The Cultural Journey of India
The Cultural Journey of India
The Cultural Journey of India
16 Days Starting in New Del and ending in new delhi in
Visiting: New Delhi, Chandni Chowk, Varanasi, Sarnath, Assi ghat, Khajuraho, Eastern Group of Temples, Western Group of Temples, Orchha, Chaturbhuj temple, RamRaja Temple, Gwalior, Gwalior Fort, Teli Ka Mandir, Agra, Mehtab Bagh, Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Itmad-ud-Daula, Jaipur, Fatehpur Sikri, Chand Bawri, Step Well, Amber Palace, Hawa Mahal, City Palace, Jaipur, Delhi
Tour operator:
Tour code:
IV 003B
Recommended For:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 12
Physical rating:
Medium, Walking & steps
Age range:
1-80
Special diets catered:
Vegans, Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Private Available:
Request A Private Tour
Tour Overview
This tour arrives into the bustling Indian capital-Delhi, takes you to the romantic Taj Mahal in Agra, Varanasi - The holy city, Khajuraho - the southern, western & eastern temples, Orchha - means “Hidden” and lies near the banks of Betwa River, Gwalior - is a historic and major city in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh and one of the Counter-magnet cities. The tour includes guided visits to spectacular monuments, a food walking tour, a cycle rickshaw ride in Old Delhi, boat ride in Varanasi to witness the morning and evening Aarti, architecture, temples, history and shopping opportunities. An excellent tour for that first trip to India!
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Delhi
Location: New Delhi
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Le Meridien, New Delhi
Meals Included: No Meals
Arrive at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport. As you exit, you will be met by an Indian Vistas representative and escorted to the hotel and assistance will be offered during check in formalities.
Day 2 : Delhi
Location: Chandni Chowk
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Le Meridien, New Delhi
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast this morning, your private guide and driver will meet you in the hotel lobby and proceed for the days activities.
Old Delhi Walk : Old Delhi is a happy marriage between historic structures and present-day socio-cultural traditions. Our experience gives you a rare glimpse of serenity in the labyrinthine alleys of the Walled City, which are at their most accommodating during this time of the day. Gaze at spectacular havelis and discover the latent charm of the area right before the bustle sets in.
Visit Jama Masjid, the largest practising mosque in India.
During the walk you will cover main Street of Chandni Chowk, Dariba Kalan, Kinari Bazaar, Paranthe Wali Gali [Lane of stuffed breads] & Ballimaran, Khari Baoli [Spice Market].
Visit the mighty Red Fort followed by “cycle rickshaws” through the lanes of “Chandni Chowk” or Silver Street, experiencing the sights and sounds of this very busy Avenue.
Visit the Humayun’s Tomb - the magnificent structure in red sandstone and white marble – one of the finest examples of the garden tomb and a precursor to the Taj Mahal.
Your guide will recommend suitable lunch and dinner venue options.
Day 3 : Delhi – Varanasi (Flight To Be Advised)
Location: Varanasi, Sarnath, Assi ghat
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Taj Ganges, Varanasi
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast, on time check out from the hotel & drive to Delhi airport to board your flight to Varanasi.
Arrive at Varanasi Airport. As you exit, you will be met by Indian Vistas representative and transferred from airport to the hotel.
Evening walk through the serpentine alleys near Ghats of Varanasi, bright and colourful markets and later watch the evening Aarti from aboard a boat.
Day 4 : Varanasi
Location: Varanasi, Sarnath
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Taj Ganges, Varanasi
Meals Included: Breakfast
Early this morning your guide will pick you up and take you to see the activities on the Ghats and its best viewed from a boat. Board a boat to enjoy a ride to watch the sun rise over the holy river Ganges. You will see how important the river is to the life of the average person, and how life revolves around the holy Ganges.
Walk to Suryauday Haveli for breakfast.
Return to hotel
Afternoon, drive to Sarnath- the place of the Buddhas first sermon - Buddhism rules Sarnath because this is where Buddha preached his first Sermon and which thus making it one of the four holiest places to the Buddhist world.
Later visit Archaeological Park & Archaeological Museum: Archaeological museum is the oldest site museum of Archaeological Survey of India. To keep the antiquities found from the site, a decision was taken in 1904 by the Government to construct a site museum adjacent to the excavated site at Sarnath.
Return to hotel
Day 5 : Varanasi – Khajuraho (Flight To Be Advised)
Location: Khajuraho, Eastern Group of Temples
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: The Lalit, Khajuraho
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast check out from the hotel & drive to Varanasi airport to board your flight to Khajuraho.
Arrive Khajuraho; you will be met & transferred to the hotel.
Your guide will meet you at the hotel lobby and take you to see the Eastern Group of Temples - The Eastern temples are partly Jain and partly Hindu. The most striking is the Parsvanath Temple, with its exquisite sculptures depicting everyday activity.
Day 6 : Khajuraho
Location: Khajuraho, Western Group of Temples
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: The Lalit, Khajuraho
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today your guide will take you to see the Western Group of Temples and Southern Group of Temples.
The Western Group of Temples, in the heart of the town, are the most famous temples of Khajuraho, with the mithunas (couples), gandharvas, apsaras, vidyadaras and kinaras. The images of the apsaras are stunning, with their sensuous poses and liquid movements. There are the unforgettable images of a maiden adorning herself before a mirror, applying kohl on her eyes, plaiting her long hair, removing a thorn from her foot. The erotic images, almost acrobatic orgiastic scenes have been associated with Tantric rituals and practices. However, it/’s not so much the sexual aspect but the grace, energy and feeling that strikes one most about these images. The eyes, the face and the body are poetry of pure emotive movement.
Khajuraho's Southern Group consists of three widely separated temples. The Duladeo temple or "Kunwar Math" can be approached from the Jain temples in the eastern group of temples in Khajuraho. Chaturbhuj temple is disproportionately tall with its shikhara far above the tree line. The third temple of the Southern group of temples of Khajuraho the Beejamandal temple is still under excavation undertaken by ASI.
Day 7 : Khajuraho – Orchha (175 Kms / 4 Hrs Drive Approx)
Location: Orchha
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Amar Mahal, Orchha
Meals Included: Breakfast
Check out from the hotel & drive to Orchha.
Arrive Orchha & check into the hotel.
Evening your guide will meet you at hotel lobby and take you to visit to Chhatris - “Chhatris” basically meaning royal tombs showcases a unique appeal at the river side in Orchha. There are fourteen such cenotaphs standing along the Kanchan Ghat of the Betwa River. Constructed in the memories of the rulers of Orchha, these cenotaphs date back to the 17th and 18th centuries. It is often said that the era that witnesses these constructions is marked as the ‘golden era”. The reflection of these monuments on the river is extremely soothing to watch specially during sunset.
Return to hotel
Day 8 : Orchha
Location: Orchha, Chaturbhuj temple, RamRaja Temple
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Amar Mahal, Orchha
Meals Included: Breakfast
Walk to Chaturbhuj Temple followed by Ram Raja Temple
Chaturbhuj Temple built upon a massive stone platform and reached by a steep flight of steps. The temple was specially constructed to enshrine the image of Ram that remained in the Ram Raja Temple Lotus emblems and other symbols of religious significance provide the delicate exterior ornamentation. Within, the sanctum is chastely plain with high, vaulted walls emphasizing its deep sanctity.
The Ram Raja Temple is a sacred Hindu pilgrimage and receives devotees in large numbers regularly and is also commonly known as Orchha Temple. In the temple, Raja Ram is accompanied by Sita (on the left), brother Laxman (on the right), Maharaj Sugreev and Narsingh Bhagwan (on the right). Durga Maa is also present in the darbaar on the right side. Hanumaan ji and Jamwant ji are praying just below Sita. The specialty of this temple is that Lord Ram has a sword in his right hand and a shield in the other. Shri Ram is sitting in Padmasan, with the left leg crossed over the right thigh.
Return to hotel
Day 9 : Orchha – Gwalior (120 Kms / 2½ Hour Drive Approx.)
Location: Gwalior
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Taj Usha Kiran Palace, Gwalior
Meals Included: Breakfast
Check out from the hotel & drive to Gwalior.
Arrive in Gwalior and check in to the hotel
Evening visit the Jai Vilas Museum which is also known as Jai Vilas Palace.
Day 10 : Gwalior
Location: Gwalior, Gwalior Fort, Teli Ka Mandir
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Taj Usha Kiran Palace, Gwalior
Meals Included: Breakfast
Visit the Gwalior Fort, situated atop a 100-meter-high sandstone hill and stretching nearly 3 km, exude wonder and awe viewed from below. Inside the walls, many unique characteristics including the Man Mandir Palace steal the attention of the eye and camera.
Carved inside the rock walls (rather than a winding cobble or dirt pathway lined by colossal stone walls commonly seen elsewhere) are 21 enormous Jain sculptures depicting the tirthankaras, or founders of the Jain religion. This display is reason enough to visit the fort especially considering they somehow escaped irreparable damage from passing invaders through the years.
Later visit the Teli ka Mandir which translates to Teli Temple. This is the tallest temple within the fort at 25 meters high. The richly carved stone building, dedicated to Vishnu, was completed in the 9th century. It embodies an eerie yet commanding blend of architecture more commonly found in South India. A pair of temples also dedicated to Vishnu but built 2 centuries later, can be found north of Teli ka Mandir. Named Saas Mandir and Bahu Mandir, the terms translate to Mother-in-Law and Daughter-in-Law Temples respectively. Stonework is carved with sculptures of dancing girls and various deities.
Return to hotel
Day 11 : Gwalior – Agra (120 Kms / 3 Hrs Drive Approx)
Location: Agra, Mehtab Bagh
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Radisson, Agra
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast this morning, check out and drive to Agra in your private car. Upon arrival in Agra, the Indian Vistas representative wil meet you in the hotel lobby and assist with check in. This afternoon, enjoy a guided walk in the narrow lanes and bazaars of Agra. Also visit the spectacular Mehtab Bagh located on the banks of river Yamuna to view the Taj Mahal from across the river.
Day 12 : Agra
Location: Agra, Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Itmad-ud-Daula
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Radisson, Agra
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning, visit the Taj Mahal to see this monument by the light of the rising sun.
Later visit Agra Fort - The Agra Fort’s construction was started by Emperor Akbar in 1565 when he was just 23 years of age. Within the fort are several fascinating buildings – the Pearl Mosque built of marble, the Hall of Public Audiences, the Hall of Private Audiences where the famous "peacock throne" was kept, the Octagonal Tower, the Jehangir Palace built by Akbar for his son Jehangir and the Khas Mahal, a beautiful white marble structure used as a private palace.
Visit to Itmad Ud Daulah, the least visited of the three most important monuments of Agra, also known as the Baby Taj, it was built for Gheyas Beg, who was a Wazir in Jehangir’s court and whose daughter Mehrunissa was later married to Jehangir.
Return to hotel
Day 13 : Agra – Fatehpur Sikri (36 Kms / 01 Hr Drive Approx) Fatehpur Sikri – Jaipur (205 Kms / 04 Hrs Drive Approx)
Location: Jaipur, Fatehpur Sikri, Chand Bawri, Step Well
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Alsisar Haveli, Jaipur
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast, you will check out and drive to Jaipur. Enroute, visit the abandoned city of Fatehpur Sikri. This exquisite city built by Mughal Emperor Akbar the Great in 1569, in red sandstone, with its forts, palaces and mosques was abandoned 14 years after its creation due to political reasons. Also visit the Chand Baori which is a stepwell situated in the village of Abhaneri. Later this evening, arrive at Jaipur. The Indian Vitas representative will meet you in the hotel lobby and assist with check in formalities.
Day 14 : Jaipur
Location: Jaipur, Amber Palace, Hawa Mahal, City Palace, Jaipur
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Alsisar Haveli, Jaipur
Meals Included: Breakfast
Amber – The Medieval Rajput Citadel Amber, the former capital of Jaipur state is stunningly situated on a hillside and overlooking a lake. “I have seen many royal palaces, but for varied and picturesque effect, for the richness of carving, for wild beauty of situation and the strangeness of finding such a building in such a place and country, I am able to compare nothing with Amber.” Bishop Heber, 1824. Proceed to the highly ornamented Hawa Mahal or the Palace of Winds which has no less than 953 little windows and balconies. Later visit the imposing City Palace now a museum this was the former royal residence and which now houses a museum. We will embark on an adventure of discovery of the city of Jaipur as we take bi-cycle rickshaws to the narrow and winding lanes of the city markets experiencing the various interesting sights and sounds.
Day 15 : Jaipur – Delhi (260 Kms / 05 Hrs Drive Approx)
Location: Delhi
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Roseate House, Delhi Aerocity
Meals Included: Breakfast
After breakfast, you will be checkout and drive to Delhi.
Upon arrival in Delhi, you will be met by Indian Vistas representative and do checking-in formalities.
Day 16 : Delhi – Onward Destination (Flight To Be Advised)
Location: Delhi
Meals Included: Breakfast
On time, check-out from the hotel and drive to Delhi International Airport to board your flight to onward destination.
What's Included
-
Meals – Breakfast Only
-
Airport Transfers at Destination
-
Meet & greet services at all cities is included.
-
Free Wi-Fi at Accommodation
-
Fully Guided
Local guides at each destination are booked.
-
Local Taxes
-
Accommodation
-
Entrance Fees
-
All Domestic Transportation (including internal flights)
All domestic transportation is included but domestic flights are NOT included.
-
1 bottle of Mineral Water per person per day
What's Not Included
-
Drinks with Meals
-
Train Tickets
-
Game Drives on Safari
-
Meals – Full Board
-
International Travel
-
Tipping and Gratuities
-
Country Entry Visas
-
All Domestic Transportation (including internal flights)
Internal flights are NOT included in price.
-
Meals – Half Board
Check out our Q&As
-
Is there a limit to luggage that can be brought on the tour?
Yes, luggage is limited as per the
-
Is the tour coach air conditioned?
Yes, all transport used on the tour is air-conditioned.
Reviews from Travellers on this Tour
Want a private tour?
Book with Confidence
Why book with tourhub?
Safe & Secure
Your money is protected in an external trust until you travel.
100% Guaranteed Refunds if your trip is cancelled.
The safest way to make overseas, multi-currency payments.
Guaranteed Best Value
Industry leading discounts, we won't be beaten on price.
No cancellation or amendment fees from tourhub.
(Operator terms may apply)
Expert Knowledge
Reliable & unbiased advice from travel experts.
Direct contact with the tour operator via our messaging service.
Inspiration & advice from a community of 6000+ real travellers, influencers & content creators.
Trusted Service
Official partners & licensed agents of 1000+ tour operators worldwide.
Don't just take our word for it...
"Tourhub: Friendliness, Professionalism & Integrity I would happily give tourhub a 6* review if I could..."