Golden triangle & Varanasi
9 Days
Medium
The "Golden Triangle & Varanasi" programme offers an unparalleled cultural and spiritual experience, travelling through Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur, before culminating in the sacred city of Varanasi on the banks of the River Ganges.
Information about
Golden triangle & Varanasi
The Golden Triangle is probably one of the best routes to delve into the Indian subcontinent. In this region, you can visit three essential cities: Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur, that is, the Golden Triangle, the country's most outstanding tour with an unbeatable cultural and architectural richness and very well preserved. You can enjoy the splendor of many centuries of hegemony and understand the life of the maharajas. Finally, let yourself be impressed by the magical city of Varanasi, which will leave a lasting mark on your heart.
Included visits: India Gate, Presidential House and Delhi government buildings (from outside), Qutab Minar, Sikh Temple Bangla Sahib, Jama Masjid Mosque, Chandni Chowk in rickshaw, Red Fort of Delhi (from outside), Raj Ghat - Mahatma Gandhi Memorial, Aarti Ceremony in Jaipur, Amber Fort (elephant or 4x4 ascent), Jaipur Palace, Hawa Mahal (from outside), Jantar Mantar Observatory, rickshaw ride through the local markets of Jaipur, Chand Baori in Abhaneri, Fatehpur Sikri, Agra Red Fort, Taj Mahal, Aarti ceremony on the Ganges River, boat ride on the Ganges River at dawn, visit of the old city of Varanasi on foot and in rickshaw, and Sarnath, the birthplace of Buddhism.
Included visits: India Gate, Presidential House and Delhi government buildings (from outside), Qutab Minar, Sikh Temple Bangla Sahib, Jama Masjid Mosque, Chandni Chowk in rickshaw, Red Fort of Delhi (from outside), Raj Ghat - Mahatma Gandhi Memorial, Aarti Ceremony in Jaipur, Amber Fort (elephant or 4x4 ascent), Jaipur Palace, Hawa Mahal (from outside), Jantar Mantar Observatory, rickshaw ride through the local markets of Jaipur, Chand Baori in Abhaneri, Fatehpur Sikri, Agra Red Fort, Taj Mahal, Aarti ceremony on the Ganges River, boat ride on the Ganges River at dawn, visit of the old city of Varanasi on foot and in rickshaw, and Sarnath, the birthplace of Buddhism.
The trip includes
8 nights of accommodation in 5* hotels with half board (drinks not included).
All transfers and excursions as per itinerary in a private vehicle with air conditioning and WiFi.
English-speaking guide throughout the tour, except during plane transfers.
Entry to all visits in the program.
Flight: Delhi – Varanasi – Delhi in tourist class (maximum luggage allowed 15 kg / person)
Arenatours cap and shoe covers for visiting temples and mosques.
Mineral water throughout the tour.
Itinerary
1
Arrival in Delhi
Arrival at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi. Welcome and transfer to the Delhi hotel.
Delhi stands as the capital of modern India. Here one can see the mix of old and new India, the ancient and the modern. Delhi has witnessed the rise and fall of many emperors, which has left a wealth of monuments commemorating the grandeur and glory of bygone times. New Delhi: The footprints of Lutyens, the greatest British architect: We will tour the imperial part of the city, designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens for the British in the 1920s. We will continue along the main avenue Rajpath, contemplating the impressive India Gate, a war memorial of World War I. We will also be able to contemplate Rashtrapati Bhawan, the president's residence, and Parliament.
Bangla Sahib Sikh Temple: It is one of the most popular places of worship in Delhi, to whose pool hundreds of Hindus come early in the morning to purify themselves. It stands out for its immaculate white facade and its spectacular golden dome.
Accommodation and dinner at the hotel.
Day 1
2
Day 2
Delhi - Jaipur
(260 kms by car - approximately 5-6 hours)
After breakfast at the hotel, we will begin the visits to Old Delhi:
Jama Masjid: One of India's largest mosques, accommodating up to 25,000 people. Towering over Old Delhi, the "Friday Mosque" was built between 1644 and 1658 by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, who wanted to build a replica of the Moti Masjid, the mosque of the city of Agra. The result was a mixture of Mughal and Hindu architectural styles.
We will explore the bustling streets of Old Delhi on a rickshaw cycle, also known as a tricycle, a typical vehicle of India. We will go through the narrow alleys of the 300-year-old Chandni Chowk Market, which stands out for the variety of its shops: from saris for all tastes, to books, clothing, footwear, home decor, leather goods, and electronic products, as well as authentic Indian food, delicacies, and sweets of more than 1,000 types. We will pass by the elegant Red Fort, Shah Jahans of Delhi, and visit Raj Ghat, the memorial in memory of the Hindu leader Mahatma Gandhi.
We will depart to Jaipur by road.
Arrival in Jaipur. If time permits, we will attend an aarti ceremony.
Accommodation and dinner at the hotel.
3
Day 3
Jaipur
Optional: At dawn, Balloon Safari to experience Jaipur from a very exclusive perspective as it moves through traditional local villages, spectacular fortresses, impressive landscapes, and hidden palaces. This Balloon ride is approximately 60 minutes. Operational from September 1st to April 30th (approximately) and subject to weather conditions.
After breakfast at the hotel. Sightseeing tour of Jaipur, also known as the "Pink City" and the gateway to Rajasthan, where we will visit:
Amber Fort: We will ascend by elephant or 4x4 vehicle. Built by the Meenas, who consecrated the city to Amba (the Mother Goddess), it was the residence of the royal family and is one of India's most enchanting fortresses. A complex of temples and public halls with very well-maintained gardens, where the hall of mirrors stands out: when the royalty lived in this place, at night, if they needed to pass through this room, they took a single candle, and thanks to the intricate design of small mirrors, the whole room was illuminated. It is an exquisite example of Rajput architecture, built from red sandstone and white marble.
Tour of the pink city of Jaipur, where we can contemplate the astronomical observatory Jantar Mantar, the Palace of Jaipur, and the magnificent facade of the palace of the winds Hawa Mahal, considered the maximum exponent of Rajput architecture.
At sunset, we will visit the local markets of Jaipur on a rickshaw.
Accommodation and dinner at the hotel.
4
Day 4
Jaipur - Abhaneri- Fatehpur Sikri - Agra
(245 kms by car - approximately 6 hours)
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure to Agra. On the way, we will visit:
Chand Baori: In the small town of Abhaneri, this incredible stepwell dating from the year 800 AD, one of the largest and deepest in India. It has 3,500 steps in 13 levels and reaches a depth of 20 meters.
Fatehpur Sikri: The name Fatehpur Sikri evokes nostalgia for history among the minds of India. The richest period in history can be attributed to the Mughal period, and Fatehpur Sikri is synonymous with all the architectural wonder that this emperor could evoke. This is officially a city and a district, but in reality, this historical facade is a mere ghost town of the past. The facade of Fatehpur Sikri remains a historical monument - abandoned - despite being built to withstand an ancient expanding city. It is believed to have had to be abandoned due to a lack of water, resulting in it being looted and many of its treasures stolen. It still retains its magnificent architecture, a blend of Hindu and Islamic styles. Built during the second half of the 16th century by Emperor Akbar, Fatehpur Sikri (the city of Victory) was the capital of the Mughal Empire for 14 years.
We will continue by car to Agra. Check-in at the hotel.
Accommodation and dinner at the hotel.
5
Day 5
Agra
After breakfast at the hotel, we will begin the visits to Agra:
The Red Fort: One of the great fortified residences built at various strategic points of the Mughal empire. The fortress presents a good sample of Islamic and Hindu architectural styles. It is said that the Agra Fort is the place where Shajahan saw Mumtaz and fell in love at first sight.
The love written in stone: Sunset at the Taj Mahal, the marble monument of love that needs no introduction. The Taj Mahal was built by Emperor Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his beloved queen Mumtaz Begum. This wonder of the world is said to have taken 21 years to build. It features a huge bright white dome with four minarets at the corners and is characterized by perfect symmetry and harmony, whether it be the shape of the minarets; the domes; the central arch of the facade; the perfectly arranged arched cavities, or the intricate stone inlay work. It is the most extravagant monument ever built for love.
Accommodation and dinner at the hotel.
6
Day 6
Agra-Delhi ((240 kms by car - approximately 4 hours) - Varanasi (by plane)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer to Delhi airport to connect with the flight to Varanasi. Upon arrival, reception and transfer to the hotel.
In the afternoon, we will attend an impressive aarti ceremony on the banks of the Ganges River, one of the city's main attractions.
**Note: In case the aarti ceremony is missed due to a flight delay, the same will be provided the next day.
Accommodation and dinner at the hotel.
7
Day 7
Varanasi
At dawn, we will enjoy a boat excursion to experience the rituals performed by Hindus, as people bathe in the sacred river hoping to be liberated from reincarnations. We will see how pilgrims offer sweets, flowers, and sacred water to the Sun God.
Return to the hotel for breakfast, taking a walk through the alleys of Varanasi, and visiting some of the important temples like the Bharat Mata Temple and the Goddess Durga Temple.
After breakfast and a bit of rest, we will make an excursion to one of the most important Buddhist centers, Sarnath, located 10Kms northeast of Varanasi. It is the place where Buddha gave his first sermon after enlightenment in Bodhgaya. In the year 234 BC, Emperor Ashoka, a great follower of Buddhism, built a stupa here. Many Buddhist constructions took place here between the 3rd century BC and the 11th century AC.
Accommodation and dinner at the hotel.
8
Day 8
Varanasi - Delhi (by plane)
Breakfast at the hotel.
Transfer to Varanasi airport to connect with the return flight to Delhi. Upon arrival at Delhi airport, we visit the Qutub Minar complex before transferring to the hotel.
Accommodation and dinner at the hotel.
9
Day 9
Delhi - Departure
Breakfast at the hotel.
At the agreed time, transfer to the airport to take the departure flight.
Rooms are available until 1200 hrs noon.
