Day 2 - Arrive Delhi
Meet and transfer to hotel Oberoi Maidens / Imperial**
Day 3 - Delhi
Tour of Old and New Delhi. The Old Delhi or Shah Jahanabad, was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in the first half of the 17th Century. This old city is a dense network of narrow alleys and tightly packed markets and houses. The modern area of Central New Delhi, with its wide tree-lined avenues and solid colonial buildings, has been the seat of the central government since 1931. At this hub the royal mall, Rajpath, runs from the palatial Rashtrapati Bhawan, in the east, to the India Gate war memorial, in the west. Next visit the tomb of Emperor Humayun which is an early example of the Mughal style of tomb. Overnight at hotel
Day 4 - Delhi/Agra
Morning 2 hours train ride to Agra. Visit deserted fort of Fatehpur Sikri, Red Fort and Tomb of Iítimad-ud- Daulah. Evening visit Taj Mahal at sunset. The Taj Mahal - To the Poet Tagore it was “a tear on the face of eternity”. Built from white marble, it is the mausoleum of Empress Mumtaz Mahal, who died after giving birth to her 14th child. The romance of the world’s most famous building Taj Mahal, still astonishes in its power and beauty. Overnight at Hotel Gateway,Agra.
Day 5 - Agra/Dholpur
Morning drive to Dholpur (55 Kms, 1-2 hours). Afternoon explore Dholpur. Laswari is a historical site of Dholpur where Daulat Rao Scandia was defeated by Lord Lake. You could see the ruins of the oldest Mughal garden, the Damoh Waterfall and the Kanpur Mahal. Situated south of Dholpur, is the Shergarh Fort which was constructed by Sher Shah Suri on the ruins of a Hindu Fortress. Stay at Raj Niwas Palace.
Day 6 - Dholpur/Gwalior
Morning at leisure. Then drive to the royal city of Gwalior (55 Kms, 1-2 hours). Remainder of the day at leisure. Stay at Usha Kiran Palace Gwalior
Day 7 - Gwalior
Tour of City and the magnificent Gwalior Fort.Gwalior Fort contains Jain sculptures, Jain and Hindu temples and the charming sandstone palace. It dominates the skyline of the town. In the town are the palaces, the Moti Mahal and the 19th Century Jai Vilas. A section of the Jai Vilas palace is now a museum, with another wing occupied by the princely family. Overnight at hotel .
Day 8 - Gwalior/Jhansi/Orchha
Drive to Orchha via Datia Fort (120 Kms, 2-3 hours). Stay at Bundelkhand River Side. Tour Orchha palaces and temples. The Bundela chief Raja Rudra Pratap (1501 - 31) chose this easily defended and beautiful site for his capital. Orchha contains three Palaces, each built by succeeding Maharajas in a similar style and combining to form a complex as imposing as that at Udaipur.
Day 9 - Orchha/Khajuraho
Morning drive to Khajuraho (180 Kms, 4-5 hours). Attend Evening Sound & Light Show at temple complex. Stay at Taj Chandela Khajuraho.
Day 10 - Khajuraho/Panna/Khajuraho
Morning Jungle safari to Panna National Park.
Afternoon tour of Khajuraho temples. The Temples are in a peaceful setting of a beautiful park; the mahua (madhuca Indiaca) flowers are used for a popular liquor while the fruit is used in sap making. Varaha Temple, A shrine dedicated to Vishnu in his third incarnation as Varaha, the boar (Vishnu, The Preserver, is usually depicted resting on a bed of serpents, until summoned to save the world from disaster). Lakshmana Temple, The earliest is opposite and best preserves the architectural features that typify the larger temples here. The exterior is richly carved with battle scenes with soldiers, elephant, horses, as well as scenes from daily life including the erotic. The Kandariya Mahadeva Temple is the most developed the largest and the tallest of the Khajuraho temples. The Chitragupta Temple is the only one here dedicated to Surya, the Sun God. The Vishwanatha Temple, is dedicated to lord Shiva. Overnight at hotel
Day 11 - Khajuraho/Varanasi
Morning Fly to Varanasi. Evening Boat Ride on river Ganga. Stay at Taj Ganges Varanasi / Palace on Ganges.
Day 12 - Varanasi
Morning river cruise followed by City tour and Sarnath. Morning City tour includes the Bharat Mata Temple with a big relief map of India in marble, Durga Temple, Tulsi Manas Mandir, Banaras Hindu University which has an Art Gallery and the Mosque of Mughal Emperor Aurangazeb built on the site of an ancient Hindu Temple. Afternoon tour Sarnath - It was here that Gautam Buddha delivered his first sermon and also attained nirvana. Overnight at hotel
Day 13 - Varanasi/Delhi/Departure
Afternoon flight to Delhi. Proceed to International Departures level ( one floor above ) on arrival at Delhi airport, to board onwards flight.