Ancient India

Highlights:

• Old & New Delhi including Qutub Minar, Red Fort, Humayun’s Tomb, Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk rickshaw ride and Rajghat.
• Jaipur – Visit Amber Fort, Sheesh Mahal, Hawa Mahal, City Palace and Jantar Mantar Observatory.
• Agra Fort and the iconic Taj Mahal.
• Medieval Orchha palaces, temples and monuments including Jehangir Mahal.
• Explore the Western and Eastern Groups of Khajuraho Temples, including Kandariya Mahadeo and Jain temples.
• Sunrise Ganges boat cruise in Varanasi, evening aarti ceremony, rickshaw ride through old lanes and visit to Sarnath.

Sample Itinerary (Subject to Change)

Day 1: Arrive Delhi, India

Welcome to India.  On arrival in Delhi you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Delhi, the capital of India offers a blend of culture, art and modern architecture as well as ancient monuments. The remainder of your day is at your leisure..

Day 2: Delhi

Spend the day exploring Old and New Delhi, including three World Heritage Sites: Qutub Minar, Red Fort and Humayun’s Tomb. These remarkable monuments created by past emperors, have stood for centuries and Delhi itself dates back to the 6th century BC. Visit Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India, then take a rickshaw ride through Chandni Chowk, Old Delhi’s busiest and most colourful market. Drive past the Red Fort, President House and other government buildings before visiting Rajghat, the memorial marking Mahatma Gandhi’s cremation site. Continue to Humayun’s Tomb, commissioned in 1562, and end the day at Qutub Minar, the tallest brick minaret in the world, built by Delhi’s first Muslim ruler.

Day 3: Delhi – Jaipur

Today you travel by road from Delhi to Jaipur. Historical Jaipur is the capital in northwest Rajasthan and is India’s land of kings. On arrival, the remainder of your day is at leisure. Distance travelled: 320km / Approximately 6 hours.

Day 4: Jaipur

Spend the day exploring the Pink City of Jaipur on a sightseeing tour. Begin with Amber Fort, a classic Rajasthani fort‑palace whose rugged exterior contrasts with its ornate interiors decorated with intricate plasterwork, precious stones and mirrors. Inside, visit Jag Mandir (Hall of Victory) and the famous Sheesh Mahal, a dazzling room covered entirely in glittering mirror pieces imported from Belgium.

Stop at the beautifully carved Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds) for a photo opportunity before continuing to the City Palace, the former royal residence now partly converted into a museum. Later, visit Jantar Mantar, the world’s largest stone and marble observatory, featuring 17 impressive instruments, many still in working condition.

Day 5: Jaipur – Agra & The Taj Mahal

Travel by road from Jaipur to Agra, a historic city on the Yamuna River in Uttar Pradesh best known for its iconic landmark, the Taj Mahal. Enjoy a half‑day city tour beginning with the Red Fort, a beautiful 1565 structure and an outstanding example of Mughal architecture. The highlight of the day is your visit to the famous Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. This ivory‑white marble mausoleum took more than 21 years to complete and was built by Emperor Shah Jehan as a symbol of devotion to his beloved queen. Distance travelled: 250km / Approximately 5 hours.

Day 6: Agra – Khajuraho

Transfer to the Agra railway station for your train to Jhansi, where you’ll be met on arrival and begin the drive to Khajuraho via Orchha. Once the capital of a powerful Central Indian kingdom, Orchha is a World Heritage–listed medieval city filled with 16th‑ and 17th‑century temples, palaces, monuments and forts. The highlight is Jehangir Mahal, a tiered palace offering spectacular views of soaring temple spires and cenotaphs.

After exploring Orchha, continue to Khajuraho, an ancient city renowned for its elaborate stone carvings and the country’s largest collection of medieval Hindu and Jain temples.

Day 7: Khajuraho

This morning, explore UNESCO World Heritage–listed Khajuraho and the medieval temples of the Western Group, the largest and best‑preserved in the area. The most important is the Kandariya Mahadeo Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva and considered one of the finest examples of Khajuraho architecture. Visit the Chaunsat Yogini Temple, dedicated to the 64 attendants of Goddess Kali, and the Chitragupta (Bharatji) Temple, known for its sculpture of Lord Vishnu in his 11‑headed form. The temples are adorned with beautifully carved stone sculptures depicting gods, goddesses and graceful, often amorous, figures.

Continue to the Eastern Group of temples, including the Ghantai Temple, the Vamana Temple dedicated to the dwarf incarnation of Vishnu, and the Javari Temple. This area also features three Jain temples noted for their intricate carvings.

Day 8: Khajuraho – Varanasi

Transfer to Khajuraho Airport for your flight to Varanasi. Please note: no flights operate between Khajuraho and Varanasi from April to September. During these months, a land transfer of approximately 10 hours will be provided instead. (flight or land transfer not included, additional cost).

On arrival in Varanasi, you will be transferred to your hotel. Varanasi is one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities and one of the holiest places in Hinduism. Pilgrims come to the sacred Ganges River to wash away sins and perform ancient rituals. The city is known for its maze of narrow alleys, golden temples, ashrams and riverside ghats, and is a major pilgrimage centre for Hindus, Buddhists and Jains.

Day 9: Varanasi

Rise early for a boat cruise on the Ganges, where the western bank is lined with a chain of ghats—elaborate stone steps, pavilions, palaces and terraces, many used as dharamsalas for visiting pilgrims.

In the afternoon, travel to Sarnath, the sacred site where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon. The remains here date back to the 3rd century BC, when Emperor Ashoka built stupas, monasteries and pillar edicts. Visit the excellent Archaeological Museum to see its renowned art collection.

This evening, enjoy a leisurely rickshaw ride through Varanasi’s narrow streets and alleys. As dusk falls, the ghats and temples glow with oil lamps and candles—a beautiful time to explore. Take part in an aarti ceremony (collective prayer) and watch the floating diyas (lamps) drift across the Ganges.

Day 10: Depart Varanasi, India

Today your adventure concludes, you will be transferred to Varanasi Airport for your onward flight.

We have a number of other suggested India vacations, or we can also tailor a trip for you.  Here are some ideas:

India’s Golden Triangle – 6 Days  Delhi, Agra & Jaipur

India Culture & Wildlife – 8 Days Delhi, Agra, Ranthambore, Jaipur

Forts and Palaces of India – 11 Days  Delhi, Agra, Taj Mahal, Jaipur, Pushkar, Jodhpur & Udaipur

Highlights of India – Cities, Palaces & Beaches – 11 Days Delhi, Agra, Taj Mahal, Jaipur, Goa & Mumbai

India North to South – 12 Days Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Cochin & Kerala