TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

• Senses awaken as you enjoy authentic cultural experiences of India throughout the tour.
• Witness the breathtaking transformation of the Taj Mahal as the sun rises over the majestic Mughal structure taking it from the splendour of the night to its magical presence at daybreak.
• In Agra you will feel the passion of Shahjahan & Mumtaz in their Saga of Love Show.
• You will be mesmerized as you experience an evening Aarti with a Hindu priest.
• Once in a lifetime experience of a yoga session with a Hindu priest and certified yoga instructor in the holy city of Varanasi.
• Take an exhilarating bicycle rickshaw ride through the historic back lanes of Old Delhi.
• Spot the elusive tigers of Rathambore National Park with the help of a Naturalist/Guide.
• Travel like a Maharaja upon the seat of the majestic elephant who will deliver you to the top of Amber Fort, a UNESCO world heritage site.
• Delight fills the air as you enjoy dinner and a cultural folk dance performance in Jaipur.
• Transcend into another realm as you enter Mother Teresa’s Mission – Foot Steps away from the Holy Ganges in Varanasi

Day 01 : Arrive In India (New Delhi)

Welcome to Delhi, a city that bridges two different worlds. Old Delhi, once the capital of Islamic India, is a labyrinth of narrow lanes lined with crumbling havelis and formidable mosques. In contrast, the imperial city of New Delhi created by the British Raj is composed of spacious, tree-lined avenues and imposing government buildings.
You will be greeted by an Explore India representative at the airport and then taken to the hotel.
Overnight stay in Delhi.

Day 02 :  Delhi

This morning, we take a tour through Delhi. We begin exploring Old Delhi by visiting the Jama Mosque, the royal mosque built by the Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan in 1656. Then, we ride a bicycle rickshaw through the narrow lanes of Chandni Chowk, the spine of Old Delhi that houses the spice market and jeweler’s lane and then we drive pass Red Fort (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). We also visit Rajghat, the site of Mahatma Gandhi’s final journey. Later, we will visit a Hindu temple followed by a welcome dinner in Connaught place. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 03 : New Delhi | Sikh Temple, Humayun’s Tomb & Qutab Minar

After breakfast, we start with a visit to India Gate (the war memorial dedicated to the martyrs of World War I), The President’s Palace – formerly Viceroy’s Palace, the Parliament House and the Secretariat buildings – an interesting blend of Victorian and 20th century architecture, later we tour Humayun’s Tomb, Qutab Minar and Bangla Sahib. Return to the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 04 : Delhi – Jaipur & The Pink City (265 KM – 5 Hours)

After breakfast leave for Jaipur, known all over the world as the Pink City. Jaipur will amaze you with the architecture and planning of both its old and new cities. Experience how the city explodes into a kaleidoscope of colours and sounds at every corner. Jaipur is an excellent place to shop for textiles and designer jewellery.
In the evening, enjoy an authentic dinner experience with a cultural Rajasthani traditional dance and music.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 05 : Jaipur | Amber Fort | Ride An Elephant & City Palace

In the morning, we visit the magnificent Amber Fort, situated in the outskirts of Jaipur, and we go up the hill riding on the back of an elephant. Later, we proceed for a city tour and stop for a photo at the Hawa Mahal, the “Palace of the Winds.” It was built to allow the royal ladies of the palace to discretely watch the grand processions along the main street. Next, we visit the City Palace Museum, which has a priceless collection of antiques, costumes and armory of the Mughals and Rajputs including swords of different shapes and sizes with chiseled handles. Then, we continue to the Jantar Mantar Observatory which was built in the early 1700s by Maharaja Jai Sing II, the great warrior-astronomer to which this city owes its name. We will have an overnight stay in Jaipur.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 06 : Jaipur – Ranthambore Tiger Reserve (180 Km / 4 hours)

After breakfast we will leave for Ranthambore a national Park, the true den of tigers, near the confluence of the lakes namely Padam Talab, Raj Bagh Talab and Milak Talab. Apart from the Bengal Tiger, other animals that inhabit the park are Sloth Bears, Jackals, Marsh Crocodiles, Leopards, Gazelles, Indian Hares, Porcupines, Jungle Cats, Sambhars, Chinkaras, Mongoose, Nilgais, Wild Boar and Monitor Lizards. Birds can also be seen in huge numbers here. Arrive and enjoy your lunch. The afternoon is free to be spent as you wish.
The Ranthambore National Park is equally rich in flora. Trees like Banyan, Dhok, Mango and Pipal are in abundance. Shallow lakes, gentle slopes and plateaus dominate the landscape of the park.
Meals: Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 07 : Ranthambore | In Search of Bengal Tiger

Your day will begin with pre-dawn coffee and biscuits before setting off on an early morning game drive with in search of the elusive Royal Bengal Tiger. After, return to the hotel for your breakfast.
In the late afternoon, we will return to the park for another game drive, ending our day just before sunset. Dinner at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 08 : Ranthambore – Agra | Village Visit & Fatehpur Sikri

After breakfast drive to Agra a city of the famous Taj Mahal. On our way we will visit a local village to experience the day to day beauty of rural India You will have the opportunity to chat with the locals, who no doubt will barely be able to suppress their delight and surprise at sitting next to a foreigner from far-away lands. Later continue to Agra before visting Fatehpur Sikri, built by Emperor Akbar in 1569. This was the old capital of the Moghuls, which was abandoned after 15 years due to scarcity of water. Arrive and check in at your hotel.
In the early evening, you will enjoy a live fascinating play that depicts a saga of love and a memorable journey into history. The drama portrays the Mughal era in the 16th century. It is a series of plays depicting the true and immortal love of Shahjahan for Mumtaz Mahal, his beautiful wife; the lavish lifestyle of Mughal era; and the hardship of the artisans who worked for 22 years to create a most breathtaking work of craftsmanship. Overnight stay at the hotel.
In the evening enjoy live show performance a fascinating play that depicts the saga of love and a memorable journey into history of Taj Mahal. The drama portrays the Mughal era in the 16th century. It is series of plays depicting the true and immortal love of Shahjahan for Mumtaz Mahal, his beautiful wife; the lavish lifestyle of Mughal era; and the hardship of the artisans who worked for 22 years to create the most precious specimen of craftsmanship. Dinner and overnight stay in the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 09 : Agra | Sunrise Visit to Mesmerizing Taj Mahal

We start our day at sunrise with a visit to one of the most incredible monuments ever built in the world, The Taj Mahal which is a mausoleum made of white marble, the monument of love. It was built between 1631 and 1648 by order of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife. The Taj Mahal is the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world’s heritage.
After breakfast, we will continue our visit with a tour of the city of Agra and then visit Red Fort, which was built by Emperor Akbar in 1565, and additions were made up until the time of his grandson, Shah Jahan. It contains the hall of public and private audiences amongst many other beautiful structures. The afternoon is free to be spent as you wish.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 10 : Agra – Jhansi – Khajuraho | Indian Railway Experience

After an early breakfast, we begin our two hour rail journey to Jhansi, a center of Bundela civilization and medieval fortress-city. Upon arrival we will transfer to our coach and continue driving to Orcha for lunch.
After lunch we will continue by coach for Khajuraho, the land of the Kamasutra. Arrive in Khajuraho and check in at your hotel. The temples at Khajuraho were built during the Chandella dynasty, which reached its apogee between 950 and 1050. Today only 20 temples remain and they fall into three distinct groups belonging to the religions of Hinduism and Jainism. They strike a perfect balance between architecture and sculpture. The temples are decorated with a profusion of sculptures that are among the greatest masterpieces of Indian art. Overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 11 : Khajuraho – Varanasi The Holy Ganges

The morning enjoy a sightseeing tour of famous Chandela Dynasty Temples, which are set in a lovely grass park. These temples are amazing – rising in many peaks and spirals, intricately carved, and designed with statues and friezes. The erotic carvings on these temple walls have made this one of the most talked about tourist sites in the country and it is, perhaps, unmatched anywhere in the world.
Later transfer to Khajuraho airport and fly to Varanasi the religious capital of Hinduism formerly known as Banaras during British Raj, this is one of the world’s most ancient cultures and oldest living city of India and home to one of the worlds’ most time-honored and mysterious cultures dating back to 5000 years. Its present name is derived from the fact that the city is at the confluence of the rivers Varuna & Asi. Upon arrival we are transferred to our hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 12 : Varanasi Bathing Ceremony | Explore Sarnath

In the early morning, we leave for a boat ride on the Ganges to see the bathing Ghats (river bank) & cremation site. We will watch the sunrise on the riverfront from a boat; this can be a spiritually uplifting sight. Life on the Ghats is bound in an endless string of rituals; ever-changing aspects of the river and the wide landscapes throughout have fascinated visitors from all over the world. Return to the hotel for breakfast.
In the afternoon, we enjoy a guided excursion to Sarnath a centre of Buddhist leering and the buried Buddhist city where Buddha preached his first sermon. After attaining enlightenment at Bodh Gaya, the Buddha went to Sarnath and it was here that he preached his first discourse in the deer park and set in motion the ‘Wheel of the Dharma’. It is one of the most holy sites as it is believed that in this place the stream of the Buddha’s teaching first flowed. Sarnath was a renowned school of learning from the 16th century BC to the 12th century AD. Visit the ruins, the stupa, the Buddhist temple & the museum. At the museum is the Ashok Pillar with its four guardian lions, used as independent India’s national emblem.
In the early evening we will take a close look at the banks of the Ganges to witness the devotional ceremony of Aarti performed by thousands of devout Hindus, listen to the Chanted prayers, the rhythmic drumming fill the air, and bells from temples across the Holy Ganges. Dinner and overnight stay in the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 13 : Varanasi – Delhi | Yoga Session | Fly to Delhi

Early in the morning practice Yoga session for 45 minutes and unwind your stress, and purify your soul with your Hindu priest & a famous Yoga Teacher. Breakfast at your hotel.
After breakfast transfer to Varanasi airport and fly to Delhi. Arrive and transfer to your hotel for check.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 14 : Delhi – Home

You will be transferred to the international airport in time for your flight home.