11 Days Golden Triangle With Khajuraho Varanasi

Upon your arrival in Delhi, a representative from Vimla India Tours will warmly welcome you and assist you to your hotel. They will provide you with a briefing about the tour and handover all the necessary travel documents. The rest of the day is free for you to relax and settle in. Overnight stay in your hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, the sightseeing tour begins with a visit to Old Delhi. The tour starts with a visit to Raj Ghat, a simple memorial to Mahatma Gandhi. Then, drive past the Red Fort and continue to Jama Masjid, which is one of the largest mosques in Asia. The magnificent Red Fort, which overlooks the river Yamuna, was built during the peak years of the Mughal Empire between 1638 and 1648. After exploring Old Delhi, you will be driven to New Delhi, which reflects the legacy left behind by the British. The division between New and Old Delhi marks the division between the capitals of the British and the Mughals, respectively. The division in the walled city and New Delhi also marks the difference in their lifestyles. The walled city is traditional, where one can experience past lifestyles in all their facets, colors, and spells. In contrast, New Delhi is a city that strives to live up to the best of 21st century standards. The tour of Imperial Delhi will include a visit to QutubMinar, which is the tallest stone tower in India. It was started by Qutub-ud-din Aibak in 1199. You will also visit the Humayun Tomb, drive past the imposing India Gate, the Parliament building, and the Rashtrapati Bhawan, which is the President’s residence. Finally, you will visit the Lotus Temple (Bahai Temple). Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, you will be driven to Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, also known as the Pink City, known for its captivating design and architecture. Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel, and then visit Birla Mandir, Jaipur (Lakshmi Narayan Temple) for a ceremony. This Hindu temple was built by the B.M. Birla Foundation in 1988 and is constructed solely of white marble. It is dedicated to the Hindu Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Vishnu (Narayan). Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, proceed for a full-day sightseeing tour of the Pink City. The first stop is at Hawa Mahal (wind palace) for some photo ops, and then drive to Amber Fort, also referred to as the Amber Palace. The fort is located on a hill in Amer, Rajasthan, just 11 kilometers from the city of Jaipur, and is a major tourist attraction. Built by Raja Man Singh, the fort presents a fascinating blend of Hindu and Muslim architecture, built using red sandstone and white marble. You will take a short jeep ride to reach the Fort.

After visiting the fort, you will visit City Palace, a beautiful fusion of Mughal and Rajput architecture, located deep within the walled city. The palace complex was conceived and built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the founder of Jaipur. It is still home to the last ruling royal family, who live in a private section of the palace. The last visit will be the Jantar Mantar (Observatory), a collection of nineteen architectural astronomical instruments built by the Rajput king Sawai Jai Singh II, the founder of Jaipur, Rajasthan. The monument was completed in 1734 and features the world's largest stone sundial. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Today, you will travel from Jaipur to Agra and visit the Chand Baori stepwell en route. This ancient structure was built during the 8th and 9th centuries and features 3,500 narrow steps arranged in perfect symmetry, descending 20 meters to the bottom of the well. Next, you will visit Fatehpur Sikri, built by Emperor Akbar in the 16th century. This site is renowned for its exceptional records on Mughal civilization and is one of the popular UNESCO world Heritage sites in India, featuring many historical monuments. During your visit, you will tour the five-story Panch Mahal and the stupendous Buland Darwaza, located at the central portico with three arched entrances, locally known as Horse shoe Gate. You will also visit other graceful buildings such as Ibadat Khana, Mariam-uz-Zamani's palace, Naubat Khana, and Birbal's house. Later, you will be driven to Agra and spend the night in a hotel.

In the morning, you will visit the magnificent Taj Mahal (closed on Fridays). This world-renowned monument in Agra, India, is famous as one of the wonders of the world and is the epitome of true love and passion. Built entirely out of white marble by the famous Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaj Mahal, the Taj Mahal is said to be the most beautiful monument built by the Mughal rulers. The architectural beauty and magnificence of the Taj Mahal are beyond description. Next, you will visit the Agra Fort, which was built in 1573 under the reign of Akbar, one of the greatest Mughal emperors. It took over 4000 workers and eight years of hardship to complete the fort. Akbar built the fort in a strategic location, making it the main residence of the Mughals. The fort remained the main residence of the emperors belonging to the Mughal dynasty until 1638. The fort houses numerous impressive structures such as the Jahangir Mahal, Khas Mahal, Diwan-i-Khas, Diwan-i-Am, Machchhi Bhawan, and Moti Masjid. Later, you will spend the night in a hotel in Agra.

In the early morning, you will be transferred to the railway station to catch the Shatabdi Express train for Jhansi. Upon arrival, you will be driven to Khajuraho, with a stopover to visit the historical site of Orchha. This magnificent site is home to temples and monuments, some of which are adorned with painted murals showcasing the Bundela school of Painting's finest flowering. During your visit, you will see Jehangir Mahal, Raj Mahal, Raj Praveen Mahal, Chaturbhuj Temple, LaxmiNarayan Temple, Orchha Palace, and a panoramic view of the Betwa River. Afterward, you will continue your drive to Khajuraho and check into your hotel upon arrival. Overnight at the hotel.

In the morning, you will explore Khajuraho, which is world-renowned for its magnificent temples of erotica built between 950 A.D. and 1050 A.D. Khajuraho is a world heritage town, and the temples are scattered over an area of 8 sq km. After relaxing, take a sightseeing tour of the Western group of Temples, which consists of the massive Laxman Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the Laxmi and Varaha temples dedicated to Vishnu's consort Laxman, the Kandariya Mahadev temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, and the Chausath Yogini temple dedicated to goddess Kali. You will also visit the Archaeological museum, which houses a collection of stone sculptures from the Chandela dynasty. In the evening, you will be transferred to the railway station to board the overnight train to Varanasi.

Upon arrival in Varanasi, you will be met and assisted, and then transferred to your hotel. After breakfast, you will proceed to visit Sarnath, the temple where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon to his five disciples, preaching the middle path for attaining “Nirvana.” In the evening, you will witness the beautiful Ganga Aarti, or River Ganges, which is the holy river of India for Hindus. It flows through many important religious cities like Varanasi, Haridwar, and Rishikesh in North India. People offer fire offerings to the river in the form of floating lamps made with candles and flowers. Thousands of such lamps are let to float on the river, creating the impression of millions of stars on the river. After this, you will stay overnight at the hotel.

Early in the morning, proceed for a sunrise boat ride on the Ganges. Boating down the Ganges River during sunrise is one of the main attractions in Varanasi. Here, we can observe the Hindu way of life along the banks of the Ganges (Ghats) River. You will have the chance to witness a unique combination of physical, metaphysical, and supernatural elements that Varanasi presents. According to Hindu mythology, Varanasi liberates the soul from the human body to the ultimate. The Ganga Ghats of Varanasi complement the concept of divinity. The Ganga Ghats at Varanasi are full of pilgrims who flock to the sacred river to take a dip in the holy Ganges, which is believed to absolve one from all sins. After breakfast, take a flight to Delhi and stay overnight in the hotel.

Transfer to the airport for your onward journey.