Ganges to Gateway
(Delhi – Varanasi – Khajuraho – Agra – Jaipur – Udaipur – Aurangabad – Mumbai)
Ganges to Gateway
TRIP OVERVIEW
This journey offers an immersive exploration of North and West India’s cultural, historical, and spiritual dimensions. Beginning in the nation’s vibrant capital, the itinerary delves into layers of political legacy, architectural grandeur, and diverse urban rhythms. From there, travelers are introduced to one of the world’s oldest living spiritual traditions, where sacred rituals unfold along the banks of a revered river, offering profound insight into centuries of devotion.
The route then leads to a destination renowned for its intricate temple art and classical heritage, where spirituality and sculpture converge in breathtaking harmony. Continuing onward, travelers encounter iconic expressions of love and legacy through monumental architecture that exemplifies refined craftsmanship and imperial vision.
The itinerary then transitions into the heart of a royal region, known for its majestic forts, colorful traditions, and timeless palaces. As the journey proceeds, guests are enveloped by the elegance of lakeside serenity and the opulence of historic residences, set against a backdrop of arid beauty.
The penultimate destination showcases a unique convergence of art and antiquity, with awe-inspiring rock-cut wonders and a rich tapestry of ancient narratives. The experience concludes in a bustling coastal metropolis, where global influences and local vibrancy intertwine, offering a dynamic end to a journey steeped in heritage, grandeur, and diversity.
ABOUT THE TRIP
| Duration: | 16 Nights & 17 Days |
| Trip Cost: | $3334 per person on twin sharing |
| Trip Style: | Leisure Tour |
| Vehicle: | SUV (Toyota Crysta) |
| Location: | Northern, Central, Northwest, West-Central India |
| Activities: | Rickshaw Ride, Boat Ride, Ganga Aarti, Elephant Ride, Ajanta & Ellora Caves, Temples |
| Dates: | As per guest request (Pre & Post Tours) |
Customize This Trip
ITINERARY
DAY - 1 Delhi Arrival
Welcome to India! Arrive at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport. You are met by Travellama representative with traditional and sacred marigold flower garland. Transfer to hotel for check-in and relax.
Delhi stands as the capital of Modern India. Here you can see the mingling of the Old and New India, the ancient and the modern. Delhi has seen the rise and fall of many emperors, which has left behind a plethora of monuments that commemorate the grandeur and glory of bygone ages.
DAY - 2 Delhi City Tour – Highlights
- Capital city of India, Mughals who ruled a large part of the subcontinent for more than 350 years
- Visit Jama Mosque with embark bicycle rickshaw ride through colorful Chandni Chowk
- Raj Ghat is a simple yet deeply significant memorial in Delhi dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi
- Explore war memorial India Gate, Parliament House, President’s House & other govt. buildings.
- Visit the oldest and busiest markets in Old Delhi and then to Delhi’s famous spice market.
- Glimpse of Sikh shrine to visit stunning Gurudwara Bangla Sahib.
DAY - 3 Delhi to Varanasi (By Flight)
After breakfast depart to the Delhi airport for a direct flight to Varanasi, on arrival check in hotel and relax.
Varanasi’ – One of the seven Holy Cities and the most favored place for Hindus to attain a release from the cycle of life and rebirth. Myths and hymns speak of the waters of the Ganges River as the fluid medium of divine essence. A bath in the river is believed to wash away all of one’s sins. This is the longest inhabited city in the world as ancient as time itself
DAY - 4 Varanasi City Tour – Highlights
- Experience of Spiritual & Calmness
- City belongs to Hindu God, Lord Shiva & Goddess Ganges.
- Reveal some of its secrets with Ancient Temples
- Witness the Evening Aarti on the banks of River Gange
- Understand the meaning of Hinduism at one of the oldest living cities in the world.
- Excursion to Sarnath belong to Lord Buddha.
- Taste: Try a local chai, and if you like a freshly-fried samosa
DAY - 5 Varanasi to Khajuraho (By Flight)
After breakfast depart to the Varanasi airport for a direct flight to Khajuraho, on arrival check in hotel and relax.
Khajuraho is a famous UNESCO World Heritage. The Love temples are renowned for their stunning architecture, intricate stone carvings, and especially for the erotic sculptures that form part of the broader artistic narrative. These sculptures reflect various aspects of life, including spirituality, love, music, and daily activities and are believed to represent the integration of physical and spiritual love.
Khajuraho City Tour – Highlights
- Love temples of Khajuraho, better known as the ‘Temples of Love,’ were built during the Chandela dynasty
- Around 85 temples, but only about 20 have survived over time.
- Most famous and well-preserved Kandariya Mahadev Temple in Western Group of temples
- The Eastern Group of Temples in Khajuraho is primarily known for its Jain temples
DAY - 6 Khajuraho to Agra enroute Orchha (By Road & Train Journey)
After breakfast drive to Jhansi, enroute visit Chaturbhuj and Ram Raja Temple in Orchha, Later board train (Gatimaan Exp. (12049) @ 15.05 – 17.35 Hrs) to Agra.
Agra is a city offering a discovery of the beautiful era. Agra has a rich history, reflected in its numerous monuments dotted in and around the city. The earliest citation for Agra comes from the mythological era, where the epic Mahabharata refer Agra as ‘Agravana’ meaning paradise in Sanskrit.
DAY - 7 Agra City Tour – Highlights
- Explore Agra – Majestic Mughal City of Love and Legacy
- Taj Mahal at sunrise – the long-anticipated moment of breathtaking beauty
- Feel the beauty of Taj mahal, built by emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favorite wife
- Explore Cottage industries & Marble factories show inlay work by local artisans
- Agra Fort – A Citadel of Power and Grandeur on the banks of the holy Yamuna River
DAY - 8 Agra to Jaipur via Fatehpur Sikri (By Drive)
After breakfast depart to Jaipur by drive, on arrival check in hotel and relax.
Enroute visit Fatehpur Sikri, a city predominantly in red sand-stone, situated at a distance of 37 kms from Agra, was built by the Mughal Emperor Jalal-ud-din Mohammad Akbar, in honour of the great Sufi saint Sheikh Salim Chishti, its magnificence and uniqueness offer a fine example of the emperor’s architectural finesse
Jaipur was established in 1727 by Kachhwaha Rajput ruler Jai Singh II, who named it after himself. Jaipur is believed to be India’s first planned city in the Common Era and was developed by Vidyadhar Bhattacharya.
DAY - 9 Jaipur City Tour – Highlights
- Jaipur is the capital of Rajasthan. India’s princely state with its magnificent palaces
- City of Royal Rulers Family, also known as Pink City
- Admire the striking facade of the Hawa Mahal, called Palace of Wind
- Experience the grandeur of Amer Fort with an unforgettable elephant ride
- Enjoy the architecture of the Royal Rajput Fort & Palaces in Jaipur
- Explore shops for Rajasthani handicrafts in Jaipur’s where jewellery, fabrics, lamps, bangles, bags are world famous.
- Enjoy walking into colorful bazaar of Jaipur
DAY - 10 Jaipur to Udaipur (By Drive)
After breakfast depart to Udaipur by drive, on arrival check in hotel and relax.
Udaipur, formerly the capital of the Mewar Kingdom, is a city in the western Indian state of Rajasthan. Founded by Maharana Udai Singh II in 1559, it’s set around a series of artificial lakes and is known for its lavish royal residences. City Palace, overlooking Lake Pichola, is a monumental complex of 11 palaces, courtyards and gardens, famed for its intricate peacock mosaics.
DAY - 11 Udaipur City Tour – Highlights
- Visit the Magnificent City Palace
- Enjoy Boat Ride at Lake Pichola
- Feel the vibrant color of Lake City by walk in town street
- Visit the gentle holy temples in every crook and corner
DAY - 12 Udaipur to Aurangabad (By Flight)
After breakfast depart to Udaipur airport for connecting flight to Aurangabad, on arrival check in hotel and relax.
Aurangabad is a historic city in Maharashtra, named after the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. It is famous for the Ajanta and Ellora Caves, UNESCO World Heritage Sites known for their ancient rock-cut temples and sculptures. The city also features the Bibi Ka Maqbara, often called the “Mini Taj Mahal,” and the Daulatabad Fort. Aurangabad is known for its rich cultural heritage, traditional Paithani sarees, and serves as a major center for tourism and industry in the region.
DAY - 13 Aurangabad City Tour (Ajanta Caves) – Highlights
- The Ajanta Caves are a group of 29 rock-cut Buddhist caves dating from the 2nd century BCE to the 6th century CE.
- The caves were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.
- The caves are known for their beautiful murals, frescoes, and sculptures that depict the life of Buddha and various Jataka tales.
DAY - 14 Aurangabad City Tour (Ellora Caves) – Highlights
- Ellora Caves are a multi-religious rock-cut cave complex with inscriptions dating from the period 6th century CE onwards.
- Caves feature Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain monuments, showcasing India’s religious tolerance and diversity.
- There are 34 rock-cut caves carved between the 6th and 10th centuries CE: 12 Buddhist, 17 Hindu, and 5 Jain.
- Visit Bibi Ka Maqbara – It was constructed by Prince Azam Shah in memory of his mother Dilras Banu Begum, wife of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.
- Often called the “Mini Taj” or “Taj of the Deccan”, it resembles the Taj Mahal in design and style.
- Visit Daulatabad fort – Its strong defence system, including high walls, moats, zigzag entrances, and secret tunnels.
DAY - 15 Aurangabad – Mumbai (By Drive appx. 4.5 hrs. journey)
After breakfast depart to Mumbai by drive, on arrival check in hotel and relax.
Mumbai (formerly called Bombay) is a densely populated city on India’s west coast. A financial center, it’s India’s largest city. On the Mumbai Harbour waterfront stands the iconic Gateway of India stone arch, built by the British Raj in 1924. Offshore, nearby Elephanta Island holds ancient cave temples dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. The city’s also famous as the heart of the Bollywood film industry.
DAY - 16 Mumbai City Tour – Highlights
- Enjoy the hustle bustle of City that never sleeps – Mumbai
- Enjoy boat ride while visit Elephanta Cave
- Try City most famous Street Food known as Bada Pav and Bhelpuri
- Take a walk tour at Chowpatty Beach
DAY - 17 Mumbai Depart
After breakfast check-out and drive to Mumbai International airport to board homebound flight.
FAQ’S
What’s Included
- Handpicked accommodation – 16 nights – All day’s breakfast at the hotel.
- Delhi – Le Meridien or similar
- Varanasi – Hotel Surya, Kaiser Palace or Similar
- Khajuraho – Ramada Khajuraho or Similar
- Agra – Jaypee Palace or similar
- Jaipur – Narain Niwas or similar
- Udaipur – Lakend or similar
- Aurangabad – Welcome Hotel by ITC or similar
- Mumbai – Baba International or similar
- Private transport with personal chauffer for 17 days – airport to airport services
- 3 Domestic economy Flights (15 kg check-in luggage & 7 Kg hand baggage)
- Delhi – Varanasi (per person)
- Varanasi – Khajuraho (per person)
- Udaipur – Aurangabad (per person)
- Super-Fast Train 12049 – Gatimaan Exp. (Jhansi to Agra) – AC Chair Car
- Meals Included-:
- All day Breakfast at Hotel
- Delhi – Coffee at United Café House – Day 2
- Varanasi – Lunch at Hotel – Day 3 & City Restaurant– Day 4
- Agra – Lunch at South Indian Restaurant (DeePee) – Day 7
- Bharatpur– Lunch at Laxmi Vilas Place – Day 8
- Jaipur – Luch at City Restaurant – Day 9
- Udaipur – Cooking Session with Dinner (Day 11)
- Professional English-speaking guide services
- All government monuments entrances fees
- Delhi – Rickshaw ride, Jama Mazid, Raj Ghat, India Gate, Parliament House, Presidential Palace, and Secretariat Buildings.
- Varanasi – All temples as per itinerary & Evening Boat Ride with Aarti Ceremony & Morning Boat Ride
- Khajuraho – Love Temples
- Orchha – Chaturbhuj and Ram Raja Temple
- Agra – Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Mehtab Bagh, Fatehpur Sikri
- Jaipur – Amber Fort, City Palace, Hawa Mahal, Elephant Ride, Jantar Mantar
- Udaipur – Boat ride, City Palace, Jagdish Temple, Saheliyon ki bari
- Aurangabad – Ajanta Caves, Ellora Caves, Bibi Ka Maqbara, Daulatabad fort
- Mumbai – Gateway of India, Dhobi Ghat, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Mani Bhawan, Shree Siddhi Vinayak Temple, Elephanta Island
- Bottled mineral water & snacks for entire tour during drives.
- Current government, hotel, road, toll, and interstate taxes. GST @ 5% as of May 2024
- Rooms are subject on availability/similar as per category option chosen.
What’s not Included
- International Air tickets
- Any meals not included in the inclusions.
- Expenses of personal nature such as drinks, laundry, telephone calls, insurances.
- Camera fees, excess baggage, emergency, medical cost, tips to drivers, guides, Tour manager and hotel staff. Any services not mentioned above.
- Other important points to Know
- All inclusion & exclusion as per itinerary
- All rights reserved | Cancellations and refunds – as per company policy
Program Crafted by Travellama India
Travellama India: Office: 26 GF, Parasvnath Plaza, Fatehabad Road,,
Taj Nagari Phase 2, Agra 282001, UP – INDIA
Ph: +91 9068 444 560 | email: engage@travellamaindia.com
web: www.travellamaindia.com