Trees for Days
Help us spread love around the world with Trees for Days. Together with Planeterra, we'll plant one tree in your name for every travel day.
Trees planted for this trip: 9
India’s Golden Triangle: Taj Mahal to the Ganges
9 days, Delhi to Varanasi
Pressed for time but dreaming of India’s rich culture and deep spirituality? This nine-day journey through the Golden Triangle and beyond offers the perfect blend of iconic landmarks and immersive experiences. Marvel at the majesty of the Taj Mahal, explore the imposing Amber Fort, and soak up the sacred atmosphere of Varanasi with boat rides along the Ganges. From bustling cities to serene temples, this whirlwind adventure delivers a full dose of India’s vibrant heart.
9 days
Delhi to Varanasi
From$697USD
was
$929
Valid on
Oct 13 2025
Trip Code: AHVV
Special Offers
Expires on Oct 01, 2025 03:59 UTC
Promo Code G26SDQ025ASI02
Is this tour for me?
Travel Style: Classic
All of the highlights, culture, access, and I-can’t-believe-we-did-that moments, all at a great price.
Service Level: Standard
Comfortable tourist-class accommodations with character; mix of public and private transport.
Physical Rating: 3 - Average
Some tours may include light hiking, biking, rafting, or kayaking in addition to walking.
Trip Type: Small Group
Small group experience; Max 15, avg 12
Age requirement: 12+
All travellers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Check Your Visa Requirements
Before booking, use our handy entry requirements tool so you know which documents you need to enter and travel through the countries on your trip.
View our Entry Requirements toolSee how your trip uplifts communities
In a number of impactful ways, your adventure directly benefits the local people and places we visit.
Itinerary Notes
Want to experience the sights and sounds of Holi? Make sure you’re in India on March 14, 2025 or March 4, 2026 for the nation’s most colourful festival.
Itinerary
Day 1Delhi
Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer is included through the G Adventures-supported Women With Wheels project.
Exclusive Inclusions:
Your G for Good Moment Women With Wheels Transfer| Your Welcome Moment Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and GroupDay 2Delhi/Jaipur
Visit Delhi's impressive India Gate and Connaught Place before traveling to Jaipur, commonly called the "Pink City" for its unique architecture. Along the way, try your hand at block printing with the women of the Anoothi Project. Get to know this colourful city on an orientation walk, then opt to watch a classic Bollywood film.
Day 3Jaipur
Explore Amber Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, clinging to the surrounding hills on Maota Lake. Stop to marvel at the mysterious Hawa Mahal, "Palace of the Winds," an elaborately carved facade built to enable the purdah women in the Zenana to watch the goings-on in the street below without being seen.
Day 4Jaipur/Āgra
Take in the arid terrain and small towns on the ride to Agra for a sunset visit to the famous Taj Mahal. Marvel at the iconic Mughal architecture and immerse yourself in the mausoleum's unique history.
Day 5Āgra/Orchha
Travel by train and rickshaw to reach peaceful Orchha along the Betwa River. Enjoy some time away from India's bustling cities and gain insight into rural life. Visit Tarragram, a unique paper-making plant set up to assist tribal women from the area. All the paper is made from recycled clothing and wood pulp. Then, visit the palace complex to learn more about the ancient history here. Opt to witness an evening puja, a Hindu prayer ceremony.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 6Orchha/Varanasi
Enjoy free time to explore beautiful Orchha. Opt to rent a bike, stroll along the river, or take a cooking class and enjoy the fruits of your labour for lunch. In the evening, catch an overnight train to Varanasi.
Day 7Varanasi
Arrive in Varanasi, the quintessential Indian holy city where millions of Hindus travel for pilgrimage, to worship, to mourn, or to die. Take an orientation walk along the ghats and visit the old city to get acquainted with this magical city.
Day 8Varanasi
Enjoy a sunrise boat tour along the sacred Ganges before free time to explore this holy city. Walk the narrow alleys, visit some of the hundreds of temples and shrines, or wander the Old City. Opt to visit the site of the Buddha's first sermon or sit on the banks of the Ganges watching life unfold around you. In the evening, embark on a Ganges boat trip at sunset to witness a candlelit flower ceremony.
Day 9Varanasi
Depart at any time.
What's Included
- Your G for Good Moment: Women With Wheels Transfer, Indira Gandhi International Airport
- Your G for Good Moment: Anoothi Block Printing Experience, Jaipur
- Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
- Delhi Orientation Walk
- Jaipur Orientation Walk
- Amber Fort Visit
- Sunset Taj Mahal Visit
- Auto Rickshaw ride
- Orchha Palace Visit
- Tarragram Paper Making plant Visit
- Free time in Orchha & Varanasi
- Varanasi Orientation Walk
- Evening Ganges Boat Tour
- Morning Ganges Boat Tour
- CEO Throughout
- All transportation to included activities
Accommodations
Hotels (7 nts), sleeper train (1 nt).
Meals
1 breakfast
Allow USD215-280 for meals not included.
Transportation
Train, private vehicle, Tuktuks, cycle-rickshaw, 4x4, walking.
Staff & experts
CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides.
Available extras (Add these to your tour when you book)
Guided Tour of Sarnath - From $26.00
A day of exploration begins with a tuk-tuk ride from Varanasi towards Sarnath, where your local guide awaits. One of the holiest Buddhist sites in the world, Sarnath is the birth place of Buddhism where Lord Buddha preached his first sermon. For nearly 1700 years the site remained a centre for great learning, a place of pilgrimage, and a Vihara (Monastery) for monks and scholars. Guided by a local expert, discover the archeological ruins of the monastery, the ancient Dhamek stupa. Explore the museum at Sarnath and the sacred Maha Bodhi Tree. Visit temples constructed by the buddhist people of Sri Lanka, Thailand and Japan. Stop to admire the Buddha statue located at the Thai Buddha vihara. Some eighty feet tall, it is considered to be the tallest standing Buddha statue at Sarnath. After three hours of guided exploration, your guide will bring you back to your awaiting tuk-tuks bound for your hotel.
Heritage and Spiritual Walk in Old Benaras - From $20.00
Set off an engaging walking tour of Old Varanasi City. Wander through puzzling alleys, vibrant bazaars, explore temples, and gain a deeper understanding of Varanasi’s history, culture, and spirituality. The Varanasi Heritage Walk begins from the Godaulia intersection and our first visit is to the Mata Kali Temple, one of the highest revered places of worship in the city. It was built by the Maharaja of Varanasi in 1885 and features carved pillars that capture visitors’ attention. Then we will visit the Ganesh temple before heading to the Tedhi Neem Gali for a walk through the colorful market dotted with many different shops. Afterward, we will go towards the Kashi Vishwanath corridor and witness Varanasi’s principal cremation site – the Manikarnika Ghat. The sacred fire here has been alive for the last 3000 years. Next, we’ll walk past the Alam Gir mosque, visit the shrine of a Hindu Yogi and mystic Guru Shri Tailang Swami, the Mangla Gauri Temple, and the Sankatha Mata Temple. Towards the end of the walk, we will try the famous white butter toast with tea at Laxmi Chai shop or Dwarika Lassi. During the walk our guide will focus more on the local life in Varanasi and its philosophical and cultural values. Witness pilgrims singing or chanting and gain an understanding of the importance of Varanasi in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism.
Jaipur Balloon Ride - From $280.00
Begin your day at dawn, just as the sun starts to rise. As you drift into the sky, enjoy the silence and serenity of the morning, watching as the day starts for the colourfully dressed inhabitants below. From high in the sky, you may float over rolling hills, villages teeming with life, and a small monastery. You may even spot elephants—if luck is on your side. Available September 1 - April 30.
Jaipur Cycle Tour - From $35.00
With its many lanes and organized layout, Jaipur is the perfect location to explore by bicycle. Choosing to cycle through the city on this morning tour will introduce you to sights, sounds and smells that a vehicle just can't match, so grab a helmet and jump on your bike! Navigate the streets of the 'Pink City' with the help of your experienced guide, starting the day with a traditional Indian yoghurt drink of Lassi. Marvel at the architectural wonders as you enter the walled part of the city and stop at the City Palace to visit the Govind Dev temple. Wander through the historical spices and sweets market, stopping for tea and a tasty snack of pakoras before heading towards the majestic Albert Hall Museum where the tour ends. Taxi transfers from the hotel to the starting point and from the finishing point back to the hotel are included in the price of this cycle tour.
Orchha Cooking School - From $15.00
As a place of spiritual importance and impressive architectural sites, it’s not hard to see what makes Orchha so unique. This is your chance to also taste what makes this town so special. You’ll learn how to concoct a warming cup of masala chai and a tasty snack of vegetable pakoras. Enjoy this as your hosts demonstrate how to make three different curries. Indulge in these delicious dishes with the accompaniments of raita, mango and guava chutneys, chapatis and puris, as you get to know your hosts some more.
My Own Room - From $179.00
If you're travelling solo and would prefer to have your own private room throughout your trip, select this option during the online booking process.
Departures
Make it a private tour
Book this tour as a private departure, with your own CEO and all the benefits of a G Adventures group tour.