Golden Triangle, Ayodhya & Varanasi
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Begin in Delhi and wrap up back in Delhi on this 10–day journey through North India’s headline sights. You’ll delve into Old and New Delhi at Red Fort, Jama Masjid, spice–scented Chandni Chowk and elegant Qutub Minar. Next, roll to Jaipur for Amber Fort, the City Palace and vibrant bazaars. En route to Agra, stop at Abhaneri’s stepwell and Fatehpur Sikri before a sunrise view of the Taj Mahal. Continue to cultured Lucknow and sacred Ayodhya, then on to Varanasi for an evening Ganga Aarti, a sunrise boat ride along the ghats and a side trip to Buddhist Sarnath.
For a detailed itinerary and information about visas, money, weather and more.
Accommodation Standard
Prices
Tour Overview
Duration
10 daysHotel Rating
3, 4 or 5 star hotelsStarts
DelhiEnds
DelhiMinimum Age
No minimum ageMaximum Age
Tours have upper age limits for several reasons, such as but not limited to: tour pace, activity level, and accommodation standards. If you fall outside of this age limit, we do have lots of other tours in India that are suitable for all ages!
Arrival Transfer
YesDeparture Transfer
YesTour Guide
Yes - for included sightseeing.Country
IndiaPassengers
$3,740.00
$2,037.00
Accommodation Standard
Prices
Tour Style
Group Size
Min 1 / Max Private Tour
Trip Type
Private Tours
Range
On this tour, you won't be joined by other travellers, and will just be travelling with your booking party. Some transportation & sightseeing may be shared, check the Inclusions for more information.
Guiding Style
This tour includes scheduled sightseeing with expert guides in key destinations as per the Inclusions, as well as transportation (either with a driver or public transport), plus of course your accommodation. There is no single tour guide or tour leader throughout the trip. You’ll have support where it counts, and more freedom in between. Our cruise tours also fall into this category where you will be looked after by a crew. For more information, check the Inclusions of this tour.
Tour Pace
A balanced pace, with a mix of free time and visits to multiple locations, allowing for both relaxation and exploration. Generally doesn't visit more than one or two destinations per day.
Physical Rating
A moderate amount of walking is required during sightseeing, with some free time, offering a balance between activity and relaxation. As a general rule, you should be able to walk 2-kilometres without stopping.
Tour Guide
Yes - for included sightseeing.Group Size
Min 1 / Max Private TourRange
On this tour, you won't be joined by other travellers, and will just be travelling with your booking party. Some transportation & sightseeing may be shared, check the Inclusions for more information.
Guiding Style
This tour includes scheduled sightseeing with expert guides in key destinations as per the Inclusions, as well as transportation (either with a driver or public transport), plus of course your accommodation. There is no single tour guide or tour leader throughout the trip. You’ll have support where it counts, and more freedom in between. Our cruise tours also fall into this category where you will be looked after by a crew. For more information, check the Inclusions of this tour.
Tour Pace
A balanced pace, with a mix of free time and visits to multiple locations, allowing for both relaxation and exploration. Generally doesn't visit more than one or two destinations per day.
Physical Rating
A moderate amount of walking is required during sightseeing, with some free time, offering a balance between activity and relaxation. As a general rule, you should be able to walk 2-kilometres without stopping.
Trip Type
Private ToursPlaces You'll See
New Delhi
Delhi
Jaipur
Abhaneri
Fatehpur Sikri
Agra
Lucknow
Ayodhya
Varanasi
Accommodation Standard
Prices
Included
Not Included
Accommodation Standard
Prices
Itinerary
Day 1 - Delhi
Arrive in Delhi, where we’ll meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. Standard check-in is from 12:00 – early check-in is subject to room availability. The rest of the day is free for you to relax and take care of any personal activities. Overnight at your hotel.
Day 2 - Exploring Delhi
We set out on a full-day city tour of Old and New Delhi. In Old Delhi, we visit the Red Fort – the Mughal seat of power for nearly 200 years, closed on Mondays – and Jama Masjid, one of the world’s largest mosques built by Shah Jahan. We take a cycle rickshaw through Chandni Chowk and Khari Baoli Spice Market, a bustling area packed with stalls selling spices, dried fruit, silver jewellery, vivid saris, essential oils, stationery and traditional Indian sweets. We also stop at Raj Ghat, the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi at his cremation site.
In New Delhi, we visit Humayun’s Tomb – the subcontinent’s first garden tomb – and Qutab Minar, a 73 metres tall minaret within the Qutb complex, noted for its early Afghan-style architecture. We continue to the Lotus Temple, a Bahai House of Worship known for its flower-like design, and drive past the President’s House, Parliament and India Gate. Overnight at hotel.
Day 3 - Delhi to Jaipur
We drive from Delhi to Jaipur and check in at the hotel. The rest of the day is free – you can explore the city’s markets with your driver, including Johari Bazaar, Tripolia Bazaar, Chandpole Bazaar, Kishanpole Bazaar, Nehru Bazaar, Sireh Deori Bazaar, Bapu Bazaar and Mirza Ismail Road. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 4 - Exploring Jaipur & Amber Fort
We spend the day exploring Jaipur – India’s first planned city – founded in 1727 by Jai Singh II, the king of Amber, and laid out by Vidyadhar Bhattacharya using the principles of Vastu Shastra. The city was painted pink in 1876 to welcome the visiting Prince of Wales, and today it sits beneath the hilltop forts of Nahargarh and Jaigarh and the Garh Ganesh Temple. This morning we visit Amber Fort, then continue to Jaigarh Fort. Later we tour the City Palace, the Observatory and Hawa Mahal, before a walk through Sisodia Rani Garden and a visit to Birla Temple. We also browse the Pink City’s bazaars. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 5 - Abhaneri, Fatehpur Sikri & Agra
We drive from Jaipur to Agra – a journey of about 245 km – with visits en route. We stop at Abhaneri, a small village known for India’s deepest and largest stepwell, and a Hindu temple. We then explore the abandoned red sandstone city of Fatehpur Sikri, taking in Diwan–E–Khas, Jodha Bai Palace, Jama Masjid, the Tomb of Salim Chisti, Panch Mahal and Buland Darwaza. We continue to Agra and check in to the hotel for the night.
Day 6 - Taj Mahal, Agra Fort & Lucknow
We begin at sunrise with a visit to the Taj Mahal, the marble mausoleum commissioned in 1632 by Emperor Shah Jahan for Mumtaz Mahal, which also holds his own tomb. We then explore Agra Fort – the principal Mughal residence until 1638 – and the tomb of Itmad–ud–Daula, commissioned by Nur Jahan for her father, Mirza Ghiyas Beg. Later we drive to Lucknow (335 km), check in on arrival and spend the night at the hotel.
Day 7 - Exploring Lucknow & Transfer to Ayodhya
In Lucknow, we visit Bara Imambara, the British Residency, Chattar Manzil, Jama Masjid and Rumi Darwaza. We then drive past colonial-era government buildings, including Vidhan Bhavan and the Secretariat, and Hazratganj – a major shopping area. Later, we drive to Ayodhya (135 km) and check in at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 8 - Exploring Ayodhya & Transfer to Varanasi
In Ayodhya, we visit the Lord Sri Ram Temple along with key religious and historical sites including Ram Ki Paidi, a Jain Temple, the Birla Temple, Gulab Bari and Kanak Bhawan. Later we drive 200 km to Varanasi and check in at the hotel. In the evening we attend the Ganga Aarti at sunset on the banks of the River Ganges – a nightly ritual in which priests light large brass oil lamps and chant mantras. Overnight at hotel.
Day 9 - Varanasi & Sarnath
We start at dawn with a boat ride on the Ganges, gliding past the ghats as devotees bathe and offer prayers. We then tour the city, visiting Banaras Hindu University – spanning 5.3 square kilometres and home to around 30,000 resident students, the largest residential university on the continent – followed by Bharat Mata Temple, built in 1936 and housing a marble relief map of undivided India. We continue to Tulsi Manas Mandir, where images of Lord Rama, Sita, Lakshman and Hanuman preside and verses from the Ramcharitmanas adorn the walls.
We then head to Sarnath, where the Buddha delivered his first sermon after enlightenment; the Dhamekh Stupa and the Ashokan pillar mark its importance. If time permits, you may visit Ramnagar Fort on the eastern bank of the Ganga, whose museum displays vintage cars, swords, palanquins, ivory work, historic weaponry and an unusual astrological clock. Overnight at hotel.
Day 10 - Fly Back To Delhi
We transfer you to Varanasi airport for your flight to Delhi (flight not included). On arrival in Delhi, connect with your onward flight.
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Tour Reviews
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Extras and add-ons
If you'd like to add extras or add-ons to your booking, you can do this easily during checkout. Just review the available options and select any additional services or upgrades you'd like before completing your purchase.
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Hotels
The hotels listed below are examples which we frequently use on this tour. Alternative hotels of a similar standard may be used instead.
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Prices & Dates
The prices you see below are a guide, with final prices per person being determined by the number of travellers in your booking party, desired hotel standard and the rooming arrangements required. To see an accurate price, please click "Book Dates" and enter the details for your booking party.
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