Grand North India Heritage Tour

Welcome to Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi. Our representative will receive you and transfer you by air-conditioned vehicle to your pre-booked hotel. After check-in, all tour-related documents and itinerary details will be explained. In the evening, visit the historic Red Fort to experience the spectacular Light & Sound Show, which narrates over five centuries of Delhi's rich history through dramatic storytelling, music and visual effects. Return to the hotel for an overnight stay.

After breakfast, explore the highlights of Old and New Delhi. Visit the magnificent Red Fort, the grand Jama Masjid, one of India's largest mosques, and Raj Ghat, the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi. Continue through New Delhi to view the Rashtrapati Bhavan (President's House), India Gate, the Laxmi Narayan Temple (Birla Mandir), Humayun's Tomb, the Lotus Temple, Qutub Minar and the ISKCON Temple. In the evening, you may enjoy an optional cycle rickshaw ride through the bustling lanes of Chandni Chowk. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, check out and transfer to the airport to board your flight to Varanasi, one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities and Hinduism's holiest pilgrimage destination. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel before proceeding to Sarnath, where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon after attaining enlightenment. Visit the Dhamek Stupa, the historic remains of the Dharmarajika Stupa, the Ashoka Pillar and the Sarnath Archaeological Museum, housing an exceptional collection of Buddhist sculptures and relics. Return to Varanasi for an overnight stay.

Early morning, enjoy a sunrise boat ride on the River Ganga, witnessing pilgrims performing rituals along the historic ghats. After breakfast, visit the revered Kashi Vishwanath Temple, one of the twelve sacred Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, followed by Bharat Mata Temple, Durga Temple, Tulsi Manas Mandir, Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple and the renowned Banaras Hindu University. In the evening, witness the spectacular Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat, where priests perform an elaborate ritual with lamps, conch shells and Vedic chants along the sacred River Ganga. Return to the hotel for an overnight stay.

After breakfast, check out and transfer to the airport to board your flight to Khajuraho. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel before visiting the scenic Raneh Falls, where the Ken River flows through a dramatic volcanic canyon of multicoloured granite. Continue to the Archaeological Museum, displaying sculptures from the Chandela period, before concluding the day with the spectacular Light & Sound Show, which narrates the history of the Chandela dynasty and the creation of the famous Khajuraho temples. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, explore the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Khajuraho Group of Monuments, celebrated for their intricate sandstone carvings depicting mythology, daily life and artistic traditions of the Chandela dynasty. Visit the Western Group of Temples, including the magnificent Kandariya Mahadev Temple, Lakshmana Temple, Varaha Temple and Chausath Yogini Temple. Later, continue to the Eastern Group of Temples, comprising beautifully preserved Hindu and Jain temples, including the Parsvanath, Adinath, Shantinath, Vamana and Brahma Temple. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, check out and drive to Bandhavgarh National Park, one of India's finest tiger reserves set amidst the Vindhya Hills. Upon arrival, check in at the jungle lodge. Later, visit the Kalchuri archaeological remains, showcasing ancient temple ruins within the reserve, or explore a nearby rural village to experience local life. In the evening, enjoy a campfire and an interactive session with naturalists to learn about the park's wildlife and conservation efforts. Dinner and overnight stay at the jungle lodge.

Early morning, proceed for a jeep safari through Bandhavgarh National Park, renowned for having one of India's highest densities of Royal Bengal Tigers. Besides tigers, the park is home to leopards, sloth bears, gaur, sambar deer, chital, nilgai and more than 250 species of birds. Later, visit the historic Bandhavgarh Fort, perched atop a hill within the reserve and believed to date back over 2,000 years. Return to the jungle lodge for dinner and an overnight stay.

After breakfast, check out and drive to Jabalpur, a historic city situated on the banks of the Narmada River. Upon arrival, check in at the hotel before visiting the spectacular Dhuandhar Falls, where the Narmada plunges through a narrow marble gorge. Continue to the historic Madan Mahal Fort, followed by the famous Balanced Rock, a natural geological formation. Later, enjoy a boat ride through the magnificent Marble Rocks at Bhedaghat, where towering marble cliffs line both sides of the river. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Early morning, check out and drive to Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh and popularly known as the City of Lakes. Upon arrival, check in at the hotel before visiting Bharat Bhavan, one of India's leading centres for visual arts, theatre and literature, designed by renowned architect Charles Correa overlooking the Upper Lake. The remainder of the evening is free for leisure. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, explore the attractions of Bhopal. Visit the Laxmi Narayan Temple and Museum, Van Vihar National Park, the scenic Upper and Lower Lakes, the historic Gohar Mahal, Jama Masjid, Shaukat Mahal and the magnificent Taj-ul-Masajid, one of Asia's largest mosques. Later, drive to Sanchi, the ancient centre of Buddhist learning. Upon arrival, visit the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Great Stupa, commissioned by Emperor Ashoka, along with the Sanchi Archaeological Museum, displaying important Buddhist sculptures and relics. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, check out and drive to Orchha, a medieval town on the banks of the Betwa River renowned for its Bundela architecture. Upon arrival, check in at the hotel. In the evening, enjoy a walk along the river to admire the historic Chhatris, the royal cenotaphs of the Bundela rulers, before visiting the revered Ram Raja Temple, where Lord Rama is worshipped as a king. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, explore the magnificent Orchha Fort Complex, including the richly decorated Jahangir Mahal, Raja Mahal and other historic palaces showcasing Bundela architecture. Later, check out and drive to Gwalior. Upon arrival, check in at the hotel before visiting the magnificent Gwalior Fort, one of India's most impressive hill forts, followed by the intricately carved Sas Bahu Temples and the historic Teli Ka Mandir. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, visit the elegant Jai Vilas Palace Museum, displaying an extensive collection of royal artefacts and one of the world's largest chandeliers. Later, check out and drive to Agra. Upon arrival, check in at the hotel before visiting the elegant Itmad-ud-Daulah's Tomb, often referred to as the "Baby Taj" for its intricate marble inlay work. The evening is free to explore Agra's local markets, renowned for marble handicrafts and leather goods. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Early morning, visit the world-famous Taj Mahal, the white marble mausoleum built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of Mumtaz Mahal and recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Return to the hotel for breakfast before continuing to the imposing Agra Fort, the former Mughal imperial residence. The remainder of the afternoon is free for leisure or shopping before an overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, check out and drive to Jaipur. En route, explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Fatehpur Sikri, the former Mughal capital built by Emperor Akbar in the 16th century. Visit important monuments including the Buland Darwaza, Jama Masjid, Panch Mahal and the marble tomb of Sheikh Salim Chishti. Continue to Jaipur and check in at the hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, explore the architectural landmarks of Jaipur. Begin with an excursion to the majestic Amber Fort, where you may enjoy an optional elephant ride or jeep ride to the entrance. Continue to the elegant Jal Mahal, followed by the magnificent City Palace, the astronomical instruments of Jantar Mantar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the iconic Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds), built with 953 intricately designed windows for royal ladies to observe street life. In the evening, explore the colourful bazaars, famous for gemstones, blue pottery, block-printed textiles and traditional handicrafts. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, check out and drive to Ajmer. Visit the revered Ajmer Sharif Dargah, the shrine of the Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, attracting devotees from across the world. Continue to Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra, an early Indo-Islamic monument renowned for its intricate arches and carvings. Later, proceed to Pushkar, one of India's oldest pilgrimage towns situated beside the sacred Pushkar Lake. Visit the revered Brahma Temple, one of the few temples in the world dedicated to Lord Brahma, before checking in at the hotel for an overnight stay.

After breakfast, enjoy a walk around the sacred Pushkar Lake, surrounded by numerous bathing ghats and temples. Later, check out and drive to Jodhpur, popularly known as the Blue City. Upon arrival, check in at the hotel before exploring the bustling lanes around the historic Clock Tower and Sardar Market, well known for handicrafts, spices and traditional textiles. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, visit the imposing Mehrangarh Fort, one of India's largest hill forts, followed by the elegant marble cenotaph of Jaswant Thada. Later, drive through a traditional Bishnoi Village, where the local community is renowned for its commitment to wildlife conservation and rural craftsmanship. Continue to Bikaner, check in at the hotel and enjoy an overnight stay.

After breakfast, visit the magnificent Junagarh Fort, renowned for its richly decorated palaces and impressive architecture. Later, check out and drive to Mandawa, a historic town in Rajasthan's Shekhawati region celebrated for its beautifully painted havelis and merchant mansions. Upon arrival, check in at a heritage hotel before taking a leisurely walk through the narrow streets lined with fresco-adorned buildings. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, explore the heritage havelis of Mandawa, including the renowned Binsidhar Newatia Haveli, Gulab Rai Ladia Haveli and other beautifully painted merchant residences that have earned Shekhawati the title of India's open-air art gallery. Later, drive to Delhi and transfer to Indira Gandhi International Airport for your onward journey. Your tour concludes with unforgettable memories of India's magnificent heritage monuments, sacred pilgrimage centres, remarkable wildlife reserves and vibrant cultural traditions.