Golden Triangle with Varanasi Trip
Duration : 8 Nights / 9 Days
Destinations Covered : Delhi - Jaipur - Agra - Varanasi - Delhi
DAY 01 : ARRIVE DELHI
On arrival meet and assist at the airport and transfer to prebooked hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
Delhi : India capital & a major gateway to the country, contemporary
Delhi is a bustling metropolis which successfully combines in its fold the
ancient & the modern. Its strategic location was one of the prime reasons
why successive dynasties chose it as their seat of power. New Delhi also
reflects the legacy the British left behind . The division between New &
Old Delhi is the distinction between the capitals of the British & the
Moghuls respectively. So, wherever the visitor goes, he will invariably
confront the citys’ past.
DAY 02 : DELHI - JAIPUR
After breakfast, half day city tour of Old Delhi. Visit Jama Masjid, the
largest mosque in India. Built by Shah Jahan, the construction was started
in 1844 and was not completed until 1658; Red Fort, which was also built
by Shah Jehan. This massive fort was built from 1638 to 1648; Chandni Chowk
and Rajghat - the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi.
sightseeing of the old and modern capital of India. Afternoon, leave for
Jaipur. Arrive Jaipur and check in at prebooked hotel.
DAY 03 : JAIPUR
After breakfast, excursion to Amber Fort. Elephant ride from the foothills
of the Aravallis to the fort entrance. Amber Fort : At a distance of 11
kms from Jaipur, Amber was the ancient capital of Jaipur state. Construction
of the fort began in 1592 by Raja Man Singh, the Rajput commander of Akbar's
army and is a superb example of Rajput architecture.
Afternoon, city tour of Jaipur. Visit the City Palace which has museum having
an extensive collection of art, carpets, enamel ware and weapons; Jantar
Mantar - the observatoyr built my Maharaja Jai Singh in 1728 and the façade
of Hawa Mahal.
DAY 04 : JAIPUR - FATEHPUR SIKRI - AGRA
After breakfast, leave for Agra. Enroute visit the abandoned Mughal city
of Fatehpur Sikri : built by Emperor Akbar in 1569, was the old capital
of the Moghuls, which was abandoned after 15 years due to scarcity of water.
See the graceful buildings including the Jama Masjid, Tomb of Salim Chisti,
Panch Mahal & other Palaces which are still preserved in its original
glory. Continue drive to Agra. Arrive Agra in the evening and checkin at
prebooked hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 05 : AGRA - VARANASI
After breakfast, city tour of Agra. Visit Red fort, which was built by Emperor
Akbar in 1565, and additions were made up until time of his grandson, Shah
Jahan. It contains the hall of public and private audiences amongst many
other beautiful structues; Itmad-ud-daulah, which was contructed by Nur
Jahan between 1622 and 1628 and is very similar to the tomb she constructed
for her husband, Jehangir, near Lahore in Pakistan; the highlight of the
day - The Taj Mahal, which was constructed by Shah Jahan in memory of his
wife Mumtaz Mahal. Contruction of the Taj began in 1631 and was not completed
until 1653. In the evening, transfer to the railway station to board train
for Varanasi at 2105 hrs. Overnight in the train.
DAY 06 : ARRIVE VARANASI
Arrive Varanasi at 0930 hrs and transfer to prebooked hotel. Afternoon,
excursion to Sarnath - the buried Buddhist city where Buddha preached his
first sermon after attaining Enlightenment at Bodhgaya.
DAY 07 : VARANASI - DELHI
Early morning, leave for boat ride on the Ganges to see the bathing Ghats
(river bank) & cremation site. Sunrise on the riverfront, as seen from
a boat, can be a spiritually uplifting sight. The life on the Ghats bound
in an endless string of rituals, ever-changing aspects of the river &
the wide landscape across have fascinated visitors from all over the world.
Return to hotel for breakfast. After breakfast, city tour of Varanasi. Formerly
known as Kashi – the city that illuminates. The religious capital
of Hinduism , Varanasi is
the oldest living city of India & one of the
worlds’ most ancient. The present name is derived from the fact that
the city is at the confluence of the rivers Varuna & Asi. Visit the
Bharat Mata temple with a big relief map of India in Marble, Durga temple,
Tulsi Manas Mandir, Benaras Hindu University which has an art gallery &
the mosque of Moghul Emperor Aurangzeb.
Afternoon, transfer to the railway station to board train for Delhi.
Overnight in the train
DAY 08 : ARRIVE DELHI
Arrive Delhi at 0745 hrs and transfer to prebooked hotel. Afternoon, city
tour of New Delhi. Visit Humayuns Tomb : built in mid 16th century this
is an early example of Mughal architecture; Qutab Minar, drive past India
Gate, President House, Connaught Place. The city tour ends with a visit
to Laxmi Narayan Temple (Birla Mandir).
DAY 09 : DEPART DELHI
Transfer to the airport to board your flight for onward destination.