From Delhi: 8-Day Private Golden Triangle Tour with Varanasi

Eight days, and the pace is the point

The same four cities that a six-day itinerary covers, with two more days spread through them. That buys a second Taj visit at a different hour, a full day of Old Delhi, and two nights in Varanasi rather than one — which matters, because Varanasi needs a dawn and an evening.

Days 1–2: Delhi

Arrival, transfer, and an optional evening drive past India Gate and Connaught Place.

Then the capital properly: Jama Masjid and a cycle rickshaw through Chandni Chowk, laid out in the 1650s with a canal down its centre that reflected the moon. Raj Ghat. Humayun's Tomb, the 1560s Mughal garden tomb — four-part garden, double dome — that the Taj descends from. And Qutub Minar with its rustless iron pillar.

Days 3–4: Agra

The Taj Mahal at sunrise, and Agra Fort with the Musamman Burj where Shah Jahan spent his last eight years as Aurangzeb's prisoner. With two days, the Baby Taj across the river and Mehtab Bagh for the sunset reflection.

Fatehpur Sikri on the drive west.

Days 5–6: Jaipur

Amber Fort above Maota Lake, the City Palace, Jantar Mantar and the Hawa Mahal, with time for Nahargarh at sunset and the bazaars.

Days 7–8: Varanasi

The train east, included in every option.

A dawn boat along the ghats is the centre of it — the whole waterfront turns to face the sunrise while thousands bathe and pray on the steps. At dusk the Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh, with tiered lamps and bells.

At Manikarnika the cremation fires have burned without interruption for centuries. No photography there — that is absolute.

Sarnath, eleven kilometres out, where the Buddha gave his first sermon.

Three options

Car, driver and guide; or with three-star or four-star hotels and train tickets.

The Taj is closed on Fridays.