Taj to Varanasi

Taj to Varanasi

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11 Days From

$1655

Taj to Varanasi

11 Days Starting and ending in Delhi, India

Visiting: Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Varanasi

Tour operator:

Encounters Travel

Tour code:

27

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

1 - 14

Physical rating:

All Ages / Not applicable

Age range:

8-95

Special diets catered:

Request dietary needs

Tour operated in:

English

Activities:

Walking

From: $1655

NB: Prices correct on 24-Nov-2024 but subject to change.

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

Embark on an unforgettable journey through India with the "Taj to Varanasi" tour, a captivating adventure designed for singles and small groups. Discover the vibrant contrasts of Old and New Delhi, marvel at the iconic Taj Mahal in Agra, and immerse yourself in the rich culture of a local village in Suroth Mahal. Explore the enchanting Pink City of Jaipur, with its majestic hilltop fort and the impressive Abhaneri step well. Experience the spiritual essence of Varanasi with a serene boat ride on the River Ganges and a visit to the sacred Buddhist site at Sarnath. This adventure tour offers a perfect blend of cultural exploration and local experiences, with comfortable accommodations in mid-range hotels and heritage properties, all transport in air-conditioned vehicles, and guided tours led by local experts. Enjoy the vibrant street food of Delhi, a Mughal Heritage Walk, and a cooking demonstration in Suroth Mahal, making this a truly immersive Indian experience.

Highlights

  • Old and New Delhi exploration, including a rickshaw ride and street food tasting.

  • Visit to the iconic Taj Mahal in Agra, with a Mughal Heritage Walk.

  • Experience the local village life in Suroth Mahal with a walking tour and cooking demonstration.

  • Explore the Pink City of Jaipur, including the Amber Fort and a block printing workshop.

  • Visit the Abhaneri step well, the largest and deepest step well in the world.

  • Witness the evening Aarti ceremony on the River Ganges in Varanasi.

  • Explore the ancient Buddhist site at Sarnath, where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon.

Places You'll See

Delhi

Jaipur

Agra

Delhi

Jaipur

Agra

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 : Welcome To Delhi, Transfer To Hotel Included

Location: Delhi

Accommodation Name: Delhi hotel

Once you arrive in Delhi, you'll be met by one of our local staff, who will transfer your hotel. Once you're settled in, we'll run through the tour itinerary for the next few days, brief you on the local area and arrange a time to collect you tomorrow.

Day 2 : Exploring Delhi, Rickshaw Ride & Street Food Tasting

Location: Delhi

Accommodation Name: Delhi hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Your day starts with a morning tour of India's capital, New Delhi. Built on the banks of the Yamuna river, New Delhi is a beautiful blend of a historical past and a vibrant present.

We start at India Gate in the centre of New Delhi, a 42-metre high "Arc-de-Triomphe" like archway, a war memorial built to commemorate the 82,000 soldiers who partook in the undivided Indian Army. We'll drive past various government buildings such as the President's Palace and the Parliament of India, before passing Humayun's Tomb - a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Bangla Sahab Gurudwara Sikh Temple.

We'll stop at Connaught Place Station and join the locals on the metro to Old Delhi where we'll walk through one of the oldest and busiest markets in Old Delhi, Chandni Chowk, before exploring the narrow streets of Chawri Bazar which specialises in selling brass, copper and paper products. Throughout the afternoon our guide will also introduce you to the wide range of street food snacks and delicacies so you can get your first authentic taste of the delicious and varied Indian cuisine. Our walking tour will also take in a rickshaw ride and the Jama Masjid mosque, one of the largest in India.

Day 3 : Head To Agra. Sheroes Hangout, Mughal Heritage Walk. First Glimpse Of The Taj Mahal

Location: Agra

Accommodation Name: Agra hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

We head to Agra this morning, home of the famous Taj Mahal. After arriving in Agra we'll make a stop for lunch at the Sheroes Hangout Cafe The cafe was set up by the Chhanv Foundation and is run by victirms of acid attacks. The cafe works to raise awareness of acid attacks in India and to empower those who have sadly been the victims of these heinous crimes. Prior to gaining employment in the cafe, many of the 'Sheroes' led solitary lives, rarely going outside due to shame associated with their scars. At Encounters Travel we're proud to support such an organisation, which has the sole aim of helping these women find acceptance, a supportive community and a means of income. Lunch will be included whilst at the cafe.

Once you've checked in into your hotel, we'll spend the afternoon on a Mughal Heritage Walk through the ancient village of Kachhpura and surrounding farmland on the banks of the Yamuna River across from the Taj Mahal and Red Fort. This walk has been designed by a local NGO and helps support the local community through employment and new infrastructure. During the walk one of the villagers will give a guide to their village life, the layout of their homes, with living, cooking & religious areas, the farming done, and the local cottage industry for leather shoe making which helps Agra export shoes all over the world. You'll also see some lesser known but important Mughal era monuments. Finally today we'll stroll around the park at Mehtab Bagh - originally built by Emperor Babur as the last in a series of 11 parks on the Yamuna River's east bank, before taking in the magnificent sight of the Taj Mahal at sunset.

A special evening option is available today, where you can join a Hindu family for a Vegetarian Thali cooking lesson and meal.

Day 4 : Taj Mahal Sunrise. Drive To Suroth Mahal, Village Walking Tour

Location: Agra

Accommodation Name: Suroth Mahal heritage hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

We start today early for our tour of the Taj Mahal. Truly one of the wonders of the world this elaborate monument to love was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan and took over twenty-two years to complete. Sunrise is a great time to visit as the light changes gradually with the colours of the Taj changing too.
After breakfast we leave the region's popular tourist areas and head into the heart of rural Rajasthan to the small town of Suroth. The property was a former palace, now welcoming guests as a hotel, but retaining its heritage charm, with rooms painted with murals.
The afternoon sees us exploring the village, interacting with the local villagers, getting invaluable insight into seeing their way of life. Our walking tour will pass by local shops, down narrow streets, we'll visit a small temple and perhaps even visit a local barber shop where you can have a shave or head massage. In the evening we'll have a cooking demonstration before enjoying dinner at the hotels restaurant.

Day 5 : To Jaipur Via The Abhaneri Step Well. Optional Bollywood Movie Or Cooking Demo

Location: Jaipur

Accommodation Name: Jaipur heritage hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today we head to Jaipur, the capital and the largest city of the Indian state of Rajasthan in Western India. Enroute, we'll visit the Abhaneri step well, the largest and deepest step well in the world, which boasts 3500 steps and is 13 stories deep. You may recognise this as the place that Sonny tried to express his feelings for Sunaina in the recent movie The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.

The remaider of the day in Jaipur will be free to explore at leisure or join one of our optional

Day 6 : Amber Fort & Jaipur City. Block Printing Workshop

Location: Jaipur

Accommodation Name: Jaipur heritage hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

You have an option of going on an early morning hot air balloon ride over Jaipur, flying over its palaces, forts and lakes - a truly mesmerising experience.

If you chose to sleep a little later, your morning starts with a visit to the Amber Fort, the jewel in Jaipur's crown - an ancient fortress built on a hilltop in the 16th century dedicated to the ruling Kachhawa clan of Amber. Be mesmerised by this majestic architectural wonder, with its pink sandstone and marble palace shining in the sun. It's massive fortress walls sprawls across the hills, with many seeing a resemblance of the Great Wall of China.

Later, we return to the city for a tour of Jaipur, as we visit the strange Jantar Mantar monument, a collection of nineteen architectural astronomical instruments, built by the Rajput king Sawai Jai Singh II between 1724 and 1730. Jaipur was the first planned city of medieval India and we'll also explore its City Palace. Built by Raja Man Singh during 1729-1732 AD, the City Palace was once the seat of kings as it was from here that they ruled the region. This tangle of courtyards, manicured gardens and exceptionally crafted mahals is one of the most revered attractions in India.

We spend the remainder of the day walking in the walled city to discover some of Jaipur's famous crafts markets and craftsmen in action such as jewellers, silversmiths, textile workshops and bangle makers. Our tour will include a blockprinting workshop, where we learn the ways in which fabric is decorated using this ancient method and we'll also have a gemstone demonstation.

Day 7 : Return To Delhi (Optional Multimedia Show At The Akshardam Temple)

Location: Delhi

Accommodation Name: Delhi hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

We leave Jaipur today to head back to Delhi, from where we'll take the train to Varanasi tomorrow. You can use your remaining time in Delhi for last minute shopping, exploration of join our optional visit to the Swaminarayan Akshardham a Hindu mandir and a spiritual-cultural campus, home to millennia of traditional Hindu and Indian culture and architecture to witness the mesmerizing Sahaj Anand water show - which makes use of multicoloured lasers, under-water flames, video projection, water jets combine to provide a captivating experience which tells the story of Kena Upanishad - a Vedic Sanskrit text.

Day 8 : Morning Train To Varanasi, Evening Aarti Ceremony By The Ganges

Location: Varanasi

Accommodation Name: Varanasi hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today we'll board the Vande Bharat train, bound for Varanasi. The journey will take approximately 8 hours. From the window you'll be able to the outskirts of Delhi and rural Indian life as we make our way to Varanasi. After arriving you'll have some free time to settle or begin exploring. As night falls, we head to the holy Ganges River for the evening Aarti ceremony, a devotional Hindu ritual which involves numerous small candles being lit inside cups made from leaves and flowers and floated down the river. Varanasi is one of India's holiest cities and we get our first taste here of how important the city and the Ganges River is to the country's Hindu population.

Day 9 : Sunrise On The Ganges, Varanasi Exploration And Visit To Sarnath

Location: Varanasi

Accommodation Name: Varanasi hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Our second day in Varanasi starts with an early morning boat ride along the Ganges River, as we explore the city. The Ganges is a constant hive of activity throughout the day, as hordes of people come to pray and immerse themselves in its spiritually cleansing waters. The city is also considered an extremely auspicious place to die, and many people come to Varanasi to spend their final days. We'll see many funeral pyres on the ghats at the edge of the river as we pass by on the water. Whilst on the river, you'll have the opportunity to offer Pind Daan in memory of any deceased loved ones. We'll then go on a walking tour of the city, exploring its medieval streets, intricate temples and busy markets, abuzz with the general cacophony of Indian life. We'll also spend some time exploring the Ghats which straddle the banks of the Ganges. In the afternoon we take the short trip to the ancient Buddhist site at Sarnath where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon after becoming enlightened.

Day 10 : Train To Delhi. Free Afternoon

Location: Delhi

Accommodation Name: Delhi hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

This morning we'll re-join the Vande Bharat for the journey back to Delhi. We'll arrive in the afternoon and the remainder of the day will be free for any last minute shopping or exploration.

Day 11 : Bon Voyage! Airport Transfer Included

Location: Delhi

Meals Included: Breakfast

You have some free time in Delhi this morning until we transfer you to the airport in plenty of time for your flight home. You could also consider adding to go on safari looking for tigers in Ranthambore National Park, or head to the beach at Goa for some sun, sea and relaxation, Indian style.

What's Included

  • Accommodation

    All accommodation in mid-range hotels and heritage properties is included.

  • Transport

    All transport and transfers in AC vehicles are included.

  • Airport Transfers

    24-hour airport arrival and departure transfer service is included.

  • Train Travel

    Morning trains Delhi-Varanasi-Delhi in AC Chair Car are included.

  • Sightseeing Tours

    Sightseeing tours and activities as per the itinerary are included.

  • Delhi Tour

    Delhi Tour, Rickshaw Ride & Street Food Sampling in Delhi are included.

  • Agra Activities

    Agra Sheroes Cafe, Mughal Heritage Walk and Taj Mahal visit are included.

  • Suroth Mahal Activities

    Suroth Mahal Village tour & cooking demonstration are included.

  • Jaipur Activities

    Jaipur Amber Fort, City Tour & craft workshop are included.

  • Varanasi Activities

    Varanasi Aarti Ceremony, Sunrise Boat Ride, Visits to Ghats, Temples and Sarnath are included.

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What's Not Included

  • International Flights

    International flights are not included but are available on request.

  • Visa Fees

    Visa fees are not included.

  • Travel Insurance

    Travel insurance is compulsory and not included, but available on request.

  • Meals Not Indicated

    Meals not indicated in the itinerary are not included.

  • Personal Expenses

    Drinks, snacks and other personal expenses (e.

    g.

    laundry) are not included.

  • Tips

    Tips for driver and/or tour guide are not included.

  • Entrance Fees

    Entrance fees are not included (allow approx.

    US$105).

  • Other Items

    Any other items not mentioned above are not included.

Mode of Transport

Travel in air-conditioned vehicles with all transfers included, and experience the convenience of morning trains between Delhi and Varanasi in AC Chair Car.

Accommodation

Enjoy comfortable stays in mid-range hotels and heritage properties throughout the tour, offering a blend of modern amenities and traditional charm.

Check out our Q&As

  • What kind of accommodation is provided during the tour?

    All accommodation is in mid-range hotels and heritage properties.

  • Are airport transfers included in the tour package?

    Yes, a 24-hour airport arrival and departure transfer service is included.

  • What type of transportation is used during the tour?

    All transport and transfers are in air-conditioned vehicles, and morning trains between Delhi and Varanasi are in AC Chair Car.

  • Is there a cooking demonstration included in the tour?

    Yes, there is a cooking demonstration included during the stay at Suroth Mahal.

  • Will there be any guided tours during the trip?

    Yes, the tour includes sightseeing tours and activities as per the itinerary, with services of a local tour leader and specialist local guides.

  • What activities are included in Varanasi?

    In Varanasi, the tour includes an evening Aarti ceremony by the Ganges, a sunrise boat ride, visits to the Ghats, temples, and the Buddhist site at Sarnath.

  • Is there an opportunity to experience local culture in Jaipur?

    Yes, in Jaipur, the tour includes a city tour, a visit to Amber Fort, and a craft workshop.

  • Is travel insurance compulsory?

    Yes! Travel insurance is compulsory on all of our tours and needs to cover personal accident & liability, medical expenses and repatriation, travel delay & abandonment. We also strongly recommend that you take out cover against cancellation and lost/stolen baggage. Personal medical insurance does not normally provide sufficient cover and is generally not suitable for travel on our tours. You will not be able to join your tour if you have not provided us with details of your insurance or if you arrive without cover in place (no refunds will be due in this event).

  • What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

    You are always able to change your travel date. However, some charges may apply depending on how long before your departure you make the change. Our flexible booking conditions and reduced charges will apply if you are changing date because of a Covid-19 reason or because your government is advising against travel to your destination. Please check our detailed booking conditions for full details.

  • When is my balance payment due?

    60 days prior to departure

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    On most of our group tours, solo travellers may choose to form a temporary 'tour bubble' and share a room with another traveller of the same sex in the group. If a room share is not available then a single room supplement may be payable, with the costs for these kept as low as possible. We have also removed compulsory single supplements from many of our tours, and are reducing the cost by 50% on s

  • Can I transfer my booking to someone else?

    Customers may transfer their booking or any Credit on File to another person who satisfies all the relevant conditions to the tour, provided that we are notified not less than 7 days before departure, and the transferee agrees to these booking conditions and all other terms of the contract between us. The Client and new booker are jointly and severally responsible for any outstanding payments and a transfer administration fee of GBP50 / USD75 / CAD100 / AUD100 / NZD100 / EUR75 / ZAR1000 / INR5000 or GBP100 / USD150 / CAD200 / AUD200 / NZD200 / EUR150 / ZAR2000 / INR10,000 if the transfer is made less than 60 days before departure. Important Note: Certain arrangements may not be amended or transferred after they have been confirmed (for example flight tickets, Gorilla Permits) and any alteration could incur a cancellation and rebooking charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements.

Reviews from travellers on this tour

TipsyTracy  

Travelled to India with Encounters Travel

May 2015

My first time visit to India was with Encounters Travel. What a super awesome experience! Not to exaggerate but the way the people welcomed me at the airport even made up for the sudden heat. Very well maintained cars, very nice hotels and I very much appreciated how the driver kept offering me perfectly chilled water every day. The various guides I had in the different cities were equally excellent. It was a small group, which made it even better because we got to see a bit more than we would have if we were a larger group. We got to spend a bit more time at sights too due to this reason. I was sad to leave India because the way things were organized definitely made me feel taken care of. Thank you Encounters Travel!

EdinburghBlair  

Tailor made tour of India

February 2017

This is our fifth trip orgainsed by Encounters and the very efficicient and thougtful Anthony Horrobin and his colleages in India. We travelled in Rajastan and the Punjab. All the key sites eg Taj Mahal, Amber Foort etc are amazing of course but sometimes people do not go further afield. You should! Johdpur and Udaipur have beautiful sites and very attractive hotels and restaurants. They are also excelllent for shopping! Udaipur's lake setting is utterly beautiful. The Amet Haveli on its shores is one of the lovelies hotels I have every stayed in Amritsar and the Golden Temple are too little visited. They are extraordinary and so full of history. The Encounters arrangements went without a hitch. Two of the gudes were quite outstanding but all were good. The cars and drivers superb and attentive.

Claire Carter  

Fantastic Tour

November 2023

I was unsure what to expect but it was far better than I thought. Collected from the airport and thoroughly looked after until I was returned to the airport 10 days later. The times, travelling and food was as advertised. The guide and sights were beyond my expectations. Fantastic tour.

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Book with Confidence

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    Encounters Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform encounters travel, 60 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Encounters Travel requires a minimum deposit of 150 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of encounters travel charges.

    Up to 61 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 35% of booking price.

    At 41 days before tour starts: Forfeit 70% of booking price.

    At 27 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.

    At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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