Varanasi, popularly known as Kashi or Banaras means “The City of Light” is said to be the abode of Lord Shiva (The Supreme God in Hinduism). Varanasi is one of the seven holiest cities located in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, in India. The holy city has been a symbol of spiritualism, philosophy, and mysticism for thousands of years and has produced great saints and personalities like Guatama Buddha, Mahavira, Kabir, Tulsi Das, Shankaracharya, Ramanuja, and Patanjali. The holy throngs visit every year in numbers to take a holy dip in river Ganges to cleanse themselves of their sins and to perform Hindu rituals on its Ghats.
There is no better way to explore the essence of the city by walking through its narrow serpentine streets with around 2,000 temples. The Kashi Vishwanath temple is the most sacred and popular amongst all. Kashi Vishwanath is also one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. One can learn valuable lessons from Vairagya (detachment) by descending to the Ghats where all the rituals are performed daily. Boat riding on the Ganges is the best way to see the ceremonious Ghats by sailing through one by one including the Ghat where dead human bodies are cremated live. Cremation is an extremely important ritual for Hindus. They believe it releases an individual's spiritual essence from its transitory physical body so it can be reborn.
We club Varanasi trip with the most popular tourist circuit of India called Golden Triangle tour visiting historical cities like Delhi, Jaipur, and the city of Taj Mahal, Agra.
Destination Covered : Delhi - Jaipur - Agra - Delhi - Varanasi - Delhi
Duration : 08 Nights / 09 Days
DAY 01 : ARRIVE DELHI
Upon arrival in Delhi, you will be greeted by our company’s representative and transferred to your pre-booked hotel. Your travel documents are given and elaborated by our representative on arrival. Overnight stay at hotel.
DAY 02 : DELHI – JAIPUR DRIVE (260 KMS 5 HRS)
After breakfast at the hotel in the morning, drive to Jaipur, popularly known as the Pink City of Rajasthan. Jaipur has been a city of royals always and the reason why it got the title Pink city is that once the Prince of Wales was going to visit Jaipur and to give it a face-lift the ruler got the whole city painted in pink color because that was the only color available in that much amount required for the purpose. On arrival at Jaipur, check in to a hotel with the help of our assistants and spend your night in here.
DAY 03 : JAIPUR FULL DAY CITY TOUR
After breakfast, morning visit to the famous Amber Fort which is 11 km from the Jaipur city. An Elephant ride from the foothills of the Aravallis to the fort entrance. 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 museum having an extensive collection of art, carpets, enamelware, and weapons Jantar Mantar, the observatory built by Maharaja Jai Singh in 1728 and the façade of Hawa Mahal. The rest of the day is free at your leisure and shopping. Overnight stay at hotel.
DAY 04 : JAIPUR - FATEHPUR SIKRI - AGRA (240 KM 05 HOURS DRIVE)
After breakfast, drive to Agra en-route visiting the famous Fatehpur Sikri, a UNESCO world heritage site. 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 and other Palaces which are still preserved in its original glory. Continue drive to Agra. Arrive Agra in the evening and check-in at a pre-booked hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 05 : AGRA – DELHI (BY ROAD 200 KM 3 - 4 HRS DRIVE) / DELHI – VARANASI (BY FLIGHT)
The morning after breakfast, visit the Taj Mahal, one of the most famous monuments made of marble in the world. Taj Mahal is a mausoleum built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in the 16thcentury in the memory of his wife Mumtaj who died young at a child’s birth. It took the emperor 22 years to build the marble masterpiece with the help of 20,000 workers and artisans. After seeing Taj Mahal go to see Agra Fort which is a grand fortress of Mughal dynasty, built over Mughal’s three generations.
Later drive back to Delhi airport to board a flight to Varanasi. Upon arrival in Varanasi, you are met and transferred to your pre-booked hotel. Overnight at hotel.
DAY 06 : VARANASI
Varanasi is a sacred town of Hindu Pilgrimage because there are several ghats that Hindus revere as divine blessings of almighty. Varanasi formerly known as Kashi is the city where the Hindu faithful come to bathe in the sacred waters of the Ganges. Early morning get ready for a dawn boat ride on the river Ganges. The Ganges is the most sacred and venerated river in India. Besides the ritualistic aspect of Hinduism (thread ceremony, head shaving food to the departed souls, etc.) also see the bathing. Laundry and the cremations of the dead that take place here on the banks of the river. After the boat ride walk through the fascinating narrow twisting lanes of the city to watch the performance of various Hindu rituals by the pilgrims. Stroll around the Ghats and visit Kashi Vishwanath Temple - One of the popular and must-visit temples dedicated to Lord Shiva.
In the afternoon proceed to the village of Sarnath on the outskirts of town. It was in this Deer Park that the Lord Buddha preached his first sermon. Visit the Park and Museum. Sarnath was made a center of Buddhist worship by the emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BC. Visit the Main Shrine and Ashoka's Pillar. In the Archaeological Museum, we will see the beautifully carved capital from the pillar along with many other priceless Buddhist artifacts.
The highlight of this tour would be a participation in the evening Aarti ( prayer service) at the main Buddhist temple here. Overnight at hotel.
DAY 07 : VARANASI - DELHI (BY FLIGHT)
After breakfast, you are transferred to the airport to board flight back to Delhi. Upon arrival in Delhi, you are met with our company’s representative and transferred to the hotel. After freshen up, full day city tour of New Delhi. Delhi is a capital of India and a blend of historical, religious and contemporary structures. Following are the major attractions you are going to visit today such as
Qutub Minar : Qutab Minar is a tall conical 73 mt high (240 feet) tower built by Qutab-ud-din-Aibak in 1192 as a victory tower after the defeat of Delhi’s last Hindu Kingdom. With a diameter of 14.32 mt at the base and about 2.75 mt on top
Humayun’s Tomb : It was the first garden-tomb in India. The tomb of Humayun commissioned by his eldest wife widow Bega Begam (Haiji Begum) in 1569, 14 years after his death, located in New Delhi.
India Gate : The India Gate is a war memorial located at the center of New Delhi across the Rajpath at the eastern end. An imposing India Gate is 42 mt high made of red stone, laid out a huge Arc-de-Triomphe like archway in the middle of the crossroad of Rajpath, formerly known as Kingsway.
Rashtrapati Bhawan or Presidents House: Rashtrapati Bhawan is the official residence of President of India, located in central Delhi. The palatial Presidential Palace is one of the main attractions of New Delhi. It was formerly known as Viceroys house until 1950, designed by British architect Sir Edwin Lutyens.
Lotus Temple or Bahai Temple : The Lotus Temple is a Bahai House of Worship located in New Delhi completed in 1986. The building is famous for its lotus flowerlike shape that is one of the prime attractions of New Delhi. The Lotus Temple is open to all, regardless of religion.
Gandhi Smriti at Tees January Marg : Gandhi Smriti means Gandhi Remembrance is a place, where the father of nation the Mahatma Gandhi was shot on 30 January 1948. It was earlier known as Birla House owned by Birlas, the renowned businessmen family of India.
Laxminarayan Temple : The temple is also called as Birla Mandir, spread over an area of 7 acres, dedicated to Hindu deities Lord Vishnu & his consort Goddess Laxmi.
After finishing the sightseeing, you are free at leisure or shopping. Return to hotel for overnight stay.
DAY 08 : DELHI – FULL DAY SIGHTSEEING TOUR
Today after breakfast, a guided tour of old Delhi start. Visit the most significant monuments as places across old Delhi.
Red Fort: Red Fort is a UNESCO world heritage site located in Delhi, built by Mughal emperor Shahjahan, who also built the Taj Mahal in Agra. After shifting his capital from Agra to Delhi, he laid the foundation of Red Fort in 1638 and completed it in nine years. India Gate, Jama Mosque.
Jama Mosque : Jama mosque is one of the largest of all in India, presently situated across the road in front of the Red Fort in Old Delhi. It was commissioned by Mughal emperor Shahjahan in 1644 and completed in 1658 with the help of 5000 artisans under the supervision of Saadullah Khan, the prime minister of Shahjahan. He also built Taj Mahal in Agra
Raj Ghat: Raj Ghat is a memorial to Mahatma Gandhi located on the banks of river Yamuna in Delhi on Mahatma Gandhi Ring Road. It is black marble platform marks the spot where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated on 31 January 1948 fallowing his assassination on 30 January 1948.
Chandini Chowk : Chandini Chowk is one of the most popular markets of Delhi. It is located in Old Delhi near the Old Delhi railway station. Red Fort and Jama mosque are also located in proximity. It was built in the 17th century by Mughal emperor Shahjahan and designed by his beloved daughter Jaha Ara. Presently Chandini Chowk is famous for its markets offering pure Indian food, delicacies and profoundly Sarees with chikan & Zari work.
After sightseeing, day free at leisure. Return to hotel for overnight stay.
DAY 09 : LEAVE DELHI
Morning checks out from the hotel according to the departure time and transferred to International Airport to board flight for onward journey.
