Golden Triangle Tour with Khajuraho

Rest at the Hotel. Post breakfast transfer to the Airport to take the flight to Varanasi, the oldest living city of the world. Varanasi... one of the most ancient inhabited cities of the world is also the oldest living city of the world. Considered to be India's religious and spiritual hub, Varanasi was originally known as Kashi, meaning the place of sacred light. After reaching Varanasi, transfer to Hotel. Post Lunch visit Saranath just 10 kms away from Varanasi. It was here that Lord Buddha preached his first sermon unfolding the four noble truths of life giving the eight-fold path to Nirvana or enlightenment in 530 B.C. It was at Saranath that Lord Buddha preached the middle path, which became the corner stone of the Buddhist religion. Although only ruins stand today, Saranath has probably one of the best archaeological museums that India has.

Wake up early morning to go for a sunrise boat ride on the Ganga River. Watch the Hindu rituals being followed arduously by the faithful, be it freezing cold or the scorching summer. Later return to the hotel for breakfast. After breakfast transfer to the domestic airport to take a flight to the most exotic destination, Khajuraho, known as the fantasy in stone. Khajuraho, a small dusty holds a unique manifestation of art on its temples. The temples of Khajuraho are perhaps the most visited tourist sites after the Taj Mahal in India. Today famous for its erotic sculptures, the temples of Khajuraho tell something more than the eroticism it portrays. After reaching, transfer to the hotel. Post Lunch visit the western temples of Khajuraho. Built in the 10th century by the Chandela kings, the temples of Khajuraho are engulfed in mystery about the reason of their creation. Khajuraho is not a place for the thrill seeking voyeur. It is a place having a remarkable symphony in stone erected in praise of love, life and women. Women in their various moods and various ways are carved on these temples. Women writing letters, women in seductive poses, women as mothers and women as home makers. It is an ode to woman hood, an ode to fertility, the form of birth and an ode to greatest form of life. Dinner and overnight stay at Hotel. (Only Jet airways flies between Varanasi and Khajuraho. The flight does not Fly on Fridays and Sundays.)

Post breakfast start for Jhansi. On the Midway have Lunch in Orchha. (Optional tour of Orchha) An inevitable journey to Orchha on he way to / from Khajuraho is a delightful surprise. Orchha now nothing but a small tiny village, is one of those many villages of India which live in obscurity despite having great potential. The Fort of Orchha is what Orchha is all about. Though almost in ruins, still one can imagine the grandeur of the structure that it must once have been. Transfer to the railway station of Jhansi to take one of the fastest trains of India, the Shatabdi express to go to Agra. After reaching Agra, the erstwhile Mughal capital, check in at hotel.

Post breakfast leave for the most photographed building of the world, an ode to true love, the Taj Mahal. The grandeur called the Taj is perhaps the most photographed, filmed, described and sketched building of the world. Taj Mahal is where fantasy coincides with reality in perfect harmony. An inspiration for innumerous artists over the centuries, the Taj is an ode to love, which no monument in the world can match. The beauty of the Taj is in its simplicity. It is rare that a person would not fall in love with the pure and simple beauty in white. Emperor Shahajehan had built many an architectural marvels in his career, but Taj Mahal is the zenith. Taj never looks the same. The golden pink Taj at dawn turns into dazzling white at noon. Giving way to the sultry orange at sunset is the milky blue at night. Viewing the Taj on Full moon nights is a blissful experience.It took 22 years to create this jewel. After the great experience return to the hotel for breakfast. Later visit the Agra Fort built and renovated over the centuries, this massive fort gained recognition only during the Mughal reign.

The Taj Mahal remains closed every Friday Post Lunch transfer by road to to Jaipur, the pink city of India. The capital of Rajasthan was given a colour coat of pink, a century ago in the honour of a visiting Prince, ever since it has retained the pink colour. En-route visit Fatehpur - Sikri (40 kms. From Agra) - once the capital of Mughal Empire and abandoned after 15 years due to scarcity of water. Its fortifications and Palaces are in a wonderful state of preservation. Upon arrival at Jaipur check-in at Hotel.

Post breakfast visit the most graceful ancient fort, the Amer fort near Jaipur. Visit the fort in a royal style, with an elephant ride. Watch the marvelous palaces inside the fort palace as the history unfolds before you. The intricate carvings and beautiful floral designs mesmerizes everyone. Post lunch proceed for city tour visiting City Palace - where the former Maharaja still resides in a part of it, but rest now serves a s a Museum. Also visit Jantar Mantar, an observatory built by a great astronomer Sawai Jai Singh which till date can tell you the accurate time till 20 seconds. Drive past through Hawa Mahal (Palace of winds). The Hawa Mahal is the most important landmark of the city. This honey-combed building, known as the wind palace was originally built to facilitate the women of the royal families to watch the everyday life and the processions held in the pink city, without being seen by the people downstairs. Evening free to visit the handicraft showrooms in Jaipur.

Post breakfast drive to Delhi. After reaching Delhi, take Lunch at a restaurant. Post Lunch half day sightseeing of Delhi. Delhi in its three thousand years of existence has remained the capital of India and played a pivotal role in Indian history. The city is divided in two parts, old Delhi and New Delhi. Drive past the President's House, Parliament House (House of Representatives) and India Gate - War Memorial (stop for photography) and Laxmi Narayan Temple - a modern Hindu temple built by the Birlas, leading Indian industrialists. Also visit the Raj Ghat, where soul of the great Indian leader, the father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi lies in peace. Evening enjoy a spectacle of INDIAN CLASSICAL/ FOLK DANCES followed by Indian Dinner on fixed menu basis at Local Restaurant. In time transfer to Delhi International airport to take flight for your onward destination. The tour ends.