Golden Triangle Tour with Khajuraho and Varanasi

Arrive New Delhi International Airport by flight. Meet our representative at exit gate & get transferred to pre- booked Hotel. Rest of the day is at leisure.

Delhi is a bustling metropolis, which successfully combines in its folds the ancient with modern. Its strategic location was the prime reasons why successive dynasties chose it as their seat of power. In fact, more mythological cities are believed to be here, like the city of Indraprastha from the Hindu epic Mahabharata, founded around 5000 BC. Numerous monuments were built over several centuries by different rulers like Qutub-ud-din Aibek, Alauddin Khilji, Tughlaks, Humayun & Shah Jahan, who built the Walled City Shah Jahanabad. Later in first half of 20th century much of New Delhi was planned by Sir Edwin Lutyens, who laid out a grandiose central administrative area as a testament to British rule in India. The division in walled city & New Delhi also marks the division in life styles.

Overnight stay in Delhi.

Full day sightseeing tour Today we take a guided tour of Old Delhi, the 17th century walled city of Shah Jahanabad, Visiting the great Jama Masjid, the principal mosque of Old Delhi. Built in the year 1656 AD by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, it is the largest & best known mosque in India. Later we walk down or take a rickshaw ride through Chandi Chowk, the old marketplace of Shah Jahanabad now a picturesque bazaar to reach Red Fort, built in the year 1648 by Shah Jehan.In New Delhi, we visit Raj Ghat, memorial to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. It is a simple black marble platform that marks the spot of his cremation on 31 January 1948. Further we drive past India Gate, memorial built in the year 1931 to commemorate the Indian soldiers who died in the World War I & the Afghan Wars. The names of the soldiers who died in these wars are inscribed on the walls. President’s House, the official residence of the President of India, built in the year 1931. Until 1950 it was known as Viceroy’s House & served as the residence of the Governor-General of British India. We will also visit Humayun’s Tomb, memorial of Mughal Emperor Humayun, built in the year 1562. The complex is a World Heritage Site & the first example of this type of Mughal architecture in India. Qutub Minar, built in the year 1206 by Qutub-ud-din Aibek. It is the tallest (72m) brick minaret in the world, an important example of Indo-Islamic Architecture. Qutub Minar & its monuments are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.Optional – Sound & Light Show at Red Fort.

Overnight stay in Delhi.

MMorning after breakfast proceed towards Jaipur. Jaipur – popularly known as Pink City, the flamboyant & colourful capital of Rajasthan. With its rich & colourful past, resplendent with tales of valour & bravery, it is now one of the most important heritage cities in India. The city was founded in the year 1728 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the ruler of Amber. It remains the only city in the world symbolizing the nine divisions of the universe, through nine rectangular sectors. On arrival transfer to hotel.

Overnight stay in Jaipur

Morning after breakfast explore the Pink City with an excursion to Amer Fort, situated just outside the city, enjoy the experience of elephant ride to reach the fort. Enjoy photography in front of Hawa mahal or the Palace of Winds was constructed for the royal ladies to watch the royal processions without being seen. Also enjoy photography in front of Jalmahal – a water palace. Visit City Palace situated in the heart of Jaipur is known for its blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. Not far away is the Central Museum Jantar Mantar is the largest of the five observatories built by Sawai Jai Singh. Evening transfer to hotel.

Overnight stay in Jaipur.

Morning after breakfast drive towards Agra. Enroute visit Fatehpur Sikri, (37 kms from Agra), Old deserted town of Mughal Dynasty –Fatehpur Sikri built in red sandstone in honor of Saint Salim Chisti who foretold the birth of 3 sons to Emperor Akbar, is an example of robust stability combined with originality.

Later proceed towards Jaipur. Agra – beautifully situated on the banks of river Yamuna. It achieved prominence as the capital of the Mughal Emperors from the year 1526 to 1628, remains major tourist destination because of its many splendid Mughal-era monuments, most notably the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort & Fatehpur Sikri, all three are UNESCO World Heritage sites. Upon arrival check in to hotel & relax for a while.

Overnight stay in Agra.

Morning after breakfast proceed for the sightseeing tour of Agra visiting Agra Fort, designed and built by Akbar in 1565 A.D., built with barricaded wall of red sand stone; it houses the beautiful Pearl Mosque and numerous palaces including the Jahangir Mahal, Diwan-i-Khas, Diwan-i-Am, Macchhi Bhawan, Nagina Masjid, Meena Bazar, Moti Masjid, Sheesh Mahal, Musamman Burj where from Taj Mahal is visible in all its beauty from one side of the fort. Rest of day is free for Shopping in local market of Agra. Later visit one of most beautiful among the seven wonders of the world: Taj Mahal (Closed on every Friday). Taj Mahal, the architectural modern day wonder of the world; this monument is a fine example of the fusion of many architectural styles is one of the wonders of the modern world. Taj, endowed it with some of the loveliest buildings in the world.

Early in the morning get transferred to the railway station of Agra to board the train towards Jhansi (215 km away). On arriving Jhansi, you would be embarking on a road trip to Orchha (18 km away).

Orchha, located at a distance of 16 km from Jhansi, has a medieval town atmosphere attached to it. The Betwa River quietly flows by the town. The 16th century palaces & temples built by its Bundela rulers appear to be suspended in time. Visit Orchha Fort complex. Within the Fort complex we visit Jahangir Mahal, built by Raja Bir Singh Ju Deo in the 17th century to commemorate the visit of Emperor Jehangir to Orchha. Raj Mahal, built in the 17th century by Madhukar Shah, the deeply religious predecessor of Bir Singh Ju Deo. We also visit Ram Raja temple, palace-turned-temple with soaring spires & palatial architecture. Built by King Madhukar Shah it is one of the most unusual temples in India & the only place where Lord Rama is worshipped as a King not as a deity.

Later we continue our drive to Khajuraho, built between 950-1050 AD by the mighty warrior kings of the Chandela dynasty. A truly inspired burst of creativity, it contains stunningly explicit erotic sculptures. They were rediscovered in the 20th century, is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Overnight stay in Khajuraho.

Morning after breakfast visit Khajuraho temples, famous for the magnificent carvings depicting numerous exotic postures of the famous Kamasutra, ancient Indian work on sex. Only 22 temples survive of the 85 originally built. In fact, worship is still done today in the Matangeshwara temple, continuing an unbroken 1000 year tradition.

Later we take a flight to Varanasi – picturesquely situated on the banks of holy river Ganga. The city is the Oldest Living City of the World & traces of its existence are found around 10000 BC. Other than being a very holy city for Hindus, it also holds a very significant association with Buddha’s life & Buddhism.

In the evening we visit the Ganges to see the spectacular ‘Aarti’.

Overnight stay in Varanasi.

Morning arrival at Varanasi railway station. Meet our tour representative. Get transferred to the hotel and complete the check-in formalities. Get freshened up. Thereafter, embark on a short trip to Sarnath, a popular Buddhist religious site. One of the four most important sacred sites of Buddhism, it has the deer park where Gautama Buddha first taught the ‘Dharma’ after attaining enlightenment. Back to Varanasi in the afternoon for city tour including Alamgir Mosque, also known as Beni Madhav Ka Darera, Dasaswamedh Ghat, popular for evening Ganga Aarti, and the Bharat Mata Temple- positioned in the Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapith campus. The evening is scheduled for the mesmerizing ceremony of Ganga Aarti, a lifetime opportunity.

Overnight stay in Varanasi.

Today Morning after breakfast get transferred to Varanasi airport to board the flight towards Delhi. Upon arrival in New Delhi get transferred to pre-booked hotel for overnight stay.

Overnight stay in Delhi.

In time get transferred to New Delhi International airport to board the flight for onward journey.