Golden Triangle & Holy Ganges

Enjoy breakfast to start your day of sightseeing in Delhi. A mixture of history with a taste of everyday Delhi, today’s itinerary covers all aspects of this former capital of the Mughal Empire. Stop off at the UNESCO World Heritage site, Humayun’s Tomb. Built in 1570, it is of particular cultural significance as it was the first garden-tomb on the Indian subcontinent.

Then visit the magnificent Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan between 1644 and 1656. After that visit the bustling Chandni Chowk – one of the oldest and busiest markets in Old Delhi. Enjoy a rickshaw ride at Chandni Chowk. Have lunch at a nice restaurant. 

Later visit the towering Qutub Minar (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), a 73-metre (239.5 feet) tall tapering tower of five storeys. Qutub-ud-Din Aibak, the founder of the Delhi Sultanate, started construction of the Qutub Minar's first storey around 1192.

Afterwards visit Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, one of the most prominent Sikh temples, or Sikh house of worship in Delhi and known for its association with the eighth Sikh Guru, Guru Har Krishan. There is also a sacred pool inside its complex, known as the "Sarovar."

Overnight stay will be at the hotel in Delhi.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

After breakfast, check out from the hotel & head towards Agra. Welcome to the city of Wonder… because it’s the place of Taj Mahal – one of the seven wonders of the world. Pictures of Taj Mahal don’t do complete justice to its magnificence. It’s an epitome and symbol of love. You got to be here to feel your jaws drop. Agra used to be the historic capital of the Mughal Empire.

Reach Agra by afternoon. Have lunch at a nice restaurant. Check-in at the hotel and freshen up. In the late afternoon visit Agra Fort, a historical fort, which remained the main residence of the Mughal emperors till 1638. Walking through courtyard after courtyard of this palatial red-sandstone and marble fortress, your amazement keeps growing as you hear about the history of this fort from the guide. In the evening visit the local market to get the true essence of Agra city.

Overnight stay will be at the hotel in Agra.

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Early in the morning, visit the majestic Taj Mahal (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) built by Shah Jahan in 1632 in memory of his queen Mumtaz Mahal to enshrine her mortal remains.

After breakfast, check out from the hotel, and head towards the Pink City - Jaipur, famous for its broad avenues, massive forts, magnificent palaces, exquisite temples and royal culture.  On the way visit Chand Baori (Step Well), one of the oldest and most attractive stepwells in Rajasthan. It was built during the 8th and 9th centuries and has 3,500 narrow steps arranged in perfect symmetry, which descend 20m to the bottom of the well.

Reach Jaipur by evening. Check-in at the hotel and freshen up. In the evening have a guided walk tour of the famous Pink City markets. Jaipur is also known as the shopper’s paradise. Jaipur's colorful markets offer a great break to stop and shop on your tour. Take in the glint and sparkle of the rows of shops selling hand-crafted bangles and other decoration items. While moving through the markets, you will come across the vivacious culture of this region.

 Overnight stay will be at the hotel in Jaipur.

Meals: Breakfast

Have breakfast and then set out to explore the best attractions of Jaipur. Visit Hawa Mahal ("Palace of Winds"), a high screen wall built so the women of the royal household could observe street festivals while unseen from the outside. Then visit Jantar Mantar (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). It is a collection of nineteen architectural astronomical instruments, built by the Rajput king Sawai Jai Singh, and completed in 1738 CE. Afterwards, visit the City Palace. Built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh during the years 1729 to 1732, the vast complex of the palace occupied one-seventh of the walled city. The palace is divided into a series of courtyards, buildings, and gardens.

In the afternoon stop by Jal Mahal, a palace in the middle of the Man Sagar Lake in Jaipur city. It was built in the 17th century. Then visit the grand Amer Fort (or Amber Fort), also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the principal tourist attraction in Jaipur and the current structure was built during the late 16th century by Rajput Kings. This magnificent fort comprises an extensive palace complex, built from pale yellow and pink sandstone, and white marble, and is divided into four main sections, each with its own courtyard. In the evening visit Nahargarh Fort, which provides a beautiful bird's eye view of the entire Jaipur city.

Later in the evening enjoy dinner at a nice restaurant. Then reach back at the hotel.

Overnight stay will be at the hotel in Jaipur.

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

After breakfast check out from the hotel, and transfer to Jaipur Airport. Take your flight for Varanasi. Also known at various times in history as Kashi (City of Life) and Benares, this is one of the world's oldest continually inhabited cities and is regarded as one of Hinduism's seven holy cities. Pilgrims come to the Ghats lining the River Ganges here to wash away a lifetime of sins in the sacred waters or to cremate their loved ones.

A private car will pick you up from Varanasi Airport and transfer you to the hotel. Check-in at the hotel and relax. In the evening explore the old city and stroll along the Ghats. Exploring the Ghats is one of the best things to do in Varanasi. The city has almost a hundred Ghats, the steps of each leading the banks of the River Ganges. These are bathing Ghats and praying Ghats. Each Ghat is associated with some legend or mythologies. Also, attend the mesmerizing evening aarti ceremony on the banks of the Ganges.

Overnight stay will be at the hotel in Varanasi.

Meals: Breakfast

Start your day with the early morning boat ride on the Ganges River. Rowing boat rides during the dawn is perhaps one of the best things to do in Varanasi. Witness the daily rituals. The best time to enjoy a boat ride on the Ganges River is from 5:30 AM to 7:00 AM. This is when the color and clamor of the place will enthrall you.

After breakfast, morning will be at your leisure. In the noon, head out for the tour to Sarnath, one of the holiest Buddhist sites. Located around 10 km from the Hindu holy city of Varanasi, it is the site of the deer park where Gautama Buddha first taught the Dharma after his enlightenment. Visit the Dhamekha Stupa where the voice of Buddhism was first heard and many Buddhist dignitaries visit to pay homage to Buddha.

After that visit the Sarnath Museum, the oldest site museum of the Archaeological Survey of India built in 1910 CE. The museum contains five galleries and two verandahs to display the antiquities ranging from the 3rd century BCE to the 12th century CE that have been found at Sarnath. The single most famous exhibit of this museum is the Lion Capital of Ashoka, a sculpture of four Asiatic lions standing back to back, on an elaborate base, built around 250 BCE. Later during the day visit the famous silk market of Varanasi. Varanasi silk is famous all over India and abroad.

Reach back at the hotel. Overnight stay will be at the hotel in Varanasi.

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast check-out from the hotel. The private car will drop you at Varanasi Airport. Board your flight for Delhi.

Bid farewell with the memories of amazing fun-filled 8 days trip through the Golden Triangle & Holy Varanasi, worth remembering for the lifetime!

Meals: Breakfast