Taj Temples Extensions - Best Cultural Tours in India
04 Nights / 05 Days
No journey is complete without a sojourn to the holy sites of Varanasi and the magnetic Taj Mahal of Agra. India provides an opportunity to immerse yourself in the vibrant ceremonies on the banks of the Ganges river.
It has been one of the spiritual centres for the devotees of the Hindu religion for several thousand years, while the iconic Taj Mahal is considered as one of the finest architectural achievements of the Mughal dynasty. A true testament to the symbol of love, one should not leave India having set their eyes on the marvel of this white mausoleum. Take this extension along with a mesmerising Tiger Safari in India.
Outline Itinerary
Taj Temples Extensions - Best Cultural Tours in India
❯ Day 01 : New Delhi – Agra (by road, 220 kms/4 hrs drive)
❯ Day 02 : Agra – New Delhi (by road, 220 kms/4 hrs drive)
❯ Day 03 : New Delhi – Varanasi (by flight)
❯ Day 04 : Varanasi
❯ Day 05 : Varanasi – New Delhi (275 kms/5 hrs drive)
Trip Highlights
➤ Witness the sun kissed Taj Mahal, A UNESCO world Heritage site and one of the seven wonders of the world on this tiger safari extension tour.
➤ Experience the expanse and navigate the red sandstone corridors of Agra Fort.
➤ Immerse yourself in the Ganga Aarti at Varanasi, and witness a sea of worshippers’ surrender to the tradition at the Ghats of the Ganges.
➤ Discover the ‘city of temples’ and the unique cultures Varanasi presents.
Detailed Itinerary for Taj Temples Extensions - Best Cultural Tours in India
Day 1 : New Delhi – Agra (by road, 220 kms/4 hrs drive)
After a relaxed breakfast drive to Agra for (220 Kms, 4-hour). On arrival, check in at the hotel. Evening at your leisure. Overnight stay at the hotel in Agra.
Accommodation: Taj View Agra or similar
Day 2 : Agra – New Delhi (by road, 220 kms/4 hrs drive)
At sunrise, proceed to visit the famous white marble mausoleum, The Taj Mahal, which was built in the middle of the 17th century by the Moghul emperor Shah Jehan for his wife Mumtaz Mahal.
Completed in 1652, skilled craftsmen from Persia, Turkey, France and Italy and some 20,000 laborers worked extensively for 17 years to build this edifice.
After a relaxed breakfast, visit the red sandstone AGRA FORT which stands like a crescent on the banks of Yamuna River, enclosed by forbidding 20-meter high walls, with a 12- meter moat between them. Three successive Mughal emperors – Akbar, Jehangir and Shah Jehan – helped create this massive structure which contains Indo-Islamic architecture. Check out from the hotel.
After lunch, drive to New Delhi (220 kms/4-hour). On arrival, transfer to your hotel and overnight stay.
Accommodation: Roseate House or similar
Day 3 : New Delhi – Varanasi (by flight)
After an early breakfast, transfer to the airport to board the flight for Varanasi. Leave New Delhi for Varanasi by AI 406 (0900 / 1020 hrs). Meeting and assistance on arrival at Varanasi airport and then proceed to the hotel.
Varanasi is one of India’s most important pilgrimage sites and the holiest of holy cities for Hindus. Known also as Kashi and Benaras, Varanasi is one of the world’s oldest living cities, and has been a center of learning and culture for well over 2000 years.
Evening: Visit the “Ghats” or bank of the Ganga River. This is a fascinating walk as you can experience the cultural ethos that guides the life of the pious. See the rituals that takes place to the setting sun and the ablutions that are performed in the river. As boats float down-stream, some carry goods, fruits and vegetables, while others carry the pious who perform ceremonies along the river.
On the banks or “ghats”, you can see some devotees absorbed in prayer and in the chanting of hymns, and others engaged in commerce and yet day to day activities like hair-cutting, massaging and even ear cleaning! Walk across to the Manikarnika Ghat, where you can see cremations performed with intense ritual – the process of sending the departed soul to the heavens. Hindus believe that the gateway to the Heavens and for the Re-incarnation of the Soul `in a better state’, is possible when life’s last journey is from Varanasi.
Overnight in Varanasi.
Accommodation: Taj Ganges or similar
Day 4 : Varanasi
Early morning, take a boat ride at dawn down India’s most sacred river, The Ganges. Sun rise at the holy river is a truly tranquil and breath taking sight with pilgrims standing waist-deep in water, praying to the rising Sun. See the famous Vishwanath temple with its spires covered with gold, dedicated to Shiva, the presiding deity of the city. Return to the hotel for Breakfast
Also visit Sarnath, a city located 13 kilometers north-east of Varanasi near the confluence of the Ganges and the Gomati rivers in Uttar Pradesh, India. The deer park in Sarnath is where Gautama Buddha first taught the Dharma, and where the Buddhist Sangha came into existence through the enlightenment of Kondanna. Singhpur, a village approximately one km away from the site, was the birthplace of Shreyansanath, the eleventh Tirthankara of Jainism, and a temple dedicated to him.
Accommodation: Taj Ganges or similar
Day 5 : Varanasi – New Delhi (275 kms/5 hrs drive)
This morning at your leisure to unwind and pack. Later, transfer to airport to board a flight to New Delhi at 1520 Hrs. Arrive at 1655 Hrs and meet our representative at the airport as you transfer to the hotel or International airport to board flight back home or onward destinations.
Tour Inclusions
- Accommodation in New Delhi, Varanasi, Agra on bed and breakfast basis.
- Guide charges for exclusive sightseeing in Varanasi and Agra.
- Monument entrance fee in Varanasi, and Agra.
- Boat ride at Varanasi.
- Assistance at airport and hotels.
- All land transfers in air-conditioned Toyota Innova car / Crysta.
- All currently applicable taxes.
Tour Exclusions
- Expenses of personal nature like Tips, Mineral water, soft drink, smokes, liquor, laundry and telephone calls.
- International airfare and domestic.
- Travel insurance.
- Anything not mentioned in the inclusions.
- Please note that any changes in entrance fees or government taxes will be payable extra and the same will be advised to you if applicable.
Guest Testimonials
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We just finished the first half of two tiger safari tours in India. The first was on the Banhavgar National Park. Our guide was Sanjay Gupta, who had 25 years of experience in the park and with the tigers. He was wonderful, sharing his experience and knowledge throughout our three full days together. He was definitely a highlight of our trip, as a great guide makes for a great experience, whether you see tigers or not! And we did see tigers...
Nature Safari India organized our private 2 Weeks Safari in Central India plus a couple of Sightseeing and we are very happy to having choose this agency. I found them on the responsible tiger tourism association (TOFTigers) and I liked them from the very first contact. From the first email more than two years ago to the end of our trip in April 2022, the service was great, the selection of the itinerary, Parks, lodges and guides was perfect...
Deepkul and the Tiger Safari India team put together an incredible experience for us in Kanha and Bandhavgarh. All the details were taken care of as per our preferences and budget including transportation, food, lodging, and our amazing safari guides. Deepkul was easy to communicate with and always quick to respond to any questions before and during our trip. Highly recommend!
Extension Tours
Taj Temples Extensions - Best Cultural Tours in India
Extend your stay in this enchanting country with any of the below extension tour packages. It could be an ensemble of culture, wildlife or even historic walks! Choose from whatever satiates the soul. Our travel specialists are here to customize the ideal itinerary to your liking.
