Temples of the North & Central India

Duration : 15 Days / 14 Nights Places covered : Delhi - Mathura - Vrindavan - Agra - Varanasi - Allahbad - Khajuraho - Orchha - Jhansi - Bhopal - Ujjain - Mandu - Indore - Omkareshwar - Rishikesh - Delhi

Day 3 : Delhi - Mathura - Vrindavan - Agra (220 km / 5 hrs)
Early morning we shall drive towards Agra, en-route visit to
Lord Krishna temple of Mathura & Vrindavan. Reach Agra, on arrival transfer to hotel for overnight stay.

Day 4 Agra - Varanasi
After Breakfast, depart for a sightseeing tour of Agra city, here we shall visit the epitome of Love- Taj Mahal and Agra Fort. Later, visit the Fatehpur Sikri and pay homage to Khwaja Sufi Salim Chisti's darga. Evening you shall be transferred to the Agra Cantt. Railway station to board overnight train for Varanasi.

Day 5 : Varanasi
Early morning we shall drive to Varanasi- the city of lord Shiva. At arrival, check in at Hotel for overnight stay. Early morning we shall drive through city of Ghats (stone steps) on the banks of the river, and then embark on a boat excursion on the Ganges. Varanasi is also the home to the first Jyotirlinga. For 2500 years, the people of India have come to Kashi, where life is celebrated and death is not denied. Also visit at the Varanasi city, The Vishwanath Temple & The Dugra Temple. The Benaras Hindu University has an art gallery and a marble temple and Sarnath 10 Kms from the holy city of Varanasi. Overnight stay will be at the hotel.

Day 6 Varanasi- Allahbad:
After breakfast we shall drive to Allahabad that sprawled along the banks of the fabled sangam, at the confluence of the mighty Ganga, the life giving Yamuna and the unseen Saraswati. At arrival we shall check in to Hotel. Later we shall leave for the sightseeing of the famous Allahabad Sangam.

Day 7 : Allahabad - Varanasi - Khajuraho
Early Morning, we shall drive back to Varanasi, on arrival transfer to the airport for flight to Khajuraho. At arrival at Khajuraho, get transferred to the hotel for some rest and refreshments. Later, proceed for a guided city tour including the temples of the Khajuraho. In the evening enjoy the sound and light show.
Return to the hotel for overnight stay.

Day 8 : Khajuraho - Orchha
After breakfast, drive towards Orchha - Orchha means 'hidden'; it is situated on the banks of the river Betwa. Arrive Orchha by afternoon and visit some beautiful monuments and temples including the spectacular Jehangir Mahal, Chaturbhuj Temple, Laxminarayan temple, Chhatris (Cenotaphs). Later, check in to a hotel for overnight stay.

Day 9 : Orchha- Jhansi - Bhopal
After breakfast check out from the hotel to continue the onward journey via train from Jhansi Railway Station to Bhopal. At arrival check into the hotel, later leave on a half-day excursion of the city of Bhopal. Overnight Stay will be at the hotel.

Day 10 : Bhopal- Ujjain
After breakfast, drive to the holy city of Ujjain - situated on the banks of the river Shipra, The belief in the sacredness of Shipra, has its origins in the ancient Hindu mythological tale of churning of the Ocean by the Gods and the Demons, with Vasuki, the serpent as the rope popularly known in India as "Manthan." Visit the Mahakaleshwar temple, Bhartrihari Caves, Navagraha Mandir (Triveni) etc. Be a part of the evening holy prayers and "Aarti" carried on the banks of the river. Overnight stay will be at the hotel.

Day 11: Ujjain - Mandu - Indore
After breakfast drive to Mandu situated along the Vindhya ranges at an altitude of 2,000 feet, Mandu, with its natural defenses, was originally the fort capital of the Parmar rulers of Malwa. Mandu is a celebration in stone, of life and joy, of the love of the poet-prince Baz Bahadur for his beautiful consort, Rani Roopmati. Evening drive back to Indore and visit the famous Sheesh Mahal (Jain temple). Overnight stay will be at hotel.

Day 12 : Indore - Omkareshwar - Indore
After Breakfast at hotel, depart for an excursion to the Omkareshwar temples (80 kms / 2 hrs). Omkareshwar, the sacred island, shaped like the holiest of all Hindu symbols, 'Om', has drawn to it hundreds of generations of pilgrims. Here, at the confluence of the rivers Narmada and Kaveri, the devout gather to kneel before the Jyotirlinga (one of the twelve throughout India) at the temple of Shri Omkar Mandhata. In the evening, drive back to Indore for overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 13 : Indore - Delhi - Rishikesh
Early morning depart for Indore airport to board flight for Delhi. Arrive Delhi, utilize the spare time for last minute shopping. Later evening, board the train for your onward Journey to Haridwar. Arrive at Haridwar and transfer to a hotel in Rishikesh.

Day 14 : Rishikesh
Early morning, its optional to have a mesmerizing view along the Ganga ghat (banks) and enjoy the early morning "Aarti" with thousands of "diya" (oil lamps). Later visits the Laxman Jhoola, Ashrams, temples, and places of interest. One can enjoy trying their hands on rafting on the normal grade of white water rafting in Rishikesh for some soft adventure. Evening, be a part of the fascinating "Aarti" on the Har-ki-Paudi (ghat) in Haridwar on the banks of river Ganga. Overnight stay will be at the hotel.