Classical India with Bandhavgarh

Day 1 - Delhi

A representative will meet you on arrival hall at Delhi airport after you clear all immigration and custom formalities. They will be assist you and transfer you to your hotel where you will check in for your stay. India’s capital and a major gateway to the country, contemporary Delhi is a bustling metropolis, which successfully combines in its folds - the ancient with the modern. Take an orientation tour of New Delhi with English speaking guide.

Meals included - None

Day 2 - Delhi - Agra

A Customer Service Executive will pick you up around 0715 hrs, you will be assisted & transferred in your private car to Delhi railway station to connect train to Agra Once a small village on the banks of the Yamuna, it was transformed by two great Mughal monarchs, Akbar and his grandson Shah Jehan into the second capital of the Mughal Empire – Dar-ul-Khilafat, or ‘seat of the Emperor’ in the 16th & 17th century. Arrive Agra and you will meet with a representative outside your train coach who will assist you meeting your guide and then directly proceed for the Agra city tour. Visit of Agra Fort, which was originally started by Emperor Akbar in 1565, but his son, Jahangir, and grandson, Shah Jahan, later made valuable additions to it. Post visit, drive to hotel for check-in. In the afternoon, visit Itmad-ud-Daula, also known as the Baby Taj. This tomb was built in 1622 for Ghiyas Beg, father of Empress Noor-Jahan, the wife of Emperor Jahangir. It is beautifully conceived in white marble, mosaic and lattice and set a precedent as the first Mughal building to be faced with white marble inlaid with contrasting stones. Sometimes also called ‘Baby Taj’, it is small, intimate and has a gentle serenity. Evening at leisure

Meals Included - Breakfast

Day 3 - Agra - Varanasi

In the early morning, proceed for the sunrise visit of the Taj Mahal (Closed on All Fridays) with your guide. On the inner walls, jewel-like stones create beautiful designs in white marble. The Mughals perfected the art of embedding semi-precious stones into marble and the Taj is the finest example of this special process called pietra dura. It begins with a marble plate, varying in size. Then jewels are sliced paper thin and embedded in the marble with such precision that the joints are invisible to the naked eye.

Later come back to hotel for breakfast. You will be transferred to Agra airport to board your flight to Varanasi (6E7945 12:10/13:50) Arrive Varanasi airport and our customer service executive will meet you in arrival hall. He will be assisting you and transfer you to your hotel where you will check in for your stay. Varanasi, the oldest living city in the world, is one of the seven sacred cities of the Hindus. More than a million pilgrims visit each year. This evening proceed for boat ride to witness an illuminated aarti ceremony performed at Dasahwamedh Ghat. The boat will be halted right at the steps for the best view. The presiding priests stand on a wooden Chauki in the water. To the chant of Sanskrit mantras and the clash of cymbals and drums, the river is worshipped with flowers, incense, sandalwood, milk and vermilion. First the blazing camphor lamp and then the many flamed aarti lamps are raised high and then arched back to the water, the dark river reflecting the golden flames as Ganges accepts the worship. It is the Ganges that gives Varanasi its spiritual resonance.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 4 - Varanasi

In the morning take a boat ride on River Ganges to view the sunrise. Observe the Hindu way of life along the banks of the River Ganges (Ghats). Watch people come down to river in the early morning, taking a bath in the mother Ganga, performing rituals, worshiping the Sun is a unique experience. Later come back to hotel for breakfast. Proceed for tour of Varanasi including the visit of the Bharat Mata temple with its big marble relief map of India, the Durga temple and the modern marble Tulsi Manas Temple whose walls are engraved with scenes and verses from the Ramcharitmanas, the Hindi version of the Ramayana. See the New Viswanath Temple, one of the tallest in India (non-Hindus are not allowed inside the temple). Also visit the Benares Hindu University and its museum and the mosque of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. Afternoon, take an excursion to Sarnath. Buddha, the great sage, after attaining enlightenment (Buddha-hood) at Bodh Gaya came to Sarnath and delivered his first sermon. It is one of the four key sites on the Buddhist circuit along with Bodhgaya, Kushinagar and Lumbini in Nepal and attracts followers from around the world, especially on Budha Purnima (Buddha's birthday), when Buddha's life, death and enlightenment are celebrated.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 5 - Varanasi - Khajuraho

Morning is at leisure.  You will be transferred to Varanasi airport to board your flight to Khajuraho (AI406 12:10/13:20) Arrive Khajuraho airport and a customer service executive will meet you in the arrival hall. They will be assisting you and transfer you to your hotel where you will check in for your stay.  Khajuraho, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, combines history, architecture, culture and environment with gorgeous charm. The city has the Vindhya Range of mountains as its beautiful backdrop. The striking temples that dot Khajuraho are believed to have been built by the mighty Chandela rulers in the 9th and 10th century AD. The engravings on these temples are highly sensual and erotic, that depicts in graceful forms intimate scenes of the whole range of human emotions and relationships. These sculptures congeal in stone is a lyrical pattern to love and passion and reflect the Chandela dynasty’s immense appreciation for art.  Later proceed for half day city tour of Khajuraho which concentrates on the famous erotic temples, representing some of the finest examples of temple architecture in Northern India.  The Western complex of the Khajuraho group of temples houses the most important temples in Khajuraho. Kandariya Mahadeo it is the largest temple which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The height of the temple is 31 meters. The depictions of gods and goddesses on the main shrine are very popular. Chaunsat Yogini Temple is the popular granite temple which is dedicated to Goddess Kali. Lakshamana Temple is dedicated to the trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva. Vishwanath Temple has enshrined the three headed image of Brahma. 

Meals Included – Breakfast

Day 6 - Khajuraho - Bandhavgarh

This morning transfer in private car to Bandhavgarh. Upon arrival at Bandhavgarh National Park, check in at your lodge for 2 nights stay. Former hunting preserve of the Maharaja of Rewa, Bandhavgarh National Park is known for the Royal Bengal Tigers. The density of the Tiger population at Bandhavgarh is the highest known in India. The park contains 37 species of mammals, more than 250 species of birds, about 80 species of butterflies and a number of reptiles. Among the carnivores, Tigers, Asiatic jackals, foxes, sloth bears, ratels, gray mongoose, striped hyenas, jungle cats and leopards are found here. Deer, monkeys, Wild boars, Nilgai, Chinkara and Gaur, are also found here. There is also a fort here believed to be 2,000 years old and scattered cave shrines. Rest of the day is at leisure.

Meals Included - Breakfast and Dinner

Day 7 - Bandhavgarh

Enjoy a morning safari by jeep on Exclusive basis in Bandhavgarh National Park which boasts a fantastic wildlife. The duration of the safari is around 03 hours and accompanied by an experienced naturalist. Lunch at Lodge Later proceed for afternoon safari by jeep on Exclusive basis. The duration of the safari is around 03 hours and accompanied by an experienced naturalist.

Meals included - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8 - Bandhavgarh – Delhi

The morning provides another opportunity to search for wildlife as you take an exclusive jeep safari. Post safari return to lodge for wash & change. Lunch will be served at Lodge.  Later you will be transferred in private car to Jabalpur airport to board flight to Delhi (AI 9618  18:45/20:45 Upon arrival in Delhi, check-in at the hotel.

Meals Included – Breakfast & Lunch

Day 9 - Delhi

Today your tour concludes. A representative will meet you at the hotel’s lobby and will provide you with an assisted departure transfer to the airport to board your onward flight.