After breakfast at the hotel, set out to explore this colourful city. Begin in the old city,
driving past the Kotla Firoze Shah, the ruins of an old 14th-century fort, and the
Ashokan Pillar from the 3rd century BC. Also visit the Raj Ghat, the Mahatma Gandhi
memorial, a simple black marble platform that marks the spot of his cremation. In the
afternoon, join a sightseeing tour of New Delhi, which takes you to the new capital
designed by Sir Edward Lutyens. Drive past the Presidential Palace and the
Secretariat buildings, the centre of all government activity, and then, down the main
avenue, see the impressive Rajpath and the World War I Memorial Arch, the India
Gate. Visit also Humayun’s Tomb, built in 1565 AD by his grieving widow Haji
Begum; the 72-metre-high Qutub Minar minaret; and the ruins of Quwat-ul-Eslam
(‘Light of Islam’) Mosque. You will even set eyes upon Delhi’s most curious antique,
the Iron Pillar, which hasn’t corroded since its erection in the 4th century AD.
Overnight in Delhi in selected hotel

After breakfast at the hotel, depart Delhi and head to Jaipur, popularly known as the
‘Pink City’. It’s the second largest city in Rajasthan and the gateway to the Thar
Desert in the Marwar region. En route, make a stop along the way to visit the
Samode Palace, a splendid example of regal Indo-Saracenic architecture. Enjoy
lunch at the Palace, now a hotel where one gets a taste of what it must have been
like to live as royalty back in the day, before proceeding for Jaipur, where you’ll
arrive late in the afternoon to check in to the hotel.
Overnight in Jaipur in selected hotel

After breakfast, enjoy a morning visit of Amber Fort. This is one of India’s most
fascinating forts, comprising a palace of mirrors, a hall of public audience and
beautiful gardens, all of which give a glimpse of the majestic life of a bygone era.
After lunch, join an afternoon city tour. Jaipur is the city with the “tone of an autumn
sunset.” Visit the Hawa Mahal (‘Palace of Winds’), an elaborate building encrusted
with delicate honeycombed screens and carved balconies from which the royal
ladies, confined to their quarters, could view the world outside. Later visit the Jantar
Mantar, the largest observatory made of stone and marble in the world, built in the
17th century by the founder of Jaipur who, besides being a prince, was also soldier,
astronomer and builder. Also visit the Maharaja’s City Palace, part of which is now a
museum. A small portion is still used by the Royal Family of Jaipur. It contains a
collection of fine Rajput and Moghul paintings, rare manuscripts and an armoury.
Overnight in Jaipur in selected hotel

Begin the day with breakfast at the hotel, then drive to Agra first making a stop at the
‘ghost city’ of Fatehpur Sikri. This monumental walled city was built by Akbar the
Great, the third emperor, to be his capital but was abandoned a few years after its
completion due to a lack of water. Today, it is a remarkably well-preserved collection
of red sandstone palaces, pavilions and mosques. The buildings here present a
unique blend of Hindu and Islamic architectural styles, and include the Panch Mahal,
the Buland Darwaza and the Dargah of Sheikh Salim Chisti, which speak of the
grandeur and splendour of the Mughals. Once the visit ends, proceed to Agra, where
you’ll arrive late in the afternoon and check in to your hotel.
Overnight in Agra in selected hotel

After breakfast, visit the Taj Mahal, one of the wonders of world. It was built by
Shahjahan as a memorial to his wife Mumtaz Mahal by the banks of the Yamuna
River after her untimely death. After his own demise he was placed to rest next to his
beloved queen in the same mausoleum. The Taj has been called the most
extravagant monument ever built for the sake of love. It took almost 22 years to build
and was completed in 1653 thanks to 20,000 workers who came from all over the
country and central Asia. Later visit the Agra Fort, the foundations of which were laid
by Emperor Akbar in 1565 – constructions then continued until the time of
Shahjahan. The palace is notable for its smooth blending of Hindu and central-Asian
architectural styles. The Diwan-i-Am (‘Hall of Public Audiences’), the Diwan-i-Khas
(‘Hall of Private Audiences’), the Khas Palace, the Sheesh Mahal (‘Palace of
Mirrors’), the Shahjahan’s Palace, the Jahangir’s Palace and Akbar’s palace are all
contained inside the fort. From the rear of the Diwan-i-Khas a door leads to

Mussaman Burj, a two-storey pavilion where Shahjahan was imprisoned by his son
Aurangzeb in his old age.
Overnight in Agra in selected hotel

After an early breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the Railway Station to catch a train to
Jhansi, where you’ll be met by a tour representative. Then continue by road to
Ochha and enjoy a sightseeing tour of the city, visiting 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 counterbalanced by its delicate chhatris and
trellis work. The Raj Mahal, on the other hand, has a plain exterior crowned by
chhatries and an exquisite interior filled with colourful murals on religious themes.
The Ram Raja Temple is most unusual, as it is a palace turned temple and where
Rama is worshipped as a Raja (‘king’). The interiors contain the most exquisite of
Orchha’s wall paintings. After the visit, proceed to Khajuraho by road. Upon arrival,
check in at the hotel late in the evening.
Overnight in Khajuraho in selected hotel

In the morning, after breakfast at the hotel, visit this city’s Eastern and Western
Group of Temples. Beginning in the Western Group, the most important one is the
Kandariya Mahadeo Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. Then visit the Chaunsat
Yogini Jain Temple, dedicated to the 64 attendants of the goddess Kali. Also see the
Chitragupta or Bharatji Temple, which contains a lovely sculpture of Lord Vishnu in
his 11-headed form. The sculptures that adorn the temples, carved in stone, depict
gods, goddesses and amorous couples. Later visit the Eastern Group of Temples,
which includes the Ghantai Temple; the Vamana Temple, dedicated to the dwarf
incarnation of Lord Vishnu; and the Javari Temple. There are also three Jain
Temples with beautiful carvings and non-erotic sculptures.
After the visit, transfer to the airport and board a flight for Varanasi (not included in
the tour price). You’ll be met by a tour representative upon arrival and transferred to
the hotel. Overnight will be in Hotel.

Wake up early in the morning for a boat ride on the holy river Ganges. Most of the
ghats that line the river’s shore are built with pavilions, palaces and terraces and are
mainly used as homes for the pilgrims during their visit to the holy city; each of these
84 ghats has a story to tell. See the sunrise over the Ganges, an event known as
‘Subeh Banaras’, a truly soul-lifting experience. At dawn, the ghats are abuzz with
activity as the devotees perform their ablutions, offer prayers to the rising sun or
practice other religious rituals such as cremations (photographing is prohibited). As
you glide along the river, you’ll see the Bathing Ghats, the Cremation Ghats and the
Gyanvapi Mosque, built in the 17th century by the fanatical Emperor Aurangazeb on
the ruins of the original Vishwanath Golden Temple. After the ride, visit the Golden
Temple and walk through the narrow lanes of Varanasi. Return to the hotel for
breakfast.
Later on, visit the Bharat Mata temple on the Ganges, which was carved out of a
single piece of marble as a symbol of an undivided India. From here, whizz through
the crowded bazaars of the old city on a rickshaw, contemplating the many small
shops illuminated with beautiful lights, to then climb onto a boat and enjoy a short
ride on the Ganges. From upon the water you’ll witness the Aarti ceremony, a sunset
ritual, amidst jingling bells, floating lamps and chanted mantras – an experience you
will never forget.
Overnight in Varanasi in hotel.

In time , meet at hotel and you’ll be transferred to the airport to catch a flight to
Delhi / Mumbai. (not included in the tour price).