Golden Triangle Rajasthan with Khajuraho & Varanasi Tour - 15 Days

After a refreshing breakfast this morning you'll be met by your guide to explore buzzing Old Delhi. You will start your journey by driving towards the Red Fort and this will denote the beginning of these 15 days of the trip.

The Red Fort is the signature building of the Republic of India which served as the main residence of the Mughal Emperors. It was constructed by Shah Jahan in the year 1939. This citadel of red stones has some magnificent white marble made palaces and buildings inside it. Ruled by the Mughals for centuries, this citadel still vibrates the memories of the bygone era. In addition to accommodating the emperors and their households, it was the political center of the Mughal state. Today, this monument is home to many museums that have a variety of precious artifacts on display. Every year on Independence Day, the Indian Prime Minister unfurls the National flag here.

Old Delhi consists of many such places where the Mughal era is still alive. Thus after Red Fort, we move towards Jama Masjid which is one of the largest mosques in the country. It is more commonly known, which means "World Reflecting Mosque".

From the Jama Masjid, the views of the Old Delhi revive before our eyes a period of royalty and valor. A rickshaw ride from this mosque to the market place of Chandni Chowk adds some more flavor to our jaunt. The foundation of this world-famous marketplace was laid by Jahanara, the eldest daughter of the Mughal emperor Shahjahan. The different streets in this ever-busy market represent several specialties.

By the early evening, we reach the central part of New Delhi to visit India Gate popularly known as the All India War Memorial is located along the Raj path. Dedicated to 85,000 Indian and British soldiers who died during the First World War, this monument has the names of 13,329 servicemen carved on its surface. On the way to Raj Ghat, one can get a glimpse of the Rashtrapati Bhavan which is the official residence of the president of India.

Raj Ghat is a place where Mahatma Gandhi, Father of the Nation was cremated followed by his assassination in the year 1948. Visitors from all around the world come here to pay homage.

After a visit to the Old and the New Delhi, we will return to the hotel for a night's stay. Those who are shopaholics, they can enjoy some shopping in the local market of the city if the time allows.

Overnight stay at the hotel in Delhi.

After a delightful breakfast this morning, you will be taken to the Delhi Airport to board the flight to Udaipur. You'll continue to the journey to the romantic city of Udaipur. This 'city of dawn' is situated in the deserted state of Rajasthan. It is one of the most beautiful places in Rajasthan which has a surrounding royal heritage and culture. Bestowed with azure deep lakes, far-stretching green vegetation and the cloud kissing mountains create an aesthetic feeling altogether. This concoction of the lakes, mountains and the habitats of this place present an excellent example of harmony between nature and the built environment. Moreover, the palaces from the bygone era add on to the beauty of Udaipur.

Upon your arrival in Udaipur, you will be taken to the hotels. There you can spend the day as you wish and also can enjoy some nearby sightseeing if you want.

Overnight stay at the hotel in Udaipur.

We begin our tour to Udaipur with a morning visit to the City Palace and the nearby Jagdish Temple. The city of Udaipur is a fine specimen of a blend of natural beauty and human skills. Inside the City Palace, you can witness the mastery of medieval European and Chinese architectural forms. Built on the banks of Lake Pichola on its west and the city on its east, it's the largest palace complex in Rajasthan. The Grand Palace was built in the year 1559 by Maharana Uday Singh. The Place has a miscellany of Mahals, courtyards, corridors, terraces, rooms and hanging gardens. After spending some time in the charismatic beauty of the City Palace, we move towards the Jagdish Temple.

The Jagdish Temple, Standing on a rock in the Pichola Lake, is a three-storied building holding a black stone idol of Lord Vishnu. This grand and majestic structure that stands in the City Palace Complex of the breathtaking city of Udaipur. Built by Maharana Jagat Singh I, this temple of white marble stone has beautiful carvings of different gods, goddesses, elephant, alligator and mythological characters on its pillars and walls. To end the day, enjoy a private boat ride on Lake Pichola at sunset; an impossibly romantic experience.

Later, we will visit Saheliyon Ki Bari, a garden palace built for the royal ladies of the period. It is also known as the Garden or the Courtyard of Maidens. This mesmerizing Saheliyon Ki Bari is situated on the back of the Fateh Sagar Lake. A fusion of flowers, courtyards and lotus pools dotted with magnificent water fountains, is a real feast to the eyes of the visitors. It is elegantly landscaped with tall trees, lush green shrubs, and flower beds. This was originally built by Maharana Sang Ram Singh who gifted it to his beloved queen.

In the evening, we will enjoy a boat ride in the soothing Pichola Lake which marks the end of our tour to Udaipur. At night we will return to our hotels to take rest and get prepared for the next day's expedition.

Return to the hotel in the evening and have a scrumptious dinner. Overnight stay at the hotel in Udaipur.

Following a leisurely morning snack, we start our journey to Jodhpur, visiting Ranakpur Temple on the way. This 15th-century Jain temple is an important pilgrimage for the Jain followers. Inside the temple, there are around 1444 pillars, each of which has different carvings on its body. This massive temple was built during the reign of Rana Kumbha of Mewar. This temple is acclaimed world-wide for its intricate and superb architectural style. This temple is wholly constructed in light-colored marble stone carving on the ceilings, walls, and pillars of the temple is a real delight to the art lovers. The upper and lower part of the domes is linked by brackets that have deities' sculptures.

From the Ranakpur Temple, we continue our drive to Jodhpur, the 'blue city' of Rajasthan. If you wish to admire the beauty of historical Rajasthan, then nothing can be better than the glory of Jodhpur city. Situated on the edge of Thar Desert, this city of forts and palaces presents a bluish aura as most of the buildings are painted in blue. From blue houses, sumptuous forts and palaces, lots of temples and colorful festivals, Jodhpur will give you a plush experience of Rajasthan culture.

To prepare for our next day's jaunt, we check-in into the hotel and enjoy some delightful Jodhpuri cuisines at night.

Overnight stay at the hotel in Jodhpur.

A morning sightseeing tour of Jodhpur and Mehrangarh Fort followed by a scrumptious breakfast kick starts the day of our Jodhpur trip. The view of the entire Jodhpur city from the top of Mehrangarh Fort gives a perfect piece of cake to the photographers to fulfill their appetite. The thick and sturdy walls of the fort still bear witness to an era of royalty and vigor. There is a fleet of Mahal or palaces inside the fort with intricate carvings and excellent artworks. It is one of the most recognizable forts in Jodhpur, it has appeared in many Hollywood and Bollywood productions.

While returning from Mehrangarh Fort, we will visit Jaswant Thada, a royal cenotaph built in commemoration of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. The entire structure resembles a temple with matchless beauty also called the Taj Mahal of Marwar allures tourists from all over the world. This cenotaph brilliantly exhibits the graceful taste of the people of Marwar in the form of convoluted marble stone carvings. It has a small pond and a beautiful garden next to it. This structure is just a few minutes a downhill walk from the main fort.

Around 10 Km north to Jodhpur is the Mandore garden; our next venture point. Mandore was the seat of the Mandorva branch of the Pratihara dynasty. Inside the Mandore garden, there is a sequence of cenotaphs built in the memory of different members of the royal family. There is also a well-preserved museum inside it which carries witness to the royal history of the land. The 'shrine of the three hundred million' having colorful idols of Hindu gods and goddesses is another spot of attraction to its visitors.

During the late evening, we return to our hotel for a night's stay. If you want to relish yourself in Jodhpuri style, you can also watch some local folk performances by the artists of Jodhpur.

Overnight stay at the hotel in Jodhpur.

On the 7th day of our journey, we will drive to Jaipur, the Pink city of Rajasthan. Jaipur is considered to be one of the best and most favored tourist destinations in Rajasthan. This royal city of the former Rajputana is one of the most glorious places to visit in India. The color and lifestyle of this city reflect in its buildings, palaces, and forts. The local markets of Jaipur contemplate the Rajasthani taste of handicraft. A seat of puppetry and folk culture, Jaipur mounts to the taste of every traveler who wants to experience the diverse colors of Indian land. Amazingly, Jaipur remains the only place where the nine sectors that subdivide the city represent the nine divisions of the universe.

You will be transferred to the hotel after reaching Jaipur. There you can rest for the night. If you wish, then explore some exotic cuisines of the land at night.

Overnight stay at the hotel in Jaipur.

After the morning breakfast, we will set forth a visit to Amber Fort. A lake at the entrance of the fort gives it a heavenly feeling. Those who want to enjoy a Maharaja Style trip can take a ride of the elephants decorated with colors and other ornamental items. The fine use of the marble carvings, mirrors, and other decorative items in the architecture of the fort make it all the more attractive and appealing. The delightful colored artwork on the walls, pillars, and ceiling of the fort make it an artist's heaven. This Amer Fort has influences of both Hindu and Muslim architecture. It has many halls and pavilions of great interest and other popular attractions.

We then move to the palace areas of the city, taking a halt at the Jal Mahal on the way. The most serene sight amid the chaos of Jal Mahal, the Water Palace. This particular palace is named Jal Mahal because it is standing amid the quiet water (Jal) of a lake. The light sand-colored stone walls of the Jal Mahal are at a perfect contrast to the deep blue of the waters of the lake. To have a closer look, we will enjoy a boat ride in the lake.

From here, we will move towards Jantar Mantar. This particular stone observatory was built in the 18th century to verify astronomical observations.

After Jantar Mantar, we will move towards the City Palace. The Palace complex lies in the heart of the city, this palace is also a well-preserved museum reviving the Rajputana era before its visitors. The two huge silver pots preserved in the palace secured its place in the 'Guinness Book of World Records' as the largest single objects constructed of silver. Moreover, the apparels, war weapons and other good of the royal people are also displayed here. The Palace complex has several buildings, galleries, courtyards, restaurants, and offices of the museum's trust.

A tour to the native markets in the evening will make the tour even more interesting or captivating. At night we will stay in the hotel and will enjoy some mouthwatering Rajasthani cuisines.

Return to the hotel in the evening and have a delicious dinner. Overnight stay at the hotel in Jodhpur.

On the 9th day of the tour, we will start our journey for Agra after a refreshing breakfast. We will also visit Fatehpur Sikri on the way. It is a small city in northern India and a famous tourist attraction. This is a world heritage site where you can witness some splendid artworks of the Rajput and Mughal craftsmen. A city predominantly made up of Red stone and was founded in the 16th century by Mughal Emperor Akbar. A unique blend of architectural excellence as well as religious belief. After spending some time in this city of monuments and palaces, we will continue our journey to Agra.

Agra is the home to the world wonder Taj Mahal and thus is one of the most visited places in India. Agra is dotted with several famous places to visit.

Upon your arrival in Agra, you will be transferred to the hotel. The rest of the evening is at your leisure. You can stroll around and explore the nearby market. In every corner of this city, one can feel the fragrance of the Mughal era.

Overnight stay at the hotel in Agra.

We will start our Agra tour with the visit to the majestic Taj first. When the fresh morning rays of sun fall on this shimmering white marbled monument, its enchanting beauty reaches its zenith. This final resting place of Mumtaz Mahal, the most beloved wife of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan.

Moving to our next destination, we reach the Agra Fort in just a few minutes, you realize that Agra Fort has one of the finest Mughal Forts in India. This red stoned citadel and marble architecture is the place where Mughals ruled for centuries and left their footprints behind. The fleet of palaces and other private and public buildings inside the fort bear the witness to the Mughal taste of art and architecture. You can also get a splendid view of the Taj Mahal from the Agra Fort.

The tour to Agra is incomplete without a visit to Itimad-Ud-Daulah Tomb or often referred to as a "Baby Taj"; thus it is our next destination in Agra. This is the first tomb in India made entirely of white marble and considered to be the blueprint of the original Taj Mahal. This was the first structure to make use of hard stone and the first time to be built on the banks of the Yamuna River. There are motifs of flora, geometric structures, and trees along with throughout the surface of the structure. The garden and lawn areas around the palace building equally echo with the tune of the palace.

Completing our venture to Agra, we return to our hotel where we take dinner and overnight stay.

Following a morning breakfast, you will be transferred to the railway station to board Shatabdi Express to Jhansi. At Jhansi railway station, you will be greeted traditionally by our team members and will be driven to the hotel, freshen up, take a little rest. Later on, you'll be driven to Khajuraho, en-route visiting Orchha.

Orchha is a little medieval city, dwelling in the river banks of Betwa. It was built in 1501 AD by Raja Rudra Pratap Singh of the Bundela Dynasty. It is an appearance of Mughal and Rajput architecture decorated with latticed windows, balconies, and mirrors on the ceilings. With lush green areas, quiet water of the river and with a fleet of temples, forts, Chattris, and cenotaphs, this ancient kingdom of the Bundela still glorifies its history of the past. Some of the finest artworks of the 16th and 17th centuries can be seen in this little village of Orchha.

After spending some time in the tranquil arms of nature in Orchha, we move on to our journey to Khajuraho. By the evening we reach Khajuraho and check-in into a hotel. The rest of the time is at your leisure. You can explore the nearby market or spent some time with the locals.

Overnight stay at the hotel in Khajuraho.

After morning breakfast, we will go for a sightseeing tour of Khajuraho Temples. The name Khajuraho is derived from the word 'Khajur' which means 'date palm' As we witness the magnificent carving sculpture and architecture structure depicting numerous exotic postures of the famous ancient artwork, we will be amazed you. The striking contrary to the popular tradition of temples, this particular group of temples is containing some of the beautifully carved sculptors of gods, goddesses, deities, mythological characters and animals, but these represented erotically. Apart from their exquisite architecture, there are some interesting facts about these temples.

These temples were built by the Chandela Rajputs in around a millennium ago. Though there is no particular evidence as to why this type of temples was built, there are a host of stories and folklores that were interwoven in and around these temples. Thus a visit to the Khajuraho group of temples presents altogether different experiences to its visitor. The realistic sculptures of temples are famous worldwide. Most of the temples sketch the lifestyle of a woman in the medieval age. It represents an example of a highly matured civilization.

After spending a whole day in Khajuraho, we return to our hotel and overnight stay is planned at the hotel.

After a leisurely morning snack, you will be transferred to the airport to board the flight to Varanasi.

Varanasi is a dwelling of the oldest civilization on earth and holy land of the Ganges in the northern region of India. Regarded as the spiritual capital of India. In the words of Mark Twain, "Banaras is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together". The presence of the holy spirits and religious beliefs can be felt in every pulse of the city. The so-called city of light one of the most colorful and captivating cities in this sphere.

Upon arrival to this holy land, you will get a traditional welcome by our team members and then have an assisted transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is free; so you can enjoy it in your way.

Overnight stay at the hotel in Varanasi.

We will start our day in Varanasi with an early morning visit to the Ghats of Ganges. A boat ride in the river Ganges after paying homage to the gods and goddesses brings a supernal charm to the entire jaunt. The sound of the chanting of the devotees and the sparkling water of the river Ganges make this boat ride even more purifying. The entire Ghats gets brightened with a divine light that can be strongly felt.

After having the morning breakfast, we move towards Sarnath, the place where Gautama Buddha preached his first sermon after enlightenment. Each corner of this Buddhist pilgrimage still hums the century-old stories of Gautama Buddha. Sarnath remained abandoned until 1834 when it was popped by Alexander Cunningham, the head of the Archaeological Survey who excavated the site. There are some of the best tourist attractions in Sarnath are Chaukhandi Stupa it is the farthermost of all the monuments in Sarnath, Thai Temple, and Monastery which is beautifully located amid lush green gardens and Ashoka Pillar which is carved out of stone and the National Emblem of India, etc.

In the evening, we will visit the Alamgir Mosque or also known as Beni Madhav ka Darera which is a 17th-century structure built by Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb on the land of Shiva. Originally a Hindu place of worship, this building is turned into a mosque during the reign of the Mughals.

Later in the evening, we go to the Ganga Ghats again to witness evening Aarti. It is held daily at sundown. Several priests perform this ritual with carrying Deepam (a light lamp) and moving up and down in a rhythmical tune of bhajans. In the Ghats of Ganges, devotees all draped in saffron-colored robes, holding sacred lamps in their hands, truly turns the whole environment into a celestial abode.

At night, we return to the hotel rooms after enjoying a delightful dinner. Overnight stay at the hotel in Varanasi.

This day is the last day of your tour. Enjoy a refreshing breakfast amid the morning wind of the Ganges. As you spend leisure time celebrating your activities. In the afternoon, you will have an assisted transfer to the airport to board the return flight to Delhi.

After reaching Delhi, our team members will meet you and assist you to board your onward flight back home. The tour comes to completion with the sweet and unforgettable memories.