Fascinating India

Welcome to India! Delhi is a monumental city with a vibrant mix of old and new teeming bazaars, British boulevards, powerful Mughal palaces and forts, and intricate, ethereal towers, temples, and tombs. Upon arrival at Delhi International Airport, you will be met and assisted by our company representative and transferred to your hotel.




Overnight in Delhi

Today you will tour the old and new counterparts of Delhi. Get ready to visit Raj Ghat, Mahatma Gandhis serene and evocative cremation site, India Gate (the War Memorial), the Presidents House (from the outside), and the Bahai Lotus Temple (closed on Mondays). This lotus-shaped marvel in marble is a symbol of peace. From there you will continue your tour to the Qutub Minar, a stunning 240-foot brick minaret, the tallest in the world surrounded by an elaborate complex built in the Indo-Islamic architectural tradition. In the afternoon you will drive to Agra, a medieval city home to the world-famous Taj Mahal. Upon arrival check in to your hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.




Overnight in Agra

Early this morning you will visit the Taj Mahal at sunrise (closed on Fridays). Considered the pinnacle of Mughal art in India, the Taj Mahal was built by Emperor Shah Jahan for his wife Mumtaz Mahal. When declaring it a World Heritage Site, UNESCO described it as “the jewel of Muslim art in India”. Few words can describe the magnificence of this monument. Marvel over the transforming light and colors of this breathtaking monument in the beautiful dawn glow. Return to your hotel for breakfast and later take a Marble craftsmanship demonstration.




Overnight in Agra

Drive to Jaipur with an en-route visit to Fatehpur Sikri — an eerily abandoned capital from the Mughal Empire between 1570 and 1586. Akbar built this city to celebrate the birth of his son and future heir to the throne, Emperor Jahangir. While Akbar is believed to have been illiterate, he took great interest in the arts and architecture; Fatehpur Sikri is one of his famous works. Sadly, it served as the capital for little more than a decade and was eventually abandoned for a lack of access to water. In the afternoon, enjoy a demonstration of gem-cutting and polishing.



Upon arrival in Jaipur, check in to your hotel. Jaipur, Rajasthans capital, is also known as the Pink City. The origin of this nickname will become immediately apparent as you enter the old city walls and greet the pink-colored buildings rising at every turn.




Overnight in Jaipur

Begin your day with an exhilarating excursion to Amber Fort. Perched on a hillside on the outskirts of town, the palace was constructed in the 1590s by Maharaja Man Singh, the commander of Akbars army, and was largely motivated by the highly defensible location. This is a beautiful and very well-preserved structure, built on four levels and surrounded by ruins, which served as the backdrop for the Mira Nair movie “Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love.” Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure or perhaps join our optional tour.




Overnight in Jaipur

Before breakfast, join the optional tour of Hot Air Ballooning over Jaipur at sunrise. This morning you will drive to Pushkar, a sacred city for Hindus. Surrounded by hills on three sides and dunes on the fourth, Pushkar boasts a fascinating location and a befitting backdrop for the annual religious and cattle fair (held in November). As a quiet and secluded desert town for 51 weeks a year, for just a few days it transitions into an incredible and authentic extravaganza during the annual Pushkar Fair. Drawing people from all around the world, this is also possibly the largest camel and cattle-trading fair in the world. Upon arrival in Pushkar, you will check in to your hotel. Head on a walking tour of the holy city of the God, Brahma; visit the Pushkar Lake and the famous 8th century Brahma Temple dedicated to Lord Brahma, the creator of the universe and the only bull temple in the world. Experience a special Pooja ceremony at a Ghat with a Hindu priest on the banks of Pushkar Lake.




Overnight in Pushkar

After breakfast, you will drive to Udaipur. Udaipur is a majestic city of lakes and palaces. Founded by Maharana Udai Singh in 1559 and fondly referred to as Rajasthans most romantic city, its rich history is matched by its picturesque setting among the Aravalli Mountains and three manmade lakes. Upon arrival in Udaipur, check in to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.




Overnight in Udaipur

Your day will begin at the City Palace, overlooking the blue waters of Lake Pichola. Maharana Udai Singh initiated construction in 1559 A.D., and it was subsequently expanded, with impressive uniformity, by several succeeding Maharanas. The palace consists of several beautiful courtyards and gardens. The main hall has been converted into a museum, housing opulent artifacts and original works of art. Inside the complex we will find the exquisite crystal gallery, exhibiting 19th-century pieces including crystal chandeliers, tables, sofas, and beds. We will continue walking towards the Jagdish Temple to study its many remarkable friezes. Lavishly built in 1651 by Maharana Jagat Singh, it is easy to understand why Jagdish is the most venerated Hindu temple in Udaipur. Afterwards, we will explore the Old City, wandering through its bustling streets lined with art shops, spice vendors, tailors and more.




Overnight in Udaipur

Today you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Varanasi. Upon arrival in this beautiful city, you will check in to your hotel. In the evening, watch an Aarti ceremony on the Ghat of Ganges and see the ‘Aarti Ceremony (collective prayer). Admire the mystical scene displayed of the many Ghats lit with oil-lamp lights, Brahmans chanting hymns, and floating oil lamps.




Overnight in Varanasi

Drive to the Ghats for a boat ride on the Ganges. Experience the early morning rituals performed by Hindu devotees along the riverbank which includes the cremation Ghats. People here bathe early in the morning to offer prayers to the rising sun. The two cremation Ghats are Manikarnika and Harishchandra, where funeral pyres burn day and night. Every pious Hindu believes that to die in Kashi and to be cremated on the banks of the Ganges, is to attain release from the cycle of birth and death. Return to your hotel for breakfast and visit the Bharat Mata Temple with its large marble relief map of India, the Durga Temple, and the modern marble Tulsi Manas Temple, whose walls are engraved with scenes and verses from the Ramcharitmanas, the Hindi version of the Ramayana. You will also see the New Viswanath Temple, one of the tallest in India (non-Hindus are not allowed inside the temple). Go around Benares Hindu University and its museum and see the mosque of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.




Overnight in Varanasi

Spend your morning at leisure. In the afternoon you will board your flight to Khajuraho. Upon arrival in Khajuraho, get transferred to your hotel and explore Khajuraho on your own — or perhaps join our optional tour.




Overnight in Khajuraho

Today you will visit the Eastern and Western group of temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with a scholar temple built out of sandstone by the Chandela rulers in the 10th century. This incredible temple was decorated with superb carvings and sculptures, housing some of the erotic scenes from the Kama Sutra. They represent some of the finest examples of temple architecture in Northern India. The remote location of Khajuraho signified the temples were unharmed by Muslim invaders. As a result, the intricately fine carvings remain in very good condition and are said to represent life in heaven. The temples were built between 950 and 1050 AD by the Chandela dynasty, which dominated Central India at the time. They represent the brilliant burst of artistic flowering that took place under the generous patronage of the powerful Chandela rulers who made Khajuraho their peacetime capital.




Overnight in Khajuraho

After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Delhi. Upon arrival, get transferred to your hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.




Overnight in Delhi

In the morning you will transfer to Delhi International Airport to catch your flight back home.