1

Upon arrival in Delhi, you will be welcomed at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Later, start your exploration of India with a city tour of Old Delhi that includes visits to Jama Masjid, built in 1650 A.D. and the amazing Red Fort, which was the seat of Mughal Empire for more than 250 years. We proceed to enjoying a rickshaw ride along the alleys of the ancient bazaars of Chandni Chowk and then drive past the imposing India Gate, Parliament Buildings and President House. Return to hotel for overnight stay.

2

In the morning, we leave for Jaipur. After arrival, we check-in at the hotel. Founded by Maharaja Jai Singh in 1727, Jaipur is a magnificent planned city and is also known as the “Pink City”. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to explore the local bazaar. Return to hotel for overnight stay.

3

We start with a morning excursion to the Amer Fort. You will ascend the fort atop painted elephants and pass by its huge gateways and pillared pavilions. The fort houses a marble palace, Temple of Victory and Sheesh Mahal (Hall of Mirrors). In the afternoon, we take a city tour and visit City Palace and Museum. Next, we visit the ornate Hawa Mahal (Palace of winds) which is five stories high and is decorated with delicate screens carved from stone, followed by a visit to Jantar Mantar, an observatory which is still equipped with immense brick and mortar instruments. Return to hotel for overnight stay.

4

We leave for Ranthambore in the morning. On arrival, we check-in at the hotel. We head over to the Fort of Ranthambore, which has been abandoned to nature in the national park, where the Royal Bengal Tiger rules the jungle. One of the finest tiger reserves in the country, its topography of low hills and large lakes makes for a scenic landscape. Overnight stay in Ranthambore.

5

Covering an area of 410 sq. km., Ranthambore was the private hunting ground of the Royal family of Jaipur. In 1972, it was declared a Sanctuary and brought under the Project Tiger Conservation platform. Dry deciduous forest covers open valleys around the lakes in this park. The varied flora supports a large number of animals including a variety of deer, the sloth beer, the shy caracal, leopards and, of course, the tiger. Enjoy wildlife safaris in the morning and evening. Overnight stay in Ranthambore.

6

We have the whole day for morning and afternoon safaris in the national park. Overnight stay in Ranthambore.

7

We leave early morning for Agra. En-route, we visit Fatehpur Sikri, undoubtedly the best-preserved Mughal Palace city of all. Built by Akbar the Great around 1570, Fatehpur Sikri has the highest quality of craftsmanship. The emperor constructed the city only to abandon it some fourteen years later when it is said that the water system failed. We then proceed to Agra and check-in at the hotel for overnight stay.

8

In the morning, we start the city tour of Agra, once the capital of Mughal India and centre of great power and glory. Visit one of the eight wonders of the world – the “Taj Mahal”, the monument of love immortalized in marble, built by Emperor Shah Jahan in the memory of his Queen Mumtaj. We then visit the Agra Fort and Sikandara. Return to the hotel for overnight stay.

9

In the morning, we transfer to the railway station to catch the train for Jhansi. Upon arrival, we undertake a short drive to Orccha, a rich legacy of Bundela rulers, who built the beautiful temple and palaces here in the 16th century. We proceed to visit Rai Praveen Mahal and Raja Temple, and then move to Khajuraho. After arrival, we check-in at the hotel for an overnight stay.

10

In the morning, we take a tour of Khajuraho, first visiting The Western group of temples, which is certainly the best known, due to it having the largest and most typical Khajuraho temple: The Kandariya Mahadev. Perfectly symmetrical, it soars 31 km high. Though the four temples that stand at the corners of the main shrine are now in ruins, the main shrine has an exquisitely carved entrance arch with a multitude of themes. Later, we visit the Eastern group of Temples. The afternoon is free for independent activities. Return to the hotel for overnight stay.

11

After breakfast, we transfer to the airport to catch our flight to Varanasi. Upon arrival, we transfer to the hotel. Varanasi is the oldest city of the world and is famous as the city of temples. It is the most important place of pilgrimage for Hindus and the sight of devotees praying standing in the deep waters of the Ganges. In the afternoon, we embark on a city tour of Varanasi, visiting various temples, followed by the Dasashwamedh Ghat where you will witness the Ganga Aarti ceremony. The presiding priests stand on a wooden chauki in the water. The river is worshipped with flowers, incense, sandalwood, milk and vermilion in the background of chants of Sanskrit mantras, and the clash of cymbals and drums. We return to the hotel for an overnight stay.

12

We take an early morning boat cruise on river Ganges to visit the Bathing Ghats. You will see Varanasi come alive along the banks of the river and people bathing in the holy water and worshiping the rising sun. You will also witness the conclusion of life at the riverbank holy cremation grounds. We continue on an afternoon excursion to Sarnath – it was here that Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon and set in motion the wheel of law of Buddhist faith. We return to the hotel for an overnight stay.

13

We take a morning transfer to the airport to the catch flight to Delhi. Upon arrival at the Delhi airport, we transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day is free for independent activities. In the evening, we transfer to the Delhi airport to catch the flight for onward destination.