Day-by-day itinerary

• Day

  01

  Delhi

  Welcome!

  Upon arrival in India, you are met by your Born Free Safaris host at the airport and then escorted by private car to your hotel. In all locations, you will be escorted to the airport, picked up and taken to the hotel (and vice versa).
  
  Delhi, India’s capital and political hub, is an ancient city that has grown in a way that reflects its past, while retaining its cosmopolitan flavor. It is a city of extreme contrasts, where an elephant can be seen on the road next to an Italian sports car and colonial mansions stand next to squatter slums.
• Day

  02

  Delhi

  Your guide will pick you up at the hotel around 10 a.m. for a full day's tour of Delhi.
  
  Start your day touring Old Delhi and visit Asia’s largest mosque known as Jama Masjid. This is a vibrant area of colorful shops, bustling people going with their daily chores, and delicious street food. Visit the streets of Old Delhi by pedicab/rickshaw.
  
  Your guide will take you through winding lanes recounting tales, anecdotes and legends of a Delhi that goes back thousands of years. On to the age old silver market, through quaint streets selling incredible wares. Drive past Red Fort to visit the city’s largest Sikh Temple, Bangla Sahib Gurudwara.
  
  After lunch, cross over into New Delhi where you can see Rashtrapati Bhawan, built in the early 20th century as the Imperial residence of the Viceroy, today the official residence of the President of India and Parliament House. Visit Humayun's Tomb, the first Mughal garden tomb, with its four grand gateways. Finally, visit Qutub Minar, which looms majestically across the wide plains of Delhi.

  Breakfast / Lunch
• Day

  03

  Varanasi

  Off to the airport for your flight to Varanasi. On arrival, you will be greeted and transferred to your hotel.
  
  Varanasi is one of the oldest cities on earth and the religious capital of Hinduism. Also known as Kashi and Benares, it is situated on the north bank of the Ganges. It is one of the oldest living cities of the world with a history dating back to about 3500 hundred years.
  
  This evening proceed to the Ganges to witness Aarti (prayer) ceremony. Join a boat ride on the river where you can watch masses come to the Ghats to offer prayers and float tiny oil lamps on the river.

  Breakfast
• Day

  04

  Varanasi

  Kashi Vishwanath - Sarnath

  Start early this morning with a boat ride on the Ganges river and a visit to Kashi Vishwanath temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple has earned the name "Golden Temple" due to the one ton of gold plating on its spire. Return to your hotel for brunch.
  
  In the afternoon, embark on an excursion to Sarnath Museum. This is where it is said that Buddha chose to deliver his first sermon.

  Breakfast / Lunch
• Day

  05

  Khajuraho

  Morning at leisure. Then it's off to the airport around 10 a.m. to Khajuraho.
  
  Khajuraho oozes with passion, eroticism, dance and music, depicted in sculpture and images of the temples. The 9th to 12th century temples of Khajuraho are evidence of the architectural geniuses during the times of Chandela dynasty. The 85 temples were built in North Indian 'Nagara' style of architecture, though only 20 of them have survived the rough weather conditions over so many years.
  
  This afternoon, you will visit the Khajuraho temples to witness the magnificent architecture. Visit the Kanderiya Mahadeo Temple, which is also an UNESCO world heritage site, to see the intricate carving and beautiful bas relief sculpturing that these temples are famous for.

  Breakfast
• Day

  06

  Jhansi - Orchha - Agra

  After breakfast, it's about a 4 hour drive to Jhansi. This is an interesting drive through villages and green terrains. Stop in Orchha en-route.
  
  Orchha, founded in the 16th century by the Bundela king, Rudra Pratap, lies on the banks of the Betwa River. It is a medieval city frozen in time. The countryside undulates gently between plains and rolling hills. The landscape is dotted with palaces and temples, a fortress and cenotaphs.
  In Orchha, visit the Jehangir Mahal and the Raja Mahal monument.
  
  Then you are taken to the Jhansi railway station for your journey to Agra, where you are met by your local guide and host.
  
  The city of Agra is the quintessence of the grand Mughal era. It reigns to this day in the public mind as the embodiment of royal grace, imposing architecture and power. Agra is globally renowned as the city of the Taj Mahal. But this royal Mughal city has many monuments that epitomize the high point of Mughal architecture.
  
  No tour to India can be complete without paying a visit to this erstwhile capital of the Mughals and the city of the Taj Mahal, one of the world's most beloved monuments. With its laidback lifestyle and its immense wealth of architecture, handicrafts and jewelry, Agra is among the most remarkable cities of the world.

  Breakfast / Lunch
• Day

  07

  Taj Mahal

  Agra Fort

  Experience an early morning sunrise tour of Taj Mahal.
  
  Referred to as one of the wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal is the epitome of tourism in India and is celebrated for its architectural magnificence and aesthetic beauty.
  
  A symphony in white marble, a tribute to eternal love, it was built by the Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. There are tombs of Mumtaz and Shahjahan within the mausoleum. Done in white marble, it took 22 years and over 20,000 workers and craftsmen to complete this rhapsody in stone (1630-52 AD). The main structure is set amidst landscaped gardens. While on three sides it is surrounded by high walls, the rear is bound by the river Yamuna.
  
  In the afternoon, take a tour of Agra Fort, another outstanding example of Mughal architecture and the seat and the stronghold of the Mughal Empire under successive generations. The present structure owes its origins to Akbar, who erected the walls and gates and the first buildings on the eastern banks of Yamuna River. Shah Jehan added the impressive quarters and the mosque, while Aurangzeb added the outer ramparts. Visit its Hall of Public Audience and its Royal Pavilions.
  
  End the day with a return visit to the Taj Mahal to witness the sunset.

  Breakfast / Dinner
• Day

  08

  Jaipur

  Fatehpur Sikri

  Today will be the longest day's drive (5-6 hours). There is a lot to see!
  
  On the way to Jaipur, you'll stop at Fatehpur Sikri. Built by Mughal emperor Akbar in 1571 in honor of the Sufi saint, Sheikh Salim Chisti, Fatehpur Sikri was the Mughal capital for 14 years, after which it was abandoned due to paucity of water. It is made of red sandstone and combines influences from both Hindu and Mughal architecture.
  
  Even to this day, the entrance to the fort is through the road that Akbar built, which leads to the Buland Darwaza. Other inspiring monuments in Fatehpur Sikri are the Hiran Minar - built by Akbar in memory of his favorite elephant; the Tomb of Sheikh Salim Chishti, Birbal's House and the Diwan-i-Khas.
  
  Continue the drive to Jaipur, where you will check in to your hotel. Jaipur is an essential stop on any tour of Rajasthan. The old walled section of the city is known as the Pink City. It was painted red (a lucky color in Hindu culture) to welcome England’s Prince Alfred in 1853, and the fading old buildings retain their hue.
  
  Founded in 1727, Jaipur is one of India’s newer cities. It was the creation of Jai Singh II, the Maharaja of the Kuchwaha Rajputs, who decided when Mogul power was on the decline to move from his outmoded hillside fortress at Amber to establish a new capital on the plains further south.

  Breakfast / Lunch
• Day

  09

  Jaipur - Amer

  Amer lies about 9 miles north of Jaipur, and was the capital for 6 centuries before Jaipur was built. Rising majestically on the slopes of a hill, this 11th century fort and palace complex is a blend of Hindu and Muslim styles. The earlier constructions in the inner apartments designed by the Hindu founder are austere, while later constructions abound in the rich flourishes characteristic of Muslim influence.
  
  Experience the thrill of riding up to the fort on gaily decorated elephants, in the manner the Rajputs of old made their royal ascent centuries ago.
  
  In the afternoon, explore Jaipur - one of the best-planned cities in India. The City Palace stands in the center of the city. Part of it is still the Maharaja's residence, while most of the complex has been developed into a museum containing rare manuscripts, fine specimens of Rajput and Mughal paintings, royal apparel and an armoury. Jantar Mantar or Observatory was built by the founder of Jaipur, Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh. The huge stone instruments were devised to study the movements of the sun, moon and planets and are incredibly accurate.
  
  Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds) is the landmark of Jaipur. Built of pink sandstone with a delicate honeycomb design and rising five stories high, it is composed of semi-octagonal overhanging windows, each with its perforated screen, which allowed the ladies of the court to look onto the main street without being seen.
  
  There is time to wander through the colorful bazaars and perhaps watch ancient craft forms. In tiny ateliers you can see the age-old tie-dye methods of cloth printing, miniature paintings on cotton or silk, statues hand-carved in wood or bone, fine metalwork and the renowned blue pottery of Jaipur.
  
  We've arranged for a special family invitational dinner. If you wish, you can join in the preparation of the meal and a cooking demonstration.

  Breakfast / Dinner
• Day

  10

  Udaipur

  After breakfast, you are transferred to the airport for a one hour morning flight to Udaipur.
  
  Udaipur was founded in 1568 as the capital of the old Mewar state. It was the only Rajput stronghold to uphold its Hindu allegiance in the face of Muslim invasion. From the late 16th century, peace brought about an era of renaissance in the arts and encouraged the building of beautiful palaces around the lake which culminated in the City Palace, one of the largest palace complexes in the world. It's undoubtedly the most romantic city in Rajasthan.

  Breakfast
• Day

  11

  Udaipur

  Sightseeing of Udaipur city includes a visit to the City Palace which stands on the crest of a ridge overlooking Lake Pichola. The largest palace in Rajasthan, it was built at various periods but still preserves the harmony of design, enhanced by massive octagonal towers surmounted by cupolas. Now a museum, it is a labyrinth of courtyards richly decorated with inlaid mirror-work, galleries covered with frescos, temples and roof gardens which afford a wide panorama below.
  
  The Jagdish Temple in the old town was built in the mid-17th century and has a remarkable bronze statue of Garuda, the mythical bird, facing his revered master Lord Vishnu. The shops and craftsmen's ateliers in the narrow streets of the bazaar justify endless walks. Sahelion-ki-Bari (Garden of the Maidens) is a good example of the Hindu art of landscape gardening on a princely scale. Ornamental pools with finely sculptured cenotaphs of soft black stone are surrounded by a profusion of fountains.
  
  In the evening take a boat ride on Lake Pichola. The steel blue waters of the lake, artificially created in the 14th century, reflect the white phantom Jag Nivas Palace, now the Lake Palace hotel which was built in 1746 as the summer residence of the rulers. Huge seamless stone slabs of translucent thinness where used. The rooms were embellished with inlaid stones - onyx, jade, carnelian, jasper and agate.

  Breakfast
• Day

  12

  Onward Journey

  Udaipur - Delhi

  Your Extraordinary India journey draws to a close with transfers to the airport for your onward flight.