We visit Qutb Minar and its Monuments* Built in the early 13th century the red sandstone tower of Qutb Minar is 72.5 m high. The surrounding archaeological area contains funerary buildings, notably the magnificent Alai-Darwaza Gate, a masterpiece of Indo-Muslim art and two mosques. 
We start our morning tour with New Delhi and visit Birla House, the Former Residence of Mahatma Gandhi before he was assassinated by Nathu Ram Godse on January 30, 1948. Later we visit the famous India Gate followed by the Houses of Parliament, Connaught Place and Humayun's Tomb, the first garden-tomb on the Indian subcontinent, built in 1570. We continue to Qutb Minar and its Monuments Built in the early 13th century the red sandstone tower of Qutb Minar is 72.5 m high. The surrounding archaeological area contains funerary buildings, notably the magnificent Alai-Darwaza Gate, a masterpiece of Indo-Muslim art and two mosques. Our afternoon concentrates on Old Delhi, starting with the Red Fort Complex. Named for its massive enclosing walls of red sandstone, it is adjacent to an older fort, the Salimgarh, built by Islam Shah Suri in 1546, with which it forms the Red Fort Complex. The Red Fort is considered to represent the zenith of Mughal creativity which, under the Shah Jahan, was brought to a new level of refinement and each pavilion reveals architectural elements typical of Mughal building, reflecting a fusion of Persian, Timurid and Hindu traditions. After visiting the Red fort, we embark on a captivating journey on a Rickshaw passing through the narrow lanes of the famous Chandni Chowk Bazaar, it was originally built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan for his daughter Jahan Ara in 17th Century since then many changes have taken place however it still remains Old Delhi's one of the Oldest and busiest markets in Delhi. Finally end our rickshaw ride at Jama Masjid, Mughal majesty and India's largest mosque. After visiting the mosque, we proceed to Raj Ghat, the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi. In the evening we enjoy a welcome dinner at well-known Indian restaurant.
Please Note: Red fort and Birla House are closed on Monday and Chandni Chowk is closed on Sunday
We visit to the home of Mrs. Jyoti Agarwal, an award-winning chef. Jyoti will introduce us to India’s world-famous cuisine through a cooking demonstration and explain to us the important role of food in Indian culture. After being welcomed into her home, we will join her family for dinner, providing a fascinating firsthand look at how food connects families in Indian culture. 
Today we are transferred to airport for our flight to Amritsar. Upon arrival at Amritsar are transferred to our hotel. Amritsar is the spiritual centre for the Sikh religion and it is home to the Harmandir Sahib also known as the "Golden Temple". The city also houses the Sikh temporal and political authority, Akal Takht, as well as the Sikh Parliament. In the afternoon we visit the holy Sikh site of Sri Harimandir Sahib, the Golden Temple. The holiest text of Sikhism, the Guru Granth Sahib, is inside the gurdwara. The Holy Scripture is brought in a solemn procession from the Akal Takhat (the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs) in the morning to the temple to be returned at night. The temple's construction was intended to build a place of worship for men and women from all walks of life and all religions to come and worship God equally. Next we visit Jallianwala Bagh, the historic site where hundreds of innocent Indian men, women and children were massacred by British General Michael Dyer on April 13, 1919. A memorial and Garden have been created here as a national monument. Later we visit the border between India & Pakistan to watch the spectacular Retreat Ceremony put on by the India’s Border Security Force and Pakistan’s Sutlej Rangers at sunset.
In the early morning we take a sunrise cruise on the River Ganges for a most serene experience. One of the cardinal principles of Hinduism is the belief in the holiness of the Ganges. Every morning scores of pilgrims and priests fill the riverbanks bathing in the holy waters and performing various other rituals. This unique experience literally transports you to another world. Later we explore Sarnath, the site of Lord Buddha's first sermon after attaining enlightenment. The Ancient Buddhist Site of Sarnath contains Chaukhandi Stupa, a lofty brick structure crowned with an octagonal tower and the remains of several stupas, monasteries and Ashokan column are built from the 3rd century B.C. to 12th century A.D.in brick and stone. In the afternoon we start our exploration of old Varanasi, visiting the Bharat Mata Temple, which houses a huge marble relief map of India; the Durga Temple, the Tulsi Manas Mandir beside the Banaras Hindu University and the Mosque of Mughal Emperor Aurangazeb. The city is famous also for its silk sarees and we visit some of the houses where the beautiful silk sarees are woven. In the evening we get to the banks of the Ganges to witness the devotional ceremony of Aarti after sunset performed by devout Hindus.
Please Note: Sarnath Museum remains closed on Friday.
Today we are transferred to the airport in Varanasi in time to take our flight to Khajuraho. On arrival in Khajuraho, we are transferred to our hotel. In the afternoon we explore the Khajuraho Group of Monuments The temples at Khajuraho were built during the Chandella dynasty, which reached its apogee between 950 and 1050. Today only 20 temples remain and they fall into three distinct groups and belonging to the religions of Hinduism and Jainism. They strike a perfect balance between architecture and sculpture. The Temples are decorated with a profusion of sculptures that are among the greatest masterpieces of Indian art.
In the morning we drive to Orchha to visit this amazing medieval fortress-city located on the shores of the Betwa River. The fort consists of several connected buildings erected at different times, the most noteworthy of which are the Raja Mahal and the Jahangir Mahal. We continue to the Railway Station in Jhansi to take our express train to Agra. Shatabdi Express trains are fully air-conditioned and travelers enjoy complimentary meals. On arrival in Agra, we are welcomed and transferred to our hotel.
We start our day with a visit to one of the most well-known wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal. An immense mausoleum of white marble, built in Agra between 1631 and 1648 by order of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favorite wife, the Taj Mahal is the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage. Situated on the right bank of the Yamuna in a vast Mogul garden, this funerary monument combines elements and styles of Persian, Central Asian and Islamic architecture. We then visit Agra Fort. This powerful fortress of red sandstone encompasses, within its 2.5-km-long enclosure walls, the imperial city of the Mughal rulers. It comprises many fairy-tale palaces, such as the Jahangir Palace and the Khas Mahal, built by Shah Jahan; audience halls, such as the Diwan-i-Khas; and two very beautiful mosques.
Please Note: Taj Mahal is closed on Friday. On nights with a Full Moon the Taj Mahal's pure white marble shimmers silver in the moonlight and is open to visitors. We can arrange for an optional tour to enjoy this very special occasion.
A short drive gets us to Fatehpur Sikri, the beautiful capital built in 1640 by the Mughal King, Akbar the Great. The city was later abandoned for lack of water. A superb example of Mughal architecture, it stands perfectly preserved in the desert. We also visit the artistically designed mausoleum of Salim Chisty who is reputed to have prayed for a son for Akbar leading to the birth of Salim Jehangir. From here we drive to Jaipur, the rose pink capital of Rajasthan, since most of the buildings in the old city are made of pink sandstone. In the evening we are treated to cultural Show with dinner.
Today we take full day excursion to Ajanta Caves. The first Buddhist cave monuments at Ajanta date from the 2nd and 1st centuries B.C. During the Gupta period (5th and 6th centuries A.D.), many more richly decorated caves were added to the original group. The series of paintings at Ajanta that cover the walls and ceilings are unparalleled in the history of Indian Art, both for the wide range of subjects illustrated and the assured mastery of the medium. The paintings and sculptures of Ajanta are considered masterpieces of Buddhist religious art.
Please Note: Ajanta Caves are closed on Mondays.
In the morning we visit Ellora Caves. These 34 monasteries and temples, extending over more than 2 km, were dug side by side in the wall of a high basalt cliff. The uninterrupted sequence of monuments dates from A.D. 600 to 1000 and brings the civilization of ancient India to life. Later we also visit the Daulatabad fort and Bibi-Ka-Maqbra, the beautiful mausoleum of Rabia-ul-Daurani, wife of the Mughal Emperor Aurangazeb. In the late afternoon we are transferred to airport for our flight to Mumbai. On arrival in Mumbai, we are transferred to our hotel.
Please Note: Ellora Caves are closed on Tuesdays
We start our day with a visit to the Gateway of India, Mumbai's most famous monument. Here we embark on our excursion to the Elephanta Caves, located on an island in the Sea of Oman. The caves contain a collection of rock art linked to the cult of Shiva. Here, Indian art has found one of its most perfect expressions, particularly the huge high reliefs in the main cave. We return to Mumbai by motor launch and visit the Prince of Wales Museum and Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, formerly known as Victoria Terminus Station, an outstanding example of Victorian Gothic Revival Architecture in India, blended with themes deriving from Indian traditional architecture. The building, designed by the British Architect F. W. Stevens, became the symbol of Bombay as the ‘Gothic City’ and the major international mercantile port of India. Its remarkable stone dome, turrets, pointed arches and eccentric ground plan are close to traditional Indian palace architecture. Our next Stop is at Mani Bhawan, where Mahatma Gandhi stayed here during the Freedom Struggle. The house is now converted into a Museum. From here we leave for the Hanging Gardens, the Zoroastrian Towers of Silence, the bustling Crawford Market and drive past Haji Ali,the tomb of a wealthy Muslim merchant. We end our tour at the Dhobi Ghat, the world's largest outdoor laundry. The word Dhobi Ghat is used all over India to refer to any place where many washers are present.
Please Note: Elephanta Caves is closed on Mondays.
This is the price per adult in a twin share room. Solo travelers who choose this option will need to pay single supplenemt extra.
This is the additional cost for your own room (subject to availability). This will be added to your total trip price. Please check Essential Trip Information for exceptions or ask for more details at the time of booking.
Pre-tour of Amritsar whisks you to the mesmerizing Golden Temple which is an unforgettable experience. A two-story marble structure covered in pure gold and surrounded by a shimmering pool of sacred water. At the Golden Temple, huge kitchens staffed by hundreds of volunteers prepare thousands of free meals a day – anyone is welcome to sit down and eat, together, no matter their status, earnings, caste or religion. Another highlight is the Wagah border – every evening, with great pomp and national pride, the border gates are clanged shut in an elaborate ceremony.
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Tour Itineray
Day 1: Arrive Amritsar
Arrival. Namaste! We are warmly welcomed the traditional Indian way with hands clapped together at the airport and transferred to our hotel. Amritsar is the spiritual centre for the Sikh religion and it is home to the Harmandir Sahib also known as the "Golden Temple". The city also houses the Sikh temporal and political authority, Akal Takht, as well as the Sikh Parliament. The remainder of the day is free to relax.
Day 2: Amritsar
In the morning we visit the holy Sikh site of Sri Harimandir Sahib, the Golden Temple. The holiest text of Sikhism, the Guru Granth Sahib, is inside the gurdwara. The Holy Scripture is brought in a solemn procession from the Akal Takhat (the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs) in the morning to the temple to be returned at night. The temple's construction was intended to build a place of worship for men and women from all walks of life and all religions to come and worship God equally. Next, we visit Jallianwala Bagh, the historic site where hundreds of innocent Indian men, women and children were massacred by British General Michael Dyer on April 13, 1919. A memorial and Garden have been created here as a national monument.
In the afternoon we visit Indo-Pak Border to watch retreat ceremony-30 KM on the road to Lahore is India-Pakistan Border. A visit to the border is an interesting experience especially at Sunset, when the retreat ceremony takes place with the Border Security Force on the Indian Side and the Sutlej Rangers on the Pakistan side putting up a well-coordinated and spectacular display. The sound from the Bugles blown together from both sides paints past on the canvas when India and Pakistan were one, simultaneously Flags of the two nations are ceremoniously retrieved and lights are switched on marking the end of the day. Amidst thunderous applause today this point is the only land route open to approach Pakistan and central Asia. We return to our hotel for overnight.
Day 3: Amritsar / Delhi By Train # 12014/Amritsar Shatabdi/Dep: 05:00 hrs/Arr: 11:00 hrsEarly morning, we check out from hotel and transferred to railway station to board our train to Delhi. Breakfast on board train. On arrival we are transferred to our hotel to join main tour.
This is the best suitable tour for a traveler who wants to have a glimpse of the major constituents of Indian history and culture and wants to see the majestic Golden Temple constructed in the city of Amritsar This itinerary has been planned in a way that one will experience the British touches in New Delhi, Mughal charm in Agra, the majestic presence of the Rajputana royalty in the city of Jaipur and the art of sharing selflessly at Golden Temple, shining bright in its glory at Amritsar.
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Tour Itineray
Day : Arrive Jaipur
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