Highlights of India with Varanasi Summer 2019 - CostSaver

Day 1: Arrive Delhi (3 Nights)

Welcome to India! Upon arrival at Delhi International Airport, transfer to your hotel. This evening meet your Travel Director and fellow guests for a welcome briefing and dinner.

Day 2: Delhi Sightseeing

This morning visit Old Delhi, which was once the capital of the Mughal Empire with its stunning masterpieces of architecture. See the Red Fort which served as the residence of the emperors for 200 years. Later visit the Jama Mosque, another example of magnificent Mughal architecture and also one of the largest mosques in India. Hop onto a rickshaw to explore Old Delhi and get a closer look at the locals going about their daily business. Afterwards continue to New Delhi by coach and drive past several government buildings before arriving at Humayun's Fort for a visit. Later return to the hotel to spend an evening at leisure.

Day 3: Delhi

Today discover Delhi at your own pace or perhaps choose to join an optional Old Delhi Food Tour followed by a visit to Qutub Minar.

Day 4: Delhi - Jaipur (2 Nights)

After breakfast travel on to Jaipur, the capital of the state of Rajasthan. On arrival check-in to your hotel and spend the remainder of the day at leisure or perhaps venture out and explore the local market.

Day 5: Jaipur Sightseeing

Choose to make an early start with our Optional Experience and observe a typical morning for many Hindus which includes temple prayers and the daily shop. Return to the hotel for breakfast and rejoin your fellow travellers for a visit to the Amber Fort, which was once the residence of Rajput rulers and now a UNESCO World Heritage site. After visiting this architectural wonder, make a brief stop at the Palace of Winds, built to enable ladies of the royal household to watch city life without being seen from outside. Spend the afternoon at leisure or perhaps join an optional heritage walking tour. Dinner this evening is at a local restaurant.

Day 6: Jaipur - Ranthambore (2 Nights)

Today wave goodbye to Jaipur and continue on to the Ranthambore National Park. On arrival check-in to your hotel and after lunch, join a game drive in this wildlife reserve which was once a hunting ground of the 'Maharajas'. The park is famous for its tigers and due to conservation efforts; the tiger population has stabilized if not increased here. The tigers can be spotted quite often even during the day as well as other wildlife including wild boar, deer, hyenas, monkeys, leopards and around 300 species of birds, Later this evening dinner is at the hotel.

Day 7: Ranthambore Sightseeing

Start the day with an early morning park visit followed by breakfast at the hotel. Enjoy a relaxing morning at leisure and after lunch venture out into the park for a final visit. Aside from the wildlife there are also many ruins of bygone eras scattered around as well as the majestic 1000 year old Ranthambore Fort located on top of a hill overlooking the park. Later return to the hotel for dinner.

Day 8: Ranthambore - Agra

After breakfast at the hotel continue your Indian adventure with a journey to Agra by road. Make a stop en route for lunch at a local restaurant in Bharathpur and on arrival in Agra check-in to your hotel . Spend the afternoon at leisure or consider taking an optional trip to the Agra Fort. This evening perhaps join our optional dinner as a farewell to your fellow travellers some of who might be extending their trip on to Varanasi the following day.

Day 9: Agra - Delhi - Varanasi (2 Nights)

Make an early start this morning with a visit to the Taj Mahal at sunrise when its white marble exterior reflects rose and golden tints. It is located on the banks of the River Yamuna and was built by Mughal Emperor in 1632 in memory of his beloved queen. Return to the hotel for breakfast and afterwards transfer to Delhi International Airport for your flight to Varanasi. On arrival check-in to your hotel.

Day 10: Varanasi Sightseeing

This morning take an early scenic boat cruise on the holy River Ganges at sunrise. See the city slowly coming to life along the ghats and observe the locals bathing in the holy water. Return to the hotel for breakfast and afterwards depart for your city sightseeing with visits to the courtyards of the Bharat Mata Temple, the Durga Temple and the Vishwanath Temple. Later drive through Benaras Hindu University before returning to the hotel. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure and at dusk make a final visit to the River Ganges to witness an Aarti ceremony taking place on the ghats. It is an uplifting spiritual ritual that uses fire as an offering to the Goddess Ganga in the form of a small diya with a candle and flowers that are floated down the river, a truly magical experience.

Day 11: Varanasi - Delhi

Today is yours to relax or explore further. This afternoon perhaps take an optional trip to Sarnath, one of the four holy Buddhist sites sanctioned by Buddha himself for pilgrimage. Later transfer to the airport for your evening flight to Delhi.

Day 12: Depart Delhi

Transfer to Delhi International Airport for your onward flight.