest stone Observatory (UNESCO World Heritage Site) – The observatory consists of fourteen major geometric devices for measuring time, predicting eclipses, tracking stars’ location as the earth orbits around the sun, ascertaining the declinations of planets, and determining the celestial altitudes and related ephemerides, drive past to the five story Palace of the winds.

Free time to explore the bazaars on a Rikshaw Ride – get behind the scenes of the local markets with the chance to meet local traders and artisans.

Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, drive to the ancient Mughal capital – Agra (4½ Hrs drive, 240 KM). The legacy of the Mughal empire has left a magnificent fort and a liberal sprinkling of fascinating tombs and mausoleums; and there’s also fun to be had in the bustling chowks (marketplaces).

Enroute visit Chand Baori (Stepwell), located in Abhaneri. Chand Baori is known as one of the oldest, deepest & largest stepwells in India.

On arrival in Agra, check into hotel and time for freshen up. Afternoon visit Agra Fort (World Heritage site) – a magnificent citadel with marble palaces, ornate alcoves & terrace pavilions. Agra fort is also known as the Red Fort situated on the bank of river Yamuna. Evening you can take a walk into the local bazaars, known for its marble work. Overnight at the hotel

You have an early start this morning by going out to the Taj Mahal (Closed on Fridays), to experience the rising sun. This is the most spectacular time to see the Taj Mahal – one of the seven wonder of the world, an exquisite monument of love, remarkable for its perfect proportions, which was built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved consort Mumtaz Mahal. This beautiful mausoleum in pure white marble is an architectural marvel (UNSECO World Heritage Site).

Return to the hotel for breakfast & enjoy the surroundings.

After lunch visit to Itimad-ud-Daulah, located on the eastern bank of the Yamuna River, the mausoleum is set in a large cruciform garden criss-crossed by water courses and walkways and often described as a “jewel box”, sometimes called the “Baby Taj”. Evening at leisure to enjoy the vicinity of the hotel. Or you can take a walk into the local bazaars, known for its marble work. Overnight at hotel.

Early morning breakfast at the hotel and drive to Agra Cantt railway station to board train Gatiman Express at 0955hrs.

Arrive Jhansi railway station at 1235hrs. You will be met by our driver and driven to Khajuraho. Enroute sightseeing of Orchha including Jahangir Mahal- a brilliant example of Mughal architecture and dedicated to Mughal Emperor Jahangir & Raja Mahal- was the official residence of the erstwhile kings of Orchha.

Continue drive to Khajuraho (04½ Hour Drive, 188 KM). Khajuraho is one thousand years old temple town famous for remarkable erotic sculptures build mostly of fine sandstones. Overnight at the hotel

Morning breakfast at the hotel and day is dedicated for the visit of eastern & western block temples.
The Khajuraho Group of Monuments is a group of Hindu and Jain temples and these temples depict various forms like meditation, spiritual teachings, kinship, wrestling, royalty and most significantly, erotic art. The temples consist of stunning displays of fine sculptures and exceptional architectural skill, making them one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India.
Afternoon there is an excursion to the Raneh Falls on the Ken River, where the landscape is renowned for its scenic beauty.
On the way back you will pass through several villages for valuable insights into the lives of the local people & get an opportunity to understand their daily life.
Overnight at hotel.

Morning breakfast at the hotel and departure transfer to Khajuraho airport to connect flight to Varanasi at 1420hrs. Reporting time 1½ hour prior to the flight departure.

Arrive Varanasi at 1520hrs. Varanasi is more than 3000 years old city and famous as the city of temples. Varanasi is the holy pilgrimage city for Hindus where they come to take a dip in the river Ganges. It is a melting pot, where both death and life come together. Evening to relax at the hotel or you can roam around the narrow lanes of Banaras (Varansi).

Morning boat-ride with Sitar on the Ganges to see the sunrise and witness the unforgettable spectacle of pilgrims ritually bathing themselves, priests invoking the dawn, people washing clothes or practicing yoga, and funeral pyres burning on the famous “ ghats” that lead down to the holy river. Later walk through the old city.

Return to the hotel for breakfast.

Afternoon, sightseeing of Sarnath just outside Varanasi, where Buddha gave his first sermon, preaching the way to final Nirvana (soul deliverance from re-birth). Sarnath is as holy to the Buddhists as Varanasi is to the Hindus. Here you will witness the ruins of a once flourishing Buddhist monastery.

In the evening take cycle rickshaws to the ghats of the river to see the Aarti on river Ganges. An aarti is a devotional ritual that uses fire as an offering. It’s usually made in the form of a lit lamp, and in the case of the Ganges River, a small diya with a candle and flowers that’s float down the river.

Overnight at hotel.

Morning breakfast at the hotel. Later departure transfer to catch flight to Delhi at 1345hrs. Reporting time 1½ hour prior to flight’s departure.

Arrive Delhi at 1520hrs. Wish you wonderful holiday!

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