Day by Day itineraryDay 1: Arrival at Delhi
Golden Triangle tour with Varanasi and Khajuraho begins as soon as you arrive in Delhi.
Starting from the mythological Indraprastha and Hastinapur mentioned in Mahabharata to the modern Lutyens’ Delhi built in British Era, the city bears stamps of multiple settlements and establishments spanning over thousands of years. The present day fortifications began in the 8th century when Tomar Rulers established Lal Kot and continued under the rule of Prithviraj Chauhan, Delhi Sultanate and Mughal Empire.Resultantly, there are forts, mosques, tombs, temples and historical sites testifying Delhi’s encounter with multiple cultures.
In addition, there are museums, art galleries, well-laid gardens, architecturally brilliant government buildings, traditional bazaars and ultramodern malls, multiplexes, amusement parks etc. that confirm Delhi’s sync with changing times.
On arrival, check in at the pre-booked hotel and take some rest. Depending on the time of your arrival, you might be able to visit few of the tourist attractions in the city.
Qutb Complex consists of Delhi Sultanates monuments, the most prominent one being Qutb Minar, the 72.5 m high 5-storey minaret which is also a World Heritage Site. Other prominent attractions within the complex include Iron Pillar, the metallurgical wonder that stands rust-free for hundreds of years, tombs, mosques and palaces built in Indo-Islamic style.
Humayun’s Tomb, the resting place of Mughal Emperor Humayun, is another World Heritage Site in Delhi and often considered as the pre-cursor to Taj Mahal. With its red sandstone and marble construction amidst an elegant Persian-style Charbagh garden, the monument is immensely visually pleasing.
Lotus Temple is another wonder in Delhi, known for its lotus-petals-like white marble construction amidst nine water pools that are surrounded by lush green lawns. Watch its magnificence when flood-lit in the evening.
Finally, return to hotel for night stay.
Day 2: Delhi-Varanasi (By Air in about 1.25 hr.)
On the second day of Golden Triangle tour with Varanasi and Khajuraho, we take you to the holy city of Varanasi.
Also known as Banaras/Kashi, the city is believed to be the favourite of its founder Lord Shiva and one of the Sapt Puri (7 cities known to grant moksha or salvation).
River Ganga, considered extremely pious by Hindus, flow through the city and facilitates numerous religious rituals associated with birth and death. There are
more than 80 ghats on the bank of the river, bustling with devotees and a variety of activities. In addition, there are ancient temples, mosques, forts and many other attractions, apart from narrow alleys that present the old-world charm of Varanasi.
On arrival, check in at the pre-booked hotel and take some rest. Later, join us as we take you to the popular ghats like Manikarnika (where Hindus perform cremations), Assi Ghat (popular among tourists for activities like boat ride and hot air balloon ride), Panchganga Ghat (where five different rivers meet) and Dashashwamedh Ghat (the site where Lord Brahma performed yajna – a Hindu tradition to perform sacrifices in the purifying fire).
At Dasaswamedha Ghat, you may wait till the evening when the enthralling Ganga aarti (worship) is performed with hundreds of lit earthen lamps.
Special Travel Tip: If you get a chance to view the Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat twice, view it once at the visitors gallaery on the Ghat and the second time from a boat facing the Ghat.
Get back to the hotel for night stay.
Day 4: Varanasi-Khajuraho (By Air in about 1 hr.)
After breakfast, we take you to explore the Hindu temples of Varanasi.
Kashi Vishwanath Temple is not just the most prominent temple in the city, but also among the most revered temples dedicated to Shiva in the whole world. Ransacked by the Muslim invaders numerous times and rebuilt every time, the temple boasts of pure gold domes and spires and houses one of the 12 Jyotirlingas (a form of Shiva Lingam worshipped as the endless pillar of light). It is believed that bathing in Ganga and visiting the temple helps one get rid of sins and achieve salvation.
Another popular temple in the city is Kaal Bhairav Temple dedicated to the fierce form of Shiva, known as Bhairava. According to mythology, Bhairav decapitated one of the 5 heads of Lord Brahma in rage and dropped it here to get rid of the sin.
You may also visit other popular temples like Sankat Mochan Hanuman temple, Durga Kunda Temple, Birla Temple and Mrityunjay Mahadev Temple.
You may also take leisurely strolls along the ghat, explore old Varanasi on foot and visit the Banaras Hindu University (more than 100 years old, regarded as Asia’s largest residential university). If time allows, you may plan an excursion to Sarnath (about 13 km. away) where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon. There are many Buddhist structures worth exploring here. Finally, get back to the hotel for night stay.
Day 5: Khajuraho Sightseeing Continues
As the 5th day of Golden Triangle tour with Varanasi and Khajuraho begins, we take you to Western Group of Temples at Khajuraho.
Lakhmana Temple is probably the most important in the group as it is adorned with beautiful sculptures of Hindu deities, animals and others. Kandariya Mahadev Temple is the largest in Khajuraho and the most lavishly carved one. Other temples include Devi Jagdamba Temple and Chausanth Yogini Temple.
In the evening, you may choose to attend the scintillating Sound and Light Show (both in Hindi and English) narrated by none other than the Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan.
The show provides great facts about the temples and their history. Finally, retire to the hotel for night stay.
Day 6: Khajuraho-Gwalior (about 281 km. by Road)
Leave Khajuraho and drive to Gwalior, a historical city which still retains the royal charm of being the capital of an erstwhile princely state.
Before you arrive at Gwalior, we briefly stop at Orchha, the historical town on the bank of River Betwa and founded by Bundela Rajputs.
Explore the sprawling Orchha Fort Complex which boasts of beautiful royal palaces like Raj Mahal, Jehangir Mahal and Rai Parveen Mahal. Other attractions of the town include Ram Raja Temple, Chaturbhuj Temple, Phool Bagh and numerous chatris (cenotaphs) stunningly dotting the bank of Betwa.
Resume the drive to reach Gwalior. The city is dominated by the massive Gwalior Fort, usually referred to as the Pearl in the Necklace of Indian Forts.
Interestingly, the city exhibits monuments and buildings inspired by multiple architectural styles, like Rajput, Maratha, Mughal, Chinese, Italian, Tuscan, Russian and Corinthian.
On arrival, check in at the pre-booked hotel and take some rest. Later, you may visit the top attractions like Jai Vilas Palace and Museum which is well-known for its lavish Durbar Hall adorned with crystal staircases, plush carpets, beautiful chandeliers and artwork with gold leaves. The museum also features marvellous collections of furniture, paintings, sculptures etc.
Finally, retire to your hotel for night stay.
Day 7: Gwalior Fort Sightseeing-Drive to Agra (120 km. by Road)
After breakfast, we take you to Gwalior Fort which is built on a sandstone outcrop of Gopachal Hill.
Once you enter the fort through Hathi Pol (Elephant Gate), you would be astonished to discover some of the finest palaces like Man Mandir (featuring beautiful geometrical patterns using turquoise, yellow and green tiles), Karan Mahal and Vikram Mahal. In addition, there are Hindu temples like Sas-Bahu Temple (a pyramidal red sandstone beauty) and Teli ka Mandir (built using North and South Indian architectural fusion). Another highlight of the complex is the rock cut Siddhachal Jain Temple Caves featuring high rock idols of Jain Tirthankaras.
Continue the Golden Triangle tour with Varanasi and Khajuraho and drive to Agra, one of the three destinations of Golden Triangle circuit.
Located on the bank of River Yamuna, Agra exists since the times of Mahabharata though it gained limelight as the capital of Mughal Empire. Mughal monuments across the city are the epitome of architectural excellence as well as striking grandeur.
On arrival, check in at the pre-booked hotel and take some rest. Later, we take you to Taj Mahal - the white marble wonder that has nothing to its parallel. Recognized as a World Heritage Site, one of the World’s Seven Wonders and a love icon, it was built by Shah Jahan in the memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal.
Adorned with captivating inlay work, reflective tiles, marble latticework and many other decorative elements, the monument is sure to leave you spellbound.
Later, you may visit Agra Fort, another World Heritage Site build under the rule of Mughal Emperor Akbar in the 16th century.
Depending on the time available, you can visit other attractions like Itmad-ud-Daulah’s Tomb, Sikandara, Chini ka Rauza and Mehtab Bagh.
Finally, enjoy night stay at your hotel.
Day 8: Agra-Jaipur (240 km. by Road) via Fatehpur Sikri
Leave Agra and drive to Jaipur.
About 36 km. from Agra, stop at Fatehpur Sikri which is yet another World Heritage Site. Built with the intention to serve as the capital of Mughal Empire under the rule of Akbar, the town was only briefly inhabited due to water shortage and other reasons.
The main tourist complex consists of remarkable red sandstone and white marble edifices that further extend the majesty of Mughal heritage. The most notable of the structures are Buland Darwaza, Diwan-i-Aam, Diwan-i-Khas, Panch Mahal, Ibadat Khana, Jama Masjid and Tomb of Slaim Chishti.
Resume the drive as we take you to another culturally-rich destination of Golden Triangle tour with Varanasi and Khajuraho – the Pink City of Jaipur. The capital of Rajasthan and one of India’s most well-planned cities, Jaipur would let you take a break from Mughal Heritage and explore the treasure trove of equally mesmerizing Rajput heritage. The city’s cultural riches are not confined to its architecture, but the colourful bazaars selling extraordinary ethnic handicrafts and mouth-watering cuisines add dramatically to its fame.
On arrival, check in at the pre-booked hotel and take rest.
If time allows, you may visit a couple of attractions like Hawa Mahal. The red and pink sandstone palace constructed for the royal women in 1799 has a peculiar pyramidal design with nearly a thousand jharokhas (small windows) lending a honeycomb-like appearance to it.
Next, you may visit Jal Mahal which is built in the middle of Man Sagar Lake and enjoys the beautiful backdrop of Aravalli Hills.
Unfortunately, you can view it only from outside.
Finally, get back to the hotel for night stay.
Day 9: Jaipur Sightseeing Continues
Get up early as we take you to the World Heritage Site called Amber (Amer) Fort which is located on a hill called Cheel ka Teela in the Aravalli Range and accessible via jeeps and elephants.
You may enjoy a thrilling elephant ride to reach the fort which is a spectacular structure boasting of multiple palaces, courtyards and temples and exquisite marble and mirror work. Discover the attractions like Ganesh Pol, Tripolia Gate, Sheesh Mahal, Man Singh Palace and more.
Enjoy the captivating views of Maota Lake, Saffron Garden and lush green surroundings.
Next, you visit Jaigarh Fort which is connected to Amber Fort and located on the same hill. Here, you would find Jaivana Canon (once the largest canon on wheels in the world) and collections of armoury and artefacts belonging to the royal lineage displayed at the museum.
After you descend back to the main city, we recommend you to visit the best places for Shopping in Jaipur selling irresistible items like kundan jewellery, lac bangles, embroidered fabrics, mojris (traditional footwear), pottery, handbags, bandhani work, enamel work, block printing work, rugs, miniature paintings and much more.
Some popular bazaars in the city are Nehru Bazaar, Johari Bazaar, Bapu Bazaar and Tripolia Bazaar. Later, we take you to Chokhi Dhani, an ethnic Rajasthani village style restaurant which serves delicious cuisines like dal-baati-choorma, bajre ki roti, jalebi stc while entertaining through folk arts like folk dance and music, puppet shows, magic shows, acrobatics and more.
After another amazing day of ends, enjoy your night stay at the hotel.
Day 10: Jaipur-Delhi (280 km. by Road)
Leave Jaipur after breakfast and drive back to Delhi.
On arrival, check in at the pre-booked hotel and take some rest. Later, join us to visit some other tourist attractions in the city.
Start with Laal Qila or Red Fort which served as Mughal residence for more than 200 years and is a World Heritage Site. Spread over an area of nearly 255 acres, the fort boasts of numerous palaces and monuments, mainly constructed in red sandstone and white marble. Some of the top attractions inside the complex include Lahori Gate, Naubat Khana, Rang Mahal, Mumtaz Mahal, Moti Masjid and more.
While you are at Chandni Chowk(near Red Fort), we suggest that you enjoy a Rikshaw ride to get a taste of the traditional Bazaars of Old Delhi. Enjoy street foods of India at some famous eateries.
Next, visit India Gate, the war memorial that pays homage to Indian soldiers martyred in different wars. Some other top attractions include Akshardham Temple, Jantar Mantar Observatory, Garden of Five Senses and Cathedral Church of Redemption. You may also visit Chandni Chowk which is famous for shopping and the tempting street food of North India. Dilli Haat is popular for craft bazaars that sell a variety of crafts from across India. Finally, get back to the hotel for night stay.
Day 11: DepartureOn the last day of Golden Triangle tour with Varanasi and Khajuraho, you may go for shopping (some popular markets are at Janpath, Sarojini Nagar, Paharganj and Lajpat Nagar) before we drop you at the airport/railway station.
The tour ends here.