[10 Nights / 11 Days]

CLASSICAL INDIA TOUR

New Delhi - Jaipur - Agra - Orchha - Khajuraho - Varanasi - New Delhi

Overview:

The ideal method to discover India's rich cultural legacy is to take the Classical India Tour offered by Tour Planner Rajasthan. With this 11-day trip plan, you'll travel to some of India's most famous locations, including Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Orchha, Varanasi, and Khajuraho. You'll have the opportunity to see the stunning Taj Mahal in Agra, the Pink City of Jaipur, the spiritual marvels of Varanasi, the ancient temples and ghats of the holy city, and the distinctive temple architecture of Khajuraho while on your trip. This special trip plan offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience with guided tours, individualised services, and comfortable accomodation.

Trip Highlights

  • Explore the vibrant culture of Delhi, India’s capital city.
  • Visit the iconic Taj Mahal in Agra, one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
  • Enjoy a guided tour of the historic Pink City of Jaipur.
  • Explore the holy city of Varanasi, with its ancient temples and ghats.
  • Admire the unique temple architecture of Khajuraho.

Itinerary Details:

Welcome to India! You will be received at Indira Gandhi International airport by one of our executives and later shall be transferred to your hotel for overnight stay. Remaining time is completely at leisure.

After having a leisurely breakfast, move out for a daylong sightseeing tour of Delhi, taking in the impressive Red Fort, Jama Masjid - India’s oldest and largest mosque, Raj Ghat - the site of Gandhi’s cremation, the iconic Qutub Minar, stunning Lotus temple and other attractions. Enjoy a rickshaw ride through Chandni Chowk— Old Delhi's most famous market—where you'll be able to shop for everything from saris to silver jewellery. Post noon, drive past India gate, Parliament house and President's house. By the evening return back to the hotel. Optional sound and light show tour at Akshardham temple. Overnight at the hotel.

After having your breakfast, checkout and drive to Jaipur today. Arrive and check in at the hotel. Evening is free to explore the bazaars in and around the walled city.

Early in the morning drive to the 16th century Amber Fort. Ascend on an elephant that transports you to the lofty fort, where you enjoy a tour of this Rajput extravaganza. Later in the afternoon visit the City Palace, which boasts an interesting museum of regal attire, Hawa Mahal (palace of winds) and Jantar Mantar, an ancient astronomical observatory. Evening you have the option of having dinner at an ethnic rural village or at the hilltop of Nahargarh which offers a breathtaking night view of Jaipur. Overnight at your hotel.

After having your breakfast, checkout and drive to the erstwhile mughal citadel of Agra and stop by Abhaneri stepwells enroute. Visit the Harshat Mata Temple and India's deepest and largest stepwell, the impressive Chand Baori. Later continue your journey to the 16th-century Fatehpur Sikri - the abandoned citadel of Akbar. Finally reach Agra and check in at your hotel for overnight stay.

Early morning at sunrise, visit the epitome of love – the world famous Taj Mahal! Built entirely of white marble, the Taj Mahal has no peers. Continuing the tour visit the grand Agra fort, which boasts some of India’s finest Mughal buildings behind its fortified walls. Later, drive to Orchha - a popular location for temple tours in the country, as it's home to medieval temples and forts. Some of its most important sites are Chaturbhuj Temple, Ram Raja Temple, and Jahangir Palace. Its 14 cenotaphs set on the River Betwa's banks are also a must-see. Arrive and check in. Leave for a tour of Orchha. Once the capital of the Bundela dynasty, the small rural village has impressive monuments. The largest of these is the palace complex, where the Raj Mahal and Jahangir Mahal have a unique combination of Hindu and Muslim architecture, painted decorations, and ornate tile work. Then you'll visit the Chaturbhuj Temple and the enormous riverside cenotaphs (chhatris), which are memorials for Orchha royalty. Evening is at leisure.

Day free to relax at the riverside town. You may explore more temples and the town by yourself.

In the morning, checkout and drive to Khajuraho. Khajuraho is known for its magnificent temples, which are UNESCO-listed and famous for their erotic stone carvings. Built between 950 and 1050 CE, during the Chandela Dynasty, the architecture here is incredible. First, visit the Eastern Group of Temples, which are split between those dedicated to Hindu gods and goddesses and those dedicated to the Jain gods. While the group of temples in the west is better known, this group is well worth a visit. Sculptures here depict everyday life rather than sensual subjects. Later, visit the western group of Temples, which are the best-preserved and well-known in Khajuraho. Lakshmana is the oldest temple of the western group, dating from around 950 CE, and is well preserved, with some erotic carvings. Take your time to enjoy the marvelous architecture and the setting of the temple complex.

A good way to see another side of Khajuraho is to head to its Old Town, and you'll do this in the afternoon. This area is filled with mud houses and rustic bungalows, and its streets are cleaner than those in most Indian cities. It is a good representation of ancient India. Here you'll be given an insight into the daily life of the locals, and you are likely to meet women dressed in traditional clothing. Some locals may even invite you in for a cup of tea if you're kind and courteous to them.

Fly to Varanasi today. Upon arrival you will be received and transferred to your hotel. Considered to be the spiritual capital of India, Varanasi is the land of saints and sages. Home to a gazillion temples and ghats, Varanasi offers a religious experience with holy moments to cherish. It draws a plethora of tourists from around the world to take a dip in the sacred Ganga, making it one of the most popular pilgrimage sites in the country. By the evening indulge in Ghat Hopping: Visit Assi Ghat (stairs), an important Varanasi ghat where you'd find people of all walks of life accumulated for recreational or sacred purposes. At one end you'll come across a sage in strict meditation and on the other a group indulging in selfies. Such is the diversity of the scene at the ghat. Talent shows are held every evening at the Assi ghat. You can also take a boat ride to explore the other side of the ghat. Also visit Dashashwamedh Ghat - the primary ghat located on the banks of Ganga. This incredibly vibrant Ghat hosts a variety of silk shops, flower sellers, and massage practitioners. Witness the evening Ganga Arti here - a blissful experience. The whole atmosphere amps up in the sacred surroundings and the sound of the bells and couch shells. Evening is at leisure.

Early in the morning, take a boat ride on the Ganges when it is full of pilgrims is an amazing place to witness the living traditions of one of the world's oldest and most important religions. While on the boat you may also see the cremation ceremonies of dead bodies as per Hindu Rituals. Visit Kashi Vishwanath temple and take a walking tour in the narrow alleys and labyrinths of this 5000 years old ancient city!

Return back to the hotel and post breakfast, take a detour to Sarnath - since you've had enough of temples and ghat views, head to Sarnath located about 10 kilometres from Varanasi. Visit the deer park where Gautam Buddha delivered his first sermon teaching the Dharma. It is also the same spot where the Buddhist Sangha came into being. During the day you can also visit one of the most renowned temples of Varanasi, known as the golden temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, it acts as a core of faith for millions of Hindus. Along with your temple visit, you can also sit by the banks of the Holy Ganga and take a view of the meditating sages. The banks lie adjacent to the temple. What a blissful experience!

Day free till noon. By afternoon board the flight to New Delhi and upon arrival, take an internal shuttle transfer to International terminal for your flight back home [The Tour Ends]