9 Days Golden Triangle Tour with Varanasi and Khajuraho

Day 1: ARRIVE AT DELHI

DELHI, the capital of kingdoms and empires is now a sprawling metropolis with a fascinating blend of the past and the present. It is a perfect introduction to the composite culture of an ancient land. A window to the kaleidoscope - that is India. Stay overnight at the hotel.

Day 2: FULLDAY SIGHTSEEING OF DELHI

In the morning, have breakfast before starting your full-day tour of Old and New Delhi.

Start your adventure with Old Delhi, a formal capital of the Mughal Dynasty that boasts a plethora of breathtaking monuments.

We begin with a drive past to the massive Red Fort built, by Shah Jahan in 1648, before exploring the colorful Chandni Chowk market by cycle-rickshaw. You also visit the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi (Raj Ghat).

Shortly after, we will arrive in Jama Masjid. This is the largest mosque in India at the height of 40m where you are able to view Delhi from the minarets of this last architectural project of Shah Jahan.

Drive past Safdarjang’s tomb to visit the highest stone tower in India, the Qutab Minar, metallurgical marvel that has never rusted since its iron pillar shape was erected in 1199.

Later on, we will take you past the earliest example of Mughal architecture, the Tomb of Humayun.

Drive through New Delhi on the way to your hotel. New Delhi is a much more recent city and is also known as Lutyens’ Delhi

The city’s namesake, Edwin Lutyens, was a British architect who was largely responsible for designing the India Gate (a memorial to the martyrs of World War I), Rashtrapati Bhavan

(the Presidential House), the Secretariat, the Parliament House, and many other government buildings.

Stay overnight at the hotel.

Note: The Red Fort remains closed on Monday.

DAY 03: DELHI - VARANASI

You are assisted with your check-out from your hotel and driven to the airport. You are assisted with boarding the morning flight to Varanasi. You are greeted at the Varanasi airport and driven to your hotel where you are assisted with your check-in.

Afternoon - Experience a city tour of Varanasi that includes visits to some of the ancient temples that lie along the banks of the holy river. You will walk through the narrow lanes and through the crowded bazaars to discover a way of life that has not changed much over the past few millenniums.

Sunset cruise on the Ganga – Two of the highlights of your time in Varanasi are the sunset and sunrise cruises on the Ganga. You can float your own oil lamps while you watch the ancient prayer and oil lamp ceremony at sunset. Your boat enables you to enjoy a great view of the hundreds of lamps as they are sent floating on the holy river.

Stay overnight at the hotel.

DAY 04: VARANASI - KHAJURAHO

Start your day with an early morning boat cruise on the Ganga. The best time to visit the Ghats is dawn as that is when the pilgrims take their morning dip. It is also the ideal opportunity to experience some of Hinduisms ancient and iconic rituals. The most famous Ghat is the Dasadwamedh Ghat and that is where we begin this tour. You can simultaneously witness the ceremony of a recently deceased Hindu’s ashes being immersed in the river while, nearby, another Brahmin priest orchestrates the naming ceremony of a newborn. Just like the previous evening, your boat offers an excellent view of all the activity on the Ghats – women bathing discreetly while still wearing their sarees, priests offering prayers as they immerse themselves in the holy water, men that are oblivious to their surroundings as they practice yoga or meditate on the banks of the Ganga.

Return to your hotel to freshen up and pack.

Late morning - You are assisted with your check-out from your hotel and driven to the airport. You are assisted in boarding the flight to Khajuraho. You are greeted at the Khajuraho airport and driven to your hotel where you are assisted with your check-in.

Start your guided tour of the famed temples, which are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. These magnificent examples of Hindu religious art were constructed about a thousand years ago. Thousands of extremely detailed rock sculptures adorn the facades of these temples and the subject matter includes some very explicit erotic scenes. The sophisticated design and building techniques that were used in the creation of these temples and the detailed artistry of the sculptures cannot be described in words – you have to experience them personally to grasp their impact. You have the option (no charge) of attending the sound and light show at the temples in the evening – it is hard to understand and not impressive by western standards.

Stay overnight at the hotel.

DAY 05: KHAJURAHO - AGRA

You are assisted with your check-out from your hotel in the morning and then driven to Orcha. There is a break for a late lunch on arrival at Orcha. After lunch you will enjoy an exploration of the magnificent ruins at Orcha. The archeological treasures of Orcha were built between four and five centuries ago by Hindu kings that ruled this area. After your exploration of the ruins you are driven to nearby Jhansi and assisted in boarding the express train to Agra.

Your Tour Guide assists you in getting seated in your assigned seats and gets your luggage ported to the appropriate location above your seats. Your Tour Director provides you with a detailed itinerary of the trains schedule so as to make you comfortable with every step of the journey. Refreshments are served by Indian Railways during this journey – we recommend that you refrain from consuming these, except for the bottled water. You are greeted at the railway station in Agra and driven to your hotel where you are assisted with your check-in.

Two great Mughal monarchs, Akbar and Shah Jahan, had transformed the little village of Agra into a befitting second capital of the Mughal Empire.

In Agra, you will be caught up in a world of contrasting edifices, of red sandstone and white marble, narrow galleys and quaint buggies, as well as the city’s irresistible charm.

Unsurprisingly, modern Agra has held onto its Mughal heritage so that the modern city is blended with old and beautiful monuments.

Stay overnight at the hotel.

DAY 06: AGRA

Morning, your discovery of historic Agra will begin with a visit to the red sandstone Agra Fort, built by the Mughal dynasty's greatest Emperor, Akbar, in 1565. A number of the fort’s beautiful palaces, mosques and gardens were built by his successors in later years. A few of the priceless examples of artisanship from the Mughal era include the exquisite Moti Masjid or Pearl Mosque, the Diwan-i-Khas, the Diwan-i-Am, the Jahangir Mahal and the Shish Mahal.

Afternoon – visit the Itmad-Ud-Daulah’s tomb, a beautiful mausoleum built by the Mughal Emperor Jehangir’s queen in 1628 as a memorial to her father. Many historians revere the mausoleum as the inspiration of the Taj Mahal, yet it still has an original beauty. It houses significant ‘Pietra Dura’ inlays, marble screens within a walled garden, and a view of the Yamuna River.

Later On, visit the magnificent Taj Mahal, a pristine white marble mausoleum built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife – Mumtaz Mahal. One of the Seven Wonders of the World, it took 20,000 workers from neighboring Islamic countries, 22 years of ceaseless toil to create this exquisite white marble monument upon which peopled have waxed eloquent throughout the world. Experience a splendid sunset viewing of the Taj Mahal and the return to your hotel.

Stay overnight at the hotel.

Note: The Taj Mahal remains closed on Friday.

DAY 07 : AGRA – FATEHPUR SIKRI - JAIPUR

Early morning, visit Mehtab Bagh (Mughal Garden) to view the Taj Mahal while the sun rise upon its massive bronze domes. This 500-year-old garden is located across from the Taj Mahal on the other side of the Yamuna River.

After breakfast – check out of the hotel and drive to Jaipur, which is about a five hours journey.

On the way, take a mini-excursion to Fatehpur Sikri. Akbar completed this red sandstone city in 1585 that still holds the mysterious tomb of Salim Chishti (the Muslim mystic who gave his blessings to Akbar for a son).

The Panch Mahal, Jodha Bai’s Palace, Birbal Bhavan and the uniquely checkered Pachisi Court are also original monuments from the Mughal Empire.

After the tour, resume your drive to Jaipur. When you arrive, check in to your hotel.

Jaipur: The origins of the beautiful city of Jaipur can be traced back to the eighteenth century, during the reign of Jai Singh II who ascended the Amber throne in 1699. Jaipur today, epitomizes the spirit of Rajputana. In-spite of growing into a bustling metropolis, it still retains its character and history - A beautiful fusion of the yesteryears and modernity. Jaipur is popularly known as the Pink City because of the extensive use of the locally abundant pink plastered stone, painted so in honor of the visit of the royal consort of Queen Victoria. Jaipur thrills the soul with its massive forts, magnificent palaces, exquisite temples and lush gardens.

Evening – You can either choose to enjoy your hotel this evening, or select from one of these two escorted excursions. You can visit the home of a Rajasthani Nobleman and enjoy a traditional dinner with members of the family, or you can enjoy a dinner and Rajasthani cultural show that includes regional dance, music and acrobatic performances

Stay overnight at the hotel.

DAY 08: JAIPUR

Make an 8 a.m. excursion to the Amber Fort & Palace so that you may ascend to its colossal red entrance on the back of a highly decorated elephant.

Raja Man Singh constructed the Amber Fort that is now regarded as a quintessential example of Rajput architecture as is the elaborate design of the Palace’s interior.

You will see the fort’s splendor with your own eyes when you walk down the hallways and chambers to see the luxurious and adorned ambiance of the palace.

In the afternoon, take a half-day tour of the Palace Complex. See the Jantar Mantar Observatory, a sanctuary of the astronomer king, Maharaja Jai Singh II. Nearby, the intriguing Palace of the Wind, the Hawa Mahal, was built in 1799 to allow ladies from the royal family to view the city and bazaar below in privacy.

Continue to the breathtaking Palace, a royal residence built in a blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architectural styles.

The city’s Palace Complex holds several museums that contain impressive collections of miniature paintings, costumes, and armor. Between the art gallery and the armory, you will find the majestic Diwan-i-Khas—the hall of selective audience.

The Diwan-i-Khas is a marble-paved pavilion that puts on display massive silver vessels. The vessels, the world’s largest sterling silver object, used to be filled with royal drinking water from the River Ganga.

Stay overnight at the hotel.

DAY 09: JAIPUR - DELHI

After breakfast - Check out from your hotel and drive to Delhi. The journey will take around six hours. Arrive at Delhi and board your flight to onward destination.

You can use the remaining few hours you have to do some last minute sightseeing or shopping. We can make suggestions based on your interests.

Your vehicle and driver stay with you until your assisted check in at the airport.

Our services end at Delhi airport.

INCLUSIONS:
• 09 nights stay at the hotels on entire trip.
• Hotel accommodation on double occupancy basis.
• All transfers and sightseeing by your personal A/C SUV.
• Breakfast at the hotels.
• Boat ride at Ganges in Varanasi.
• Dinner at a Rajasthani Nobleman’s Family Home OR a Rajasthani Cultural Show and Dinner.
• Rickshaw Ride through Delhi’s Chandni Chowk.
• Horse drawn carriage ride to the Taj Mahal in Agra.
• Personal Elephant ride (per couple - jeep option available) up the ramparts of Amber Palace in Jaipur.
• English Speaking tour guide as per the itinerary.
• A local cultural show at Baghore – Ki – Haveli in Udaipur.
• Services of an English speaking driver as per the itinerary.
• Bottled mineral water for sightseeing/excursions and long drives.
• Representative for assistance on all arrival and departure transfers.
• 24 X 7 assistance throughout the journey.
• Fuel Charges.
• Driver Allowance.
• Toll Tax & Parking.
• All currently applicable taxes.
  
  NOT INCLUDED:
• Any personal expenses such as tips, laundry and drinks.
• Any extra meals (other than those specifically laid down).
• Personal Travel Insurance, visa etc.
• Entrance fees to monuments.
• Camera fees (both still and video).
• International flight tickets.
• Miscellaneous.