Golden Triangle with Varanasi and Khajuraho

Day 01: Arrival in Delhi
On arrival at Delhi airport/railway station, our IHPL tour representative would be escorting you to a pre-booked hotel. You would be spending the rest of the day at leisure. The metropolitan city of Delhi has so many world-class shopping malls and eating joints. Feel free to explore them in the evening. Besides, Delhi is also known for its vibrant street markets. If you wish, you can try mouth-watering, spicy street food at these markets. Overnight stay at the hotel

Day 02: Sightseeing in Delhi
The capital city of India, Delhi had been a favorite of many dynasties and rulers in the past. Due to this, the heritage and culture of Delhi has influences of various ethnicities. One part is Old Delhi and the other half is New Delhi. Old Delhi is known for its architectural wonders that brilliantly depict the tales of its bygone era. On the other hand, the new face of Delhi has modern infrastructure that talks about the urban delights of the city.

As you would be done with the breakfast, head on for a city tour. In this, you would be visiting some of the most popular attractions of Old and New Delhi. Start with the visit to Raj Ghat and Jama Masjid.

Situated on the banks of Yamuna River, Raj Ghat is the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi. In the center of the complex, lies a black marble platform, which is the actual cremation sight. The complex has a vast expanse of greenery that includes trees planted by global personalities like Queen Elizabeth II and USA president Eisenhower.

On the other hand, Jama Masjid is one of the largest mosques in India. The mosque was built by great Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. Made up of red sandstone and marble, the mosque is an aesthetic example of Persian style of architecture.

Post lunch, you would be visiting the other attractions of Delhi. It includes trip to Humayun’s tomb (built during Mughal rule) and Qutub Minar (built during Sultanate rule). Both of these structures hold great significance in the architectural heritage of Delhi. Guests would also be driven past buildings that are the crux of Indian political system cum major tourist attractions. It includes the Parliament house, President’s residence and Diplomatic enclaves. Overnight stay at hotel

Day 03: Delhi-Jaipur
You would be heading for your onward journey to Jaipur right after you are done with the breakfast. 270 Km away from Delhi, Jaipur is the capital and the largest city in Rajasthan. Also called as the Pink City, Jaipur make headlines for its share of heritage forts and palaces.

On reaching Jaipur, you would be transferred to your hotel. You can either choose to spend the rest of the day relaxing in your hotel, or visit the nearby surroundings. Jaipur has many well-known bazaars from where you can buy souvenirs and traditional items. Overnight stay in Jaipur

Day 04: Sightseeing in Jaipur
As you would be done relishing your yummy breakfast, you would be out for the Jaipur city tour. First in the schedule is the Amber fort. Amongst the oldest of forts in Jaipur, Amber was built by Raja Man Singh and it is a beautiful confluence of Hindu and Mughal style of architecture. Guests would be offered a royal elephant ride, all the way to the fort.

Post lunch, head to another major tourist attraction in Jaipur i.e. Jaigarh fort. Quite similar to the Amber fort is the Jaigarh fort, which stands high on one of the peaks of Aravali ranges. It is one of the largest forts in Rajasthan and has huge battlements to put on display.

Other attractions that you would be surely visiting on your Jaipur tour are Laxmi Narayan temple, City Palace, Jantar Mantar (UNESCO world heritage site) and Hawa Mahal.

Evenings would be spent enjoying cultural performances at Choki Dhani village resort. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 05: Jaipur-Agra
Post breakfast, bid adieu to Jaipur for the magnificent city of Agra (243 Km away). En route, you would be making a halt at the deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri. Built during the second half of 16th century by Mughal emperor Akbar, Fatehpir Sikri is famous for its group of monuments and temples.

Highly popular amongst them is Buland Darwaza, which is titled as the largest gateway in the world. Another majestic creation of the Mughal Empire, Buland Durwaza is made up of red sandstone and has pillars and Chhatris at its top.

After admiring its beauty, return back to the course of Agra. On arriving, our tour representative will transfer you to the hotel. Spend your evenings exploring the rich handicrafts of Agra in the nearby local market.

Day 06: Sightseeing in Agra
You need to wake up early on this day as the tour schedule starts in the wee hours. First thing in the morning would be catching up the sight of the beautiful Taj Mahal as it glistens with the rays of the morning sun. One of the Seven Wonders of the World, Taj Mahal is actually a mausoleum that is completely made up of white marble. It was built by the great Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The Taj Mahal is a UNESCO world heritage site and is a true example of Islamic style of architecture.

Post breakfast; visit the other attractions of Agra. You would be first heading to the magnificent Agra fort, which is also a UNESCO proclaimed world heritage site. This Mughal fort was built in red sandstone and has many intricate structures like Diwan-I-Am and Diwan-I-Khas in the interiors of it. If you wish, you can visit Itmad-ud-Daula’s tomb in the evening. It is a wonderful mausoleum that is often considered as mini Taj or Baby Taj. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 07: Agra-Orchha-Khajuraho
After Agra, the next destination would be Jhansi. Early in the morning, you would be transferred to the railway station. From there, board the next train to Jhansi (215 km away). On arriving Jhansi, you would be embarking on a road trip to Orchha (18 km away).

Once a princely state, Orchha lies in the Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh. The town of Orchha was founded in 15th century AD and in today’s world it is renowned for its numerous temples, palaces and forts. Highly popular amongst them are the Jehangir Mahal of Orchha (Classic Mughal architecture), Raj Mahal and Laxmi Narayan temple (mural paintings).

As you would be done visiting the attractions of Orchha, get back on the road to Khajuraho (172 km away). On arrival at Khajuraho, you would be checking into a prebooked hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 08: Khajuraho – Varanasi
Day 8 of our wonderful tour is dedicated in exploring the world heritage sites of Khajuraho. Divided into eastern and western group of temples, Khajuraho is known for its cluster of Hindu and Jain temples. As you would be done with the breakfast, the sightseeing tour of Khajuraho will commence. Under this, you would be visiting Laxmi & Varha temples, Kandariya Mahadev temple and Devi Jagdambi temple.

Kandariya Mahadev temple is one of the largest Hindu temples in Khajuraho. It is famous for its stone carvings, the numbers of which count more than 900.

On the other hand, Devi Jagdambi temple is a group of 25 beautifully decorated temples. These temples were built during the Chandella dynasty rule in India (10th-12th century) and are famous for erotic carvings.

Post these visits, you would be heading to the airport to board the next flight to Varanasi. As you will arrive, our tour representative will escort you to the hotel. If you wish, you can go for a walk in the surroundings, or otherwise, relax in your room. Overnight stay at hotel.

Day 09: Sightseeing in Varanasi
An early morning boat ride in the sacred Ganga River would be arranged for you. After breakfast, leave for Sarnath (6 km away). Sarnath in the northeast of Varanasi is where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon after attaining enlightenment. A highly sacred Buddhist religious place, Sarnath lies at the confluence of two rivers-Ganga and Gomati. Popular attractions here are Dhamek Stupa, Sarnath Museum and Chaukhandi Stupa.

Post that returns back to Varanasi. In Varanasi, you would be visiting Alamgir mosque, Dashashwamedh ghat and Bharat Mata temple.

Also known as Beni Madhav Ka Darera, Alamgir mosque is a brilliant example of Hindu and Mughal architecture. The mosque is situated on the banks of Ganges River.

The city of Varanasi is known for its religious ghats. Most spectacular amongst them is the Dashashwamedh ghat, which is located close to the Vishwanath temple. Overnight stay at Varanasi.

Day 10: Varanasi-Delhi
Right after your breakfast, you would be transferred to the Varanasi airport for your return journey back to Delhi. As you will reach Delhi, check in to a prebooked hotel. Spend the rest of the day at leisure. Explore the nearby surroundings in the evening if you wish to.

Day 11: Delhi Departure
This brings the end of our wonderful tour. Post breakfast at the hotel, guests would be transferred to the International airport for their onward journey back home.