Golden Triangle Tour with Varanasi

Arrive at Delhi international airport where our representative will greet you and take you straight to your booked hotel after check in get a small nap before you are transferred to the domestic airport for a flight to Varanasi. Check in at the hotel in Varanasi. The city of Varanasi is one of the oldest Indian cities and is the cradle of Hindu civilization; the city presents a strange mix of the ancient and modern life style being present and lived in Varansi.

The bathing ghats of river Ganges still have a plethora of soota sager, mendicants and the saints this picture hasn’t changed much in last thousand old years. Varanasi is said to be the city of Mahakaal –Shiva a god who is known to be the God of destruction .creation and destruction are seen to be faces of one coin in Hindu philosophy while lord Brahma gives birth, Vishnu sustains life Shiva destroys everything with his third eye. An one who dies in Varanasi is said to be liberated from the cycle of rebirth.

Varanasi has always amused the film makers; the first movie shot in the Indian soil was shot in Varanasi in year 1899. Master movie  makers like Satyajit Ray, James ivory and Roberto rosselline have made Varanasi a backdrop of their movies. After getting refreshed proceed on to the Ganges ghats for an evening aarti. The arti on the river side is a charismatic event which droves thousands of spectators every day, the priests river Ganges with fumes of their lamps a midts changing of bells and blowing of couch shells. The entire scene is mystic and sure will amuse you overnight at Varanasi.

Today rising early we head to the river front, you will enjoy a mesmerizing sunrise riding a boat on river Ganges the ghats are all visible from the boat. The perpetual pyre frame of manikarnika ghat is a known fort. The cremation ground of manikarnika is always busy but here the gloom and the apathy of death doesn’t affects the life too much. Life moves un abated amidst burning pyres.

We return to the hotel after breakfast we head on to explore a world class modern university. The Benares Hindu University is the citadel of modern India it also houses and impressive art gallery Sarnath a little distance from Varanasi is a very well known name in Buddhist itineraries. Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon at Sarnath.

Dhameka Stupa an age old stupa commemorates the same. Sarnath museum has an excellent collection of old relics and antiquities which are so old that it becomes difficult to accept. The Grand Ashokan pillar steals the show The lion pillar is also the state symbol of India state. Overnight at Varanasi.

After breakfast you will be transferred to the local airport to catch a Delhi bound flight upon reaching Delhi be welcomed by a SAM representative who will introduce your driver. Be driven to the city of Taj Mahal straight from the Delhi airport. It will take around 3-5 hours to reach Agra driving on one of the best and modern expressway of India. Yamuna expressway was built in 2012 under public private partnership. This is a 165 kms 8 lane toll road connecting Agra with greater Noida further right up to Delhi. On arrived at Agra check in at your hotel take an afternoon nap and relax after a sumptuous lunch. Evening explore the local markets of Agra. Relish the street food and the famous Agra chaat at the food street Sadar Bazaar Agra.

Rise early, head for Taj Mahal along with your tour guide. The eternal beauty of Taj Mahal is best witnessed at the sunrise as the early morning sun rises and kisses the white marble monument the on lookers are elated. Taj Mahal the monument of love has so much to be discussed, the history, architecture, pietra dura, you learned guide will tell you everything in detail near to the stories. After visit we take you back to hotel for breakfast.

After breakfast we start exploring some other wonderful monuments in Agra city. The majestic Agra fort with its high perched bastions has amazing string of palaces constructed by the mughal dynasty as they ruled India is the medieval centuries.

This grand citadel was constructed by the great Mughal Akbar in 1565 later sucessors added their style and palaces in to the edifice. Shahjahan constructed marble palaces embellished with the pietradura very similar to the art and crafts of Taj Mahal. later Shahjahan was imprisoned in these palaces by his own son Aurangzeb. Being in house arrest he breathed his last gazing at the Taj Mahal where his love lag buried.

After lunch we visit another marble wonder which looks similar to a jewel box. The Itmad-ud-daula was designed and constructed ny Noorjahan in memory of his father and mother. This structure probably motivated Shahjahan for constructing Taj Mahal. This tomb is also known as Baby Taj. This is the time to again visit Taj Mahal but not from the official gate, we will take you to a beautiful garden Mehtab bagh which lies first at the rear side of Taj Mahal on the other side of river Yamuna. Spend quality time here enjoying the sunset note the change in colour of the Taj Mahal as sun sets and turns ochre. Overnight at Agra.

Today after breakfast check out from the hotel and we proceed to the pink city Jaipur around 40 kms from Agra in the Jaipur Agra highway lies the mind script town of fatehpur Sikri. This town once was the capital city of King Akbar who constructed their marvelous city in a span of 13 years later ruling from fatehpur for another 13 years. The city was lost in oblivion never to regain its lost glory till the English discovered it and were amazed by the architecture. There are grand palaces on top of a hill a grand mosque with a marble mausoleum dedicated to a Sufi saint sheikh salim chishti.

The king was blessed a baby boy who was named Salim in memory of the Sufi saint. It was here Akbar laid the foundation of a new religion “Deen E Elahi” based on the principles of peace and co habitation Akbar was wed to a Hindu wife who hailed from Amber king Akbar made a palace for Jodha Bai complete with a Hindu temple at Fatehpur Sikri. Continue journey to Jaipur.

Jaipur was a Hindu Kingdom ruled by the Rajput dynasty, this city is also known as pink city a name which came in to prominence after the 1853 visit of Jaipur by Prince Albert. The city is known for its grand and geometric design, the opulent, palaces and mansions the towering forts and the glorious past of its erstwhile rulers make Jaipur interesting.

After check in at hotel and a brief rest we reach Birla temple a marble Hindu prayer Arti The temple is a celebration in marble decorated with ornate marble carved panels based on Hindu mythology, interesting aspect is even lord Jesus, virgin Mary and St Francis of Alsilsi have been deposited. Overnight at Jaipur.

After a sumptuous breakfast we proceed to a fort situated atop a hill. The amber was the capital of Kachwaha clan of Rajputs the rugged exteriors were a deterrent to any offensive and protected the palaces inside the fort. The architecture is a blend of Hindu and Islamic style. If interested you can ride an elephant on your way to the interiors of Amber fort, Jaleb chowk, Deewan e aam , jagmandir, Jenanas are some of the names of the mansions inside the fort.

On your way back from Amber step in front of hawa Mahal a beautiful multi storied palace looking like an intricate beehive, this palace was constructed to facilities the royal women who remaining in viel watched the royal processions from other sides of the windows.

City palaces with its opulent mansions displaying the royal life style of Jaipur royals examine the period fabrics, arms, paintings etc displayed at the city palace. King Maharaja Jai sigh II was an avid astronomer and astrologer he made observatories at five different locations. Examine these age old gadgets and instruments at the jantar mantar as they are still working. The evening is reserved for a walk in the Jaipur Bazaar. Later proceed to Choki Dhani and evening dedicated to Rajasthani cuisines, art, crafts and culture. Overnight at Jaipur.

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After breakfast check out from hotel drive to Delhi your trusted driver bids you good bye leaving you to hotel / airport. Our tour ends.