Essence of India

Day 1: Delhi
Upon arrival in Delhi, our representative will be waiting for you at the airport to welcome you to the capital of India! After your welcome, you will be taken to your hotel for check-in and a possible time to refresh. After refreshing head out for Delhi sightseeing. Drive past the Rashtrapati Bhavan (the residence of President of India) and India Gate. Then visit Akshardham Temple or Swaminarayan Akshardham, the complex displays millennia of traditional Hindu and Indian culture, spirituality, and architecture. In the evening you will head back to your hotel for relaxation and you can go for dinner in the hotel or in the city with your guide. Overnight at Maidens Hotel.

Day 2: Delhi
After an early breakfast, we will start with a guided tour of Old and New Delhi. After breakfast, set out for Delhi sightseeing, including the Humayun Tomb and Qutub Minar. Then visit Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, one of the most prominent Sikh temples, or Sikh house of worship, in Delhi, India and known for its association with the eighth Sikh Guru, Guru Har Krishan, as well as the pool inside its complex, known as the "Sarovar." Then visit Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India. Afterward, visit Raj Ghat, the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial. In the evening visit Chandni Chowk – one of the oldest and busiest markets in Old Delhi. In the evening we will head back to Maidens Hotel for overnight.

Day 3: Delhi - Amritsar
After breakfast, we will check out from the hotel and be taken to Delhi airport for our flight to Amritsar.  Founded in 1577 by the fourth Sikh guru, Ram Das, Amritsar is home to Sikhism’s holiest shrine, the spectacular Golden Temple, one of India’s most serene and humbling sights. Our representative will pick you from the airport and take you to your hotel for check-in and a short refreshing break. After our break, we will head out and start sightseeing with a visit to the famous Golden Temple. Later take a walk into the old town followed by the food trip in Amritsar. Amritsar is quite famous for its mouth-watering food. After dinner, you will head to Taj Swarna for relaxation and overnight.

Day 4: Amritsar
After breakfast, we will head out for a local sightseeing tour of Amritsar. Start with a visit to the Lal Mata Mandir which is considered to be full of miraculous fertility-improving powers. Later you will visit the Jallianwala Bagh which is also known as the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. Then head out for the traditional Punjabi Village Tour. In the late afternoon head out to visit Wagah Border, particularly known for the elaborate Wagah border ceremony that happens at the border gate, two hours before sunset each day. In the evening have a trip to the village area where you can see the daily life of the local people. Finish the day with a second visit to Golden Temple at night, which looks great in night lights before heading back to Taj Swarna.

Day 5: Amritsar - Varanasi 
After breakfast, we will check out from the hotel and get transferred to the airport for the flight to Varanasi. Varanasi is known during various times in history as one of the world's oldest continually inhabited cities and is regarded as one of Hinduism's seven holy cities. Pilgrims come to the Ghats lining the River Ganges here to wash away a lifetime of sins in the sacred waters or to cremate their loved ones. Our representative will pick you from the airport and transfer you to your hotel, where you will check-in and spend some time relaxing. In the evening explore the old city and stroll along the Ghats. Exploring the Ghats is one of the best things to do in Varanasi. The city has almost a hundred Ghats, the steps of each leading the banks of the River Ganges. These are bathing Ghats and praying Ghats, each Ghat is associated with some legend or mythologies. You will also attend the mesmerizing evening aarti ceremony on the banks of Gange before heading back to Ramada Plaza Varanasi for dinner and overnight.

Day 6: Varanasi
Today we will have an early start to the day with the early morning boat ride on the Ganges River. Enjoying boat rides during sunrise is perhaps one of the best things to do in Varanasi and the best time to witness the daily rituals. The best time to enjoy a boat ride to the Ganges River is from 5:30 AM to 8 AM. After the boat ride, we will head back to the accommodation for breakfast, afterwards, you will enjoy your morning at leisure. In the afternoon, head out for the tour to Sarnath, one of the holiest Buddhist sites. See the Dhamekha Stupa where the voice of Buddhism was first heard and many Buddhist dignitaries visit to pay homage to Buddha. Later during the day visit the famous silk market of Varanasi, Varanasi silk is famous all over India and abroad. In the evening see the Ganga Aarti ceremony at the river banks before heading back to Ramada Plaza Varanasi.

Day 6: Varanasi - Agra via Delhi
After breakfast, we will check out from the hotel and transfer to the airport for our flight to Delhi. Upon arrival at the airport, our representative will be waiting for you and transfer you by road to Agra. Welcome to Agra, the city of the wonderful Taj Mahal. The Taj Mahal is one of the Seven Wonders of the World and will truly leave you in awe. The city of Agra is rich in culture, history, and architectural works and is one of the top destinations for tourists coming to India. You will reach Agra by evening and check-in at your hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure. You will head out for dinner at a nice restaurant in Agra and head back to Trident Agra for dinner and overnight.

Day 8: Agra - Jaipur 
Early in the morning, we will head out to visit the spectacular Taj Mahal (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) built by Shah Jahan in 1560 in memory of his queen Mumtaz Mahal. After you've spent some time at the Taj Mahal, you will head back to your hotel for breakfast and check out. Visit Agra Fort, which was the main residence of the emperors of the Mughal Dynasty until 1638 when the capital was shifted from Agra to Delhi. Later head towards the Pink City - Jaipur, famous for its massive forts, magnificent palaces, exquisite temples, and royal culture. On the way to Jaipur visit Chand Baori, a 13 floors stepwell built over a thousand years ago in the Abhaneri village of Rajasthan. It is one of the largest step wells in the world and also one of the most beautiful ones. Check in to Trident Jaipur on arrival and spend the evening at leisure.

Day 9: Jaipur 
After breakfast, we will head out for sightseeing. We will visit the historic heritage sites of Jaipur including the famous - Hawa Mahal, "Palace of Winds" and Jantar Mantar which is a collection of nineteen architectural astronomical instruments, built by the Rajput king Sawai Jai Singh, and completed in 1738 CE. Afterward visit the City Palace, a complex of courtyards, gardens, and buildings, the impressive City Palace is right in the center of the Old City. Also, visit the Galta Ji temple also known as the ‘Monkey Temple’, which is a historic pilgrimage site. Later in the evening enjoy dinner at a nice restaurant and head back to Trident Jaipur for overnight.

Day 10: Jaipur
After breakfast, we will visit the renowned forts of Jaipur. On your way also visit Jal Mahal (the palace in the middle of the lake), which was built in the 17th century. Visit the grand Amer Fort, it is the principal tourist attraction in Jaipur and the current structure was built during the late 16th century by Rajput Kings. In the evening visit Nahargarh Fort, which provides a beautiful bird's eye view of the entire Jaipur city. Overnight at Trident Jaipur.

Day 11: Jaipur - Delhi
After breakfast check out from the hotel and head towards Delhi with a drop-off at the airport. Bid farewell with the memories of an amazing fun-filled 11 days trip, worth remembering for a lifetime!