Day 1: Arrive Delhi

On arrival at Delhi airport assistance & transfer to hotel (Standard hotel check in time 12pm, early check in subject to room availability). Rest time free to relax and personal activities. Overnight at hotel.

 

Day 2: Delhi

Breakfast at hotel, city tour of Delhi. In Old Delhi visit the majestic Red Fort (closed on Monday) the residence of the Mughal emperor for nearly 200 years until 1857. Jama Masjid one of the largest mosques in the world built by Shah Jahan. Cycle Rickshaw ride in Chandni chowk & Khari Baoli Spice Market a busy shopping area with markets full of spices, dried fruit, silver jewelry and vivid saris, while the narrow side streets are crowded with tiny shops selling essential oils, stationery and traditional Indian sweets. Raj Gath the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi where he was cremated after his assassination. 

In New Delhi visit Humayun Tomb the first garden-tomb in Indian subcontinent and an early example of Mughal architecture commissioned by Humayun`s first wife Empress Bega Begum in 1569-70. Qutab Minar a 73-metres tall minaret that forms part of the Qutb complex a fine examples of Afghan architecture. Lotus Temple a Bahai House of Worship notable for its flowerlike shape. Also drive pass President House, Parliament & India Gate etc. Overnight at hotel.

 

Day 3: Delhi - Lucknow (flight)

Breakfast at hotel, transfer to airport to board flight for Lucknow. 

On arrival transfer to hotel.Later city tour City tour of Lucknow. Visit Bara Imambara. The construction of Bara Imambara was started in 1784 by Asaf-ud-Daulas, in a year of a devastating famine, to provide employment to people in the region for almost a decade while the famine lasted. British Residency Complex a group of several buildings which served as the residence for the British Resident General who was a representative in the court of the Nawab. The Residency is located in the heart of the city, in the vicinity of other monuments like Shaheed Smarak, Tehri Kothi and High Court Building. The Rumi Darwaza, sixty feet tall an imposing gateway was built under the patronage of Nawab Asaf-Ud-daula in 1784. It is an example of Awadhi architecture, modeled after the Sublime Porte in Istanbul. It used to mark the entrance to Old Lucknow City, but as the city grew and expanded, it was later used as an entrance to a palace which was later demolished by the British insurgents. Rest time to walk in Hazratganj, the downtown area situated in the heart of Lucknow. In addition to bazaars, it also contains shopping complexes, restaurants, hotels, theaters and offices. Overnight at hotel.

 

Day 4: Lucknow - Ayodhya (135kms)

Breakfast at hotel, drive to Ayodhya check in at hotel. Visit Lord Sri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple believed to have been the birthplace of the Hindu deity, Lord Ram. According to the Indian epic Ramayan, Ram, Lord Vishnu's seventh manifestation, is said to have grown up along Ayodhya's river Sarayu. The Ram Janmabhoomi is a highly revered site for Hindu devotees. Hanuman Garhi a 10th-century hilltop temple dedicated to the Hindu God, Hanuman. It is one of the most important temples in Ayodhya as Hindu believe it is customary to visit Hanuman Garhi before visiting the Ram Temple. If time permit and as per your interest you can visit several other religious and historical places which include Jain Temple, Birla Temple, Gulab Bari, & Kanak Bhawan. Overnight at hotel.

 

Day 5: Ayodhya - Varanasi (200kms)

Breakfast at hotel, drive to Varanasi check in at hotel. Evening attend Holy Ganga Aarti, a magical ritual held every evening at sunset on the banks of the Holy Ganges. The entire Ghat gets illuminated with a divine light that can be felt strongly. The magnificent ritual involves huge brass lamps lit with oil and the priests chant the holy mantras that reverberate in the entire location. Overnight at hotel.

 

Day 6: Varanasi 

Early morning boat ride & ghat visit along the Ganges and catch the scene of devotees bathing and praying in the sacred water. Ghats in Varanasi are riverfront steps leading to the banks of the River Ganges. The city has 88 ghats, most of the ghats are bathing and puja ceremony ghats, while two ghats are used exclusively as cremation sites. The ghats are frequented by the people which include early morning bathers, priests, people practicing meditation and yoga, students and tourists as well. 

Breakfast at hotel, city tour visit Banaras Hindu University. With 5.3 sq kms campus and 30, 000 residing students it is the largest residential university in the continent. Bharat Mata Temple built in 1936 houses a relief map of undivided India, carved out of marble. Tulsi Manas Mandir one of the most famous temples in Varanasi. The temple has beautiful images of Lord Rama, Mother Sita, Lakshman and Lord Hanuman. The walls of temple are adorned with verses from Ramcharitmanas, the Hindi version of the epic Ramayana. 

Continue to Sarnath, it was here Lord Buddha preached his first sermon after attaining the Enlightenment at Bodh Gaya. The great Dhamekh Stupa and glistening pillar established by Emperor Ashoka in 273-232 B.C. stand testimony to the importance the place enjoyed at that time. Overnight at hotel.

 

Day 7: Varanasi - Prayagraj (120kms)

Breakfast at hotel, drive to Prayagraj check in at hotel. 

Later visit visit Sangam, the confluence of Ganges, Yamuna and a mythical river Saraswati. The place is considered to be one of the most sacred in Hindu religion and is the site for Ardh-Kumbh and Kumbh Mela that takes every 6 and 12 years respectively. Allahabad Fort, situated on the northern banks of Yamuna near the confluence, Emperor Akbar himself commissioned this magnificently designed fort in the year 1583. At a time this fort was considered among the best garrisons in the entire Mughal Empire. The fort has massive walls and three gateways that are flanked by high towers. Anand Bhawan, the ancestral home of Jawaharlal Nehru, the freedom fighter and the first Prime-Minister of India. The place has been turned into a fine museum that displays the memorabilia of the Nehru family. Overnight at hotel.

 

Day 8: Prayagraj - Khajuraho (290kms)

Breakfast at hotel, drive to Khajuraho check in at hotel. 

Later visit well maintained UNESCO World Heritage Site, exploring eastern, western & southern group of temples adorned by erotic and sensuous carvings. The architecture of these temples depict the erotic forms of love, the carvings on the walls display passion in the most sensuous yet aesthetic ways. Built between 950 to 1050 AD by Chandela dynasty the temples of Khajuraho are India`s unique gift to the world, representing, as they do, a paean to life, to love, to joy, perfect in execution and sublime in expression. Of the 85 original temples, 22 have survived till today to constitute one of the world`s great artistic wonders. 

Evening light & sound show. Overnight at hotel.

 

Day 9: Khajuraho - Orchha (180kms)

Breakfast at hotel, drive to Orchha check in at hotel. 

Later city tour of Orchha a historical town known for its grand palaces, intricately carved temples adorned with classic mural paintings, frescos and cenotaphs that were constructed to commemorate the Bundela rulers. Visit the Orchha Fort complex, which houses a large number of ancient monuments. These are Raja Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, Jahangir Mahal, a temple, gardens and pavilions. Chaturbhuj Temple a multi-storied structure noted for having one of the tallest Vimana among Hindu temples. Chattris (Cenotaphs) situated on the banks of Betwa river, are magnificent royal tombs of the Maharajas, placed on a platform and supported by the pillars. Visit the Orchha Fort complex, which houses a large number of ancient monuments. These are Raja Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, Jahangir Mahal, a temple, gardens and pavilions. Chaturbhuj Temple a multi-storied structure noted for having one of the tallest Vimana among Hindu temples. Chattris (Cenotaphs) situated on the banks of Betwa river, are magnificent royal tombs of the Maharajas, placed on a platform and supported by the pillars. Overnight at hotel.

 

Day 10: Orchha - Gwalior - Agra (220kms)

Breakfast at hotel, drive to Agra enroute visit Gwalior Fort, situated on top of a hill is one of the best fortresses of India, known for its great architecture and rich past. The fort complex includes several temples, palaces and water tanks. Siddhachal Caves and Gopachal rock-cut Jain monuments are the two areas, complete with thousands of Jain Tirthankar idols defaced during the Mughal invasion. Teli Ka Mandir and Sas-Bahu Ka Mandir are the two architecturally rich Hindu temples here. Gurudwara Data Bandi Chhor is another holy place built inside the fort complex. Man Mandir Palace, Gujari Mahal, Assi Khamba Ki Baoli, and Suraj Kund are other important monuments found in the complex. Jai Vilas Palace has the largest carpet in the world and two most massive chandeliers in the world that weight close to 3.5 tonnes. 

Arrive Agra check in at hotel. Overnight at hotel.

 

Day 11: Agra - Fatehpur Sikri - Abhaneri - Jaipur (245kms)

Sunrise visit Taj Mahal an ivory-white marble mausoleum commissioned in 1632 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan to house the tomb of his favourite wife Mumtaz Mahal, it also houses the tomb of Shah Jahan himself. 

Return to hotel for breakfast. Next visit Agra Fort the main residence of the emperors of the Mughal Dynasty until 1638. And Itmad-ud-Daula Tomb commissioned by Nur Jahan for her father Mirza Ghiyas Beg. 

Later drive to Jaipur via visiting Fatehpur Sikri an abandoned predominately a red sandstone construction sprawling over a huge area. See the graceful buildings including Diwan-E-Khas hall, Jodha Bai Palace, Jama Masjid, Tomb of Salim Chisti, Panch Mahal & Buland Darwaza. Next stop to visit Abhaneri a small village popular for India`s deepest, largest and amazing step well & a Hindu Temple. 

Continue drive to Jaipur check in at hotel. Evening explore the local market of Pink City. Overnight at hotel.

 

Day 12: Jaipur 

Breakfast at hotel, city tour of Jaipur the first planned city of India. Established in 1727 by Jai Singh II, the king of Amber when he shifted his capital from Amber to the new city because of the rapidly-growing population and an increasing water scarcity. Noted architect Vidyadhar Bhattacharya used the established principles of Vastu Shastra to build the city. In 1876, the Prince of Wales visited Jaipur and the entire Jaipur city was painted in pink the symbolic colors of hospitality to welcome him. Jaipur rises up majestically against the backdrop of the forts Nahargarh, Jaigarh and Garh Ganesh Temple. 

In morning visit Amber Fort followed by Jaigarh Fort. Later visit City Palace, Observatory, Hawa Mahal, Sisodia Rani Garden & Birla temple. Explore the famous bazaars of Pink City with its rich history and heritage exudes an amazing mix of royalty and art. Overnight at hotel.

 

Day 13: Jaipur - Delhi/ Departure

Breakfast at hotel, drive to Delhi airport to board late evening or late-night flight for onward destination.

Assistance on arrival at airport.

12 Nights' accommodation in selected price category hotels.

Daily breakfast at hotels.

Private air-conditioned deluxe car for airport transfer, sightseeing and excursion as per program.

English speaking tour guide on sightseeing days (local guide in each city), as per program.

Monument entrances and activities charges mentioned in the itinerary.

Bottled drinking water in car.

Government taxes.

 

Hotels used or similar for 12 nights accommodation

Delhi x 2 nights
3* - Madhuban Hotel/ Emarald Hotel
4* - The Royal Plaza/ Country Inn & Suite Saket
5* - Le Meridien/ The Claridges

Lucknow x 1 nights
3* - Sapna Clarks Inn/ Hotel Lineage
4* - Lemon Tree Hotel/ La Place Sarovar Portico
5* - Renaissance Hotel/ Hyatt Regency

Ayodhya x 1 nights
Hotel Balaji Palace/ Sri Ram Hotel

Varanasi x 2 nights
3* - Meraden Grand/ Amaya Hotel
4* - Rivatas by Ideal/ Palace On Ganges
5* - Radisson Hotel/ Gateway Hotel Taj

Prayagraj x 1 night
3* - Hotel Allahabad Regency/ Hotel Milan Palace
4* & 5* - Hotel Kanha Shyam/ Grand Continental Hotel

Khajuraho x 1 night
3* - Ramada/Clarks Hotel
4* - Radisson Hotel/ Hotel Chandela
5* - The Lalit Temple View

Orchha x 1 night
3* & 4* - Orchha Resort/ Amar Mahal 
5* - Orchha Palace and Convention Centre x 1 night

Agra x 1 night
3* - Howard Plaza the Fern/ Atulyaa Taj
4* - Radission Hotel/ Crystal Sarovar Premier
5* - Trident Hotel/ Courtyard by Marriott

Jaipur x 2 nights
3* - Redfox Hotel/ Park Ocean
4* - Holiday Inn City Centre/ Lemon Tree Premier
5* - ITC Rajputana/ Hilton Jaipur

Delhi - Lucknow flight fare approx INR 4, 500 per person in economy class.

Camera charges at monuments.

Meals other than mentioned in day plan.

Expenses of personal nature like liquor, laundry, tips, telephone, fax, internet etc. 

Gratuities & optional activities.

Anything not mentioned in inclusions.