Golden Triangle, Tiger Safari & Temple Tour 13 days

Day 1 Arrive Delhi

On arrival at Delhi airport, assistance & transfer to the hotel. Rest time is free to relax and for personal activities. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2 Delhi (B)

City tour of Delhi. In Old Delhi, visit the majestic Red Fort (closed on Monday), 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 jewellery and vivid saris, while the narrow side streets are crowded with tiny shops selling essential oils, stationery and traditional Indian sweets. Raj Gath is the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi, where he was cremated after his assassination. In New Delhi, visit Humayun Tomb, the first garden tomb in the 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-meter tall minaret that forms part of the Qutb complex a fine example of Afghan architecture. The Lotus Temple, a Bahai House of Worship notable for its flower-like shape. Also, drive past the President's House, Parliament & India Gate, etc. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 3 Delhi - Jaipur (265km) (B)

Drive to Jaipur, check in at the hotel. Later, visit the Albert Hall Museum located in the Ram Niwas Garden, outside the city wall. Evening, explore the local market of Pink City. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 4 Jaipur (B)

City tour of Jaipur, 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 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 city was painted pink, the symbolic colours of hospitality to welcome him. Jaipur rises majestically against the backdrop of the forts Nahargarh, Jaigarh and Garh Ganesh Temple. In the morning, visit Amber Fort, followed by Jaigarh Fort. Later visit City Palace, Observatory, Hawa Mahal, Sisodia Rani Garden & Birla temple. Explore the famous bazaars of Pink City, its rich history and heritage exude an amazing mix of royalty and art. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 5 Jaipur - Abhaneri - Fatehpur Sikri - Agra (245km) (B)

Drive to Agra via visiting Abhaneri, a small village popular for India`s deepest, largest and amazing step well & a Hindu Temple. Next visit Fatehpur Sikri, an abandoned predominantly red sandstone construction sprawling over a huge area. See the graceful buildings including Diwan-E-Khas hall, Jodha Bai Palace, Jama Masjid, Tomb of Salim Chisti, Panch Mahal & Buland Darwaza. Continue driving to Agra, check in & overnight at the hotel.

Day 6 Agra - Gwalior - Orchha (210kms) (B)

Sunrise visit the Taj Mahal, an ivory-white marble mausoleum 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 was the main residence of the emperors of the Mughal Dynasty until 1638. And Itmad-ud-Daula Tomb was commissioned by Nur Jahan for her father, Mirza Ghiyas Beg. Later, drive to Gwalio,r check in at the hotel. Visit Gwalior Fort, situated on top of a hill, which is one of the best fortresses of India, known for its great architecture and rich past. The fort complex includes several temples, palaces and water tanks. Siddhachal Caves and Gopachal rock-cut Jain monuments are the two areas, complete with thousands of Jain Tirthankar idols defaced during the Mughal invasion. Teli Ka Mandir and Sas-Bahu Ka Mandir are the two architecturally rich Hindu temples here. Gurudwara Data Bandi Chhor is another holy place built inside the fort complex. Man Mandir Palace, Gujari Mahal, Assi Khamba Ki Baoli, and Suraj Kund are other important monuments found in the complex. Jai Vilas Palace has the largest carpet in the world and the two largest chandeliers in the world that weigh close to 3.5 tonnes. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 7 Gwalior - Orchha - Khajuraho (320kms) (B)

Drive to Kajuraho en route visit Orchha, a historical town known for its grand palaces, intricately carved temples adorned with classic mural paintings, frescos and cenotaphs that were constructed to commemorate the Bundela rulers. Visit the Orchha Fort complex, which houses a large number of ancient monuments. These are Raja Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, Jahangir Mahal, a temple, gardens and pavilions. Chaturbhuj Temple is a multi-storied structure noted for having one of the tallest Vimanas among Hindu temples. Chattris (Cenotaphs) situated on the banks of the Betwa River are magnificent royal tombs of the Maharajas, placed on a platform and supported by pillars.

After sightseeing, drive to Khajuraho, check in & overnight at the hotel.

Day 8 Khajuraho - Panna National Park (50kms) (B,L,D)

Visit a well-maintained UNESCO World Heritage Site, exploring the eastern, western & southern groups of temples adorned by erotic and sensuous carvings. The architecture of these temples depicts the erotic forms of love, and the carvings on the walls display passion in the most sensuous yet aesthetic ways. Built between 950 to 1050 AD by the Chandela dynasty, the temples 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. Of the 85 original temples, 22 have survived till today to constitute one of the world`s great artistic wonders. Afternoon drive to Panna National Park, check in & overnight at the hotel.

Day 9 Panna National Park (B,L,D)

Game drive gypsy safari in tiger reserve with naturalist. The park is located where the tropical and subtropical forest belts are found. The River Ken runs through this relatively dry national park, providing water to the wildlife throughout the year. Many rare 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, carcal and a variety of flora and fauna. There are six species of vulture found in this park. Also visit the magnificent Pandav Falls inside the park, a perennial fall fed by a tributary of the river Ken. The falls cascade down from a height of about 30 meters into a heart-shaped pool. Surrounded by lush green forests. At the foot of the 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.

Day 10 Panna National Park - Khajuraho/ Varanasi (flight) (B)

Drive to Khajuraho airport to board a flight for Varanasi. On arrival, assistance and transfer to the hotel. Evening attend Holy Ganga Aarti, a magical ritual held every evening at sunset on the banks of the Holy Ganges. The entire Ghat gets illuminated with a divine light that can be felt strongly. The magnificent ritual involves huge brass lamps lit with oil, and the priests chant the holy mantras that reverberate in the entire location. The entire Ghat gets illuminated with a divine light that can be felt strongly. The magnificent ritual involves huge brass lamps lit with oil, and the priests chant the holy mantras that reverberate in the entire location. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 11 Varanasi (B)

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 people which including early morning bathers, priests, people practising meditation and yoga, students and tourists as well. Later city tour will visit Banaras Hindu University. With a 5.3 sq km campus and 30,000 resident students, it is the largest residential university on the continent. Bharat Mata Temple, built in 1936, houses a relief map of undivided India, carved out of marble. Tulsi Manas Mandir is one of the most famous temples in Varanasi. The temple has beautiful images of Lord Rama, Mother Sita, Lakshman and Lord Hanuman. The walls of the temple are adorned with verses from Ramcharitmanas, the Hindi version of the epic Ramayana. Continue to Sarnath, it was here that Lord Buddha preached his first sermon after attaining the Enlightenment at Bodh Gaya. The great Dhamekh Stupa and glistening pillar established by Emperor Ashoka in 273-232 B.C. stand testimony to the importance the place enjoyed at that time.

Day 12 Varanasi - Delhi (Flight) (B)

Excursion to visit Ram Nagar Fort, located on the eastern bank of the River Ganga. 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.

Later, as per the flight schedule, transfer to the airport to board the flight for Delhi. On arrival, transfer to the hotel in Delhi. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 13 Delhi - Departure (Flight) (B)

As per the flight schedule, transfer to the airport to board the flight for the onward destination.