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Indias Golden Triangle with Varanasi Summer 2018 tour

Indias Golden Triangle with Varanasi Summer 2018

Trafalgar Preferred
Has very high quality customer experiences and demonstrated commitment to responsible travel practices. read more
4.6 . Excellent
94%
Travel Style: Array Mixed
Physical Level: Walking or physical activity half to most of day - no carrying equipment. Easy
Lodging Level: 3 to 4 star western hotel equivalents. While not all lodging will be 'luxury' they will be quite comfortable by western standards. Comfort (4*)
8 days
From: $ 2,675 $ 334 / day
Checking price

Overview

Highlights (Bullets)

  • City Tours of Delhi, Varanasi and Jaipur
  • View the Palace of Winds in Jaipur
  • Visit the Jama Masjid, the Humayun's Tomb and the Qutub Minar in Delhi, the Sarnath in Varanasi, the Agra Fort and the Taj Mahal in Agra, the Amber Fort and City Palace Museum in Jaipur

Short Description

Embark on a spiritual interlude with India. Candle-lit rituals on the River Ganges, palaces, forts and tombs, a riot of colour and vibrancy around every corner - your exploration of India's Golden Triangle and centuries-old heritage takes you through the sandstone and marble halls of the Amber Fort, the pyramidal Palace of Winds and the exquisite Taj Mahal.

Style Group tour
Off the beaten track trips will stretch your comfort zone. They don't always feature tourist highlights, but dive deeper into local life and culture.
Itinerary Focus Off the Beaten Path
3 to 4 star western hotel equivalents. While not all lodging will be 'luxury' they will be quite comfortable by western standards.
Lodging Level Comfort (4*)
Flight & Transport Inclusions N/A
Start City New Delhi
End City Jaipur

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Delhi (2 Nights)

Welcome to India. Upon arrival at Delhi airport, transfer to your hotel. This evening meet your fellow guests and Travel Director for a Welcome Reception with drinks and appetisers. Welcome Reception

Day 2: Delhi

Start the day with a unique tour by rickshaw around Old Delhi for a Cultural Insight. Drive past the impressive Red Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site considered to be the most opulent Fort and Palace of the Mughal Empire. Visit Jama Masjid the largest mosque in India and then stop at Chandni Chowk to discover the bustling and colourful market of the old city. Continue along the ceremonial avenue Rajpath and past the imposing India Gate and Parliament House. After lunch in a local restaurant venture into New Delhi and admire the architectural design of the buildings. Visit two UNESCO World Heritage Sites from Delhi's past. Humayun's Tomb Fort is one of the most magnificent Persian style tombs built in Delhi during the Mughal rule constructed out of red sandstone standing in the centre of gardens complete with pools linked by channels. Later visit Qutub Minar, a tower with five distinct storeys and which at approximately 75 metres is the tallest brick minaret in the world. Return to your hotel for an evening at leisure. Buffet Breakfast, Lunch

Day 3: Delhi - Varanasi (2 Nights)

This morning fly to the city of Varanasi; situated on the banks of the holy river Ganges, it is one of the most colourful places on earth and the centre of Hindu religion. On arrival transfer to your hotel and a little bit later escape the hustle and bustle of the city for a glimpse of rural life in India, a Cultural Insight. Walk through the village of Rameshwar where all activities are aimed at sustainable livelihood and community empowerment whilst ensuring the economic growth of the under-privileged. Observe local women making papad and pickles, doing embroidery or making saris which they sell to the local markets. Visit the Sanskrit school, where Sanskrit one of the oldest languages in the world is taught and in contrast the Shanti Dham Ashram a catholic prayer centre for the Christian society living in Varanasi. This evening enjoy a boat ride on the River Ganges to witness an Aarti ceremony, a very powerful and uplifting spiritual ritual that uses fire as an offering. It's made in the form of a small 'diya' with a candle and flowers and a large number of these are floated down the river, a truly magical sight. Later return to your hotel for dinner and your overnight stay. Buffet Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4: Varanasi Sightseeing

Early this morning enjoy a scenic sunrise boat trip on the holy River Ganges and see Varanasi slowly coming alive along the banks of the river. Observe the locals taking a morning bath in the holy water while worshipping the rising sun, a Cultural Insight. Return to your hotel for breakfast followed by a visit to Sarnath, one of the four holy Buddhist sites sanctioned by the Buddha himself for pilgrimage. The Archaeological Museum at Sarnath is amongst the most important in India and contains more than 6,800 sculptures and artefacts from the 3rd century B.C. to the 12th century A.D. At the museum, admire the original lion's heads from the Asoka Pillar, which form the symbol of the Indian republic. Return to your hotel for an afternoon and evening at leisure. Buffet Breakfast

Day 5: Varanasi - Agra

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the short domestic flight to Agra. This splendid city played a significant role in shaping India's history. Discover the heritage of architectural and cultural splendour of the Golden Age. This afternoon visit the impressive Agra Fort a UNESCO World Heritage Site which encompasses, within its 2.5-km-long enclosure walls, the imperial city of the Mughal rulers. Although largely overshadowed by the Taj Mahal, the Agra Fort is one of the finest Mughal forts in India and at one time the country was governed from within this powerful walled palatial city. As you drive through the city witness the local life, markets and hustle and bustle of everyday India. This evening dinner is at the hotel and perhaps choose to take part in an Optional Experience. Buffet Breakfast, Dinner

Day 6: Agra - Jaipur (2 Nights)

Make an early start with a visit to the magnificent Taj Mahal, one the Seven Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Admire the marble exterior reflecting rose and golden tints at sunrise which then turn to dazzling white. The construction of the Taj Mahal began in 1631 and it took 18 years and over 20,000 craftsmen to complete this monument in memory by an emperor for his beloved queen. Legend has it that once construction was completed, the emperor had the architects hands cut off, and blinded, so he would never be able to duplicate the structure anywhere else. After the visit return to your hotel for breakfast and later this morning depart for Jaipur, the capital of the colourful state of Rajasthan. This evening enjoy a Be My Guest dinner with a local family in their home. Buffet Breakfast, Lunch, Be My Guest Dining

Day 7: Jaipur

This morning visit the inspiring Amber Fort with its marvellous Rajput architecture listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The interior of the fort has various royal halls decorated with intricate ivory, mirror and glass work complemented by exquisite wall paintings. En route back to the hotel make a photo stop at the Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds) - a five storied wonder with a spectacular pyramidal facade and overhanging windows with latticed screens, domes and spires. This afternoon continue your city tour with a visit to the City Palace Museum to see an imposing blend of traditional Rajasthani and Mughal Art. Across the road from the palace is the famous Jantar Mantar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of five observatories in India. This astronomical observation site built in the early 18th century continues to provide accurate information to this day. Later this evening join your fellow guests and Travel Director for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. Buffet Breakfast, Farewell Dinner

Day 8: Depart Jaipur

Transfer to Jaipur airport for your onward flight or choose to travel to Delhi by coach, departing at 10:00 and arriving to Delhi at approximately 16:30. The coach will drop off at Delhi International Airport and the Trafalgar post night airport hotel; the Pride Plaza. Buffet Breakfast

Availability

Checking price
Price From $ 2,675
Price Per Day: $ 334 per day
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19,631 Trafalgar Travel Reviews & Ratings

94%
4.6 out of 5 (100+ reviews)
Excellent 13,389
Great 4,516
Average 1,167
Disappointing 318
Terrible 241
Value
4.6
Guide
4.6
Activities
4.6
Lodging
4.6
Transportation
4.6
Meals
4.6

Indias Golden Triangle with Varanasi Summer 2018

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Company Reviews

Best of Italy Tour for 13 days, really 11 days. Recommendation: Do NOT take a Trafalgar Tour of any kind!

1.0
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Value1.0
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Transportation1.0
Meals1.0
Best of Italy Tour for 13 days--actually 12 days. This was our 2nd Trafalgar tour--1st was Egypt---also terrible!
1) Could ONLY understand about 10 % of the travel director's harangue. Her name was Frederica. The same situation occurred in Egypt.
2) The bus driver named Theo was surly and rude.
3) The Travel Director constantly sold the extra excursions. These were 2.5 times more expensive then privately-made tours. Example in Rome--Crown Tours.
4) The food was terrible.
5) The hotels were at best 2-3 star. NO AC, low water pressure, and the breakfasts were poor.
6) Many hours were spent most days on the bus--4-8 hours. There were 49 passengers on this bus! You could not relax on the bus because the tour director constantly was speaking and selling optional excursions. Again, could not understand but 10 % of what she said.
7) We pre-paid gratuities, but wished that we had not done so. Neither the driver nor Travel Director thanked us. We will not prepay again, however, we will NEVER take another Trafalgar Tour.
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Anonymous

5.0
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Value5.0
Guide5.0
Activities5.0
Lodging5.0
Transportation5.0
Meals5.0
The trip was amazing and our travel guide was wonderful. We saw all the important attractions in every town/city we visited.

Carolyne and Christof deserves a raise!

5.0
Details
Value5.0
Guide5.0
Activities5.0
Lodging5.0
Transportation5.0
Meals5.0
Service was fantastic. Had an amazing travel guide in Carolyne and she made the experience even more enjoyable with her leading us through the journey. She’s full of fun and I couldn’t have imagined a better experience. Our driver was great as well Christof. Always was on time and was very kind to us.
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Anonymous

5.0
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Value5.0
Guide5.0
Activities5.0
Lodging5.0
Transportation5.0
Meals5.0
The trip is well organized. Our travel director was very lovely, sweet and accommodating. Our coach is clean, and the driver drives very smoothly and relaxing. The local specialists in all tours are very well expert. I like how they explained every detail of their beautiful country.
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Kerrie

5.0
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Value5.0
Guide5.0
Activities5.0
Lodging5.0
Transportation5.0
Meals5.0
Kate and Ian did their best to make our trip as best as possible. Kate had great knowledge of the locations we visited and how Ian got the bus up around the small roads I'll never know. Thank you.
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Anonymous

5.0
Details
Value5.0
Guide5.0
Activities5.0
Lodging5.0
Transportation5.0
Meals5.0
the trip and the tour director were excellent. But our ride to Liberia airport was a disaster on wheels. The driver was not able to communicate with us about the problems as he doesnot speak english. On the way to liberia airport fumes started coming out from the back end of the vehicle. Stopped the vehicle and with the help of the local people the tire got changed and resumed the trip. The driver was not even keen to communicate with trafalgar .after another hour the vehicle completely got shut off. For a while we were stranded in the highway and trafalgar sent another 2 vans to pick up us all to airport. The return trip to airport was a disaster . Please use a vehicle with good conditions. Please do not put the tour members life in jeopardy.
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Details

Group Size

Standard Group - 25 + people

Accommodations

  • Hilton

Additional Information

  • Audio Headsets for flexible sightseeing
  • Daily breakfast and an average of 50% of evening meals
  • Luxury air-conditioned coach or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
  • Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
  • Hand-picked Insider Experiences
  • Optional Experiences and free time
  • Porterage and local charges included
  • Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
  • An expert Travel Director and separate Driver
  • All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
  • Airport transfers on the first and last day of your guided holiday

Trip ID#:

trafalgar-INGTVN13

Meals Included

  • 7 buffet breakfasts
  • 2 lunches
  • 5 dinners
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