Varanasi Extension

Highlights

• Holy Hindu City
• River Ganges
• Beautiful Palace hotel accommodation
• Hindu prayer ceremony ('aarti')
• Khajuraho temples
  

Day 1 - Arrive Varanasi
Arrive into the holy Hindu city of Varanasi and reach your splendid palace hotel in time for lunch. A pilgrimage site since the sixth century BC, the Old City of Varanasi is a maze of tiny alleyways and places of worship including the Golden Temple (only accessible to Hindus). The afternoon is spent exploring the Sarnath ruins said to be the site where Lord Buddha preached his first sermon. Also visit the Archaeological Museum, full of Buddhist art treasures.

This evening witness a Hindu prayer ceremony ('aarti') on the Ganges River. The riverside 'ghats' and temples are lit with oil-lamps and candles and devotees float oil lamps in the water as an offering to the holy river creating a magical ambience.
Hotel Nadesar Palace (Palace Room)

Day 2 - Varanasi
An early awakening in time for a dawn boat ride on the Ganges. See the pilgrims immersing themselves at the bathing ghats. Later today there's an orientation tour of Varanasi, a cultural and religious centre in northern India for thousands of years. Wander through the narrow streets and alleys and admire the shops selling rich brocaded silks, brassware and religious offerings. You also visit the famous Bharat Mata Mandir temple dedicated to Mother India (B).
Hotel Nadesar Palace (Palace Room)

Day 3 - Varanasi - Khajuraho
Most of the morning is at leisure before the flight* to Khajuraho. Arrival transfer to the hotel with the rest of the day at leisure. Your hotel is a short walk from the temples, so you may like to have a preliminary look this afternoon before meeting your guide in the morning (B).
The Lalit (Temple View Room)

Day 4 - Khajuraho - Delhi
Khajuraho is world renowned for its temple architecture. The famous sculptures in the sandstone temples dating to the Chandela dynasty, which ended in the 10th century, are exceptional and are widely acknowledged as some of the most exquisite temple art in India. First visit the Western group which is a UNESCO World Heritage site and constitutes some of the finest examples of Chandela art. Continue to the Eastern Group which comprises two historic Jain temples. Afterwards a flight* to Delhi where arrangements end (B).

*Flight not included.

A&K recommends combining this with the Princes & Palaces or Splendours of Rajasthan Itinerary.

Pricing
At A&K all of our journeys are individually tailored to suit your needs and timescale. However, as a guide, this 4 day journey in India will cost from $1,150 per person based on two adults sharing and is subject to availability.