Varanasi & Bodhgaya

Arrival in Delhi

Your First Encounter with India

Arrival at Delhi International Airport, where you will be welcomed and transferred to your hotel.

As you make your way into India's capital, your first impressions begin to unfold. Delhi is a city where different eras exist side by side — modern buildings and bustling streets alongside monuments and reminders of an ancient past.

Your journey begins with an Aarti ceremony, a traditional way of asking for blessings, good health and tranquility at the beginning of a journey or new undertaking.

During the ceremony, a tika — a sacred mark traditionally made with kumkum, colored powder or sandalwood paste — may be applied to the forehead.

It is your first introduction to one of the many traditions you will encounter as you travel through India.

New Delhi

History, Culture & Living Traditions

After breakfast, begin discovering the contrasts of India's capital.

Explore Old Delhi and some of the city's important historical and cultural landmarks before visiting Raj Ghat, the memorial dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi.

Continue through the Rashtrapati Bhavan district, home to important government buildings and Parliament, and see India Gate and the Salt March monument.

Visit Connaught Place, one of Delhi's best-known commercial centers, before experiencing another side of the city at Bangla Sahib, the beautiful Sikh temple where visitors encounter an important part of India's living religious traditions.

The day concludes with a visit to the remarkable Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple, an extraordinary expression of Indian architecture, culture and tradition.

Delhi to Agra

Toward the City of the Taj Mahal

After breakfast, leave Delhi and continue toward Agra.

In the afternoon, visit Mother Teresa's Mission and take a walk through the traditional markets of Old Agra.

Beyond its famous monument, Agra is a living city filled with everyday rhythms, markets and traditions — an opportunity to experience another side of India before tomorrow's visit to one of the world's most celebrated landmarks.

Agra

Tradition & the Timeless Taj Mahal

The morning begins with a Hawan ceremony, a traditional Hindu fire ritual included as part of your experience in Agra.

Later, one of India's most unforgettable sights awaits.

Visit the magnificent Taj Mahal, the white-marble monument created by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal.

Its perfect symmetry, carved domes, intricate inlay work and luminous marble have made it one of the world's most recognized architectural masterpieces.

Yet standing before it is completely different from seeing it in photographs.

Take your time.

Look at the details. Walk through the grounds. And experience for yourself the monument that has become one of the enduring symbols of India.

Agra to Varanasi

Welcome to Varanasi

After breakfast, continue your journey from Agra to Varanasi, one of India's most extraordinary cities.

By sunset, make your way to the banks of the Ganges River.

Board a boat as the ghats begin to fill with pilgrims, worshippers and the sounds of evening prayer.

Then experience the beautiful Ganga Aarti, one of Varanasi's most important rituals.

Light, movement, prayer and devotion transform the riverfront as a centuries-old tradition unfolds before you.

From the boat, observe the ghats, rituals and pilgrims gathered along the Ganges.

The evening concludes with a rickshaw ride along the ghats, allowing you to experience the energy of Varanasi from another perspective.

Varanasi

Sunrise on the Ganges

Before the city fully awakens, return to the Ganges River for an early-morning boat ride.

From the water, witness the ghats, ritual bathing areas and cremation grounds as Varanasi begins another day.

Millions of pilgrims come to the Ganges to participate in traditions that have been practiced for generations. From the river, you have the opportunity to observe a side of India where faith and everyday life exist together.

Continue on foot through the narrow lanes of Varanasi's old city.

After returning to the hotel for breakfast, travel to Sarnath, where Buddha gave his first sermon after attaining enlightenment.

Visit the ruins, Stupa, Buddhist Temple and Museum and discover a place that was an important center of Buddhist learning for centuries.

Varanasi to Bodhgaya

Where Buddha Attained Enlightenment

After breakfast, continue toward Bodhgaya.

Here you arrive at one of the world's most important Buddhist pilgrimage destinations.

Bodhgaya is the place where Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment beneath the Bodhi tree and became the Buddha.

During your time here, visit the Mahabodhi Temple and other temples in this historic pilgrimage center.

After the movement and intensity of Delhi, Agra and Varanasi, Bodhgaya offers another perspective on India's extraordinary cultural and religious heritage.

Take time to explore, observe and experience a place that continues to welcome visitors and pilgrims from around the world.

Bodhgaya to Delhi

Returning to Delhi

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your domestic flight from Bodhgaya to Delhi.

Upon arrival in Delhi, transfer to your hotel, check in and rest.

Your journey has now brought you from India's capital to the Taj Mahal, along the sacred Ganges and to one of Buddhism's most significant destinations.

This evening offers time to rest before your journey home.

Delhi to Your Home Country

Until We Meet Again

After breakfast, transfer to the airport according to the schedule of your international flight.

Ten days earlier, you arrived in Delhi ready to discover India.

You leave having experienced the contrasts of the capital, stood before the Taj Mahal, watched ancient traditions unfold along the Ganges in Varanasi, explored Sarnath and walked through Bodhgaya — a place visited by pilgrims from around the world.

The journey ends here.

The memories, encounters and experiences travel home with you.

Bon voyage.