12 Days 11 Nights Classic India Tour

Tour Overview

Tour Highlights

• Explore Old & New Delhi, the pink palaces of Jaipur, and the Mughal treasures of Agra.
• Behold Shah Jahan’s marble masterpiece in soft early morning light.
• Visit the hilltop Gwalior Fort, the medieval riverside palaces of Orchha, and the UNESCO-listed Khajuraho Temple Complex.
• Witness the evening Ganga Aarti and embark on an early morning sunrise boat ride on the River Ganges.
• Discover the historic deer park where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon.

Tour Information

Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arrival in Delhi & Hotel Transfer

   Arrive at Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) in Delhi. Meet your private tour representative and transfer to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day relaxing or exploring the local surroundings at your own pace.

2. Day 2: Full-Day Sightseeing Tour of Old & New Delhi

   After breakfast, meet your guide to explore Old Delhi. Visit Jama Masjid, take a rickshaw ride through Chandni Chowk, and drive past the Red Fort. In the afternoon, head to New Delhi to visit Qutub Minar, Humayun’s Tomb, India Gate, and drive past Rashtrapati Bhavan (Presidential Palace) and the Parliament House.

3. Day 3: Drive from Delhi to Jaipur (The Pink City)

   After breakfast, check out and drive roughly 4.5 to 5 hours to Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and relax. In the late afternoon, visit Birla Mandir and drive past the honeycomb facade of Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds) for photos.

4. Day 4: Full-Day Sightseeing Tour of Jaipur

   Head into the Aravalli Hills to explore Amber Fort. Walk through royal courtyards and the mirror-adorned Sheesh Mahal. Stop at Jal Mahal (Water Palace) for photos. In the afternoon, explore the City Palace complex and the neighboring UNESCO World Heritage observatory, Jantar Mantar.

5. Day 5: Drive from Jaipur to Agra via Fatehpur Sikri

   Depart Jaipur for Agra. En route, stop at Fatehpur Sikri, Emperor Akbar's abandoned 16th-century red sandstone capital. Explore the grand Buland Darwaza, Jama Masjid, and the marble Tomb of Sheikh Salim Chishti. Continue to Agra, check into your hotel, and spend the evening at leisure.

6. Day 6: Taj Mahal Sunrise, Agra Fort & Drive to Gwalior

   Rise early for a sunrise tour of the Taj Mahal. Watch the early morning light illuminate the ivory-white marble mausoleum. Return to the hotel for breakfast, then visit Agra Fort, the historic seat of the Mughal Dynasty. In the afternoon, drive 2 hours south to the royal city of Gwalior. Check into your hotel.

7. Day 7: Gwalior Fort Sightseeing & Drive to Orchha

   After breakfast, tour Gwalior Fort, perched atop a sandstone hill. Visit the 15th-century Man Singh Palace, the rock-cut Jain Tirthankara statues, and the opulent Jai Vilas Palace Museum. In the afternoon, drive 3 hours to the medieval town of Orchha, located on the banks of the Betwa River. Check into your hotel.

8. Day 8: Orchha Monuments & Drive to Khajuraho

   Explore Orchha's palace complex, including Jahangir Mahal, Raj Mahal, and the unique Ram Raja Temple. Walk along the riverbank to view the royal cenotaphs (Chhatris). In the afternoon, drive 3.5 hours east across the Bundelkhand countryside to Khajuraho. Check into your hotel for an overnight stay.

9. Day 9: Khajuraho Temple Complex & Flight to Varanasi

   After breakfast, explore the famous UNESCO World Heritage Khajuraho Temples. Tour the Western Group of Temples, including the Kandariya Mahadev Temple, renowned for its fine Nagara architecture and expressive stone carvings. Visit the Eastern Group of Temples (Jain Temples). In the afternoon, transfer to Khajuraho Airport for a flight to Varanasi. Upon arrival in Varanasi, check into your hotel and attend the evening Ganga Aarti ceremony at Dashashwamedh Ghat.

10. Day 10: Sunrise Boat Ride, Varanasi City Tour & Sarnath Excursion

    At dawn, take a boat ride along the River Ganges to watch the morning rituals, prayers, and sunrise across the ghats. Return to the hotel for breakfast. Visit Kashi Vishwanath Temple (corridor area) and Banaras Hindu University. In the afternoon, take a 10 km excursion to Sarnath, where Lord Buddha preached his first sermon after attaining enlightenment. Visit the Dhamek Stupa and the Sarnath Archaeological Museum.

11. Day 11: Free Time in Varanasi & Fly Back to Delhi

    Enjoy a relaxed morning exploring the narrow heritage lanes of Varanasi, known for Banarasi silk weaving and local sweets. After checking out, transfer to Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport (VNS) for a 1.5-hour domestic flight back to Delhi. Arrive in Delhi, transfer to your hotel, and spend your final evening shopping or relaxing.

12. Day 12: Departure from Delhi

    Enjoy breakfast at your hotel. Depending on your international flight timing, enjoy optional last-minute souvenir shopping or city exploration before your chauffeur transfers you to Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) for your departure home.

What’s Included