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Arrival at Delhi and Transfer to Hotel
Our representative will greet you at the airport and assist with your hotel transfer.
Delhi, India’s capital, has witnessed great empires rise and fall over millennia, with each new ruler building upon the works of their predecessors. As a result, the city is rich with monuments and ruins of stunning diversity. The seat of the world’s largest democracy, Delhi also features magnificent symbols of government that reflect the ideals of self-rule and democracy. These coexist with wide multi-lane motorways, shopping malls, fast cars, and ultramodern steel-glass office complexes typical of a large 21st-century metropolis.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
Delhi Sightseeing
Breakfast will be at the hotel. Later proceed for the sightseeing.
Raj Ghat is the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi, reflecting the simplicity of the man who transformed the world with his ideas. It features a simple black stone structure with an eternal flame burning at one end.
The majestic Red Fort, commissioned by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1639, was the empire's seat for two centuries. Today, the Indian Prime Minister delivers the Independence Day speech from its ramparts.
To experience the vibrant atmosphere of old Delhi, we recommend a rickshaw ride through its bustling markets and narrow medieval alleys. Your guide can arrange this for you.
Jama Masjid, one of Asia’s largest mosques, will be viewed from the outside. Its lofty domes and minarets evoke a scene from the Arabian Nights.
Proceed to New Delhi.
Built by the British in the 1930s, New Delhi features wide, tree-lined avenues and grand government buildings designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens.
Begin at India Gate, a red sandstone arch commemorating Indian and British soldiers of World War I. Nearby are the Parliament House, the seat of the world’s largest democracy, and Rashtrapati Bhavan, the official residence of the Indian President, with its Mughal Gardens open to the public in spring.
Further south is Qutub Minar, built by Qutubuddin Aibak in 1193. It is India’s tallest stone tower and the site of the first Muslim kingdom. The adjacent iron pillar is unique for its rust-resistant properties.
Humayun’s Tomb, a precursor to Mughal architecture, was built by Emperor Humayun’s widow, Hamida Banu Begum. Inspired by Persian styles, it reflects Humayun’s architectural interests and is noted for its historical significance.
The lotus-shaped Bahai Temple, south of Delhi, is a serene place for meditation, welcoming people of all faiths.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
Delhi - Sikandra - Agra (By Surface)
Breakfast will be at the hotel.
Drive to Sikandra in a spacious, Compass-approved vehicle.
At Sikandra, visit the beautifully maintained mausoleum of Akbar the Great. A champion of religious harmony, Akbar created Din-i Ilahi, a unique faith blending elements of Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Christianity. His memorial incorporates architectural motifs from all these religions.
Continue your drive to Agra.
Agra, the Mughal capital on the Yamuna River, is a bustling town with narrow, historic alleyways. It features stunning monuments, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Taj Mahal. This white marble mausoleum, built by Shah Jahan for his queen Mumtaz Mahal and designed by Persian architect Ustad Ahmad Lahori, is renowned for its delicate beauty and intricate inlay work. It is a must-see wonder of the world, especially enchanting at dawn, dusk, or moonlight.
Across the river stands the Agra Fort, a majestic red sandstone structure built by Akbar in 1565. It later became the prison of Shah Jahan, who spent his final days gazing at the Taj Mahal from the Muamman Burj, an octagonal marble tower within the fort.
Both Agra Fort and the Taj Mahal are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Itmad-ud-Daulah, often called the "Baby Taj," is an earlier Mughal tomb commissioned by Empress Nur Jahan for her father. Though predating the Taj Mahal, it may have influenced its design.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
Agra - Fatehpur Sikri - Jaipur (By Surface)
Breakfast will be at the hotel. Later begin your drive to Fatehpur Sikri.
Fatehpur Sikri, or the “City of Victory,” was built by Emperor Akbar in 1569 in honor of Sufi saint Salim Chishti. It served as the Mughal capital for 14 years. The white marble Tomb of Salim Chishti, with its intricately carved marble screens, is a prominent feature in the central courtyard.
Key attractions include the colossal Buland Darwaza, a victory gate commemorating Akbar’s conquest; the Diwan-i-Aam, where Akbar held public hearings; and the Diwan-i-Khas, where he held private meetings with his nine ministers, known as the Navaratna or “nine gems.”
Also notable are the palace of Jodhabai, Akbar’s Hindu wife, and the house of Birbal, Akbar’s renowned Hindu minister whose wit and wisdom are celebrated in Indian culture.
Continue your drive to Jaipur.
Jaipur, the “Pink City,” received its distinctive color in 1853 for Prince Albert’s visit. It is known for its havelis, bazaars, opulent palaces, and majestic forts, reflecting the grandeur of its Rajput rulers.
Jaipur is named after King Jai Singh II, a Rajput prince who was given the title Sawai Maharaja, or “King and a Quarter,” by the Mughals.
In the evening, visit the Birla Temple, a stunning white marble structure with three towers symbolizing different religious approaches. The ornate pillars feature carvings of Hindu deities alongside Christian figures. Don’t miss the captivating evening Aarti, the ritual lighting of oil lamps.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
Jaipur Sightseeing
After breakfast, proceed to Amber Fort for a morning excursion. Enjoy an elephant ride up to the fort.
Perched on a hill, Amber Fort Palace, established in 1592, offers panoramic views of the old city. Its rugged exterior contrasts with the delicate, fusion architecture inside, combining Rajasthani and Islamic styles. Enter the fort on a ceremonial elephant along a cobbled path, exploring havelis, step wells, courtyards, and temples. Visit the Sheesh Mahal (Chamber of Mirrors), Jas Mandir with its ornate ceilings, and the Shila Devi Temple with its intricately carved silver door.
Continue sightseeing in Jaipur.
The City Palace, home to Jaipur’s rulers since the 18th century, features a blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. The City Palace Museum displays artifacts from Jaipur’s princely past.
King Jai Singh II, an astronomy enthusiast, commissioned five observatories, or Jantar Mantar, in West Central India in the early 1700s. The one in Jaipur is the largest and best preserved. Explore this surreal maze of giant geometric instruments, some still in use.
The Hawa Mahal, or "Palace of Winds," is an iconic Jaipur landmark. Its honeycomb-like façade and intricate trelliswork were designed for maximum ventilation and allow the ladies of the court to observe street life from their ornate jharokhas (windows).
The afternoon is free for relaxation, shopping, or exploration. Jaipur is renowned for its gold and silver jewelry, blue pottery, tie-dye materials, silk saris, wooden handicrafts, and carpets.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
Jaipur - Varanasi (By Flight)
After breakfast, take the early morning flight to Delhi and connect to your flight to Varanasi.
The ancient city of Varanasi, located on the west bank of the holy Ganga, has been a spiritual center for Hinduism since ancient times. The city's ghats (steps leading to and from the river) are bustling with priests, wrestlers, astrologers, devotees, bathers, morning walkers, and saffron-clad sadhus. The air is filled with the ringing of temple bells and the heavy scent of incense. In Varanasi, even a short walk or a simple boat ride offers an unforgettable experience.
Varanasi’s dramatic and vibrant daily life has attracted filmmakers such as Roberto Rossellini, James Ivory, and Satyajit Ray. Notably, the first moving picture ever filmed in India was shot here in 1899. Varanasi remains a highlight of your luxury holiday in the timeless Indian subcontinent.
In the evening, witness the aarti (offering of lights) at the ghats. Your guide will explain the proceedings and the significance of the Vedic hymns recited by the priests. This is a truly unforgettable experience.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
Varanasi Sightseeing
Start with an early morning boat ride on the Ganges to witness the spiritual life of Hindu India along the riverbanks. Visit Dashashwamedh and Manikarnika ghats, with Manikarnika also serving as a cremation ground where it is said the funeral pyre never dies.
As the day progresses, observe devotees bathing, praying, and taking holy dips at the ghats. Next, visit the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, renowned for its solid gold spire and believed to grant Moksha (liberation) to those who pray here after a dip in the Ganges.
Return to the hotel for breakfast.
Embark on a guided tour of Varanasi, beginning with the Bharat Mata Temple, which features a marble relief map of India. Continue to the 18th-century Durga Temple, where the idol of the goddess is said to have appeared spontaneously.
Explore the Tulsi Manas Temple, adorned with scenes from the Ram Charit Manas epic, and visit the Benaras Hindu University campus, which includes an art gallery and the Mosque of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.
Proceed to Sarnath, just a short drive from Varanasi, where the Buddha delivered his first sermon. Visit the 1600-year-old Dhamekh Stupa, built on the site of an earlier structure by Emperor Ashoka in 249 BC, and the Sarnath Museum, which houses antiquities from the 3rd century BC, including the impressive Asokan pillar and red sandstone Bodhisattvas.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
Varanasi - Bodhgaya (By Surface)
Breakfast will be served at the hotel. Proceed to Bodhgaya, with a packed lunch provided as there are no dining options en route.
Bodhgaya is a sacred site for both Buddhists and Hindus. It is here, under the Bodhi Tree, that Prince Siddhartha attained enlightenment and became Buddha, the "Enlightened One." This area, where Buddha lived and taught, is significant enough that the name of the state, Bihar, is derived from the Sanskrit "Vihara," meaning monastery. Several centuries after Buddha’s death, Emperor Ashoka (234-198 BC) worked to revive and spread Buddhism. His monasteries and monuments dedicated to Buddha's teachings remain intact today.
The magnificent Mahabodhi Temple in Bodhgaya, dating back to the Gupta era, has attracted scholars, monks, pilgrims, and philosophers from Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and China between the 7th and 10th centuries AD. The temple is also noted in the works of the Chinese explorer Xuanzang, who visited in the 7th century.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
Bodhgaya Sightseeing
Breakfast will be served at the hotel. Proceed for sightseeing, starting with the Mahabodhi Temple and the Bodhi Tree. Also, visit the Chinese Temple.
In the afternoon, explore the Niranjana Temple and river, followed by a visit to the School of the Destitute.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
Bodhgaya - Patna | Enroute Nalanda & Rajgir (By Surface)
After breakfast, drive to the historic town of Nalanda.
Nalanda, one of the world’s oldest residential universities, was established around the 6th century during the Gupta era. It flourished until the 9th century, becoming the largest center for Buddhist learning before being destroyed by a Turkish invasion. Historical records suggest it once housed over 10,000 scholars and 2,000 teachers. Its libraries, some nine stories tall, were filled with manuscripts and books, many of which were lost in the invasion. Chinese explorer Hiuen Tsang wrote extensively about Nalanda’s scholars and their pursuit of knowledge.
Today, the excavated ruins reveal the grandeur of this ancient center, with remains of eleven monasteries and six temples arranged in a symmetrical fashion. The Nalanda Museum displays artifacts such as sculptures, coins, and inscriptions.
Proceed to Rajgir, a site of significance to Hindus, Jains, and Buddhists. Known as Rajgriha ("House of the King"), it dates back to 1000 BC. The Buddha and Mahavira, the founder of Jainism, lived and preached here. King Bimbisara, an early supporter of Buddhism, was introduced to the faith in Rajgir. Notable sites include the Gridhkuta (Vulture’s Hill), where the Buddha meditated, and the Saptparni Cave, site of the first Buddhist Council and a hot water spring known for its medicinal properties.
Continue to Patna, the capital of Bihar. Known as Pataliputra in ancient times, it was the capital of the Maurya Empire and a key center in Hindu and Buddhist history. Patna has seen many rulers, including the Nandas, Mauryas, and Guptas, before falling to the Sultanate in the 12th century.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
Patna - Kushinagar | Enroute Vaishali (By Surface)
Drive to Vaishali after breakfast. This ancient city, one of the world’s earliest republics, has references dating back two millennia. Mahavira, the founder of Jainism, was born here around 600 BC, and the Buddha delivered his final sermon in Vaishali.
Notable Buddhist sites include the Relic Stupa, believed to contain the Buddha’s ashes, the Kutagrashala Vihara, where he stayed during his visits, and the Japanese-built International Peace Pagoda. The Kutagrashala Vihara also houses the last completely intact Asokan Pillar, an ornate column erected by Emperor Ashoka 2000 years ago to commemorate the Buddha’s teachings.
Proceed to Kushinagar, surrounded by forests and rediscovered by archaeologists in the 19th century. This serene hamlet is revered as the site of the Buddha's Mahaparinirvana, his final liberation from the cycle of death and rebirth.
Kushinagar is becoming an important Buddhist center, featuring the Indo-Japan-Sri Lanka Buddhist Centre, a Tibetan Gompa dedicated to Shakyamuni, a Burmese vihara, and temples built by devotees from China and Japan.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
Kushinagar - Lumbini | Enroute Kapilavastu (By Surface)
Proceed after breakfast to Kapilavastu.
Kapilavastu was the kingdom where Prince Siddhartha spent the first 29 years of his life before renouncing it in his quest for enlightenment. The site remained lost until a 1970s excavation uncovered a stupa with an inscription from the Kushan period (early 1st century), identifying the kingdom. The excavation also revealed a walled structure believed to be the palace where the Buddha spent his childhood.
Continue your drive to Lumbini.
Lumbini, the birthplace of Gautama Buddha, is a major pilgrimage site for Buddhists, one of the four holy places in Buddhism. Buddha identified four pilgrimage sites: his birthplace, enlightenment, first discourse, and death. While the exact Bodhi tree where Siddhartha was born is hard to locate, Emperor Ashoka visited in the 21st year of his reign and erected a pillar to mark the sacred spot.
The Mayadevi Temple, dedicated to the Buddha's mother, has been excavated and restored. The temple features a stone artifact depicting the Buddha's nativity. Maya Devi gave birth to Siddhartha under a Sal tree in Lumbini while traveling to her parent's home in Devadaha in May 642 BC. The scene is immortalized in numerous sculptures and paintings, capturing the moment when Maya Devi, overwhelmed by Lumbini's natural beauty, went into labor.
Lumbini, surrounded by a garden that replicates the original birth site, is adorned with stupas and monasteries built by devotees from China, Korea, Japan, and Myanmar. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
Lumbini - Shravasti (By surface)
Drive to Shravasti after breakfast.
During the Buddha's time, a wealthy and pious merchant named Sudatta lived in Shravasti. After hearing the Buddha's sermon in Rajgir, he wished to become a disciple without abandoning his worldly life. The Buddha advised him that adhering to righteousness in his vocation was sufficient.
Sudatta invited the Buddha to Shravasti and sought a site for a vihara. He chose a beautiful park owned by Jeta, the son of King Prasenjit. Jeta initially demanded that Sudatta cover the entire park with gold coins. Sudatta complied, but Jeta then claimed the trees as his own. Eventually, Jeta donated the trees for building the viharas, and the park became known as Jetavana Vihara in his honor.
The Buddha spent 25 years at Jetavana, where many Vinaya rules, Jatakas, and Sutras were discussed. He performed miracles here, including transforming the notorious Angulimal from a dacoit to a monk and delivering important sermons. Emperor Ashoka erected two 21-meter-high pillars at the eastern gateway of Jetavana. Shravasti was a key center of learning during the Gupta period, and Chinese traveler Hiuen Tsang noted its damaged stupas and monastery ruins.
Shravasti comprises two villages: Sahet and Mahet. Sahet, covering 400 acres, contains numerous ruins. Mahet, to the north and near the Rapti River, features an ancient mud fort with visible gates and walls. The Pakki Kuti and Kuchhi Kuti stupas reflect the once-grand monasteries.
Jetavana, a significant monastery with 12th-century inscriptions, is considered a favorite site of the Buddha. A sacred pipal tree here is a sapling from the original Maha Bodhi tree. Jetavana now has two monasteries, six temples, and five stupas. The Gandhakuti Temple, built by Ananthapindika, is the most sacred as it marks where the Buddha is believed to have lived.
Shravasti also has the Shwetambara temple, significant to Jain pilgrims, and the Sobhnath Temple, believed to be the birthplace of Jain Tirthankara Sambhavnath.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
Shravasti - Lucknow (By Surface)
After breakfast, drive to Lucknow.
Lucknow is a city that bridges the past and present, constantly reflecting on its Nawabi heritage. The rich cultural blend of Mughal and Delhi Sultanate influences with local folk traditions has shaped its unique character. Urdu language and the classical dance form Kathak flourished here, and the Parsi theatre and classical Indian instruments like the tabla and sitar also originated in Lucknow.
Begin your sightseeing with the Bara Imambara, built by Asaf-ud-Daula as a famine relief project. It is one of the largest Imambaras in the world, featuring an impressive labyrinth known as the Bhulbulaiya. From the top, enjoy excellent views of Lucknow. The grand Rumi Darwaza, also built by Asaf-ud-Daula, serves as the entrance to the Bara Imambara.
Next, visit the Chota Imambara, constructed by Mohammed Ali Shah in 1837. Known for its ornate brass domes and Belgian glass chandeliers, it houses the tombs of Ali Shah and his mother. The Gelo Khana bazaar, or "Decorated Place," is located within the Imambara.
Explore the 67-meter-high clock tower built by the British in 1881, which is reputed to be the tallest clock tower in India. It features a 12-petalled flower-shaped dial and pure gunmetal parts.
The Shah Najaf Imambara, situated on the south bank of the Gomti River, contains the tombs of Ghasi-ud-Din Haidar and his wives. It closely resembles the tomb of Hazrat Ali in Najaf, Iraq.
Visit the Residency Building, built in 1800 by Saadat Ali Khan, which played a key role during the Siege of Lucknow in the 1857 mutiny. The site includes a museum and a cemetery with graves of those who perished.
Finally, see the two Chattar Manzils on the banks of the Gomti. The Greater Chattar Manzil, once a royal palace with cool underground rooms, now houses the Central Medicine Research body.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
Lucknow - Delhi (By Flight)
Breakfast will be at the hotel. Spend the morning at your leisure. Later, transfer to the airport for your flight home.
'TOUR ENDS WITH MEMORIES'
B-1/ 603A, II Floor, Front Side, Near Janakpuri East Metro Station, Janakpuri, New Delhi – 110058, India
Registered Address:61, Shiva Enclave, Block F, Vikas Nagar, Uttam Nagar, New Delhi-110059, India
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