Ganges and Golden Triangle – 8 Days

A Trail Blazer Tours representative will welcome you upon arrival in Varanasi and drive you to your hotel for check-in (standard check-in time is 1400 hours).

An ancient and deeply sacred city, Varanasi rests along the banks of the holy River Ganges and encompasses a wealth of beautiful riverside temples, stately old forts and vibrant markets. It’s considered the spiritual capital of Hinduism, and it’s widely believed that dying here will bring salvation. As a result, the city is home to a multitude of ghats—stone steps leading to the river—some of which are used for bathing rituals and others as cremation sites. An early morning boat ride along the Ganges offers an excellent way to take in the ghats and the bustling activity centred on them.

Evening witness Aarti ceremony at the ghat.
Evening Aarti at Ghat
Varanasi is a sacred and oldest city located at the banks of the holy River Ganga. Ganges Aarti is performed daily in the evening by a group of priests at the Dashashwamedh Ghat near the famous Kashi Vishwanath Temple as a dedication to Shiva, Gange, Surya (Sun), Agni (Fire), and the entire universe.

The head priest of the Gangotri Seva Samiti directs the seven students of the Vedas and Upanishads as they perform the entire Ganges Aarti ritual in a well-choreographed manner with excellent synchronization. The whole event takes around 45 minutes. An announcement at 7.00 pm indicates the beginning of the Aarti.

Early morning visit to the Ganges and enjoy boat ride on the holy river.Later, enjoy a walk in the local market and visit local temples.Afternoon visit to Sarnath (please note the museum at Sarnath is closed on Fridays)

Boat ride on the River Ganges
A sunrise boat ride on the Ganga in Varanasi is a spiritual experience in itself. Sunrise boat ride on the Ganga in Varanasi is a memorable experience and not to be missed. It gives a glimpse of morning life along the ghats in Varanasi. If you are lucky, you can see stunning views of the sun rising in the eastern horizon.

Ganga is Varanasi, and Varanasi is Ganga. For locals, it is the lifeline. For devout pilgrims, she is “Ganga Maiya—the mother who will wash away all the sins.”. The enthusiasm of the people, their convictions, and their devotion to God fascinate us. We could see people from all walks of life gathering on the ghat to worship the sun as he came up in the eastern horizon.

Sarnath
Sarnath is one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage centres in India. It is here that Buddha came after reaching enlightenment at Bodh Gaya (present-day Bihar) and where he first began his teachings of Dharma and the four noble truths to his five disciples. It is also an important place for the followers of Jainism. While the Turks damaged or destroyed many of the ancient structures and buildings at Sarnath, remnants still exist in the form of artifacts kept in the Sarnath Archeological Museum, which also houses some of the greatest works of Indian Buddhist art, including almost 300 images. The Deer Park, which is the site of Buddha’s first teachings, is maintained as an animal park and still home to resident deer.

Overnight

Breakfast is at the hotel.

At an appropriate time, you will be met by our representative and transferred to Varanasi airport to board a flight to Delhi.

On arrival, a representative from our company will welcome you and transfer you to the hotel.

Rest of the day is at leisure

India’s largest city, Delhi, has been one of the country’s commercial and economic hubs for centuries and, as a result, is incredibly rich in culture and history. Made up of the ancient walled city of Old Delhi and the more modern sector, New Delhi, the city encompasses a staggering array of beautiful architecture, notable monuments and age-old temples, including three UNESCO World Heritage Sites—the Red Fort, Qutab Minar and Humayun’s Tomb. Other key attractions include the 17th century Chandni Chowk marketplace—still one of the city’s most popular retail centres today, particularly for jewellery and traditional Indian saris—and the Jama Masjid, India’s largest mosque.

The day’s schedule calls for a heritage walk through Old Delhi in the morning and a tour of New Delhi in the afternoon.
Old Delhi Heritage Walk
Delhi is one of very few places where the ancient and modern coexist side by side, complementing each other perfectly.This heritage walk helps you explore Delhi’s rich culture, heritage, history, and cuisine in a fun and exciting way. The tour includes exploring the streets of Old Delhi on foot and on a bicycle rickshaw. The tour takes you through the narrow lanes and bazaars of Old Delhi, where you will get to know about the basic ingredients used in traditional Indian meals.

The tour of New Delhi covers the UNESCO world heritage sites of Humyauns tomb, Qutab Minar, along with a photo stop at India Gate—the war memorial—and a drive past the government . building and the President Palace.
Humayun’s Tomb
The second Mughal Emperor of India, Humayun, had a seven-year construction process for his mausoleum complex, which was the country’s first garden tomb. Humayun had travelled widely in Persia and Central Asia during his lifetime, and many of the architectural principles he brought back from these journeys were incorporated into the building at his wife’s instructions. With its double domes, decorative inlaid marble, and vast garden with pools connected by channels, this 16th-century building set the stage for the style that culminated in the Taj Mahal almost 100 years later.
Qutub Minar
Standing tall at 73 meters, the tower consists of 5 storeys with a flight of spiral stairs leading to its top. The walls are adorned with decorative motifs and Quranic inscriptions. At the foot of the tower lie other monuments of historical significance, such as the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque and the Iron Pillar of Delhi. The Amazing Race Australia used this site as a pit stop in the second series. Visitors can take advantage of stunning photo opportunities.

Overnight

A home of the world-famous Taj Mahal, Agra is one of India’s prime tourist destinations for specifically this reason, though its attractions also extend to an array of other impressive historical sights. These include the red-hued Agra Fort, the sacred Jama Masjid mosque and Itmad-ud-Daulah’s tomb, with its white marble facade embellished with intricate inlaid designs and semi-precious gems. The Taj, however, is in a league of its own and is a must-see for any visitor to the city. It is an architectural masterpiece with exquisite craftsmanship and ideal proportions that the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan commissioned in the 15th century as a memorial to his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal.

After breakfast, you will be transferred to railway station to board the train to Agra.

Train Gatimaan Express (daily except on Fridays)

Departs Delhi 0810 Hrs

Arrives Agra 0950 Hrs

Upon arrival at Agra, you will be assisted, transferred and taken directly to Agra Fort for the visit, followed by check-in at the hotel. (Standard check-in time at the hotel is 1400 hours.).

Later in the evening, visit Taj Mahal at sunset.
Agra Fort
The Emperor Akbar (1556–1605) established this walled imperial city, also known as the Red Fort of Agra, in 1565. It is a deserving UNESCO World Heritage site and is only 2.5 kilometers away from the well-known Taj Mahal. Its palaces, grand mosques and elaborate public hall are crafted from pink-red sandstone and are testament to an era when Indo-Muslim art, strongly marked by influences from Persia, was at its height. Emperor Shah Jahan’s son Aurangzeb imprisoned him in Agra Fort after he constructed the Taj Mahal in memory of his deceased wife. He is said to have died in the MusammanBurj, a marble tower he himself built with one of the most alluring views of the Taj Mahal.
Taj Mahal (Closed on Fridays)
The iconic Taj Mahal is not only an architectural masterpiece, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the new Seven Wonders of the World—it is also the enduring legacy of a royal love story. After Mumtaz Mahal, his third and favorite wife, passed away in the 15th century, the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan commissioned it to serve as both her final resting place and a reminder of his enduring love for her. Combining Islamic, Persian, Ottoman Turkish, and Indian design elements, it’s an awe-inspiring structure of elegant domes and white marble, which changes colour along with the light—pink at sunrise, pearly white in the afternoon, and silver-gold in the full moon.

Overnight

Fringed by the rugged Aravali Hills, Jaipur is the capital and largest city in India’s northern state of Rajasthan. This city is famed for being India’s first planned city, featuring a multitude of pink terracotta buildings within the walled historic centre, earning it the nickname ‘The Pink City’. Jaipur falls within the Golden Triangle, a popular tourist circuit which includes Delhi, Jaipur and Agra and serves as a gateway to the neighbouring desert cities of Jaisalmer and Jodhpur. This colourful city is a combination of tradition and modernity and offers visitors vibrant bazaars, lavish palaces and ancient temples. The salmon-hued old city is home to the opulent City Palace, encompassing an impressive assortment of palatial structures, sprawling gardens, courtyards and buildings. Do not miss the fairy-tale splendour of the Amber Fort, set against the backdrop of the arid landscape.

After breakfast, leave with the private chauffeur-driven vehicle Jaipur (approx. 235 km/06 hours drive) with a stop at Fatehpur Sikri.

Arrive Jaipur in the afternoon and check-in at the hotel.
Fatehpur Sikri
This world heritage site is rated as one of the best-preserved collections of Mughal architecture in India. You can spend a day exploring the intricate structures inside a six-kilometer wall, with the fourth section being a lake at the time. Marvel at the impressive Jama Masjid mosque, the detailed palaces built for Emperor Akbar’s wives, the public and private discussion halls, and the vast ornamental pool, all of which took over 15 years to conceptualise and build.

Overnight

After breakfast, enjoy a full-day sightseeing tour of Jaipur covering Amer Fort, City Palace and the Observatory, and a photo stop at Hawa Mahal “Palace of Winds”. Take a shared Jeep ride to reach Amer Fort.
Amer Fort
Amer Fort, officially known as the ‘Amer Palace’, is one of the most famous forts of Rajasthan, attracting around 4000 to 5000 visitors a day during peak tourist season. The palace was named after the small town of Amer, where it is situated—only eleven kilometres from Jaipur. Perfectly picturesque, this 16th-century hillside residence is well preserved, boasting grand pavilions and mirrored halls that open onto flourishing gardens and courtyards. Although the palace’s main construction started in 1592 by Maharaja Man Singh, it was added to over the years by successive rulers and continued to be occupied by them until Jaipur was built.
Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds)
One of Jaipur’s most recognised buildings, the Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds), is known for its iconic façade. Small windows decorated with intricate latticework create a honeycomb-like appearance. The original intention of the lattice was to allow the royal women to observe everyday life in the street below without being seen. The palace got its name from the cooling effect of the breeze coming through the tiny windows. Built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, the unique construction was originally designed to look like the crown of Krishna
Jaipur City Palace
City Palace forms one of the most famous tourist attractions and a major landmark 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.
Jantar Mantar Jaipur
In 1734, the year of its completion, the Jai Singh Observatory was the last outpost of medieval science. From the outside, the eighteen fixed observational instruments look more like playground apparatus than sighting devices, but they were used to measure the position of the sun, stars, and planets. The observatory is one of only a few structures built by Jai Singh, the first Maharaja of Jaipur, who founded the city in 1727. Jai Singh, fulfilling a lifelong interest in mathematics and astronomy, built observatories in Delhi, Jaipur, Ujjain, Mathura and Benares. The Jaipur observatory is the largest and best preserved of these.

Overnight

After breakfast, leave by road for Delhi (259 km / 5 hrs). Arrive Delhi and proceed to airport/hotel.

End of tour.