India highlights, Taj, Ganges, & ancient monuments

Description of India highlights, Taj, Ganges, & ancient monuments

This tour provides a window on ancient India and its incredible cultural heritage, from architectural jewels to spiritual depths.

Begin by exploring India's capital, Delhi, visiting the grand Swami Naryan Temple, the old town's magnificent Red Fort – one-time seat of Moghul rulers – and the ornately decorated Qutub Minar minaret.

The 'Pink City' of Jaipur – capital of Rajasthan – provides colourful counterpoint to Delhi with its ravishing mix of ancient merchant houses, historic forts and lavish palaces. Your next destination is Agra, pausing en route to visit Fatehpur Sikri, a fascinating example of Moghul architecture built by the illustrious King Akbar. In Agra, the Agra Fort is merely a grand taster for a visit to one of the world's most iconic historic buildings, the Taj Mahal.

Next day, it's all-aboard to ride one of India's characterful trains to Jhansi, before transferring to the road to drive to the 'Temple City' of Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh. You'll pause en route to stretch your legs at a delightful hill station in Orchha. In Khajuraho, discover one of India's finest concentrations of temples, from the ornately decorated Jahangir Mahal to the sensuous Devi Jagdamba, adorned with erotic carvings.

Your journey concludes with a flight to the holy city of Varanasi and a boat ride on the sacred Ganges River, its stepped embankments lined with bathing pilgrims and temples. Gain insight into their worship at Benares Hindu University, a centre of learning for Sanskrit and Indian culture. Suitably enlightened, you'll visit some of the most sacred sites of Buddhism – Sarnath, where the Buddha preached his first sermon, then the Dhamek Stupa where the Buddha proclaimed his faith.

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