India's Golden Triangle and Varanasi

India’s Golden Triangle has earnt itself legendary status and for good reason, with the frenetic backstreets of Delhi, the glittering palaces of Agra and the rose-tinted buildings of Jaipur among the key lures. This 12-day tour combines the enchanting trio with historic Lucknow and sacred Varanasi, offering plenty of off-the-track experiences along the way – from cycling with the Taj Mahal in the distance to tea with a Nawab, street food excursions to tours of Bollywood.

Itinerary
7 nights

£2,875 - £3,495pp including international flights

Itinerary overview

Day 1

Arrival in Delhi

On arrival in Delhi, you’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the ...

Day 2

Delhi

Enjoy a full day in the city today. If you’re feeling energetic, opt for a Delhi by Dawn tour to ...

Day 3

Delhi & Jaipur

After breakfast, transfer by private car to Jaipur, also known as the Pink City. Painted rose to ...

Day 4

Jaipur

Continue your explorations in Jaipur today. Embark on an optional architectural walking tour, tak...

Day 5

Jaipur & Agra

Travel to Agra this morning to see one of India’s true bucket-list sites – the Taj Mahal. Set on ...

Day 6

Agra & Lucknow

Set the alarm early this morning for an optional sunrise visit to see Agra’s crowning glory, the ...

Day 7

Lucknow

Lucknow was the centre of the Nawabs – or viceroys – in the 18th and 19th centuries. Today you’ll...

Day 8

Lucknow & Varanasi

After an early breakfast, you’ll be driven to Lucknow station to catch the train to Varanasi. Set...

Day 9

Varanasi

Continue exploring Varanasi today, with several optional experiences available; embark on an earl...

Day 10

Varanasi & Mumbai

Transfer to Varanasi airport today and fly to Mumbai, where you’ll be met and driven to your hote...

Day 11

Mumbai

Make the most of your final day this morning with an optional dawn tour to see Mumbai and its mar...

Day 12

Mumbai & Departure

The tour comes to an end today. After breakfast, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your fl...

Not ready to head home?

The Maldives

If some down time after your India trip is on the agenda then the Maldives is the ultimate beach ...

Day 1

Arrival in Delhi

On arrival in Delhi, you’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to enjoy in the capital. Formed from what were once seven separate cities, today Delhi is a vibrant metropolis with a string of impressive sights, from the Red Fort to the elaborate Jama Masjid Mosque. Choose from a range of optional local experiences, including a night tour of Old Delhi to see its bazaars in a different light. Overnight at Haveli Dharampura.

Chandni Chowk by Night

Delhi

Exploring Chandni Chowk by night gives you a chance to understand the real spirit of Delhi. It’s like a movie unfolding around you, a whirl of architecture and food, history and business. At night, it’s less crowded so there’s more opportunity to engage with locals and after sunset, Chandni Chowk glows and glitters with store lights. There’s a maze of different streets to discover that specialise in everything from silver and spices to saris and glass bangles. If you want to buy something, your guide will help you haggle, which is a ritual in Old Delhi. The tour starts at around 5.30pm exploring on foot, as your guide explains the evolution of Old Delhi. You’ll see various businesses and have the opportunity to sit with people and hear about their lives. You might meet the ear-cleaning-man, who wears a red hat and carries tools to remove wax from people’s ears – it’s a great photo opportunity as is the chai vendors swirling tea in their metal pans. As you walk, your guide will point out religious landmarks like the Sunehri Masjid and Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib, a Sikh temple with a community kitchen. The highlight of the trip though is always the food. You will have dinner at Karim’s (guest to pay directly), a restaurant that serves Mughlai cuisine. It was set up in the 1940s by Karim, a chef who served in the kitchen of a Mughal emperor and wanted to introduce this food to ordinary people. The dishes have a Persian influence and include lots of bread and kormas, all cooked in an open kitchen. Afterwards, wander around the street food area where you can sample desserts like bread pudding and mango ice cream. You’ll get to try everything from samosas to chai – food is a very important part of experiencing Old Delhi.

Day 2

Delhi

Enjoy a full day in the city today. If you’re feeling energetic, opt for a Delhi by Dawn tour to see the city come alive in the early hours. Alternatively, you might opt for a culinary tour with a local food expert, take a rickshaw ride round Old Delhi’s higgledy-piggledy lanes, embark on a photography excursion to capture the city’s spice markets and bazaars, or try a hands-on cooking lesson with a local family. Otherwise, head out to explore this captivating city on your own terms. Overnight at Haveli Dharampura.

Day 3

Delhi & Jaipur

After breakfast, transfer by private car to Jaipur, also known as the Pink City. Painted rose to welcome the Prince of Wales and Queen Victoria in 1876, this striking walled city is home to several colourful temples, as well as the famous Amber Fort. Explore independently or choose to head out on an optional experience, ranging from an optional walking tour of Old Jaipur’s haveli homes and temples to a cooking lesson at a local 19th-century homestay. Overnight at Samode Haveli.

Day 4

Jaipur

Continue your explorations in Jaipur today. Embark on an optional architectural walking tour, take to the skies on a hot-air balloon flight, visit a local village and school or take a tour of the impressive Amber Fort – a sprawling, UNESCO-listed palace, built from sandstone in the 16th century on a hill overlooking the city. Overnight at Samode Haveli.

Architectural Walking Tour

Jaipur

Join a walking tour of UNESCO-listed Jaipur to learn about its architectural jewels. The tour starts at 8.30am when it’s peaceful, before the bazaars and markets take over. This is when locals go to worship and you can join them at one of the city’s oldest temples, which is known for its 300-year-old fresco painting and set in a private family home. This begins a discussion about religion and architecture in Jaipur; where at a junction in the city, you get to see a Jain Temple, a mosque and a Hindu temple. Continue the walk at Broad Road, which was once used by the royal family, so it’s lined by grand houses. As you enter the winding by-lanes you’ll hear about Jaipur’s history as the first planned city in India, the vastu shastra and shilpa shastra architecture and havelis owned by artists, craftsmen and traders. You’ll get to meet some of these characters when you visit the metal-beating community who still work without technology, in the same way they have for 200 years. It’s fascinating to see how everything has been hand-created. Other key architectural sights on the tour include the City Palace, the Ayurvedic hospital and two huge, 10-foot-tall silver jars which belonged to a king of Jaipur. Guests love visiting a local family in their haveli to chat about life in Jaipur and meeting traditional bangle makers. You will end the tour with an immersion into some of Jaipur’s hectic markets. There’s the spice market with over 300 shops which draws buyers from far and wide, followed by the vegetable and flower markets. The flower market is always busy with people shopping for weddings and festivals. This tour is a great orientation of Jaipur; you’ll discover its architecture, religion and crafts and meet the locals, learning the stories and legends behind our city.

Day 5

Jaipur & Agra

Travel to Agra this morning to see one of India’s true bucket-list sites – the Taj Mahal. Set on the banks of the Yamuna River, Agra was the capital of the Mughal Empire until Emperor Shah Jahan shifted it to Delhi, and traces of its imperial history remain in much of its architecture today. Spend the day exploring at leisure or opt for a heritage-themed tour to learn more about the women of the Mughal dynasty. Overnight at Ekaa Villa.

Day 6

Agra & Lucknow

Set the alarm early this morning for an optional sunrise visit to see Agra’s crowning glory, the Taj Mahal. Commissioned in the 17th century by Emperor Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his late wife, this marble masterpiece is best seen at dawn, when the sky turns peach above its elaborate domes. Wander the gardens to admire its architecture before exploring the interiors, inlaid with semi-precious stones and inscriptions. Afterwards, opt for a guided walking tour through Old Agra with a hosted family lunch, or choose a cycling trip to explore local villages on two wheels. Later you’ll be transferred to the historic city of Lucknow, capital of Uttar Pradesh. Overnight at Saraca Hotel Lucknow.

Taj Mahal by Sunrise

Agra

The Taj Mahal is a magnificent monument to love and one of the world’s most recognised buildings. One of the best ways to view this iconic landmark is at sunrise, marvelling as the first rays of morning light bathe it in a pearly pink glow. A magical and truly unforgettable spectacle.

Taj Mahal & Agra City Tour

Agra

On this tour you will two major attractions, Agra Fort and the Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. Start at Agra Fort where your guide will explain in detail how the Mughal dynasty created this paradise of beautiful gardens, fountains and architecture. You will go through several gates to a palace called Jahangiri Mahal where inside you can discover all the different architectural influences, not just Islamic, but also Jain and Hindu. Next, head to the Octagonal Tower from where you can see all the way to the Taj Mahal. Next you will head to the Taj Mahal stopping at the Mehtab Bagh gardens which enjoy magnificent panoramas of the glorious ivory-white structure. As you get closer, the Taj Mahal’s landscaped gardens will come into full view, lined with abundant trees, fountains, symmetrical paths and canals. You will then be in front of one of the most beautiful buildings ever made. The façade has been designed to impress from every angle with perfectly aligned arches and beautiful stonework decorated with flowers and inscriptions of verses from the Koran. The interior contains more architectural marvels such as the huge marble domed tomb. You will have some free time to explore at your own pace and there will be plenty of photo opportunities.

Day 7

Lucknow

Lucknow was the centre of the Nawabs – or viceroys – in the 18th and 19th centuries. Today you’ll get to meet the present Nawab in a special included experience. After a traditional greeting, you’ll be introduced to the Nawab and his family over tea and local delicacies to learn more about the culture, art and history of this intriguing city. Overnight at Saraca Hotel Lucknow.

A Day in the City of Nawabs

Lucknow

This walking tour of Lucknow is a must if you want to understand the history of the city, its Nawab and colonial roots. Tours are led by knowledgeable local guides who can connect stories of the past with the present. You’ll start with a short horse-drawn carriage ride into the heart of the city and then explore some of Lucknow’s most important buildings and medieval markets. As you’ll discover, the city is a blend of French, British and Nawab history as well as Shiite culture – Lucknow has the largest population of Shiite people outside of Iran. The monuments you will visit tell the story of the Nawabs, who ruled this region in the 18th and 19th century, followed by the British until India won independence in 1947. Sights include the ruins of a palace destroyed during the fight for freedom and the site where the last Union Jack flag was pulled down. You will spend a lot of time at The Residency, where the siege of 1957 occurred and around 3,000 British men, women and children died. It’s a powerful story of tragedy and struggle for liberation. You’ll also explore Dilkusha Park, where the British general Henry Havelock died. Another key stop on the tour is La Martiniere, which was constructed by a soldier who switched sides from the French East India Company and rose to become a major general in the British force. Now a school, La Martiniere is known for its stunning architecture. It’s here that you’ll learn the story of Major William Hodson, another infamous figure in British colonial history, who’s buried here.

Day 8

Lucknow & Varanasi

After an early breakfast, you’ll be driven to Lucknow station to catch the train to Varanasi. Set on the banks of the Ganges, this is one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities. It’s also a key pilgrimage centre for Hindus, with more than 3,000 temples and shrines scattered across the streets. Enjoy an afternoon in the city before embarking on a fascinating ‘death and rebirth night walk’. Here you’ll visit sacred ponds before stopping at the Ashram of the Aghor to learn more about the renunciants who meditate in the cremation grounds and are known for their controversial rituals. Overnight at Brijrama Palace.

Day 9

Varanasi

Continue exploring Varanasi today, with several optional experiences available; embark on an early-morning boat ride along the Ganges to see its waters glimmer gold at dawn or discover the lesser-visited northern side of the city. Alternatively, head off on a street food tour to sample traditional Varanasi snacks such as bathi choka (a chickpea-infused bread served with chutney). Overnight at Brijrama Palace.

Varanasi on Foot - Northern Bazaars & Hidden Alleys

Varanasi & Khajuraho

Experience an adventure in the wonderful and puzzling galis (alleys) of northern Varanasi, also known by the name Banaras. Learn what life is like in one of oldest surviving cities in the world as you take a peek in bazaars and temples, before heading to the lesser travelled part of the city where you can learn a little more about Varanasi’s fascinating history.

Day 10

Varanasi & Mumbai

Transfer to Varanasi airport today and fly to Mumbai, where you’ll be met and driven to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to explore this energetic city of 20 million, famous for its Bollywood scene and home to a melting pot of cultures. Opt for a culinary tour sampling local street food or wander at your own pace. Overnight at Taj Mahal Palace.

Day 11

Mumbai

Make the most of your final day this morning with an optional dawn tour to see Mumbai and its markets come alive. Alternatively, choose to explore the city’s Bollywood scene on an excursion to local production houses, or explore the city independently. Overnight at Taj Mahal Palace.

Mumbai by Dawn

Mumbai

Wake early to gain a fascinating new perspective on the daily life in Mumbai. Head to the local fruit and vegetable market where people haggle with wholesalers before heading down to the waterfront where you will visit the Sassoon docks. This is one of the oldest docks in the city and it is here where the night's catch is sold. Experience the hustle, the mass of people and the fast-paced auctions that occur throughout the dock – an amazing example of everyday life in the city.

Day 12

Mumbai & Departure

The tour comes to an end today. After breakfast, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight home or onward connection.

Not ready to head home?

The Maldives

If some down time after your India trip is on the agenda then the Maldives is the ultimate beach escape. each of our handpicked resorts is on its own private island and these aren't as similar as you might expect. Some are rustic retreats while others are cool and contemporary, and most are surrounded by a coral rich reef. We can help pair you with the island that suits you best.

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Guide price information

Low Season

01 Apr - 30 Sep

£2,875pp

High Season

01 Jan - 31 Mar, 01 Oct - 31 Dec

£3,495pp

Guide price information is based on the included flights from London, accommodation, transport and experiences detailed in the itinerary above. Guide prices do not include optional things to do. Call us for up to date prices – the cost of your holiday depends upon the time of year you travel, how long you go for, preferred departure airport, airlines, hotels and things to do. Based on 2 people sharing.

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