Golden Triangle Tour with Khajuraho and Varanasi - 10 days

Upon your arrival in Delhi, our representative will pick you up from the airport and drive you to your hotel. Check in and take a rest. Sleep off your jet lag as in the next couple of days you will be busy touring some of the best tourist attractions in India.

Overnight in Delhi.

After breakfast, you will meet your guide who will take you to visit the city's main attractions. As Delhi is divided into Old Delhi and New Delhi you will tour the city in two parts. First of all your guide will take you to Old Delhi. Here you can visit the Birla Temple, Bangla Sahib Gurdwara, and Lotus Temple.

The Birla Temple which is also called the Laxminaryan Temple was built in 1939 by the Birla family for Hindus to congregate and worship as there were no large Hindu temples in Delhi during that time. The Muslim rulers had destroyed and banned the construction of big Hindu temples in the city and there were no large Hindu temples in the capital.  The Laxminaryan Temple became the largest Hindu temple to be constructed in Delhi during that time.

Bangla Saheb Gurudwara is a sacred pilgrimage site for Sikhs. The eighth Sikh guru, Guru Har Krishan is believed to have stayed at this place in the mid-seventh century and served the poor during an outbreak of smallpox and cholera. The sacred pond inside the Gurudwara is supposed to have healing properties.

Lotus Temple is an architectural marvel. Built in the shape of a blooming lotus, this beautiful marble structure is a sacred place of worship for people of the Bahai faith.

At around noon you will pause your sightseeing tour to have lunch. Later you continue exploring the city and visit the heritage sites of New Delhi. Designed by the noted English architect Edwin Lutyens, New Delhi is dotted with colonial structures built in the British era. The India Gate is a prime example of colonial architecture. You will visit this victory arch dedicated to the fallen Indian soldiers of the First World War and the Third Anglo-Afghan War. Resembling the Arc de Triomphe of Paris, the India Gate is built of red sandstone and rises to a height of 42 meters.

The heritage site of Qutub Minar is also on your itinerary. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Qutub Minar is the earliest structure built by the Muslim invaders in India. Constructed over the ruins of the Rajput fort of the Tomars, the foundation of the Qutub Minar was laid as early as 1199 AD by Qtub-ud-din Aibak, the first sultan of the Delhi sultanate.  

You will also visit the magnificent Akshardham Temple, the largest Hindu temple complex in the world, and the National Art Gallery, India’s largest museum dedicated to modern art.

Later you will visit the old markets of Delhi and enjoy dinner before heading back to your hotel.

Overnight in Delhi.

Leaving Delhi you take a long drive to Jaipur. Known as the Pink City, Jaipur is the capital of Rajasthan the largest state in India. It was founded by the Rajput king Sawai Jai Singh II in 1727. After reaching Jaipur you will head to your hotel and check-in. Freshen up and get refreshed.

In the evening your guide will take you to ‘Choki Dhani’, a Rajasthani village-themed restaurant. You can enjoy traditional songs and dances, puppet shows, camel ride, and a tableau of village life. You can also savor authentic Rajasthani dishes (to be paid for by yourself).

Please note the visit to ‘Choki Dhani’ is optional. You can skip this visit and rest at the hotel if you wish.

Overnight in Jaipur.

Today you will take a guided tour to the main attractions of Jaipur City. After breakfast, you will be driven about 11 km from the city to the magnificent Amer Fort. Located on a hill overlooking the city, you take an elephant ride to reach the gate of this massive fort. Inside the fort is the majestic Amber Palace, the erstwhile residence of the Rajput kings that ruled over Jaipur. The vast fort is divided into four sections. Follow your guide to the most attractive and historic sections – Jaleb Chowk, Sheesh Mahal, Sukh Niwas, Zenana Mahal, Diwam-e-aam, etc.

After a wonderful tour of the Amer Fort, you will be driven towards the city where you will visit the Hawa Mahal or the Wind Palace, City Palace, Jantar Mantar, and other attractions. Hawa Mahal built in the eighteenth century for the ladies of the royal family has 953 latticed windows. These windows provided a peek into the outside world for the royal ladies who were in 'purdah'.

The City Palace is a stunning palace where the descendants of the Maharaja who built this palace still reside. Showcased inside are the artifacts, clothes, photographs, and memorabilia of the royal family. At Jantar Mantar, you will come across the world's largest stone sundial.

Later in the evening you can enjoy the sunset at Man Sagar Lake and watch the display of lights at the Jal Mahal (Water Palace). The beautiful palace lies in the center of the lake.

Overnight in Jaipur.

You bid goodbye to Jaipur and head to Agra. On the way, you stop at the historic city of Fatehpur Sikri. Built by the great Mughal emperor Akbar, the city was planned as the capital of the Mughal empire. It was later abandoned due to scarcity of water.

The old city is dotted with graceful places and heritage sites. Diwan-i-aam, Diwan-i-khas, Paanch Mahal, Ibadat Khana, Khwabgah, Jodha Bai's Palace, etc are some of the palaces and royal halls you will visit. These palaces portray the regal lifestyle and sophisticated taste of the Mughal kings.

Later you continue your journey toward Agra and upon reaching the ancient city you will get to visit the Taj Mahal. One of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Taj Mahal is a mausoleum built entirely of white marble. Built in memory of emperor Shah Jehan's beloved queen Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj Mahal is one of India's most visited heritage sites.

Overnight in Agra. 

After an early breakfast, your guide will escort you to the railway station where you will board a train bound for Jhansi. It takes around three hours to reach Jhansi from Agra by train. You can expect some delays as Indian trains are not that punctual.

On reaching Jhansi you will board a vehicle from the railway station and proceed towards Khajuraho which is located about 175 kilometers away from Jhansi. You will be driven to your hotel where you can take a rest after that long journey.

Overnight in Khajuraho.

Western, Eastern, and Southern temple complexes, the Khajuraho group of monuments was built during the reign of the Chandela dynasty in the ninth and tenth centuries. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, these temples are renowned for their beautiful Nagara-style of architecture and erotic carvings.

Early in the morning, you will visit the Western group of temples. Explore the famous Kandariya Mahadev Temple, Vishwanath Temple, Lakshmana Temple, Parvati Temple, and Chitragupta Temple and marvel at the elaborate carvings on the  façade. Later in the day, you will get to visit the Eastern and Southern groups of temples – Chaturbhuj Temple, Vamana Temple, Brahma Temple, Parsavanatha Temple, and Duladeo Temple.

Khajuraho is the site of India's most famous international dance festival, the 'Khajuraho Dance Festival'. This festival is held annually during February or March at the precinct of the Chitragupta Temple where renowned dancers perform Indian classical dances like Odissi, Kathak, Kuchipudi, Bharatanatyam, etc.

Overnight in Khajuraho.

After breakfast at your hotel, you will be transferred to the airport from where you will catch your flight to Varanasi.

Varanasi or Benaras as the locals call it, is a sacred Hindu city located on the banks of the holy river Ganga. To Hindus, the city is 'Kashi,' the second home of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and one of the sacred Hindu pilgrimage destination. It is believed that the souls of people who are cremated on the ghats of Varanasi go straight to heaven.

After you arrive in the city you will be driven to your hotel. In the evening your guide will take you to the riverside where you can observe the evening 'aarti'(worship with lighted oil lamps). Devotees chant and sing along as the Hindu priests perform 'aarti' standing on the banks of the river holding huge oil lamps. It’s a beautiful spectacle and a spiritual experience that you will remember for years to come.

Overnight in Varanasi. 

Wake up early in the morning and head to one of the 'ghats' with your guide. On reaching the riverside you climb on a wooden boat and enjoy a boat ride in the holy river Ganga. Enjoy the early morning view of the city and the ghats coming alive as you cruise along the river.

Later you will be driven to Sarnath, which is located about 10 kilometers from central Varanasi. Sarnath is a sacred Buddhist site where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon. Here you will discover the Dhamek Stupa, the site where Sakyamuni Buddha gave his first discourse on "Dhamma", and the ruins around it. The Ashoka Pillar which has become the emblem of India stands erect near the Dhamek Stupa. At the Chaukhandi Stupa, you will come across the site where Buddha reunited with his five followers.  The Sarnath Archeological Museum and the temples built by Buddhist countries provide a glimpse of the rich Buddhist heritage in Sarnath.

After exploring Sarnath you will return to Varanasi. You continue touring the city and visit the sacred sites of the Vishwanath Temple, Durga Temple, and Tulsi Manas Temple.

Overnight in Varanasi. 

Leaving Varanasi you take a domestic flight to Delhi. Your Golden Triangle with Khajuraho and Varanasi Tour ends in Delhi. Finally it’s time to bid goodbye to India. Our representative will drop you off at the international airport from where you catch your flight to your next destination. If you wish to explore the neighboring countries of Nepal and Bhutan please do let us know. We have a range of itineraries that might interest you.