Varanasi/Banaras Tour Packages
Varanasi/Banaras, sprawling along the left bank of the river Ganga is the holy city of Hindus. With its array of shrines, temples and palaces rising in several tiers from the water’s edge, Varanasi is one of the most fascinating cities in the east. It is also a city of fairs and festivals, celebrating about four hundred of them during the year. Since time immemorial, Varanasi has been a centre of learning and the tradition is kept alive today by the Benaras Hindu University founded in 1916.
Day – 01 Lucknow / Varanasi By Air
0715 hrs. Morning transfer from hotel to airport to board the flight for Varanasi
Depart Lucknow by Indian Airlines flight IC 672 ( Dep.0915 hrs / Arr. 1000 hrs)
Breakfast on Board.
Arrive Varanasi & check-in at hotel Clarks Varanasi ( First Class) /hotel Pradeep (Backpack)
Varanasi, or Benaras, (also know as Kashi) is one of the oldest living cities in the world.
Mark Twain, the English author who was enthralled by the legend and sanctity of Benaras, once wrote: “Benaras is older than history, older than tradition, older than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together”.
1400 hrs Afternoon excursion to Sarnath, marking the site where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon! Within the complex is the large Dhamekha Stupa, constructed by the Emperor Ashoka in 249 BC, and several other Buddhist structures that were added between the 3rd and 11th century BC.
Continue tour visiting old part of the city on the banks of holy river Ganges and stroll along the narrow lanes and bazaars full of shops selling the world-famous Banaras Silks among many other things. Witness the aarti ceremony on the river bank.
Day – 02 Varanasi / Khajuraho By Air
06:30 AM Early Morning proceed for a boat ride on the river Ganges to observe the way of life of pilgrims by the bathing Ghats.
Return to hotel for breakfast and checkout
Transfer from hotel to airport to board the flight for Khajuraho .
Depart Varanasi by Jet Airways flight 9W 723 ( Dep. 1220 hrs / Arr. 1300 hrs
Arrive Khajuraho & check-in at hotel Clarks Bundela (First Class) / hotel Payal View (Backpack)
Once upon time a great Chandela capital, Khajuraho is now a quaint village in the heart of India. The temples here date back to 950 AD. The temple walls are adorned with sculptures of Gods and Goddesses, warriors and musicians, animals and couples in various love making positions from the Kama Sutra, depicting life in India a thousand years ago. The architecture of the temples are unique, being very different from the temple prototype of their period. The erotic carvings of temples make it a must-see. Originally there were 85 temples, but many were destroyed by the British. Today, only 22 are in fair condition. These temples are a UNESCO world heritage site.
1430 hrs Afternoon visit Western Group of Temples – It is the largest, compact and centrally located group in Khajuraho, includes some of the most prominent monuments built by the Chandela rulers. The Lakshmana Temple, the Matangesvara Temple and the Varaha Temple form one complex.
OVERNIGHT AT HOTEL
Day – 03 Khajuraho / Delhi By Air
After breakfast at 0800 hrs visit Eastern Group of Temples consisting of five detached sub-groups in and around the present village of Khajuraho. The eastern group of monuments, situated in close proximity to the Khajuraho village, includes three Brahmanical temples known as Brahma, Vamana and Javari and three Jain temples, the Ghantai, Adinath and Parsvanath.
Afternoon transfer to airport to board the flight to Delhi
Depart Khajuraho by Jet Airways flight 9W 724 (Dep. 1330 hrs / Arr.1600 hrs)
Arrive Delhi & check-in at hotel Vikram (First Class) / YMCA ( Backpack)
India’s capital and a major gateway to the country, contemporary Delhi is a bustling metropolis, which successfully combines in its folds – the ancient with the modern. Amidst the fast spiraling skyscrapers the remnants of a bygone time in the form of its many monuments stand as silent reminders to the region’s ancient legacy. The first impressions for any visitor traveling in from the airport are of a spacious, garden city, tree-lined with a number of beautiful parks.
OVERNIGHT AT HOTEL
Day – 04 Delhi
Morning Breakfast at hotel and check out. Leave the baggage at the bell desk of the hotel.
1000 hrs City tour of Delhi, which reflects the legacy the British left behind.
The tour to Delhi will include a visit to the Qutab Minar, the tallest stone tower in India. Qutub-ud-din Aibak started construction in 1199. Pulling down 27 Hindu and Jain temples and using their columns erected the attached Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque. Then visit Humayun’s tomb, built by the widow of the second Mughal Emperor, Humayun, it is an outstanding monument in the Indo-Persian style, a precursor of the Taj Mahal. Visit to Old Delhi will include visit to the Jama Masjid and walk upto Chandni Chowk, the famous by lanes of Old Delhi and drive past Red Fort. The tour also includes a drive past with photo opportunity of the imposing India Gate, the Parliament building and the Rastrapati Bhawan, the President’s residence
Evening in time transfer to International airport to board the flight for onward destination