Golden Triangle Tour with Varanasi

After breakfast , proceed for a full-day private tour, with a guide in English (or language of your choice ) speaking . Visit fascinating Old Delhi for a cultural immersion in this beautiful historic city. Drive past Red Fort and Jama Masjid : The Red Fort (Lal Qila) is one of Delhi's top tourist sights. A brilliant red sandstone fort built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan (who also built Agra's Taj Mahal) as his ruling palace. Enjoy Rickshaw ride, passing through the Chandni Chowk market  (where craftsmen sell their wares ) and through the narrow streets of old Delhi where you will come across the   the fusion of current traditions and heritage that were built there. The ride terminates at Jama Masjid mosque which is one of Asia’s largest mosques with its marble domes and splendor minarets. Continue to Raj Ghat (where Gandhiji was cremated). 

Continue your visit to main temple of Sikhism in Delhi: Gurdwara Bangla Sahib, which was originally a palace and has a peculiar golden dome. During the temple visit, the opportunity to participate in food preparation ( subject to time availability) in the communal kitchen run by Gurdwara Committee.

Afternoon, continue with tour of New Delhi, which reflects the legacy the British left behind. The division between New and Old Delhi is the division between the capitals of the British and the Mughals respectively. The division in the walled city and New Delhi also marks the division in the lifestyles. The walled city is all tradition where one will be able to glean a past lifestyle in all its facets colours and spells. New Delhi in contrast, is a city trying to live up to the best of 21st century standards. Drive past India Gate, Government buildings, visit Qutub Minar .

Qutub Minar : also spelled Qutub Minar or Qutab Minar is the tallest brick minaret in the world and an important example of Indo-Islamic Architecture. The Qutub Minar and its monuments are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Stay    : Overnight at Hotel
Meals : Breakfast 

After Breakfast , proceed to heritage city of Jaipur.
Optional visit :  You may drive through Samode (A village and Majesty Palace nestled among the rugged yet beautiful Aravalli Hills ). This enchanting village is ideal for leisurely walks and holds interest for ancient art, culture, local crafts, and the aesthetic beauty of havelis and forts. The magnificent Samode Palace is a remarkable heritage hotel.
Lunch at Samode Palace.  After Lunch, explore Samode village then proceed to Jaipur.  Upon arrival check in at hotel. Rest of the day free at leisure.
Jaipur: is the capital and largest city of the Indian state of Rajasthan in Northern India. It was founded on 18 November 1727 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the ruler of Amber, after whom the city is named. Jaipur is known as the Pink City of India and well known for its beautiful carpets, enamelled ornaments, precious and semi-precious stones, brass ornaments and many other arts and crafts”. 

Evening at leisure for personal activities or if time permits, visit to famous The Laxmi Narayan Temple is commonly known as the Birla Temple . . There is a magnificent museum which exhibits the ancestral possessions of the Birla family.

Stay    : Overnight at Hotel
Meals : Breakfast 

After breakfast proceed for the sightseeing tour of Jaipur visiting Amer Fort with Elephant Ride. Enroute to Amer Fort , brief stop at Palace on winds ( Hawa Mahal)  to have photo shoot and glimpses of this Wind Palace. Amer Fort is approximate 10 Kms from Jaipur and is the ancient capital of Jaipur. Fort palace was constructed in 1652 by King Mansingh and later extended and completed by King Jai Singh. Erected on a vast hill, the citadel and its fort were intended to protect the ancient capital of the state of Jaipur.  You will get there on the back of an elephant. Explore the majestic Amer Fort. You will be able to visit the various rooms, the inner courtyards, the rooms of public hearings, the Mughal gardens with its star-shaped flower beds. In addition, Amber Fort offers panoramic views of Lake Maota. After your visit, return down the hill through Jeep. Take out some some time to do shopping of Handicrafts before proceeding further to City Palace, if interested to carry some souvenirs from this city.

City Palace is one of the major landmarks in Jaipur. The beautiful palace was built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh during his reign. Among the various forts and palaces of Jaipur, City Palace stands apart, with its outstanding art and architecture. In the Palace complex visit Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum. Visit to Observatory or Jantar Mantar. It is an astronomical observation site built in the early 18th century. Whose passion for science, engineering, and astronomy prompted him to construct this complex of fourteen scientific instruments. It’s been over 200 years since they were first constructed, these fourteen structures can still accurately measure time; predict eclipses, and track stars and planets in their orbits.

Apart, Handicrafts,  Jaipur is also famous for stones and Gems. If interested, one may visit to one of the Handicraft stores for local handicrafts or hand-woven carpets or stone and Gems place to buy or shop around.

Later, proceed for Dinner at one of the old heritage palaces to see the cultural dance performance.

Stay    : Overnight at Hotel
Meals : Breakfast 

After breakfast in morning, drive to Agra enroute have a brief visit of Abhaneri ( Abhaneri, also spelled Abhaneri, is a village and yields ruins of an ancient city, Abhaneri, now popular for the Chand Baori ( Roughly 1000 Years Old Step well ) . 

Optional : Later, proceed to visit Fatehpur Sikri. Built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in the mid-16th century, Fatehpur Sikri was meant to be a new capital for his empire. It was also the emperor’s homage to Saint Sheikh Salim Chishti, who predicted the birth of the emperor’s much-desired son and heir. Built in almost uniform style, Sikri is a sprawling complex of palaces, mosques, temples, and other structures. It is a stunning amalgamation of the Persian and Indian styles of building. After visit continue your drive for Agra. Upon arrival check in at the hotel.

Agra : Situated on the bank of River Yamuna, the city is famous for being the capital of the Mughal emperors from 1526 to 1658. It is a major tourist destination for its many Mughal-era buildings such as TAJ Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri, all three of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Optional tour : Mohabbat-e-Taj Show. Spend your evening watching the amazing Mohabbat-e-Taj Show depicting the romantic love story of Emperor Shah Jahan and his beloved wife Mumtaj Mahal. It is a live show in Hindi language and interpretation is available in English, French and German languages through headphones. Over 80 talented artists will perform this love story along with creative dance performances. Return to Hotel.

Stay    : Overnight at Hotel
Meals : Breakfast 

Before Breakfast, early morning - Visit the incredible Taj Mahal by sunrise (UNESCO), a white marble mausoleum built by the Mughal emperor Shâh Jahân for his Empress Mumtaz. The construction of this monument of love is believed to have taken 22 years to complete with over 20,000 craftsmen working round the clock. The white marble was quarried 200 miles away and was transported to the site by a fleet of 1000 elephants. It is also termed as monument of love and remains closed on every Friday.

After your approximate 02 Hrs visit , return for breakfast at hotel. Later,  Check out and Before proceeding to Delhi - Visit the mythical Red Fort of Agra (UNESCO), symbol of the power and artistic influence of the Mughal dynasty standing on the banks of the Yamuna, a tributary of the Ganges. The Agra Fort is one of the most important and robustly built strongholds of the Mughals, built at the bank of River Yamuna, is situated in the center of the town. Various styles of the architecture are evident within the fort and demonstrate the love of Mughal Emperors towards building beautiful monuments. It is the seat and the stronghold of the Mughal Empire under successive generations. Agra is known for its fabulous marble and soft stone inlay work. The Mughals were great patrons of Arts and Crafts. Before proceeding to Delhi, mat take out some time free for shopping in this city and then after Lunch ( at your own ), if needed can proceed to Delhi. It takes minimum 04 hours to reach Delhi. Upon arrival check in at Hotel.

Stay    : Overnight at Hotel
Meals : Breakfast 

After breakfast, in time proceed to  Airport to connect flight to Varanasi. Upon arrival in Varanasi, check in at hotel .Afternoon, proceed to visit Sarnath,  one of the top four Buddhist pilgrimage destinations in the world, where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon. Buddhists look upon India as the land of Buddha which makes Sarnath a popular tourist attraction. The emperor Ashoka, who spread the Buddha’s message of love and compassion throughout his vast empire, visited Sarnath around 234BC, and erected a stupa here. Several Buddhist structures were raised at Sarnath between the 3rd century BC and the 11th century AD. Visit the Archaeological Museum (Closed on Friday’s), Asoka Pillar and the Chinese Buddhist Temple. Later drive back to Varanasi to participate in evening prayer, held by the river Ganges.

Stay    : Overnight at Hotel
Meals : Breakfast 

Early morning at 0500 Hrs. proceed to Experience Boat Ride on River Ganges. The traditional boat ride will take you through  various cremation Ghats to have spiritual experience . In these Ghats, Hindu people last rituals are done.  After having the ride, return back to hotel. visit the Banaras Hindu University.  Return to hotel for Breakfast.

After breakfast, you may visit various Hindu temple, famous Banaras Hindu university, Bharat Mata Temple and spend some time  time to do shopping, if interested. Varanasi is world famous for Silk sarees and here silk items are of best quality at good competitive prices, which you may buy for yourself or friends. Later, proceed to Airport to connect your onward flight to Delhi International Airport.

Transfer to international airport for onward journey.