Highlights of Northern India

The tour highlights the very best and must-see places of Northern India. From the capital Delhi, we travel to Jaipur, the capital of colourful Rajasthan. Visiting the myths and legends associated with Agra to see the mesmerizing beauty of the Taj Mahal. From Agra, journey through rural India to the picturesque town of Orchha and further away from cities to the Khajuraho, to admire the stunning 1,000-year-old temples, infamous for their explicit carvings depicting the entire Kama Sutra. Our final leg of this India journey brings us to Varanasi, one of the oldest cities in the world and holiest for the Hindus.
From Varanasi, you can extend your travel to Bhutan, Nepal, or Darjeeling, or all of them.

Northern India Outline Itinerary 

Day 1: Delhi – Welcome To India.
Upon arrival in Delhi, meet and transfer to the hotel. Take a rest to recover from jet lag. Overnight in a hotel.

Day 2: Short Delhi Tour and drive to Jaipur
After breakfast, check out of the hotel. Before taking the road to Jaipur, we will briefly tour New Delhi. Drive through the Raj Path Avenue, where we will view the India Gate, a memorial for the unknown soldiers of World War I, see the Parliament Buildings and the President of India’s House, all from outside. Then, in the outskirts of Delhi, visit the World Heritage-listed sites of Humayun’s  Tomb, the first garden tomb built in 1570, which set a benchmark for later Mughal mausoleums in India, including the Taj Mahal. Also, stop to wonder at the tall brick minaret of Qutub Minar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site made of red sandstone and marble, built way back in 1193.
Then begin our drive to Jaipur, which is around a 4 ½ hour drive, scanning the scenery from the comfort of a private vehicle. This evening, take a walk to the city’s crowded and colourful bazaars, which sell a wide variety of artisan goods. Jaipur is famous for semi-precious stones. Overnight in the hotel.

Day 3: Jaipur Tour
Jaipur, also called “Pink City”, is the capital of the colourful state of Rajasthan.  We begin our full-day private tour after breakfast. At the outskirts of the city, on a hilltop, is the fortress and Palace complex called Amber Palace. Ride the elephant uphill, just as in the old days, the Kings would have to visit the Amber Palace. Make a photo stop at India’s most photographed building after the Taj Mahal, the Hawa Mahal or ‘Palace of the Winds’. This famous building has an elaborately carved facade built to enable the ladies in the Palace to watch the goings-on in the street below without being seen. Visit the City Palace and its museum, located in the heart of the Old City. Visit Jantar Mantar, one of the five astronomical observatories built by Maharaja Jai Singh, the founder of Jaipur.
Option: In the evening, if you feel like it, you can discover the extravagance of a Bollywood blockbuster at the spectacular Raj Mandir Cinema.
Overnight in a hotel.

Day 4: Jaipur – Agra via Fatehpur Sikri
En route to Agra, stop at Fatehpur Sikri, the deserted former capital of Akbar, the most famous Mughal Emperor. This magnificent deserted Mughal city was built by Emperor Akbar in 1569, only to be abandoned after 15 years due to the scarcity of water. Explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site and see the elements of different religions: Akbar built three palaces for each of his favourite wives—a Hindu, a Muslim, and a Christian. A highlight of the settlement is Jama Masjid, a striking mosque featuring elements of both Persian and Hindu design. The main entrance of the mosque is the impressive 54-metre high Buland Darwaza, the Gate of Victory, constructed to commemorate Akbar’s military victory in Gujarat.
Upon arrival in Agra, enjoy walking in Sadar Bazaar, which is famous for handicrafts, marble goods, and leather shoes.
Overnight in the hotel.

Day 5: Agra – Taj Mahal
Early this morning, visit the Taj Mahal, the ultimate monument to love. Built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, the ornate carvings and bejewelled marble of this mausoleum are truly breathtaking. Spend the afternoon exploring Agra’s impressive Red Fort, home to Shah Jahan and many Mughal Emperors prior to and after him.
In the evening, you have an option to see a light and sound show at Agra Fort, which displays and showcases the history of Agra Fort, or you can simply rest and stay in the hotel.
Overnight in a hotel.

Day 6: Agra- Jhansi by Train and drive to Orchha
Early this morning (at 8:00 AM), take a two-and-a-half-hour (A/c) train ride across Indian terrain to Jhansi. Transfer short distance to the picturesque town of Orchha.
Located on the banks of the Betwa River, Orchha has changed little over the centuries. Although a small town today, Orchha once served as the capital of the Bundela Kings, one of the largest and powerful kingdoms in central India, and as a result, Orchha has more temples and palaces than any town of this size deserves. Crumbling temples and palaces are scattered across the rural countryside, their spires and domes rising from the jungle. Orchha means ‘Hidden’, and it is indeed a hidden gem. Visit Orchha Fort Palace Complex, Raja Ram Temple, and Cenotaph, and tour the local village.
Overnight in the hotel.

Day 7: Orchha- Khajuraho
With our private vehicle, drive across rural India to Khajuraho, which is around 180 km/4 hours away. Far from any major cities, Khajuraho’s remote location saved its stunning 1,000-year-old temples, infamous for their explicit carvings depicting the entire Kama Sutra. Although remote and very quiet today, in the tenth century, Khajuraho was the center of the thriving civilization of the Chandelas.  This magnificent group of temples (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) was built between the ninth and tenth centuries. The erotic stone carvings here have come to symbolize the important role of love and prana energy in Hindu thought.  Only about 20 temples survive from the 85 that were originally built, but they are among the finest in India.  This afternoon, we will visit the eastern and western temple complexes. In the evening, there are optional activities such as the Sound & Light Show held near the Western temple or see the famous Kandariya classical dance performance in a Theater.
Overnight in a hotel.

Day 8: Khajuraho- Flight to Varanasi
In the morning, visit the Southern group of temples and take a quick flight to Varanasi, the holiest of Hindu cities. Meet and transfer to the hotel.
Known as Benares or Kashi in ancient India, Varanasi is one of the oldest cities in the world, with a written history dating back more than 4,000 years. It has an intense, almost palpable atmosphere of spiritual devotion, a feeling of an unending religious festival. Hundreds of temples propitiate the thousands of deities in the Hindu pantheon. Pilgrims from every part of this vast nation crowd the narrow streets and the riverside ghats. Towards the evening, transfer to the bathing ghats located alongside the sacred River Ganges. People flock in large numbers every day to bathe and worship in the temples built beside the riverbank. Feel the timelessness of Varanasi as the sun sets and as the temple priests perform aarti, the sacred light ceremony, on the banks of Mother Ganga. After the puja ceremony is complete, transfer back to the hotel.
Overnight in the hotel.

Day 9: Varanasi
 At sunrise, we board our small boat for a cruise on the Ganges. From our boat, we can see the everyday life of this holy city. People arrive at the ghats at dawn to take a ritual dip, perform yoga asanas, religious rites, wash clothes, and offer flowers and incense to the river. After disembarking, walk with your guide to visit the local temple before returning to the hotel for breakfast.
After breakfast, we drive to the nearby ancient Buddhist learning center of Sarnath. Here, Gautama Buddha preached his first sermon to his first disciples. Visit some of the Buddhist temples and the Sarnath Museum (except on Fridays, when the museum is closed), which houses some of the great treasures of Indian Buddhist art. We may be able to visit a local silk-weaving workshop.
Return to Varanasi, where we plan on visiting Banaras Hindu University, Bharat Mata temple, and if time is still available, we will walk through crowded alleyways and browse its markets.
Overnight in a hotel.

Day 10: Flight Varanasi – Delhi or extend to Bhutan or Nepal
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Delhi. Connect your international flight, OR you can opt for an extension tour to Nepal and fly to Kathmandu.

Nepal Extension via Lumbini

Day 10: Drive from Varanasi to Lumbini (6- 7hrs), crossing into Nepal

Day 11 & 12: Lumbini to Chitwan: Drive to Chitwan and spend two nights in Chitwan National Park

Day 13 & 14: Travel to Pokhara (5- 6hrs) and spend two nights in Pokhara

Day 15 & 16: Drive to Kathmandu (5- 6hrs) and spend two nights in Kathmandu

Day 17: Departure from Kathmandu and or extend to Bhutan

Bhutan Extension

Day 10: Fly or train from Varanasi to Kolkata

Day 11: Fly to Bhutan, travel to Thimphu

Day 12: Thimphu

Day 13: Thimphu to Haa Valley

Day 14: Haa to Paro valley

Day 15 & 16: In Paro valley with one day for a hike to the famous Takstang Monastery.

Day 17: Departure