Golden Triangle With Lucknow & Varanasi, 11 Days Tour 11 days

Day 1 Arriaval Delhi

Arrive at Indira Gandhi International Airport with meet and greet by a representative, followed by transfer to your hotel. In the evening, enjoy a welcome briefing session with the tour manager. Delhi is a bustling metropolis where the past and the present merge, and where the Old and the New cities define the capital’s cultural and architectural heritage.

Day 2 Delhi

Today morning, after breakfast proceed for a sightseeing tour of Delhi. Visit the beautiful historical Jama Masjid - The Masjid-i Jahān-Numā, commonly known as the Friday Mosque. At the end of the day, enjoy a cycle rickshaw ride through the narrow streets of Old Delhi (included). Drive past the India Gate (war memorial dedicated to the lives of laid down by the Indian soldiers), the President's Residence-formerly the Viceroy's Palace, the Parliament House, and the Secretariat Buildings - an interesting blend of the Victorian and 20th-century architecture. Also visit Humayun’s Tomb, one of the earliest examples of Mughal architecture in India. Recently renovated with the gardens restored to their former splendor, complete with beautiful fountains, it is a very attractive site. Architecturally, the mausoleum drew its inspiration from the styles prevalent in Samarkand and the design of the Taj Mahal is based on this tomb.

Optional visit to Qutab Minar (not included): the Qutab Minar complex has many historical monuments. One of the oldest mosques in India - The Quwwat-Ul-Islam - built from the dressed and carved stones of demolished temples, is situated in this complex. It establishes the political victory of Islam in northern India. The construction of the Qutab Minar is believed to have been started in 1199 by Qutab ud din Aibak and later completed by his successors. This stunning old tower is decorated with elegant balconies and carvings.

Day 3 Delhi - Jaipur (235 km - 6 hours)

Enjoy a beautiful breakfast at the hotel and after depart to Jaipur. The whole city is dotted with hill forts-listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India, splendid palaces, and many fascinating architectures. It is worldly known as a “Pink City” due to its unique reddish architecture. It is the capital of Rajasthan and it remains the only place where the nine sectors that sub-divide the city symbolize the nine divisions of the universe. Upon the arrival check in to your hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure, admiring the iambic atmosphere of this city.

Day 4 Jaipur

After an energizing breakfast at the hotel, get ready for a morning excursion to Amber Fort. Located on a spur overlooking a lake, Amber Fort’s robust, time-ravaged walls appear imposing from the outside but they hide an interior packed with beautifully decorated palaces and temples and landscaped gardens. Be dazzled by Sheesh Mahal, a spacious room with all the four walls and the ceiling completely embedded with glittering mirror pieces. Admire the frescoes of the Ganesh Pol gate and the colonnade of the Diwan-i-Aam. En route to Amber Fort, you will have a brief photograph stop at Hawa Mahal-the Palace of Winds. Afternoon visit to Maharaja's City Palace, the former Royal Residence, and part of it is converted into a museum. A private portion of the palace is still used by the Royal Family of Jaipur. Also visit Jantar Mantar, the world-famous stone and marble crafted observatory is still in working condition. This tour will take around 1.5 hrs. You will be back at the hotel later afternoon. The rest of the day spend at leisure.

Day 5 Jaipur - Agra (250 km - 5 hours)

After breakfast at the hotel, bid farewell to Jaipur. You will drive to your following destination - Agra. Agra rose to fame in the 17th century as the capital of the Mughal Empire and was beautified with gardens, waterfalls, bathhouses, and canals. Over time, the city turned into a thriving crafts center, also famous for marble inlay work and carpet production. Upon the arrival, check in to the hotel and prepare for an afternoon sightseeing tour of Agra, visit of the awe-inspiring Taj Mahal included. Built-in the mid-17th century by the heartbroken Shah Jahan following the death in childbirth of his queen, Mumtaz Mahal, this mausoleum is an eternal love poem written in stone. During the visit, you can admire the intricacy of the work of the 20,000 craftsmen who were brought from Persia, Turkey, France, and Italy to build this astonishing monument.

Note: Taj Mahal closed on Fridays.

After this fulfilling 4 hours tour, spend the rest of the day at leisure, absorbing this romantic surrounding on your own.

Optional Agra Fort visit

Visit Agra Fort, whose forbidding red sandstone battlements to hide a number of majestic Mughal palaces. Explore the delightful Diwan-i-Am (Hall of Public Audience) where the emperor once sat on his throne to address his people and the Diwan-i-Khas (Hall of Private Audience) where he hosted kings and foreign dignitaries. The white marble Mina Masjid (Heavenly Mosque) stands in contrast to the rest of the Red Fort.

Day 6 Agra - Lucknow (336 km - 4.5 hours)

After a luscious breakfast at the hotel, drive to Lucknow, gastronomical hubs of the region. Lucknow is one of those few places that cling on to their original character and refuse to let go even in the face of the fiercest of the storms of change. Majestic old monuments all but scream out the tales of an ephemeral yet rich tangible past. Descendants of royal chefs still serve cuisine prepared from recipes secretly handed down over generations. The tradition of Tehzeeb (courtesy) inculcated by the Nawabs (royal retainers) of the yesteryears often springs forth from the small gestures and language of the folks living here. Small wonder that all the sights, smells and sounds of Lucknow connive to become obsessive yet endearing memories. Upon the arrival check into your hotel and get lost in the tempting smells and flavors of this city.

Day 7 Lucknow

This morning, after breakfast, start the day with the full day sightseeing tour of Lucknow - the city of Nawabs! Located in what was historically known as the Awadh region, Lucknow has always been a multicultural city. Courtly manners, beautiful gardens, poetry, music, and fine cuisine patronized by the Persia-influenced Nawabs of the city characterize the city. Present-day Lucknow is a vibrant city that is witnessing an economic boom and is among the top ten fastest-growing non-major-metropolitan cities of India. Lucknow and the region around it are also known for a wide variety of mangoes and delectable melons. Lucknow is also famous for its small scales industries like the oil-based perfumes ittar, kite making, and unique styles of embroidery, namely Chikan and Lakhnawi Zardosi. Sightseeing tour of Lucknow includes a visit to the exquisitely decorated Rumi Darwaza, also known as the Turkish Gate, the magnificent Bara Immambara, the Husainabad Immambara, and the Asafud-daula Immambara, which reflect the quintessence of Awadhi architecture. Visit the Picture Gallery, which houses a collection of life-size oil paintings of the Nawabs of Oudh and also visit Chattar Manzil, Moti Mahal and the British Raj Residency, which was the site of mutiny in 1857. Your will return to the hotel in the late afternoon.

Day 8 Lucknow - Varanasi (6.5 hours by train)

Wake up early in the morning, have a quick breakfast after which you will be transferred to the railway station to board the train for Varanasi. (Lucknow / Varanasi LKO BSB Intercity-Express 07:00/13:30 hours). Upon your arrival, there will be our tour representative waiting for you and will assist you with the transfer to the hotel. After the check-in you will have time at leisure, exploring a new location on your own until the evening time, when there is an organized visit to the Ganges to witness the Aarti ceremony. Aarti is said to have descended from the Vedic concept of fire rituals. In the traditional Aarti ceremony, the flower represents the earth (solidity), the water and accompanying handkerchief correspond with the water element (liquidity), the lamp or candle represents the fire component (heat), the peacock fan conveys the precious quality of air (movement), and the yak-tail fan represents the subtle form of ether (space). The incense represents a purified state of mind, and one’s "intelligence" is offered through the adherence to rules of timing and order of offerings. Thus, one’s entire existence and all facets of material creation are symbolically offered to the Lord via the Aarti ceremony (included). After this unique and spiritual experience, you will be transferred back to the hotel for dinner (not included).

Day 9 Varanasi

Wake up early in the morning and enjoy a boat ride through the river Ganges. The ride gives you an unforgettable experience as you see the bathing and cremation sites. The boat ride takes you till Manikarnika Ghat - the cremation ghat and back. After boat ride, take a short (approx. 1.5 hrs) walking tour through the narrow lanes of Varanasi passing by Vishwanath Temple - also called The Golden temple because of the gold-plating on its roof and Durga Temple (non-Hindus are not allowed in the temple).

Later, return to the hotel for breakfast. After breakfast, the excursion to Sarnath comes after. Buddha preached his first sermon to five disciples at the Deer Park here, enshrining the principals of his teaching into laws. The Dhamek Stupa Marks the location of a once resplendent monastery. A large complex of ruined monasteries covers the area north of the stupas. Some of the buildings belong to the Kushan and Gupta period. The first monk communities probably settled here in the 3rd century BC. Near the Dhamek Stupa is a new Monastery built by the Buddhist Mahabodhi Society. A Japanese artist depicts the major events of Buddha’s life here in wall paintings. Sarnath has an interesting archaeological Museum, which has preserved the famous Sarnath pillar, whose capital forms India’s national emblem. You will be back at the hotel in the late afternoon when you will have time at leisure.

Day 10 Varanasi - Delhi (1.5 hours by flight)

Wake up to the beautiful breakfast and enjoy the day at leisure. Absorb the last moments in Varanasi before your transfer to the Varanasi Airport to take your flight back to Delhi. (Varanasi - Delhi AI 433 15:30 / 17:05 hours). Upon your arrival at Delhi airport, you will be met and greeted by our tour representative and transferred to your hotel for check-in. This day is a perfect alternative to spend it on your own and applying what you have learned during the previous days. You could stroll down to the busy bazaars of Delhi and enjoy local gastronomy or just admire the variety of local products.

Day 11 Depart Delhi

After breakfast, check out from the hotel (no later than 11am) and at the appropriate time, transfer to Delhi International Airport to board your onward flight.