Golden Triangle with Holy Ganges
Delhi-Varanasi-Khajuraho-Agra-Jaipur-Delhi
8 Nights / 9 Days
Welcome to our Holy Ganges tour! Embark on a spiritual journey from Delhi to Varanasi, tracing the sacred river’s path. Explore ancient temples, witness mesmerizing Ganga Aarti ceremonies, and immerse yourself in the spiritual essence of Varanasi. We are experts who guide you on a profound and unforgettable journey along the banks of the Holy Ganges.
Day 1: Delhi
Namaste! Welcome to India!
Upon arrival at Delhi international airport our representative will
meet you at the arrival lounge and accompany you to the hotel.
Evening leisure at hotel
Overnight stay – Hotel
Day 2: Delhi
Delhi Sightseeing
After breakfast we will leave for full day sightseeing in Delhi.
That includes monuments from old and new Delhi.
Overnight stay in Delhi.
Day 3: Varanasi
Delhi – Varanasi (Flight)
Today morning post breakfast, you will head to airport to board the flight for Varanasi or Banaras or Kashi, the various names of one of the most ancient living cities of the world. Upon arrival in Varanasi, you will be received by a local tour guide who will be with you for the next two days. From airport, you will proceed to visit Sarnath. You will return to your hotel post Ganga Aarti via the same narrow lanes by rickshaw.
Overnight stay – Hotel
Day 4: Khajuraho
Varanasi - Khajuraho (Flight)
Today, you we will get up early in the morning before sunrise for a boat ride on the river Ganges. You will board the boat and sail through from the Assi Ghat till Manikarnika Ghat, the biggest cremation ground. After finishing your sightseeing, you will be transferred to airport to catch your flight to Khajuraho. Upon arrival at Khajuraho airport you will proceed to your hotel.
Overnight stay – Hotel
Day 5: Agra
Khajuraho – Orchha – Jhansi – Agra
(Train Shatabdi express 17.30-20.30 Hrs.)
After breakfast we will leave for sightseeing of Khajuraho.
By late morning you will drive to Jhansi Railway Station to catch the train to Agra en route to see Orchha Fort. Later, you will depart for the railway station to catch the train to Agra which is located at a driving distance of 45 minutes from Orchha.
On arrival in Agra, our representative will meet you and accompany you to your hotel for smooth check-in.
Overnight stay – Hotel
Day 6: Agra
Agra sightseeing
Early morning visit to the Taj Mahal (1631-1653 & closed on Fridays), After breakfast, visit to Agra fort. Leisure time in the evening. Overnight stay in Agra.
Day 7: Jaipur
Agra–Abhaneri–Jaipur
(250 km / 6 Hrs.)
After breakfast, leave for Jaipur by road. On the way visit the Abhaneri stepwell (Chand bawari) .
Leisure time in the evening. Overnight stay in Jaipur
Day 8: Jaipur
Jaipur Sightseeing
After breakfast we will leave for full day sightseeing in Jaipur. Overnight stay in Jaipur.
Day 9: Delhi
Jaipur – Delhi
(260 km / 6 Hrs.) & depart.
Today post breakfast we will drive to Delhi airport to board the flight for onward destination.
Our tour concludes: Incredible Reisen thank you for your patronage and ensures a punctual transfer to the Airport for onward travel
Highlights
Delhi, also known as the Heart of India, is famous for different religions, cultures, food and market places which makes this landmass even more beautiful.
Delhi has some remarkable monument Red Fort (From outside), built by the Mughals Jama Masjid one of the largest mosques in India where more than 25,000 people can kneel in prayer, Completed in 1656. This Mosque has three gateways, four angle towers and two 40 m high minarets located across the road. Further we will enjoy the rickshaw ride through various markets of Chandni Chowk.
Visit Raj Ghat on the banks of the river Yamuna, Mahatma Gandhi’s Memorial, where he was cremated following his assassination in January 1948. By afternoons we will reach Lutyens’s Delhi and drive pass to India Gate which was built in the year 1931 to commemorate the Indian soldiers who died in the World War I & the Afghan Wars, and President House, the official residence of President of India, formally known as the viceroy’s house during British rule.
Finally, we will conclude our Delhi sightseeing with a visit to Qutab Minar, ornamented by bands of inscriptions and by four projecting balconies supported by elaborately decorated brackets. It is 238 feet in height, 47 feet at the base and tapers to nine feet at the apex.
Varanasi is known for narrow lanes, chanting monks, illuminated ghats and aimless crowd searching for their own rendezvous with meaning of life, Varanasi is definitely a completely different experience to be enthralled with.
It is an important cultural and learning center of north India which is closely associated with river Ganges, the place of one of the finest silk weavers, the land of several finest musicians gifted to the world, Maha-Samshna or “The great cremation grounds” the holy city humbles you by bringing you face to face with the balance of life and death and the land of Buddha where it is believed that Buddha has founded Buddhism around 528 BC and gave his first sermon here.
In Varanasi you do not just visit the monuments, but you experience the place, meet the people, and interact with the culture & tradition, so nothing can be a better place than Varanasi to learn the lessons of life.
Varanasi is a fusion of Hindu and Buddhism because of Sarnath. Sarnath and Archeological Museum which houses the famous Ashoka Pillar miraculously survived and became the National Emblem of India and National symbol of Indian Flag.
It was here in Sarnath where Lord Buddha had preached his first sermon after experiencing enlightenment. It was here that he taught the keys aspects of Buddhism the four noble truths, the eightfold path and the middle way philosophy. The Buddha encouraged followers to avoid extremes of austerity or pleasure. The remains of monasteries dated from the 5th century BC indicate a thriving monastic community. Here, you will also observe and appreciate the Stupas and Bodhi trees which were grown from a cutting of the Bodhi Tree of Bodh Gaya and various temples established from the countries like Thailand, Japan, Sri-Lanka etc.
After Sarnath, you will proceed to your hotel for freshen up and rest for some time before we head for Ganga Aarti.
In the evening, you will proceed for one of the most spectacular experiences of Ganga Aarti (Prayer) by crossing the narrow lanes of the city. Vehicles are not allowed to enter into these areas; therefore, you can enjoy rickshaw ride to reach close to the Ghat (Riverbank) and then walk around 600-700 meter to reach to your boat to be the spectator of the Aarti performed by a group of priests with brass lamp and laud the chants in the presence of huge crowd. These unforgettable rituals will make every moment of yours so special and spiritual that sometimes you will forget yourself.
Varanasi cannot be as beautiful as over the dawn. The life alongside the river is exciting and different from rest of the world, where you will see the routine life of the people taking bath, chanting mantras, performing rituals and worshiping their gods.
You will conclude your boat ride at Manikarnika Ghat and walk through the biggest cremation ground to experience the city of learning and burning. It is known as ‘Mahashamstana’, the great cremation ground of Shiva. It is here you will traverse from the land of the living to the houses of the dying and perhaps encounter with a black-clothed flesh-eating sadhu (Priest) of the Aghor Ashram who will demonstrate that how you can come out from the cycle of birth and rebirth. We will also take you to the traditional house of dome community who execute the cremation (If time permits).
Post breakfast you will visit Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi. This University has developed into one of the supreme center of learning in India. You will also visit Bharat Mata Temple before departing to airport.
An art lying in a barren village called Khajuraho which in first instance symbolize the erotic sculptures or Kamasutra however more than 90 % of the artwork connects with the daily life of ours and remaining sculptures are erotic too denotes the family life of a human being during those periods.
Each sculpture is so beautifully carved and placed in between the stones which will leave you astonished the expressiveness of ancient Indian artwork in 10th and 11th century. In 100 years in between 950-1050 around 85 temples were built by the Chandela Dynasty however most of the temples were destroyed by the Muslim rulers in 13th century and currently just 22 temples are survived.
All these temples were built at the same time but dedicated to two religions Hinduism and Jainism which also shows the respect and acceptability for diverse religion for humankind. These temples are broadly divided into three parts the eastern group, the southern group and the western group which is located at a distance of 3-4 km with each other, and it can be covered in 3-4 hours’ time. Since all temple compounds are spread over a few square kilometers, you can expect some long walks and if we happen to be in the month of February then we can also participate in Khajuraho dance festival.
15th Century Orchha a picturesque lush green town located on top hill of mountain and on the bank of River Betwa is one of the important historic towns. It was built by the Maharaja Rudra Pratap Singh which is also known as a hidden place. The Orchha Fort comprises various palaces mainly Jahangir Mahal, Raj Mahal and Rai Parveen Mahal.
There are several temples like Chaturbhuj Temple, Laxmi Narayam temple and Ram Raja temple that signify the world class Mural painting on the walls. Chattris were constructed to glorify the contribution of past rulers.
Agra used to be the capital city during the Mughal period and hosting city of three UNESCO sites is glorified with the presence of Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri and the symbol of love Taj Mahal.
Upon arrival, check-in to hotel. Later we will visit Itmad-Ud-Daula which is also described as Mini Taj. It is said that Itmad-Ud-Daula was the draft of Taj Mahal. In the evening, spend time at Mehtab Garden from where you can see the Taj Mahal.
The Taj was built by Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaj Mahal. It took twenty-two years and hard toil of more than twenty thousand workers to construct Taj Mahal. The beauty of the Taj Mahal is enchanting, and it reflects the marvelous beauty of architecture and richness of art of the Mughal period.
In the afternoon, visit Agra Fort, built alongside the Yamuna River stretching almost 2.5 km. The fort’s colossal double walls rise 20 m in height and surrounded by a moat. The lofty battlements of the Agra fort cast its protective shadow over the far stretching mansions of nobles and princes built along the riverfront.
Amber Fort is situated on the crest of a hill seven miles north of Jaipur is Amber, capital of the Kachwaha Rajput’s from 1037 to 1728. Man Singh I built it in a style to rival Mughal grandeur and opulence. The city-palace is protected by towering outer walls, a further wall runs for miles along the hills surrounding the palace.
In the afternoon have sightseeing tour of Jaipur. Make a photo stop at the Palace of Winds (Hawa Mahal). Hawa Mahal is a sample of the perfection of the architecture. You will visit City Palace, a combination of conventional Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. City Palace is a huge complex, which houses many courtyards, gardens and buildings.
The city palace houses the Chandra Mahal, Shri Govind Dev Temple and the city palace museum. Also visit Jantar Mantar, built between 1716. It is located within the city palace. Jantar Mantar contains a collection of instruments for observing the movements of sun, moon, planets and stars. It was built to develop the interest of the people in Astronomy.
Tour Inclusion:
- Travel Insurance.
- All the transport by land and air during the tour.
- Accommodation [flexible], Personal Driver, Toyota Innova Car and English-Speaking Tour Guide.
- Taxes such as parking charges, tourism taxes, road transport taxes and State taxes.
- Bottled Water and some snacks during car travel.
- First aid kit.
- Portable Wi-Fi device during entire tour, no extra data charges.
- Recreational activities mentioned above [if proposed] such as…..
Tour Excludes:
- Any Monument Entrance fees which is not specified in itinerary.
- Entrances fees at the monuments.
- Any expenses of personal nature such as Laundry, Personal Tip to Driver or Guide and meals.
- Rickshaw rides, Elephant ride, Jeep safari.
- Any other expenses not mentioned in Tour Inclusions.
NOTE:
- Routes and schedule for the day can be changed because of traffic or social unrest.
- We will provide you with the basics of a first aid kit, but if you are going through any illness or disease, we ask you to carry your own personal medications. If you have any questions or concerns with any part of the itinerary, do let us know. We’ll try our best to accommodate your preferences.
- 3 Destinations, different cultures, different rituals and various beliefs but unity in diversity is what fits on us. We will be very delighted to welcome you for your tour to India. Thankyou.