India(River Ganges & Khajuraho) 13 Day

*Must see attractions: Taj Mahal, River Ganges, Khajuraho and Sarnath
*Arrange two domestic flights in India:  Delhi／Varanasi，Varanasi／Khajuraho to save long haul bus drive
*Provide experienced and professional tour guide with in-depth introduction of India
*Varanasi: The largest city along River Ganges, tour the most sacred river to Hindus
*Sarnath: One of holy places for Buddhist and the site that Buddha gave his first teaching after attaining enlightenment
*Khajuraho: Their temples are famous for Nagara style architecture and erotic sculptures
*Agra: The most recognizable city of Mughal Empire. To Taj Mahal & beautiful red sandstone Agra Fort
*Jaipur: The largest city of Rajasthan in northern India. Major attractions: City Palace Complex, Amber Fort, Wind Palace and Birla Temple
*Delhi: Visit Humayun’s Tomb, Qutb Minar, India Gate & Raj Ghat
*Cruise along River Ganges, the most sacred river in India with stunning sunset view
*A unique experience by riding elephant up to Amber Fort for spectacular view, then travel down by jeep
*New Delhi: The capital of India. A modern city mixed with British influence.  India Gate is the memorial landmark of Indian soldiers who died in World War I

Taj Mahal ～UNESCO World Heritage Site 1983
Agra Fort ～ UNESCO World Heritage Site 1983
Humayun’s Tomb ～UNESCO World Heritage Site 1993
Qutb Minar ～UNESCO World Heritage Site 1993
Khajuraho ～ UNESCO World Heritage Site 1986 

★ Entrance Fee & Transportation included

Today, we will take overnight flight to Delhi, the capital of India, arrive the next day.

Upon arrival, transfer to hotel & check-in.

Hotel: ITC Welcome, Dwarka or similar

After breakfast, city tour will follow: Raj Ghat–the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi. Continue to Red Fort, constructed by the Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan and served as the residence of the Mughal Emperors. Then to Jama Masjid, the great mosque of Old Delhi. Afternoon, to Qutb Minar (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Humayun’s Tomb (UNESCO World Heritage Site).

Breakfast / American  buffet at hotel       Lunch / Local cuisine         Dinner / Local cuisine
Hotel: ITC Welcome, Dwarka Hotel or similar

After breakfast, transfer to airport for flight to Varanasi—since the 6th century BC, Varanasi has been the destination for pilgrims who seek blessing and purification in the river’s holy waters. Shortly after arrival, sightseeing tour will follow: To ★Sarnath, where Buddha gave his first sermon. We will visit Sarnath Museum, then to ★Mulgandha Kuti Vihar, a new temple and well known for its murals.

Breakfast / American  buffet at hotel       Lunch  & Dinner / Western cuisine at hotel
Hotel: Taj Ganges Hotel or similar

Early morning, transfer to the sacred ★River Ganges for morning boat ride to see the cremation Ghats and witness the living traditions of Hindu religion. Continue to Golden Temple and old city.  Return to hotel for breakfast, shortly after breakfast, transfer to airport for flight to ★Khajuraho–an archaeological site known for its sculptured temples dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu, and Jain patriarchs. Out of 85 original temples, only 20 are well preserved.  The engravings on these temples are sensual and erotic, depicting graceful intimate scenes of the human emotions and relationships.

Breakfast / American  buffet at hotel       Lunch & Dinner / Western cuisine at hotel
Hotel: Radisson Jass or similar

After breakfast, transfer to historic Orchha, a beautiful medieval town was once the capital of Bundela Kings. City tour will follow. After lunch, ★board train (about 2 & half hours) from Jhansi Railway station and travel to Agra.

Breakfast / American  buffet at hotel       Lunch / Local cuisine        Dinner / Western cuisine at hotel
Hotel: Jaypee Palace or similar

Early morning, we will visit world famous ★Taj Mahal–one of the most graceful and extravagant monuments in India. A symbol of endless love and devotion of Emperor Shan Jehan to his beloved queen Mumtaz Mahal. Return to hotel for breakfast, shortly after breakfast, to ★Agra Fort, built by Emperor Akbar and beautified with palaces and gardens by Jehangir. It was here that Shahjahan died after seven years of imprisonment.  Later, visit ★marble store to see marble inlay work.  Continue to ★Sikandra, we will visit the Tomb of Akbar the Great, built between 1605-1613. The buildings are constructed from red sandstone with white marble.  Later, a brief stop at ★cashmere wool store.

Breakfast / American  buffet at hotel       Lunch & Dinner / Western cuisine at hotel
Hotel: Jaypee Palace or similar

After breakfast, transfer to the Pink City – Jaipur via Abhaneri. Abhaneri is a village about 95km from Jaipur.  We will visit Chand Baori Step Well, a unique way to reserve rainwater during harvest season. Then to Harsh Mata Temple, dedicated to the goddess Harshat Mata and is regarded as the goddess of

Joy & Happiness.  Afternoon, upon arrival in Jaipur, city tour will follow: ★City Palace, ★the Museum and  Wind Palace, its unique five-story exterior with 953 small windows. The original intention was to allow royal ladies to observe everyday life in the street below without being seen.  Continue to Birla Temple, built entirely of white marble.  Later to ★carpet factory to experience weaving art and Sari-Indian’s traditional clothing.

Breakfast / American  buffet at hotel       Lunch / Local cuisine     Dinner / Western cuisine at hotel
Hotel: Radisson Blu or similar

After breakfast, we will ★ride an elephant to ★Amber Fort located high on the hill. It was built in 1592 by Raja Man Singh. Visit the Mirror Palace, famous of its inlaid panels and mirrored ceiling. Then we will travel down by ★jeep, a brief photo stop at Water Palace– used to be royal family retreat in the summer. Later, depart for Delhi en route to ★jewelry store for a short stop.

Breakfast / American  buffet at hotel       Lunch / Western cuisine at hotel       Dinner / Local cuisine
Hotel: ITC Welcome, Dwarka or similar

After breakfast, city tour will follow: to India Gate, Presidential Palace, the Parliament & ★Gandhi Memorial Museum. The museum has many collections of relics, journals, photos related to Gandhi (If museum were closed, we will tour Raj Ghat). After dinner, transfer to airport for homebound flight to US and ends this unforgettable journey.

Breakfast / American  buffet at hotel       Lunch / Local cuisine         Dinner / Local cuisine

This morning, depart for your next destination Dubai. Upon arrival, transfer to hotel & check-in.

Meals: Breakfast/American  Breakfast                           Dinner/Western Cuisine at hotel
Hotel:  Asiana Hotel Dubai or Similar

After breakfast, depart for Abu Dhabi, the capital of UAE. Upon arrival, city tour will follow: along Ethihad Square featuring the giant coffee pot and Frankincense burner, Telecommunications building. We will visit ★Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, then to ★Emirates Palace Hotel for lunch. Shortly after return to Dubai. We will have dinner at ★Burj Al Arab; a luxury hotel stands on an artificial island as the sail of a ship, designed by architect Tom Wright of Atkins.

Meal: Buffet Breakfast  at hotel      Lunch/ Buffet at Emirates Palace Hotel        Dinner/ Buffet  at Burj Al Arab
Hotel: Asiana Hotel Dubai or Similar

Early morning, transfer to airport for homebound flight to US and ends this unforgettable journey.

Meal: Buffet Breakfast  at hotel