Number of Days : 17 Nights / 18 Days
Places to Visit : Delhi - Varanasi - Khajuraho - Orchha - Gwalior - Agra - Jaipur - Jodhpur - Ranakpur - Kumbhalgarh - Udaipur - Mumbai - Aurangabad - Mumbai
DAY 01 : ARRIVE DELHI
Upon arrival at International Airport, you are met and transferred to your prebooked hotel. After freshen up, the Rest of the day free. Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 02 : DELHI
This morning, we visit Old Delhi, built in the 17th century by Shah Jehan the Magnificent (who also built the Taj Mahal). First, we will be visiting the famous Jama Masjid mosque with its 9,000 sq. ft. courtyard, three domes, and two minarets, and then proceed to the massive complex known as the Red Fort.
Today afternoon, we will visit Lakshmi Narayan Temple, which is a spectacular structure that's just 60 years old. Later proceed via India Gate and the Governmental buildings to Qutab Minar, the 240-foot tower built-in 1190 to commemorate the arrival of Islam in India, the Bahai Temple with its nine pools on an elevated platform, and the Crafts Museum, which replicates and Indian street with over 50 artists and craftspeople at work. Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 03 : DELHI - VARANASI (BY FLIGHT)
Transfer to the airport for a morning flight to Varanasi. Upon arrival, you are met and transferred to your prebooked Hotel. In the afternoon, proceed to the village of Sarnath on the outskirts of town. It was in this Deer Park that the Lord Buddha gave his first sermon. Visit the Park and Museum. Emperor Ashoka made Sarnath a center of Buddhist worship in the 3rd century BC. We will visit the Main Shrine and Ashoka's Pillar. In the Archaeological Museum, we will see the beautifully carved capital from the pillar with many other priceless Buddhist artifacts. The highlight of this tour would be a participation in the evening Aarti ( prayer service) at the main Buddhist temple here. Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 04 : VARANASI
Varanasi is formerly known as Benares, is the city where the Hindu faithful come to bathe in the sacred waters of the Ganges. Early this morning, get ready for a dawn boat ride on the river Ganges. The Ganges is the most sacred and venerated river in India. Besides the ritualistic aspect of Hinduism ( thread ceremony, head shaving food to the departed souls, also see the bathing. Laundry and the cremations of the dead that take place here on the banks of the river. After the boat ride, walk through the narrow twisting lanes of the city to watch the performance of various Hindu rituals by the pilgrims. After the boat trip on the Ganges, we return to the hotel. After breakfast, we will proceed on a city tour. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 05 : VARANSI - KHAJURAHO ( BY FLIGHT )
Today we take a short flight to the Khajuraho. Upon arrival, we are met and transferred to our prebooked hotel. Afternoon tour the spectacular ninth to thirteenth century temples of Khajuraho, built by Chandela kings, An exquisitely carved temple with graceful statues and frieze gods and goddesses.
DAY 06 : KHAJURAHO - ORCHHA ( BY ROAD 180 KMS 4 HOURS DRIVE
Morning after breakfast we are continue our drive towards Orchha . Orchha a place that makes one feel the pulse of the warm soul of India with temples, magnificent palaces, splendid cenotaphs, and river Betwa gurgling through zero pollution surrounding where TIME slumbers for good. Overnight at hotel .
DAY 07 : ORCHHA - GWALIOR - AGRA ( BY ROAD 250 KMS 5 HOURS DRIVE
Morning after breakfast continue drive towards Agra via Gwalior . Upon arrival in Agra check-in at your Hotel. Rest of the DAY free. overnight at hotel.
DAY 08 : AGRA
Agra was the capital of India under the Moghuls in the 16th and 17th centuries. This morning we see the exquisite tomb of the emperor Jehangir's chief minister and father - in - law often called the 'BABY TAJ' because its design foreshadows the Taj Mahal. Then we tour Agra's Red Fort, built over three generations by the Mughal emperors. Following an afternoon free, we go at sunset to see the Taj Mahal, the mausoleum built by a sorrowing Shah Jehan in memory of his young wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The Building's stupendous scale, flawless symmetry, translucent white marble, and shimmering reflection in the water channel are truly breathtaking. Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 09 : AGRA - JAIPUR ( BY ROAD )VIA FATEHPURSIKIRI BY ROAD 232 KMS 5 HOURS DRIVE
After breakfast, we continue our drive towards Jaipur en-route Fatehpur Sikri (The ghost city) for a tour of the magnificent and world heritage buildings still in a state of perfect preservation. We continue our journey to Jaipur known as the Pink City, built-in 1727 AD by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. Designed by Shilp Shastra - an ancient Hindu treatise on architecture - Jaipur follows a grid system. Upon arrival, check-in your Hotel. Afternoon - a tour of City Palace and Observatory. The City Palace in the heart of the old city is a blend of Rajasthan and Mughal architecture. The Palace of winds - a five-storied structure of pink sandstone has semi-octagonal and delicately honeycombed windows overlooking the main street of the old city originally built that enabled the ladies of the royal household to watch everyday life. Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 10 : JAIPUR
The capital of Rajasthan is the most colorful city in India. Today morning visit the Amber Fort in the Aravali Hills, which is a superb example of Rajput (Medieval Hindu) style architecture. A slow elephant ride takes us to the top of the Fort, which houses several graceful buildings. Afternoon, visiting the local bazaar. In the evening, we visit Chokhi Dhani, where an ethnic village atmosphere is recreated each evening with thousands of oil lamps, folk dancers, acrobats, snake charmers, puppeteers, etc. Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 11 : JAIPUR - JODHPUR BY ROAD 290 KMS 7 HOURS DRIVE
Morning drive to Jodhpur . upon arrival Transfer to your pre - booked hotel.
DAY 12 : JODHPUR
Jodhpur is the gateway to the Thar desert, known for its striking Forts, stately Palaces, and gracious buildings. The second-largest city in Rajasthan, standing on the edge of the Thar Desert. The old city founded by Rao Jodha, its walls with seven gates and countless bastions and towers were built by Rao Malden in the 16th Century when Jodhpur was a booming trading town. Jodhpur is called the " Blue City " for the characteristic plea indigo color of its traditional homes.
There are many great fortresses throughout Rajasthan, but none compare with the majestic Mehrangarh Fort, built atop a 400 ft. promontory. Within this invisible citadel are magnificent palaces with marvelously carved panels, latticed windows, and evocative names. These palaces house a fabulous collection of possessions of Indian royalty, including a superb collection of palanquins, elephant howdahs, miniature paintings of various schools, musical instruments, costumes, and furniture. Below the Fort, visit the Jaswant Thada, a graceful marble cenotaph built 1899 for Mahrajaha Jaswant Singh II, and monuments to other Maharajahs of Jodhpur. Proceed to the heart of the bazaars. You can view local artisans at work as well as locals shopping for their wares. Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 13 : JODHPUR - RANAKPUR – UDAIPUR 260 KMS 05 HOURS DRIVE
After breakfast, today drive towards Ranakpur. Here we visit the famous Ranakpur Temple Complex, one of the biggest and most important clusters of Jain Temple in India. Nestled in the Aravalli Range. The Chaumukha Temple or Four Faced Temple is the main temple in the complex and dates back to the 15th century. Built-in marble, the temple has 29 halls supported by more than 1400 pillars, no two of which are alike. Later continue drive to Udaipur. Upon arrival, check into a hotel. Evening we take a boat ride on Lake Pichola. Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 14 : UDAIPUR
Udaipur was built along three lakes and ringed by green hills, Udaipur (pop, 366.000) is known as the ' Venice of the East' The City's palaces, gardens, ghats, temples, and painted houses match the beauty of the setting. This morning we'll visit the towering City Palace, the largest in Rajasthan, and the Saheliyon ki Bari ( Garden of the Maidens.) Once forbidden to all but the queen and her ladies. From here, we visit the e superb Jagdish Temple noted for its elephant - motif carvings. In the afternoon visit, Nagada and Eklingi Temple. Evening Cultural Show at bagore ki Haveli. Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 15 : UDAIPUR – MUMBAI - AURANGABAD ( BY FLIGHT)
Today board flight to Aurangabad via Mumbai. Upon arrival in Aurangabad, transfer to your hotel. Aurangabad Named after Emperor Aurangzeb, the last of the great Moghul Emperor's Aurangabad offers an exciting mix of Buddhist and Muslim places of interest. It is also a convenient point for visiting the Ajanta and Ellora caves. Afternoon proceeds for a City tour Places of interest are the 12 Aurangzeb caves belonging to the Buddhist Era built between the 3rd and 11th Centuries, Bibi ka Maqbara, a mausoleum resembling the Taj Mahal Built-in 1660. The History Museum of Marathwada University includes excavations dating to the Satavadhana dynasty. Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 16 : AURANGABAD
Morning full-day excursion to the Magnificent Ajanta and Ellora Caves. Overnight at Hotel.
DAY 17 : AURANGABAD - MUMBAI ( BY FLIGHT )
Upon arrival in Mumbai ( Bombay ) Transfer to your pre-booked hotel . This afternoon proceeds on a guided tour of the city, Which is distinctly tropical. Its weathered Victorian mansions, some still privately owned, grand public buildings, many beautifully lit at night, stand as a lingering reminder of the days of the British Raj. First visit the Gateway of India, hastily created as a symbol of welcome to Queen Mary and King George V of England on their to India in 1911. Later visit the Hanging Gardens, perched at the top of Malabar Hill, which provides lovely views over the Arabian Sea. Overnight at hotel.
DAY 18 : LEAVE MUMBAI
After breakfast, an excursion on motorized boats across the Arabian Sea to the Elephanta Caves, which house several sculptures and images sacred to the Hindu faith. Of special mention is the sculpture of the Holy Trinity of Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva - the Creator, Preserver, and Destroyer. Later transferred to the airport to board flight for onward Journey.
