Explore Old and New Delhi with private guided sightseeing.
Overview & Highlights
The Golden Triangle Tour with Varanasi is an 8 day private journey designed for first time visitors who want to combine India most famous cultural route with the spiritual experience of Varanasi. The itinerary follows a practical travel flow from Delhi to Agra and Jaipur by road, then continues by flight from Jaipur to Varanasi, avoiding a long overland journey and making it possible to experience all four cities comfortably within one trip.
Along the way, visit the Taj Mahal at sunrise, Agra Fort, Fatehpur Sikri, Amber Fort, City Palace and Hawa Mahal. In Varanasi, take a sunrise boat ride on the Ganges, walk along the ghats, witness the evening Ganga Aarti and visit Sarnath, where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon. The tour starts and ends in New Delhi and includes handpicked 3 star deluxe hotels, private air conditioned transport and local guides during sightseeing.
The Golden Triangle Tour with Varanasi can be customized to suit your travel dates, hotel preference and travel pace. Extra nights can be added in any city, or the journey can be extended to places such as Khajuraho or Ranthambore.
See the Taj Mahal at sunrise with an expert local guide.
Discover Jaipur through Amber Fort, City Palace and Hawa Mahal.
Experience Varanasi with Ganga Aarti, sunrise boating and Sarnath.
Itinerary
On arrival at the New Delhi airport, Alkof Holidays representative will meet you and transfer you to the hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore the city's bustling streets or wander its wide tree-lined boulevards to get your first taste of India. Overnight stay at the hotel.
After breakfast at the hotel, begin a full day sightseeing tour of Old and New Delhi. Visit Rajghat, the memorial dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi, followed by Jama Masjid, one of the largest mosques in India. Continue with a cycle rickshaw ride through Chandni Chowk to experience the busy lanes and markets of Old Delhi.
Later, drive through New Delhi, passing India Gate and the Presidential House, before visiting Humayun's Tomb and Qutub Minar, two important examples of Delhi's architectural heritage. In the evening, return to your hotel for an overnight stay.
After breakfast at your hotel, depart for Agra. Upon arrival, check into your hotel. In the afternoon, visit Agra Fort, one of the most important Mughal monuments in the city. Later, continue to Mehtab Bagh, located across the Yamuna River from the Taj Mahal, for sunset views of the monument. Overnight stay at the hotel in Agra.
Early in the morning, visit the Taj Mahal at sunrise and admire the monument in the soft morning light. Return to the hotel for breakfast, then drive to Jaipur. En route, visit Fatehpur Sikri, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built in the 16th century and once the capital of Mughal Emperor Akbar. After sightseeing, continue to Jaipur and check into your hotel for an overnight stay.
After breakfast at the hotel, begin a full day guided sightseeing tour of Jaipur. Visit Amber Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Jaipur's most important historic landmarks. Explore the fort complex, its courtyards and palace architecture overlooking Maota Lake.
Continue to Jal Mahal for an outside view, followed by visits to City Palace, Jantar Mantar, Hawa Mahal and Albert Hall Museum. After sightseeing, return to your hotel for an overnight stay in Jaipur.
After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Jaipur Airport for your flight to Varanasi. Upon arrival at Varanasi Airport, our representative will meet you and transfer you to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight stay at the hotel in Varanasi.
Note: Jaipur to Varanasi airfare is not included in the standard tour price and can be added to your quotation based on the available fare for your travel date.
Start your day early around 5:00 AM with a boat ride on the River Ganges. Watch the sunrise and observe morning prayers and daily spiritual life along the ghats. After the boat ride, take a guided walk through the old city of Varanasi and visit Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple, one of the most important Hindu temples in India. You will also visit Bharat Mata Mandir before returning to the hotel for breakfast.
After breakfast, drive to Sarnath, one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites in India. Visit Dhamek Stupa, associated with the place where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon, the Archaeological Museum and Chaukhandi Stupa. In the evening, return to Varanasi to attend the Ganga Aarti on the banks of the River Ganges. After the ceremony, return to your hotel for an overnight stay.
After breakfast at the hotel, or earlier depending on your flight schedule, our driver will transfer you to Varanasi Airport for your flight to New Delhi or your onward destination.
Note: Varanasi to New Delhi airfare is not included in the standard tour price and can be added to your quotation based on the available fare for your travel date.
What is Included in This Tour
- Stay for 7 nights in handpicked 3 star deluxe hotels on twin or double sharing basis.
- Daily breakfast is included at the hotels in Delhi, Agra, Jaipur and Varanasi.
- Professional, English-speaking local guides will be provided in each city as per the itinerary.
- All airport transfers, sightseeing, and intercity travel by private air-conditioned vehicle as per the itinerary.
- 1 to 2 persons travel by sedan car such as Toyota Etios or Suzuki Dzire or similar.
- 3 persons travel by MUV such as Toyota Innova Crysta or similar.
- 4 or more persons travel by Tempo Traveller or tourist bus, based on group size.
- Airport pickup and arrival assistance is included.
- Enjoy a traditional cycle rickshaw ride through the vibrant lanes of Old Delhi.
- Enjoy a serene boat ride along the sacred Ganges in Varanasi, witnessing the city awaken at sunrise.
- Witness the mesmerizing Ganga Aarti ceremony on the banks of the Ganges.
- One complimentary bottled water per person is provided daily for your comfort.
- All applicable taxes, including 5% GST, are included in the tour cost.
- International flights and domestic flights between Jaipur, Varanasi and New Delhi are not included. Airfare can be added to your quotation based on the available fare for your travel date.
- It is advisable that you buy a comprehensive medical/travel insurance in advance from your country before traveling to India.
- Guides in Italian, German, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, Chinese and Dutch are available on request at an additional cost.
- Visa fee (if applicable).
- Any monument entrance fees and camera fees is not included in the tour cost.
- Any kind of tips, personal expenses, laundry, or telephone charges.
- Anything not mentioned in the inclusions.
Accommodation
Personalize Your Itinerary
Share your preferred dates, hotel level, and travel interests. Our experts will refine your itinerary and create the right plan for your trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
At Alkof Holidays, we ensure smooth travel planning. Our FAQ covers everything from booking procedures and payment methods to travel itineraries, best times to visit, hotel upgrades, and more. For more assistance, contact us anytime.
The route is designed for smooth travel and efficient sightseeing. Delhi, Agra and Jaipur connect naturally by road, allowing you to experience the main highlights of the Golden Triangle without unnecessary backtracking. From Jaipur, the tour continues to Varanasi by flight, which saves considerable travel time and makes it practical to include Varanasi within an 8 day journey.
October to March is generally the best time for the Golden Triangle with Varanasi, with cooler and drier weather across Delhi, Agra, Jaipur and Varanasi. October, November, February and March are especially comfortable for sightseeing and photography. December and January are the coolest months, although early morning fog in Delhi and Agra can occasionally affect visibility and cause flight delays.
April to June is the hottest period in North India, with daytime temperatures often reaching around 40 degrees Celsius or higher. July to September is the monsoon season, bringing higher humidity and periodic rainfall across the route. Travel is still possible during these months, but October to March offers the most comfortable conditions for sightseeing, walking tours, the Taj Mahal at sunrise and outdoor experiences in Varanasi.
This Golden Triangle with Varanasi tour includes 7 nights in handpicked 3 star deluxe hotels on a twin or double sharing basis, with daily breakfast. Private air conditioned transportation with an experienced driver is included throughout the journey, along with English speaking local guides for sightseeing in Delhi, Agra, Jaipur and Varanasi.
The tour also includes airport pickup and arrival assistance, a cycle rickshaw ride in Old Delhi, a sunrise boat ride on the Ganges in Varanasi, the evening Ganga Aarti experience, one bottled water per person daily and all applicable taxes including 5 percent GST. Vehicle type is selected according to group size for comfortable private travel.
Yes. This itinerary is a starting point, and the route, hotel category, pace, and inclusions can all be adjusted to match your preferences. Extra nights can be added in any city, additional stops such as Khajuraho or Ranthambore can be built into the route, and hotels can be upgraded from 3 star to 4 or 5 star properties on request. The pace can also be slowed down, with fewer cities per day and more time built in at each stop.
Share your travel dates, group size and specific interests with our team before booking, and we can prepare the itinerary around your requirements.
Varanasi is one of the oldest living cities in the world and the spiritual capital of India, sitting on the banks of the sacred River Ganges. Life and faith come together here in a way you will not see anywhere else in India, from the early morning prayers along the ghats to the evening Ganga Aarti ceremony, where priests perform rituals with fire, chants, and music as hundreds gather to watch.
A sunrise boat ride on the Ganges lets you see the city wake up, with pilgrims bathing in the river and temple bells ringing along the riverbank. Varanasi is also home to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, one of the most important Hindu temples in India, and sits close to Sarnath, where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon after attaining enlightenment. Few places in the world combine daily spiritual life, ancient history, and a living river tradition the way Varanasi does.
Yes, Alkof Holidays accepts major international credit and debit cards. A secure online payment link will be provided to complete your payment. Any applicable payment gateway or bank charges will be communicated in advance.
Your dedicated tour manager is reachable by phone and WhatsApp throughout your trip. Your private driver will accompany you throughout the tour, while local guides will assist during scheduled sightseeing visits.
Yes. All airport transfers are included at every destination on this tour. A driver will meet you at the arrival gate and transfer you directly to your hotel. Departure pickups follow the same arrangement.
Know Before Your Go
What You Will See on this Golden Triangle Tour with Varanasi
Delhi: Humayun's Tomb, Qutub Minar, Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk, and India Gate.
Agra: The Taj Mahal at sunrise, Agra Fort, and Fatehpur Sikri.
Jaipur: Amber Fort, City Palace, Jantar Mantar observatory, and Hawa Mahal.
Varanasi: The ghats of the Ganges, evening Ganga Aarti, a sunrise boat ride past the riverside temples, and the old city's narrow lanes and shrines.
Best time to visit Golden Triangle with Varanasi
October to March offers the most comfortable weather for Delhi, Agra, Jaipur and Varanasi. October, November, February and March are particularly suitable for sightseeing, while December and January can experience morning fog.
How the Trip is Structured
The tour runs for eight days, starting and ending in Delhi, and follows a practical route through Delhi, Agra, Jaipur and Varanasi without unnecessary backtracking. Travel from Delhi to Agra and Agra to Jaipur is by private air conditioned vehicle. From Jaipur, you fly to Varanasi, followed by a return flight from Varanasi to Delhi at the end of the tour. Local English speaking guides assist with sightseeing in each city, while private transfers are arranged throughout the journey.
Important Information
- If rooms are not available at the mentioned hotels, we will provide alternate hotels of a similar category. Early check-in or late check-out is subject to availability.
- Entry restriction to Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi: Non-Hindus are generally not permitted to enter the sanctum of Kashi Vishwanath Temple, also known as the Golden Temple. However, they may explore the temple complex and its surrounding areas, experiencing the spiritual ambiance from outside. Access to the inner sanctum remains traditionally reserved for Hindu devotees.
- The Taj Mahal remains closed every Friday. During the winter months, from December until the second week of February, heavy fog may reduce visibility, particularly during sunrise and sunset. To ensure the best experience, visits to the Taj Mahal are arranged during the daytime when required.
- For easy communication on the go, consider downloading WhatsApp, as it is widely used in India.
- Transportation is provided according to the itinerary only and is not available on a disposal or point-to-point basis.
- Tipping in India is not compulsory, it is optional but appreciated. A small gratuity is expected in some cases; tip generously for exceptional service. The amount can range from $2, $5, $10 per day, or more, depending on satisfaction and the quality of service received.
- Any costs arising from natural calamities such as road blockages, political disturbances (e.g., strikes), etc., are to be borne by the client. We will not be held liable for any refunds or compensation claims resulting from these circumstances.
- India VISA: Citizens of Nepal and Bhutan do not need a visa to enter India. However, all other foreign nationals must obtain a visa to enter India. For more information, please check https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html.
Payment Terms
A deposit of 10% is required to confirm this tour, and the remaining balance will be charged 30 days prior tour starting date. For any bookings within 30 days of departure, the full tour amount will be charged upon booking. This can be paid through bank transfer, credit/debit card, or cash.
Cancellation
If you cancel the tour at least 31 days before the scheduled departure date, there will be no cancellation fee. Kindly read complete details at Cancellation Policy.
Need Support?
Need a human touch? Our friendly Customer Support is there for you 24/7. Contact Support
Why Book This Golden Triangle Varanasi Tour with Alkof Holidays?
For over a decade, we have been creating private journeys across India for travelers from around the world. Every tour is carefully planned with verified hotels, experienced English Speaking Guides, private vehicles, and dedicated support from arrival until departure.