taj with ganges

Day 01 Abroad - Delhi On arrival at the Delhi Airport in the evening guest will be received by our representative and transported to the hotel. The guests will be given a traditional Indian welcome consisting of aarti-tikka and garlands. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 02 Delhi Guests will be taken for a morning sightseeing tour of Old & New Delhi. You will be made to visit Old Delhi – famed for its red fort and delicious street food. A powerful hub of Moghul era, Old Delhi offers ancient monumental architectures, narrow lanes and lively bazaars. Here you visit the vast Red Fort, built in 1648, the Jama Masjid, one of the greatest mosque in India and completed in 1658 by Shah Jahan who also built the Taj Mahal. You also visit Raj Ghat, the simple memorial to Mahatma Gandhi. On the way you also get the glimpses of government buildings of the British Era designed by Lutyens, including the famous India Gate & the Presidential Palace. Continuing ahead you visit the beautifulHumayuns tomb of the Mughal era. Afternoon you tour the city temples. Stopover at the Laxmi Narayan Temple, popularly known as the Birla Mandir. It is one of the largest Hindu temple built in 1938. This temple is open to people of all faiths who can enter and worship, but one must walk barefoot into the courtyard and further on. Visit the Baha'i Temple also known as Lotus Temple situated atop the Kalkaji Hill. This distinctive picturesque lotus shaped marvel, surrounded by a landscaped garden, has been labeled the Taj Mahal of the 21st Century. Visit the famous and beautiful Bangla Sahib Gurudwara temple, the most important site of worship for both sikhs and Hindus in Delhi. Overnight at hotel.

Day 03 Delhi - Mathura After having morning Breakfast at the hotel guests Drive to Mathura (147 kms). Check into the hotel. Mathura is the birth place of Lord Krishna. Famous for beautiful temples. Mathura is an ancient cultural and religious centre. It is also known as 'BrijBhoomi' as Krishna, the popular incarnation of Vishnu was born in Mathura. Whereas, the surrounding area is closely linked with his childhood. Alongside Mathura is Vrindavan where Krishna spent most of his childhood time indulged in adolescent pranks like flirting with his gopis 'milkmaids' in the forests and stealing their clothes while they bathed in the river. The famous 'Hare Krishna' ISCON temple also have their headquarters situated here. Afternoon Lunch at the hotel. In the evening attend evening aarti at the Temple. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 04 Mathura - Agra - Allahabad Attend morning aarti at the temple. After having breakfast at the hotel drive to Agra (57 kms / 1 ½ hours). Once you arrive in Agra you directly proceed for sightseeing. You visit the Taj Mahal mausoleum of Empress Mumtaz Mahal, the beloved spouse of Shah Jahan, who died in 1630. The Taj complex houses a forecourt, a supercilious entrance, a fascinating formal Mughal garden with canals and a central tank with a series of fountains, the tomb proper, and an attached mosque on the west and its proportioned counterpart on the east. The Taj is notable for its perfect proportions and rich pietra dura, with minute details executed with great skill and perfection. The building, often styled "a dream in marble" took at least 22 years (1631-1653) to be built. Afternoon Lunch at the hotel Visit Red Fort situated on the bend of the river Yamuna, almost in the heart of the town. It was built by Akbar as his castle over the years 1563-73 in the finest piece architectural style. It has walls made of redstone and has imposing gates. Also has a moat. Proceed to the Railway Station for overnight train journey to Allahabad. Onboard Overnight train.

Day 05 Allahabad - Varanasi Arrive in Allahabad. Transfer to the hotel. Allahabad is a meeting point of two sacred rivers also called sangam. Allahabad is known as a holy city as it is the meeting point of India's two most sacred rivers Ganges and the Yamuna. This meeting point of the rivers, the Sangam, is believed to have great soul. changing powers and is a revered pilgrimage site. Lunch at the hotel afternoon. After lunch proceed to Varanasi (135 kms/ 4 hrs). Arrive in Varanasi - check into the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 06 Varanasi In Varanasi visit DaswamedhGhat in the morning. Enjoy boating on the sacred river Ganges. See the cremation Ghats and also become a witness to the living traditions, rituals, customs of one of the world's oldest and heritage religions. Along the city's winding streets are hundreds of temples. Take a tour of some of these Hindu temples that line the river Ganges. Experience the narrow lanes and bazaars full of shops selling, among other things, the world famous Benarasi Silks. Varanasi has been a cultural centre of North India for several thousand years, and is a major centre of pilgrimage. Varanasi is also famous for its prestigious Benaras Hindu University. Since it was also an ancient center of learning, the Benars Hindu Univesity is worth a visit as are the silver and gold brocade shops, for which Benaras is world famous. Visit Sarnath an exceedingly tranquil place - 5 miles out of Varanasi - one of the holiest Buddhist sites in the world. Here in its Deer Park Buddha gave his first Sermon in 590 B.C. Sarnath has a rich collection of sculptures comprising numerous Buddha and Bodhisattva images. You will get to experience the ruins of a once flourishing Buddhist monastery. Visit the Museum which houses an excellent collection of Buddhist art and sculptures found at the site. In the evening enjoy cruise on the Ganges on candle lit country boats in the company of musicians. Become a witness to the Hindu devotees performing the "Puja" with lighted lamps. Varanasi is also known as Kashi(City of lights). Return to the hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 07 Varanasi - Delhi In the morning proceed to Delhi. Upon arrival met & transfer to the international airport for onward flight.