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Introduction

Based in comfortable hotels and travelling on India's incredible rail network we explore the dramatic Moghul architecture of Agra and Jaipur. We visit ornate temples in Khajuraho and take a boat trip on the sacred Ganges to witness the evening aarti ceremony in India's holiest city, Varanasi.



Pricing Details
Trip Highlight
  • Varanasi - Float along the sacred Ganges and witness the evening aarti ceremony on the famous ghats.
    Evening Aarti Ceremony at Varanasi Image
  • Taj Mahal - Watch the sun set over this incredible building.
    The TajMahal Image
  • Khajuraho - Visit the ornately carved erotic temples.
    Khajuraho - Visit the ornately carved erotic temples Image
  • Jaipur - Explore the hilltop Amber Fort and the beautiful Palace of the Winds.
    Hawa Mahal at Jaipur Image
  • Udaipur - Relax in this peaceful lakeside city.
    Boat Ride at Udaipur Image

Day 1

Delhi

Our tour begins today in Delhi. After a short briefing we head out on a city tour of the sights of New Delhi. The Indian capital has long been a phoenix rising again and again out of its own ruins. New Delhi was the creation of the British Raj of the 30's and as we travel through we will seethe Lok Sabha (Parliament), The India Gate, Raj Ghat, Qutub Minar and visit Humayun's Tomb.
(No Meals)

Stay (Option 01): Evoke Lifestyle Stay (Option 02): WelcomHotel Dwarka Delhi
image of Qutub Minar Delhi
Delhi
Qutub Minar Delhi

Day 2

Delhi - Varanasi

This morning we make our way in to the narrow, often chaotic streets of Old Delhi. The old city is much closer to the image conjured up by Rudyard Kipling. We take to the metro and make our way to the hub of Chandni Chowk Bazaar, a jamboree of deafening barter. A short cycle rickshaw ride then takes us to the Jama Masjid mosque. There will be time to explore the bazaar and streets before we head to the train station in the late afternoon and take the overnight sleeper train to Varanasi.

(Breakfast)

Overnight at: Train

Varanasi
image of Lotus Temple
Delhi
Lotus Temple

Day 3

Varanasi

Arriving in the early morning we take a short transfer to our hotel. Varanasi (Benares) has been the centre of Hinduism since the dawn of history; its age is contemporary with Babylon and Thebes. Often known as 'Kashi' (City of Light) by Hindus it attracts over a million pilgrims each year - many of whom come to spend their last years here in the holy city. After breakfast and a freshen up we take an orientation walk around the narrow winding streets of the city. In the evening we make our way to the Ghats to witness the evening aarti ceremony when the Ganga is venerated with a display of light and sound.
(Breakfast)
Stay (Option 01): The Amayaa Stay (Option 02): Radisson Hotel Varanasi Varanasi
image of Boat ride at Varanasi
Varanasi
Boat ride at Varanasi.
"Amazing Facts
A small hamlet near Jodhpur, is one of the most curious villages in the country, known as the Bishnoi village. Here humans live in complete harmony with nature. Guru Jambheshwar gave the message to protect trees and wildlife around 540 years ago, prophesying that harming the environment means harming yourself. He formulated twenty nine tenets. The tenets were not only tailored to conserve bio-diversity of the area but also ensured a healthy eco-friendly social life for the community. Till this date the people of the community are strictly vegetarians and treat the animals and the trees surrounding them as their own children.

Day 4

Varanasi - Saranath - Varanasi

(Driving Time: Approx 3 hours for To and Fro Journey)

After breakfast we visit nearby Sarnath. Having gained enlightenment at Bodh Gaya the Buddha came to Sarnath to preach his first sermon. The city was at its peak in the 5th century, when it was a respected centre of religious activity, learning and art. Muslim invaders destroyed much of the city and today remains of several monasteries and stupas can be seen along with the small museum which has a well displayed collection. In the afternoon time is free to enable you to explore the labyrinth of streets, bazaars and temples that line the banks of the river.
(Breakfast)
Stay (Option 01): The Amayaa Stay (Option 02): Radisson Hotel Varanasi Varanasi
image of Aarti at Varanasi Temple
Varanasi
Aarti at Varanasi Temple

Day 5

Varanasi - Khajuraho

(Flight Duration: Approx 40 mins)

Today we take a morning flight to Khajuraho where we will visit the town's ornately carved temples and monuments. The Temples have been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and are a combination or Hindu and Jain design, containing erotic sculptures and designs.
(Breakfast)
Stay (Option 01): Clarks Khajuraho Stay (Option 02): Radisson Hotel Khajuraho Khajuraho
image of The Western group of temples
Khajuraho
The Western group of temples

Day 6

Khajuraho - Orchha - Jhansi - Agra

Leaving Khajuraho behind we first make our way to the village or Orchha, located in the former region of Bundela. We will visit The Fort, set on the banks of the Betwa River, and made up of several interconnected buildings including the rather plain Ram Raja Temple and the rather more ornate Jahangir Mahal. After exploring the fort we make our way to the train station in nearby Jhansi where we take a train to Agra.
(Breakfast)
Stay (Option 01): P L Palace Lords Inn Stay (Option 02): Ramada Plaza Agra Orchha Agra
image of Jahangir Mahal Orchha
Orchha
Jahangir Mahal Orchha

Day 7

Agra

After breakfast we visit the Baby Taj on the east bank of the river followed by the Agra Fort, built by Akbar the Great, which contains the incomparable Moti Masjid (Pearl Mosque). We visit the Taj Mahal, the world's most perfect and poetic building, at sun set. Over 300 years have elapsed since its construction, yet it stands today unscarred by age, its beauty and symmetry seemingly beyond man, time and space. Created by Shah Jahan as a funerary monument to his favourite wife, Mumtaz, it took 22 years to build (1630-52). The Great Moghul lies beside his beloved under the white marble dome. Inlaid with precious gems, the building cost a fortune and later Shah Jahan moved his capital to Delhi before being overthrown by his son, Aurangzeb.
(Breakfast)
Stay (Option 01): P L Palace Lords Inn Stay (Option 02): Ramada Plaza Agra Agra
image of The Taj Mahal
Agra
The Taj Mahal

Day 8

Agra - Fatehpur Sikri - Jaipur

(Driving Time: Approx 6 hrs)

This morning we drive west reaching the deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri late morning. Founded in 1569 and abandoned just 16 years later, it is a perfectly intact example of Akbar's imperial court. Among the many noteworthy buildings is the 5-storied Panch Mahal, probably a pleasure pavilion for the ladies of the harem. In the centre of the courtyard is the Pachisi Board where the emperor played a game like chess with dancing slave girls as pieces. Perhaps the finest structure of all is the lotus shaped carved central pillar of the Diwan-i-Khas (Hall of Private Audience), its extraordinary capital supporting a vaulted roof. Later we drive on to Jaipur arriving in the late afternoon..
(Breakfast)
Stay (Option 01): KK Royal Stay (Option 02): Hilton Jaipur Fatehpur Sikri Jaipur
image of Panch Mahal
Fatehpur Sikri
Panch Mahal

Day 9

Jaipur

Sometimes called the Pink City, Jaipur was first painted terracotta pink by Maharajah Sawai Ram Singh to celebrate the visit of Prince Albert in 1853. This morning, we'll take a sightseeing tour and view the Palace of the Winds, a 5-storied facade (built about 1760) which has been the subject of countless Indian posters. Afterwards, we will drive to the Amber Fort (traditionally known as Amer Fort). This impressive hilltop fortress possesses what must be the world's finest Chamber of Mirrors and affords glorious views of the surrounding plains. After lunch we will make our way to the lavish and well preserved City Palace with its fine collection of textiles, costumes and armoury. Jai Singh, the great Maharajah-astronomer, built his extraordinary (and very accurate) star-gazing Observatory (Jantra) here and we will also have time to visit it today. The Old City has several fine gates set into the pink walls, and there are many chances for photos and shopping.
(Breakfast)
Stay (Option 01): KK Royal Stay (Option 02): Hilton Jaipur Jaipur
image of Jantar Mantar Jaipur
Jaipur
Jantar Mantar Jaipur

Day 10

Jaipur - Jodhpur

This morning we drive to Jodhpur, where the impregnable fortress commands a superb panorama of the surrounding countryside (approximately 6 hours). The city itself has a unique atmosphere, with many fine old buildings and temples. Jodhpurs, those trousers-cum-riding breeches, are named after the horsemen of this city. Arriving mid-afternoon, the rest of the day is free to wander the atmospheric streets of the Old City.
(Breakfast)
Stay (Option 01): Park Plaza Jodhpur Stay (Option 02): The Ummed Jodhpur
image of Mehrangarh Fort
Jodhpur
Mehrangarh Fort

Day 11

Jodhpur - Ranakpur - Ghanerao

(Driving Time: Approx 4 hrs)

The majestic Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur is built across the top of a steep escarpment 125m above the plains below. It has a huge, sheer drop to the south where it overlooks the city. Our visit this morning affords wonderful views, not only across Jodhpur, but also way into the distance across the surrounding desert plains. Later we drive to Ghanerao. Enroute we visit the temple town of Ranakpur, one of Rajasthan's gems. Little visited, it is home to some of the most beautifully sculpted Jain Temples in India. Situated in a wooded valley the temples date back to the 15th century with the carvings depicting scenes from the lives of the Jain Saints at that time. We visit the Adinath temple, which contains 1444 exquisitely carved pillars, with no two alike.
(Breakfast)
Stay (Option 01): The Royal Castle Ghanerao Stay (Option 02): The Royal Castle Ghanerao Ranakpur Ghanerao
image of Jain Temple Ranakpur
Ranakpur
Jain Temple Ranakpur

Day 12

Ghanerao - Kumbhalgarh - Udaipur

(Driving Time: Approx 5 hrs)

Today morning we proceed to Lake City Udaipur. Enroute visit Kumbhalgarh, a massive hilltop fort surrounded by walls and comprising of a maze of temples and palaces. Most spectacular piece of defensive architecture in the state, Kumbalgarh Fort was built in the 15th century by Rana Kumbha of the Mewar dynasty. The fort has huge walls, which protect a complex that was set up to withstand a long siege with its own water sources, fields, granaries and warrior dwellings. Later continue to Udaipur where we will stay for next two nights.
(Breakfast)
Stay (Option 01): Atulya Niwas Stay (Option 02): Ananta Spa & Resorts Udaipur Kumbhalgarh Udaipur
image of Kumbhalgarh Fort
Kumbhalgarh
Kumbhalgarh Fort

Day 13

Udaipur

Our first stop today is the City Palace, located next to the Lake this huge Palace offers an insight in to the opulent life of the Maharajahs. We will also visit the Jagdish Temple, a large ornately carved Hindu Temple set in the middle of the old town. In the late afternoon we will take a sunset cruise on the lake. At some times of the year the level of the water in the lake may drop or even, after a poor monsoon, dry up completely.
(Breakfast)
Stay (Option 01): Atulya Niwas Stay (Option 02): Ananta Spa & Resorts Udaipur Udaipur
image of City Palace Udaipur
Udaipur
City Palace Udaipur

Day 14

Udaipur Departure

Today morning after breakfast drive to the airport to take a flight back to Delhi to take the onward flight.
(Breakfast)
Udaipur
image of Udaipur Airport
Udaipur
Udaipur Airport
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