Compare Gems of India - Golden Triangle with Varanasi by Turban Adventures vs Icons of India: The Taj, Tigers & Beyond with Mumbai & Varanasi by Globus

Day 1 - Delhi Arrival

A warm welcome on arrival at Delhi Airport by our representative. Meet our driver & transferred to hotel. Rest of the time at leisure. Overnight stay in Delhi.

Day 2 - Delhi

After a delicious breakfast join our selected tour guide for sightseeing of Old & New Delhi. Start with Raj Ghat (the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi). Visit Jama Masjid & the Red Fort. Also visit the oldest & famous market Chandni Chowk in Rickshaw. Post lunch visit New Delhi. Explore Qutub Minar, Humayun’s Tomb (A UNESCO World Heritage Site) & the renowned India Gate. Later drive past through President’s House & Parliament House.

Day 3 - Delhi - Agra (250 kms / 5 hrs)

Have sumptuous breakfast in hotel & start you day with a drive to Agra. On the way visit Akbar’s Tomb in Sikandra. Check in at your pre-booked hotel. In the evening take a guided walk in old town passing through narrow alleys, various temples & colorful shops to give you an deeper insight on Agra’s culture & history. Overnight stay in Agra.

Day 4 - Agra - Jaipur en-route visit Abhaneri (250 kms / 5 hrs)

Early morning get ready to indulge in the beauty of Taj Mahal to experience this most visited monument at sunrise. After breakfast check out from hotel & join our tour guide for sightseeing of Agra Fort, the red sanstone building which was built by Mughal Emperor Akbar. Continue visit Imad-ud-daullah tomb famous as Baby Taj.

After completing the sightseeing drive to Jaipur en-route visiting the world’s largest stepwell in Abhaneri. On arrival in Jaipur, check in at hotel. Overnight in Jaipur.

Day 5 - Jaipur

After breakfast in the morning you will be met by our guide for sightseeing of Jaipur. Starting with an excursion to Amber Fort, A perfect example of Mughal & Rajput architecture. Get electronic cart to reach at the main courtyard. Visit 16th century step well famous as Panna Meena ka kund located in the foothills of mountains. While return to city stop at Jal Mahal for photo tour. Later visit City Palace - residence of former royal family of Jaipur, Jantar Mantar ( A UNESCO World Heritage Site ) is a astronomical observatory designed by Maharaja Jai Singh II & The Palace of Winds famous as Hawa Mahal, the landmark of Jaipur. Have lunch at renowned restaurant & take heritage walk with our guide in old city, passing through the narrow streets, exploring flower & vegetable markets. See the local artisans & experience the lifestyle of people in Pink City. Overnight stay in Jaipur.

Day 6 - Jaipur - Varanasi (Flight)

After breakfast check out from hotel & transfer to Jaipur Airport to board flight for Varanasi. On arrival at Airport, you will be greeted by our representative & transferred to hotel.

After freshen up visit the Dashaswamedh Ghat to see the holy Aarti on the banks of Ganges. Overnight in Varanasi.

Day 7 - Varanasi

Early morning enjoy boat cruise on the great Ganges River to see the many rituals on the banks.

Take a guided walking tour of old city with our guide to explore Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Bharat Mata Temple, Tulsi Manas Temple & Sankat Mochan Temple.

Set out this afternoon for excursion to Sarnath, where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon. Visit the various monasteries & come back to Varanasi. Overnight in Varanasi.

Day 8 - Varanasi - Delhi ( Flight )

This morning after breakfast check out from hotel & transfer to Varanasi Airport to board flight for Delhi.

Day 1: ARRIVE IN MUMBAI, INDIA

Hello, Mumbai Welcome to Mumbai, a multicultural metropolis with a vibrant history—now India’s premier seaport and home to the “Bollywood” movie industry.

Day 2: MUMBAI

Magical Mumbai Join your Local Guide for an orientation of some of the city’s famous sites, including Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus and the Gateway of India. Then, stop to see a traditional Dhobi Ghat (open-air laundromat) and visit Mani Bhavan, the former residence of Mahatma Gandhi. After lunch, enjoy the remainder of the day at your leisure. (Breakfast,Lunch)

Day 3: MUMBAI–VARANASI

Today, witness Mumbai’s tiffin lunch box delivery system. Later this afternoon, fly to Varanasi, the holiest of Hindu pilgrim cities. (Breakfast)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
LUNCH BOX HEROES Each weekday dabbawalas (box carriers) deliver thousands of home-cooked lunches to people at work. Using a simple coding system of colors, numbers, and letters, deliveries are made with nearly 100% accuracy. Watch and learn about this fascinating process starting at Churchgate Station where the dabbawalas transfer the boxes onto local trains for distribution. Ride on one of the trains to Mahalaxmi Station where you’ll disembark and see the boxes being sorted for final delivery.

Day 4: VARANASI

Near dawn, board a boat and watch a meaningful religious ritual—the Hindus’ devotional bathing in the Ganges. You’ll observe hundreds of pilgrims gathered at the river’s edge, practicing yoga or meditation. Return to your hotel for breakfast and time at leisure. Early this evening, witness the Ganga Aarti (spiritual worship) on the ghats (steps) leading down to the sacred Ganges River. (Breakfast)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
FIRE & WATER Witness the light of ancient tradition as night descends on the Ganges River in Varanasi. Witness the devotional offerings made to the Goddess Ganga in the aarti performed at the river’s edge as it has been done throughout the ages. A ritual of fire, faithful Hindus float “diyas” (small candle and flowers) on the waters of the Ganges River, while praying for the blessing of Maa Ganga.

Day 5: VARANASI–DELHI

Today, fly to Delhi, capital of India. (Breakfast)

Day 6: DELHI

Delhi Delights Today’s sightseeing starts with an orientation to see the Red Fort, India Gate, and the Presidential Palace. Then, visit Jama Masjid and take a [LF] rickshaw ride through a local bazaar. After lunch in a local restaurant, enjoy a bit of free time. Tonight, your Tour Director hosts a lavish welcome dinner that includes a cooking demonstration and talk on Indian cuisine with a local chef. (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

LOCAL FAVORITE
MARKET HIGH Hop on a rickshaw and explore Chandni Chowk, a captivating local bazaar. Ancient alleyways are lined with quaint shops selling a variety of goods and souvenirs—from silver and saris to spices and electronics.

Day 7: DELHI–AGRA

Remembrance & Worship This morning, visit Qutub Minar, the world’s tallest brick minaret, dating back to the 11th century. Next, visit Humayun’s Tomb and Gurudwara Bangla Sahib. After lunch, drive to Agra and settle in for the evening. (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
A RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE As Delhi’s largest and most prominent Sikh gurudwara (house of worship), Gurudwara Bangla Sahib has religious significance and splendid architecture. The grand edifice is built in the Sikh architectural style, while this magnificent house of worship is made using stunning white marble below its commanding golden dome.

Day 8: AGRA

Moghul Monuments Start your day with a sunrise visit to the captivating Taj Mahal. After a bit of down time, travel to Agra Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, built by the Moghul Emperor Akbar. This impressive fortress of red sandstone conceals the imperial city of the Moghul rulers and its many palaces. (Breakfast)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
LOVE REMEMBERED Explore the extravagant Taj Mahal, a marble monument to love. Moghul Emperor Shah Jahan built it as a memorial to his beloved wife, who died during childbirth.

Day 9: AGRA–FATEHPUR SIKRI–RANTHAMBORE NATIONAL PARK AREA

By Road & Rail Today, stop at Fatehpur Sikri (the City of Victory), a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built by Emperor Akbar in the 16th century it was the capital of the Mughal Empire for merely 10 years before it was completely abandoned due to the lack of adequate water. After lunch in Bharatpur, board a train bound for Sawai Madhopur, gateway to Ranthambore National Park, one of the best places in India to spot the elusive Bengal tiger! (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

Day 10: RANTHAMBORE AREA

The Game is Afoot Today, explore Ranthambore National Park on morning and afternoon game drives in an open-air safari vehicle. Between game drives, enjoy free time to relax. (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE In addition to Bengal tigers, Ranthambore National Park is home to leopard, sambar deer, sloth bears, marsh crocodiles, striped hyenas, and more. Take the opportunity to spot them all on guided game drives today.

Day 11: RANTHAMBORE AREA–JAIPUR

Jaunt to Jaipur Today, travel to Jaipur. In 1876, the city was painted pink to welcome the Prince of Wales and known as the “Pink City” ever since. After lunch, visit UNESCO World Heritage Site, Jantar Mantar, consisting of 19 astronomical instruments used for measuring time and dates back to 1728. Next, visit the City Palace Museum, once the royal residence and now showcases a collection of paintings, carpets, weapons, and costumes from the past. (Breakfast,Lunch)

Day 12: JAIPUR

Jewels of Jaipur Today, visit the amazing Amber Fort in the morning. Lastly, visit a [LF] local vocational training program for children. Tonight, enjoy a home-hosted dinner with an Indian noble family, followed by a sari-and turban-tying demonstration. (Breakfast,Dinner)

LOCAL FAVORITE
CHILDREN ARE OUR FUTURE Ladli is a training program teaching orphaned children valuable skills to keep them off the streets. Here, learn about the project while interacting with the children and helping them practice their English skills.

TOUR HIGHLIGHT
FORMIDABLE FORTRESS Visit the legendary Amber Fort, known as the “Sleeping Beauty of Rajasthan,” built entirely of white marble and red sandstone. This fortress-palace has a somber exterior that hides a richly ornate interior of royal apartments, including an alabaster Hall of Victory and a superb Chamber of Mirrors.

Day 13: JAIPUR–DELHI

Departure Prep Fly back to Delhi this morning and prepare for your journey home. (Breakfast)

Day 14: DELHI

Safe travels until we meet again! Your tour ends with breakfast this morning. (Breakfast)