10-Day Best of North India Tour with Khajuraho and Varanasi from Delhi - 10 Days

Arrive Delhi Airport and you will be met at the airport by our representative/driver who give you a warm welcome by fresh flower garlands and transfer to your hotel by your deluxe air-conditioned vehicle.

Morning after leisurely breakfast we leave for a sightseeing tour of Old and New Delhi.

We visit Jama Masjid, this immense mosque is both the largest in India and the final architectural extravagance of Shah Jahan with a courtyard capable of holding 25,000 devotees, Raj Ghat, a memorial to Mahatma Gandhi is a simple black marble platform that marks the spot of his cremation on 31 January, 1948. Two museums dedicated to Gandhi are located near by. Later we drive past Red Fort citadel.

In New Delhi we visit the 11th century Qutab Minar Tower, built by Qutub-ud-din Aibek of the Slave Dynasty, who took possession of Delhi in 1206. It is a red sandstone tower, standing tall at a height of 72.5 metres and is covered with intricate carvings and verses from the holy Qur’an.

The India Gate, a memorial raised in honour of the Indian soldiers martyred during the Afghan war and drive past the grand government buildings the President’s House and Parliament House all dating back to the time of British Raj.

Evening visit to grand Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple, epitomises 10,000 years of Indian culture in all its breathtaking grandeur, beauty, wisdom and bliss. It brilliantly showcases the essence of India’s ancient architecture, traditions and timeless spiritual messages. The Akshardham experience is an enlightening journey through India’s glorious art, values and contributions for the progress, happiness and harmony of mankind.

Morning we travel to the old walled city of Jaipur – Founded by Maharaja Jai Singh II, this ‘pink city’ is meticulously constructed on the lines of the Shilpa – Shastra, an ancient Hindu treatise on architecture.

On arrival we check inn hotel and leisure to relax after journey.

This will be a cultural evening, we visit Chokhi Dhani – An ethnic village resort, the vitality of Rajasthani folk culture comes alive as children dance rhythmically to the loud tenor of folk songs sung by men and women, festooned in bright clothes. Gaily caparisoned camel, horses and bullock carts offer joy rides. Here we will have the opportunity to enjoy the traditional cuisine of Rajasthan.

Morning breakfast followed by a sight-seeing tour of the city visiting the dramatic hilltop fortress at Amber, ascend the imposing fort on a decorated painted elephant. We wander among glittering inlays and the Hall of Mirrors.

On the way back we stop at Jal Mahal, the rajput style “Water Palace” sits in the center of the Man Sarobar lake. The lake is often dry in the summer but winter monsoons frequently turn it into a beautiful lake filled with water hyacinths. Next to view the elegant Hawa Mahal or Palace of the Winds this elaborate building, now little more than a façade, is encrusted with delicate screens and carved balconies from which the royal ladies, confined to their quarters, could sneak views of the outside world.

Post lunch we tour the Maharajah’s City Palace, now partly a museum display a unique fusion of Mughal and Hindu architecture, and house a rare collection of paintings, Rajput armoury and costumes. Later we explore the city on our own and indulge in shopping for gemstones, silver jewellery, Paintings, blue pottery and hand printed textiles that Jaipur is renowned for.

After breakfast we drive leisurely to the home town of Taj Mahal – Agra, takes us through the images of rural India. Enroute we stop at Bharatpur – lying between the cities of Agra and Jaipur in the north-west is famous for Keoladeo Ghana bird sanctuary which is a home to an astonishing range of flora and fauna. An abundance of birdlife is found here, including the open-bill and painted stork, egret, darter, white ibis, spoonbill, grey heron, Sarus crane, cormorant, migratory geese, duck, rosy pelican and the rare Siberian crane. We have a completely rewarding experience of seeing an overwhelming range of birds during the rickshaw (tricycle) ride into the Keoladeo Ghana National Park.

Next we stop to visit Fatehpur Sikri – which has been described as “the world’s most perfectly preserved ghost town”. Built by Akbar in the late 16th century, it was abandoned after only 14 years, and the elegant buildings of this superb walled city remain intact to this day. On arrival we check inn to our hotel.

After enjoying a hearty breakfast at the hotel, we leave to explore the monumental heritage of the Great Mughals, including the magnificent Taj Mahal (Closed on Fridays), one of the Seven Wonders of the World and surely the most extravagant expression of love ever created. 20,000 men laboured for over 17 years to build this memorial to Shah Jahan’s beloved wife. It’s a wealth of white marble and semi-precious stone.

Post lunch tour of the imposing Agra Fort, this powerful fortress of red sandstone encompasses, within its 2.5-km-long enclosure walls, the imperial city of the Mughal rulers. It comprises many fairy-tale palaces, such as the Jahangir Palace and the Khas Mahal, built by Shah Jahan; audience halls, such as the Diwan-i-Khas; and two very beautiful mosques.

On the way back we have a amazing view of Tajmahal from Mehtab Bagh — the moonlit garden — believed to have been designed by Shah Jahan to view the Taj on moonlit nights, far away from the maddening crowd, The garden complex is situated on the left bank of Yamuna opposite to TajMahal. It is a huge square measuring approximately 300×300 m and in straight alignment with the Taj Mahal. The forestry plantations and agricultural fields provide a green forecourt to TajMahal and its reflection in Yamuna.

Later we have some free time to explore the local handicrafts and shopping centres’ of the city where one can look for marble inlay work, fine quality carpets, Zari and embroidery, leather goods etc.

After breakfast we drive leisurely to Orchha – once the capital of Bundelas, Orchha is a village, set amongst a complex of well-preserved palaces and temples. Though Orcha was founded in 1531, its golden age was during the first half of 17th century. When Jehangir visiting the city in 1606, a special palace, the Jehangir Mahal was built for him.

On arrival we check inn to our Hotel. Post lunch tour of this historical site with magnificent temples and monuments. Some of the Palaces were decorated with painted murals, which represent the finest flowering of the Bundela school of Painting.

Day 8: Orchha to Khajuraho around 3-hrs drive + City Tour

Today our drive takes us to Khajuraho, the legendary temples of Khajuraho built in the 9th and the 10th century are an incomparable experience. Acknowledged as one of the world’s artistic wonders. Khajuraho has achieved fame for the sensual appeal of its erotic sculptures.

On arrival we check inn to our hotel. Evening we witness the fascinating Son-et-Lumière spectacle evokes the life and times of the great Chandela Kings and traces the story of the unique temples from the 10th Century to the present day. Mounted in the complex of the Western Group of temples.

Morning we visit the exquisite 10th century temples of Khajuraho.

Afternoon fly to Varanasi – said to be the India’s most sacred city situated on the western bank of the holy river Ganga. It is also the oldest living city in the world. As a place for devotion and worship, with hundreds of temples dotting the city, sunrise on the riverfront as seen from a boat can be a spiritually uplifting sight. It has a fascination uniquely its own, a quality of sublime beauty, a timeless eternal appeal. Varanasi is the city, which cannot be described, only experienced.

Today our drive takes us to Khajuraho, the legendary temples of Khajuraho built in the 9th and the 10th century are an incomparable experience. Acknowledged as one of the world’s artistic wonders. Khajuraho has achieved fame for the sensual appeal of its erotic sculptures.

On arrival we check inn to our hotel. Evening we witness the fascinating Son-et-Lumière spectacle evokes the life and times of the great Chandela Kings and traces the story of the unique temples from the 10th Century to the present day. Mounted in the complex of the Western Group of temples.

Morning we visit the exquisite 10th century temples of Khajuraho.

Afternoon fly to Varanasi – said to be the India’s most sacred city situated on the western bank of the holy river Ganga. It is also the oldest living city in the world. As a place for devotion and worship, with hundreds of temples dotting the city, sunrise on the riverfront as seen from a boat can be a spiritually uplifting sight. It has a fascination uniquely its own, a quality of sublime beauty, a timeless eternal appeal. Varanasi is the city, which cannot be described, only experienced.

On arrival check in to our hotel. Evening we take the rickshaw ride to the holy river Ganges passing through the busy streets of Varanasi, and later we take the boat cruise to view the “Aarti” ceremony on the Ghats. (Praying the holy river).

Early morning, we take a Boat cruise at the river Ganges to observe the way of life of pilgrims by the Ghats. We rise before dawn and step gingerly onto a rickety old boat as the wizened boatman coasts off. You wait, still, for the daily miracle to unfold. Just then, as if having waited for the audience to settle reverently in their assigned places, the Sun God appears triumphantly over the horizon. The sound of conches and temple bells rent the delicate pink fabric of dawn. The formerly hushed murmuring of ancient Sanskrit Shlokas, now rises, in one voice, to a crescendo of unparalleled piety and joy.

After breakfast we visit Sarnath, an important pilgrimage centre for Buddhist. This is where the Buddha preached his first sermon after getting enlightenment. Sarnath’s temples and Archaeological Museum are full of Buddhist art treasures.

This afternoon we fly to Delhi and Board your homeward flight your onward destination.