Classic North India: 9 Days Tour of Delhi, Agra, Jaipur & Varanasi

Check in for your flight to Delhi and arrive at Delhi Airport. After completing immigration, you will be met by our airport representative in the arrival hall. Following a warm welcome, you will be transferred to your hotel.

The capital city of modern India boasts a rich history that has significantly shaped its vibrant culture. In Delhi, tradition and modernity blend seamlessly, with ancient monuments standing alongside ultramodern high-rises. As a historical seat of power, Delhi offers a unique experience with its elegant shops, colorful bazaars, broad tree-lined avenues, and sun-warmed forts and mosques that reflect its Mughal past.

Check in at the hotel and enjoy an overnight stay.

After breakfast, you will embark on a full-day guided city tour of Delhi. The capital of India is a true reflection of both old and new India.

The morning tour begins with New Delhi, starting with a visit to the famous India Gate – a war memorial dedicated to thousands of Indian soldiers who lost their lives during World War I and the Third Anglo-Afghan War. Spend some time taking photographs at the memorial, followed by a drive past the Houses of Parliament and Connaught Place, both showcasing British colonial-era architecture.

In Old Delhi, you will enjoy a rickshaw ride through the bustling yet charming streets. You will visit the 361-year-old Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India, with a courtyard that can hold up to 25,000 devotees. Commissioned by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, who also built the Taj Mahal, the mosque features an elegant onion-shaped dome and minarets.

Next, you will drive past the UNESCO World Heritage site Red Fort (closed on Mondays), which served as the imperial residence of the Mughal dynasty for around 200 years. Built of red sandstone, the fort took nine years to complete, starting in 1639.

You will then proceed to Humayun’s Tomb, a magnificent garden tomb and the first to mark the grave of a Mughal emperor. Built-in 1565 A.D. by Bega Begum, the senior widow of emperor Humayun, the tomb features an arched exterior facade inlaid with bands of white and red sandstone and follows an Islamic geometrical design.

Lastly, you will visit another World Heritage Site, the Qutub Minar – a brick minaret towering 72.5 meters into the sky, with a 14.73-meter diameter at the base and a mere 2.75 meters at the top. Built-in 1192, Qutub Minar is the highest single tower in India and possibly the tallest minaret in the world. This five-story tower is made of marble, buff, and red sandstone, with beautiful Arabic verses carved on its walls.

Return to your hotel for an overnight stay in Delhi.

After breakfast, check out of the hotel and enjoy a scenic drive to Jaipur. Upon arrival, check in at the hotel and enjoy a leisurely evening.

After an early morning breakfast, visit Amber Fort, the former capital of the royal Rajputs. Set on the dry, rugged Aravalli Hills and surrounded by fortified battlements, the palace straddles two sepia-hued hills overlooking Maota Lake. Ride up to this hilltop palace on a decorated elephant, passing through the ancient main gate that has welcomed Maharajas of Jaipur for four hundred years.

In the afternoon, explore Jaipur City. Visit Hawa Mahal or the Palace of the Winds, a five-story structure of pink sandstone with semi-octagonal and delicately honeycombed windows overlooking the main street of the old city. Built in 1799, it allowed veiled royal women to observe the streets below through its 593 stone screens without being seen.

Continue with a tour of the City Palace and its Solar Observatory. Finally, head to a local market to experience Jaipur's vibrant culture and explore its bustling shopping hubs.

After breakfast, check out from the hotel and drive to Agra, with an en-route stop at Fatehpur Sikri. Built by Emperor Akbar in 1569, Fatehpur Sikri was abandoned after 15 years due to water scarcity. Explore its graceful buildings, including Jama Masjid, the Tomb of Salim Chishti, Panch Mahal, and other notable sites. Continue the drive to Agra, approximately 40 km from Fatehpur Sikri. Upon arrival in Agra, check-in at the hotel and enjoy a leisurely evening.

After breakfast, enjoy an early sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal. Built by Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his empress Mumtaz Mahal, it stands as an enduring symbol of love not just for Agra but for all of India. Afterward, return to the hotel to check out before embarking on a full-day sightseeing tour starting with Agra Fort – the seat and stronghold of the Mughal Empire across generations.

­After sightseeing, proceed to the train station for your journey to Varanasi. The train departs at 15:00 and reaches Varanasi at 23:05. An alternative train or flight will be arranged if there are any delays in reaching Delhi.

Overnight stay in Varanasi.

In the afternoon, you will relax before embarking on a half-day excursion to Sarnath, a significant Buddhist pilgrimage center. After sightseeing, return to the hotel for an overnight stay in Varanasi.

In the early morning, embark on a boat ride along the river Ganges. The long series of ghats, or stone steps, lining the western bank of the Ganges, is a highlight of Varanasi. After the boat ride, enjoy a hearty breakfast and continue exploring the beautiful temples and bustling bazaars of the city.

In the evening, witness the mesmerizing Ganga Aarti ceremony at the river Ganga Ghat, where the river sparkles with lamps and devotees perform rituals in honor of Maa Ganga—a truly unique spectacle. Return to the hotel later for an overnight stay.

Also, visit the Vishwanath Temple, take an early morning walk through Varanasi, and experience the evening aarti.

Early morning transfer to the airport for a flight to Delhi. Later, you will be transferred to Delhi International Airport for your return flight home, marking the end of an unforgettable trip!