Hotels featured or similar
Delhi - Royal Plaza
Agra - Howard park plaza
Jaipur - Country Inn
Khajuraho - Clarks
Varanasi - Ideal Tower
Delhi - Mapple Emerald
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Delhi.
Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your Delhi hotel for a 2-night stay
Day 2 : Delhi
Full day sightseeing tour of Delhi. Explore the Qutab Complex which houses India’s biggest single tower Qutab Minar and the 4th century rust free Iron Pillar; Mughal citadel named Lal Qila (Red Fort); and Lutyens Delhi with its tree lined boulevards leading to the British Viceroy’s Palace (Rashtrapati Bhavan) now the official residence of the President of India, the Secretariat, India Gate and Parliament House. Also visit the grand Jama Masjid and Humayun’s Tomb - the only monument ever built by a queen in memory of her beloved king husband, which was an inspiration for several other monuments, such as the incomparable Taj Mahal.
Day 3 : Delhi to Jaipur, 265 Km/5 hrs
Drive to Jaipur, the famed ‘Pink City’ and the capital of Rajasthan known for its palaces, three hill forts and a shopper’s paradise. Afternoon at leisure.
Day 4 : Jaipur
Morning excursion to Amber - capital of the old state of Dhundhar, located on the rugged hills that surround Jaipur. Ride the colourfully painted elephants up the hill, admire the massive gateways, courts, stairways, pillared pavilions and palaces that recall the glory and wealth of Amber’s association with the Mughals. During the afternoon visit the City Palace (still houses the erstwhile Royal family); Jantar Mantar - the Royal Observatory and Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds) - built for the royal ladies to watch the activities on the market street below without being observed themselves.
Day 5 : Jaipur to Agra, 243 Km/7 hrs
Drive to Agra, en route visit Fatehpur Sikri - the imperial ruins of the dream capital city of the Great
Mughal Emperor - Akbar. Evening at leisure.
Day 6 : Agra
Visit the Taj Mahal this morning. Nothing, neither photographs nor descriptions, can prepare you for the experience of this
monument. The Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died in 1631 giving birth to their 14th child, built one of the world’s most famous buildings, the ‘Taj Mahal’. Its perfect proportions and exquisite craftsmanship have been described as ‘a vision, a dream, a poem and a wonder’. It is an acclaimed architectural masterpiece and one of the wonders of the world. 20,000 workers laboured for 22 years to build this sublime garden tomb of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan. The unique mughal style combines elements of Persian, Central Asian, and Islamic architecture. One of the most impressive features are the black and white chessboard marble floor, the four tall minarets (40 m high) at the corners of the structure, and the majestic and iconic dome in the middle. On closer look, the lettering of the Quran verses around the archways appears to be uniform, regardless of their height. The lettering spacing and density has been customised to give this impression to the beholder. Other illusionary effects have been accounted for in the geometry of the tomb and the tall minarets. The impressive pietra dura artwork includes geometric elements, plants and flowers, mostly common in Islamic architecture. The level of sophistication in artwork becomes obvious when one realizes that a 3 cm decorative element contains more than 50 inlaid gemstones. In the afternoon visit Agra Fort and Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daulah also called Baby Taj.
Day 7 : Agra/Jhansi by train
Jhansi/Khajuraho by surface via Orchha, Transfer to railway station to board train for Jhansi, Upon arrival you will be met and drive to Khajuraho and check into your hotel for a 2 night stay. Visit the eastern and western group of temples that includes the magnificent Kandariya Mahadev, Laksman and the Vishwanath Temples. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 8 : Khajuraho
Morning visit to the southern group of temples. The Chaturbhuj temple has a superb four armed image of Shiva in the inner sanctum. Overnight stay at hotel.
Dya 9 : Khajuraho to Varanasi, by air
Transfer to airport and fly to Varanasi. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel for a 2 night stay. Explore the city of colourful bazaars, exquisite and bright silks, festivals, temples, mosques and palaces. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 10 : Varanasi
Early morning boat-ride on River Ganges, see people bathing and worshipping at the ghats. Visit Sarnath where Buddha delivered his first sermon and also attained nirvana. After- noon sightseeing tour of the city visiting the Bharat Mata and Durga Temple, Tulsi Manas Mandir and the Mosque of Mughal Emperor Aurangazeb. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 11 : Varanasi to Delhi, by air
Transfer to the airport and fly from Varanasi to Delhi. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your Delhi hotel, Day at leisure.
Day 12 : Depart from Delhi
Transfer to the airport to board your onward flight.
Offer Includes:
- Flights with Qatar Airways from London Heathrow
- Airport taxes
- 11 nights accommodation on bed & breakfast basis
- All transfers & Sightseeing by air-conditioned car
- Entrance fees to the monuments and services of local english speaking guides
- Elephant/Jeep joy ride at Amber Fort, Jaipur
- Boat ride at River Ganges (subject to availability)
- Assistance during arrival, departure and transfers
