CULTURAL HERITAGE OF INDIA
Duration: 12 days
Highlights: Delhi, Jaipur, Agra, Gwalior, Khajuraho, Varanasi.
This itinerary covers all of the major highlights in northern India with visit to Khajuraho Dance Festival.
Itinerary
Day 1 - ARRIVE DELHI
Arrive late evening at New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International airport. You will be met by our representative outside the customs gate and escorted to your hotel.
Day 2 - DELHI
Enjoy a full day guided tour of Delhi.
The city consists of two parts - Old and New Delhi. Old Delhi was the capital of Muslim India between the 17th and 19th centuries and has many mosques, monuments and
forts.
Begin your day with an exploration starting in Old Delhi. Visit Jama Masjid, the Royal Mosque which was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1656. Enjoy a cycle
rickshaw ride through the narrow lanes followed by a short walk on the main street of Old Delhi - the colourful shopping bazaar known as Chandni Chowk. Drive past the Red
Fort (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. Continue to Raj Ghat, the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi.
In the afternoon visit New Delhi - the imperial city created by the British as the capital of India. In 1911, Edwin Lutyens, the most renowned English architect of the day, was
chosen to design New Delhi. Drive through the majestic boulevards - the Rashtrapati Bhawan is where the Viceroy once lived and is now the official residence of the
President of India. View India Gate, a war memorial arch built in honour of 90,000 Indian soldiers who lost their lives in World War I. Visit Humayun’s Tomb (a UNESCO
World Heritage Site), the first great example of Mughal architecture in India. The day’s tour ends at Qutab Minar (another UNESCO World Heritage Site) - a soaring tower of
victory which is 72.5 metres high and has five distinct stories.
Meal Plan: B
Day 3 - DELHI - JAIPUR
This morning leave for Jaipur.
Jaipur, known as "The City of Victory" and “The Pink City”, was first intended to be "Sawai Jaipur", named after the boy prince who commissioned it, Maharaja Jai Singh II. In
spite of growing into a bustling metropolis, it still retains its character and history, a beautiful fusion of yesteryears and modernity. The massive forts, magnificent palaces,
exquisite temples and lush gardens are reminders of the glorious past of Jaipur.
Afternoon arrive in Jaipur and check-in at your hotel.
Later enjoy an orientation tour of Jaipur city. Visit the City Palace and museum. It has a superb collection of Rajasthani costumes and armoury of Mughals and Rajputs
including swords, antiques and artifacts. Proceed to Jantar Mantar, a stone astrological and astronomical observatory which was built by Maharaja Jai Singh in the 18th
century. Enjoy a cycle-rickshaw ride in the colourful bazaar of the old city.
Also visit Hawa Mahal, the "Palace of the Winds." This beautiful façade is probably the most-photographed in Jaipur. The ornately carved windows were designed so that the
ladies of the palace could look out onto the streets unobserved. There is also time to shop for Jaipur blue pottery and block-printed cotton linens.
Meal Plan: B
Day 4 - JAIPUR
This morning enjoy an excursion to the magnificent Amber Fort.
This beautiful fortified palace was the capital of the state of Jaipur until 1728 and the architecture is a melding of the Mughal and Rajput styles. Tour the chambers and
hallways of the palace which are famous for the excellence of their design and decoration including the spectacular “Hall of Mirrors”.
Remainder of the day will be at leisure for independent activities.
Meal Plan: B
Day 5 - JAIPUR - AGRA
This morning drive to Agra. En route stop at Fatehpur Sikri, a deserted red sandstone city that was built by Emperor Akbar as his capital and palace in the late 16th century.
Arrive Agra late afternoon and check-in at your hotel.
Two great Mughal monarchs, Akbar and Shah Jahan, transformed the little village of Agra into a befitting second capital of the Mughal Empire giving it the name
Dar-ul-Khilafat, which means seat of the Emperor. Today, a visitor to Agra is caught up in a world of contrasting edifices whilst experiencing the irresistible charm that this
favorite city of the Mughals still retains.
Meal Plan: B
Day 6 - AGRA
Early morning proceed for a sunrise visit to the mesmerising Taj Mahal (a UNESCO World Heritage site).
The 17th century Taj Mahal is often called a poem in stone. If so, the mausoleum is a love poem - created by Shah Jahan for his favourite wife Mumtaz Mahal. Please note:
Taj Mahal remains closed on Fridays.
Return to hotel and enjoy breakfast.
Later visit Agra Fort (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). The fort was built by the third Mughal Emperor, Akbar. Subsequent additions were made to the fort by his son Jahangir
and grandson Shahjahan.
Rest of the afternoon at leisure for independent activities at your hotel.
Meal Plan: B
Day 7 - AGRA - GWALIOR
This morning transfer to railway station for your journey to Gwalior.
Gwalior has made a successful transition into a modern Indian city. A multitude of reigning dynasties of the great Rajput clans have left indelible etchings in this city of
palaces, temples and monuments. The magnificent mementoes of a glorious past have been preserved with care, giving Gwalior an appeal which is unique and timeless.
Meet and greet on arrival at Gwalior railway station and transfer to your hotel.
Later in the afternoon enjoy an orientation tour of Gwalior.
Visit the magnificent Gwalior Fort. The city’s most famous landmark has within its walls several interesting temples and ruined palaces. Continue onto the Jai Vilas Palace
and Scindia Museum. Located in the new town, the palace belongs to the Scindia family.
Please note: Jai Vilas Palace and Scindia Museum is closed on Mondays.
Meal Plan: B
Day 8 - GWALIOR - JHANSI – KHAJURAHO
This morning transfer to railway station for your train journey to Jhansi. Arrive in Jhansi and transfer to Khajuraho.
Khajuraho is world renowned for its temple architecture. The famous sculptures in the sandstone temples of Khajuraho are truly beautiful, they are widely acknowledged as
some of the most exquisite temple art in India. The 22 temples, located in three distinct groups, were built by the Chandela dynasty that died out in the 10th century.
Late afternoon, enjoy the Khajuraho Dance Festival. This weeklong dance festival takes place in the open spaces of Khajuraho group of temples.
Expressions come at their best at Khajuraho Dance Festival! Celebrating the charisma of human emotions and religious philosophy, the festival attracts thousands of tourists.
Khajuraho dance festival is an annual event, organised in the last week of February in Madhya Pradesh. The event enjoys the presence of the best classical dancers from all
across India.
Meal Plan: B
Day 9 - KHAJURAHO DANCE FESTIVAL
This morning visit the Western Group of Temples (a UNESCO World Heritage Site).
The Western Group constitutes some of the finest examples of Chandela art in existence. The largest is the Kandhariya Mahadev dedicated to Lord Shiva, followed by
Chaunsath Yogini, a granite temple.
Later during the day continue to enjoy the festival. The festival provides platform to the young dancers to prove their calibre by performing in front of visitors. It is a cultural
event that attracts enthusiasts of traditional Asian performing art. Dancers from far and wide visit Khajuraho to take part in the festival.
Internationally famed, the Khajuraho Dance Festival is acclaimed by international dancers as well as academies. The dance festival offers a rare opportunity to see the
performance of maestros and grand dames of Indian.
As the dusk leaves its way to the night, lamps in the temple in a golden radiance create the perfect atmosphere to enjoy the event. The euphonic strains of the flute set the
mood. The “Mrindangam” (an Indian musical instrument) and the tabla create rhythms resounded by the “Ghungroo” of the dancers.
Meal Plan: B
Day 10 - KHAJURAHO - VARANASI
This morning visit the Eastern Group of Temples. The Eastern Group is comprised of two historic Jain temples, the Adinath Temple which is lavishly embellished with sculpted
figures and the Parsvanath Temple which is sculpted with charming detail and is the largest Jain temple.
After the visit you will be escorted to the airport for the flight to Varanasi.
Varanasi is probably the place in India that has the most profound impact on visitors. Formerly known as Benares, it sits on a bend of the Ganges and has been a pilgrimage
site since the 6th century BC. The Old City, a maze of tiny alleys, has several temples, including the Golden Temple which is only accessible to Hindus - and many cows,
which have traffic priority!
Arrive in Varanasi and proceed directly to the Sarnath Ruins. This is the site where Lord Buddha preached his first sermon. Also visit the Archeological Museum, full of
Buddha art treasures. Please note: Sarnath museum is closed on Fridays.
Meal Plan: B
Day 11 - VARANASI – DELHI
Early morning boat ride on river Ganges.
After breakfast visit the holy city of Varanasi.
Later by noon you will be escorted to the airport for the flight to Delhi.
Arrive Delhi and transfer to International Airport for your flight to onward destination.
Meal Plan: B
Day 12 - DEPART DELHI
Depart Delhi early hours of Day 12.