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.
Starting in the culturally rich cauldron of Delhi, we move to Lucknow, site of the famous siege of 1857. We then travel to the Ganges in Varanasi (or Benares), one of the oldest living cities in the world. We then take a short flight to Khajuraho which has awe-inspiring temples from as far back as the 10th century. Afterwards, we visit the little known town of Orchha and explore the banks of the Betwa, before admiring the imposing fort of Gwalior with its striking blue enamelled inlay work. The beauty of the Taj then awaits us in Agra, before we complete the tour in the colourful city of Jaipur - aptly called the Pink City after the colour of the buildings in the old city. Throughout this journey, we’ll stay in accommodation that help us take in the spirit of the land, or alternatively we can use comfortable hotels with first class facilities and a tried and tested service.
Recommended Itinerary
Day 1 - Flight
Fly to Delhi
Days 2 & 3 - Delhi
Arrive into Delhi, transfer to Haveli Hauz Khas; visit Lutuen's New Delhi with its 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.
Days 4 & 5 - Lucknow
A short flight to Lucknow, the City of Nawabs; stay at 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.
Days 6 & 7 - Varanasi
Take a morning train to Varanasi, and stay two nights at Taj Gateway or Madin Hotel; 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.
Day 8 - Khajuraho
A short flight to Khajuraho, transfer to the Radisson; visit the celebrated Chandela temples and enjoy a son et lumiere show in the evening.
Day 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; stay at the comfortable Orchha Palace.
Day 10 - Gwalior
Visit the serene sights of Orchha before the short drive to Gwalior, taking in the famous Fort of Jhansi en route; stay at the beautifully restored royal residence of Usha Kiran Palace.
Days 11 & 12 - Agra
The imposing Gwalior Fort invites a visit in the morning along with the Scindia Museum; later drive to Agra and stay two nights with a local family (or at the ITC Mughal/Trident); 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 13, 14, & 15 - Jaipur
A morning visit to the deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri; then a short drive to Bharatpur to ride a rickshaw through the world heritage bird sanctuary. Drive on to Jaipur for three nights at a charming haveli; visit Jaipur sights, including Amber Fort, which we could possibly climb on elephant back.
Day 16 - Return Flight
Fly back home
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