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 Kartavya path 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. Overnight will be at Orchha.

After an early breakfast proceed to Khajuraho. Later 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 Chaunsath Yogini Jain Temple, dedicated to the 64 attendants of the goddess Kali. Also see the Chitragupta or Bharat ji 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.

Overnight stay will be at Khajuraho.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport and board a flight for Delhi. Our tour representative will meet you upon arrival in IGI airport and transferred to the hotel. Overnight will be in Delhi.

In time, meet at hotel and you’ll be transferred to the airport to catch a flight to Home.