iExplore India Experience(Trip #36986)

Tour Overview

Start in the capital city of Delhi, where you’ll visit the old walled section of the city with its brilliant mosques and colorful bazaars, and also New Delhi, with its modern skyscrapers and House of Parliament. Proceed to the holy city of Varanasi, where you embark on a boat ride on the Ganges River, an incredible scene as multitudes of devotees come to the river to pay homage to the Sun God. Next visit Khajuraho, with its magnificent temples and exquisitely carved sculptures.

Continue to Agra, home to India’s most famous landmark, the Taj Mahal. A poem of white marble, the Taj is described as the most extravagant monument ever built for love. Jaipur, called the “Pink City” because of the distinctive color of its old buildings, attracts visitors with its stunning Hawa Mahal, which was originally built to enable the ladies of the royal household to watch the everyday life and processions of the city. Optional extension visits the romantic city of Udaipur, renowned for its long artistic history.

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 01: Delhi, India
Arrive Delhi. Upon clearing customs and immigration, you will be met and transferred to your hotel for check-in. Enjoy the balance of the day at leisure.
Breakfast
Overnight Delhi

Day 02: Delhi
Full day city tour of Old and New Delhi. Your tour of the 17th-century old city includes the great mosque of Jama Masjid; Chandni Chowk “Moonlit Street,” Old Delhi’s main street and colorful shopping bazaar; a drive past Raj Ghat, the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi. New Delhi sightseeing includes the Humayun's Tomb, the precursor of the Taj Mahal; a drive down the spectacular Rajpath “the Kingsway,” passing the India Gate (the memorial built on behalf of the unknown soldiers), the President’s House, and the House of Parliament. Enjoy a brief respite from the otherwise bustling city at Birla Mandir, a modern and colorful Hindu temple. Visit the local market and nearby neighborhood.
Breakfast
Overnight Delhi

Day 03: Delhi – Varanasi
Transfer to the Delhi airport for your flight to Varanasi. Arrive Varanasi and transfer to hotel for check-in. This afternoon, enjoy a half-day tour of one of the holiest cities in India; Varanasi - probably the oldest living city in India, and one of the world’s most ancient. Later, visit the Bharat Mata Temple, which is a big relief map of India in marble, the Banaras Hindu University with its art gallery, and the Mosque of Mughal Emperor Aurangazeb built on the side of an ancient Hindu Temple.
Breakfast
Overnight Varanasi

Day 04: Varanasi – Khajuraho
Early morning boat ride on holy river Ganges. Witness an incredible scene as multitudes of devotees come to the river to pay homage to the Sun God. Then transfer to the airport for your flight to Khajuraho. Upon arrival you will be met and escorted to your hotel. This afternoon, enjoy a half-day tour of Khajuraho. The capital of the Chandela Kings, Khajuraho is famous for its magnificent temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and the Jain saints. The most important are the Chausath Yogini Temple dedicated to Goddess Kali, the Mahadev Temple, and the Chitragupta Temple with an 11-headed statue of Vishnu depicting his ten incarnations.
Breakfast
Overnight Khajuraho

Day 05: Khajuraho – Orchha – Jhansi – Agra
This morning visit Orchha, the former capital of the Bundelas. Orchha is now just a village, set among a wonderful complex of well-preserved palaces and temples. Continue to Jhansi Railway station where you board a super fast train to Agra. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel for overnight.
Breakfast
Overnight Agra

Day 06: Agra
The morning is at leisure. This afternoon enjoy a half-day tour of the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, and an optional visit to Itimad Ud Daulah. Take a horse carriage ride from the nearest parking to the Taj Mahal. Stroll around the lovely gardens before entering this intricately carved marble structure. Next visit the Agra Fort, seat of the Mughal dynasty in the 16th century, lies on the bend of the River Yamuna, almost in the heart of town. It has imposing gates, walls of red sandstone, and a moat.
Finish your tour at the Tomb of Itimad Ud Daulah, sometimes called the “Baby Taj,” was built by Empress Noor Jahan in memory of her father, Ghiyas Beg, who was also the Chief Minister in the Court of Mughal Emperor Jahangir.
Breakfast
Overnight Agra

Day 07: Agra – Jaipur
Morning drive to Jaipur, visiting Fatehpur Sikri en-route. Built by Akbar the Great in the 16th century to serve as the capital of his vast empire, Fatehpur Sikri was mysteriously abandoned 13 years later. Upon arrival in Jaipur, check into your hotel and enjoy the balance of the day at leisure. Jaipur is an exuberance of color, dance, and song. The “Pink City,” so called because its buildings are painted in the tones of an autumnal sunset, intersperses the play of red and pink with white borders and motifs. It’s one of India’s most well planned cities, with wide, straight avenues and lanes in a grid system.
Breakfast
Overnight Jaipur

Day 08: Jaipur
Half-day excursion to the Amber Fortress. Experience the majesty of a bygone era, riding like royalty atop elegantly draped and painted elephants into the high mountain fortress. Later you will visit Jaipur City. Visit the Hawa Mahal or "Palace of Winds,” one of the major landmarks of Jaipur, although it is actually little more than a façade.
Continue to the City Palace, located in the heart of the old city, is a large complex of courtyards, buildings, and gardens, and also houses an interesting museum. Also visit the adjacent Jantar Mantar, the ancient astronomical observatory built by Raja Jai Singh.
Breakfast
Overnight Jaipur

Day 09: Jaipur - Delhi Departure
Transfer to the Jaipur airport for your flight to Dehli. Upon arrival in Dehli you will be collected from the Domestic airport and transferred to the International airport in time to connect with your onward flight home.
Breakfast