Experience the wonders of India.

Explore Delhi’s large red sandstone mosques on the Yamuna River designed to the style of Mughal architecture. Pay respects at Raj Ghat, site of Mahatma Gandhi’s cremation. Walk through the ‘India Gate’, a stone arch built in the memory of Indian soldiers that fought and died in World War II.

Take an elephant ride to the Amber Fort in Jaipur that encloses superb palaces and a beautiful temple in marble dedicated to the fearsome Goddess Kali. Bargain with the locals at Jaipur’s renowned local stalls and purchase jewelry, handicrafts and the famous lakh bangles.

En-route to Agra visit the queen’s ‘Wind Palace’ and Fatehpur Sikri, known as the Ghost City, a heritage site that houses a complex of monuments and temples.

Once in Agra marvel at one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the crown palace more famously known as the ‘Taj Mahal’. A breathtaking construction built in perfect symmetry which stands on the bank of the River Yamuna. The background plains cast majestic colors that beautifully change at different hours of the day and during different seasons.

Travel overnight on the super fast train to Varanasi, the culture capital of India. Varanasi is situated on the crescent shaped left bank of the holy Ganga. Experience the sites of uplifting spiritual ceremonies taking place on the banks of the Ganges both by boat in the early sunrise and during the evening’s endless string of rituals.

Attain enlightenment with an excursion to Sarnath, the buried Buddhist city where Buddha preached his first sermon in the deer park to set in motion the 'Wheel of the Dharma'. It is one of the most holy sites as it is in this place that the stream of the Buddha's teaching first flowed.

B - Breakfast, L - Lunch, D – Dinner

Day 1
Delhi

Arrive in Delhi, the capital city of India. Receive a garland and welcome drink and a guided hotel transfer via private air-conditioned transport. Rest and recuperate, overnight in Delhi.

Day 2
Delhi, Jaipur (B, L, D)

Sightseeing of the old and New Delhi City. Explore Jama Maszid, the largest mosque of India, laid out along the Yamuna River as an irregular octagon, surrounded by a wall of approximately 2.4 km in circumference, built of red sandstone.

Drive through the ‘Red Fort’, built in the 1600’s designed to the style of Mughal architecture; the fort has two main entrances, Delhi Gate and Lahore Gate. Lunch at a famous city restaurant, and then visit Raj Ghat, site of Mahatma Gandhi’s cremation. Continue the afternoon tour and visit the ‘India Gate’, a 42m stone arch built in the memory of Indian soldiers that fought and died in World War II.

Visit the Parliament House, Presidential Palace, Secretariat Buildings, then explore the well known Delhi Land mark of ‘Qutab Minar ‘. Transfer to Jaipur (the city of jewels) by private air- conditioned transport. Overnight in Jaipur.

Day 3
Jaipur (B, L, D)

Morning sightseeing of Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan and begin with an elephant ride at Amber Fort. The Fort was originally built in the 16th century by Maharaja Man Singh and encloses superb palaces and a beautiful temple in marble dedicated to the fearsome Goddess Kali. Visit Jal Mahal (the ‘Lake Palace’) which is situated in the midst of the Man Sagar Lake.

Jaipur is renowned for its local shopping and a great source for fine jewelry, handicrafts, clothes and the famous lakh bangles. Lunch will be at a famous Rajathani restaurant. Later visit live demonstrations of block printing on cotton and silk at a textile factory. Evening at leisure. Overnight at Jaipur.

Day 4
Jaipur, Agra (B, L, D)

Morning tour starts with the ‘City Palace’, a Museum which contains elaborate wardrobes, magnificent armory and intricately carved weapons. Continue onto Hawa Mahal, the ‘Wind Palace’; admire the view from where the palace queen would watch the activities of the large bazaar below.

Later transfer to Agra by private air-conditioned transport. Enroute visit Fatehpur Sikri, known as the Ghost City and built in red sandstone in honor of Saint Salim Chisti who foretold the birth of 3 sons to Emperor Akbar. Fatehpur Sikri, a world heritage site, is a complex of monuments and temples, all in a uniform architectural style. It includes one of the largest mosques in India, it is here that people pray at the shrine and tie cotton threads in the beliefs that their wishes will be granted. Overnight at Agra.

Day 5
Agra (B, L, D)

Begin your sightseeing tour of Agra with one of the new Seven Wonders of the World, the ‘Taj Mahal’. The Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan commissioned the mausoleum of love for his favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Besides perfect symmetry in every aspect of its construction, the inlay work of semi precious stones into marble in pietra dura style is absolutely remarkable. The Taj Mahal (which translates literally as the Crown Palace) stands on the bank of the Yamuna River. The background plains cast majestic colors that beautifully change at different hours of the day and during different seasons.

Later visit a marble factory, enjoy live shows of workmanship inlaying the one stone in another just as the Mughals did previously. Continue the sightseeing tour with a visit to Sikandra (the Tomb of Akbar), this highly ornate memorial to the founder of the Radhaswamy sect has been in the making for several years. It is entirely in marble, upon which every manner of ornamentation has been applied. Evening at leisure. Overnight at Agra.

Day 6
Agra, Varanasi (B, L)

In the morning we visit the massive ‘Agra Fort’. The elegant buildings inside reflect an interesting synthesis of Hindu and Central Asian architectural styles. The maze of the courtyards, mosques and private chambers of the fort, echo the story of the Mughal Empire. The Moti Masjid and other magnificent buildings reflect the skill of the ancient Indian architects.

Later visit Itmad-Ud-Daulah's Tomb built by Empress Noor Jahan, in memory of her father, Ghias-ud-Din Beg in 1625AD. Lunch will be at a famous South Indian restaurant. Visit market areas for world known Silken Kashmiri rugs, carpets, Indian spices and recipes. Later in the evening transfer to the railway station to board the first class overnight train to Varanasi.

Day 7
Varanasi (B, L, D)

Morning arrival at Varanasi, the culture capital of India then transfer to your hotel with your guide. Varanasi is situated on the crescent shaped left bank of the holy Ganga. Varanasi, one of the ancient seats of learning in India, is said to be a compound of the names of two streams, the Varuna and the Assi, which still flow into the north and south of the city respectively.

Embark on a city tour of Varanasi. Visit the Bharat Mata temple, dedicated to Mother India, which, instead of the customary gods and goddesses, houses one of the most perfect relief maps of India carved out of marble. Also visit the famous temples of Durga and Tulsi Manas and the Benaras Hindu University art gallery. As the afternoon winds to a close, explore the mosque of Moghul Emperor Aurangzeb and the Kashi Vishwanath Temple.

In the evening attend Aarti Puja (light ceremony) on the banks of the Ganges. Overnight at Varanasi.

Day 8
Varanasi (B, L, D)

Early morning, leave for a boat ride on the Ganges to see the bathing on the Ghats (the river bank) and cremation site. Enjoy the spectacular sunrise on the riverfront, as seen from the boat, a spiritually and uplifting sight. The life on the Ghats, bound in an endless string of rituals; ever-changing aspects of the river and the wide landscape have fascinated visitors from all over the world.

Later you will take an excursion to Sarnath - the buried Buddhist city where Buddha preached his first sermon. 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'. It is one of the most holy sites as it is in this place that the stream of the Buddha's teaching first flowed. Sarnath was a renowned school of learning from the 16th century BC to 12th century AD. Visit the ruins, the stupa, the Buddhist temple and the museum (closed on Fridays). At the museum is the Ashok Pillar with its four guardian lions, used as independent India’s national emblem. Evening is free. Overnight at Varanasi.

Day 9
Varanasi, Delhi (B, D)

Half day free. Afternoon, travel to the airport to catch your flight to Delhi. On arrival, check in at your hotel. Evening free to visit the local market. Overnight at Delhi.

Day 10
Delhi

Morning, transfer to the international airport to catch your return flight home.