India’s Golden Triangle: Taj Mahal to the Ganges

Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer is included through the G Adventures-supported Women With Wheels project.
There are no planned activities until the evening welcome meeting. Afterward, head out for an optional dinner with the group.

Women With Wheels Transfer: Transfer by a G Adventures-supported project, Women With Wheels. This program provides safe and reliable transport for travellers, while providing a dignified livelihood for local women who once lacked financial opportunities.

Visit Delhi's impressive India Gate and Connaught Place before traveling to Jaipur, commonly called the "Pink City" for its unique architecture. Along the way, try your hand at block printing with the women of the Anoothi Project. Get to know this colourful city on an orientation walk, then opt to watch a classic Bollywood film.

Delhi Orientation Tour: Get a taste of India's capital city through a visit to Connaught Place by metro and a walk to India Gate, a stately memorial built for Indian soldiers who died in World War I.

: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Explore Amber Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, clinging to the surrounding hills on Maota Lake. Stop to marvel at the mysterious Hawa Mahal, "Palace of the Winds," an elaborately carved facade built to enable the purdah women in the Zenana to watch the goings-on in the street below without being seen.
With free time, opt to get active by pre-booking a cycle tour, or catch a classic Bollywood film in the spectacular Art Deco film house — the Raj Mandir.

Amber Fort Visit: Take in the Hindu and Muslim architecture of the beautiful Amber Fort. Wander through the halls and courtyards and admire the intricate details.

Free Time: Enjoy the rest of the day to explore Jaipur on your terms.

Take in the arid terrain and small towns on the ride to Agra for a sunset visit to the famous Taj Mahal. Marvel at the iconic Mughal architecture and immerse yourself in the mausoleum's unique history.

Taj Mahal Visit: Cross one off your bucket list as you visit one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Explore the gorgeous white marble mausoleum, built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as a testament of his love for his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal.

: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.

Travel by train and rickshaw to reach peaceful Orchha along the Betwa River. Enjoy some time away from India's bustling cities and gain insight into rural life. Visit Tarragram, a unique paper-making plant set up to assist tribal women from the area. All the paper is made from recycled clothing and wood pulp. Then, visit the palace complex to learn more about the ancient history here. Opt to witness an evening puja, a Hindu prayer ceremony.

Tarragram Visit: Enjoy a visit to this unique paper-making plant, set up to assist tribal women from the area. All the paper is made from recycled clothing and wood pulp.

: Climb aboard, take a seat, and enjoy the ride.

Meal plan: BREAKFAST

Enjoy free time to explore beautiful Orchha. Opt to rent a bike, stroll along the river, or take a cooking class and enjoy the fruits of your labour for lunch. In the evening, catch an overnight train to Varanasi.

: Jump in the back and tell the driver to step on it, just like they do in the movies.

Free Time: Enjoy some free time.

Arrive in Varanasi, the quintessential Indian holy city where millions of Hindus travel for pilgrimage, to worship, to mourn, or to die. Take an orientation walk along the ghats and visit the old city to get acquainted with this magical city.

Orientation Walk: Experience the spiritual energy of Varanasi with a walk through the holy city, filled with temples, shrines and Hindus from all over India and the world. Enjoy views of the sacred River Ganges.

Free Time: Explore this holy city.

Enjoy a sunrise boat tour along the sacred Ganges before free time to explore this holy city. Walk the narrow alleys, visit some of the hundreds of temples and shrines, or wander the Old City. Opt to visit the site of the Buddha's first sermon or sit on the banks of the Ganges watching life unfold around you. In the evening, embark on a Ganges boat trip at sunset to witness a candlelit flower ceremony.
Pre-book the Varanasi Heritage Walk and enjoy a guided tour that focuses more on the local life in Varanasi and its philosophical and cultural values. Witness pilgrims singing and gain a deeper understanding of the importance of Varanasi in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. Pre-book the Guided Visit of Sarnath and learn about the life of the Buddha. Discover the archeological ruins of the monastery. Explore the museum at Sarnath and the sacred Maha Bodhi Tree. Visit temples constructed by the buddhist people of Sri Lanka, Thailand and Japan and stop to admire the Buddha statue during the three hours of guided exploration.

Morning Ganges Boat Tour: Catch the sunrise from a boat cruising the sacred Ganges River, where Hindu pilgrims from all over the world come to wash away their sins and cremate their loved ones. Witness locals participating in dawn rituals of bathing and burning at the river.

Free Time: Spend time exploring the hidden alleys, temples, and shrines found throughout this holy city -- it's the oldest continually inhabited city in the world. Take time to experience the culture and history or discover the shops and stalls in the Old City.

Depart at any time.