Golden Triangle & Holy Ganges

Arrive by flight at Delhi. Welcome to the capital of India and the second most populous city of India - Delhi. The city’s importance lies not just in its past glory as the seat of empires and magnificent monuments but also in the rich and diverse cultures.

A private car will pick you up from Delhi Airport and transfer you to the hotel for check-in. After refreshing, head out for Delhi sightseeing. Drive past Rashtrapati Bhavan (the residence of President of India), and visit India Gate, (it is a memorial to 82,000 soldiers of the Indian Army who died in the period 1914–21 in the First World War).

Overnight stay will be at the hotel in Delhi.

Hotel: The Muse Sarovar Portico, Nehru Place

Meals: None

After breakfast, set out for Delhi sightseeing. 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 breathtaking Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India, and 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. After that, visit the towering Qutub Minar (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), a 73-metre (239.5 feet) tall tapering tower of five storeys. Qutb ud Din Aibak, the founder of the Delhi Sultanate, started construction of the Qutb Minar's first storey around 1192. 

After that, 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, as well as the pool inside its complex, known as the "Sarovar."

Overnight stay will be at the hotel in Delhi.

Hotel: The Muse Sarovar Portico, Nehru Place

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 the Taj Mahal don’t do the 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 home stay 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 home stay in Agra.

Hotel: The Coral Court Homestay

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Early in the morning at sunrise visit the spectacular Taj Mahal (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) built by Shah Jahan in 1560 in memory of his queen Mumtaz Mahal to enshrine her mortal remains. Return to the hotel for breakfast. 

After a filling 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, a 13 floors stepwell built over a thousand years ago in the Abhaneri village of Rajasthan. It is one of the largest stepwells in the world and also one of the most beautiful ones. Reach Jaipur by evening. Check-in at the hotel and relax. In the evening enjoy 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 at the hotel in Jaipur.

Hotel: Alsisar Haveli

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, set out for some local sightseeing; Visit the historic heritage sites of Jaipur - 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); 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. A complex of courtyards, gardens and buildings, the impressive City Palace is right in the centre of the Old City. 

Then visit Jal Mahal (the palace in the middle of lake). It was built in the 17th century. Afterwards visit the grand Amer Fort (or Amber Fort) (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). It is the principal tourist attraction in the Jaipur and the current structure was built during the late 16th century by Rajput Kings.

 In the evening visit Nahargarh Fort, which provides a beautiful bird's eye view of entire Jaipur city.  

Overnight stay will be at the hotel in Jaipur.

Hotel: Alsisar Haveli

Meals: Breakfast 

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 from Varanasi Airport and transfer 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 River Ganges. These are bathing Ghats and praying Ghats. Each Ghat is associated with some legend or mythologies. Overnight stay will be at the hotel in Varanasi.

Hotel:  Rivatas By Ideal

Meals: Breakfast

Start your day with the early morning boat ride in 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 boat ride of the Ganges River is from 5:30 AM to 8 AM. This is when the color and clamor of the place will enthrall you.

After breakfast head out for the tour to Sarnath, one of the holiest Buddhist's sites. See the Dhamekha Stupa where the voice of Buddhism was first heard, and many Buddhist dignitaries visit to pay homage to Buddha. 

Later in the day, visit the famous Varanasi silk market. Varanasi silk is famous all over India and abroad.

Also attend the mesmerizing evening aarti ceremony on the banks of Ganges. Overnight stay will be at the hotel in Varanasi.

Hotel:  Rivatas By Ideal

Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast check-out from the hotel. The private car will drop you at Varanasi Airport.

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

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Meals: Breakfast