India 12 days

Upon your arrival in Delhi, our representative will greet you at the airport and assist with your transfer to the hotel. After breakfast, we’ll have some time to familiarize ourselves with the neighborhood and the city. Following lunch at a traditional restaurant, we’ll visit the Akshardham Temple, also known as Swaminarayan Akshardham. This impressive Hindu temple complex, located near the Yamuna River, is one of the largest in the world and attracts millions of visitors annually. The temple opened to the public on November 6, 2005. After our visit, we’ll return to the hotel for dinner and overnight accommodation. Enjoy your evening in Delhi.

Overnight in Delhi

in front of the Red Fort for some photo opportunities. We’ll then take a leisurely walk along Chandani Chowk, the main street of Delhi. Afterward, we’ll head to Raj Ghat, a serene park featuring a black marble platform marking the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi, along with memorials for Pandit Nehru and Indira Gandhi.

Next, we’ll explore New Delhi, starting with a visit to the Sikh temple Bangla Sahib, followed by a tour of the government buildings and the iconic India Gate, a memorial for those who lost their lives during World War I.

We’ll enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, we’ll take a stroll through the parliament area and the President’s Residence. Our day will conclude with a visit to Qutub Minar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Delhi’s oldest monuments.

Overnight in Delhi

In the morning, we’ll depart by road to Jaipur, stopping en route to visit the Samode Palace. We’ll have lunch at a traditional restaurant and then explore both the palace and the village of Samode. This impressive palace, featuring Rajput-Mughal architecture, is located about 42 kilometers northwest of Jaipur and has been well-preserved since its transformation into a hotel in 1985. The “Hall of Mirrors” (Durbar Hall) is spectacular and gives us an idea of the wealth enjoyed by the maharajas of that era. The village was founded by Gopal Ji, the fourth son of the King of Amber, in 1564.

We’ll continue to Jaipur, known as the Pink City due to the color of the sandstone used to build the old city’s buildings. The pleasant design of this city is attributed to Maharaja Jai Singh II, who began its construction in 1728 and successfully had his architect, Vidyadhar Chakravarty, blend diverse styles such as Hindu, Mughal, and Persian.

Overnight in Jaipur

After breakfast, our excursion begins with a visit to Amber Fort, constructed by the Mughal kings to defend the citadel, featuring a palace and another fortress at a higher elevation. Lunch will be at a local restaurant. Next, we will visit the Maharaja’s Palace, the residence of Jaipur’s royal family. This complex is filled with palaces, gardens, and other buildings, with the seven-story Chandra Mahal standing out. The Chandra Mahal houses the Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum, where you can see carpets, enamels, weapons, miniature paintings, cannons, and the maharajas’ garments. We will also visit the Jantar Mantar, the astronomical observatory, and the Hawa Mahal.

Overnight stay in Jaipur.

We will start our day with a hearty breakfast at the hotel. Afterward, we continue our journey towards Agra. En route, we will make a significant stop at Fatehpur Sikri, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This historic city was once the capital of Emperor Akbar, who also commissioned the construction of the magnificent Red Fort in Agra and the architectural marvels in Sikri.

We will explore the grand palaces, mosques, and courtyards of Fatehpur Sikri, and immerse ourselves in the rich history and culture of the Mughal era. After the visit, we will continue our journey towards Agra.

On the way, we will stop for lunch in Bharatpur, a city known for its bird sanctuary and vibrant local cuisine. After a satisfying meal, we will resume our trip to Agra. Upon arrival, we will be transferred to our hotel for check-in.

Overnight stay in Agra.

Today, we’ll explore one of the Seven Wonders of the World: The Taj Mahal. This iconic monument, which has brought global fame to Agra and become a symbol of India, is closed every Friday. The Taj Mahal is a mausoleum commissioned by Emperor Shah Jahan in 1631 to honor his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who passed away in 1629 while giving birth to their fourteenth child. The construction, involving 20,000 workers, was completed in 1653 and stands as the most exemplary piece of Mughal architecture.

After enjoying lunch at a local restaurant, we’ll visit the Red Fort of Agra, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1983. Built in 1565, this fortress was designed as a walled palace surrounded by a deep moat. The fort, accessible through the grand Amar Singh Gate, houses numerous palaces and noble buildings constructed by the Mughal Emperor Akbar and used by successive Mughal rulers as their base of operations.

We’ll conclude the day with dinner and accommodation, ensuring a comfortable overnight stay in Agra.

Today, we’ll head to the railway station to catch the Shatabdi Express train to Jhansi. Upon arrival in Jhansi, we’ll travel by road to Orchha. Here, we’ll explore the village, including its fort. Orchha was established in 1501 as a small kingdom by a Bundela chief, a clan that ruled several states in central India. Most of the temples were built during Orchha’s golden age.

After lunch in Orchha, we’ll drive to Khajuraho. Khajuraho is home to the largest group of Hindu temples in the country, renowned for their erotic sculptures and excellent preservation. These temples have been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1986.

Upon arrival, we’ll transfer to the hotel for accommodation, ensuring a restful overnight stay in Khajuraho.

We start by visiting the finest Hindu temples, renowned for their erotic sculptures. Each temple is dedicated to a different Hindu deity.

After the visit, we depart for Varanasi by road, a journey of about 7 hours. We will have lunch along the way. Upon arrival in Varanasi, we will transfer to the hotel.

Overnight in Varanasi.

At dawn, we will begin our day with a serene boat ride along the Ganges River, conditions permitting. After disembarking, we will walk to the cremation sites to soak in the atmosphere and explore the heart of the city.  For those who might find this part a bit intense, you have the option to stay at the hotel and enjoy some extra rest. You can join us later for breakfast and the rest of the day’s activities.

Next, we will continue for a panoramic tour of Varanasi, including a visit to the Bharat Mata Temple. We will also visit Sarnath, where Buddha delivered his first sermon. Lunch will be at a local restaurant, followed by some free time.

In the evening, we will head to the Ganges River to witness the Aarti ceremony. Afterward, we will return to the hotel.

Overnight in Varanasi.

After breakfast, we will have lunch at a local restaurant near the airport in Varanasi. We will then transfer to the airport for our flight to Delhi. Upon arrival, we will head to Hauz Khas to experience the local atmosphere and enjoy some free time.

Hauz Khas Village is essentially an upscale bazaar or market that attracts shoppers with its unique fashion options and vibrant, festive scene.

After exploring Hauz Khas, we will transfer to the hotel.

Overnight in Delhi.

After breakfast, we will transfer to the airport at the designated time. We will then board the flight back to our city of origin.