On a private sunrise cruise of the Ganges River, in Varanasi, guests release traditional offerings of candles and flower petals.

Witnessing the Aarti ceremony at dusk beside the Ganges, as chanted prayers and rhythmic drumming fill the air.

A vendor in Varanasi sells items for the cremation ceremony practiced by Hindus along the Ganges River.

One of the 85 Hindu and Jain temples in Khajuraho, adorned with sculptures depicting every aspect of life — joy, love, divinity, war and far more.

Rickshaw drivers awaiting guests, ready to transport them on a spirited ride through the Chandni Chowk bazaar, one of the oldest and busiest markets in Old Delhi.

Outside the peerless Taj Mahal, perhaps the most perfectly proportioned building in the world, which A&K guests behold on sunset and sunrise visits.

Overlooking the pool and lounge at the Oberoi Amarvillas in Agra, where guest accommodations offer views of the Taj Mahal.

A&K guests enjoying a chef-led cooking demonstration at Pashan Garh, Taj Safari Lodge, outside Panna National Park, learn how local spices are used in Indian cuisine.

A Sadhu — as a religious ascetic or holy person is called in the Hindu and Jain faiths — looks on impassively, as worldly life goes on all around him in Varanasi.

A small group of like-minded guests led by an A&K Resident Tour Director prepare to explore Jama Masjid, a mosque of great importance in Delhi.

A detailed example of the marvelous pottery available to A&K guests from the artisans of Agra.

Seen from a distance, a temple in Khajuraho reveals its distinctive architectural splendor.

The stylish decor at Pashan Garh echo the natural patterns and textures found in the forests of nearby Panna National Park.

Observing activity along the ghats — stone steps leading down to the river, where locals and pilgrims cleanse themselves, literally and spiritually — on a private Ganges cruise.