11 Day Golden Triangle With Varanasi

Welcome to India!
Arrive Delhi, you will be met by our representative outside the baggage claim area and escorted to a waiting vehicle for your transfer to the hotel. Our guide will be holding a sign marked “Asia Vacation Group”. Transfer to the hotel.  Overnight at the hotel
Meal: In-flight meals
Accommodation:Crowne Plaza Mayur Vihar 4* or similar

Delhi is made up of about 15 cities, spanning the period from the 11th to 20th centuries. There is little left of the early cities. Old Delhi (Shahjahanabad) and New Delhi, the two most recent cities and the heart of modern Delhi, are relatively intact. Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan in 1650 switched the Mughal capital from Agra to Delhi. Shah Jehan possessing an exquisite talent, especially in architecture, created the seventh city and in the process brought about Delhi’s glorious renaissance.

Today, visit the outside of the Red Fort, built when Mughal (Muslim) architecture was at its peak, surrounded by a 2 km red sandstone wall housing several splendid buildings.
The Jama Masjid (Friday Mosque) opposite the Red Fort is the largest mosque in India and one of the greatest examples of the architectural extravaganza of the Mughal era; afterwards, make a brief stop at Raj Ghat — Mahatma Gandhi’s memorial in black marble.
Enjoy a rickshaw ride through Chandni Chowk (Silver Square), the main shopping street, and a legacy of the Mughal era. Pass through the spice market and discover examples of authentic Indian street food.
Visit India Gate and Government Buildings for the photo stop.
Visit Qutab Minar, one of the UNESCO world heritage, the Qutub Minar stands tall in the capital of Delhi as the world’s tallest minaret built of bricks, at 72.5 meters of height.
Evening return to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation:Crowne Plaza Mayur Vihar 4* or similar

At 9:00 AM, be prepared in the lobby of the hotel for your overland transfer to Agra.
The drive will take approximately 5 hours. At the time of the Mughals, in the 16th & 17th centuries, Agra was the capital of the grand Mughal Empire.
Later this afternoon visit the massive Agra Fort. From the fort enjoy awesome views of the Taj Mahal. The elegant buildings inside reflect an interesting synthesis of Hindu and Central Asian architectural styles — a contrast to the unique Mughal style that emerged during this period. Explore the chambers of this royal residence.
Also visit Itmad ud Daulah, the tomb of Mirza Ghiyath Beg. It was designed by his daughter, Nur Jahan, the most powerful woman in Moghul history. Afterwards visit the Taj Mahal at the end of the day, as the sun sets, gradually turning the marble of this romantic monument, from white to a soft, rosy pink. The Taj Mahal is considered the finest example of Mughal architecture, a style that combines elements from Persian, Indian, and Islamic architectural styles. In 1983, the Taj Mahal became a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was cited as “the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world’s heritage. Overnight at the hotel
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Grand Mercure 4* or similar

Keep this morning at leisure.
At approximately 10:00 AM be prepared in the lobby of the hotel for your overland transfer to Jaipur — “the land of the Rajahs”.
The drive will take approximately 4 hours. Visit Abhaneri Step Well on the way to Jaipur.
Jaipur is the capital of Rajasthan province. Everywhere you will see the monuments of its Mughal rulers. Jaipur is one of the main centers for shopping in India — especially with regard to textiles, jewelry, stones carpets, etc.
On your arrival at Jaipur, our representative will assist you in your hotel check in process.
Keep this day at leisure. Overnight at the hotel
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Ramada by Wyndham 4* or similar

After breakfast at the hotel be prepared in the lobby of the hotel to explore and enjoy sightseeing in the Pink city of India – Jaipur.

Amber Fort, a magnificent example of a Rajput Fort building at its best. Fortified by hills and a succession of gates, the fort was a perfect capital for the Kuchwaha Rajputs from the 11th to the 18th centuries. The fort contains a dramatic Hall of Public Audience opposite a beautifully painted Ganesh pole. Ganesh, the elephant-headed son of Siva and Parvati, is commonly propitiated before beginning any new venture.

Visit the gardens and the marble rooms, which are cooled by pouring water through fine perforations in the center of the wall. This low-tech air conditioning was highly effective and easy to use. As you move between the rooms of this magnificent structure, you will feel the history and visualize the pomp and grandeur of a kingdom never conquered. Keep this day for leisure and exploration of the city. Overnight at the hotel.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Ramada by Wyndham 4* or similar

Keep today’s morning at leisure.
This afternoon visit the City Palace, home to an impressive collection of traditional Rajasthani and Mughal artwork, jewels, textiles and arms; Jantar Mantar; and the Hawa Mahal, or Palace of Winds, a tall facade of almost one thousand windows, behind which royal ladies once took the air in privacy.
Next to the City Palace, visit the Solar Observatory — an astronomical treasure house with solar devices that give accurate predictions till date.
Rest of the day free to explore the area on your own. Overnight at the hotel.
Meal: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Ramada by Wyndham 4* or similar

This morning be prepared in lobby of the hotel for your transfer to Jaipur Airport.
Depart Jaipur on your flight to Varanasi, via Delhi.
Varanasi is the religious capital of the Hindu faith since recorded time and is a microcosm of Indian life. When Buddha came here around 500 B.C. he encountered an ancient settlement. Contemporary with Babylon, Nineveh, and Thebes, Varanasi is one of the oldest cities in the world, a hub of firmly rooted traditions. For all its variety of sacred spots, Varanasi is really one big shrine, the shrine of Shiva. This cult is one of the oldest forms of worship, and was practiced in the Indus Valley thousands of years ago. Legend recounts how the Ganges was created. The water goddess Ganga was ordered to redeem the souls of some humans of great merit. But the fall of such a quantity of water would cause great damage to the world, so Shiva caught the goddess in his hair and let her seep out slowly to wash the ashes of the worthy mortals, and their souls ascended to heaven.
Keep remainder of the day at leisure. Overnight at the Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Madin Hotel 4* or similar

At dawn, a boat trip will take you along the bathing Ghats on the holy River Ganges to witness the 2,000-year-old rites of prayer and devotion, the dawn Aarti.
The Ganges is the most sacred and venerated river in India. Beside the ritualistic aspect of Hinduism (thread ceremony, head shaving, food to departed souls, etc.) you can also see the bathing, laundry, and cremations of the dead that take place here on the banks of the river. Life and death go hand in hand in Varanasi. While young people seek prosperity and protection from harmful influences, the older generation comes to Varanasi to cleanse their souls in the forgiving waters in preparation for the ultimate dissolution.
This afternoon, visit the buried city of Sarnath, where Buddha preached his first sermon, setting in motion the “Wheel of Law”. It is here that Buddha revealed his doctrine and founded his monastic community. Pilgrims travel from around the world to Sarnath and there are monasteries constructed by Buddhists from several countries including China, Burma, Tibet and Japan. Although only a few miles from Varanasi, Sarnath reflects tranquillity, far removed from the bustle of the city.
Take in a vast collection of ancient stupas and modern temples in addition to Asoka’s Pillar before returning to your hotel.
This evening your guide will take you to the banks of the River Ganges to see the Aarti (fire puja (prayer ceremony) and recital of spiritual songs). Overnight at the Hotel
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Madin Hotel 4* or similar

Today, at the decided upon time be prepared in lobby of the hotel for your transfer to Varanasi Airport.
Depart Varanasi on your flight to Delhi.
Upon your arrival in Delhi, you will be met by our representative at the Airport and transferred to your hotel. Keep this day at leisure.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Crowne Plaza Mayur Vihar 4* or similar

After breakfast, you are free time at leisure until we drive to the airport for flight home.
Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: On Plane

You arrive at your home and we hope you enjoy your amazed trip with Asia Vacation Group.