Welcome to India – when you touch down, you’ll be met by our local representative. Once checked in at your hotel, the rest of the day is yours to relax or begin exploring. We’re here for two nights
Today we’ll start out with a sightseeing tour of Old Delhi. You’ll visit Raj Ghat, site of Mahatma Gandhi’s cremation, go on a rickshaw ride (or walk…) through Old Delhi, and visit Jama Mosque, the largest in India. We’ll pass Shah Jahan’s Red Fort and continue our visit into New Delhi touring Humayun’s Tomb, the massive Qutab Minaret and the India Gate.
After breakfast, we’ll check out and transfer to Delhi airport for your flight to Udaipur (flight cost not included) – known as the Venice of the East or “City of Lakes”. On arrival, you will be met by your guide and escorted to the hotel – we’ll be here for two nights. In the afternoon, you’ll enjoy a boat ride on Lake Pichola, surrounded by splendid hills, palaces and temples. Enjoy the brilliant scenery and take lots of photos….
After breakfast, we’ll tour Udaipur, visiting the City Palace and Jagdish Temple before driving around Fatehsagar Lake and Sahelion ki Bari, the Queen’s resort for her friends. The rest of the day you’re free to relax at the hotel or explore local markets.
After breakfast we’ll drive through Pushkar, (a holy town famous for the Pushkar Fair and its Lake) on our way to Jaipur, the “Pink City”. Once we’re in the hotel, you’re free to relax…we’re here for two nights.
After breakfast, we’ll set about exploring the city. We’ll lead off with the imposing Amber Fort (where you may enter riding an elephant!). Later stops on our visit include the Observatory, the City Palace and the fanciful Palace of Winds. We’ll make sure to set aside free time in the evening to visit the local bazaars.
After breakfast, we leave for Agra, stopping at the deserted capital city of Fatehpur Sikri, a stunning red stone city built by emperor Akbar . Agra, today’s destination, is home to one of the seven wonders of the world — the Taj Mahal. The architectural splendours of the mausoleums, the fort and the palaces are vivid reminders of the capital in the 16th and early 17th centuries – this is home for two nights.
Today’s sightseeing tour of Agra centers on one of the trip’s true highlights: the magnificent Taj Mahal. We will also pay homage to the famous Agra Fort, seat of Mughal power and affording still more stunning views of the Taj Mahal.
Jhansi/ Orchha (Drive time: 30min) Orchha/ Khajuraho (Drive time: 4hrs) We’ll get an early start today and board our train to Jhansi. He’re we will be met by our guide and proceed by road to Orchha. Once we arrive, we’ll take a break from travel and explore the Fort Complex containing the Rajmandir, Jahangir Mahal, and the Rai Parveen Mahal. Refreshed, we’ll press on to Khajuraho for an overnight stay
After breakfast we’ll take an excursion to the Western and Eastern Group of Temples before heading to Khajuraho airport and our flight to India’s holiest city, Varanasi (flight cost not included). Our guide will greet us at the airport and see us to our hotel for a two night stay – this evening you’ll have the opportunity to witness an ‘Aarti’ (Prayer) ceremony on bank of the holy River Ganges.
This morning we’ll meet early, board a boat and tour the river Ganges visiting various Ghats (steps leading down towards river) before taking a walk through the old city of Varanasi and returning to our hotel for breakfast. Today’s guided city tour will see us visiting Bharat Mata Temple – the only temple in India dedicated to ‘Mother India’, Bharat Kala Bhavan and Durga Temple. In the afternoon we’ll make an excursion to Sarnath – it is believed that here Buddha gave his first sermon to his disciples after achieving enlightenment
After breakfast together, we’ll transfer to Varanasi airport in time for your flight to Delhi (flight cost not included). On arrival you will be met by our representative and transferred to International airport for your onward flight.
