Best of India

Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrival, Delhi

  Welcome to India, the land of mystery and diversity! Our representative waiting at the airport will greet you and transfer you to your hotel. After a brief introduction to your India tour, enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

  Delhi

• Day 2: Delhi

  Start your Indian exploration by visiting the great Jama Masjid, the principal mosque in Delhi with a courtyard capable of holding 25,000 devotees. Getting out of it is the bustling Chandni Chowk, where you will navigate through the narrow streets and get an insight into local's daily life on a traditional rickshaw.

  Pay respect to Mahatma Gandhi - the Father of India - at Gandhi Smriti, and then explore the Qutub Minar. With a height of 73 meters, this 12th-century minaret is counted as the highest brick tower in the world. Continue to Humayun's Tomb, which is of particular cultural significance as it was the first garden tomb on the Indian subcontinent. The tour today will end at the colorful Hindu Laxmi Narayan Temple.

  B Delhi

• Day 3: Delhi - Agra

  Leave Delhi behind for Agra, about 4 hours away. Have a short break upon arrival and then visit Mehtab Bagh, also called Moonlight Garden. From here, you can take beautiful and unobstructed pictures of the Taj.

  B Agra

• Day 4: Agra

  Rise early to see the magnificent Taj Mahal at sunrise, when the sun burns its way above the white mausoleum, creating a magical atmosphere. Ramble around for photo opportunities while listening to your guide share the background love story about Mughal emperor Shah Jahan.

  Return to the hotel for breakfast and continue your visit to the Agra Fort in the afternoon. This historical fortress of red sandstone once was the main residence of the emperors of the Mughal Dynasty till 1638, when the capital was shifted from Agra to Delhi. Round off the day with the Itmad-ud-Daulah, which is often regarded as a draft of the Taj.

  B Agra

• Day 5: Agra - Jaipur

  Journey onward to Jaipur, about 5 hours' drive. On the way, visit the Fatehpur Sikri with the guide waiting at the entrance. Founded as the capital of the Mughal Empire in 1571 and then abandoned due to its shortage of water in 1582, it preserved the finest examples of Mughal architectural splendor at its height. You can also make a photo stop at the Abhaneri Step Well at a little extra cost.

  B Jaipur

• Day 6: Jaipur

  Ride a jeep up to the hillside Amber Fort for a deep exploration. Passing through the entry gates with beautiful Rajput structures, you will step into the glorious era of Rajput kings and get an idea of the luxurious life they lived. Standing out of the Sheesh Mahal, you may be mesmerized by the twinkling design with countless mirrors. Overlook the old city from the nearby Nahargarh Fort before going back to the city. Stop for photo opportunities at the pink Hawa Mahal in honeycomb shape with 953 windows on the outside walls. Visit the City Palace Museum and Jantar Mantar afterward.

  B Jaipur

• Day 7: Jaipur - Varanasi

  Have some time at leisure until flying to the holy city of Varanasi. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel and rest.

  B Varanasi

• Day 8: Varanasi

  Greet the day with a sunrise boat ride on the sacred Ganges River. See the locals bathe and worship in the waters, witness the clamor and commotion at the riverside steps from the water, and take in the stunning views as the sun illuminates the riverbanks in red. Return to the hotel for breakfast, followed by a brief city tour to Banaras Hindu University and Bharat Mata Temple.

  In the afternoon, head to the Deer Park in Sarnath, where Gautama Buddha first taught the Dhamma, and visit the Sarnath Museum afterward.

  Witness the Aarti Ceremony on the Ganges River banks as the night falls. You will see the priests chant and dance by lighting a big lamp to honor the River Goddess Ganga. Several diyas, chants, the fragrance of incense, flowers, and musical instruments create an ambiance of divine bliss.

  B Varanasi

• Day 9: Varanasi - Delhi, Departure

  Enjoy a free morning and leave Varanasi for Delhi by flight in the afternoon. After arrival, you will have a shopping opportunity before setting off to the airport for your home-bound flight.

  B