The Golden Triangle & Varanasi, India

Day 1. Arrival to Delhi. 
On your arrival at Delhi’s International Airport. Following customs, immigration formalities and baggage collection, our representative will meet you as you EXIT the ARRIVALS TERMINAL building after which you would be transferred to your hotel in Gurgaon (National Capital Region of Delhi).

Day 2. Delhi
After beakfast, proceed to visit Old Delhi. The tour will begin with a visit to Raj Ghat, a simple memorial to Mahatma Gandhi; Drive past the Red Fort continuing to the Jama Masjid, one of Asia’s largest mosques. It was the last architectural extravaganza of the Mughal Emperor, Shahjahan built in the year 1656 AD with the help of 5,000 craftsmen. It was made across the road from the Red Fort. The mosque is also known as Masjid-I-Jahanuma, which means 'mosque commanding view of the world'.

Return to hotel after the sightseeing. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 3. Delhi - Jaipur
After breakfast, drive to Jaipur (255 Kms./ 6-7 Hrs. approx.). Upon arrival check-in at the hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight stay at your hotel.

Day 4. Jaipur
After buffet breakfast at the hotel, you will be driven just outside Jaipur to the ancient capital of Amber to see the fabulous Amber Fort. Maharaja Mansingh, Mughal Emperor Akbar’s most successful General, started the construction of Amber Fort in the 17th century. Before the City Palace was constructed in Jaipur, Amber was the seat of power. The fort is surrounded by fortified battlements and overlooks the Moat Lake. Ruins and remains are spread over the Aravalli hills and sprawling crenulated walls lattice the surrounding area. An elephant (alternatively by jeeps) will spare you the trouble of reaching up to the fortress. Once on top, stroll through the sprawling complex of courtyards and halls. Many of the rooms have delightful wall paintings, with precious stones and mirrors inlaid in the walls. Most fascinating, perhaps, is the Sheesh Mahal (hall of mirrors) where a single lamplight is reflected in the many mirrors, lighting up the room.

En-route to Amber you will stop and see the `Palace of Winds’, otherwise known as Hawa Mahal. It is really an elaborate facade behind which the ladies of the court used to watch the daily goings on in the street below. It is extremely intricate in its pink sandstone carving. The cool wind blows through its facade of windows and latticed screens through which the queens of the court once viewed the streets of the city. Continue for sightseeing tour of Jaipur city visit the city of Jaipur. Among the highlights to be seen while touring Jaipur include the City Palace, which is an overwhelming complex of exquisite palaces, gardens and courtyards, decorative art and carved doorways. The palace museum houses collections of rare manuscripts, armoury, costumes, carpets and miniature paintings. Walk to the adjacent Jantar Mantar or Astronomical Observatory made by the Maharaja of Jaipur, built in 1726 and is one of the five such astronomical wonders built by Sawai Jai Singh and makes accurate predictions even to this day. You will also have the opportunity to wander about the local markets. 

Return to hotel after the sightseeing. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 5. Jaipur - Fatehpur - Agra
After an early breakfast (around 07:00 Hrs.) at the hotel, you will be driven to Agra (240 Kms / 6 Hrs.) .

En-route visiting Fatehpur Sikri, the deserted red sandstone city, built by the Great Mughal Emperor Akbar as his capital and palace in the late 16th century. It was abandoned soon after it was built when the local wells went dry and it remains today in much the same condition that it was over 300 years ago. It is complete with palaces and mosques and used to be a town larger than London when it was originally constructed. Now it is an extraordinary place to wander around with its buildings in near perfect condition.

Upon arrival in Agra, check-in at hotel.

Afternoon visit the Taj Mahal (closed on Fridays). The Taj Mahal is everything that has been said about it and more. Taking 22 years and 20,000 men to build, the white marble was quarried 200 miles away and was transported to the site by a fleet of 1000 elephants. Built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as an expression of his love for his wife Mumtaz Mahal, in mid 17th century, the Taj Mahal is truly one of the wonders of the world. Though the Taj appears to be amazingly perfect from almost any angle, it is the close-up marble inlay work, which is really astounding. You will have ample time to view and be mesmerized by this outstanding piece of architecture. Continue to visit the Agra Fort, an outstanding example of Mughal architecture.

Return to hotel after the tour. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 6. Agra - Jhansi - Kaijuraho
Early/ packed breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to railway station to board train Shatabdi Exp. for Jhansi.

Departure: Agra At: 08:00 hrs. By: Train Shatabdi Express. / Arrive: Jhansi At: 10:34 hrs.

Upon arrival at Jhansi railway station, you will be met with our representative. 
After meet and greet, drive to Khajuraho (165 Kms./ 04Hrs. drive approx.)

Upon arrival in Khajuraho, check-in at hotel.

Afternoon, proceed for a tour of the Chandela Temple Complex. The tour of Khajuraho concentrates on the famous erotic temples, which represent some of the finest examples of temple architecture in Northern India. The remote location of Khajuraho meant that the temples were unharmed by Muslim invaders and as a result, the intricately fine carvings are in very good condition and are said to represent life in heaven. They were built during the mighty Chandela dynasty; the majority were constructed in a sudden burst of creative and religious energy, between the mid-10th and 11th centuries. After ruling for about 500 years the Chandela dynasty fell to the might of Islam and consequently the religious centre of Khajuraho was abandoned. The temples remain as a reminder of a society that believed in the full enjoyment of life, with all the senses being a path to nirvana. Of the eighty-five original temples only 22 remain, but many are in very good condition. You visit the Kandariya Mahadeva, the Chatrabhuj, Parswanath and Ghantai Temples, each remarkable for its beautiful design and architecture.

Return to hotel after the tour. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 7 Khajuraho - Varanasi by flight.
After breakfast, our representative will take you to the airport to board flight for Varanasi.

Departure: Khajuraho At: 14:20 hrs. By:UK 622 (Vistara)
Arrive: Varanasi At: 15:25 hrs.

Upon arrival in Varanasi you will be met with our representative, who will transfer you to the hotel.

Varanasi cannot be described, only experienced. Crowded with temples, and its labyrinth of streets, the city attracts a large number of tourists, both domestic and international. Varanasi is the oldest living city in India, and one of the world’s most ancient religious capital of Hinduism.

Later in the evening move to Rajendra Prasad Ghat to enjoy splendid arti at the river Ganges.

Overnight stay at your hotel.

Day 8. Varanasi
Rise before dawn and board a boat on the River Ganges. At sunrise, you will witness one of the world’s most moving acts of faith as Hindu pilgrims come to the river to wash away their sins or pour out the ashes of their ancestors on the river’s current.
You will watch some of these rituals as you take a boat ride on the river Ganges.

Return to your Hotel for breakfast. After breakfast, proceed for a half day city tour primarily visiting the Kashi-Vishwanath Temple, the most sacred of shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva, the patron deity of Varanasi. Reconstructed in the 18th century, its gold plating on the 'shikaras' was a gift of the one-eyed Sikh king, Maharaja Ranjit Singh; Bharat Mata Mandir, inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi is a unique temple dedicated to Mother India. It houses a relief map of India carved out of marble; and some other important temples

Afternoon, proceed for excursion to Sarnath. Sarnath (also Mrigadava, Migadāya, Rishipattana, Isipatana) is the deer park where Gautama Buddha first taught the Dharma, and where the Buddhist Sangha came into existence through the enlightenment of Kondanna. Sarnath is located 13 kilometres north-east of Varanasi, in Uttar Pradesh, India

Return to your hotel after the visit. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 9. Varanasi - Delhi Airport
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning at leisure. Later transfer to Varanasi airport to board the flight for Delhi.

Departure: Varanasi At:15:20 hrs By: UK 813 (Vistara)
Arrival: Delhi At:16:50 hrs

On arrival remain in transit area to connect to onward flight back home.

Practical information:   

► Hotel Check-in time is 1400 Hrs. and check-out time is 1200 noon. ► TAJ MAHAL remains closed on Fridays.► Rates include only those items specified in your itinerary. ► Please note, the names of hotels mentioned above only indicate that our rates have been based on usage of these hotels. It is not to be construed that accommodation is confirmed at these hotels until and unless we convey the confirmations to you on receipt of your acceptance. However in the event of any of the above mentioned hotels not becoming available at the time of initiating the reservations, we shall book alternate accommodation at a similar or next best available hotel. ► Elephant ride is subject to availability as Government of Rajasthan has restricted the number of rides and prior reservation. Clients will have to queue themselves and wait to see if they can get a chance to have the Elephant ride. ► In case on any currency fluctuations or amendment in local Government taxes, or any fuel hike, we reserve the right to adjust the tour price accordingly. The due increase or decrease will be communicated.