Rajasthan Fort & Palaces with Temple Town Khajuraho & Varanasi

On arrival at Delhi airport assistance and transfer to hotel (hotel check in/ out time 1200hrs afternoon early check in subject to rooms availability). Rest time free and easy to relax nand personal activities. You can opt to go out for dinner with your driver. Overnight at hotel.

Breakfast at hotel, city tour of Delhi. Visit landmark of Old Delhi which include Red Fort the residence of the Mughal emperor for nearly 200 years until 1857. Jama Masjid one of the largest mosques in the world, built by Shah Jahan. Cycle Rickshaw ride in Chandni chowk & Khari Baoli Spice Market a busy shopping area with markets full of spices, dried fruit, silver jewelry and vivid saris, while the narrow side streets are crowded with tiny shops selling essential oils, stationery and traditional Indian sweets. Raj Gath the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi where he was cremated after his assassination.

In New Delhi visit Humayun Tomb the first garden-tomb in Indian subcontinent and an early example of Mughal architecture commissioned by Humayun's first wife Empress Bega Begum in 1569-70. Qutab Minar a 73-metres tall minaret that forms part of the Qutb complex a fine examples of Afghan architecture. Lotus Temple a Baháʼí House of Worship notable for its flowerlike shape open to all, regardless of religion. Drive thrugh VVIP areas passing President House, Parliament & India Gate etc.

Rest time free and easy to relax and personal activities. Overnight at hotel.

Breakfast at hotel, drive to Agra check in at hotel.

Later city tour of Agra. Visit Taj Mahal an ivory-white marble mausoleum on the bank of the Yamuna river commissioned in 1632 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan to house the tomb of his favourite wife Mumtaz Mahal, it also houses the tomb of Shah Jahan himself. Agra Fort the main residence of the emperors of the Mughal Dynasty until 1638, when the capital was shifted from Agra to Delhi. Itmad-ud-Daula Tomb a Mughal mausoleum commissioned by Nur Jahan, the wife of Jahangir, for her father Mirza Ghiyas Beg. Overnight at hotel.

Breakfast at hotel drive to Jaipur via visiting Fatehpur Sikri & Abhaneri.

Fatehpur Sikri founded in 1569 by Mughal emperor Akbar and abandoned after 15 yrs due to scarcity of water. Predominately, a red sandstone construction sprawling over a huge area, the architectural style is very much in tune with emperor’s dream & partakes of both Hindu & Muslim styles. See the graceful buildings including Diwan-E-Khas hall, Jodha Bais Palace, Jama Masjid, Tomb of Salim Chisti, Panch Mahal & Buland Darwaza.

Further drive and visit Abhaneri a small village popular for the amazing Chand Baoris (step wells) and Harshat Mata Temple. Chand Baori is one of India's deepest and largest step wells. The huge tank with delicate carvings is certainly delightful to the eyes. Continue drive to Jaipur check in at hotel. Evening explore the pink city and visit the colorful bazaars. You can visit Albert Hall Museum. The museum displays a wide range of metal objects, wood crafts, carpets, stone and metal sculptures, arms and weapons, natural stones and ivory goods. It also houses a large collection of miniatures from Bundi, Kota, Kishangarh, Udaipur and Jaipur schools of art. As per your interest wrap up your day by watching Bollywood movie at the opulent Rajmandir Cinema. Overnight at hotel.

Breakfast at hotel, city tour of Jaipur. Jaipur holds the distinction of being the first planned city of India. Established in 1727 by Jai Singh II, the king of Amber when he shifted his capital from Amber to the new city because of the rapidly-growing population and an increasing water scarcity. Noted architect Vidyadhar Bhattacharya used the established principles of Vastu Shastra to build the city. In 1876, the Prince of Wales visited Jaipur and the entire Jaipur city was painted in pink the symbolic colors of hospitality to welcome him. The pink that colorss the city makes for a marvelous spectacle to behold. Jaipur rises up majestically against the backdrop of the forts Nahargarh, Jaigarh and Garh Ganesh Temple.

In morning visit Amber Fort followed by Jaigarh Fort & Sisodia Rani Garden. Afternoon city tour visit City Palace, Observatory & Hawa Mahal. Further explore local market the famous bazaars of Pink City. In the evening attend Aarti Ceremony at Birla temple. Overnight at hotel.

Breakfast at hotel, drive to Jodhpur via visiting Pushkar, one of the oldest cities in India surrounded by hillocks on three sides. Along with an interesting mythological history, a legacy of timeless architectural heritage makes Pushkar a fascinating city. According to legends, Lord Brahma, believed to be the creator of the Universe dropped a lotus to the ground leading to the immediate creation of a lake. He then decided to name the place after the flower, and thus the name, Pushkar. The city of Pushkar is home to the only temple dedicated to Lord Brahma in the whole world. Hindus consider a journey to Pushkar to be the ultimate pilgrimage that must be undertaken to attain salvation.
Visit of Pushkar Lake one of the holiest lake in the country, has 52 bathing ghats, Brahma & Savitri Temple. Excursion to visit Khwaja Dargah E Sharif, Adhai Din Ka Jhonpda, Anasagar Lake in nearby town Ajmer. Also, visit local bazaars of the town.
After sightseeing drive to Jodhpur check in at hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Breakfast at hotel, city tour of Jodhpur popularly known as the Blue City. The name is clearly befitting as most of the architecture – forts, palaces, temples, havelis and even houses are built in vivid shades of blue. The strapping forts that tower this magnificent city sum up to a spectacle you would not want to miss. The mammoth, imposing fortress of Mehrangarh has a landscape dominating a rocky ridge with the eight gates leading out of the fortress. Jodhpur marks its origin back to the year of 1459 AD. Rao Jodha, the chief of Rathore Clan is credited with the origin of Jodhpur.

Visit Mehrangarh Fort, Jaswant Thada, Umaid Bhawan Palace & Mandore Temples, Gardens & Cenotaphs. Overnight at hotel.

Breakfast at hotel excursion to visit Bishnoi Village - Jeep Safari (20kms from Jodhpur)
Guda village, a Bishnoi village, is home to a vivid range of exotic wildlife and nature. It is a habitat for thousands of migratory birds in the area. One can often catch the Demoiselle crane frolicking at the lake. Antelopes and black bucks can also be spotted by the pond. This place is a must-visit for nature lovers. The Bishnoi community inhabits the village. The villagers are staunch worshippers of nature in all its forms, specially the sanctity of plant and animal life. They even pray to the green trees and animals that inhabit their land and make every effort to conserve the environment. Another fact about the Bishnoi tribals is that they worship Lord Vishnu and are vegetarians. It is the perfect place to experience the traditions and customs of tribal life. It is a place caught in a delightful time warp, where life still goes on like the days of the past.

Thereafter drive to Udaipur via visiting Ranakpur. The Ranakpur Temple complex comprises of 1444 intricately carved pillars, 24 pillared halls accompanied by 80 domes which are borne by 400 columns. The apogee of this entire temple architecture is the fact that no two pillars in here are the same! The temple structure has five spires, each of which houses a shrine underneath, and it is under the largest spire in the axis of the main entrance (Chaumukha Shrine) that one can locate the 6 feet tall statue of Lord Adinath. Another exquisite aspect that has also earned the temple its name is the carving of the four-headed image of Adinath, sheltered by a 108-headed snake with numerous tails. The four heads face four directions, suggesting the pursuit of the Tirthankaras. The entire ceiling of this temple complex is bedecked with geometric designs and scrollwork. However, it is the carvings of the nymphs and celestial maidens playing musical instruments, at the height of nearly 45 feet that really draws the eye.

Continue drive to Udaipur check in at hotel. In the evening watch "Dharohar" folk dance show at Bagore-ki-Haveli. A gorgeous 18th century haveli that has been converted into a museum showcasing Mewar art and architecture. The haveli puts on one of the best Rajasthani folk dance shows in Rajasthan. For an hour, performers dance to Rajasthani folk music wearing bright coloured ethnic dresses. The dances are varied and demonstrate the tradition and culture of Rajasthani folklore. Overnight at hotel.

Breakfast at hotel, city tour of Udaipur. The city of lakes is located around azure water lakes and is hemmed in by lush green hills of Aravallis. The famous Lake Palace, located in the middle of Lake Pichola is one of the most beautiful sights of Udaipur. It is also home to Jaisamand Lake, claimed to be the second largest man-made sweet water lake in Asia. The beautiful City Palace and Sajjangarh (Monsoon Palace) add to the architectural beauty and grandeur of the city. The city is also known for its profusion of zinc and marble. Solar observatory in Lake Fateh Sagar is the only observatory in India located on an island and has been made on the pattern of Big Bear Lake in Southern California.

Visit City Palace, Museum, Jagdish Temple, Saheliyon Ki Bari, Eklingji & Nagda Temple. Evening Boat Ride at Lake Pichola.

Evening enjoy boat cruise on Lake Pichola, see the ghats along the lake and the interesting buildings on the banks. The view of the city palace from the lake is spectacular. Lake Pichola, is an artificial fresh water lake, created in the year 1362 AD, named after the nearby Picholi village. It is one of the several contiguous lakes, and developed over the last few centuries in and around the famous Udaipur city. The lakes around Udaipur were primarily created by building dams to meet the drinking water and irrigation needs of the city and its neighborhood. Two islands, Jag Niwas and Jag Mandir are located within Pichola Lake, and have been developed with several palaces to provide views of the lake. Overnight at hotel.

Breakfast at hotel drive to Bundi via visiting Chittorgarh.

Chittorgarh resonates with stories of Rajputana bravery, pride and passion. The bards of Rajasthan sing tales of courage and sacrifice recounting stories that are known to every child and adult in the city. Chittorgarh is named after its most imposing structure, the Chittorgarh Fort which stands atop a 180 metre high hill and is spread across 700 acres.
Chittorgarh Fort has had a tumultuous past. This bastion of the Rajputs has faced violent attacks thrice in its entire history. The first was in 1303 when the Sultan of Delhi, Ala-ud-din Khilji, who was enamoured by Queen Padmini, launched an attack to abduct her. More than two centuries later, in 1533, it was Bahadur Shah, the Sultan of Gujarat, who caused immense destruction. Four decades later, in 1568, Mughal Emperor Akbar attacked and seized the fort. It was finally in 1616, under the rule of Mughal Emperor Jahangir that the fort was returned to the Rajputs.

City tour include visit to Chittorgarh Fort, Rani Padmini’s Palace, Vijay Stambh (the Tower of Victory), Kirti Stambh, Jain temples, and few palaces.

Continue drive to Bundi check in at hotel.

Later city tour of Bundi, a magnificent town dotted with fairy tale quality palaces and forts. Bundi’s charm lies in its location, situated far from the crowds it is the simple rural folk surrounded by orchards of orange, guava, pomegranate and mango trees, flanked by the Aravalli range and rivers and lined by fields of cotton, barley and wheat.

Bundi was once ruled by the Hada Chauhans. Many historians claim that it was once the capital of the great Hadoti Kingdom, which was renowned for its art and sculpture. However, in 1624, Kota separated and became an independent state and this marked the beginning of the downfall of Bundi. Whether that may be, Bundi still retains its charismatic medieval grandeur. And just like Jodhpur and Rajput, the architecture of Bundi also possesses a noticeable bluish hue, designed to keep houses cool during hot summer, in the intricately carved brackets and pillars.

Visit Garadia Mahadev Temple, Sukh Mahal, Rani Ji Ki Baori, Phool Sagar, Taragarh Fort, certain Cenotaphs & Step Wells and the royal site of the frescoes & paintings in Braj Bhushan Ji Ki Haveli. Overnight at hotel.

Breakfast at hotel drive to Ranthambore National Park & check in at resort.
After lunch visit The Ranthambore Fort, built by the Chauhan rulers in the 10th century. Due to its strategic location, it was ideal to keep the enemy at bay. The fort is also related to the historical legend of the royal women performing ‘jauhar’ (self-immolation) when the Muslim invader Alauddin Khilji laid siege on this fort in 1303. The fort is characterised by temples, tanks, massive gates and huge walls. Rest time free and easy to relax. Overnight at resort.

Head into Ranthambhore Park twice to enjoy game drives through the rugged terrain which is home to lots of wildlife, including the elusive Bengal tiger. Your game drives are early in the morning and then early evening, when animals at their most active.

Ranthambore National Park and Tiger Reserve is one of the world’s best known wilderness areas, at the junction of some of the geologically oldest mountain ranges - the Aravallis and Vindyas. Once a private game reserve of the royal house of Jaipur Ranthambore offers some of the finest opportunities for sighting the magnificent tiger in the wild. A mix of rolling hills and crags, and meadows, lakes and rivulets, this dry-deciduous forest system is home to an incredible variety of flora and fauna. Apart from the tiger, you can also spot sloth bear, leopard, caracal, jackal, fox, hyena and mongoose at Ranthambore. The elusive Indian wolf too, has been spotted here occasionally. The dainty chital, sambhar deer, the blue bull antelope, rhesus macaque, langur and an incredible variety of birds amidst a setting of dhok, fig and banyan trees makes a visit to this park a delight – for tourists and naturalists alike. Basking crocodiles, king vulture on a snag, the scream of the serpent eagle, the alarm call of spotted deer are some sights and sounds that make this a safari experience like none other. The landscape is dominated by the 10th century fortress of Ranthambore while the valleys have numerous cenotaphs, ruins and abandoned settlements overcome by nature - testament to battles and romances of an era long gone.
Breakfast, lunch, dinner & overnight at hotel.

Breakfast at hotel drive to Orchha via visiting Shivpuri. It is nestled in the midst of dense forests which sprawls under the Madhav National Park. Town’s beauty lies in its majestic edifices which date back to the colonial times.

Visit Madhav Palace a quaint palace that has the colonial touch. George castle built for a short stay of King George V. Collectorate of Shivpuri and memorial of Tatya Tope. The Chhatris of royals Scindia king and queen. Flanked by the Mughal gardens with path adorned with picturesque fencing. The chhatris are a great blend of Hindu and Mughal architecture. In order to give a similar effect like Taj Mahal, the cenotaph of Madho Rao Scindia is ornamented in the pieta dura style with precious lapis lazuli (semi-precious stone) and onyx (a kind of gemstone). Facing the chhatri is the memorial of Madho Rao’s mother, Maharani Sakhya Raje Scindia.

Continue drive to Orchha check in at hotel. Rest time free and easy to relax. Optional evening boat tide on Boating in River Betwa. Overnight at hotel.

Breakfast at hotel, city tour of Orchha. Visit the Orchha Fort complex, which houses a large number of ancient monuments consisting of the fort, palaces, temple, and other edifices. The early 16th century fort complex which is accessed from an arched causeway, leads to a large gateway. This is followed by a large quadrangular open yard surrounded by palaces. These are Raja Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, Jahangir Mahal, a temple, gardens and pavilions. The battlements of the fort have ornamentation. Notable architectural features in the fort complex are projected balconies, open flat areas and decorated latticed windows. Chaturbhuj Temple a multi-storied structure which is a blend of temple, fort and palace architectural features. The temple was originally built to deify an image of Rama, as the chief deity, which was installed in the Rama Raja Temple inside the Orchha Fort complex. The temple is noted for having one of the tallest Vimana among Hindu temples.

Later drive to Panna National Park checks in at resort. Rest time free and easy to relax. Dinner & overnight at resort.

Breakfast & lunch at resort. Morning and afternoon game drive jeep safari in Panna National Park. The park is located in a spot where the tropical and subtropical forest belts are found. It starts from Cape Comorin, Tamil Nadu to Gangetic plains. River Ken runs through this relatively dry national park providing water to the wildlife throughout the year. Many rare species and endangered species can be spotted in this park. You can spot the majestic tiger, the ghariyal - a huge reptile found only in the Indian subcontinent, Indian wolf, four-horned antelope, sloth bear pangolin, rusty spotted cat, leopard and carcal and a variety of flora and fauna. There are six species of vulture found in this park. Visit the magnificent Pandav Falls inside the park a perennial fall fed by a tributary of the river Ken. The falls cascades down from a height of about 30 meters into a heart shaped pool. Surrounded by lush green forests. At the foot of falls there are some ancient caves overlooking a large pool of water. The Pandavas of the Mahabharata are believed to have spent a part of their exile here. In the tropical region of Panna the climate of the reserve area is sometimes so pleasant, sometime so scorching during summers.

Evening drive to Khajuraho check in at hotel. Evening watch the light and sound show. Overnight at hotel.

Breakfast at hotel. Visit exceptionally well maintained UNESCO World Heritage Site, exploring the different temples and marveling at their astonishing beauty. Over the course of the 11th and 12th centuries the Chandela dynasty created the most sublime examples of erotic sculpture in India. The temple of Khajuraho are India’s unique gift to the world, representing, as they do, a paean to life, to love, to joy, perfect in execution and sublime in expression on account of their remarkable erotic sculptures.

Afternoon transfer to airport to board flight for Varanasi. On arrival in Varanasi assistance and transfer to hotel.

Evening walking tour of Ghats’s temples & mosque on ghats. Also attend Holy Ganga Aarti, a magical aarti performed at Dasashwamedh Ghat at sunset. Halt your boat right at the steps for the best view. Overnight at hotel.

Early morning boat ride & Ghat visit along the Ganges and catch the scene of devotees bathing and praying in the sacred water. Ghats in Varanasi are riverfront steps leading to the banks of the River Ganges. The city has 88 ghats. Most of the ghats are bathing and puja ceremony ghats, while two ghats are used exclusively as cremation sites. The ghats are frequented by the people which include early morning bathers, priests, people practicing meditation and yoga, students and tourists as well.

Return to your hotel for breakfast then begin the city tour of Varanasi.

Visit Banaras Hindu University founded in the year 1916, it has developed into one of the greatest centers of learning in India. Its campus is spread over 1300 acres. It has well maintained roads (crossing each other at right angle), extensive greenery, a temple, an airstrip and buildings, which are an architectural delight. Bharat Mata Temple built by Babu Shiv Prasad Gupt and inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi in 1936 the Bharat Mata Temple is a model of undivided India. The most striking aspect of Bharat Mata Temple is that instead of gods and goddesses, the temple houses a relief map of undivided India, carved out of marble. The temple is a rare instance of something attributed to nationalism and a tribute to everyone who participated in the making of India. Tulsi Manas Mandir one of the most famous temples in Varanasi, is made up of white marble and the beautiful garden adds to its attractiveness. The temple has beautiful images of Lord Rama, Mother Sita, Lakshman and Lord Hanuman. The walls of this temple are adorned with verses from Ramcharitmanas, the Hindi version of the epic Ramayana.

Sarnath, it was here that Lord Buddha preached his first sermon after attaining the Enlightenment at Bodh Gaya. The great Dhamekh Stupa and several other structures stand testimony to the importance the place enjoyed at that time. The area is a treasure trove of archaeological findings such as Dharmrajika Stupa and Mulgandhkuti Vihar. The smooth glistening pillar established by Emperor Ashoka in 273-232 B.C. marks the foundation of the Buddhist Sangha, and the Lion Capital atop this pillar is now India's National Emblem.

Ram Nagar Fort located on the eastern bank of River Ganga, a beautiful place to witness the sunset over the river. It is an 18th-century structure built by Maharaja Balwant Singh and is the ancestral home of Maharaja of Banaras. The fort is built in red sandstone. It houses a temple dedicated to Ved Vyasa, writer of Mahabharata, the great Indian epic. The Fort includes an eccentric museum boasting a royal collection of vintage cars, swords, palanquins, ivory works, an old weaponry section and an extremely unusual astrological clock. The museum houses various religious writings including treasures manuscripts. Rest time free and easy to relax. Overnight at hotel.

Breakfast at hotel. As per flight schedule transfer to airport to board flight for Delhi. From Delhi board connecting flight for your onward destination.