11 DAY GOLDEN TRIANGLE TO KHAJURAHO & VARANASI-LUXURY

Namaste and welcome to the land of incredible India! Upon arrival at the Delhi International Airport, you will be warmly greeted by one of our representatives. You will then be transferred to the hotel to refresh and relax. India is completely different from any other country with its diverse mix of people, climate, scenery, religions, and cultural influences. In order to enjoy your tour to the maximum, please go with an open mind and perhaps without drawing comparisons with any other destination or culture.

Accommodation: Le Meridien New Delhi (5 star)

Total Transfer Time: 1 hour

Total Time Spent on Attractions/Activities: N/A

After a delicious breakfast proceed for a visit to Old Delhi buzzing with energy and colour, the hustle and bustle of packed bazaars, narrow lanes with tall leaning houses while you embrace the sounds and aromas of the Indian sub-continent. Take a rickshaw ride through these narrow lanes and feel your senses come alive in this amazing walled city. Visit the Jama Masjid, the great mosque of Old Delhi and the largest in India, with a courtyard capable of holding 25,000 devotees. Also drive around the India Gate and the stately buildings to witness the modern day grandeur of Delhi. Afternoon, continue your experience of Delhi with a visit to Humayun’s tomb, the first garden-tomb in the Indian subcontinent and the inspiration for several monuments including the Taj Mahal. Also visit the Qutub Minar, one of the finest Islamic structures ever raised in India. Spend evening at leisure.

Accommodation: Le Meridien New Delhi (5 star)

Total Transfer Time: 2.5 hours

This morning we will leave Delhi and proceed to Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan and also called the pink city. Upon arrival, our representative will assist you with check-in to the hotel for you to refresh and relax.

Accommodation: Jaipur Hilton (5 star)

Total Transfer Time: 6 hours

After a scrumptious breakfast, we will visit the Amber Fort, one of the most fascinating of the Indian forts comprising the Palace of Mirrors, Hall of Public Audience, the beautiful gardens, all of which give a glimpse into the majesty of days gone by. Later, visit the City Palace who’s several courtyards and gardens provide wonderful contrast to its many palatial structures including Mubarak Mahal, Chandra Mahal, Badal Mahal and the Sri Govind Dev temple. The huge silver water vessels displayed at the Diwan-e-Khas recorded in the Guinness Book as the largest in the world are a must see. Next visit Jantar Mantar- the Observatory. It incorporates multiple buildings of unique geometrical forms, each with a specialized function for astronomical measurement.

Accommodation: Jaipur Hilton (5 star)

Total Transfer Time: 1.5 hours

Today we take a leisurely drive as we travel to Agra. En-route visit Fatehpur Sikri which was the political capital of India's Mughal Empire under Akbar's reign from 1571 till 1585 and regarded as the crowning glory of his architectural legacy. Next proceed to Agra. On arrival you will be met by our representative and be assisted for check in at the hotel.

Accommodation: ITC Mughal (5 star)

Total Transfer Time: 6 hours

We start early in the morning to visit Taj Mahal to view the glowing light of sun over its opaque white dome. Visit the beautiful monument, Taj Mahal built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in 1560, in loving memory of his queen Mumtaz Mahal to enshrine her mortal remains. Upon return back to the hotel and enjoy your breakfast. Late morning, we will continue with sightseeing visiting Agra Fort and several of its palaces, that is built by the four generations of the Mughal dynasty. The glory of the Mughal rule in India is apparent in the rich architecture and intricate work visible at the fort. Spend rest of the day at leisure.

Accommodation: ITC Mughal (5 star)

Total Transfer Time: 1 hour

After a very early breakfast, proceed to Agra railway station to board Shatabdi Express (0810-1040 hrs) for Jhansi. On arrival you will be met by representative and be assisted for private road transfer to Orchha (about 01 hour drive). Visit Orchha fort which has three impressive palaces placed in an open quadrangle: the Jehangir Mahal (built to mark Emperor Jehangir's visit to the city); the Raj Mahal; and the Rai Praveen Mahal, built for the famous musician-poetess paramour of King Indramani. Afternoon we will proceed for road transfer to Khajuraho. On arrival you will be met by our representative and be assisted for check in at the hotel.

Accommodation: The Lalit Temple View (5 star)

Total Transfer Time: 7.5 hours

This morning proceed with a combined tour of Eastern & Western group of temples. Of the 86 temples, built during the reign of the Chandela Kings between 950BC and 1050 BC, only about 20 temples remain. These temples fall into three distinct groups and belong to two different religions – Hinduism and Jainism. They strike a perfect balance between architecture and sculpture. Upon completion, head back to the hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Accommodation: The Lalit Temple View (5 star)

Total Transfer Time: 1 hour

Later in morning, we proceed to Khajuraho airport to board a flight 9W 724 (1330-1410 hrs) for Varanasi, the holiest city for the Hindus. On arrival, check in at the hotel and spend at leisure. Evening we will visit the Mother India Temple, a unique temple dedicated to Mother India carved with a single piece of marble. Later proceed to the parking area from where we take you on Rickshaws to the ghats to witness the Aarti Ceremony (Hindu ritual /prayer of river Ganges at Sunset). You will be passing through the crowded bazaars and small shops illuminated with lights followed by a short boat ride on Ganges. Here you will witness the Aarti ceremony amidst jingling of bells, floating of diyas (traditional lamps) and chanting of mantras giving you an unforgettable life time experience.

Accommodation: Taj Gateway Ganges (5 star)

Total Transfer Time: 2.5 hours

Early morning proceed for boat ride at river Ganges. A boat ride from the Dasaswamedh Ghat along the Ghats gives you vantage views of these activities. At dawn-the Ghats are a buzz with activity of the devotees performing their cleansing in the river or offering prayers to the rising sun and performing various religious rituals. After the boat cruise on the Ganges, walk through the narrow lanes of city visiting various temples. We next proceed for a visit to Sarnath, which bears testimony to its great past where lord Buddha delivered his first sermon clarifying the principals of Buddhism. Visit the art collection at the Archaeological Museum (closed on Fridays). Afternoon proceed to airport to board flight 9W 724 (1440-1600 hrs) for Delhi. Upon arrival at Delhi, you will be met by our representative and transferred to the hotel for your last night.

Accommodation: Le Meridien New Delhi (5 star)

Total Transfer Time: 4 hours

It’s time to say good bye and leave the capital city of Delhi. We hope you enjoyed the stay in incredible India and look forward to welcome you back for many more adventures!

Total Transfer Time: 1 hour