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Holy Cities & Sacred Rivers of North India
14 days from £6,820 for 2023 per person
This itinerary is one of Ampersand's Top 10 Cultural Holidays.
India is renowned as the birthplace of several of the World's major religions and this fascinating tour explores some of her sacred cities and rivers, including Amritsar, Khajuraho, Varanasi and Calcutta. Beginning with the beautiful Golden Temple in Amritsar, the centre of the Sikh faith which draws thousands of pilgrims every day, the journey continues to Maheshwar, "the Centre of the Universe" on the Narmada, one of the Hindu holy rivers, and through Gwalior, Orchha and Khajuraho, the latter renowned for its erotic Hindu temples.
Varanasi is the next destination and one of the seven holiest cities in India. Finish the tour in Calcutta, one of India's most vibrant cities, and experience its eclectic social and cultural scene, taking a cruise on the Hooghli River and watching the city unfold from the river banks.
This tour is purely a suggested itinerary and can be booked as it is, or alternatively used as a starting point for creating your own perfect bespoke holiday to India. If you'd like to see similar itineraries, take a look at our Epic Journeys collection, as well as our favourite Boat itineraries.
Itinerary details
14 days from £6,820 for 2023 per person
- Day 1 - Taj Swarna - Amritsar
Arrive in Amritsar and transfer to your hotel. Spend the rest of the day at leisure. - Day 2 - Taj Swarna - Amritsar
Day to discover the Golden Temple and Amritsar. - Day 3 - Ahilya Fort - Maheshwar
Fly to Indore via Delhi then drive to Maheshwar. - Day 4 - Ahilya Fort - Maheshwar
At leisure. - Day 5 - Ahilya Fort - Maheshwar
Full day visit to Mandu. - Day 6 - Usha Kiran Palace - Gwalior
Drive back to Indore for your flight to Gwalior. - Day 7 - Usha Kiran Palace - Gwalior
Explore Gwalior Fort and town then spend the rest of the day at leisure. - Day 8 - The LaLiT Temple View Khajuraho - Khajuraho
Travel by road to Khajuraho visiting Orchha en route. - Day 9 - Nadesar Palace - Varanasi
Visit the temples before flying to Varanasi. Attend the evening aarti on the ghats. - Day 10 - Nadesar Palace - Varanasi
Dawn boat ride on the Ganges then visit Sarnath. - Day 11 - The Oberoi Grand - Calcutta
Fly to Calcutta via Delhi. - Day 12 - The Oberoi Grand - Calcutta
Morning at tour of the city. Afternoon at leisure. - Day 13 - The Oberoi Grand - Calcutta
Full day sightseeing. - Day 14 - In transit.
Return flight home.
Places of Interest
AccommodationTo my mind, the greatest reward and luxury of travel is to be able to experience everyday things as if for the first time, to be in a position in which almost nothing is so familiar it is taken for granted.
Bill Bryson
