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People bathing in the River Ganges, Varanasi, India
Colorful houses on the banks of river Ganges, Varanasi, India
A holy black cow in an alleyway, Varanasi, India
A sadhu (holy man) at the ghats, Varanasi, India
Vishvanatha Temple, Khajuraho, India
A cow infront of a house in Ochhra, India
On the train from Jhansi to Delhi, India
Amar Mahal Hotel, Orchha, India
From: Delhi
To: Delhi
£815
See more ideas for: India
Varanasi; perched on the banks of the mighty River Ganges, this town will certainly make its mark on you. The ‘Ganga Arti’ ceremony that happens at dusk daily is truly a sight to behold; fire and chanting with hundreds of bystanders hypnotized to the end.
During the day the maze of alleys are choc-a-bloc full with traders, spices, clothing, cows, lassi shacks – weave your way through them, take a boat on the river, observe from the sanctuary of a rooftop or stroll along the ghats and watch daily life play out.
It’s a spiritual place, a place where pilgrims journey to so they can wash away their sins in the river; Hindus believe that if you ‘expire’ here you will reach ‘moksha’ which means liberation from the cycle of life and death. The ghats are an eye-opening place to spend time – time in India you will certainly not forget in a hurry. So take a deep breath and get ready for Varanasi in all its glory!
Transfer from Delhi to the airport, where you will board your flight* to Varanasi, one of the most important places for Hindus to visit in their lifetime.
You will spend 2 nights in a hotel on the banks of the Ganges.
*For those with a little more time who want to experience the wonder of train journeys in India, there is a service that runs from Delhi to Varanasi. The trip is around 18 hours and the train isn’t daily, but it’s a great experience – meet the locals, enjoy the scenery and drink plenty of chai! Please ask for further details.
Take an early morning boat ride on the Ganges, followed by a walk through the Old City. An unforgettable experience! Make sure you cool down with a refreshing lassi from one of the tiny vendors found in the alleyways.
In the evening head back to the Ghats to witness the spectacular ‘Ganga Arti’ ceremony which takes place on the banks of the river. Watch from the water to get the best views!
Transfer back to the airport and take a short flight to Khajuraho.
Khajuraho is known for being host to some of the finest art and architecture in India! The temples feature sublime sculptures that famously depict erotic art. Spend the afternoon on a tour of the temples.
Today you will drive to Orchha, a historic village with more amazing architecture and a peaceful, laid-back vibe. You’ll have the afternoon free to explore independently; there are forts, temples, palaces and scattered ruins around.
The final leg of your journey involves a drive to Jhansi, where you will board the fast train back to Delhi. Sit back and enjoy the ride; snacks are provided in the A/C chair car – it’s time for a chai as you recline and watch the world go by!
Sadly your Varanasi trip has come to an end; a transfer to the airport is included.
India’s summer kicks in from February onwards, often reaching and exceeding 40 degrees Celsius around April. This can be an ideal time to escape to the hill stations where you will find cooler air! The monsoon season arrives in the North around July to September/October time and you may find many roads or transport options closed or delayed so be careful to allow for plenty of time to get around. November to February is considered ‘winter’ and this is often the best time to visit weather-wise – comfortable temperatures and clear skies, with some cooler evenings. This is peak tourist time though so beware that hotels and trains will be particularly busy, especially around holiday time when Indian’s travel domestically too.
This is a tailor-made itinerary and as such can be amended to fit your needs – if you want to spend more (or less) time here, or want to include further stops during your travels in India then just let us know and we can help to create the perfect trip!
This trip includes 5 nights in comfortable accommodation; we use a mixture of 3* hotels, traditional heritage properties and Guesthouses to give a truly authentic experience on your travels.
