Indian Highlights

Day 01: Arrive at Mumbai:

Meet on arrival at Mumbai Airport and transfer to Hotel. Relax and overnight.

Day 02: Mumbai / Aurangabad: (By Flight) Auranagabad – Ajanta Caves

Early breakfast checkout and  transfer to Mumbai Airport to board the flight to Aurangabad.

Meet on arrival at Aurangabad Airport and transfer to Hotel.  Relax and later proceed to visit Ajanta Caves. These caves are dated back to the 2nd century BC. These 30 rock hewn caves are adorned with Buddhist sculptures and depict the story of Lord Budha, bodhisattva the tales of Jatakas and the Buddhist religion that prevailed here during this era. The beauty of paintings and sculptures mesmerize its visitors. Evening back to hotel. Overnight. (Ajanta Caves are closed on Monday)

Day 03: Aurangabad / Ellora – Caves:

Early breakfast and proceed to visit Ellora Caves to explore the riveting beauty of these caves. These caves are the centuries old amalgamation of three distinct religions –Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. Ellora has 34 remarkable caves out of which 12 are Buddhist caves, 17 Hindu caves and 5 Jain Caves. Later visit Kailash Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Evening free for shopping. Back to hotel. Overnight. (Ellora Caves are closed on Tuesday)

Day 04: Aurangabad / Delhi: (By Flight)

Morning  breakfast checkout and drive to Aurangabad Airport to board the flight to Delhi.

Meet on arrival at Delhi Airport and transfer to Hotel.  Relax and Overnight.

Day 05: Delhi / Jaipur:

Morning breakfast checkout and drive to Jaipur.  On arrival check into Hotel. Relax and later proceed for sightseeing visit the imposing City Palace, still home to the Maharaja although several of the rooms are now open to the public. Many antiques and artifacts belonging to the ruling family are housed here, including a collection of weaponry, Hawa Mahal "Palace of the Winds", and the open-air Jantar Mantar Observatory to see the vast astronomical instruments. Enjoy a stroll through the colourful bazaar before returning to your hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 06: Jaipur:

Morning breakfast proceed to visit Amber Fort, situated on a ridge just outside Jaipur City (approached in princely style on a caparisoned Elephant). The Fort, completed in the early 18th century, took over 100 years to build and now, although deserted, offers a fascinating insight into the lifestyle of the Moghul ruling families. Afternoon at leisure for own activities. Overnight at hotel.

Day 07: Jaipur / Agra:

Morning breakfast checkout and drive to Agra, enroute visit Fatehpur Sikri - The deserted, red Sandstone City, Emperor Akbar built that as his capital and palace in the late 16th century is an exhilarating experience. It a veritable fairytale city and its "ruins" are in pristine condition  it's not hard to imagine what the court life must have been like in the days of its grandeur.  Later drive to Agra, On arrival check into Hotel.  Overnight.

Day 08: Agra / Gwalior / Orchha:

Morning breakfast checkout and drive to Gwalior for sightseeing tour – visit the enormous 19th century Jai Vilas Palace - this Palace is famous for its ornate chandeliers & crystal. A few of the rooms have been converted into a museum filled with the Scindia dynasty memorabilia. Visit the huge Gwalior Fort - where a sun temple is believed to have been constructed within the area of the fort. Visit Man Mandir, which is a six-towered palace and forms the eastern wall of the fort. The fort has monuments dating back to 8th century AD onwards and is one of the largest forts in India. Visit Gujri Mahal, a turreted palace of stone now houses the archaeological museum. Gwalior also offers the Tomb of Muhammad Ghaus, a saint worshipped by the Mughals & the Tomb of the famous musician Tansen. Later drive to Orchha.  On arrival check into Hotel.  Overnight.

Day 09: Orchha / Khajuraho:

Morning sightseeing tour of Orchha, overlooked by the modern era, this beautiful medieval town, was once the capital of Bundela Kings. Built along the banks of the river Betwa, flowing through a rugged country century side, it still retains the captivating air of a bygone era. Amongst the various imposing edifices, of particular interest are the Jehangiri Mahal, built by Raja Bir Singh Deo to commemorate the visit of Moghul Emperor Jehangir, the Raj Mahal and the Laxmi narayan temple, both noted for their fine Frescoes and Mural paintings. Later drive to Khajuraho on arrival check into Hotel. Thereafter visit the most important and fascinating Western group of temples. The temples have been declared a 'world heritage' site by UNESCO in order to preserve the rich legacy of architecture, bequeathed to future generations by the Kings of the Chandela dynasty. These temples are famous for their intricate sculptures and erotic carvings that are one of the outstanding achievements of Indian art. Overnight at hotel.

Day 10: Khajuraho / Varanasi: (By Flight)

Morning breakfast transfer to airport to board the flight for Varanasi.

Meet on arrival at Varanasi Airport and transfer to Hotel. Varanasi - said to be the India’s most sacred city situated on the western bank of the holy river Ganga. It is also the oldest living city in the world. As a place for devotion and worship, with hundreds of temples dotting the city, sunrise on the river front as seen from a boat can be a spiritually uplifting sight. It has a fascination uniquely its own, a quality of sublime beauty, a timeless eternal appeal. Varanasi is the city which cannot be described, only experienced. Evening view “Aarti” ceremony on the Ghats. Overnight.

Day 11: Varanasi:

Morning breakfast and proceed to Sarnath, 10 Kms east of Varanasi.  Sarnath is one of the Buddhism’s major centers of India. After attaining enlightenment, the Buddha came to Sarnath where he gave his first sermon. Visit the deer park and the museum and later back to Hotel.  Overnight.

Day 12: Varanasi / Delhi:

Morning at leisure, Afternoon transfer to airport to board the flight to Delhi. Tour Ends.