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TEMPLES, TAJ MAHAL & TRADITIONS – 9 DAYS

Delhi- Jaipur -Agra -Khajuraho -Varanasi -Delhi

VARANASI, THE CENTRE of the Hindu universe, has maintained a religious tradition that goes back to the sixth century BC. In all these years, great sages, teachers and students have sought answers at the ghats. Others look for release from life’s cycle, and cremation here in Varanasi, on the banks of the Ganges, is one way of attaining it. The temples of Khajuraho also promise enlightenment. †he erotica that they have gained such notoriety for has its basis in tantric belief. The temples in their proportions, embellishment and composition represent the best of North Indian temple architecture. To a visit to these cities, the itinerary adds a trip to the Taj Mahal – that striving for perfection in the expression of eternal love and Jaipur- rose pink capital of Rajasthan.

Upon arrival you will be met, greeted with a traditional welcome and transferred to your hotel. One of the oldest cities in the world, Delhi has an excellent old town ambience in Old Delhi, and modern in New Delhi. Overnight at the Hotel.

Breakfast. Morning tour of New Delhi visiting the Qutub Minar, a gigantic 72-meter tower and Humayun’s Tomb, the mausoleum of second Mughal Emperor Humayun. Drive past the Diplomatic Area, Government buildings, Rashtrapati Bhawan (residence of the President of India), Parliament and India Gate. Visit the Gurudwara, Sikh Temple, an architectural beauty. Afternoon tour of Old Delhi, driving past the Red Fort, built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. Enjoy a Rickshaw (pedi-cab) ride in Chandni Chowk, one of the oldest and largest enclosed bazaars in India. Continue on your tour visiting the Jama Masjid, the largest mosque of India and Rajghat, the place where Mahatma Gandhi, "Father of the Nation," was cremated. Overnight at the Hotel.

Breakfast. Morning travel by road to Jaipur, the capital city of Rajasthan, also known as the “Pink City”. Transfer to Hotel. Overnight at the Hotel.

Breakfast. Morning tour of Amber Fort and enjoy an elephant ride. Drive past the beautifully restored Jal Mahal, a former royal pleasure pavilion. Afternoon tour of the City Palace, it’s museum and Hawa Mahal or the Palace of Winds–a prominent landmark in Jaipur. Also visit, Jantar Mantar or the astronomical observatory, largest of the five observatories built by Jai Singh II. Explore the exotic ‘bazaars’ of Jaipur to discover the artistic wealth of the region. Overnight at the Hotel.

Breakfast. Morning travel by road to Agra visiting en route Fatehpur Sikri, a world Heritage Site. Fatehpur Sikri was the first planned city of the Mughals and was built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar during 1564 AD. Continue on your drive to Agra, famous as being home to one of the Seven Wonders of the World-the Taj Mahal. Transfer to Hotel. Overnight at the Hotel.

Breakfast. Morning tour of the Taj Mahal, India’s most fascinating and beautiful monument. Also, visit the Agra Fort, an imposing fort on the banks of the river Yamuna, built by Mughal Emperor Akbar. Afternoon visit the Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daulah and later, enjoy the view of the Taj Mahal from Mehtab Bagh, located on the opposite bank of the Taj Mahal. Overnight at the Hotel.

Breakfast. Morning transfer to the train station for your train to Jhansi. On arrival, travel by road to Khajuraho visiting en route the palaces and temples in the medieval city of Orchha. The Khajuraho temples were built in the short span of a hundred years, from 950-1050 AD in truly inspired burst of creativity. Overnight at the Hotel.

Breakfast. Morning tour of the Khajuraho Temples. Later, transfer to the airport for your flight to Varanasi. On arrival, transfer to your hotel. Considered to be one of the oldest living cites in the world, there are few places in India as colorful, charismatic or spiritual as the bathing ghats along the River Ganges in Varanasi. Afternoon visit Sarnath, the place where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon after getting enlightenment, some 2500 years ago. Witness the evening prayer ceremonies on the ‘Ghats’ (stone steps) of River Ganges. Overnight at the Hotel.

Sunrise cruise on River Ganges to see the Hindu rituals on the Ghats. The great river banks at Varanasi are high with eighteenth and nineteenth-century pavilions and palaces, temples and terraces. Return to your hotel for breakfast. Afternoon transfer to the airport for your flight to Delhi. Remain in Transit and connect flight back home.

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