The Splendors of Northern and Central India

After breakfast, set out for Delhi sightseeing. Stop off at the UNESCO World Heritage site, Humayun’s Tomb. Built-in 1570, it is of particular cultural significance as it was the first garden tomb on the Indian subcontinent. Then visit the breathtaking Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India, and the bustling Chandni Chowk – one of the oldest and busiest markets in Old Delhi. Enjoy a rickshaw ride at Chandni Chowk.

Have lunch at a nice restaurant. After that visit the towering Qutub Minar (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), a 73-meter (239.5 feet) tall tapering tower of five storeys. Qutb-ud-Din-Aibak, the founder of the Delhi Sultanate, started construction of the Qutb Minar's first storey around 1192. After that, visit Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, one of the most prominent Sikh temples, or Sikh house of worship in Delhi, and known for its association with the eighth Sikh Guru, Guru Har Krishan, as well as the pool inside its complex, known as the "Sarovar."

Overnight stay will be at the hotel in Delhi.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch 

After breakfast, check out from the hotel, and head towards the Pink City - Jaipur, famous for its broad avenues, massive forts, magnificent palaces, exquisite temples, and royal culture.  

Reach Jaipur by late afternoon. Check-in at the hotel and relax. In the evening, enjoy a guided walk tour of the famous Pink City markets. Jaipur is also known as the shopper’s paradise. Jaipur's colorful markets offer a great break to stop and shop on your tour. Take in the glint and sparkle of the rows of shops selling hand-crafted bangles and other decoration items. While moving through the markets, you will come across the vivacious culture of this region.

Overnight stay will be at the hotel in Jaipur.

Meals: Breakfast 

After breakfast, set out for the local sightseeing. Visit the historic heritage sites of Jaipur - Hawa Mahal ("Palace of Winds" - a high screen wall built so the women of the royal household could observe street festivals while unseen from the outside). Then visit Jantar Mantar (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), It is a collection of nineteen architectural astronomical instruments, built by the Rajput king Sawai Jai Singh, and completed in 1738 CE.

After that, visit the City Palace. A complex of courtyards, gardens, and buildings, the impressive City Palace is right in the center of the Old City. Then, visit the Albert Hall Museum, located inside Ram Niwas Garden. Built in 1876 as a concert hall, the museum gets its name from the Victoria and Albert Museum of London, because of the similarity of architecture. The hall is used for displaying masterpieces of local artisans.

Have Dinner at a nice restaurant. Overnight stay will be at the hotel in Jaipur.

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

After breakfast, visit the renowned forts of Jaipur. On your way also visit Jal Mahal (the palace in the middle of the lake). It was built in the 17th century. Visit the grand Amer Fort (or Amber Fort) (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). It is the principal tourist attraction in Jaipur and the current structure was built during the late 16th century by Rajput Kings.

After that, visit the Galta ji temple also known as ‘Monkey temple’. It is a historic pilgrimage site. A large Hindu temple complex that lies 10km to the east of Jaipur. These temples are a popular tourist attraction as they are home to a large colony of monkeys. Galta Ji Jaipur is a unique Hindu temple as it is centered around a natural spring that has been channeled to fill seven large pools.

In the evening visit Nahargarh Fort, which provides a beautiful bird's eye view of the entire Jaipur city.

Overnight stay will be at the hotel in Jaipur.

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, check out from the hotel & head towards Agra. Welcome to the city of Wonder… because it’s the place of the Taj Mahal – one of the seven wonders of the world. Pictures of the Taj Mahal don’t do complete justice to its magnificence. It’s an epitome and symbol of love. You got to be here to feel your jaws drop. Agra used to be the historic capital of the Mughal Empire. 

On the way, visit Chand Baori (Step Well), one of the oldest and most attractive stepwells in Rajasthan. It was built during the 8th and 9th centuries and has 3,500 narrow steps arranged in perfect symmetry, which descend 20m to the bottom of the well.

Reach Agra by afternoon. Have lunch at a nice restaurant. Check-in at the hotel and freshen up. Later head to visit Agra Fort, a historical fort, which remained the main residence of the Mughal emperors till 1638. Walking through courtyard after courtyard of this palatial red-sandstone and marble fortress, your amazement keeps growing as you hear about the history of this fort from the guide. Later in the evening, hang out at the local market.

Overnight stay will be at the hotel in Agra.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Early in the morning at sunrise, visit the spectacular Taj Mahal (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) built by Shah Jahan in 1632 in memory of his queen Mumtaz Mahal to enshrine her mortal remains. Return to the hotel. After breakfast, check out from the hotel and transfer to Agra Train Station. Board the superfast train for Gwalior.

A historic city founded by King Surajesan, Gwalior is galore with beautiful monuments, palaces, and temples, giving this city a quaint charm that shouts of its glorious past. Being a historic city where one of India's most eminent royalty once resided, Gwalior is full of palaces and glorious temples.

Reach at Gwalior. The private car will pick you up from Gwalior Train Station and transfer you to the hotel for check-in. In the afternoon, head out to explore Gwalior. Visit Gwalior Fort, which is one of the largest forts in India and gives a panoramic view of the entire city. Important buildings housed inside are Gurjari Mahal and Man Mandir. This fort is built on a steep hill called Gopachal. Visit Sahastrabahu Temple also called the Sas-Bahu Mandir.

Reach back at the hotel by evening. Overnight stay will be at the hotel in Gwalior.

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, check out from the hotel & head towards Orchha. This historic village on the banks of the boulder-strewn Betwa River showcases a supreme display of Mughal architecture, some of which is similar to that of nearby Khajuraho (albeit without such high-quality artistry) with much grander palaces and cenotaphs dotting the pastoral landscape as well.

Check-in at the hotel on arrival. In the afternoon, head out for sightseeing. Visit Orchha Fort situated on the island of Betwa River. The scenic location apart, the fort has more to offer. It houses many palaces and temples. The three most important palaces seen here are the Jahangir Mahal, the Raj Mahal, and the famous Rai Parveen Mahal.

Reach back at the hotel by evening. Dinner & Overnight stay will be at the hotel in Orchha.

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

After breakfast, check out from the hotel and transfer to Khajuraho, which is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Madhya Pradesh state of India. It is renowned for its ancient temples that display some of the finest art in the world. These temples depict various forms like meditation, spiritual teachings, kinship, wrestling, royalty, and most significantly, erotic art. The temples consist of stunning displays of fine sculptures and exceptional architectural skill, making them one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India.

Reach Khajuraho by the afternoon. Check-in at the hotel and relax. Evening will be at your leisure.

Overnight stay will be at the hotel in Khajuraho.

Meals: Breakfast

After a nice breakfast, head out for sightseeing. Visit the famous Khajuraho Group of Monuments. The Khajuraho Group of Monuments is a group of Hindu temples and Jain temples. The temples are famous for their Nagara-style architectural symbolism and their erotic sculptures. Most Khajuraho temples were built between 950 CE and 1050 CE by the Chandela rulers. There are 25 surviving temples at Khajuraho, of which the Kandariya Mahadeva Temple is decorated with a profusion of sculptures with intricate details, symbolism, and expressiveness of ancient Indian art.

The evening will be at your leisure. Overnight stay will be at the hotel in Khajuraho.

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, check out from the hotel and head towards Prayagraj (earlier known as Allahabad). Brahma, the Hindu god of creation, is believed to have landed on earth at Prayagraj (or Allahabad as it was known until recently) and to have been named the king of all pilgrimage centers. Indeed, Sangam, a river confluence on the outskirts of the city, is the most celebrated of India’s four Kumbh Mela locations.

Reach Prayagraj (Allahabad) by evening. Check-in at the hotel on arrival. In the evening, head out to visit Triveni Sangam, the junction point of three rivers - Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati (which is a mythical river, supposed to have dried up millenniums ago). Both Ganga and Yamuna are extremely revered rivers in Indian mythology.

Overnight stay will be at the hotel in Prayagraj (Allahabad).

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, check out from the hotel and head towards Varanasi. Also known at various times in history as Kashi (City of Life) and Benares, this is one of the world's oldest continually inhabited cities and is regarded as one of Hinduism's seven holy cities. Pilgrims come to the Ghats lining the River Ganges here to wash away a lifetime of sins in the sacred waters or to cremate their loved ones.

Reach Varanasi by evening. Check-in at the hotel and relax. The evening will be at your leisure.

Overnight stay will be at the hotel in Varanasi.

Meals: Breakfast

Early in the morning, head out for the sunrise boat ride in the Ganges River. Rowing boat rides during the dawn is perhaps one of the best things to do in Varanasi. Witness the daily rituals. The best time to enjoy a boat ride on the Ganges River is from 5:30 AM to 8 AM. This is when the color and clamor of the place will enthrall you.

After breakfast, head out for the tour to Sarnath, one of the holiest Buddhist sites. See the Dhamekha Stupa where the voice of Buddhism was first heard and many Buddhist dignitaries visit to pay homage to Buddha. Later, visit the famous silk market of Varanasi. Varanasi silk is famous all over India and abroad.

In the evening, explore the old city and stroll along the Ghats. Exploring the Ghats is one of the best things to do in Varanasi. The city has almost a hundred Ghats, the steps of each leading the banks of the River Ganges. These are bathing Ghats and praying Ghats. Each Ghat is associated with some legend or mythologies. Also, attend the mesmerizing evening Aarti ceremony on the banks of the Ganges. 

Overnight stay will be at the hotel in Varanasi.

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, check out from the hotel and transfer to Varanasi Airport.

Bid farewell with the memories of an amazing fun-filled 14-day trip through the best of India worth remembering for a lifetime!

Meals: Breakfast