Golden Triangle Tour with Khajuraho & Varanasi

Arrive at Delhi, meeting and assistance on arrival & transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel in Delhi.

After breakfast drive to Jaipur. On arrival check-in at the hotel. Afternoon is free for leisure activities. Overnight at the hotel in Jaipur.

After breakfast enjoy an excursion to Amber Fort including an elephant ride. The Fort was originally built in the 16th century by Maharaja Man Singh. It encloses within it superb palaces and a beautiful temple in marble dedicated to the fearsome Goddess Kali. In the afternoon, visit the City Palace Museum which contains elaborate wardrobes, magnificent armory and intricate carved weapons. Close by is the Observatory built in 1728 by Jai Singh II. Also admire the Hawa Mahal (Wind Palace), from where the palace women could watch the activities of the big bazaar below, without being observed. A must do in Jaipur is shopping jewellery, handicrafts, clothes and the famous lakh bangles. Stay overnight at the hotel in Jaipur.

After breakfast leave for Agra - the City of the Taj. Visit Fatehpur Sikri en route- a World Heritage site, Akbar built to pay tribute to the great Sufi saint, Salim Chisti, for his blessings to the King. The Panch Mahal or the ?palace of five storeys? and the Buland Darwaza, a massive gate which provides entrance to the complex are among the finest specimens of Mughal architecture. Upon arrival, check in at the hotel. In the evening, visit the Taj Mahal at sunset, the most extravagant monument ever built for love. The Agra Fort, built by Emperor Akbar is another attractive monument with the maze of courtyards, mosques and the private chambers of the Fort. Amongst other monuments are the Itmad-ud-Daulah or the Baby Taj, a smaller and quieter replica of the Taj. Overnight stay at the hotel in Agra.

Morning depart by train for Khajuraho. Depart Agra 08:15 Hrs Bhopal Shatabdi. Arrive Jhansi 10:P40 Hrs Meeting and assistance on arrival & drive to Khajuraho which is known the world over for its temples, sex, architecture and sculpture. The construction of these Temples are thousand-year old and took a little over two centuries. In terms of architecture of these temples, they form the high peak of the north Indian 'nagara' style. Out of the 85 temples believed to have been built between the 9th and 12th centuries only 20 have survived, many in splendid condition, others having given way to the ravages of time and nature. Afternoon free & overnight at the hotel in Khajuraho.

Early morning excursion to Panna National Park by jeep, 32 km away and a mere 30 minutes drive from Khajuraho which spreads along the river Ken. The Jungles today harbour many species of wildlife. The tigers can be glimpsed here, with other rare species such as the leopard, wolf and gharial. Herds of bluebull, chinkara and sambar are a common sight. In the afternoon return to Khajuraho & visit visit Eastern & Western group of temples. The world famous Khajuraho temples were built by the Chandela kings between 950 AD and 1050 AD. The most important are the Chaunset Yogini Temple dedicated to Goddess Kali, The Mahadev Temple, Chitragupta or Bharatji Temple with a lovely image of 11 headed Vishnu, Vishvanath and Nandi Temples, Lakshmana Temple, Visha Temple of Shiva, which is the largest & most typical of the temples. Visit the Eastern group of temples that consist of the Parasvanath Temple - the only Jain Temple surviving at Khajuraho and has excellent sculptures on the outer walls of the Sanctum, the Javeri Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The other temples in this group are those dedicated to Brahma, Yamuna and Adinath. Overnight at the hotel in Khajuraho.

Morning is at leisure afternoon transfer to airport to board the flight for Varanasi Depart Khajuraho 13:30 Hrs 9W 724. Arrive Varanasi 14:10 Hrs Meeting and assistance on arrival & transfer to hotel. Varanasi - The city that has ancient roots was also known as Kashi, as it was called in the olden times, is a supreme Hindu pilgrimage center as it is the permanent domain of Lord Shiva. In the evening , visit Sarnath, the place where Lord Buddha preached his first sermon after attaining enlightenment. It has a large stupa dating back to the 6th century as well as one of Ashoka?s Pillar, the ruins of a brick temple and monasteries and a Museum. Stay overnight at the hotel in Varanasi.

Early morning boat ride on the river Ganges. Immerse yourself in the absorbing spectacle of the devout pilgrims, residents and visitors from the world-over assembled on the banks of the Ganga to offer prayers. Morning city tour of Varanasi. In the afternoon visit Sarnath which lies 10 kilometres north east of Varanasi. It was here that Buddha preached his message of the 'middle way' to nirvana after achieving enlightenment at Bodhgaya. In around 234 BC, Emperor Ashoka, a great follower of Buddhism, erected a stupa here. Between the 3rd century BC and the 11th century AD, several Buddhist structures were built here in Sarnath. Most of the Sarnath's monuments are set in large gardens making it quite pleasant for a visitor to spend some time here. Stay overnight at the hotel in Varanasi.

Morning is free and in the afternoon transfer to the airport for the flight to Delhi. Upon arrival, in Delhi connect flight for onward destination.