Arrival at New Delhi Airport – the starting point of your fascinating North Indian tour... Upon arrival, proceed for check-in to your hotel at ‘New Delhi’ – the legendary state capital of India. Take own time to settle down in the new environs. Subject to time, go for sightseeing New Delhi’s nearby attractions. Overnight stay at the hotel in New Delhi.

A day dedicated to Delhi sightseeing... Visit some of Delhi’s precious landmarks, such as, the mighty ‘Red Fort’ (a masterpiece of the Mughal architecture), ‘Juma Masjid’ (the largest Mosque in India), ‘Rajghat’ (Memorial of ‘Mahatma Gandhi’, regarded as the ‘Father of India’), ‘India Gate’ (a war memorial raised in honour of the Indian soldiers)… from India Gate you can view the grand ‘Parliament House’ (headquarters of Indian democratic system).

Continue your sightseeing with Delhi’s other time tested famed monuments like; the ‘Humayun's Tomb’ (the Mausoleum of Mughal Emperor Humayun - a trendsetter of Indo Islamic architectural style that reached its peak at Taj Mahal), the ‘Qutub Minar’ (world's tallest brick minaret - the first monument built after the Islamic conquest of Delhi), ‘Jantar Mantar’ (an 18th century masonry observatory), ‘Lakshmi Narayan Temple’ (an epitome of modern Indian temple architecture), etc. After your Delhi-stint, come back to hotel and stay overnight.

Today check out from your hotel at Delhi and proceed to Mandawa - a town in Rajasthan known for its proud fort and havelis (mansions). After reaching the destination, set out for sightseeing ‘Mandawa’ - the town often referred as an ‘open art gallery’ due to the presence of numerous charming havelis (mansions). Visit Mandawa’s notable havelis, namely, ‘Gulab Rai Haveli’, ‘Bansidhar Newatia Haveli’, ‘Shekawati’ ... Then, visit another major monument - the ‘Mandawa Fort’. After getting an insight into the Rajasthani culture; return to your hotel at Mandawa for overnight stay.

Say good-bye to Mandawa and travel to Jaipur (Rajasthan’s royal capital). On reaching Jaipur, after a short relax, set out for sightseeing. Visit the elegant mansion, ‘City Palace’ – an eye catching fusion of Rajputana and Mughal Architecture. Next, visit the ‘Jantar Mantar’ – the largest Stone Astronomical Observatory in the World! Then proceed to view a classic testimony of the Rajputana architecture, the ‘Hawa Mahal’ (meaning ‘Palace of Winds’) – a pyramid shaped facade with five stories & decorated with hundreds of pink sandstone windows. Afterwards, take a tour to ‘the Monkey Temple’ (an ancient shrine occupied by thousands of monkeys) – where you can feed the ‘special’ inmates. Overnight stay at Jaipur.

This morning see a prime landmark of Jaipur - the ‘Amber Fort’ (former capital of Rajput Kings) - an imposing Fort city atop steeply hills. On the top of this majestic fort, you will be greeted with a spellbinding view of surrounding mountains and the Maotha Lake below. Inside the fortress, explore the beauty of the Mugal-Hindu architectural combination in several spots like, the ‘Ganesh Pol’, ‘Maharaja Palace’, ‘Diwan-i-Am’ & ‘Diwan-E-Khas', ‘Jai Mandir’, ‘Sheesh Mahal’ - a hall, full of tiny inlaid mirrors, and the adjoining ‘Shila Devi Temple’. For descending the steeply hills from Amber Fort, you can opt for an exciting Elephant ride.

Later depart Jaipur for ‘Fatehpur Sikri’ (once-capital of the Mugal Kingdom, which was abandoned later).At Fatehpur Sikri, you can ‘virtually’ travel back to a bygone era, by sightseeing plentiful monuments and red sandstone palaces - all still well preserved.

Soon, an hour’s drive from Fatehpur Sikri brings you to ‘Agra’ - an ancient city plus erstwhile capital of the Mughals. At Agra, have a heartening ‘Sunset view’ of the ‘Taj Mahal’, the finest specimen of Mughal architecture. As the day ends, check in to your hotel at Agra for overnight stay.

Warm yourself up with Agra sightseeing today… Visit ‘Tomb of Itimad-ud-Daula’ - better known as ‘Baby Taj’ as its design foreshadows the great Taj Mahal. Then visit the splendid ‘Agra Fort’ - a massively walled palatial city - look alike of the celebrated ‘Red Fort’ at Delhi. Later proceed to see the finest specimen of Mughal architecture - ‘Taj Mahal’ - the monument which spread India’s name throughout the world. After the main entrance, a walk thru the lovely gardens brings to near the white marbled mausoleum. Watch how the surface is decorated with floral patterns & artistic calligraphy. Feast your eyes with this marvel of a monument – even now, only few could match it in terms of beauty & architectural brilliance. As the day ends get back to your hotel at Agra… stay overnight.

(Taj Mahal will be closed on Fridays for the public, except for those who go for afternoon prayers in the mosque next to the monument).

Time for more exposure with bygone times… Depart Agra and proceed to ‘Orchha’ (an erstwhile power centre during the Princely States’ era). Enjoy this peaceful abode, free from maddening crowd, with a variety ancient temples and tombs. Visit Orchha’s most striking landmark - the ‘Palace-Fort’ and its constituent buildings, such as, ‘Raj Mandir’ and ‘Jahangir Mahal’.

Next, proceed for ‘Khajuraho’ - site of priceless monuments. Upon reaching; check in to the hotel. Overnight stay at Khajuraho.

An eye-feast of a totally different kind awaits today… the mind boggling Temple-complex of Khajuraho. Nowhere else one can find such a large group of olden shrines, that too with amazing carvings! Roam around Khajuraho temples… you can find plentiful Hindu as well as Jain temples, enriched with artistic carvings and realistic sculptures. Some sculptures will especially catch attention, owing to their peculiar ‘poses’!

In the evening, you can opt for a ‘Light & Sound Show’ at the Temple complex - which will throw insight into the history, philosophy and the art of sculpting of these magnificent temples. Afterwards return to your hotel at Khajuraho for overnight stay.

More options to go deeper into India’s vast cultural heritage… Today, depart Khajuraho to Varanasi, by flight. India’s oldest city as well as one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world; Varanasi is much more than just a pilgrim’s spot. On arrival, check in to your hotel at Varanasi and take time to familiarize the new surroundings.

After some time, proceed to ‘Sarnath’, a holy Buddhist site located close by. Originally a deer-park-site, it was at Sarnath that the Holy Buddha delivered his first sermon (after his enlightenment). Visit the monument - ‘Dhamekh Stupa’ and the remains ancient Buddhist monasteries. If time permits, also visit ‘Sarnath Archaeological Museum’ where some finest Buddhist specimens are housed (including the famous ‘Asok Pillar’). At nightfall return to your hotel at Varanasi… stay overnight.

This day is exclusively for getting to know Varanasi… Also known as ‘Banaras’, this has been the cultural & religious hub of North India for several thousand years. Here you can see that almost every road-crossing has a nearby Temple - thus the legendary nickname, ‘City of Temples’!

Varanasi’s holistic ambience is further enriched by the River Ganges - the holiest and largest river in India. In Hinduism, it is worshipped as ‘Goddess Ganga’, and since pre-historic times many provincial / imperial capitals were located on its banks. In fact a dip in the holy river Ganges is believed to wash away all the sins! Take an optional boat ride thru Ganges to learn more about Varanasi’s specialties… Catch glimpses of multitudes of devotees purifying themselves in the holy waters and, watch the burning ghats - where cremations are conducted. After a soul-searching expedition, get back to your hotel at Varanasi for overnight stay.

The final day of your North Indian tour… After your ‘discovery of India in a nutshell’ at Varanasi, depart from the holy city to Delhi by flight - tour concludes.