Golden Triangle with Khajuraho & Varanasi

Duration

9 Nights / 10 Days

Golden Triangle with Khajuraho & Varanasi – Delhi, Jaipur, Agra, Khajuraho and Varanasi. 9 nights and 10 days

Itinerary

Day 1 Delhi: Arrive in Delhi, you will be met and assisted by a Tamarind Tours representative and transfer to your hotel. India’s capital & a major gateway to the country, Delhi is contemporary and a bustling metropolis which successfully combines in its fold the ancient & the modern. Its strategic location was one of the prime reasons why successive dynasties chose it as their seat of power. New Delhi also reflects the legacy the British left behind. Overnight in Delhi.

Day 2 Jaipur: After breakfast proceed for a half day combined city tour of the old & new Delhi the modern capital of India. This fascinating city has been in existence since the 6th century BC. Visit Jama Masjid, which is the largest mosque in India, commissioned by Emperor Shah Jahan. The courtyard of the mosque can hold about 25,000 worshippers. Enjoy a rickshaw ride in Chandni Chowk, the busiest market in Old Delhi…noisy, chaotic and uniquely Indian. Drive past Red Fort, President House, India Gate and several other government buildings in Edwin Lutyen’s modern Delhi before you head to Rajghat, the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi that marks the spot where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated in 1948. Later visit Humayun’s Tomb, commissioned by Humayun’s wife Hamida Banu Begum in 1562. It was the first garden tomb built in the Indian sub-continent where the Persian architect used red sandstone on a large scale. Later drive to Jaipur (240 kms / 6 Hrs drive approximately). Arrive Jaipur and check in to your hotel and relax. Overnight in Jaipur.

Day 3 Jaipur: Today, enjoy a full-day sightseeing trip of Jaipur, also known as the ‘Pink City’. The city of Jaipur is capital to the state of Rajasthan, famous for its colorful culture, forts, palaces, and lakes. Jaipur owes its name to the founder of the city, warrior king Sawai Jai Singh II. Visit the Amber Fort. The best way to explore the fort is to ride up to it on Elephant back. Prominent structures inside the fort are the Diwan-i-Aam, adorned with latticed galleries, the Ganesh Pol, with a beautiful painted image of Lord Ganesh, and the stunning Sheesh Mahal, a hall decorated with thousands of tiny mirrors. Later, stop to photograph the beautiful Hawa Mahal, also known as the “Palace of the Winds.” This beautiful façade with its ornately carved latticework windows was designed so the ladies of the palace could look out onto the streets unobserved. Later you will visit the City Palace… again, a synthesis of Rajasthani and Mughal styles. The museums here showcase rare and ancient manuscripts, arms dating back to the 15th century, and costumes of erstwhile royalty. Later, visit the Jantar Mantar Observatory, comprising geometric devices for measuring time, and tracking stars in their orbits. Overnight in Jaipur.

Day 4 Agra: After breakfast drive to Agra (232 kms / 5 hrs drive approximately), enroute Visit Fatehpur Sikri, which was built by Emperor Akbar and is home to many historical buildings. Akbar wanted to make Fatehpur Sikri his headquarters; however, he had to abandon it due to shortage of water. The Tomb of Sheikh Salim Chishti enshrines the burial place of the Sufi saint who lived a religious life here.   Today, Fatehpur Sikri is a UNESCO World heritage site. Arrive Agra and check in to your hotel. Evening, free to roam around the bazaars of Agra. Overnight in Agra.

Day 5 Agra: In the evening, proceed for a half-day tour of Agra. Visit the Red Fort, which was commissioned in 1565 by Akbar. The beautiful yet forbidding structure is a handsome example of Mughal architecture. Later, visit the Taj Mahal … a mausoleum built as a symbol of Emperor Shah Jehan’s devotion to his beloved queen Mumtaz Mahal.   Considered an architectural marvel, its construction took thousands of workers over 21 years to complete. Overnight in Agra.

Day 6 Khajuraho: Early morning board train to Jhansi. Arrive Jhansi and drive to Khajuraho by road (220 kms / 5 hrs drive approximately), enroute visiting Orchha. Visit the Orchha fort complex. The Jahangir Mahal in the fort is known for its delicate work balanced with strong masonry. Raj Mahal, the second palace in this fort complex is well known for its murals, depicting religious themes. Later, visit the Raja Ram Temple. Lord Ram is worshipped here as a king. Also visit the Laxmi Narayan temple, a unique blend of temple and fort architecture. Arrive Khajuraho and check in to your hotel. Overnight in Khajuraho.

Day 7 Khajuraho: Proceed for a full-day tour of Khajuraho. Visit the Western Group of Temples -the Kandariya Mahadeo is dedicated to Lord Shiva, and the largest of Khajuraho’s temples. The temple of Devi Jagdamba is considered to be one of the most erotic temples of Khajuraho. Later, visit the Eastern Group of Temples- The temple of Parsvanath is the largest of the Jain temples in Khajuraho India and the finest…without any sexual motifs. Overnight in Khajuraho.

Day 8 Varanasi: After breakfast transfer to Airport to board flight for Varanasi. Arrive Varanasi and check in to your hotel. Overnight in Varanasi.

Day 9 Varanasi: Early morning, enjoy a sublime boat ride on the Ganges River. View the numerous ghats along the bank of the Ganges, presenting a varied scene from dawn to dusk. Visit the Benares Hindu University, the largest residential university in Asia, a center of Sanskrit, Indian art, culture, and music. Later, proceed to Sarnath, located eight km from Varanasi. It is famous as the place where the Buddha first preached his message after attaining nirvana. Visit the Dhamek Stupa… it marks the spot where the Buddha proclaimed his faith in front of his first five followers. The earliest and most important relic is found here is the Ashoka pillar, erected in 250 BC. Overnight in Varanasi.

Day 10 Onwards: Proceed to the airport to board the flight for your onward destination.

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