Day 01: Delhi
Arrival Delhi & transfer to hotel.
02: Delhi
After breakfast, full day visit of Delhi –
Visit Old Delhi : Visit Jama Mosque (1650 A.D) and drive through fabled Chandni Chowk (Moonlight Square), the main area of the old city. Visit the Red Fort (1639-48 A.D),built by the builder of the Taj Mahal – Shah Jehan and famous for its delicately carved, inlaid and marbled Royal Chambers. Raj Ghat – where the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi was cremated (1948 A.D), visit New Delhi : Visit Humayun’s Tomb (1565 A.D) aptly called the redecessor of Taj Mahal. Drive past Safdarjang’s Tomb (1753 A.D), and visit the Qutub Minar – 72 meters high and one of the prefect towers of the Persian World. Overnight at hotel
Day 03: Delhi – Agra 210 kms (4-5 hours drive)
After breakfast, drive to Agra, visit Agra Fort – The imposing fort on the banks of the river Yamuna is replete with priceless example of craftsmanship in the Mughal period, including the beautiful Pearl Mosque. It was designed and built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1565 A.D. Visit Taj Mahal – One of the Seven wonders of the world, built by Emperor Shah Jehan in memory of his beloved consort Mumtaz Mahal, this beautiful mausoleum is pure white marble and an architectural marvel. Overnight at hotel
Day 04: Agra – Gwalior (122 kms, 3 hours drive)
After Breakfast, drive to Gwalior. Visit Gwalior. Gwalior is famous for at least three things: its imposing fort, Mian Tansen, and the first epigraphic evidence of zero. In 1398 the Tomar dynasty came to power in Gwalior and, over the next few centuries, Gwalior Fort was the scene of continual intrigue and clashes with neighboring powers. In 1516 the fort was besieged and taken by Ibrahim Lodi after a long struggle. Later the Mughals, under Babur, took the fort and held it until 1754, when the Marathas captured it. For the next 50 years the fort changed hands many times, including twice to the British, until it finally passed into the hands of the Scindias, whose royal descendants still live in Gwalior. Overnight at hotel
Day 05: Gwalior – Orchha (90 kms, 2 hours drive)
After Breakfast, drive to Orchha, visit Orchha, a medieval temple town situated on the Betwa river in the state of Madhya Pradesh. We explore the 16th and 17th century palaces and temples built by the Bundela rulers; most of them still in their pristine perfection. Visit the fort complex consisting of palaces, temples, cenotaphs, and memorials. Overnight at hotel
Day 06: Drive Orchha – Khajuraho (180 kms, 3-4 hours drive)
After breakfast, drive to Khajuraho, afternoon Visit the world famous Khajuraho temples. The most important are the Chaunset Yogini Temple dedicated to Goddess Kali, The Mahadev Temple, Chitragupta or Bharatji Temple with a lovely image of 11 headed Vishnu, Vishvanath and Nandi Temples, Lakshmana Temple, Visha Temple of Shiva. Overnight at hotel
Day 07: Flight Khajuraho / Varanasi
Breakfast at hotel, transfer to Khajuraho airport for flight to Varanasi, arrival Varanasi, overnight at hotel
Day 08: Varanasi
Am: Boat ride in the river Ganga; Sightseeing of Varanasi includes visit to Bharat Mata Temple, Durga Temple, Emperor Auranzeb’s Mosque, Vishwanath Temple; In evening visit Sarnath; Sarnath the tranquil deep park at Sarnath is where the Buddha preached hid first sermon, Visit the Dhamok Stupa, the Dharmarji Ka Stupa and maon shrine. The Mahabodhi Society of India have recently built a modern Vihara, Ashoka Pillar Erected by the Emperor Ashoka, the pillar had his edict engraved on it. At one time it stood over 17m high. Its capital with the four lions back to back-the official symbol of modern India, can be seen in the museum at Sarnath. Overnight at Delhi
Day 09: Flight Varanasi – Delhi – Onward destination
Breakfast at hotel, later transfer to airport for flight to Delhi to connect flight to onward destination