Holy City Along the Ganges, Magnificent World-Famous Temples
Varanasi and Khajuraho Extension
Overview
As one of the seven sacred cities of Hinduism, the holy city of Varanasi is a magnet for more than a million pilgrims from around the world who come annually to worship, meditate, and bathe in the sacred waters of the Ganges River. With your private guide, stroll through ancient alleys and past golden temples and ashrams, and watch the slanting sun rise over haunting riverside ghats. At the World Heritage Site of Khajuraho, discover some of India's most famous temples, a showcase of sculpture reflecting the celebration of human activity in everyday life. Accommodations throughout are in garden-set hotels, oases of comfort after an active day of exploring.
Arrive: Delhi, India
Depart: Delhi, India
Highlights
- Boat along the Ganges to see pilgrims and bathers, visit Buddhist temples at Sarnath
- Discover Khajuraho's famously ornate temples
Itinerary
From Delhi, airport transfer to fly to Varanasi in eastern Uttar Pradesh for an afternoon tour of this vibrant city, the "timeless soul of India," with its ancient alleys, golden temples, ashrams, and riverside ghats. In the evening, witness the aarthi light ceremony along the Ganges. Overnight at hotel...Meals on your own
In the early morning, enjoy a boat trip on the Ganges in the hope of seeing pilgrims making their devotions against the backdrop of centuries-old temples—one of the most famous sights in India. The river, believed to have the power to wash away the sins of mortals, is fronted by numerous ghats, a series of steps leading to the water that are used by bathers and pilgrims. It is considered auspicious to die in Varanasi and some devout Hindus move here at the end of their lives and have their ashes scattered in the holy waters of the Ganges. After breakfast, visit some of the city's famous temples. In the afternoon, explore Sarnath, with its clusters of temples and ruins that attract Buddhist pilgrims from around the world. At Sarnath stands the famous Ashoka Pillar, whose lion capital has been adopted by the Republic of India as its state emblem. Optional visit to the lively Chowk Bazaar, where everything from fresh naan to opulent silk fabrics to silver jewelry is sold. Overnight at hotel...B
Fly to Khajuraho in northern Madhya Pradesh. Khajuraho, a World Heritage Site, is home to the most famous of India's temples, known for their remarkable erotic sculptures. Only about 20 temples survive from the 85 that were originally built, but they are among the finest in India. Enjoy an afternoon tour of the Western Hindu and Jain temples, with their pleasing and graceful depictions of deities, heavenly nymphs, mythical beasts, other figures and animals, and sensuous erotic art carved in the sandstone and granite faces. Overnight at hotel...B
After touring the Eastern temples, transfer to the airport for the flight to Delhi...Meals on your own
A visa is required for U.S. citizens visiting India. Your visa must be obtained prior to arrival.
Accommodations
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
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Itinerary
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Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.
Level 1 – Easiest
Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.
Level 2 – Easy to Moderate
Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.
Level 3 – Moderate
Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.
- Tuscany & the Cinque Terre
- Argentina: Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia
- Palau Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking
- Some trips with minimal hiking but rugged travel conditions or long drives, such as Tribal Ghana, Togo & Benin, are Trip Level 3.
Level 4 – Moderate to Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.
Level 5 – Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.
Level 6 – Very Strenuous
Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.