Heritage & Culture Tour

Heritage & Culture Tour

This wonderful introduction to North India includes lavish palaces, vibrant bazaars, Kama Sutra inspired temple carvings, and magnificent Mughal monuments. Witness the Mughal splendors of Delhi and Agra, and get spiritual in Varanai.

Duration : 10 Days
Route : Delhi → Agra → Gwalior → Orchha → Khajuraho → Varanasi → Sarnath → Delhi

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive at Delhi

Arrive at Delhi Airport where you will be greeted by our representative who will transfer you to your hotel.

Delhi is one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world. Having been the capital of several empires in ancient India, Delhi was a major city in the old trade routes from northwest India to the Gangetic Plains. Many ancient monuments, archaeological sites and remains of national importance have been erected in its history. The Mughals built a section of the city (now known as Old City or Old Delhi) that served as the capital of Mughal Empire for a long time. During the British Raj, New Delhi was built as an administrative quarter of the city. New Delhi was declared the capital of India after India gained independence from British rule in 1947. As the seat of the Government of India, New Delhi houses important offices of the federal government, including the Parliament of India.

Day 2 Delhi

Morning at leisure.

In the afternoon proceed for sightseeing tour of New Delhi – the new capital designed by Sir Edward Lutyens.  Drive down the main avenue, the impressive Rajpath to the World War I memorial arch, the India Gate, and pass by the President’s House and the secretariat buildings – the centre of all government activity.  Visit Humayun’s Tomb built in 1565 AD by his grieving widow Haji Begum, the Qutub Minar- 72 metres high and the ruins of Quwat-ul-Eslam (Light of Islam) Mosque and Delhi’s most curious antique, the uncorroded Iron Pillar, which dates back to the 4th century AD.

Day 3 Delhi

In the morning visit Old Delhi, the 300-year-old walled city built by Emperor Shah Jehan in 1648 as his capital. Visit the magnificent Red Fort built of red sandstone.  Within its walls are marble palaces and a grand audience chamber, the Diwan-i-Khas, where Mughal emperors held court and the Peacock Throne once stood. Opposite the fort are the black and white onion dome and minarets of the Jama Masjid, the most elegant mosque in India. Drive past Kotla Firoze Shah, ruins of an Old Fort of the 14th century; see the Ashokan Pillar of 3rd BC.  Then visit Raj Ghat, where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated in 1948. .

In the evening enjoy light & sound show at Red Fort.

Day 4 Agra

In the morning you will be transfered to New Delhi railway station to board the train to Agra.

Upon arrival at Agra railway station, you will be greeted by our representative and transferred to hotel. Later proceed for sightseeing of Taj Mahal & Agra Fort.

Agra is famous for one the Seven Wonders of the World – the Taj Mahal. The architectural splendor of the mausoleums, the fort and the palaces is vivid reminder of the opulence of the legendary Mughal Empire, of which Agra was the capital in the 16th and early 17th centuries. While its significance as a political center ended with the transfer of the capital to Delhi in 1634 by Shah Jahan, its architectural wealth has secured its place on the international map. A pleasant town with a comparatively slow pace, Agra is known for its superb inlay work on marble and soapstone by craftsmen who are descendants of those who worked under the Mughals. The city is also famous for its carpets, gold thread embroidery and leather shoes.

Note: Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays.

Day 5 Gwalior

In the morning drive to Gwalior.

Later during the day proceed for a sightseeing tour of the city visitng the fort. Standing on a steep mass of sandstone, Gwalior Fort dominates the city and is its most magnificent monument. It has been a scene of momentous events including imprisonments, battles and jauhars. A steep road winds upwards to the Fort, flanked by statues of Jain tirthankaras, carved into the rock face. The magnificent outer walls of the Fort still stand, two miles in length and 35 feet high, bearing witness to its reputation for being one of the most invincible forts of India. This imposing structure inspired Emperor Babar to describe it “the pearl amongst the fortresses of Hind.”

Day 6 Orchha

Post breakfast drive to Orchha. On Arrival check-in at the hotel and later in the afternoon, visit Orcha Palace, Temple and walk around the local market.

Day 7 Khajuraho

In the morning drive to Khajuraho. On arrival check in at the hotel and later in the afternoon proceed for a visit to the Western Group of Temples, most important temple being the Kandariya Mahadeo Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Also see the Chitragupta or Bharatji Temple.

Day 8 Khajuraho / Varanasai

In morning proceed for a sightseeing tour of Eastern Group of Temples including the Ghantai Temple, Vamana Temple, and Javari Temple.

Later in time transfer to the Khajuraho airport to board your flight for Varanasi. Meeting and assistance on arrival in Varanasi and transfer to the hotel.

Day 9 Varanasi

In the morning enjoy a boat ride on the Ganges with a guide who will be able to answer any of your queries on the history of this ancient city. The most important facet of this holy city is the river and the ghats lining its southern bank in the city. From dawn to dusk the ghats are thronged by thousands of devotees, who perform holy rituals in the hope of attaining eternal salvation, ‘Nirvana’. Later visit temples including Kashi Vishwanath dedicated to Lord Shiva; Bharat Mata Mandir dedicated to Mother India; Durga Temple, dedicated to the Goddess Durga; Alamgir Mosque- originally a temple dedicated to Vishnu.

In the afternoon proceed for a guided tour to Sarnath – where lord Buddha preached his first sermon. A major Buddhist centre, Sarnath lies 10 kilometres north east of Varanasi. It was here that Buddha preached his message of the ‘middle way’ to nirvana after achieving enlightenment at Bodhgaya. In around 234 BC, Emperor Ashoka, a great follower of Buddhism, erected a stupa here. Between the 3rd century BC and the 11th century AD, several Buddhist structures were built here in Sarnath.

In the evening witness the magical Aarti (Prayer) ceremony on the Ghats of the Ganges.

Day 10 Varanasi – Delhi
In time transfer to the Varanasi airport to board your flight fro Delhi and connect flight for onward destination.