Golden Triangle With Orchha, Khajuraho And Varanasi

DAY 01: ARRIVAL AT DELHI

Upon arrival at Delhi International Airport, our representative will meet you and transfer you to the hotel. It is a city that has been an idyllic symbol of the magnificent past and thriving present of India. It has never failed to amaze its visitors with its beautiful blend of various nationalities, diverse cultures & traditions, heritage of the bygone eras and its modern lifestyle – all rolled into one. The day is at leisure. Overnight in Delhi.

DAY 02: DELHI SIGHTSEEING

After breakfast, proceed for Delhi sightseeing starting with a visit to the Jama Masjid - the largest Mosque in India. Visit Chandni Chowk – the oldest & biggest bazaar of Old Delhi. Later, walk up to Fatehpuri Masjid and enjoy a rickshaw ride till Red Fort. Here our driver will meet you, drive past Red Fort (a 17th century historical fort in Delhi) and reach Rajghat, a memorial where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated. An eternal flame burns on one side of this memorial. Visit Humayun’s Tomb – the first garden-styled tomb of India. The main highlight of this tomb, inspired by Persian architecture, is the four garden squares with water passage channels surrounding the tomb. Drive past Rashtrapati Bhawan - residence of the President of India and India Gate - an archway built in honor of the soldiers who died in World War I. Visit Qutub Minar built by Qutab-ud-din Aibak in 1193 to mark the beginning of Muslim rule in India. Overnight in Delhi.

DAY 03: DELHI - JAIPUR (235 Km/Approx. 5 Hrs)

Post breakfast, check out and drive to the beautiful city of Jaipur, also known as the Pink City of India. Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel. Jaipur is a city known as the Pink City of India due to extensive use of pink sandstone in various buildings of the city. Its monuments showcase a myriad of architectural styles and its vibrant bazaars are famous for traditional handicrafts and jewelry. The ambiance of this city speaks volumes of the rich lifestyle of the Rajput Kings. Overnight in Jaipur.

DAY 04: JAIPUR SIGHTSEEING

After breakfast, proceed for Jaipur sightseeing starting with a visit to Amer Fort. It is a hill fort built in the 16th century by Raja Man Singh. This fort displays various prominent monuments like private halls, pavilions, private chambers for the King and the Rajput women. It stands as a testimony to the golden era of Rajput rule in Jaipur. The reflection of this fort falling on the Maota Lake, is truly captivating. Enjoy an Elephant ride here to and fro the fort. Next, visit the City Palace. It is the royal Palace of Jaipur that boasts former private and public meeting chambers of the Kings, giant silver vessels, courtyards, beautifully-designed gateways, intricately-carved private chambers of the King and much more. Visit the Jantar Mantar - an astronomical observatory that features the world’s largest Sundial - Samrat Yantra. End the day with a visit to Hawa Mahal - the Palace of Winds. This is a five-storey palace built in the year 1799 during the Rajput era in Jaipur. The main highlight of this palace is the intricately-designed 953 windows adorned with beautiful latticework. Overnight in Jaipur.

DAY 05: JAIPUR - AGRA EN ROUTE FATEHPUR SIKRI (240 Km/Approx. 5 hrs)

After breakfast, drive to Agra. En-route, visit the 16th century Fatehpur Sikri that boasts of some of the magnificent monuments built during the Mughal Era. Here visit the Panch Mahal (a five storey palace built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar), Buland Darwaza (the highest gateway in the world built by Emperor Akbar in 1601 to commemorate his victory over Gujarat) and much more. Continue driving to Agra. It is a beautiful city located on the banks of River Yamuna. It is dotted with various historical structures that reflect the opulence of Mughal era in India. On arrival, check-in at the hotel. The day is free at leisure. Overnight in Agra.

DAY 06: AGRA

Early morning visit to the Taj Mahal - the most extravagant symbol of love, dedication and purity ever that took almost 22 years to build. It is an ivory-white marble monument where rests the mortals of Mughal Emperor Shahjahan (who built Taj Mahal) and his wife (Mumtaz). An interesting fact about this stunning edifice is that it turns pinkish in the morning, milky white in the evening and golden at night as the moonlight falls upon it. Watching sunrise over this iconic monument is truly a sight to behold. Return to the hotel for breakfast. Next, visit the Agra Fort that resembles the magnificent Red Fort in Delhi. The Diwan-i-Aam (Hall of Public Audience), Diwan-i-Khas (Hall of Private Audience) and the Sheesh Mahal (Palace of Mirrors) are the must-see attractions here. Later, visit the tomb of Itmad-ud-Daulah located at the centre of a quadrangle with gardens laid out in a Char Bagh pattern surrounding it. The structure stands over a raised sandstone terrace measuring 149 feet square and 3 feet and 4 inches high from the ground.

DAY 07: AGRA - JHANSI (By Train), JHANSI - ORCHHA (16 Km/Approx. 32 Mins)

After breakfast, drive to Agra railway station to board train to Jhansi. On arrival, our company representative will drive you to Orchha. On reaching, check-in at the hotel. Orchha is a city dotted with artistically-beautiful palaces and temples built by its Bundela rulers in the 16th and 17th century that still retain much of its pristine perfection. After some relaxation, visit Orchha Fort Complex. Visit the Jehangir Mahal built in the 17th century by Raja Bir Singh Ju Deo to commemorate the visit of Emperor Jehangir to Orchha. Its strong lines are counter balanced by delicate chhatris and trellis work. Explore the Raj Mahal crowned by chhatris and exquisite interiors, boldly colourful murals based on religious themes. Visit the Ram Raja Temple, which is the most unusual as it is a palace turned temple where Rama is worshipped as a Raja (King). Head to the Laxminarayan Temple linked by a flagstone path to the Ram Raja Temple. Its interiors contain the most exquisite wall paintings in Orchha. Overnight in Orchha.

DAY 08: ORCHHA - KHAJURAHO (172 Km/Approx. 3.5 Hrs)

After breakfast, we will drive you to Khajuraho. On arrival, check into the hotel. Khajuraho was the capital of the Chandela kings and its temples were built in the short span of hundred years from 950-1050 AD. Most of them were destroyed by Muslim invaders. Adorned with exquisite sculpture, only 22 temples remain of the original 85. Khajuraho’s temples are covered with hundreds of sculptured figures - a galaxy of Gods and Goddesses, beasts and serpents and a multitude of erotic couples. After some relaxation, head out to visit the Khajuraho Group of Temples that speak volumes of the grandeur of Chandela Kings. These temples are around 200 years old. These are a set of temples divided into eastern, western and southern wings The Eastern wing is majorly dominated with meticulously-designed Jain Temples. The Parsvanath Temple is the largest temple of this wing. The western wing features some of the finest temples including the Andariya Mahadev Temple, Devi Jagadambe Temple, Chausat Yogini and Chitragupt Temple etc. while the Southern wing comprises of three temples: Duladeo Temple, Chaturbhuj Temple and Beejamandal Temple. All these temples display exquisite detailing, erotic carvings that is hard to find anywhere else in India. Overnight in Khajuraho.

DAY 09: KHAJURAHO - VARANASI (BY FLIGHT)

After breakfast, our company representative will drive you to the Airport to board your flight to Varanasi. Upon arrival, get transferred to the hotel. Check in at hotel and spend rest of the day at leisure. Varanasi is a city located on the banks of River Ganga that is the 2nd largest river of India. Formerly known as Kashi and Benares, this city is around 3000 years old. It is one of the holiest pilgrimage sites of Hindus as it is considered to be the abode of Lord Shiva (God of Destruction). Every year, Hindu devotees visit this city to take a holy dip in the River Ganga that is said to wash away all the sins. Overnight in Varanasi.

DAY 10: VARANASI SIGHTSEEING

Your Varanasi sightseeing tour begins with an early morning boat ride on the River Ganges. Enjoy soaking in the spectacular sunrise views and later, return to the hotel for breakfast. After breakfast, proceed to Sarnath - where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon. It is the place dotted with various Buddhist pilgrimage sites of great significance. If you’re a devout follower of Buddha, then visiting this place is a must. Later, visit the New Vishwanath Temple also known as the Birla Mandir. Settled within the Banaras Hindu University, it is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva (God of Destruction). It took around 35 years to build this temple. Head to the Tulsi Manas Temple built by the royal family of Banaras in 1964. It is believed to be the place where the legendary poet Tulsidas wrote the great Indian epic Ramcharitramanas. Close to this temple is the Durga Temple (Monkey temple) dedicated to Goddess Durga (divine feminine energy). In the evening, witness the spectacular Ganga Aarti at the Dashashwamedh Ghat. It is a daily evening ceremony that has been practiced since thousands of years on the banks of River Ganges.

DAY 11: VARANASI DEPARTURE

After breakfast, our company representative will drive you to Varanasi Airport to board your flight back home.