AGRA-GWALIOR-ORCHHA-KHAJURAHO-VARANASI-DELHI

Day 01 : Agra - Gwalior - Orchha
  Early morning visit the Taj Mahal at dawn, the guests will board the 'decorated tongas' (horse carriage) which will take them to Taj Mahal… Little needs to be said about this architectural wonder which is always the soul raison-de-ere for every tourist's visit to Agra. Built by Shah Jahan, the Taj is a white marble memorial to his beautiful wife Mumtaz Mahal. This monument took 22 years to be completed and was designed and planned by Persian architect Ustad Isa. Apart from it's stunning design balance and perfect symmetry, the Taj is also noted particularly for its elegant domes, intricately carved screens and some of the best inlay work ever seen.

India's greatest poet Rabindra Nath Tagore described Taj in these evocative words -
Though emeralds, rubies, pearls are all
But as the glitter of a rainbow
Tricking out empty air
And must pass away
Yet still one solitary tear
Would hang on the cheek of time
In the form of this
White and gleaming Taj Mahal

Transfer to the Railway Station for train to Gwalior for a full day sightseeing tour.

Leave : Agra (by Shatabdi Express at 0820 hrs.)
Arrive : Gwalior

Upon arrival at Gwalior Railway Station, the guests will directly proceed for sightseeing.
Tour includes the enormous 19th century Jai Vilas Palace. This Palace is famous for its ornate chandeliers & crystal. A few of the rooms have in converted into a museum filled with the Scindia dynasty memorabilia.
After the visit proceed to the Usha Kiran Palace hotel for a lunch. This Palace was originally the Maharaja's guesthouse.
After lunch proceed to the huge Gwalior Fort - where a sun temple is believed to have been constructed within the area of the fort. Also visit Man Mandir which is a six-towered palace & which forms the eastern wall of the fort. The fort has monuments dating back to 8th century AD onwards & is one of the largest forts in India.
Gujri Mahal, a turreted palace of stone now houses the archaeological museum. Gwalior also offers the Tomb of Muhammad Ghaus, a saint worshipped by the Mughals & the Tomb of the famous musician Tansen.
Thereafter continue drive to Orchha.

Orchha overlooked by the modern era, this beautiful medieval town, was once the capital of Bundela kings. Built along the banks of the river Betwa, flowing through a rugged century side, it still retains the captivating air of the bygone era.
Upon arrival in Orchha - check-in at the hotel.
Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 02 : Orchha - Khajuraho
  Morning tour of Orchha - walk by the century old temples and forts, each with its own poignant history, and rest amidst the beauty of the ruins. Amongst the various imposing edifices, of particular interest are the Jehangiri Mahal, built by Raja Bir Singh Deo to commemorate the visit of Moghul Emperor Jehangir, The Raj Mahal and the Laxmi Narayan temple, both noted for their fine frescoes and mural paintings.
Lunch at the hotel. Afternoon drive to Khajuraho.

Khajuraho - ancient centre of the Chandela Dynasty. Khajuraho flourished from 950 to 1050 AD and is spectacular feat of architecture carved with the roughest of tools. Each temple has a large number of spires in ascending order representing man's aspirations towards spiritual goals. They are famous tourist draw because they have the most sublime, sensuous and erotic sculptures and are romantically situated miles from anywhere in the dry and hot plains of Madhya Pradesh.
Upon arrival in Khajuraho - check-in at the hotel.
Overnight at hotel

Day 03 : Khajuraho - Varanasi
  Morning visit the temples.
Visit the Eastern group of temples which consists of 3 Hindu and 3 Jain temples, their proximity attests to the religious tolerance of the times in general and of the Chandela rulers in particular.
Also visit the most important and fascinating western group of temples. The temples of Khajuraho have been declared a 'world heritage' site by UNESCO in order to preserve the rich legacy of architecture, bequeathed to future generations by the Kings of the Chandela dynasty. These temples are famous for their intricate sculptures and erotic carvings that are one of the outstanding achievements of Indian art.
Late afternoon transfer to airport for Khajuraho/Varanasi flight.
Upon arrival proceed for city tour of Varanasi. Walk through the myriad of narrow lanes in the old city, past the many ancient temples, shrines and little shops crammed with customers looking for the famous silver & gold brocades for weddings or even for cremation cloth. The most famous temple is the Kashi Vishvanath or Golden temple which, though off-limits to non-Hindus, can be seen from the top floor of the old house opposite it.
After sightseeing check in at hotel.
Overnight at hotel.

Day 04 : Varanasi
  Early morning drive to Daswamedh Ghat and take a boat ride on the sacred river Ganges to see the cremation Ghats and witness the living traditions of one of the world's oldest and most important religions.
Return to hotel for breakfast.
After breakfast, visit Sarnath - 5 miles out of Varanasi - one of the holiest Buddhist sites in the world, where Buddha preached his first Sermon in 590 B.C. Here you will witness the ruins of a once flourishing Buddhist monastery and then visit a fine Museum which houses an excellent collection of Buddhist art and sculptures found at the site.
Transfer to the airport for Varanasi/Delhi flight.
Upon arrival at Delhi airport, the guests will be transferred to hotel where rooms will be available for wash or change. Dinner at the hotel. Later transfer to airport for flight back home.

Day 05 : Delhi - Abroad
  Depart Delhi.