Day 1: Arrival in Delhi

Welcome to Delhi, the capital of India, the largest democratic nation in the world. Home to over 15 million people, Delhi bombards the senses with a frenetic energy as India bursts onto the world stage as an emerging economic powerhouse. Ancient monuments blend with twentieth century colonial-inspired architecture while the traditions of Hindus, Muslims, Jains, Christians and Sikhs permeate the city. Overnight in Delhi.

Day 2: Delhi: City Tour - Overnight Train to Varanasi

After breakfast we depart for a full sightseeing day of Delhi. Our tour begins with Old Delhi with a photo stop outside of the Red Fort – a massive sandstone fort built by Shah Jahan on the banks of the river Yamuna. We then proceed to Raj Ghat, the cremation ground of the great father of the Indian nation, Mahatma Gandhi. In the afternoon we proceed for sightseeing of New Delhi where you will visit Qutub Minar, the tower of victory started by Qutub-Ud-Din-Aibak in AD 1199 upon becoming the sultan of Delhi. Nearby lies the Lotus temple, a distinctive lotus shaped marvel in marble and a temple of the Baha’i faith. We will also stop at the 42-metre high India Gate, commemorating the Indian soldiers who fought and died for the British Army in World War I. Later we transfer to the Delhi railway station and board the overnight train to Varanasi. Overnight on train in sleeper cars.

Day 3: Varanasi & Sarnath

Upon our arrival in Varanasi, we transfer from the train station to the hotel for breakfast and check-in. With more than 2,000 temples and shrines Varanasi has been the religious capital of the Hindu faith since its beginning. No one knows how old it really is -- when Buddha came here in 550 BC it was already a flourishing ancient settlement. The town is a maze of small streets and alleyways, hiding no fewer than 2,000 temples and shrines. This afternoon we take a short journey to the buried city of Sarnath. After attaining enlightenment at Bodh Gaya the Buddha went to Sarnath; and it was here that he preached his first discourse in the deer park to set in motion the 'Wheel of the Dharma'. The Dhamekh Stupa, Dharmararjika Stupa (the Main shrine where the Buddha sat in meditation), the sacred promenade from where he preached, and the Ashoka Pillar are monuments that still stand today. In the evening we venture down to the ghats of the Ganges to witness the Arati Festival. Overnight in Varanasi.

Day 4: Varanasi

Early this morning we take a boat ride on the sacred Ganges. Hindus regard the Ganges as the elixir of life bringing purity to the living and salvation to the dead. At dawn, thousands stand waist-deep in water praying to the rising sun. At dusk, hymns and prayers are uttered by the faithful in the light of hundreds of lighted lamps. The bathing ghats, over three miles in length, lead down from a steep bank to the river. Manikarnika burning ghat is the chief cremation centre of Varanasi. We will be guided on a short walk through the narrow alleys of Varanasi and then transfer back to our hotel for breakfast. Later we proceed for a sightseeing visit of the Bharat Mata Temple and Banaras Hindu University. The rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight in Varanasi.

Day 5: Varanasi - Overnight Train to Khajuraho

After breakfast explore Varanasi on your own. Later we will meet for our afternoon transfer to Varanasi railway station where we will board our overnight train to Khajuraho. Overnight on train in sleeper cars.

Day 6: Khajuraho

On arrival in Khajuraho, we will transfer to hotel for check-in and breakfast. Khajuraho is renowned the world over for its fine temples. Built between AD 950 and 1050, these temples are among the most creative examples of Indian architecture, of which only 22 of the original 85 temples survive. We visit the western group of temples, contained within a fenced enclosure and maintained as a park. We also visit the eastern group of temples. Parsvanath is the largest of the Jain temples and also the finest in Khajuraho, noted for the exceptional skill and precision of its construction and for the beauty of its sculptures. Khajuraho has achieved fame for the sensual appeal of the erotic sculptures, but these form only a small part of the wealth of the site. Taken in totality, the sculptures of Khajuraho depict the everyday life of the people and the court in the 10th and 11th centuries. OPTIONAL SOUND & LIGHT SHOW IN KHAJURAHO: The Light and Sound show on the Western Group of temples complex reminds one of the life and times of the great Chandela Kings and mark out the story of the exclusive temples from the 10th Century to the present day. The 50-minute fascinating show is held every evening. Overnight in Khajuraho

Day 7: Khajuraho - Orchha

After breakfast we drive to Orchha. Upon arrival we will check into our hotel and the rest of the day is at leisure to explore this small village and experience the daily market in the town centre, where local families sell colourful pigments, brass figurines and assorted fruits and vegetables. Overnight in Orchha.

Day 8: Orchha - Jhansi - Agra

After breakfast we embark on our walking tour of the Orchha, taking a couple of hours to visit the Raja Ram temple and Orchha Fort. We later transfer to Jhansi railway station where we will board our two-hour train to Agra. Agra continues to be medieval in structure: narrow, crowded streets and lanes, full of colourful shops sell that all kind of goods, especially local handicrafts, including gold and silver embroidery, imitation Mughal inlay on marble, and fine leather goods. Overnight in Agra.

Day 9: Agra & the Taj Mahal

Awaking very early, we depart before dawn to make our way to the awe-inspiring Taj Mahal, regarded as one of the new seven Wonders of the World. For people the world over the Taj Mahal, mausoleum of the Mughal Empress Mumtaz Mahal, is synonymous with India. Shah Jahan built the Taj to enshrine the body of his favourite wife who died shortly after giving birth to their 14th child in 1631. Construction by a work force of 20,000 men from all over Asia commenced in 1632 and the tomb was completed in 1653. Marble was brought from Makrana, near Jodhpur, and precious stones of onyx, amethyst, malachite, lapis lazuli, turquoise, jade, crystal and mother of pearl were carried to Agra from Persia, Russia, Afghanistan, Tibet, China and the Indian Ocean. We will have time to visit, take photos and reflect on the power of this monument to everlasting love. We return to the hotel for breakfast, afterwards visiting massive Agra Fort. Agra Fort lies on the bend of the River Yamuna, almost in the heart of the town. The citadel was built by Akbar’s minions over the years 1565 to 1573 in the finest architectural style. It has imposing gates and walls of red sandstone and a moat. The fort was successively occupied by three great Mughals -- Akbar, Jahangir and Shah Jahan, each of whom made significant structural contributions to this complex. Overnight in Agra.

Day 10: Agra - Jaipur

In the morning after breakfast we check out and depart for Jaipur, visiting Fatehpur Sikri en route, an ancient capital of the Moghul Empire built by Emperor Akbar the Great between 1569 and 1585. It was later abandoned due to the lack of a dependable water supply, but remains one of the most perfectly preserved examples of a Moghul city. Now deserted, it is almost perfectly preserved, a masterpiece in sandstone glowing in subtly changing shades of pink and red as the day progresses and the light fades. We will continue on our half-day drive to Jaipur where we will check into our hotel upon arrival. Jaipur has been dubbed the "Pink City" because of the many buildings inside the old city walls that are painted pink. Scattered throughout the northeast section of the town are palaces and temples designed in a variety of styles; the city lies snugly on a bed of a long-dry lake. Overnight in Jaipur.

Day 11: Jaipur: City Tour & Amber

Today our tour takes us to Amber, once the ancient state capital but now deserted. Rising on the slopes of a steep hill is the Amber Fortress with its imposing facade. The interior presents a galaxy of art including the world's best Chamber of Mirrors. Note: We will depart for Amber Fort early to give us the opportunity to climb aboard an elephant and ride up to the huge courtyard of the Fort. There are only a limited number of trips that the elephants can make on the circuit up to the fort, so it’s first come, first served, with two passengers per elephant. Feel like a Maharajah or Maharani of days gone by! In the afternoon we take a tour of Jaipur, one of the best-planned cities in India, built of rose-pink sandstone by the great astronomer-king Jai Singh II in 1727. The City Palace stands in the centre of the city, part of which is still the Maharaja's residence. We visit the Observatory, the City Palace, which now houses a museum, and take the opportunity to photograph the exterior of the Palace of the Winds. Overnight in Jaipur.

Day 12: Departure from Delhi

Departure from Delhi.

Tour Highlights

Magnificent Taj Mahal; Varanasi: 2000 temples and shrines; Morning boat ride on sacred Ganges; Exotic and erotic temples at Khajuraho; Red Fort (Agra); Amber Palace (Jaipur); Majestic Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds) at Jaipur.

Inclusions

Breakfast daily (for other meals that may be included please see tour itinerary). All accommodation, transport, sightseeing and entrance fees for sites noted as 'visited' in the detailed itinerary. Services of a Tour Leader and local guide support in some locations.

Exclusions

Airport arrival / departure transfers (affordable shared transfers available upon request). International air taxes (if applicable). Visa fees. Trip cancellation/interruption/medical insurance. Single supplement charges (if single room requested). TIPPING: Please allow $30-35 USD a week. Your Tour Leader can advise the appropriate amounts as you go. It is also customary to offer your Tour leader a tip; allow approximately $5-10 USD per day.

Seasonality Weather

For most of the country, November-March is the best time to visit. During those months, temperatures range from 40-70 F / 5-20 C in the north to 65-95 F/19-37 While conditions can vary widely, you must be prepared for some heat.

transport & travel conditions

Ground transport via private air-conditioned motor coach and trains (including overnight trains in sleeper cars). Internal flights via scheduled carriers. The tour is not physically strenuous though it is busy; you must be prepared for some early starts, be steady on your feet, and be able to endure some heat and long days. We have numerous walking tours and visit several sites that are LARGE with steps and uneven surfaces. Porters are available at hotels but you must be able to manage with your baggage at airports. You will have the opportunity to ride on an elephant too!

Accommodation

Accommodation in air-conditioned 3 star hotels. Hotel properties are mostly modern and Western style. Some are older, character properties with simpler rooms and perhaps no elevators. Our accommodation in Delhi cannot be considered "central" in a conventional sense. Delhi is a huge sprawling city with many districts and centres of interest / business; our hotel is well-located for what we want to accomplish on our city coach tour. Some properties have swimming pools. Laundry services at most hotels for a modest cost. Single rooms are limited and possibly smaller than twins. Porters are generally available. NOTE: Single cabins are generally NOT available on the overnight trains. Single supplements reflect sharing for these nights.

Staff and Support

Tour Leader throughout, local drivers, local guides at various locations.

Group Size

10 to 16 (plus Tour Leader)