Golden Triangle, Varanasi & Lucknow

Assistance on arrival at Indira Gandhi International airport

Arrive Delhi, the Political Capital of India. Delhi is history, and the monuments are tablets on which the history is written. Every conqueror did his best to possess Delhi and make it his capital. It is not a single city but a combination of eight cities that have been established here from as early as 900 BC to 1930 when the British completed the construction of New Delhi as the capital of Imperial India. It is therefore not surprising that the monuments of Delhi successfully mirror the development of the architectural styles in the country. On arrival, once you have completed the Immigration formalities and collected your baggage, please proceed to the arrival lounge where you will be welcomed by the TOTAL HOLIDAY OPTIONS executive holding a placard who will assist you with a transfer.

Full day city tour of Old and New Delhi, visiting Spice Market with Rickshaw ride, Jama Masjid, Qutub Minar, followed by a drive-past tour of New Delhi

Proceed for a full day city tour, begin with Old Delhi with a drive past Red Fort to reach Jama Masjid - the largest mosque in India built in red sandstone. Between the mosque and Chandni Chowk is a narrow shop-lined street along which you will be transported by cycle rickshaws on your most exhilarating journey of the tour. A rickshaw ride will take you through markets buzzing with people going about their daily chores, vendors selling their wares and shops decorated and ready for business. The rickshaw tour is a great way to discover a different aspect of Delhi and experience the energy of the city. Also visit Khari Baoli, a street in Old Delhi, known for its wholesale groceries and Asia's largest wholesale spice market selling all kinds of spices, nuts, herbs and other food products. Conclude your day with a visit to Qutab Minar; being one of the most important landmarks of Delhi, with calligraphy decorated interiors as well as inscriptions of verses of the Holy Quran.

Train to Varanasi

In time assistance on departure and transfer to railway station in Delhi to board the train to Varanasi. Abode of Lord Shiva and Parvati, the origins of Varanasi are yet unknown. Ghats of Varanasi is a natural supplement to the concept of divinity and is known as the city that liberates the soul from the human body to the ultimate. The city is also renowned for its rich tapestry of music, arts, crafts, and education.

Assistance on arrival at railway station and evening Aarti ceremony

On arrival at the railway station, you will be received by THO executive. He will meet you holding a placard and will provide assisted transfer to your accommodation. Check-in and relax for sometime. In evening witness grand prayer ceremony on the ghats of river Ganges. You will be transferred to a surreal world, as dozens of big lamps are lighted and swayed in a semi-circle, in tandem by the priests to offer prayers and singing of Vedic hymns, playing of the traditional instruments, while the visitors release 100's of small earthen lamps with flickering lights.

Full day city tour with morning Boat Ride and Heritage Walk, followed by excursion to Sarnath

Early morning enjoy the sunrise boat ride on the river Ganges. One can see the perpetual movement of the pilgrims on the steps, the vivid colours of their clothes glistening against the pale gold water, Visit the Banaras ghat, Assi ghat, and various others. Return to the hotel for a buffet breakfast. Thereafter proceed for a morning city tour of Varanasi visiting various temples, including the 18th century Durga Temple, dedicated to the Maa Durga, Bharat Mata Temple, where the map of undivided India is inscribed in stone and prayed instead of any god or goddess. Afternoon excursion to Sarnath where Lord Buddha preached his first sermon at the deer park after his enlightenment. Sarnath is one of the four holy Buddhist sites sanctioned by Lord Buddha himself for pilgrimage. Sarnath is one of the richest in Buddhist antiquities ranging in date from the times of Ashoka down to the 12th century AD.

Travel to Lucknow

Assistance on departure and travel to Lucknow, the aristocratic city of the Nawabs which still resounds with the reminiscence of the royal heritage and luxurious life. Lucknow is an intriguing blend of old world charm, beautiful architecture, courteous people, warm hospitality, and rich heritage.

Assistance on arrival at the hotel and later in the evening experience food walk

On arrival assistance at your accommodation. In the evening, embark upon a Cuisine Walk of Lucknow to indulge into the never before pampering of taste buds visiting the roadside eateries (these eateries are very traditional, and none can copy the taste that they offer.) Start with Shri Lassi and move to Kaleji Kabab, Rahim's Kulche Nihari, Mobeen's Pasanda Kabab, Tunde's Gilawat Kabab and finally to sweeten the mouth, the Silver foiled Malai Gilori at Radhey's. If you feel heavy after such a heavy diet, we still have a solution to try out the Paan.

Full day city tour visiting The Residency, Bada Imambara, Asfi Mosque, Labyrinth, La Martiniere, Dilkusha Palace & Gardens with a experience of Chikan Kari embroidery works

Morning proceed for the city tour of Lucknow starting with Bada Imambara a famous monument of Lucknow that is of historical, cultural and heritage importance. The complex also includes the large Asfi mosque, the Bhul-Bhulayah (the labyrinth) and a summer palace with running water. Then after visit Government Museum, a must-see for all the tourist, it is situated in a modern three-storied building at the Banarasi Bagh area of Lucknow. Lucknow is the centre for Chikan embroidery, renowned for its timeless grace and gossamer delicacy, a skill more than 2000 years old. In the afternoon, visit a Chikan Kari embroidery workshop that will mesmerize you when you watch skilled workers delicately working on unique styles and stitches on very light cotton cloths. You may also take a leisurely walk in Hazrat Ganj and Aminabad local bazaar.

Travel to Agra

Morning assistance on departure and travel to Agra, home to India's most famous landmark, the Taj Mahal. A poem of white marble, the Taj is described as the most extravagant monument ever built for love.

Assistance on arrival and remaining day at leisure

On arrival, you will be assisted with a transfer, remaining of the day is at leisure or for your own activities.

Full day city tour visiting Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Itimad-Ud-Daulah and Marble Workshop

Early morning visit India’s most iconic landmark, the Taj Mahal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The epitome of love, standing majestically on the banks of the river Yamuna, was built in the 17th century by the Mughul Emperor Shah Jahan in loving memory of his queen. Made with pure white marble, ornated with semi-precious stones and built around a beautiful four gardens plan, it is universally admired as the greatest achievement in the whole range of Indo-Islamic architecture. Next visit Agra Fort built by Emperor Akbar, made with red sandstone, exhibits a fascinating mixture of Islamic and Hindu styles of artistry. Thereafter visit Itimad-Ud-Daulah Tomb, nicknamed the Baby Taj, said to have a strong influence behind the design of Taj Mahal. On way back, visit Marble factory to witness artisans creating beautiful marble handicrafts whose ancestors had worked during the construction of the Taj.

Assistance on departure and travel to Jaipur, En-route visit Fatehpur Sikri

Assistance on departure and travel to Jaipur. The first planned city of India is a treasure-trove of culture, art and history, famous for its color, lifestyle and Rajasthani cuisine. En-route visit Fatehpur Sikri, an outstanding specimen of Mughal architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The well preserved red sandstone fortress consisting of the palace with ornate carvings, imposing entrance doors, Mughal courtyard and King’s court, lives up to the character and repute it retained ever since it was build in the 16th century by Emperor Akbar. Later continue your travel to Jaipur with the evening at leisure.

Assistance on arrival, afternoon free to explore the bazaar

On arrival in Jaipur, assistance at hotel for check-in. Rest of the day is free to explore local bazaars, which are known for its embroidered leather shoes, blue pottery, tie and dye scarves and other exotic wares, or relax at your hotel.

Full day city tour visiting Amber fort with Jeep ride, en-route photo stop at Hawa Mahal and Jal Mahal; also visit to City Palace museum and Jantar Mantar

Morning tour of Jaipur starts with a drive to Amber fort. En-route photo stop at Hawa Mahal (Wind Palace). The fort complex built of red sandstone and marble boasts of various edifices of prominence like the diwan-i-Aam, Sheesh Mahal, Shila Devi Temple and ‘Ganesh Pol’ gate that leads to private palaces of the royal. The fort presents a beautiful blend of Hindu and Muslim architecture. Next photo stop at Jal Mahal, built in the mid of the lake. Visit City Palace which boasts to have some of the priceless handwritten Hindu scriptures, miniature delicate paintings, preserved painted ceilings and the elephant saddles, also registered in the Guinness Book of Records to contain the biggest silver objects in the world. The day ends with a visit to Jantar Mantar; the famed observatory is a complex of astronomical instruments chiselled out of stone which provides fairly accurate information to the day.

Travel to Delhi

Morning assistance on departure and travel to Delhi.

Direct departure to airport

Upon arrival in Delhi, you will be assisted by TOTAL HOLIDAY OPTIONS executive for a direct transfer to the airport to board flight for onward journey.