Duration
10 days / 9 nights
Price Per Person
Interests
Destinations

Experience the cultural wonders of Northern India with our 10-day luxury North India Cultural Highlights itinerary. Starting in Delhi, you’ll visit the old city as well as the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Khajuraho, Panna National Park, and the Ganges at Varanasi, all while staying in some of the country’s finest hotels. 

This itinerary is an example. It’s designed to inspire you and provide you with thoughtfully curated ideas. You can choose to do this exact itinerary or completely personalize it. All trips are 100% bespoke.

Highlights

  • Taj Mahal: One of the most recognized monuments in the world, let alone North India, makes this site a must-see, especially at dawn's first light.
  • Panna National Park: Go on a safari in search of the elusive Bengal tiger, as well as Indian wolf, four-horned antelope, sloth bears, leopards, and more. You will even see stone paintings dating back to the Neolithic era.
  • Holy River: Varanasi, built the banks of the sacred Ganges river, is a spiritual city whose winding streets hold over 2,000 temples and an impressive aarti ceremony is performed each evening.

Day-by-Day

Day 1

New Delhi

Arrive in the Indian capital of New Delhi, and take in the vibrant city’s sights and smells. Transfer to your hotel and settle in. You may enjoy free time for the rest of the day, exploring your hotel and its nearby surroundings. 

Hotel Options
Why We Love This Hotel

  • Stunning Décor: The rooms and suites are painstakingly decorated to stunning effect, with elements spanning from handcrafted tapestries to the Presidential Suite’s gold leaf ceilings.
  • Accommodations: Even the smallest guestrooms at The Leela New Delhi are larger than the rooms at all other hotels throughout the capital, not to mention The Leela’s 4,800 square foot Presidential Suite.
  • Service: No problem is too small for the hotel’s lauded, professional butler service, available 24-hours a day.
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The Leela Palace Preferred Hotel
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: With stunning views of Delhi Golf Course and Humayun’s Tomb, a World Heritage Site, this hotel is located within lush vegetation in the heart of New Delhi.

History: The capital’s first luxury hotel, this hotel opened in 1965 and has been an iconic landmark ever since.

Service: From dining to the world-class spa to organizing unique tours and excursions, the dedicated staff at the hotel cater to every guest’s needs. For more discerning business travelers, there is an extra level of service offered in Business Travel Plus.

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The Oberoi, New Delhi Preferred Hotel

Day 2

New Delhi

Today you’ll learn all about the history and present of New Delhi, on a full-day tour of Old and New Delhi. You’ll visit can’t-miss spots like Qutub Minar, the tallest minaret in India and a UNESCO heritage site, the Laxminarayan Temple, India Gate, the country’s national monument, and more. See the city’s more modern side as well with a trip to its National Gallery of Modern Art, and enjoy a bit of retail therapy at its world-class shops.

New Delhi
New Delhi

Day 3

Agra

After breakfast this morning, check out of your hotel and hop into a comfortable vehicle for your first Indian road trip, this one heading to Agra. Agra is around 3.5 hours away and sits on the banks of the river Yamuna, and is home to the famous world heritage site, Taj Mahal. Head there for sunset today, when the structure is at its finest (especially for photos). The palace was commissioned by Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his third wife, who passed away in the 17th-century. Relax afterwards at your luxury suite at Oberoi Amarvilas. 

Hotel Options
Why We Love This Hotel

History: Oberoi Amarvilas looks over one of the most famous monuments in history. The layout and design of the property recalls the grand Moorish and Mughal architecture of the middle ages.

Location: The Oberoi Amarvilas is only 600 meters from the Taj Mahal – a prime position for sightseeing, giving travelers the most advantageous position when visiting this unforgettable site.

Service: This award-winning property is where rock stars and dignitaries stay – every room and suite gets top-notch service from staff on the ground and a 24-hour butler.

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The Oberoi Amarvilas Preferred Hotel

Day 4

Agra

Wake up bright and early to catch the sunrise over the Taj Mahal, before the throngs of tourists arrive. Next, visit Fatehpur Sikri, a city founded in the 16th-century by a Mughal Emperor, followed by a trip to Agra Fort, another UNESCO heritage site. Agra Fort is so big, it’s often referred to as a walled city, and is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Agra
Agra

Day 5

Panna National Park

Take the train to Jhansi, where you’ll continue your journey by road, driving to Orchha. Orchha has a medieval feel to it, with structures so well-preserved, they seem to have been frozen in time. See for yourself by visiting Orchha Fort, Palace, and Hindu temples. Then hop back in the car and drive to Panna National Park.

Hotel Options
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: The Taj Pashan Garh is perched in the Vindhya Hills, in the midst of Panna National Park, which in 2007, was endowed with the Award of Excellence for best maintained national park of India, courtesy of India’s Ministry of Tourism.

History: Once a private hunting grounds for Panna’s royal family, the park was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1981. Nearby Khajuraho is one of India’s most popular tourist attractions, best-known for its sandstone structures dating back over a millennium.

Service: With only 12 cottages, the Taj can offer its guests extremely personalized service in this lush, thrilling jungle safari.

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Taj Pashan Garh Preferred Hotel
About

Run by a conservation biologist and his wife, a wildlife photographer, Sarai at Toria is a beautiful, small eco-lodge located in the unspoiled countryside above the River Ken, a tributary of the famous Yamuna River. Consisting of six lodges built from and insulated with local materials, and using sustainable energy, the Sarai’s rooms feature a rustic elegance, with locally-sourced wooden furniture, tasteful interior design, and plush, comfortable beds.

If our Preferred Hotel is unavailable, this accommodation is a reliable alternative and has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Panna National Park
Panna National Park

Day 6

Panna National Park

Start your day off with a refreshing and thrilling morning jeep safari, where you’re likely to spot some of Panna’s exotic animals perusing their natural habitat. Enjoy a leisurely cruise down the Ken river this afternoon, before heading back to your hotel and relaxing for the evening.

Day 7

Panna National Park

Today you’ll spend a full day at Khajuraho, one of the country’s most popular tourist attractions. Pay a visit to the Khajuraho Group of Monuments, the largest group of medieval Hindu and Jain temples, particularly well-known for their erotic sculptures. Relax at your hotel upon your return.

Panna National Park
Panna National Park

Day 8

Varanasi

Take off for Varanasi today, on the banks of the River Ganges. Explore India’s most well-known river this afternoon on a Ganges River cruise. This evening, observe the legendary Ganga Aarti at the Dashashwamedh ghat, involving choreographed pyrotechnics.

Hotel Options
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: This property provides a tranquil haven amid mango orchards and marigold trees in the middle of Varanasi.

History: Nadesar Palace has been hosting royalty and VIPs since 1835, with all rooms faithfully restored to their original grandeur.

Service: Palace butlers are on hand to serve meals, assist with enquiries and provide information on both Varanasi and the palace.

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Nadesar Palace Preferred Hotel

Day 9

Varanasi

Enjoy a morning boat ride, followed by a stroll through Varanasi’s lanes, checking out the charming shops, restaurants, and observing local life. Visit a wrestling Akhara and check out the traditional spiritual form of martial arts practiced there. This afternoon, visit Sarnath, a deer park that holds particular significance for Buddhists due to its history.

Varanasi
Varanasi

Day 10

Departure

Today, your last day on your luxury North India Cultural Journey itinerary, fly to New Delhi, and check in for your next destination. 

Suggested Hotels For Days 1–2

The Leela Palace
Preferred Hotel

The Leela Palace

Located near the heart of Chanakyapuri, the city’s diplomatic enclave, the Leela Palace New Delhi is a five-star luxury hotel in the Indian capital. Its 260 rooms and suites combine traditional Indian opulence with sleek contemporary decor and amenities in typical Leela luxury. Dining options include the striking glass-house Qube,offering an eclectic global menu and show kitchens, overlooking the Leela’s gardens; Jamavar for traditional Rajasthani and north Indian cuisine; and new outposts of the acclaimed restaurants Le Cirque (French and Italian) and Megu (Japanese). The Library, meanwhile, is a sophisticated retreat for cocktails, fine whiskeys, cigars, and a collection of first-edition books. The ESPA spa offers a range of Western, Oriental and Ayurvedic-influenced health and beauty treatments, as well as a café, a state-of-the-art fitness studio, relaxation lounge, finishing studio, roof terrace, and sauna, steam and drench rooms. The Leela is approximately a 30-minute drive from Indira Gandhi International airport (DEL).

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The Oberoi, New Delhi
Preferred Hotel

The Oberoi, New Delhi

A symbol and staple of elegant Indian hospitality, The Oberoi, New Delhi is a ultra-luxe urban oasis of sophistication and world-class service. An iconic landmark in the New Delhi skyline, this historic hotel enjoys sweeping views of the Delhi Golf Course and Humayun’s Tomb, overlooking crystal blue waters, palm trees and a spectacular white, marble lotus fountain in the glamorous entrance. With incredible restaurants offering up delicious cuisine from around the world, a wide variety of spacious and luxurious suites and a world-class spa, The Oberoi is more than just a hotel - it’s a destination. As an added bonus, for the most discerning of business guests, many suites offer private office spaces and meeting rooms, in addition to the extra level of service offered in Business Travel Plus.

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Suggested Hotel For Days 3–4

The Oberoi Amarvilas
Preferred Hotel

The Oberoi Amarvilas

Located just 600 meters from the Taj Mahal, the Oberoi Amarvilas offers views of this romantic monument from each of its 109 guest rooms and suites, as well as the property’s lobby, bar and lounge. With a nod to Moorish and Mughal architecture, the resort features terraced lawns, fountains, reflection pools and pavilions with rich interiors. Room and suite amenities include a separate walk-in closet with electronic safe, lavish marble bathrooms with deluxe toiletries. The Amarvilas is also home to two restaurants, Bellevue and Esphahan, which serve fine international and Indian cuisine. Complementing the grandeur of the Mughal era is the spa that befits the self-indulgence of royalty, with holistic treatments based on Ayurveda and ancient Thai and western massage techniques, as well as beauty and body treatments. Other facilities include a swimming pool and a state-of-the-art gymnasium.

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Suggested Hotels For Days 5–7

Taj Pashan Garh
Preferred Hotel

Taj Pashan Garh

Taj Pashan Garh consists of twelve stone cottages clustered around a hilltop with fantastic views over Panna National Park and a nearby watering hole frequented by antelope, and surrounded by 200 acres of jungle wilderness. The luxury stone cottages are situated along a picturesque stream, each offering a private verandah with stunning views of the lush tropical forest and nearby waterhole. Each individual cottage showcases leather furniture made in Delhi, with massive black and white photo canvasses of the dramatic Panna landscapes. The guest areas celebrate traditional Haveli, or private mansion design, with a spacious central courtyard. The interiors are a contemporary mix of chocolate linens, block-printed black silks, celadon cottons and cotton lace chandeliers. The resort also offers a spa, infinity pool, library, safari shop, and of course the superb Indian fine dining one would expect from a Taj property, and served on an outdoor deck, on a lakeside bullock cart, or in the privacy of guests’ rooms.

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Sarai at Toria

Sarai at Toria

Run by a conservation biologist and his wife, a wildlife photographer, Sarai at Toria is a beautiful, small eco-lodge located in the unspoiled countryside above the River Ken, a tributary of the famous Yamuna River. Consisting of six lodges built from and insulated with local materials, and using sustainable energy, the Sarai’s rooms feature a rustic elegance, with locally-sourced wooden furniture, tasteful interior design, and plush, comfortable beds. Meals are cooked by the owner himself and served in a communal, open-air dining room with views of the nearby River Ken. Access is via the airport and railroad station at Khajuraho or Panna Town, both of which are half an hour away.

Suggested Hotel For Days 8–9

Nadesar Palace
Preferred Hotel

Nadesar Palace

The Nadesar Palace lies nestled in the heart of vibrant Varanasi among mango orchards, marigold and jasmine fields. Built by the East India Company and acquired by Maharaja Prabhu Narain Singh in the 19th century, the property is named after goddess Nadesari, whose shrine is located in front of the palace. All accommodation at the boutique yet opulent Nadesar Palace, which includes just 10 luxuriously appointed Heritage Rooms, Heritage Suites and Royal Suites, is generously scaled with large windows overlooking the gardens and spacious bathrooms in cool white marble. There is a restaurant serving local cuisine and satvik fare, which is said to bring calmness, intelligence, strength, health, happiness and longevity. Fresh fruits and vegetables, cereals and grains form the main ingredients of satvik food. The grounds are just 13 miles from Varanasi’s airport (VNS).

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