Agra's Taj Mahal, Khajuraho's carved temples, Bandhavgarh's tigers, and Varanasi's eternal ghats — India's most diverse week.
Tour Highlights
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Day by Day Itinerary
Welcome meeting at lunchtime, then a drive through New Delhi's historic monuments — Rajpath, India Gate and Humayun's Tomb. Dinner in Connaught Place.
Travel south to Gwalior by day train. The city's magnificent fort — once called 'the pearl of all fortresses in India' by Mughal Emperor Babur — rises 100 metres above the town on a sandstone cliff. The Man Singh Palace within the fort is covered in exquisite blue and yellow tilework.
Drive to Orchha — an extraordinarily well-preserved medieval town where the palaces, temples and cenotaphs of the Bundela Rajput rulers have changed little since the 17th century. The town has been left almost entirely intact, its residents continuing to live around the remarkable monuments.
A full day exploring Orchha's remarkable heritage — the Raj Mahal and Jahangir Mahal palaces, the Ram Raja Temple (the only temple in India where Lord Ram is worshipped as a king), the extraordinary painted chambers of the Rai Praveen Mahal, and the river island cenotaphs.
Morning cycling through the countryside surrounding Orchha before driving to Khajuraho, home to one of India's most famous groups of medieval Hindu and Jain temples, renowned for their exquisite erotic sculptures. Visit UNESCO World Heritage Site.
A full day with the remarkable Khajuraho temple complexes — the Western Group with its magnificent erotic carvings, the Eastern Group of Jain temples with their extraordinary interior craftsmanship, and the Archaeological Museum.
Drive or fly to Bandhavgarh, home to one of the highest concentrations of Bengal tigers in India. Afternoon wildlife briefing with our expert naturalist.
Two game drives through the remarkable Bandhavgarh National Park — morning and afternoon — with our expert naturalist in search of Bengal tigers, leopards, sloth bears, gaur and the extraordinary range of wildlife within the park's ancient forests.
Drive east to Varanasi, one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities. Arrive in time for the extraordinary evening Ganga Aarti ceremony at the Dashashwamedh Ghat — an elaborate ritual of chanting, fire and flowers performed by priests in honour of the sacred river.
Rise before dawn for a boat ride on the sacred Ganges — watching pilgrims bathe, the cremation fires burning at Manikarnika Ghat, and the extraordinary panorama of the ghats slowly emerging from the morning mist. Afternoon exploration of Varanasi's labyrinthine old city and Sarnath.
After a final breakfast the tour concludes. Flights from Varanasi airport to Delhi and beyond can be arranged.
About This Journey
An unforgettable journey heading eastwards from Delhi, across the Gangetic plains to Varanasi via ancient forts, erotic temples and one of the largest populations of Royal Bengal Tigers at Bandhavgarh National Park. This group tour covers some of India’s most extraordinary heritage — the medieval forts of Gwalior and Orchha, the erotic temple sculptures of Khajuraho, tiger tracking at Bandhavgarh, and the sacred ghats of Varanasi on the holy Ganges.
Highlights
Explore the extraordinary Gwalior Fort — one of India’s greatest medieval citadels. Visit the medieval palace town of Orchha on the Betwa River. See the famous erotic temple carvings of Khajuraho, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Track Royal Bengal tigers at Bandhavgarh National Park. Watch the sunrise from a boat on the sacred Ganges at Varanasi.
Accommodation Used On This Tour
The Claridges
The Claridges has been a veritable treasure in Lutyens Delhi since the 1950s. Refurbished, redesigned and revitalized, the hotel offers guests an experience that is new and yet so familiar. In an excellent location just a short auto ride from Khan Market and Connaught Place, this four star hotel has 132 rooms and suites designed with an elegant blend of 19th century character and contemporary style, a refreshing outdoor pool, indoor gym and relaxing spa.
Mahua Kothi Taj Safari
The first of the Taj Safari lodges, Mahua Kothi sits in 40 acres of forest at Bandhavgarh. Its twelve kutiyas (jungle village huts) are built in traditional Central Indian style with mud walls and thatched roofs, and its naturalists are among the finest in India.
BrijRama Palace
One of the oldest landmarks of Varanasi, the BrijRama Palace was built in 1812 on the Darbhanga Ghat directly above the sacred Ganges. Its rooms overlook the river and ghats, the morning boat ride begins from its own steps, and the palace's stone corridors and courtyard host evening classical music performances.
Accommodation displayed here should be taken as a guide only. Please refer to the detailed itinerary of your individual departure for more information.
Where You Stay
What's Included
Frequently Asked Questions
October to March is the most comfortable period, with clear skies and pleasant daytime temperatures across North India. December and January mornings can be cold and foggy in Delhi and Agra. April to June is very hot; July to September is the monsoon.
Yes — this route is well-established with excellent hotels and infrastructure, and our experienced guides and drivers handle every practical detail. First-time visitors consistently find it a superb introduction to India.
Private air-conditioned vehicles with experienced, dedicated drivers throughout. For longer distances we use India's excellent express trains or domestic flights where they improve the journey.
Absolutely. Duration, hotels, route and experiences can all be tailored to your preferences and budget — this itinerary is a starting point, not a fixed product. Contact us to plan your ideal trip.
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