AEI-002 Regular Departure India Triangle with Varanasi 8N-9D

Expert Rating: Asia Escapes

“This program is our number one recommendation for first-time visitors to India who want the complete package. As a regular departure with a Spanish-speaking guide, travelers feel accompanied at all times, which is essential when arriving in a city as intense and fascinating as Varanasi.
What truly elevates this trip is the logistics: using the Vande Bharat train is a stroke of genius, as it is extremely punctual and comfortable, avoiding airports and allowing for a triumphant arrival in the ‘Eternal City.’ Varanasi is not just a tourist visit; it’s an anthropological experience. Ending the trip there, after having witnessed the perfection of the Taj Mahal, creates a contrast that perfectly defines what India is: a blend of absolute beauty and raw spirituality. It’s a balanced, efficient, and profoundly exciting itinerary.”

Arrival in Delhi every Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Wednesday

Day 1. Arrival in New Delhi

Arrival in Delhi on your international flight. A Spanish-speaking representative will meet you at the airport, provide assistance, and transfer you to your hotel. Overnight stay.

Day 2. New Delhi

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for Old Delhi, including a guided tour of the Old Delhi area, strolling through Chandni Chowk, and then visiting Raj Ghat, a beautiful park where a black marble platform marks the spot where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated after his assassination, and where Pandit Nehru and Indira Gandhi were also cremated. We will continue our visit to New Delhi, visiting the government buildings and India Gate. This is a 42-meter-high stone triumphal arch inscribed with the names of 90,000 Indian Army soldiers who died during World War I. We will walk through the Parliament area and visit the President’s Residence. We will then continue with a visit to the Gurdwara Bangla Sahib, a Sikh temple located in Connaught Place, the site where the Sikh Guru lived. It is the most important Sikh temple in Delhi, attracting thousands of visitors. We will visit Akshardham Temple (closed on Mondays; alternative visit on Monday will be to Birla Hindu Temple). This Hindu temple complex in New Delhi, also known as Swaminarayan, showcases traditional Hindu culture, spirituality, and architecture. The central building was inspired and developed by Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the spiritual head of the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha, whose 3,000 volunteers assisted 7,000 artisans in the construction of Akshardham Temple. Return to the hotel and overnight stay.

Day 3. New Delhi-Jaipur (270 km, 4 hours)

Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, departure for Jaipur. Upon arrival, check in to the hotel. Jaipur, the Pink City, owes its nickname to the color of the sandstone used to construct the buildings of the old city. The city’s pleasing design is thanks to Maharaja Jai Singh II, who began its construction in 1728 and commissioned his architect, Vidyadhar Chakravarty, to skillfully blend diverse styles such as Hindu, Jain, Mughal, and Persian. Overnight stay.

Day 5. Jaipur-Agra (240 km)

Breakfast at the hotel. Excursion to Amber Fort (Ascent to Amber Fort by jeep). Amber Fort was built as a palace and fortress on a high ground. It is one of the best-preserved forts in Rajasthan. We continue with a visit to the Maharaja’s Palace , the residence of the royal family of Jaipur. The complex is full of palaces, gardens, and other buildings, most notably the seven-story Chandra Mahal, which houses the Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum. Here you can admire carpets, enamels, weapons, miniature paintings, cannons, and the garments of the Maharajas. Return to the hotel and overnight stay.

Day 5. Jaipur-Abhaneri-Well of a Thousand Steps-Agra (240 km - 04hrs)

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for Agra, arrival and transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay. Agra is a city located on the banks of the Yamuna River in the state of Uttar Pradesh. It was the capital of the Mughal Empire between 1556 and 1658. The city was founded between 1501 and 1504 by Sikandar Lodi, Sultan of Delhi, who made it his capital. The first Mughal emperor, Babur, took refuge in this city after fighting with Lodi in 1526. Akbar made it the official capital of the empire in 1556. In the afternoon, visit the Agra Fort. Overnight stay.

Day 6. Agra

Breakfast at the hotel. Today you will visit one of the Seven Wonders of the World: the Taj Mahal (closed on Fridays). The monument that has brought worldwide fame to Agra and become a symbol of India is the Taj Mahal. This mausoleum was commissioned by Emperor Shah Jahan in 1631 in honor of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, the Lady of the Taj, who died giving birth to their fourteenth child in 1629. Construction, which involved 20,000 people, was not completed until 1653 and is the most representative example of Mughal architecture. The chief architect, Isa Khan, designed the complex within a rectangle measuring 508 by 304 meters, with a central garden flanked on all four sides by octagonal pavilions. The mausoleum, built entirely of white marble, stands on a marble base with a minaret, also white, at each corner, reaching a height of 41 meters. The central section consists of four small domes surrounding a larger one in the middle. The remains of this couple rest in the crypt of this two-story building. While the architectural ensemble is impressive in itself, the decoration known as pietra dura, with its magnificent details such as floral arabesques and geometric motifs in semi-relief adorned with precious stones, among other elements, makes this building a truly unique piece. Accommodation.

Day 7. Agra-Varanasi (Train, departure 6:00 hrs and arrival 13:00 hrs, except Wednesday)

Box breakfast. Transfer to the train station for departure on the Vande Bharat (except Fridays) to Varanasi. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Varanasi, also known as Benares , is known as the Eternal City and remains the most important pilgrimage site in all of India, as well as a symbol of Hindu rebirth. Varanasi’s main attraction is the Ghats, the steps from which pilgrims descend to the sacred river to perform their rituals. In the evening, we will return to the Ghats to witness the Aarti ceremony . Return to the hotel and overnight stay .

Day 8. Varanasi

At dawn, departure for a boat trip on the Ganges River (subject to water level). We’ll board the boat for a scenic ride along the ghats, observing people bathing and performing their daily rituals. After disembarking, we’ll walk to the cremation grounds to experience the atmosphere and wander through the heart of the city. Return to the hotel for breakfast. Panoramic tour of Varanasi, including Bharat Mata Temple. The rest of the day is free, and overnight stay.

Day 9. Varanasi-Delhi-Next Destination (Flight)

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport for your flight to your next destination.

Our price includes India

2 nights in Delhi with breakfast
2 nights in Jaipur with breakfast
2 nights in Agra with breakfast
2 nights in Varanasi with breakfast
Vande Bharat train from Agra to Varanasi (no service on Wednesdays)
Domestic flight Varanasi/Delhi. Checked baggage on domestic flight 15 kilo/7 kilo carry-on.
Transfers, visits in an air-conditioned vehicle.
Rickshaw (tricycle) ride to the Ghat to see the Ganges River ceremony (subject to water level)
Boat trip on the Ganges River (subject to water level during July/August due to rain)
Ascent to Fort Amber by jeep
Tickets to the monuments mentioned in the program.
Local Spanish- speaking guides .
The rates applicable at this time.

Our price does not include

Tip of USD 70 per person for guide, driver, and porters at hotels. (Must be given to the guide in Delhi)
Camera fees at monuments.
Extra expenses at the hotel such as phone calls, laundry, etc.
Any other service not specified in “the price includes”.

Itinerary Highlights (Golden Triangle + Varanasi)

Akshardham and Bangla Sahib: A double immersion in Indian faith in Delhi. From the architectural grandeur of Akshardham to the communal kitchen and sacred pool of the Sikh temple.
Amber Fort by Jeep: A dynamic and exciting climb to the fort of Jaipur, enjoying panoramic views of the “Pink City”.
Full Day in Agra: Unlike other tours, this itinerary allows you to dedicate quality time to the Red Fort and the Taj Mahal, allowing you to absorb the history of the Mughal Empire without rushing.
Vande Bharat Experience: Travel on the high-speed train to Varanasi. It’s the most modern, clean, and fastest way to cross the heart of India, allowing you to see the rural landscape in total comfort.
The Aarti Ceremony: Witness the chanting, the fire and the bells at dusk on the ghats of Varanasi, a spectacle that gives you goosebumps.
The Awakening of the Ganges: A boat trip at dawn to observe the purification rituals and the life that flows on the banks of the world’s most sacred river.

Optional Tours	Optional – prices USD and net with min. 2 pax
Departure transfer	USD 35 (1 pax)
Departure transfer	USD 20 per person (min. 2 pax)
Optional in Jaipur (day 3, in Jaipur)	Visit Gaitor (Memorials of the Kings): Gaitor is one of the famous sites associated with the royal family of Jaipur. After the burning of the kings of Jaipur, beautiful memorials were erected in their memory. Also visit is Ghalta Ji, the Monkey Temple, located just outside Jaipur and surrounded by two hills. This pilgrimage site for the people of Rajasthan features temples dating back to the 15th century. USD 20 per person
Optional in Jaipur (day 4, in Jaipur)	Take a tricycle ride through the old part of the city. This ride allows you to explore the narrow streets of Jaipur, where you’ll find shops run by locals. Visit the Birla Hindu Temple (Lakshmi Narayan Temple), one of many Birla mandirs located in Jaipur. It was built by the World Bank Birla Foundation in 1988 and is constructed entirely of white marble. It is dedicated to the Hindu goddess Lakshmi and Lord Vishnu (Narayan), whose images appear inside, along with other Hindu gods and goddesses and selections from the Gita and Upanishads. Festivals such as Diwali and Janamashtami are celebrated at the temple. The temple is open USD 20 per person
Optional in Jaipur (Day 4, Elephant Painting with hotel transfers) duration of time with elephant 45 min. / 1 hour	In this activity, we will take you to an elephant sanctuary outside Jaipur. There, we will bring you close to the elephants and explain their life: what they eat, how they live, and how they spend their day. You will also have the opportunity to paint one of the elephants. USD 60 per person (min. 2 pax)
Optional in Jaipur (Day 3, Jaipur by night in Jeeps (duration 3 hours)	On this nighttime Jeep tour through the streets of Jaipur, you’ll see the illuminated landmarks, including Birla Temple, Albert Hall, the Palace of Winds, and the Parliament area. USD 50 per person (min. 2 pax)
Optional in Jaipur, Day 4 Jaipur – Dinner with traditional Rajasthani dances at Narayan Niwas Palace or similar	We will take you to a palace hotel and tour its interior, including the reception area and grand ballroom. In one of the palace gardens, you will have the opportunity to see traditional Rajasthani dances and enjoy Indian cuisine. USD 35 per person
Optional in Agra, Day 5	Visit to the Mini Taj Mahal, visit to the Mausoleum of Itimad-ud-Daulah , built in 1622 and considered the second finest Mughal work in marble, known as “Pietra Dura,” and visit to Mehtab Garden with views of the Taj Mahal . This garden is where the emperor intended to build a black marble Taj Mahal and connect the two monuments with a black and white marble bridge. Enjoy the best views of the Taj Mahal with the Yamuna River. USD 35 per person, including entrance fees.
Optional in Varanasi, day 8	Sarnath – Cradle of Buddhism. Located just 10 km from Varanasi, Sarnath is one of the holiest sites in Buddhism. Here, after attaining enlightenment in Bodh Gaya, Gautama Buddha delivered his first sermon to his five disciples, marking the beginning of the Buddhist path and the spread of the Dharma. This spiritual site is home to important archaeological remains such as the Dhamek Stupa , built on the exact spot where the Buddha first preached, and the Chaukhandi Stupa , which commemorates the meeting between the Buddha and his disciples. The Sarnath Archaeological Museum houses a valuable collection of Buddhist art, including the iconic Lion Capital of Ashoka , now the national emblem of India. USD 50 per person

Cities	*Cat. 4 hotels or similar**	*Cat. 5 standard hotels or similar**	*Cat. 5 Deluxe Hotels or similar**
Delhi 02	Hotel la / Ashok Country Resort	Crowne Plaza / ITC Welcome Dwarka / Radisson	Le Meridien or similar
Jaipur 02	Royal Orchid Central / Jaipur Central / Regenta Place	Royal Orchid Jaipur / Clarks Amber / Fern Ecotel	Hilton or similar
Agra 02	Regal Vista / Royal Regent	Clark Shiraz	Taj Convention or similar
Varanasi 02	Mudra / Meraden Grand	Madin / Radisson	Taj Ganges
*Important note:* In the event that a hotel is unavailable due to weddings, conferences or other local events, alternative accommodation of the same category will be offered.