Day 1:                         Arrival in Delhi

Upon arriving at the International Airport of Delhi in the morning, you will be greeted with a traditional welcome. Then, you will be escorted to your vehicle and taken to your hotel for the night. Check in, take your first day off, and relax! Overnight at Hotel.

Day 2:                         Delhi Sightseeing (full day)

In the morning, our sightseeing begins. We will visit the walled city of Old Delhi, where every street is buzzing with activity. The influence of the Mughals, who once ruled from the ramparts of the Red Fort, can be seen extensively.

First, we will visit Jama Masjid – the largest mosque in India, built in the 17th century. Later, we will drive past the New Delhi Area to visit Raj Ghat, India Gate, RashtrapatiBhawan (Presidential Palace), the Parliament House, and other colonial buildings. The early 20th-century work of Edwin Lutyens, a British architect, prominently features in the colonial districts.

Finally, visit the famous QutubMinar and Humayun’s Tomb, a marvellous example of Persian-inspired Mughal architecture. Return to Hotel for overnight.

Day 03:                       Delhi - Jaipur

Morning: Breakfast at hotel. Later, drive down to Jaipur and check in to the hotel.

Jaipur, The capital of Rajasthan also known as the pink city. A city of Rajputanas well known for its Royalty and Hospitality. Pink is the colour for hospitality in the culture and hence the old Jaipur including and the entire market area around is coloured in Pink. It is the first planned city of its era and keeper of the largest cannon in the world, named Jaiwan.

Overnight stay in the hotel.

Day 04:                        Jaipur

Morning, after breakfast at the hotel, Proceed to visit Great Fort of Amber aka Amer Palace. The fort has served the rulers of the land and was capital of the city until 1728. The picturesque view of ancient and marvelous Rajput Architecture. An Elephant awaits you to offer a royal ride to experience the inclined trail as the fort is build on a hill. Whether it is Sheesh Mahal (Mirrors Palace), Huge Ramparts, the Royal Gates or the cobbled corridors, the intense ambience of the fort is felt as the premises is a 4 level layout build with red sandstone and marbles. On the way have a view of Hawa Mahal, Palace of Winds. The very reason of it existence is that the Women of the Royal Family could have the view of the streets from inside and no one from the street could see them. A mere window for the Royals.

On your return to the town en route visiting the City Palace. A Blend of Rajasthan and Mughal Styles is a former Royal Residence, now turned into a museum with artistic collection of armoury and Rajasthani costumes of Rajputs. It has an art gallery with an excellent collection of miniature paintings, carpets, royal paraphernalia and rare astronomical works in Arabic, Persian, Latin and Sanskrit. A Complimentary visit to the JantarMantar is an astrological and astronomical observatory built by Maharaja Jai Singh in the 18th century, which is remarkable for its accuracy even in the present times.

Overnight stay at Jaipur.

Day 05:                       Jaipur – Ranthambore

Morning: After breakfast drive to Ranthambore. Check in to your hotel. Lunch and Afternoon safari to Ranthambore National Park with an English-speaking Naturalist.

Ranthambore:

A road to the wild and a door to heaven. The land of Bengal tiger, Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan is spread over 392 sq km, bordered by rocks and ridges. The park is famous for the Wildlife Sanctuary by the same name where one can experience the rendezvous of wildlife, history and nature. At the centre of the park is the 10th-century Ranthambore Fort, and scattered nearby are ancient temples and mosques. The lakes are filled with crocodiles and aged huge turtles. The ruins and remains of past gives Ranthambore a unique soothing appeal. One of the finest example of tiger's conservation, the goose bumped views of Tigers hunting is highly intense. Besides the royal inhabitants, there are more than 300 species of birds in the park. It is an exceptional place where history and mother-nature entwine to present a stunning sight. A visit here and you won't look at the land, sky and water the same way you did before. It all starts with the sight of fresh pug marks. The very thought that a tiger passed the same road few minutes ago is enough to skip a beat and rest a breath.

Dinner and overnight at Resort.

Day 06:                       Ranthambore

Morning and evening jeep safaris into the Ranthambore National Park. Safaris in Ranthambore are organized in open top SUV style vehicles, and local English Speaking Naturalists are available. Sighting a Royal Bengal Tiger in the wild, is sure to be the highlight of your Ranthambore tour. Overnight in Ranthambore.

 

Day 07:                       Ranthambore - Bharatpur

Morning: Another Splendid morning safari is followed by drive to Bharatpur 210 kms /5 hrs journey.

On arrival to Bharatpur, Check into Hotel. Evening visit to the sanctuary.

Keoladeo Ghana National Park, commonly known as Bharatpur Bird Sactuary is a home to more than 400 species of water birds. The park is one of the finest and is an ideal habitat for the birds. The lightly wooden and swamply terrain is widely spread over 29 sqkms. This bird sactuary was once a private shooting and hunting preserve for the Royal Family, Maharaja of Bharatpur. Today we see it as a protected breeding ground for various bird species. Keoladeo Ghana National Park is also the winters home for lot of migratory birds. One can spot Colonies of cormorants, spoonbills, storks, egrets, herons, pelicans, ibis and grey herons. Ideal time to visit the bird sactuary is from October till March.

Overnight stay in Bharatpur.

Day 08:                       Bharatpur –Agra

Morning: Another visit to the Keoladeo Ghana Bird Sanctuary in the morning for a quiet different experience by cycle rickshaws (the rickshaw drivers are all very capable naturalists). Enjoy your time with all the information shared during your ride. Great experience is followed by a drive to Agra and FatehpurSikri. The Land of World's Wonder, The Taj Mahal.

FatehpurSikri - This exquisite city was built by King Akbar in 1569 in red sandstone. The political influence resulted in the abandonation of the palaces, forts and mosques just after 14 years of their completion. The Friday Mosque and the exquisite tomb of Sheik Salim Chisti are in the religious grounds set aside in a separate enclosure adjacent to the secular buildings.

The Diwan-E-Aam - is a vast courtyard in which the emperor addressed daily public audeice and hearings & Diwan-E-Khas - a large quadrangle which have witnessed all the major ceremonies of the Palace. Pachisi court, the Emperors private living quarter and Jodha Bai's Palace, Mariam's Palace, Birbal's Palace, Hawa Mahal and Panch Mahal are some of the important buildings of this residential complex.

Continue drive to Agra after visiting FatehpurSikri (49 kms). On arrival, check in to the hotel.

Your proud visit to the city of one of the seven wonders of the world, The Taj Mahal. Agra is a pleasant town well known for its jaw dropping inlay work on marbles and soapstone by skilled artisans and many generations' craftsmen. The city is also famous for its gold thread, silver wholesale market, carpets and leather shoes.

Overnight stay in Agra.

Day 08:                       Agra - Katni

Morning: After breakfast proceed on a city tour of Agra.

Visit Agra Fort, A master piece of construction and design was built by three generation of Mughal's Emperors, commenced by Akbar in 1565 AD. The fort beholds exquisite structures of Moti Masjid, Jahangir's Palace, Khas Mahal and the Sheesh Mahal, Diwane-E-Aam, Diwane-e-Khas and MusammanBurj, where Shah Jahan, the fifth Mughal Emperor, died as a prisoner.

Later visit the Taj Mahal - the inimitable poem hand crafted in white marble was built over a period of 22 years, by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1630, for his Queen Mumtaz Mahal to enshrine her mortal remains.

The history speaks about Taj's 20,000 workers who lost their hand cut for the very idea that such a masterpiece should not be created once again. It truly justifies its crown as one of the seven wonders of the Modern World.

Later, transfer to Railway Station to board on Train for Katni. Overnight on board.

Day 09:                       Katni-  Bandhavgarh

Morning arrive Katni Railway Station and drive to Bandhavgarh National Park. Upon arrival, check in Resort.

Morning (If Possible) and evening safari to national park. Meals and overnight stay at the resort.

Day 10:                       Bandhavgarh              

Morning and afternoon safaris, meals and overnight stay at the Jungle Lodge.

Bandhavgarh National park is known for its 22 mammals and 250 birds species. The major attraction of the park is its Bengal Tiger. Tiger sightings are one of the best sightings in India. Not only tiger, the other wild attractions of the park includes Nilgai (Blue Bull), Chasingha (Four Horned antelope), Chital, Chinkara (Indian Gazelle), Wild Boar, Fox and Jackal. The denser area in the National Park is the home to Sambhar (Indian Stag), the muntjac (Barking Deer) and the herds of Chital (Spotted Dear).

The elusive Leopard, ratel, porcupine, small Indian civet, palm squirrel, lesser bandicoot rat, the jungle cat, hyena and jackal, sloth bear are other wild animals that are found in the park. The reptile world of the park includes King Cobra, Karaits, Vipers, Rat Snakes, Pythons, Turtles and Lizards. Overnight at Resort.

Day 11:                       Bandhavgarh  - Khajuraho    

Morning game drive to the National park and later drive to Khajuraho 280 /6 hrs drive.

Khajuraho discovered by chance, India's second biggest single tourist attraction, Khajuraho has the largest group of medieval temples that are adorned with numerous sculptures of extraordinary grace and delicacy celebrating the stylized and refined courtly accomplishments of beauty, love and creative arts. Once the religious capital of the ChandelaRajputs, the temples of the city date from 950-1050 AD. A wall with eight gates encloses the entire area and two golden palm trees flank each of them. Originally, there were over 80 temples, of which only 22 now can be said remarkably preserved. The set of temples at Khajuraho celebrating Hindu religious thought in its mystifying variety of scope and inclusion stands distinguished from rest of the Hindu temples. The temples highlight the existential ethos in religion that venerates 'Yoga' and 'Bhoga'. 'Yoga' is union of the self with the Almighty, while 'Bhoga' is the path to God through physical pleasure. The temples at Khajuraho, dedicated to physical love and pleasure are a testimony to this philosophy. Declared a World Heritage Site in 1986, Khajuraho is a prominent, must-see destination and its temples are India's unique gift to the world as they capture life in every form and mood in stone.

Evening Sound and light show at Khajuraho.

Overnight at Khajuraho.

Day 12:                       Khajuraho – Varanasi

Morning : Visit the Eastern and Southern group of temples. The Parasvanath temple of the Eastern group is the group's largest Jain temple. The themes depict, in charming detail, everyday activity. Also visit the KandariyaMahadev temple dedicated to Shiva and the Chaturbhuj temple of the Southern group.

Afternoon transfer to the airport to board the flight for Varanasi. Upon Meeting and assistance on arrival at Varanasi airport and transfer to the hotel.

Varanasi is one of India's most important pilgrimage sites and the holiest of holy cities for Hindus. Known also as Kashi and Benaras, Varanasi is one of the world's oldest living cities, and has been a centre of learning and culture for well over 2000 years.

Evening: Visit (the GHATS) bank of the Ganga River. This is a fascinating walk as you can experience the cultural ethos that guides the life of the pious. See the rituals that take place to the setting sun and the ablutions that are performed in the river. As boats float down-stream, some carrying goods, fruits and vegetables, you will see others carrying the pious who perform ceremonies along the river. On the banks or Ghats, you can see some absorbed in prayer and the chanting of hymns, and others engaged in commerce and yet others performing functions like hair-cutting, massaging and even cleaning ears! Walk across to the ManikarnikaGhat, where you can see cremation, performed with intense ritual - the process of sending the departed soul to the heavens. Hindus believe that the gateway to the Heavens and for the Re-incarnation of the Soul `in a better state', is possible when life's last journey is from Varanasi.

Overnight in Varanasi.

 

Day 13:                       Varanasi – Delhi

Early morning: Take a boat ride at dawn down India's most sacred river, The Ganges. Sun rise at the holy river is a truly tranquil and breath taking sight with pilgrims standing waist-deep in water, praying to the rising Sun. On your return walk through the streets of the old city. See the famous Vishwanath temple with its spires covered with gold, dedicated to Shiva, the presiding deity of the city. Return to the hotel for Breakfast.

Late morning: Visit the Banaras Hindu University founded in 1916 and its famous Museum - Bharat Kala Bhavan which houses one of the finest collection of Mughal miniature paintings and brocade textiles. The Bharat Mata and Durga Temple.

Later transfer to airport to board a flight to New Delhi On time transfer to international airport to connect flight for onward destination.