Golden Triangle With Khajuraho & Varanasi 10 DaysDownload / Print

Our 10-day Golden Triangle with Khajuraho & Varanasi itinerary takes you through the great northern plains of India, traversed by the Ganges and Yamuna rivers, have been the cradle of the mighty empires of the last two millennia, from the Mauryan dynasty that reached its zenith under Ashoka in the 3rd century BC to the powerful Mughals whose glorious architectural legacy is evident in the many forts, palaces and temples that remain. An introduction to the varied splendors of the subcontinent.

Day 01: Arrive Delhi
Arrive Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport this evening. You will be met at the airport by PCTI representative who give you a warm welcome by fresh flower garlands and transfer to your hotel by your deluxe air-conditioned Car/Coach. On arrival check in & evening free for relax. Overnight at hotel.

Day 02: Delhi Sightseeing
Morning after leisurely breakfast we leave for a sightseeing tour of Old & New Delhi. In Old Delhi where we visit Jama Masjid, this immense mosque is both the largest in India and the final architectural extravagance of Shah Jahan with a courtyard capable of holding 25,000 devotees, . The highlight of the tour is an exhilarating bicycle rickshaw ride through the bustling and colourful streets of the fabled shopping bazaar, Chandni Chowk (Silver Street). We drive past Red Fort citadel and reach Raj Ghat, a memorial to Mahatma Gandhi is a simple black marble platform that marks the spot of his cremation on 31 January, 1948. Two museums dedicated to Gandhi are located nearby. In New Delhi we visit the 11th century Qutab Minar Tower, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built by Qutub-ud-din Aibek of the Slave Dynasty, who took possession of Delhi in 1206. It is a red sandstone tower, standing tall at a height of 72.5 metres and is covered with intricate carvings and verses from the holy Qur'an. The India Gate, a memorial raised in honour of the Indian soldiers martyred during the Afghan war and drive past the grand government buildings the President’s House and Parliament House all dating back to the time of British Raj. Overnight at hotel.

Day 03: Delhi / Jaipur (250 Km / 5 Hrs)
Morning we travel to the royal city of Jaipur, also known as ‘The Pink City' due to the predominant colour of its buildings. Throbbing, vibrant capital city of the colourful state of Rajasthan where the regal ambience of yesteryear is still felt throughout the city's numerous carved arches and once-bejewelled fortress walls. On arrival we check inn to our hotel. Evening we visit Birla Temple also known as Laxmi Narayan Mandir. Built in a contemporary manner, covers the vast lands of the city of Jaipur. The temple stands erect on a raised platform, at the footsteps of the Moti Dungri Hill. This temple is constructed in the finest quality of white marble. The three huge domes of the temple represent three different approaches to the religion. The beautiful white marble temple mesmerizes the onlookers, when it glows at night. We witness Arti ceremony at Birla Temple. Later at the time of dinner visit unique 5 star ethnic resort Chokhi Dhani in village ambience with puppet shows, folk dances astrology, camel ride. Return to the hotel for overnight stay. Overnight at hotel.

Day 04: Jaipur
After breakfast we leave for sightseeing in Jaipur and visit Amber Fort, here we will enjoy the Elephant Ride to reach a top of the palace. This journey on embellished elephants is bound to enrich your memories with the Royal lifestyle of the Maharajas and leave you with a truly unforgettable experience. Inside the Fort visit the Hall of Victory or Jag Mandir and Sheesh Mahal - a room with all the four walls and ceiling completely embedded with glittering mirror pieces, which were specially imported from Belgium during that period.  Afternoon continue your journey: - with the city tour of Jaipur visiting Maharaja’s City Palace, the former Royal residence, part of it converted into a museum. A small portion is still used by the Royal family of Jaipur. One of the major attractions in the museum is the portion known as armoury museum, housing an impressive array of weaponry-pistols, blunderbusses, flintlocks, swords, rifles and daggers. Later we visit Jantar Mantar (Observatory), a UNESCO World Heritage Site which is the largest stone and marble crafted observatory in the world, having 17 large instruments, many of them still in working condition. During the tour we will also have a brief photography stop at Hawa Mahal - the Palace of Winds. Later in the evening we explore the city on our own and indulge in shopping for gemstones, silver jewellery, Paintings, blue pottery and hand printed textiles that Jaipur is renowned for. Overnight at hotel.

Day 05 : Jaipur/Fatehpur Sikri/Agra (250 Km / 5 Hrs)
After breakfast we drive leisurely to the home of the breathtaking white-marble Taj Mahal - Agra, takes us through the images of rural India. Agra was established as the Mughal capital in 1526 and is known for its chaotic and vibrant marketplace (chowk), endless auto rickshaw touts, plentiful souvenir vendors, historic temples and many grand, ancient monuments and tombs. Enroute visit Fatehpur Sikri - a UNESCO World Heritage Site which has been described as “the world’s most perfectly preserved ghost town”. Built by Akbar in the late 16th century, it was abandoned after only 14 years, and the elegant buildings of this superb walled city remain intact to this day.  Overnight at hotel.

Day 06 : Agra
After enjoying a hearty breakfast at the hotel we leave to explore the monumental heritage of the Great Mughals, including the magnificent Taj Mahal (Closed on Fridays), a UNESCO World Heritage Site one of the Seven Wonders of the World and surely the most extravagant expression of love ever created. 20,000 men laboured for over 17 years to build this memorial to Shah Jahan's beloved wife. It's a wealth of white marble and semi-precious stone – « undoubtedly the highlight of the tour » Post lunch tour of the imposing Agra Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this powerful fortress of red sandstone encompasses, within its 2.5-km-long enclosure walls, the imperial city of the Mughal rulers. It comprises many fairy-tale palaces, such as the Jahangir Palace and the Khas Mahal, built by Shah Jahan; audience halls, such as the Diwan-i-Khas; and two very beautiful mosques. Later we have some free time to explore the local handicrafts and shopping centers of the city where one can look for marble inlay work, fine quality carpets, Zari and embroidery, leather goods etc.  Overnight at hotel.

Day 07: Agra / Orchha (225 Km / 04 Hrs)
This morning we drive towards Orchha, The town was established by Maharaja Rudra Pratap Singh in 1501, as the seat of an eponymous former princely state of central India, in the Bundelkhand region. Orchha lies on the Betwa River set amongst a complex of well-preserved palaces and temples. Post lunch sightseeing of Orchha including visit to the Fort, The fort is reached by an arched bridge and the three palaces set in an open courtyard within the fort are the first buildings to explore. The tiered Jahangir Mahal was built in 1606 to commemorate the visit of Emperor Jahangir. The Raj Mahal, to the right of the courtyard, was built by Madhukar Shah and has bold colorful murals inside. The third palace, Rai Praveen Mahal, which is a two storey brick structure set in the gardens of Anand Mahal. Of the many temples within the fort, three are especially worth visiting. The Ram Raja Mandir was originally a palace and became a temple more by accident than design. An image of Ram was installed while the temple, The Chaturbhuj was being built for it.  For some reason the image could not be moved from the palace and despite its spires and ornate decoration became a sacred place. Linked to the Ram Raja is the Lakshminarayan temple, the interiors of which have some of the best preserved murals and wall paintings in Orchha. Overnight at hotel.

Day 08: Orchha / Khajuraho (200 Km / 04 Hrs)
After breakfast our drive takes us to Khajuraho, the legendary temples of Khajuraho built in the 9th and the 10th century are an incomparable experience. Acknowledged as one of the world’s artistic wonders. Khajuraho has achieved fame for the sensual appeal of its erotic sculptures. On arrival we check inn to our Hotel. Post lunch we visit the exquisite 10th century temples of Khajuraho, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Evening we witness the fascinating Son-et-Lumière spectacle evokes the life and times of the great Chandela Kings and traces the story of the unique temples from the 10th Century to the present day. Mounted in the complex of the Western Group of temples. Overnight at hotel.

Day 09: Khajuraho - Varanasi (9W 724, 1325/1415)
After leisurely breakfast, Transfer to Khajuraho airport for flight to Varanasi. Meeting at airport and transfers to the hotel. On the way visit to Sarnath, where Buddha in deer park, having received his divine enlightenment, held his first sermon in 528 BC, called Dharamachakra (wheel of law), the basic principles of his teaching. In the park is sacred Bo tree under which Buddha stood and a temple (stupa) in which stored urn with relics of the Buddha. Evening visiting and enjoying Ganga Arti - sacred Hindu ritual on the banks of the Ganges River, where a beating of drums, chanting of mantras, throwing on flowers in the water, incense and lighted torches express worship before deities and sacred river. Overnight at hotel.

Day 10: Fly Varanasi / Delhi & Depart Home  (SG 119, 1615/1740)
Morning Boat Trip on the waters of the sacred Ganges River - welcome the sunrise with the believers, washing and bathing in the sacred river. Breakfast at hotel.

Overview tour of Varanasi - the religious capital of India, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Of authentic Hindi, the city is called "Baranas." Legend has it that the city was founded by Lord Shiva, who became a major religious center of India.  Here are some of the most prominent Hindu temples - Kashi Vishvanat, St. Mochan, Durga and many others. Varanasi was the capital of the Indian silk fabrics and saris. During the tour, visit the Durga temple, Bharat Mata and other tourist sites of the town. After lunch transfer to airport for flight to Delhi. Meeting at the airport. Transfer to the city. Dinner at a popular restaurant with classical Indian dance program. Transfer to international airport for flight to your onward destination.