GOLDEN TRIANGLE WITH KASHI

Day 01: Arrive Delhi

Upon arrival at Delhi International airport, you will be welcomed by our company representative and transferred to your hotel for check-in. Your travel documents will be handed over to you with a briefing of the tour program. After check-in process, time free at leisure for own activities and relax in the hotel to acclimatization with Indian weather conditions.

DELHI - The National Capital of India is one of the most historical cities in the world. In AD 1639, the Mughal emperor shah Jahan built a walled city named Shahjahanabad which served as the capital of the Mughal Empire from 1649 till 1857. Shahjahanabad is known as Old Delhi. Later the British architect Sir Edwin Lutyens built a new city during the 1920s called New Delhi or Lutyens Delhi.

Overnight at Delhi (No Meals)

Day 02: Delhi – Sightseeing

We will start our sightseeing tour visiting Raj Ghat; the final resting place of Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation. Jama Masjid; built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. It is one of the largest and best known mosques in India. Further, we will drive-pass through Chandni Chowk Market; Asia's largest wholesale market and Red Fort; a beautiful red sandstone fort built by the Mughals.

Afternoon visit to the Qutub Minar; built by Qutub-ud-din Aibak of the Slave Dynasty as a sign of Muslim domination of Delhi and as a minaret for the muezzin to call the faithful to prayer. Evening drive-pass through India Gate; a memorial raised in honor of the Indian soldiers who died during the Afghan wars and World War I. The names of the soldiers who died in these wars are inscribed on the walls. Sansad Bhavan; the Parliament of India is a circular building designed by the British architects Sir Edwin Lutyens and Sir Herbert Baker in 1912–1913. Rashtrapati Bhavan; the Presidents House built with a mix of European and Mughal/Indian styles.

Optional Activities

·         Rickshaw Ride in Chandni Chowk Market during sightseeing tour

·         Sound & light Show at Red Fort (Close on every Monday)

·         Visit to Dilli Haat; an open aircraft bazaar cum food plaza

·         Other Attractions – Humayun’s Tomb, Lotus Temple, Akshardham Temple, Laxmi Narayan Temple, Lodhi Garden, Gurudwara Bangla sahib, National Museum.

Overnight at Delhi (Breakfast)

Day 03: Delhi – Varanasi (by flight)

After breakfast, transfer to Delhi airport to board the flight to Varanasi. VARANASI – Also known as Benares or Banaras and Kashi, is a historical & religious city in northern India. The city is sacred to Hindus and also one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Varanasi is not a city with distinct tourist destinations; the joy of the experience comes from watching the spectacle of life and death- on the river and in the eyes of the people who come to the Ganga- as well as in meandering through the alleys of the old city, trying to fathom the ways of a very mature culture.

Upon arrival, meet & assist by our company representative and transfer to the hotel for check-in. In the afternoon, proceed for an excursion to Sarnath.

SARNATH - It is believed that in Sarnath Buddha gave his first sermon to his disciples after getting enlightenment. It's famous as the site of the deer park where Gautama Buddha first taught the Dharma and also where the original Sangha was formed. Consequently, it is one of the 4 main Buddhist pilgrimage destinations. Within the deer park complex is the large Dhamekha Stupa, constructed by the Emperor Ashoka in 249 BCE, and several other Buddhist structures that were added between the 3rd century BCE and the 11th century CE.

Sightseeing – In Sarnath we will visit to Dhamekh Stupa; Chaukhandi Stupa, Mulagandhakuti Vihara, Ashoka Pillar, Sarnath Archeological Museum and Sri Digamber Jain Temple.

In the evening, witness the daily Aarti Ceremony (Lighting the Lamps) at the holy river Ganges bank.

·         Other attractions - Nepali Hindu Temple, Alamagir Mosque, Man Mandir Observatory, Tulsi Manas Temple, Durga Temple, Ram Nagar Fort, Gauri Matha Temple, Sankat Mochan Temple.

Overnight at Varanasi (Breakfast)

Day 04: Varanasi – Agra (by overnight train)

Sightseeing – Varanasi tour starts with a sunrise boat ride on the holy river Ganges. Later return back to your hotel and have breakfast and spend relaxing time till afternoon. Afternoon, check-out from the hotel and proceed for a guided tour in Varanasi visiting Banaras Hindu University; a very green and peaceful campus also known as the Oxford of the East. This is the largest residential university of Asia, with 124 departments. Later visit to Kaal Bhairav Temple; it’s a tradition to buy a black thread, sanctify it in the shrine, then wear it on the arm, wrist or around the neck as protection against evil. Further visit to Vishwanath Temple; the temple was destroyed multiple times by Mughal invaders and was re-constructed by Hindu kings who followed them.

After visiting the Temple, you will be taken to the Ghats. A Ghat is a series of steps leading down to the river used by bathers and pilgrims. Dasaswamedh Ghat is the main Ghat. Hindus consider it is auspicious to die in Varanasi, so some Ghats are known as burning ghats, where bodies are cremated before their ashes are eased into the Ganga.

Later in the evening, transfer to Varanasi railway station to board the overnight train to Agra.

Overnight on board

Day 05: Arrive Agra

Early morning, arrival at Agra. Upon arrival meet & assist by our company representative and transfer to the hotel for check-in. Afternoon proceed for a guided tour to Agra city.

AGRA – Located at the bank of River Yamuna was known then as Akbarabād during Mughal Empire and remained the capital of the Mughal Empire under the Emperors till 1689.

Sightseeing – Afternoon, visit to Agra Fort; also known as the Red Fort is a world heritage site listed by UNESCO. The red sandstone fort was converted into a palace during Shāh Jahān's time, and reworked extensively with marble and pietra dura inlay. Later in the evening visit to Taj Mahal at sunset. Taj Mahal; one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. Shah Jahan built this beautiful monument in the memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. It took 22 years and 20000 workers to complete this perfectly symmetrical monument.

Other Activities

·         Tonga Ride at Taj Mahal

·         Shopping – Fine Quality Marble, Textile, Handloom & Handicrafts

·         Other Attractions – Itmad-Ul-Daula’s Tomb, Akbar’s Tomb (Sikandra, Mughal Heritage Walk

Overnight at Agra (Breakfast)

Day 06: Agra – Jaipur via Fatehpur Sikri (240 Kms drive)

Check-out from the hotel and drive to Jaipur. En-route visit to FATEHPUR SIKRI – Founded in 1569 by the Mughal emperor Akbar, and served as the capital of the Mughal Empire from 1571 to 1585. It is 40 kms from Agra on the Agra - Jaipur highway.

Sightseeing – Here we will visit to Buland Darwaza; 55 meters high gate was added some five years later after the completion of the mosque ca. 1576-1577. We will also visit Jama Masjid, Tomb of Salim Chishti, Diwan-i-Aam, Diwan-i-Khas.

Further continue drive to Jaipur. Upon arrival, check-in to the hotel and rest of the day free at leisure for own activities or relax in the hotel.

Overnight at Jaipur (Breakfast)

Day 07: Jaipur Sightseeing

JAIPUR – Named after its founder Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II was established on 18 November 1727. Jaipur is considered as the first planned city in the country. In 1878AD, Jaipur was painted with Pink color to welcome Prince Albert, consort of Queen Victoria and since then the city is also known as “Pink City”.

Sightseeing – Early in the morning we will leave for an excursion to Amber City; the capital of Kachhwahas for six centuries before the foundation of Jaipur City. Ascend the Amber Fort with a traditional royal experience of Elephant ride. Within the Fort complex we will visit Sheesh Mahal, Diwan-e-Aam and Dowan-e-Khas. Later drive back to Pink City. En-route a short photo-shoot in-front the Jal Mahal, a small palace set in the middle of Man Sagar Lake.

Afternoon visit to the City Palace, situated in the heart of the old city occupies about one seventh of the Old City. Within the City Palace we will visit Mubarak Mahal, Clock Tower and City Palace Museum, Later we will visit Jantar Mantar Observatory, built in 18th century by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh to study the movement of constellations and stars in the sky. The enormous sun dials still provides the accurate time. Before returning to your hotel, take pictures in-front the Hawa Mahal, ‘Palace of Winds’ a five storied semi-octagonal building having 152 windows was built in 1799 AD by Maharaja Pratap Singh for the royal ladies to enjoy the processions and other royal activities on the street.

Other Activities

·         Visit to Chokhi Dhani Village (an ethnic village)

·         Shopping – Jewellery, Textiles, Handloon & Handicrafts

·         Other attractions – Birla Temple, Jaigarh Fort, Nahargarh Fort, Albert Hall

Overnight at Jaipur (Breakfast)

Day 08: Jaipur – Delhi (260 kms drive)

Check-out from the hotel and transfer to Delhi international airport to board the flight to onward journey.

Tour concludes with many unforgettable memories