Imperial Heritage Journey

After breakfast, full day city tour of Delhi. Visit Qutab Minar & Humayun's Tomb. The five storied tallest 73 m high minaret Qutab Minar made out of material obtained from destroying '27 Hindu temples' and later Humayun's tomb standing as the pioneer to the charbagh garden style tomb's in the Mughal architecture. Continue drive through Parliament building, Presidents’ palace, photo stop at India Gate to get a captivating look. PM visit Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, A bungalow in Delhi owned by Raja Jai Singh of Amber (Jaipur) is now the Gurdwara Bangla Sahib Also visit Akshardham Temple, a traditional mandir (temple) dedicated to Bhagwan Swaminarayan that reflects the beauty and spirituality of India’s ancient art, culture, and architecture.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast City tour of Old Delhi. Here you shall visit the Jama Masjid. This grand mosque was built by Emperor Shah Jahan, with three imposing black and white marble domes, and twin minarets framing its great central arch. Later Embark on a rickshaw ride and also visit the market through streets of Chandni Chowk. Its most elegant boulevard laid out in 1648 and is lined with grand shops and mansions. Also visit Red Fort. Named for its red sandstone walls, the Red Fort located near river Yamuna is Delhi’s most famous monument. It is greatest of Delhi’s Mughal palace-cities. Built in 17^th century by Shah Jahan, it recalls the era of Mughal power and magnificence. You will also visit Raj Ghat, the somber black granite memorial marking the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast drive to Jaipur. On arrival check into your hotel.  PM visit City Palace and Jantar Mantar. City Palace is a sprawling complex is a superb blend of Rajput and Mughal architecture, with open airy Mughal - style public buildings leading to private apartments. Its treasures, which include miniature paintings, manuscripts, Mughal carpets, musical instruments, royal costumes and weaponry, provide a splendid introduction to Jaipur's princely past, and it’s fascinating arts and crafts.

Jantar Mantar a UNESCO World Heritage, translated into 'Instruments of Measuring the Harmony of the Heavens', it was built by Sawai Jai Singh II between 1728 and 1734. Jantar Mantar is a grand celebration of astronomical science and each instrument here perform a particular function and gives an accurate reading.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast excursion to Amber fort a UNESCO World Heritage. En-route photostop at Hawa Mahal known as “the Palace of winds”, with its ornate pink facade has become an icon for the city. The tiered Baroque like composition of projecting windows and balconies is five storeys high.

Amber Fort which is at a short distance of 11 kms from Jaipur. The old capital of the Kachhwahas stands atop a range of craggy hills. Embark on an elephant ride from the base of the fort to the hilltop. Fort offers panoramic view of Maota Lake and the historic old town at the base of the hill.
Later visit the markets of Jaipur famous for their exquisite carpets, clothes, jewelry etc.

Overnight at the hotel.

Morning leave for Agra. En-route visit the stepwell at Abhaneri & the Fatehpur Sikri.

Fatehpur Sikri's BULAND DARWAZA a UNESCO World Heritage, built by Emperor Akbar in honour of Salim Chishti a famous Sufi saint. Its architecture is a blend of Hindu and Islamic styles. The Buland Darwaza, erected by Akbar to mark his conquest over Gujarat is a huge gateway. Later continue drive to Agra. On arrival check in to your hotel. Evening Witness perfect views of the Taj Mahal from Mehtab Bagh, a centuries old garden complex.

On arrival check in & Overnight stay at the hotel.

AM visit the Taj Mahal by Sunrise. Taj Mahal built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It's an image of the Islamic Garden Paradise, an enduring monument of love continually fulfilling beauty in white marble. To the poet Tagore it was "A Tear Drop in the face of eternity". Pietra dura has been extensively used to translate naturalistic forms into decorative patters that complement the majesty of its architecture. Check in at your hotel.

PM visit visit Agra Fort on the banks of river Yamuna. Its imposing red sandstone ramparts form a crescent along the river front and encompass an enormous complex of courtly buildings, ranging in style from the early eclecticism of Akbar to the sublime elegance of Shah Jahan. Also visit Itmad-Ud-Daulah, also called as the 'Baby Taj' because of its resemblance to Taj Mahal.

Later drive to Gwalior. On arrival Check in to the hotel & overnight stay.

AM visit Gwalior fort. This hilltop fort is one of the most redoubtable in the world founded in the 8th century AD. The fort is positioned at a height of 100m above the main town. The fort consists of two main palaces, Gurjari Mahal and Man Mandir, built by Man Singh Tomar in the 15th century. Continue visit Tomb of Tansen. Legendary singer Tansen, one of the nine jewels of Akbar's court and known as the father of Hindustani classical music is buried in Gwalior. The Memorial of Tansen also known as the 'Tomb of Tansen' was built in the early style of Mughal architecture and has a simple and pristine aura about it.

PM visit Jai Vilas Palace. Jai Vilas Palace was constructed by Maharaja Jayaji Rao scindia in 1874. Jai Vilas Palace is the current residence of the Scindia family, although part of it having 35 palatial rooms have been converted into the 'Scindia Museum'. The architectural style of this imperial structure is dominantly Italian, with a fine blend of Corinthian and Tuscan architectural modes.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Early morning drive to Khajuraho. En-route visit Orchha. Founded in 1531, Orchha is dramatically positioned on a rocky island, enclosed by a loop of the Betwa River. The many layered palace has 132 chambers off and above the central courtyard and an almost equal number of subterranean rooms. The square sandstone palace is extravagantly embellished with lapis lazuli tiles, graceful chhatris and ornate jail screens. Continue drive to Khajuraho.

On arrival check in to the hotel & Overnight stay.

AM visit the Eastern and Western group of magnificent temples at Khajuraho Group of Monuments, a UNESCO World Heritage site, were built between the 9th & the 10th centuries by the Chandela dynasty. The impressive Kandriya Mahadev temple, which represents the pinnacle of North Indian temple art and architechture, with over 800 sculptures depicting gods & goddesses, beasts & warriors, sensuous maidens, dancers, musicians and, of course erotic scenes for which the Khajuraho temples are famous. Later afternoon transfer to domestic airport to board flight for Varanasi. On arrival, transfer to the hotel & Check in. Varanasi also known as Kashi, "The City of light", is one of the oldest cities in the world, dating back to 2600 years at the very least. Later witness the evening aarti at the Dashashvamedh ghat, named after the ten simultaneous horse sacrifices performed by Brahma the Creator. The daily prayers "aarti" with people chanting vedic hymns, lighting lamps and praying with the priests.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Morning Sunrise Embark on a Boat-ride on the river Ganges is the highlight of a trip to Varanasi. With people performing yoga, offering flowers and incense to the river, and take a ritual dip along the river front, bathed in soft light. Also visit the City & temples on the Ghats of the Ganges. Later Excursion to Sarnath. To Buddhists, Sarnath is as sacred as Varanasi to Hindus. This is where Buddha came to preach the Dharma chakra or the Wheel of Law, his first major sermon after gaining enlightenment.

Evening departure transfer to the Varanasi Domestic Airport to board flight for Delhi.