Classic India Tour - A Timeless Journey Through Heritage and Splendor

Daywise Tour Plan

  • day1

    Arrival at Delhi & Transfer to the Hotel

    Our representative will meet you at the Delhi airport and transfer to hotel.

    Delhi, India’s capital is a city built in layers. Over millennia, with the city as epicentre, great empires have risen and fallen, one built atop the remains of another. Consequently, countless ruins and monuments dot the city, each with a story to tell. Alongside, New Delhi’s wide multi-lane motorways, bustling with shopping malls, fast cars and steel and glass office complexes, belong unmistakably to the 21st century.

    Overnight stay at the hotel.

  • day2

    Delhi Sightseeing

    Post breakfast, pick up from the hotel and proceed for sightseeing:

    Raj Ghat: The memorial to Mahatma Gandhi, a simple black stone structure with an eternal flame, symbolizes the simplicity and profound impact of his ideas.

    Red Fort: Commissioned by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1639, this majestic red sandstone fort was the empire's seat for two centuries. The Prime Minister delivers the Independence Day speech from its ramparts.

    Jama Masjid: One of Asia’s largest mosques, admired from outside for its ornate domes and minarets, reminiscent of an Arabian Nights scene.

    Proceed to New Delhi:

    India Gate: A red sandstone arch dedicated to Indian and British soldiers who died in World War I.

    Parliament House and Rashtrapati Bhawan: Majestic government buildings in Lutyen’s Delhi, designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens. Nearby are the Mughal Gardens, open to the public in spring.

    Qutub Minar: Built by Qutubuddin Aibak in 1193, this is India’s tallest stone tower and marks the site of the country’s first Muslim kingdom. The iron tower in a square opposite is notable for never rusting.

    Bahai Temple: A lotus-shaped temple open to all faiths, ideal for meditation.

    Overnight stay at the hotel.

  • day3

    Delhi - Haridwar (By Surface)

    Post breakfast, drive to Haridwar.

    Upon arrival, proceed for sightseeing:

    Haridwar: Known as 'the Gateway to God,' Haridwar is a sacred Hindu pilgrimage site where the Ganges River leaves the mountains and enters the plains. It is renowned for its spiritual significance and the Kumbh Mela held every twelve years.

    Har Ki Pauri: One of India’s most sacred ghats, believed to have been built by Vikramaditya in memory of his brother Bhartrihari. The evening Maha Aarti here is a must-see event.

    Mansa Devi Temple: Situated on Bilwa Parvat, accessible via a ropeway or trekking, offering panoramic views of Haridwar.

    Daksha Mahadev Temple: Located in Kankhal, this temple is linked to the legend of King Daksha Prajapati and the story of Sati and Lord Shiva.

    Chandi Devi Temple: Positioned on Neel Parvat across the Ganges, built by the King of Kashmir, Suchat Singh, in 1929 AD. It requires a 3 km trek from Chandi Ghat.

    Sapt Rishi: A serene spot where the Ganga divides into seven streams.

    Overnight stay at the hotel.

  • day4

    Haridwar - Rishikesh - Haridwar (Excursion Tour)

    After breakfast, drive to Rishikesh.

    Rishikesh: Located 24 km upstream from Haridwar at the confluence of the Chandrabhaga and Ganga rivers, Rishikesh is a renowned spiritual center with numerous ashrams for yoga, meditation, and philosophical studies. It's also a hub for outdoor activities like white-water rafting and a base camp for Himalayan trekking.

    Bharat Mandir: The oldest temple in Rishikesh, near Jhanda Chowk, named after Lord Hrishikesh Narayan Bharat.

    Kailash Niketan Temple: Located at Laxman Jhoola, this temple features sculptures of various deities across its fourteen floors.

    Satya Narayan Temple: Situated 10 km from Haridwar, en route to Rishikesh, this temple is dedicated to Lord Satya Narayan and serves as a worship stop.

    Shatrughan Temple: An ancient temple dedicated to Shatrughan, Lord Ram's brother, located 5 km from Rishikesh.

    Neelkanth Mahadev: Perched on a hill across the Ganga, this temple is associated with the mythological event of Lord Shiva consuming venom, which turned his throat blue.

    In the evening, return to Haridwar by road. Relax at the hotel.

    Overnight stay at the hotel.

  • day5

    Haridwar - Agra (Enroute Mathura By Surface)

    Post breakfast, drive to Agra with an en-route visit to Mathura.

    Mathura: A sacred city in Uttar Pradesh, Mathura is believed to be the birthplace of Lord Krishna at Sri Krishna Janma Bhoomi, a prominent Hindu temple. The city features 25 ghats along the Yamuna River, with Vishram Ghat considered the holiest. Notable sites include Sati Burj, a 16th-century memorial tower, and Dwarkadhish Temple, known for its carved entrance and black-marble idol of Lord Krishna.

    Continue driving to Agra. Upon arrival, relax at the hotel.

    Agra: Once the second capital of the Mughal Empire under Akbar and Shah Jahan, Agra is known for its contrasting edifices of red sandstone and white marble. The city retains its Mughal charm with narrow streets, quaint buggies, and the distinct aroma of Mughlai cuisine.

    Overnight stay at the hotel.

  • day6

    Agra Sightseeing

    Proceed for a sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal.

    Taj Mahal: This iconic white marble monument, built by Shah Jahan as a memorial to his wife Mumtaz Mahal, is renowned for its stunning design, symmetry, and intricate inlay work. Designed by Persian architect Ustad Isa, it took 22 years to complete.

    Return to the hotel for breakfast, then proceed with sightseeing:

    Sikandra: The mausoleum of Emperor Akbar, Sikandra is a low-profile monument surrounded by lush gardens. Akbar began its construction during his lifetime, and his son Jahangir completed it in 1613. The structure blends Hindu, Christian, Islamic, Buddhist, and Jain motifs, reflecting Akbar’s syncretic beliefs.

    Agra Fort: This red sandstone fort, built by Akbar in 1565 AD, features a formal garden and the elegant Pearl Mosque. The fort, situated on the banks of the Yamuna River, served as Akbar's citadel and showcases the finest Mughal architecture.

    Itmad-ud-Daulah (Baby Taj): Built by Empress Nur Jahan for her father in 1628, this mausoleum is noted for its intricate marble inlay work. It represents a significant evolution in Mughal tomb architecture.

    Evening visit to Mehtab Bagh.

    Overnight stay at the hotel.

  • day7

    Agra - Jhansi (By Train) - Khajuraho (By Surface)

    Post breakfast, board the train from Agra to Jhansi.

    Arrival assistance at Jhansi railway station. Drive to Khajuraho, with an en route visit to Orchha.

    Orchha: Located 12 km from Khajuraho, Orchha was founded in 1501 by the Bundela rulers on the banks of the Betwa River. The town is renowned for its cenotaphs (chhatris) built in honor of deceased kings. Key attractions include Orchha Fort, the Chaturbhuj Temple with its impressive domes and spires, and the Raj Mandir, all constructed in the late 16th century.

    Continue drive to Khajuraho.

    Khajuraho: The Chandela dynasty constructed the Khajuraho Complex between the 9th and 10th centuries AD. The name may derive from "Kharjura Vahaka," referring to a scorpion-bearing figure in one of Khajuraho’s popular sculptures. The sandstone temples are adorned with numerous sculptures of gods, goddesses, dancers, and animals, with notable erotic sculptures that reflect a liberal outlook or deeper symbolic meanings. Khajuraho is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a highlight of luxury tours in India.

    Overnight stay at the hotel.

  • day8

    Khajuraho Sightseeing

    Breakfast will be at the hotel.

    After lunch at the hotel, visit the Western Group of Temples.

    Western Group of Temples:

    • Kandariya Mahadev Temple: The largest and most elaborate temple in the complex, dedicated to Lord Shiva. It features over 800 intricately sculpted figures of gods and celestial maidens.

    • Chausat Yogini Temple: The oldest temple in the group, constructed from granite, dedicated to the fierce aspect of the Hindu Mother Goddess Kali.

    • Lakshmana Temple: Located at the southwest corner, notable for a minor shrine where an ancient sculptor included his own likeness in a gesture of vanity.

    • Vishwanath Temple: Known for its detailed stonework on the outer walls.

    • Matangeshwar Temple: Famous for its eight-foot-high phallic lingam.

    • Chitragupta Temple: Features a radiant Sun God riding a seven-horse chariot.

    • Varaha Temple: Houses a 1.5-meter high Varaha, the boar incarnation of Lord Vishnu, which tries and fails to find the end of the universe.

    In the afternoon, visit a local school or relax at the hotel. In the evening, attend a sound and light show.

    Overnight stay at the hotel.

  • day9

    Khajuraho - Varanasi (By Flight)

    Post breakfast, transfer to Khajuraho airport and fly to Varanasi.

    Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel.

    The ancient city of Varanasi, located on the west bank of the holy Ganga River, has been a spiritual center for Hinduism since antiquity. The high ghats (steps leading to and from the river) are bustling with priests, astrologers, devotees, bathers, and sadhus. The air is filled with the ringing of temple bells and the rich aroma of incense, making even a simple walk or boat ride an unforgettable experience.

    Varanasi has been a popular backdrop for filmmakers, including Roberto Rossellini, James Ivory, and Satyajit Ray. Notably, the first moving picture ever shot in India was filmed here in 1899.

    In the evening, visit the ghats for sunset and enjoy the evening Aarti ceremony. A guide will provide commentary on the proceedings and the meanings of the chants during the Aarti. This is a highlight of the tour.

    Overnight stay at the hotel.

  • day10
    Varanasi Sightseeing

    Early in the morning, embark on a boat ride along the Ganges to observe the spiritual life of Hindu India along the riverbanks. Visit Dashashwamedh and Manikarnika Ghats, with the latter serving as a cremation ground where the funeral pyre is said to never die.

    Kashi Vishwanath Temple, with its iconic solid gold spire, is among the holiest Hindu temples. Devotees believe that praying here after a dip in the Ganges can grant Moksha, or liberation from the cycle of life and rebirth.

    Breakfast at the hotel.

    Later, visit the 18th-century Durga Temple, where legend says the goddess's idol appeared at the temple site.

    Next, explore the 4000-acre Benaras Hindu University campus, which includes an art gallery and the mosque built by Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.

    In the evening, enjoy a buggy ride through the city.

    A short drive from Varanasi takes you to Sarnath, where the Buddha delivered his first sermon. The 1600-year-old Dhamekh Stupa marks the spot of this historic event. This ancient stupa replaces an earlier one built by Emperor Ashoka in 249 BC.

    Visit the Sarnath Museum, known for its antiquities from the 3rd century BC, including the impressive red sandstone Bodhisattvas and the Asokan pillar, India's state symbol.

    Overnight stay at the hotel.

  • day11

    Varanasi - Delhi (By Flight)

    After breakfast, fly to Delhi. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel and check in.

    Spend the rest of the day relaxing at the hotel.

    Overnight stay at the hotel.

  • day12

    Delhi Airport Departure

    Transfer to Delhi airport for your flight home.
                         
                                                                                  'TOUR ENDS WITH MEMORIES'

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