Cultural Delights of North India

Day 1

Arrive Delhi

Upon your arrival in the Indian capital city of New Delhi, you will be greeted by our representative at the Indira Gandhi International Airport. After a warm welcome, you will be escorted to your hotel.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 2

Delhi to Varanasi

Early this morning, you will be transferred to the airport to catch your flight to Varanasi, the spiritual capital of India (also known as Kashi and Benaras).

Upon arrival in Varanasi this afternoon, visit Sarnath, the place where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon. Sarnath was a renowned school of learning from 6th century BC to 12th century AD. The Ashoka pillar of Sarnath is the national emblem of India. Visit the ruins, stupa, Buddhist temple and the Sarnath Museum

Day 3

Day in Varanasi

Enjoy an early morning boat ride on the Holy River Ganges. See the ‘bathing ghats’ where thousands of pilgrims pay homage to the Sun God by immersing themselves in the holy water of River Ganges, and the ‘burning ghats’ where cremations are conducted.

Return to hotel for breakfast and enjoy the afternoon at leisure.

Experience an evening rikshaw ride to the ghats to enjoy the grand ‘Aarti’ ceremony conducted everyday at sunset by white-robed priests. The young priests sway in seemingly choreographed movements, worshiping the river goddess with incense, flowers and earthen lamps.

Day 4

FLY Varanasi - Khajuraho

After a leisurely breakfast, drive to the airport to catch your flight to Khajuraho – a UNESCO world heritage site in central India, famous for its erotic sculptured temples.

Upon arrival in Khajuraho, check in at your hotel and freshen up. Today visit the enchanting temples of Khajuraho with sculptures that draw their inspiration from the ancient art of Kama sutra. Khajuraho Temples were built by the Chandela kings between 950 AD and 1050 AD.

Enjoy an evening at leisure in Khajuraho.

Day 5

Drive Khajuraho to Jhansi via Orchha [195 Kms/4.5 Hrs]
TRAIN Jhansi to Agra

After breakfast, embark on a short drive to Orchha, a medieval riverside town known for its palaces and temples. Apart from the famous landmarks like Jahangir Mahal and Laxmi Narayan Temple, the town is peppered with fascinating little shrines and memorials. Enjoy an afternoon tour of Orchha.

Later, drive to Jhansi Railway Station to board your train to Agra, city of the world famous Taj Mahal. Upon arrival in Agra, you will be transferred to your hotel for 2 nights stay.

Day 6

Day in Agra

This morning witness the surreal views of the Taj Mahal by sunrise. Step inside this eternal symbol of love and appreciate the intricate designs and symmetries that rhyme as a poem written in marble. Taj Mahal is an extravagant display of love, built by Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal.

Later visit the splendid Agra fort, built in red sandstone, encapsulating magnificent palaces, halls of public and private audience and beautiful gardens

Day 7

Agra – Jaipur [240 Kms/5 Hrs]

After breakfast, embark on a leisurely drive to Jaipur - land of the Rajputs. Jaipur is an exuberance of colour, dance and traditional arts and crafts. Known, as the 'Pink City', Jaipur is home to ancient forts and palaces and is one of India's most well planned cities.

En route to Jaipur, visit Fatehpur Sikri, the capital city of the Mughal Empire in the 16th century. Upon arrival check in at your hotel for 02 nights stay. Enjoy an evening at leisure in Jaipur.

Day 8

Day in Jaipur

This morning, visit the Amber fort, which was built in the 16th century. An elephant ride will help you ascend to this hilltop fort (elephants are subject to availability). Alternatively, you could choose to walk or drive up to the fort.

This afternoon, visit the City Palace complex with its museums and Jantar Mantar, the ancient astronomical observatory, and the Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds), built in the 18th century. This palace with its innumerable windows and screened balconies was especially built for the royal women to view the city and processions from behind their purdahs.

Later explore the many facets of Jaipuri crafts such as semi precious jewels, pottery, colourful embroidered fabrics with mirror work, woven carpets etc – watch artisans at work and enjoy souvenir shopping in this colourful city of Jaipur.

Day 9

Jaipur to Delhi [260 Kms/6 Hrs]

After breakfast, drive to Delhi, the capital city of India. Upon arrival in Delhi, transfer to your hotel and freshen up.

This afternoon, visit Qutab Minar, a fine example of Indo-Islamic architecture. Enjoy the evening at leisure in Delhi

Day 10

Day in Dehli (Departure)

After breakfast, explore the city of Old Delhi, visiting Jama Masjid (the largest mosque in India), Raj Ghat (cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi). Also, drive past Red Fort and Chandni Chowk (Silver Street), the epicenter of Old Delhi.

Later, you will be transferred to the International Airport to catch your flight back home. Travelite (India) services terminate at Delhi.