India - Golden Triangle with Khajuraho Visit (by train)

The art of love in ancient India, the Kama Sutra, asserts that sensual satisfaction will bring about the liberation of the soul much faster than its prohibition. In 1838, when a British army engineer named Bart discovered the ancient temples abandoned in the jungle, he called them "marvelous" in a letter. Fortunately for future generations, even the idea of ancient frivolous sculptures threatened the puritan morality of Great Britain. Therefore, the Khajuraho temples remained hidden from the eyes of the general public for a long time, preserving their beauty almost intact to this day.

The "Golden Triangle" tour program extends by visiting the town of Orchha, with its unique medieval atmosphere, and by exploring the Khajuraho temple complex - a UNESCO World Heritage site, known for its stone-carved illustrations of the "Kamasutra" treatise.

 

Guaranteed Tour to India + Visa to India as a gift

 

Visited attractions:

• Delhi: India Gate, Presidential Palace, Lotus Temple (exterior), Qutub Minar, Akshardham Temple.
• Samode: Samode Palace, Palace Garden, Camel Cart Ride.
• Jaipur: Amber Fort, Elephant Ride to the Fort, City Palace, Birla Temple, Observatory (Jantar Mantar), and Hawa Mahal.
• Agra: Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Itmad-ud-Daulah's Tomb, Akbar's Mausoleum (Sikandra), Abaneri (Stepwell), Temple of Goddess Happiness (Harshita Mata), and Fatehpur Sikri.
• Orchha: Jahangir Palace, Raj Mahal, and Rama Raja Temple.
• Khajuraho: Chandel-era Temple Complex (Kamasutra Temples).

 

Program:

 

Day 1: Saturday. Flight to Delhi (International/ Domestic flight).

Arrival in Delhi with a regular flight of an international airline. After arrival formalities and baggage collection at Indira Gandhi Airport (Terminal 3), meet our representative. A traditional Indian welcome "Swagat" awaits you with a flower garland. After the welcome, transfer and check-in at the hotel. A short rest.

Note: Hotel is confirmed from 12:00 noon on Saturday, and the tour program starts on Sunday.

 

Day 2: Sunday. Delhi.

At 09:00, after breakfast, city tour in Delhi. Delhi - the capital of modern India. Many dynasties and rulers flourished on its royal soil over the last three thousand years. Their legacy still lives on in many monuments, from the Lodi kings' mausoleum of the 13th century to the British Empire buildings such as Parliament or the Presidential Palace. The program includes visits to India Gate, the Presidential Palace and government buildings (exterior), Lotus Temple (exterior), and Akshardham Temple, as well as Qutub Minar. The Lotus Temple (closed every Monday) is one of the most astonishing temples in India. Built in the shape of a lotus flower, it is the largest and most beautiful Bahai temple, serving as a symbol for the followers of this faith worldwide. Another place of worship is Qutub Minar, a 72-meter minaret built in the 12th-14th centuries, adorned with Arabic calligraphy and symbolizing Muslim dominance in Delhi. Next, we will visit Akshardham - one of the grandest Hindu temples in the world, included in the Guinness Book of World Records. The palace's height is 42 meters, width and length are 94 and 106 meters. It is adorned with 234 columns, 9 magnificent domes, 20 square turrets, and over 20,000 statues. Around the building are placed 148 figures of elephants. The outer part of the temple is covered with pink stone, symbolizing love, while the inner part is covered with white marble, as a sign of purity and the Absolute. In fact, it is not just a temple but an entire complex with a light fountain, sculptures, and channels that can be navigated by boats. Night and dinner at the hotel in Delhi.

 

Day 3: Monday. Delhi - Samode - Jaipur (260 km - 6 hours)

In the morning, after breakfast, we depart to Samode, located 40 km from Jaipur. Samode is known for its palace, which has inherited the aristocratic heritage of the Raval family. The palace is over 400 years old but has undergone several restorations. On the ground floor is the hall called Sultan Mahal - a hall with marble columns, ceramic tiles, and carved furniture, once brought from Nepal. We will explore the halls, see the Mirror Hall, and the Durbar Hall - entering a bygone era, in a tangle of time.

Above the palace, on a hill, is Samode Fort. The passage of time has not been too kind to it, but the panorama around, which opens from the fort walls, surpasses many other historical places. Then, we will ride camels and walk through dunes. The journey will end in Samode Garden, 3 km away from the palace. Many efforts and resources have been spent to restore this garden.

After the tour, departure to Jaipur, the capital of the Rajasthan state. Jaipur, the legendary "Pink City," the capital of Rajasthan. Maharaja Jai Singh II built it yellow, but in the mid-19th century, in honor of the visit of the English prince Albert, all the buildings were painted pink - the traditional color of hospitality. Jaipur will offer you many pleasant moments if you stroll along its pink stone streets, touch the brilliance in the development of silk sarees, pass through courtyards past narrow doors decorated with swastikas, bringing prosperity and luck to Indian homes. Night and dinner at the hotel in Jaipur.

 

Day 4: Tuesday. Jaipur.

Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning - a trip to Amber Fort. Amber Fort is located 11 km north of Jaipur. There, on the Aravalli hills, once stood the ancient capital of the state of Jaipur. The construction of the wonderful fort-palace was started in 1592 by Maharaja Man Singh. The fort is a grand complex of palaces, pavilions, gardens, and temples. Above all rises the palace-fortress in honey shades. You will feel the magic of bygone times, riding on the backs of elephants to the top of the fort. Along the way, your ears will be delighted by musicians. From the terraces of the Maharajah, you will have an amazing view of the narrow gorge. In the second part of the day, a city tour with a visit to Jantar Mantar Observatory, a magnificent construction built by Maharaja Jai Singh in 1728, where the world's largest sundials are located, and the City Palace, in whose museums you can see beautiful collections of Mughal costumes, weapons, and miniature paintings. A panoramic visit to Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds). It is a five-story pink stone building, decorated with columns and balconies, built-in 1799. The charming relief of the palace, with thousands of latticed windows on the carved facade, is considered the symbol of Jaipur.

Jaipur is renowned for textiles and is also the main jewelry area of India, not coincidentally hosting the annual international exhibition of gemstones and jewelry. You will be able to appreciate the refinement of local jewelry by visiting

a jewelry workshop. You will also visit a textile factory, where you will be amazed by the magical art of Indian printing on textiles. Women can try authentic Indian saris, while men can try traditional Indian clothing - kurta.

In the evening, in Jaipur, we will visit Birla Temple. The Lakshmi-Narayana Temple, also known as Birla Mandir, is a modern architectural marvel. The magnificent temple is located at the foot of Moti Dungri hill in Jaipur. Built entirely of high-quality white marble, the temple is surrounded by sculpted statues of gods. It is dedicated to the goddess Lakshmi and the god Narayana. The three main domes of the temple represent a clear presentation of secular India, illustrating the different approaches of the nation's different religions. The temple houses several beautifully crafted statues of Ganesha and other Hindu gods. Along with statues of the gods, you can also find statues of great thinkers and philosophers, such as Buddha and Socrates. Night and dinner at the hotel in Jaipur.

 

Day 5. Wednesday. Jaipur - Galta Ji - Abhaneri - Fatehpur Sikri - Agra (250 km - 6 hours)

After an early breakfast, we depart from the hotel. The final destination of today's journey is the city of Agra. But the first stop is at the Galta Ji temple complex, also known as the Monkey Temple, located 10 km away from Jaipur. It is remarkable for its unusual architecture, sacred springs, and a whole population of monkeys. The temple complex consists of a main temple and a sun temple, as well as a series of sacred pools where pilgrims from all over India gather. Galta Ji is indeed a kingdom of monkeys, who feel like true masters here.

In Abhaneri, you will discover Chand Baori, a stepwell built in the 7th century. The appearance of Chand Baori is amazing - such stepwells were only built in India, so similar architecture can only be seen here. Chand Baori is also the deepest stepwell of its kind. This amazing structure, composed of thousands of steps descending towards the water, is hard to believe it's just a well, meant to provide water to the people. You will also see the Harshat Mata Temple (Goddess of Happiness) with medieval Indian architecture and reach the "ghost town" Fatehpur Sikri. Fatehpur Sikri is a city built in a deserted red sandstone location by Emperor Akbar, only a reminder of a grand past. It was the short-lived capital of the Mughal Empire, after which residents abandoned it due to a lack of water. Perhaps due to this circumstance, today we can see it in all its beauty. Arrival in Agra and check-in at the hotel, dinner at the Agra hotel.

 

Day 6. Thursday. Agra.

After breakfast, we begin the tour of the magnificent city of Agra, the capital of the Mughal Empire. Agra continues to attract beauty lovers from around the world, offering the opportunity to marvel at the unique Taj Mahal. The Taj Mahal was built by the great Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz. Twenty thousand craftsmen built the palace over 22 years. Thousands of elephants brought white marble for construction. Traders from Tibet, Persia, and Russia supplied precious stones for decoration. The floral ornamentation of jasper, agate, malachite, opal, and obsidian, intricately woven into the symmetry of the immaculate palace, creates a sense of lightness and weightlessness. Then, we will visit the Agra Fort, built as a military fortress in 1565 by Emperor Akbar. Here, Shah Jahan spent the last years of his life, remaining a prisoner of his son, gazing from his window at the white Taj Mahal. The large walls of the fort conceal magnificent architectural masterpieces created by Indian and Muslim craftsmen. In the second part of the day, we will visit another magnificent example of Mughal architecture - the tomb of Emperor Akbar in Sikandra. Then, we will visit Itimad-ud-Daula - a small and graceful tomb in a park, built by Emperor Jahangir's daughter, Nur Jahan, for her father. Construction began in 1622 and lasted six years. The tomb combines white marble, colored mosaic, stone inlays, and latticework. Stylistically, it is the most innovative construction of the Mughal period, combining monumental structures of Akbar's era with the refined buildings of Shah Jahan's times (Taj Mahal). After an intensive tour program, you will visit a marble processing workshop, where furniture and souvenirs are created from marble inlaid with semiprecious stones. This is a unique opportunity to see the work of craftsmen whose skills are passed down from generation to generation. Return to the hotel. Night and dinner at the Agra hotel.

OPTIONAL: Agra Theater Show

"Mohabbat de Taj" is a beautiful love saga. The performance tells the legendary love story of the royal couple, lively costumes, captivating music, and dances, and the largest replica of the Taj Mahal in the world appears on stage. The show narrates the love story of Emperor Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal, as well as the history of the construction of the Taj Mahal. A Russian audio translation is included in the price. Duration of the show - 80 minutes.

Price: 65 EUR per person (Gold category tickets)

 

Day 7. Friday. Agra - (Shatabdi Express train, 08:02/10:43) - Jhansi - Khajuraho (166 km / 5 hours), via Orchha.

After breakfast, at 07:00, transfer to the railway station for the Shatabdi Express train to Jhansi. Upon arrival, you will be greeted at the station and depart for Khajuraho via Orchha, located 16 km from Jhansi. In Orchha, the medieval atmosphere of the former capital of one of the largest and most powerful kingdoms in Central India awaits you. The city was founded in the 16th century by the ruler of the Bundela dynasty, Rudra Pratap Singh. Numerous temples, monuments, and palaces scattered throughout the city and its surroundings testify to the legendary past of this city, seeming to be frozen in time. Here, you will visit the Jahangir Palace, Raj Mahal, and the Rama Raja Temple. Then, transfer to Khajuraho and to the hotel. Night and dinner at the hotel.

 

Day 8. Saturday. Khajuraho.

After an early breakfast, we will begin the visit to the Khajuraho temple, built between 950 and 1050 AD by the powerful rulers of the Chandela dynasty. The temples are famous for their magnificent sculptures, illustrating scenes from the famous treatise on love, the "Kamasutra." Only 22 temples out of the 85 built have survived. Religious services are still held in the Matangeshwara Temple, following a tradition that has been maintained for thousands of years. The second half of the day is free; optional excursions are possible. Night and dinner at the Khajuraho hotel.

OPTIONAL: Museum of Tribes and Artifacts Adinath Khajuraho.

In a stylized village called Adinath, on an area of 3.5 acres, there are 12 traditional houses of seven tribal communities - Bhil, Gond, Baiga, Korwa, Sahariya, Bharaiya, and Kol, representing the culture, art, and daily life of people from five regions of the state: Bundelkhand, Nimar, Malwa, Baghelkhand, and Chamba. The museum exhibition includes tribal antiques, folk paintings, jewelry, masks, terracotta figurines, metal and bamboo products. Here is gathered a small but interesting collection of paintings, sculptures, and artworks from different tribal groups in Madhya Pradesh. The museum also offers the sale of original paintings and engravings.

Price: 35 EUR per person (including entrance tickets)

 

Day 9. Sunday. Khajuraho - Jhansi 166 km / 4 hours. Jhansi - Delhi (Shatabdi Express train, 18:40 - 23:30).

In the morning, you have free time. You can visit the hotel's Ayurvedic center or choose one of the optional excursions.

OPTIONAL: Tiger Safari in Panna National Park

Duration from 05:00 to 10:00 in the morning.

Panna National Park in the state of Madhya Pradesh covers an area of ​​542 square kilometers and is considered the country's 22nd reserve open to tourists. The main gates, called Madla, are 25 km (40 minutes) from your Khajuraho hotel.

In 2007, the Tourism Department of India recognized it as the best-planned park. Although it lost its tigers in 2009 due to poaching, the efforts of zoologists have led to the recovery of the population, numbering about 80 individuals. Today, in the park, you can see deer, wild boars, monkeys, bears, and even leopards, as well as, perhaps, the king of animals - the tiger. The Ken River flows through the park, and on the rocky islands, both species of Indian crocodiles live - the mugger and the long-snouted gharial.

Price: 140 EUR per person (including entrance tickets)

Later, around 12:00, you will be transferred to Jhansi railway station, from where you will travel by train to Delhi. Upon arrival, you will be welcomed at the station and transferred to the international airport for your flight. (Accommodation at the hotel is not provided).

 

Day 10. Monday. Departure from Delhi (International flight)

The price is per person in a double room.
Single room price - 1335 €. Between 18.05.2024 - 28.09.2024 - 1255 €.
Extra bed - 919 €. Between 18.05.2024 - 28.09.2024 - 696 €.

 

Additional night accommodation in Delhi (option):

• Single room - 90 €.
• Double / twin room - 95 €.
• Extra bed - 25 €.
• Additional dinner at the hotel - 18 €.
• Additional transfer - 35 € per car for a maximum of 2 people / 45 € per car for a maximum of 4 people.

Additional fee for Christmas dinner on 24.12.2023: 90 euros per person

Additional fee for New Year's Eve dinner on 31.12.2023: 115 euros per person

 

Included in the price:

• 8 nights accommodation.
• 8 breakfasts and 6 dinners
• Air-conditioned transport on the route
• Russian-speaking guide.
• Elephant ride in Jaipur
• Train journey from Agra to Jhansi in an air-conditioned car
• Train journey from Jhansi to Delhi in an air-conditioned car
• Entrance tickets to architectural monuments.
• All taxes and fees
• Group transfer on arrival from Saturday 12:00 to 07:00 Sunday morning. If the client arrives at a different time, then it is necessary to book an individual transfer.
  • Group transfer on the day of the end of the excursion to the airport or to a hotel near the airport (if the client has purchased one more night of accommodation in Delhi).

 

Not included in the price:

• Airfare. We will choose the most convenient and advantageous option.
• Personal expenses.
• Transportation on non-program days
• Tip for the guide and driver
• Medical insurance

 ***The visa for India is offered as a gift.

Estimated hotels for the program:

• Delhi - Golden Tulip Suites or similar
• Jaipur - Rudra Vilas / Park Ocean / Zone by Park or similar
• Agra - Royal Regent / Howard Fern or similar
• Khajuraho - Clarks / Golden Tulip or similar

The company reserves the right to change hotels according to their compliance with standards, in case the rooms in the specified hotels are occupied. The standard check-in time at hotels is 13:00, and the check-out time is 12:00. The transfer time is indicative and may vary depending on traffic.