Varanasi & Khajuraho Cultural Sojourn

Daywise Tour Plan

• day1

  Delhi - Khajuraho (By Flight)
  

  You will take a flight from Delhi to Khajuraho. Arrival assistance at Khajuraho airport and transfer to the hotel.

  The Chandela dynasty of Central India constructed the Khajuraho Complex between the 9th and 10th centuries AD. The name Khajuraho might derive from the Sanskrit Kharjura Vahaka, meaning "bearer of the scorpion," possibly referencing a popular sculpture depicting a woman removing a scorpion.

  The Khajuraho temples are renowned for their intricate sandstone carvings, including depictions of gods, goddesses, dancers, and animals. The famous erotic sculptures are interpreted by some as symbols of medieval Indian society's liberal outlook, while others view them as metaphoric with deeper meanings.

  Khajuraho is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a highlight of your luxury tour of the Indian subcontinent.

  Overnight stay at the hotel.

• day2

  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 temple in the complex, dedicated to Lord Shiva. Its walls are adorned with over 800 exquisitely sculpted figures of gods and celestial maidens.

  • Chausat Yogini Temple: The oldest temple in the group and the only granite temple among them. It’s dedicated to Kali, one of the fearsome aspects of the Hindu Mother Goddess.

  • Lakshmana Temple: Located at the southwest corner, this temple features a minor shrine with a sculptor’s own likeness, an act of vanity.

  • Vishwanath Temple: Notable for its exquisite stonework on the outer walls.

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

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

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

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

  Overnight stay at the hotel.

• day3

  Khajuraho - Varanasi (By Flight)
  

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

  Upon arrival in Varanasi, transfer to your hotel.

  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 ghats (steps leading to and from the river) are bustling with priests, astrologers, devotees, bathers, and saffron-clad sadhus. The atmosphere is enriched with the ringing of temple bells and the pervasive aroma of incense. Even a short walk or boat ride here offers an unforgettable experience.

  Varanasi has also served as a backdrop for numerous films by acclaimed directors such as Roberto Rossellini, James Ivory, and Satyajit Ray. Notably, the first moving picture ever shot on Indian soil was filmed here in 1899.

  In the evening, visit the ghats to witness the sunset and the evening Aarti ceremony. Your guide will provide commentary on the proceedings and the significance of the chants during the Aarti, making this a highlight of the tour.

  Overnight stay at the hotel.

• day4
  Varanasi Sightseeing
  

  Early morning, embark on a boat ride along the Ganges to witness the spiritual life of Hindu India unfolding along the banks. Visit Dashashwamedh and Manikarnika, two of the holiest ghats in Varanasi. Manikarnika also serves as a cremation ground where it is said that the funeral pyre never dies.

  After the boat ride, return to the hotel for breakfast.

  Later, visit the 18th-century Durga Temple. Legend says that the idol of the goddess appeared at the temple site spontaneously.

  Next, explore the 4,000-acre campus of Benaras Hindu University, which houses an art gallery and the Mosque of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.

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

  A short drive from Varanasi leads to Sarnath, where the Buddha delivered his first sermon millennia ago. The 1,600-year-old Dhamekh Stupa marks the spot of this significant event. This ancient stupa replaced an earlier structure built by Emperor Ashoka in 249 BC.

  The Sarnath Museum, highly recommended, showcases antiquities from the 3rd century BC, including the impressive Asokan Pillar and large red sandstone Bodhisattvas.

  Overnight stay at the hotel. 

• day5

  Varanasi - Delhi (By Flight)
  Post breakfast, transfer to Varanasi airport and board the flight to Delhi.
  
  

  'TOUR ENDS WITH MEMORIES'