10-Day North India Heritage Tour with Delhi, Agra, Jaipur and Varanasi

• The tour starts at 10 AM. If you arrive in the morning on the tour starting date, our representative will pick you up at the airport. Otherwise, we can pick you up from your hotel in Delhi.
• Start your day with a visit to Old Delhi, also called Shahjahanabad. Go to the world-famous Jama Masjid, the biggest Friday mosque in India, which can host up to 20,000 worshippers.
• After the visit, ride on a pedal rickshaw through the narrow alleys of the famous Chandni Chowk market.
• Proceed to Rajghat, the tomb of Mahatma Gandhi, known as the Father of the Nation.
• In the afternoon, head to the monuments of colonial Delhi and drive through Rajpath to view Parliament House, the President's House, and India Gate.
• End your day at Qutub Minar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Overnight in Delhi.

Inclusions: Accommodation, Transport, Tourist Guide, Entrance fees.

Highlights: Rickshaw Ride, Colonial Delhi, Qutub Minar, Jama Masjid

Please note: Hotel check-in will be after the sightseeing.

• After breakfast, drive to Jaipur.
• On arrival, visit the Galta Ji Temple, famous for its monkeys.
• Later, proceed to the Birla Temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Goddess Laxmi. The temple is completely built in white marble and is a perfect example of Hindu temple architecture. There is also the possibility of participating in the evening prayer ceremony. Check in to the hotel.

Overnight stay.

Inclusions: Accommodation, Breakfast, Transport, Tourist Guide, Entrance fees

Highlights: Galta Temple, Birla Temple

• Morning excursion to Amber to visit the Fort of Man Singh, a splendid example of Rajput architecture. Built in a commanding position on top of a hill, the fort was once the residence of the Maharaja of Jaipur.
• En route, stop for photos at Hawa Mahal.
• Later, head to the City Palace, a princely building complex that includes the Maharaja's private apartments. Its museum, full of carpets and miniatures, is unique in the world. Adjacent to the palace is the Astronomical Observatory of Jai Singh, a seventeenth-century astronomical marvel. The observatory includes sophisticated tools for calculating eclipses, detecting the position of stars, and calculating ascendants. The principal attraction is the 27-metre-high sundial located in the centre of the observatory, which is able to calculate the time with up to 2 seconds of precision.
• Take time to explore local handicraft items. Jaipur is famous for textiles and gemstones. Return to the hotel for overnight stay.

Inclusions: Accommodation, Breakfast, Transport, Tourist Guide, Entrance fees, Elephant Ride.

Highlights: Amer Fort, City Palace, Jantar Mantar.

• Drive to Agra. Along the way, stop at Abhaneri to visit the famous monumental stepwell, or baoli, built in sandstone in the ninth century.
• Take a second stop to visit the Ghost City of Fatehpur Sikri, a city built in red sandstone by Emperor Akbar and abandoned after only twelve years of use. The citadel still retains the charm of the medieval atmosphere that once characterized it.
• Later, proceed towards Agra. Arrival and check-in.

Overnight stay.

Inclusions: Accommodation, Breakfast, Transport, Tourist Guide, Entrance fees.

Highlights: Abhaneri, Fatehpur Sikri

Please note: At Abhaneri, there are not many guides, so sightseeing might not be possible with a guide.

• After breakfast, go to the magnificent Taj Mahal, an incredible legacy of Mughal architecture in India. Emperor Shah Jahan built it in white marble and semi-precious stones in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaj Mahal.
• Proceed to Agra Fort. A few kilometres away from the Taj Mahal, on the banks of the river, rises the complex of palaces and royal gardens that housed the Mughal rulers for many years. Agra Fort was built by Akbar in 1565 on the foundations of the old fort of the Lodi dynasty and was enlarged and modified by his successors.

Check-in and overnight stay.

Inclusions: Accommodation, Breakfast, Transport, Tourist Guide, Entrance fees.

Highlights: Tajmahal And Agra Fort.

• Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the railway station to take the train to Jhansi. Arrive at Jhansi railway station and meet our representative in front of your coach. He will accompany you to the vehicle. Meet your driver and drive to Orchha, once the famous feudal state of Bundelkhand, later abandoned.
• Here you will find a small village full of colours and beautiful temples with high shikhara, called Chatteris in the local language. It is a beautiful place on the banks of the Betwa River.
• Visit Jahangir Mahal and other monuments built in the 16th century. Due to limited tourism and the fact that this area has been forgotten for years, the place may seem neglected, but local authorities are trying to improve the level of maintenance. You may have lunch, if you wish, at a restaurant near the royal palace and then continue to Khajuraho (175 km, about 4 hours of travel).
• Arrive in Khajuraho, check into the hotel, and stay overnight.

Inclusions: Accommodation, Breakfast, Transport, Tourist Guide, Entrance fees, Train

Highlights: Jahangir Mahal, Orchha Mahal, Rural India

• Have breakfast at the hotel and then visit the fabulous temples built between the ninth and eleventh centuries.
• Go to the western temples dedicated to Hindu deities, known for their high architectural value and erotic sculptures. Many of these sculptures show the various mudra of tantra. Originally, there were around 84 temples, one for each of the 84 Kamasutra postures. However, many were destroyed in the Middle Ages, and today only 33 remain. Still, they continue to represent the great past of this fascinating place.
• After visiting the western temples, head to the eastern area dedicated to the Jain Tirthankaras and the Jain religion.
• Drive to Allahabad, now called Prayagraj. Arrive in Allahabad and check in to the hotel.

Inclusions: Accommodation, Breakfast, Transport, Tourist Guide, Entrance fees, Domestic flight

Highlights: Erotic Sculptures at Khajuraho Temples

• Allahabad is located at the confluence of the Ganges, the Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati. Visit the Sangam in the morning and witness the religious life of Sangam Ghat. People come to Allahabad to take part in various religious activities.
• Take a boat ride (optional). Later, go to Anand Bhawan, the former residence of Jawahar Lal Nehru, India's first Prime Minister. It served as a centre of the Indian Freedom Movement.
• Afterwards, drive to Varanasi. On arrival, check in to the hotel for an overnight stay in Varanasi.

Inclusions: Accommodation, Breakfast, Transport, Tourist Guide, Entrance fees.

Highlights: Allahabad Sangam, Anand Bhawan

• Wake up before dawn for a boat ride on the River Ganges, admiring the devotees who plunge into the river to free themselves from their sins. Visit Sarnath, where Buddha gave his first sermon after attaining enlightenment.
• Visit the silk weaving centre to see the work behind the famous silk brocades of Varanasi. You may also do some shopping.
• In the evening, take a rickshaw ride or walk among the ghats near the sacred Ganges to attend the evening prayer ceremony called Maha Aarti, a festival of lights on the banks of the river, during which the Brahmins greet the Ganges and thank the gods with sacred songs and music.
• Return to the hotel for an overnight stay in Varanasi.

Inclusions: Accommodation, Breakfast, Transport, Tour Guide, Boat Ride, Monument Entrances

Highlights: Boat Ride and morning rituals at Ganga, Sarnath, Maha-Arti.

• Eat breakfast and check out from the hotel. Transfer to the airport for your return journey. No accommodation.

Inclusions: Breakfast, Transport

Please note: You will be dropped off at the airport or any other location of your choice. Please plan your onward journey accordingly.

End of services.