Perhaps there is no other capital city in the world so immersed in history and legend as the Indian capital Delhi. It was the magnet, which drew the Mongols, Turks, Persians, Afghans, Mughals and the British, all of whom contributed to its glorious, however, turbulent past.New Delhi is built in a typically British colonial style with tree-lined avenues and colonial bungalows. See the Laxminarayan Temple, a modern Hindu temple, and India Gate, the 42 m high War Memorial Arch. Drive past the Parliament House, the Secretariat buildings and the Vice Regal Palace, now the official residence of the President of India. You will also visit Qutab Minar – what was intended to be the most glorious tower of victory in the world and was to be the prototype of all minars in India.Then, go down to Old Delhi to visit the 17th century Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India. See Chandni Chowk, the shopping center of old Delhi and drive past the Red Fort for a photo stop.

Sarnath symbolizes the birth of Buddhism. It was here that Buddha revealed his doctrine and founded his monastic community. The museum at Sarnath is amongst the most important in India and contains carvings representing a whole range of styles archaic, the Mathura School, Gupta, past Gupta and Medieval, covering work of sculptors from the 3rd century B.C. to the 12th century A.D.Take a tour of the ruins, dominated by the Dhamekh Stupa supposedly marking the point where Buddha delivered his sermon. See the ruins of the monasteries and the remains of the Ashoka Pillar which once stood over 20m high.Also to see at the Sarnath museum is the original lion’s head from the Asoka Pillar, which form the symbol of the Indian republic.

The Varanasi Ganga Aarti takes place every sunset at the holy Dasaswamedh Ghat. It differs from the aartis (prayers) done at Haridwar and Rishikesh in a way that it's a highly choreographed ceremony. Although a spectacular must-see, some people consider it to be too much of an artificial and showy extravaganza to have a lot of meaning in a spiritual context.The aarti is performed on a stage by a group of young pandits, all draped in saffron colored robes with their puja (prayer offering) plates spread out before them. It commences with the blowing of a conch shell, and continues with the waving of incense sticks in elaborate patterns and circling of large flaming lamps that create a bright hue against the darkened sky.

Discover the holy city of Varanasi, an important pilgrimage destination for Hindus for thousands of years. Take an early morning boat cruise on the sacred Ganges River and witness the daily rituals. See the long string of ghats (steps) that line the river, where locals practice yoga and Hindus perform morning prayers before bathing in the river to wash away their sins.

Varanasi, the city of Shiva, set on the banks of the Ganges, is one of Hinduism’s seven holiest cities. With its temples, over a hundred ghats and labyrinth of streets, the city cannot be described, only experienced. Take a half-day tour of Varanasi visiting the Bharat Mata temple with its big marble relief map of India, the Durga temple and the modern marble Tulsi Manas temple whose walls are engraved with scenes and verses from the Ramcharitmanas, the Hindi version of the Ramayana.Also see the New Viswanath temple, one of the tallest in India (non Hindus are not allowed inside the temple). Go around the Benares Hindu University and its museum, and see the mosque of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.

Today you will discover a new destination. Enjoy a relaxed morning at your hotel before your transfer arrives and you are taken to the next stop on your itinerary.

You will be picked up from Lemon Tree Premier Delhi Aerocity hotel and transfered to Delhi airport, where you will take a flight to your final destination.