Classical India

Day 1: Arrive in Delhi

On arrival at Delhi International airport meet with our office executive assistance and transfer to hotel check-in. (Hotel check-in/ out time 1200hrs afternoon early check-in subject to room availability).
Later city tour of Delhi. Visit the landmark of Old Delhi which includes Red Fort the residence of the Mughal emperor for nearly 200 years until 1857. Jama Masjid one of the largest mosques in the world, built by Shah Jahan. Cycle Rickshaw ride in Chandni chowk & Khari Baoli Spice Market a busy shopping area with markets full of spices, dried fruit, silver jewelry, and vivid saris, while the narrow side streets are crowded with tiny shops selling essential oils, stationery, and traditional Indian sweets. Raj Gath the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi where he was cremated after his assassination.
In New Delhi visit Humayun Tomb the first garden tomb in the Indian subcontinent and an early example of Mughal architecture commissioned by Humayun’s first wife Empress Bega Begum in 1569-70. Qutab Minar a 73-meters tall minaret that forms part of the Qutb complex fine examples of Afghan architecture. Lotus Temple a Baháʼí House of Worship notable for its flowerlike shape open to all, regardless of religion. Drive through VVIP areas passing President House, Parliament & India Gate, etc.
Rest time free and easy to relax and personal activities. Overnight at the hotel.
🏚️ Hotel Option: The Royal Plaza or similar.

Day 2: Delhi – Jaipur (B)

Breakfast at the hotel. Sightseeing of Delhi if not done on 1st day. Later drive to Jaipur check-in at the hotel.
The evening explores the pink city and visits the colorful bazaars. As per your interest wrap up your day by watching a Bollywood movie at the opulent Rajmandir Cinema. Overnight at the hotel.
🏚️ Hotel Option: The Royal Plaza or similar.

Day 3: Jaipur (B)

Breakfast at hotel, city tour of Jaipur. Jaipur holds the distinction of being the first planned city of India. Established in 1727 by Jai Singh II, the king of Amber when he shifted his capital from Amber to the new city because of the rapidly growing population and increasing water scarcity. Noted architect Vidyadhar Bhattacharya used the established principles of Vastu Shastra to build the city. In 1876, the Prince of Wales visited Jaipur and the entire Jaipur city was painted in pink the symbolic colors of hospitality to welcome him. The pink that colors the city makes for a marvelous spectacle to behold. Jaipur rises up majestically against the backdrop of the forts Nahargarh, Jaigarh, and Garh Ganesh Temple.
In the morning visit, Amber Fort followed by Jaigarh Fort & Sisodia Rani Garden. Afternoon city tour visits City Palace, Observatory & Hawa Mahal. Further, explore the local market the famous bazaars of Pink City. In the evening attend Aarti Ceremony at Birla temple. Overnight at the hotel.
🏚️ Hotel Option: Fortune Select Metropolitan or similar.

Day 4: Jaipur – Agra (B)

Breakfast at hotel drives to Agra en-route visit Abhaneri a small village popular for the amazing Chand Baoris (step wells) and Harshat Mata Temple. Chand Baori is one of India’s deepest and largest step wells. The huge tank with delicate carvings is certainly delightful to the eyes.
Continue to drive and visit Fatehpur Sikri founded in 1569 by Mughal emperor Akbar and abandoned after 15 yrs due to scarcity of water. Predominately, a red sandstone construction sprawling over a huge area, the architectural style is very much in tune with the emperor’s dream & partakes of both Hindu & Muslim styles. See the graceful buildings including Diwan-E-Khas hall, Jodha Bais Palace, Jama Masjid, Tomb of Salim Chisti, Panch Mahal & Buland Darwaza.
Further, drive to Agra check-in at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
🏚️ Hotel Option: Fortune Select Metropolitan or similar.

Day 5: Agra – Orchha (B)

Sunrise visit Taj Mahal an ivory-white marble mausoleum on the bank of the Yamuna river commissioned in 1632 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan to house the tomb of his favorite wife Mumtaz Mahal, it also houses the tomb of Shah Jahan himself.
Breakfast at hotel visits Agra Fort the main residence of the emperors of the Mughal Dynasty until 1638 when the capital was shifted from Agra to Delhi. Itmad-ud-Daula Tomb a Mughal mausoleum commissioned by Nur Jahan, the wife of Jahangir, for her father Mirza Ghiyas Beg.
Later drive to Orchha Enroute visit Gwalior Fort, Situated on top of a hill one of the best fortresses of India, known for its great architecture and rich past. With well-maintained premises, the fort complex includes several temples, palaces, and water tanks. Jain temples form unique monuments inside the fort, with the Siddhachal Caves and Gopachal rock-cut Jain monuments being the two areas, complete with thousands of Jain Tirthankar idols defaced during the Mughal invasion. Teli Ka Mandir and Sahastrabahu (Sas-Bahu) Ka Mandir are the two architecturally rich Hindu temples here. Gurudwara Data Bandi Chhor is another holy place built inside the fort’s complex, and it was where Sikh Guru Hargobind Sahib was kept as a captive by Mughal Emperor Jahangir. Man Mandir Palace, Gujari Mahal, Assi Khamba Ki Baoli, and Suraj Kund are other important monuments found in the complex.
Continue to drive to Orchha check-in at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
🏚️ Hotel Option: Prime Plaza or similar.

Day 6: Orchha – Khajuraho (B)

Breakfast at the hotel city tour of Orchha. Visit the Orchha Fort complex, which houses a large number of ancient monuments consisting of the fort, palaces, temple, and other edifices. The early 16th-century fort complex which is accessed from an arched causeway leads to a large gateway. This is followed by a large quadrangular open yard surrounded by palaces. These are Raja Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, Jahangir Mahal, a temple, gardens, and pavilions. The battlements of the fort have ornamentation. Notable architectural features in the fort complex are projected balconies, open flat areas, and decorated latticed windows. Chaturbhuj Temple a multi-storied structure that is a blend of the temple, fort, and palace architectural features. The temple was originally built to deify an image of Rama, as the chief deity, which was installed in the Rama Raja Temple inside the Orchha Fort complex. The temple is noted for having one of the tallest Vimana among Hindu temples.
After sightseeing drive to Khajuraho check-in at the hotel. Evening light & sound show. Overnight at the hotel.
🏚️ Hotel Option: Orchha Resort or similar.

Day 7: Khajuraho – Varanasi – (B)

Breakfast at the hotel. Visit exceptionally well-maintained UNESCO World Heritage Site, exploring the different temples and marveling at their astonishing beauty. Over the course of the 11th and 12th centuries, the Chandela dynasty created the most sublime examples of erotic sculpture in India. The temple of Khajuraho is India’s unique gift to the world, representing, as they do, a paean to life, to love, to joy, perfect in execution, and sublime in the expression on account of their remarkable erotic sculptures.
Afternoon transfer to airport to board flight for Varanasi. On arrival in Varanasi assistance and transfer to hotel.
Evening walking tour of Ghats’s temples & mosque on ghats. Also attend Holy Ganga Aarti, a magical aarti performed at Dasashwamedh Ghat at sunset. Halt your boat right at the steps for the best view. Overnight at the hotel.
🏚️ Hotel Option: Ramada Hotel or similar.

✈️ Domestic flight from Khajuraho to Varanasi is not included.

Day 8: Varanasi (B)

Early morning boat ride & Ghat visit along the Ganges and catch the scene of devotees bathing and praying in the sacred water. Ghats in Varanasi are riverfront steps leading to the banks of the River Ganges. The city has 88 ghats. Most of the ghats are bathing and puja ceremony ghats, while two ghats are used exclusively as cremation sites. The ghats are frequented by the people which include early morning bathers, priests, people practicing meditation and yoga, students, and tourists as well.
Return to your hotel for breakfast then begin the city tour of Varanasi.
Visit Banaras Hindu University founded in the year 1916, has developed into one of the greatest centers of learning in India. Its campus is spread over 1300 acres. It has well-maintained roads (crossing each other at a right angle), extensive greenery, a temple, an airstrip, and buildings, which are an architectural delight. Bharat Mata Temple built by Babu Shiv Prasad Gupt and inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi in 1936 the Bharat Mata Temple is a model of undivided India. The most striking aspect of Bharat Mata Temple is that instead of gods and goddesses, the temple houses a relief map of undivided India carved out of marble. The temple is a rare instance of something attributed to nationalism and a tribute to everyone who participated in the making of India. Tulsi Manas Mandir one of the most famous temples in Varanasi is made up of white marble and the beautiful garden adds to its attractiveness. The temple has beautiful images of Lord Rama, Mother Sita, Lakshman, and Lord Hanuman. The walls of this temple are adorned with verses from  Ramcharitmanas, the  Hindi version of the epic Ramayana.
Sarnath, it was here that Lord Buddha preached his first sermon after attaining the Enlightenment at Bodh Gaya. The great Dhamekh Stupa and several other structures stand testimony to the importance the place enjoyed at that time. The area is a treasure trove of archaeological findings such as Dharmrajika Stupa and Mulgandhkuti Vihar. The smooth glistening pillar established by Emperor Ashoka in 273-232 B.C. marks the foundation of the Buddhist Sangha, and the Lion Capital atop this pillar is now India’s National Emblem.
Ram Nagar Fort located on the eastern bank of River Ganga, a beautiful place to witness the sunset over the river. It is an 18th-century structure built by Maharaja Balwant Singh and is the ancestral home of Maharaja of Banaras. The fort is built in red sandstone. It houses a temple dedicated to Ved Vyasa, the writer of Mahabharata, the great Indian epic. The Fort includes an eccentric museum boasting a royal collection of vintage cars, swords, palanquins, ivory works, an old weaponry section, and an extremely unusual astrological clock. The museum houses various religious writings including treasures manuscripts.
Rest time free and easy to relax. Overnight at the hotel.
🏚️ Hotel Option: Rivatas by Ideal or similar.

Day 9: Varanasi – Delhi (Flight) – (B)

Breakfast at hotel morning free and easy to relax and explore the city with your driver.
Later as per flight schedule transfer to the airport to board the flight for Delhi.
Arrive Delhi’s assistance and transfer to the hotel. Rest time free and easy to relax or explore the city with your driver. Overnight at the hotel.
🏚️ Hotel Option: Rivatas by Ideal or similar.

✈️ Domestic flight from Varanasi to Delhi is not included.

Day 10: Delhi – Departure (B)

Breakfast at the hotel. As per your flight schedule transfer to the airport to board the flight for your onward destination.