Indian Mystic, 11 days tour

Discover the most famous monuments of India during eleven impressive days exploring this mystical cradle of an ancient civilization. See with your own eyes the glory of the iconic yesteryear, giving off a sense of nostalgia and nevertheless of belonging. Delhi has the influence of Moghul and British architecture, whereas Jaipur is known for being India’s first planned city. On the other hand, Agra, once the heart of the Moghul Empire, boasts the unparalleled beauty of the Taj Mahal, which adorns the banks of the Yamuna River. This route brings together the best this fascinating country has to offer: history, heritage, culture, and exoticism.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Delhi: The capital of India boasts splendid cultural and architectural heritage, made apparent for instance in the Jama Masjid mosque, the Qutub Minar minaret and the Rashtrapati government district Bhavan

Samode: Enjoy an unforgettable lunch in the historic palace of this rustic village at the foot of the Sierra de Aravali 

Jaipur: Discover the romantic 'Pink City', visiting the Amber Fort and City Palace amongst other places

Fatehpur Sikri: The 'ghost town' of the Mughals seems paralyzed in time, abandoned five centuries ago

Agra: Visit the Taj Mahal and the Agra Fort, two marble monuments that are more than simple works of art

Orchha: This small town has impressive architectural wonders, such as the island palace and chhatris cenotaphs

Khajuraho: Visit the erotic temples of Khajuraho 

Varanasi: The holy city on the banks of the Ganges encapsulates the more spiritual side of India

Day 1: ARRIVAL DELHI

Upon your arrival at Indira Gandhi International Airport, a tour representative will greet you and transfer you to your hotel for check-in. Delhi is a bustling metropolis where the past and the present merge, both defining the capital’s cultural and architectural heritage. The remainder of the day is for you to spend at your own leisure, making the most of the services available at the hotel or exploring this exciting city.

Overnight in Delhi.

Day 2: DELHI

Breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a morning discovering Old Delhi, and getting to know some of the most important historical and cultural attractions of the capital. View the great mosque of Jama Masjid, passing by the Red Fort on the way. The mosque, which dates back to the 17th century, is located in Chandi Chowk, the bustling and rustic old town of Delhi. Next, visit the Raj Ghat, a moving monument commemorating the life of Gandhi. In the afternoon, the tour of the most emblematic places of New Delhi, starting at the medieval minaret of Qutub Minar. At 73 meters, it is the tallest brick minaret in the world and is considered one of the most important examples of Indo-Islamic architecture. The tour continues through the Rashtrapati Bhavan district, where all the important government buildings and the national parliament are located, as well as the Gateway of India, all these great examples of the political power of the zenith of the British Empire in India, and the monument of March of salt. Also visit the famous Plaza Connaught, which is the commercial hub of the capital.

Overnight in Delhi.

Day 3: DELHI – JAIPUR (255 km – 6 hrs)

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before departing for Jaipur, the famous 'pink city' of Rajasthan. On the way we stop at the Shahpura Haveli, located in a rustic village, for lunch in the haveli's elegant restaurant. Continue to Jaipur after lunch. We will attend the Aarti ceremony at Birla temple. Rest of the day is free after checking into the hotel.

Overnight in Jaipur.

Day 4: JAIPUR

After breakfast at the hotel, we head to the Amber Fort located on top of a hill on the outskirts of the city. Its robust and imposing walls protect a collection of impressive palaces, temples and gardens. We will go up to the fort in a typical jeep (without air conditioning). Once inside the complex, discover the dazzling palaces of Jagmandir and Jai Mahal among others and the Kali temple and its well-kept gardens. In the afternoon, we toured the major attractions of Jaipur, visiting the City Palace – which contains such wonders as the Chandra Mahal, the Mubarak Mahal and the intricately decorated Peacock Gate – passing through the Palace of Winds and visiting the historic observatory. Jantar Mantar astrology before returning to the hotel.

Overnight in Jaipur.

Day 5: JAIPUR – FATEHPUR SIKRI – AGRA (235 km – 7 hrs)

Departure to Agra after breakfast at the hotel, travelling through the arid landscapes of Rajasthan until reaching Fatehpur Sikri, the 'ghost city' of the Mughal empire. Wandering around Fatehpur Sikri is like stepping back five centuries to the zenith of the Mughal empire – this walled city specially built as his capital by Emperor Akbar the Great looks today as it would have looked during his reign. This impressive collection of palaces, pavilions and mosques demonstrates the power and wealth of the empire. Visit the Salim Chisti Mausoleum and the Panch Mahal, and admire the beauty of the Jama Masjid. After this unforgettable visit, we continue to Agra for check-in at the hotel.

Overnight in Agra.

Day 6: AGRA

Breakfast at the hotel followed by a visit to the Taj Mahal, the ode written in marble that has captivated the world with its beauty. The mausoleum was built by Shah Jahan, the bereaved Mughal emperor, after his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, died in childbirth. For 22 years, the emperor recruited the best craftsmen, masons, and architects from faraway places like Italy and France to build this majestic monument. In the afternoon, he visits Agra Fort, whose red sandstone bastions protect a dozen precious Mughal palaces and pavilions. He explores the Diwan-i-Am (Hall of Public Audience), where the emperor entertained his subjects, and the Diwan-i-Khas (Hall of Private Audience), where he dealt with foreign dignitaries. In contrast to other parts of the fort, the Mina Masjid 'heavenly mosque' is built of white marble, like the Taj.

Overnight in Agra.

Day 7: AGRA – JHANSI (3 hrs, by train; included) /ORCHHA – KHAJURAHO (185 km – 5.5 hrs)

After having breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the railway station to catch the Shatabdi Express (departure at 08:10, arriving in Jhansi at 10:45). Then drive to Khajuraho, stopping en route at the monumental town of Orchha. This small town boasts a huge heritage, with attractions such as the island's impressive palace-fort, the chhatris cenotaphs and several Hindu temples. Explore the rustic streets of the town, discovering the hidden beauty of the decaying monuments built by the Bundela Rajputs over four centuries. Proceed by road to the hotel in Khajuraho with the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight in Khajuraho.

Day 8: KHAJURAHO - ALLAHABAD (270 km - 6 hrs)

Have breakfast at the hotel before visiting the erotic temples that have made the people of Khajuraho famous. The complex, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, consists of about 20 temples with more than a thousand years of history. The temples boast thousands of relief sculptures depicting various sexual and religious positions. Visit the temples of Chausath Yogini, Kandariya Mahadeva, Chitragupta, Vishwanath, Lakshmana and Vishnu Garuda. Then we will proceed by road to Allahabad, and en route visit Chitrakoot. After the visit, take the road to Allahabad. Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel.

Overnight in Allahabad.

Day 9: ALLAHABAD - VARANASI (150 km - 4 hrs)

Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, visit the 'Sangam' (confluence) of the Ganges, the Yamuna and the mythical rivers of Saraswati, followed by a photo stop of the fort of Allah, built by Akbar in 1583, the Anand Bhavan, the ancestral residence of the Nehrus, and the Hanuman Mandir, a statue of the famous god Hanuman in a sleeping position. After visiting this mythical sacred city we continue to Varanasi. On arrival check in at the hotel. In the afternoon the Aarti ceremony on the ghats of the Ganges river.

Overnight in Varanasi.

Day 10: VARANASI

Early morning boat ride on the Ganges river (Boat ride subject to the water level in Ganges river). Sunrise on the Ganges, popularly known as Subeh Banaras, is a soul-lifting experience. At dawn the Ghats are abuzz with the activity of devotees performing their ablutions in the river or offering prayers to the rising sun and performing other religious rituals At Manikarnika Ghat cremation is an ongoing process (photography prohibited) A boat ride from Dasaswamedh ghat along the Ghats offers an ideal overview of these activities. Back for breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast, tour of the city of Varanasi visiting the temple of Bharat Mata (Mother India), the temple of Vishwanath, popularly known as the Golden Temple (restricted entry only for Hindus) and the campus of the University of Varanasi. In the afternoon, visit Sarnath, 10 km from Varanasi, where Buddha preached his first sermon to five disciples, enshrining the principles of his teaching in laws. Due to the sanctity of the place it quickly became the main pilgrimage site for Buddhists within India. The Dhamek stupa marks the location of an ancient monastery, along with a large complex of remnant monasteries in the area to the north. The first communities of monks probably settled here in the 3rd century BC. Sarnath also has an interesting archaeological museum that preserves the famous Sarnath pillar whose capital with four lions forms the national emblem of India.

Overnight in Varanasi.

Day 11: VARANASI - DELHI (1.5 hrs, by flight; not included)

Breakfast at the hotel and a free morning. Then transfer to the airport to catch the flight to Delhi (not included in the tour price). Upon arrival, assistance and transfer to the international airport to catch the return flight to your country.

Comfortable and light clothing is the most suitable for travelling in India. Visitors should not wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or skimpy clothing when visiting temples, religious or official buildings. Shoes should be removed before entering a temple or private house. Sun protection, sunglasses, a hat and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay.