The Gangetic Plain
This tour covers the heartland of India, nurtured by the Holy Ganges as it meanders from the Himalayan heights to the depths of the Bay of Bengal.
We start in the culturally rich cauldron of Delhi; the beauty of the Taj awaits us next in Agra, before we move to the Chambal ravines seeking dolphins in the Chambal River. We drive next to the imposing fort of Gwalior with its striking blue enamelled inlay work. Afterwards, we visit the little known town of Orchha on the banks of the Betwa, then move on to Khajuraho which has awe-inspiring World Heritage temples from as far back as the 10th century. with erotic carvings.
A short flight brings us to the Ganges in Varanasi (or Benares), one of the oldest living cities in the world. We drive onto to see the site of the Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj before driving to Lucknow, site of the famous siege of 1857. Throughout this journey, we use comfortable hotels with first class facilities and tried and tested service.
Recommended Itinerary
Day 1 - Flight
Fly to Delhi
Days 2 & 3 - Delhi
Arrive into Delhi, transfer the Lutuen's Bungalow or the colonial Maidens Hotel (or the luxury Imperial). Visit New Delhi with tree-lined boulevards and its World Heritage sites - Humayun's Tomb and Qutub Minar; take a rickshaw ride in the bazaars of Chandni Chowk, see the largest mosque in India, the Jama Masjid and visit the Sheesh Gunj Gurudwara.
Day 4 - Agra
Drive to Agra and stay the night with a local family (or at the ITC Mughal/Jaypee Palace); see the Taj Mahal, visit the Agra Fort where Shah Jehan, the builder of Taj Mahal, was imprisoned by his son, and see the tomb of Itamud-ud-daula, father of the powerful queen, Noor Jehan. Also see the Taj at sunset from across the Yamuna River as it turns crimson.
Days 5 & 6 - Chambal
A short drive to Chambal for a couple of nights at Mela Kothi. Enjoy a boatride on the river to see doplhines, gharials and riverine birds. You can also visit Bateshwar temples and the Holipura Village.
Day 7 - Gwalior
A short drive to Gwalior; stay at the beautifully restored royal residence of Usha Kiran Palace. The imposing Gwalior Fort invites a visit along with the Scindia Museum.
Days 8 & 9 - Orchha
Drive to the hamlet of Orchha, dotted with ruins of temples and palaces of the Bundela kings, scattered around the banks of the Betwa River; taking in the famous Fort of Jhansi en route. Stay at the heritage Amar Mahal.
Days 10 & 11 - Khajuraho
A short drive to Khajuraho,; stay at the Lalit; visit the celebrated Chandela temples and enjoy a son et lumiere show in the evening.
Days 12 & 13 - Varanasi
Take a midday flight to Varanasi, and stay two nights at Suryaudaya Haveli or Taj Gateway; a visit to the evening aarti at the ghats is arranged; the next morning take a boatride on the Ganges to see thousands of year-old rituals being performed in prayer and visit Sarnath, the site of Buddha's first sermon. You can walk the narrow lanes of the city to experience local life at close quarters and visit the ancient Kashi Vishwanath temple.
Days 14 & 15 - Prayagraj (Allahabad)
Drive to Prayagraj, which has Triveni, the confluence of the Ganga and Yamuna with the mythical Sarawati river. Stay in a farm outside in Planters Bungalow. Visit Khusro Bagh, Anand Bhawan and take a boat ride in a country boat at Sangam.
Days 16, 17 & 18 - Lucknow
A short drive to Lucknow, the City of Nawabs; stay at the Clarks Avadh or the elegant Vivanta by Taj. The sights visited include the Residency, the Imambaras, and La Martinere; one can savour Avadh delicacies in Hazratgunj and buy some Zardosi in Aminabad.
Day 19 - Delhi
A short flight to Delhi in the afternoon for overnight stay close to the airport.
Day 20 - Return Flight
Fly back home
Extension - the perfumes of Kannauj
Drive to nearby Kannauj from Lucknow and stay two nights at the elegant Anand Bhawan. Spend a day seeing the making of "attar" or local perfume, for which the region is famous. Return to Lucknow for your flight to Delhi for your return flight on Day 22.
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