Ganges & Central India Tour

Arrive Delhi
Upon clearing Customs and Immigration, you are met by our representative who will present you with a welcome pack including all necessary documentation and arrange for your transfer to your hotel for check-in. No activity is scheduled today, since most of the International flights arrive into India close to midnight only.

Delhi – As a part of Central India tours first you will visit Delhi. This city is a bustling metropolis and a city of 14 million inhabitants, is also India’s capital. A near perfect blend of the ancient and the modern, Delhi, consisting two parts Old & New Delhi, is a city with something for everyone. From Forts and monuments that are almost 500 years old, to modern shopping malls, nightclubs and golf courses, Delhi truly is India’s crown jewel.
Overnight in Delhi.

In Delhi
Breakfast at hotel. This morning embark from your hotel for full day tour of Old and New Delhi where you would visit :
The 17th-century old city includes the great mosque of Jama Masjid, The main street of Old Delhi is the colorful shopping bazaar known as Chandni Chowk (“Moonlit Street”). Red Fort, most spectacular pieces of mughal architecture, built by the Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan between 1638 and 1648. Drive past Raj Ghat, the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi.

The tour of New Delhi includes Qutab Minar, one of the most popular landmarks in Delhi built in 1199. The Humayun's Tomb, the precursor of the Taj Mahal. Drive down the spectacular Rajpath (“the Kingsway,”) passing the India Gate (the memorial built to commemorate 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 colourful Hindu temple.
Evening at leisure to perhaps venture out and discover the city or its many facets on your own. Overnight at hotel.

Delhi – Varanasi (Flight)
Breakfast at hotel. After breakfast this morning you will be met by our representative and escorted from your hotel to the Delhi airport in time for your flight to Varanasi.

Varanasi - One of the holiest cities in India, Varanasi is one of the most important pilgrimage sites and also a major tourist attraction. It has been the religious capital of Hinduism since time immemorial. Situated on the banks of the sacred Ganges, Varanasi has been a center of learning and civilization for more than 2,000 years. Written records of the Skanda Purana and the Mahabharata mention its existence as long as 3,000 years ago. It is probably the oldest living city in India, and one of the world's most ancient. Varanasi has been a great cultural centre, especially in the fields of music, learning and the craft of silk weaving.

Upon arrival met & escorted to your hotel for check-in .
Early afternoon, you embark from your hotel for a half-day tour of Varanasi.
The tour of this ancient city includes The Bharat Mata Temple, which has a big relief map of India in marble, the Benares Hindu University with its art gallery, and the Mosque of Mughal Emperor Aurangazeb built on the side of an ancient Hindu temple, bathing ghats, The Kashivishwanath temple, The Durgakund.
Evening at leisure. Overnight at hotel.

Varanasi – Khajuraho (Flight)
Early morning enjoy a boat ride on the holy river The Ganges.
A highlight of any trip to Varanasi - this incredible scene as multitudes of devotees comes to the river to pay homage to the Sun God. The riverfront, as seen from a boat at sunrise, is a spiritually uplifting sight. Hinduism, deep and mystical, is everywhere: in a decorated doorway; in a glimpse of a glittering temple; in the sound of a sacred bell; in the chant of the priests; and in the fragrance of flower oblations.

Return to the hotel for a leisurely breakfast, and early afternoon, met by our representative and escorted from the Hotel to the Varanasi airport in time for your flight to Khajuraho.

Khajuraho - Famous for its temples that are India's unique gift to the world, representing, as they do, a paean to life, to love, to joy, perfect in execution and sublime in expression. Life, in every form and mood, has been captured in stone, testifying not only to the craftsman's artistry but also to the extraordinary breadth of vision of the Chandela Rajputs under whose rule the temples were conceived and constructed in the short span of a hundred yeas, from 950-1050 AD, in a truly inspired burst of creativity.

Upon arrival you will be met and escorted to your hotel for check-in etc. Evening at leisure and overnight at hotel.

Corbett – Delhi By Road (Approx 295 Kms /06 Hours)
Breakfast at hotel. This morning you embark from your hotel for half-day City tour of Khajuraho visiting eastern & western group of temples.

Afternoon drive from Khajuraho to Orchha (180 kms/04 hrs.).

Orchha - In the central part of India, once the capital of Bundela rulers, Orchha is now a village set among a wonderful complex of well-preserved palaces and temples which date back to the 16th century. Many of the temples are still in use and are visited regularly by thousands of devotees who go there to worship at the shrine of Rama. A relatively undiscovered spot it is definitely worth visiting Orchha for its peaceful beauty. Strewn around the area are little shrines and memorials, each with its own poignant history, each contributing to the nostalgic beauty that is Orchha.
Upon arrival check-in to the Orchha Resort. Evening at leisure.
Overnight at hotel.

Orcha – Gwalior By Road (Approx 120 Kms / 03 Hours)
Breakfast at Hotel. This morning explore & visit Jahangir Mahal, Rai Praveen Mahal the Chaturbhuj temple and the Royal Chhattris by the Betwa river.

Afternoon drive from Orchha to Gwalior.

Gwalior – Situated in the state of Madhya Pradesh, Gwalior is the city of true royals, the Scindias. City is well known for its majestic fort, considered as one of the best in the world. The huge Gwalior fort that dominates this dry & dusty city witnessed the rise and fall of many dynasties which have held sway over the centuries. Once resplendent in gold mosaic tiles, the main palace, Man Mandir, still exhibits intricate carvings and art from the 9th century and the dungeons below give a graphic illustration of the Mogul prisoners’ fate. This fort has been described by Babur as 'the pearl among the fortresses of Hind'.

Upon arrival check-in to your hotel. Evening at leisure. Overnight at hotel.

Gwalior- Agra By Road (Approx 120 Kms /03 Hours)
Breakfast at hotel. This morning your embark from your hotel for half-day City tour of Gwalior visiting the Gwalior Fort, Museum, Rani Laxmibai Memorial and Tansen’s Tomb.

Afternoon drive from Gwalior to Agra.

Agra - “The Land of Taj” was once the capital of the Mughal Empire and even today it seems to linger in the past. Not surprising, for the Mughal emperors with their passion for building, endowed the city with some of the finest structures in the world. Agra is an old city and it is said that its name was derived from Agrabana, a forest that’s finds mention in the epic Mahabharata. In more recent times Agra came into prominence when Sikandar Lodi made it his capital city in 1501. Later it passed into the possession of the Mughals. It was during the time of the third emperor “Akbar” that Agra came into its own and later on his grandson “Shah Jehan” ornamented the city with that masterpiece of Mughal architecture - The Taj Mahal.
Upon arrival check-in to your hotel. Evening at leisure.
Overnight at hotel.

In Agra
After Breakfast you embark on your sightseeing tour of the Agra city including Taj Mahal and Agra Fort

Taj Mahal : The 17th Century master piece named Taj Mahal ,which of course is the most splendid of all the buildings – perhaps the most perfect architectural monument of the world. It was built in the memory of the beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal by one of greatest king of Mughal Empire Shah Jehan.

Agra Fort: Built primarily as a military establishment by Emperor Akbar in 1565,the redstone Agra Fort, was partially converted in to a palace during the tenure of Emperor Shah Jehan. Though the principal structure was built by Akbar, many more additions were made by his grandsons. This massive fort is 2.5 Kms long and is considered the predecessor of the Red Fort of New Delhi.
Evening at leisure. Overnight at hotel.

Agra – Jaipur Via Fatehpur Sikri By Road (Approx 255 Kms /06 Hours)
After breakfast at hotel this morning drive to Jaipur, visiting Fatehpur Sikri en-route – often called the ghost city , 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. Later continue your drive to the Pink City of Rajasthan – Jaipur.

Jaipur- Jaipur is an exuberance of colour, dance, and song with the traditional arts and crafts. It's one of India's most well planned cities, with wide, straight avenues, roads, streets and lanes in a grid system. The great warrior/astronomer Maharaja Jai Singh II carefully planned Jaipur's foundation. Laid out in the 18th century, its design followed specifications from an epochal Hindu treatise on architecture.

This "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. The royal family's residence at Amber is only 11 km away. The palaces and forts of yesteryear, once witness to royal processions, now shine amid the splendor of modern monuments, juxtaposition accepted quite naturally into the lifestyles of an amazing people.
Upon arrival in Jaipur, check in to your hotel and rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight at hotel.

In Jaipur
Breakfast at hotel. After breakfast you embark on your sightseeing tour of Amer Fort and Jaipur City.
Amer Fort : 11 Kms from Jaipur- A marvelous example of Rajput architecture with its terraces and reflected in Matao lake below. The magnificent old Citadel, a labyrinth of massive walls and towers, shrouds an exquisite marble palace, pillared and carved glimmering with a million tiny mirrors, which creates tanatalising reflection effect. The ascent to the fort is on a gaily caparisoned elephants.

Afternoon sightseeing of Jaipur City visit the

City Palace Museum : An imposing blend of traditional Rajasthani and Mughal Art. The museum is resplendent with its collection of robes of royal princess, carpets an armoury of old weapons , miniature paintings portraying court scenes , battle scenes and processions.

Janatar Mantar : (Observartory): Jantar Mantar, built between 1728 and 1734, literally means the ‘instruments for measuring the harmony of the heavens’. Jai Singh, the brain behind the grand project, chose stone with marble facing. This was the biggest of all his observatories and the only one built of stone. He used it daily, often with his astronomy gurus Pandit Jagannath and Kewal Ram. In all there are 17 instruments in the Jantar Mantar complex. The function of each instrument is rather complex but serves a particular function where time plays the main theme.

Hawa Mahal : (Palace of Winds) : A five storeyed wonder with a spectacular pyra midal façade and overhanging windows with latticed screens, domes and spires.

After completing the sightseeing return back to the hotel for overnight.
Evening at leisure. Overnight at hotel.

Jaipur – Delhi By Road (Approx 260 Kms/06 Hours)
Delhi- Overseas (Flight)
Breakfast at Hotel. Check out of the Hotel at noon and leisurely drive from Jaipur to Delhi Airport . On arrival in Delhi you are transferred to the International airport to connect your flight back home.