12-Day Varanasi Khajuraho Agra Tour: The Ganga, Temples, Forts and the Taj Mahal

Our Varanasi Khajuraho Agra tour is the grand heritage circuit of North and Central India. Begin in Varanasi with the evening Ganga Aarti, a sunrise boat ride and Sarnath. Fly to Khajuraho for the UNESCO World Heritage temples of Khajuraho and a jeep safari in Panna National Park. Then travel by road through Orchha and Gwalior to Agra for the Taj Mahal at sunrise and Fatehpur Sikri, and end in Delhi with a heritage walk in the Mughal old city. It is a private tour with your own car, driver and local guides.

Shamrock Journeys is a trusted India tour operator. Since 2002 we have planned private spiritual, heritage and wildlife tours of North and Central India for families, couples and groups.

Tour at a Glance

Here are the key facts of the 12-day Varanasi Khajuraho Agra tour.

Tour name: Varanasi Agra Delhi with Khajuraho Temples
Duration: 12 days and 11 nights
Route: Varanasi (2 nights), Khajuraho (3 nights), Orchha (1 night), Gwalior (1 night), Agra (2 nights), Delhi (2 nights)
Starts: Varanasi airport or station. Ends: Delhi airport
Tour type: private tour with car, driver and local guides; one short flight
Highlights: the Ganga Aarti, Sarnath, the Khajuraho temples, Panna National Park, Orchha, Gwalior Fort, the Taj Mahal at sunrise, Fatehpur Sikri and Old Delhi
Best time: October to March

Why Choose This Tour

Seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Khajuraho temples, the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri, the Red Fort, Humayun’s Tomb and Qutub Minar.
Spiritual India: the Ganga in Varanasi, Buddhist Sarnath, the Jain temples of Khajuraho and the Ram Raja temple of Orchha.
Mughal heritage and Mughal architecture: heritage walks in Agra, Fatehpur Sikri and Old Delhi.
Central India’s hidden gems: Gwalior Fort and the Bundela palaces of Orchha, far from the crowds.
Temples and tigers: three nights in Khajuraho with a jeep safari in Panna.
Easy pace: one short flight, and no drive longer than about four hours.

Varanasi Khajuraho Agra Tour Itinerary

This is the day-by-day plan of the Varanasi Khajuraho Agra tour.

Day 1: Arrive in Varanasi and the Evening Ganga Aarti

Your Varanasi Khajuraho Agra tour begins on the banks of the Ganga. We meet you at Varanasi airport or station and take you to your hotel. In the evening, walk down to Dashashwamedh Ghat with your guide to watch the Ganga Aarti, as priests offer fire, incense and song to the holy river.

Shamrock travel tip: dress modestly by the river and in temples, keep your bags close in the crowds, and ask before you take photos near the cremation ghats. For more advice, read our Shamrock India Travel Tips.

Overnight: Varanasi. Read about Varanasi.

Day 2: Sunrise Boat Ride, Old Varanasi and Sarnath

The second day of your Varanasi Khajuraho Agra tour starts early. Take a boat ride on the Ganga at sunrise, past bathing pilgrims and the ancient ghats, then walk through the narrow lanes of the old city to the Kashi Vishwanath temple area. After breakfast, drive about 10 km to Sarnath, where the Buddha gave his first sermon, to see the Dhamek Stupa and the museum with the Lion Capital of Ashoka.

Meals: breakfast. Overnight: Varanasi

Day 3: Fly to Khajuraho and the Western Group

Today your Varanasi Khajuraho Agra tour moves to the temples. Fly from Varanasi to Khajuraho, about one hour. In the afternoon, explore the Western Group with your guide: the Kandariya Mahadev temple, the largest and finest, the Lakshmana, Jagadambi and Chitragupta temples, then the Archaeological Museum. In the evening, watch the light and sound show.

Meals: breakfast. Overnight: Khajuraho. Read our Khajuraho travel guide.

Day 4: Eastern and Southern Groups and the Adivart Museum

Visit the Eastern Group, with the Jain temples of Parsvanath, Adinath, Shantinath and Ghantai and the Hindu Javari and Brahma temples, and the Southern Group, with the Duladeo and Chaturbhuj temples. In the afternoon, see tribal homes and folk art at the Adivart Tribal and Folk Art Museum, or visit the red canyon of Raneh Falls.

Meals: breakfast. Overnight: Khajuraho

Day 5: Panna National Park Safari

Drive about 30 km, under one hour, to Panna National Park for a jeep safari through teak forest and the gorges of the Ken river, looking for tigers, leopards, deer and birds. Stop at Pandav Falls and its caves, then return to Khajuraho.

Shamrock travel tip: safari permits are limited, so send us your dates early. Panna is closed for safaris from July to mid-October, when we plan Raneh Falls and the villages instead. See our Shamrock India Travel Tips.

Meals: breakfast. Overnight: Khajuraho

Day 6: Khajuraho to Orchha

From here your Varanasi Khajuraho Agra tour travels by road through Central India. Drive about 170 km, three to four hours, to Orchha, the old capital of the Bundela kings on the Betwa river. Visit the Jahangir Mahal and Raj Mahal in the Orchha Fort and the Chaturbhuj temple, and see the royal cenotaphs (chhatris) by the river at sunset. In the evening, you can join the aarti at the Ram Raja temple.

Meals: breakfast. Overnight: Orchha

Day 7: Orchha to Gwalior Fort

Drive about 120 km, two to three hours, to Gwalior. Visit Gwalior Fort on its high rock, with the blue-tiled Man Singh Palace, the Sas Bahu temples and Teli ka Mandir, then the Jai Vilas Palace and its museum of the Scindia royal family.

Meals: breakfast. Overnight: Gwalior

Day 8: Gwalior to Agra and the Mughal Heritage of Agra

The Mughal part of your Varanasi Khajuraho Agra tour begins. Drive about 120 km, two to three hours, to Agra. Join a Heritage Walk in the Mughal Heritage of Agra: the red sandstone Agra Fort and Itimad-ud-Daulah, the Baby Taj. At sunset, see the Taj Mahal from the Mehtab Bagh garden across the Yamuna river.

Meals: breakfast. Overnight: Agra. Read about Agra.

Day 9: Taj Mahal at Sunrise, Sikandra and Fatehpur Sikri

This is a highlight of your Varanasi Khajuraho Agra tour. Visit the Taj Mahal at sunrise, when the white marble turns pink and gold. After breakfast, see Sikandra, the tomb of Emperor Akbar, then drive about 40 km, one hour, for a Heritage Walk in the Mughal Walled City of Fatehpur Sikri, Akbar’s red sandstone capital with the Buland Darwaza and the tomb of Salim Chishti. Return to Agra.

Shamrock travel tip: the Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays, and only small bags, phones and cameras are allowed inside. We plan your Agra days around this. See our Shamrock India Travel Tips.

Meals: breakfast. Overnight: Agra. Read about Fatehpur Sikri.

Day 10: Agra to Delhi and New Delhi Sightseeing

Drive about 230 km, three to four hours, on the Yamuna Expressway to Delhi. In the afternoon, see Humayun’s Tomb, the garden tomb that inspired the Taj Mahal and a fine example of early Mughal architecture, and the Qutub Minar, the tall victory tower of the Delhi Sultans. In the evening, drive past India Gate or visit the Akshardham temple.

Meals: breakfast. Overnight: Delhi. Read about Delhi.

Day 11: Heritage Walk in the Mughal Walled City of Shahjahanabad, Old Delhi

On the last full day of your Varanasi Khajuraho Agra tour, join a Heritage Walk in the Mughal Walled City of Shahjahanabad, Old Delhi, with your guide: the Jama Masjid, India’s largest mosque, a cycle-rickshaw ride through the spice lanes of Chandni Chowk and the Red Fort. In the afternoon, drive past the government buildings of New Delhi. In the evening, watch the light and sound show at the Red Fort.

Meals: breakfast. Overnight: Delhi

Day 12: Departure from Delhi

After breakfast, we take you to Delhi airport for your onward flight. Your Varanasi Khajuraho Agra tour ends here.

Meals: breakfast

What Is Included

Your Varanasi Khajuraho Agra tour includes:

Eleven nights in hotels of your choice, with breakfast every day
A private air-conditioned car with driver for all transfers and sightseeing, from Khajuraho to Delhi
Licensed English-speaking guides in Varanasi, Khajuraho, Orchha, Gwalior, Agra, Fatehpur Sikri and Delhi
The sunrise boat ride in Varanasi, the cycle-rickshaw ride in Old Delhi and monument entry tickets as per the itinerary
All taxes, tolls, parking and driver costs

What Is Not Included

International flights and the Varanasi to Khajuraho flight
Lunch and dinner
The Panna jeep safari, light and sound shows and camera fees
Personal expenses and travel insurance

Best Time for This Tour

October to March is the best time for the Varanasi Khajuraho Agra tour, with pleasant days and Panna open for safaris. Dev Deepawali in Varanasi, in November, and the Khajuraho Dance Festival, in February, are special times to visit. April to June is very hot, and July to September brings rain.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I do the Varanasi Khajuraho Agra tour in reverse?

Yes. We can start in Delhi and end with the Ganga in Varanasi. Our 10-day Delhi Agra Khajuraho tour follows this route without Varanasi.

Is there a direct flight from Varanasi to Khajuraho?

Yes, on some days of the week. If there is no flight on your date, we drive you, about seven to eight hours, with a stop on the way.

Can I add Jaipur and Rajasthan?

Yes. We can add Jaipur after Agra to make a Golden Triangle tour with Varanasi and Khajuraho.

Are guides included?

Yes. A licensed local guide joins you at every main stop.

Is the Varanasi Khajuraho Agra tour good for families?

Yes. The drives are short, and children enjoy the boat ride, the forts, the light shows and the safari.

How much does the Varanasi Khajuraho Agra tour cost?

The price depends on your hotels, the number of travellers and the season. Tell us your plans and we will send a clear quotation.

More Varanasi, Khajuraho and Agra Tours

Short on time? Choose a shorter version of the Varanasi Khajuraho Agra tour.

6-day Varanasi Khajuraho tour: the Ganga and the temples.
10-day Delhi Agra Khajuraho tour: Delhi, Agra, Gwalior, Orchha and Khajuraho.
5-day Delhi Agra Fatehpur Sikri tour: the Mughal heritage only.
Khajuraho 4-day tour package: the temples and Panna only.
Golden Triangle tour: Delhi, Agra and Jaipur.

See all our Khajuraho tour packages, our spiritual tours of India and our Central India tours. We are one of the best tour operators in India, and we also plan the best North India tours. Ready to book your Varanasi Khajuraho Agra tour? Request your free quote

Plan Your India Holiday with Shamrock Journeys

Shamrock Journeys is a trusted India tour operator and holiday planner. Since 2002 we have designed private India tour packages, family tour packages, honeymoon tours and cultural tours for travellers from around the world.

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