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golden triangle and varanasi
Trip Valid:
01/01/2008 to 31/12/2008
Duration:
8 days (Delhi to Varanasi)
Highlights:
Admire the palaces of Majarajahs, See the pink city of Jaipur, Experience the clamour of holy Varanasi, Enjoy a sunrise cruise down the holy River Ganges, Get lost in the bustling bazaars of Delhi, Be romanced by the Taj Mahal
Trip Code:
HAT
Price:
Prices from USD $835
Valid for departures 1JAN08-30SEP08
pricing for United States: change country
Extras:
view 2008 airport transfers and pre- & post-trip accommodation prices
See the highlights of the Golden Triangle and get lost in the colourful holy city of Varanasi on the banks of the sacred River Ganges. Travelling in a private vehicle, explore the Mughal splendours and bazaars of Delhi, the palaces of Jaipur's Pink City and Agra's majestic Taj Mahal. Experience the marvels that make India a magical destination.
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passenger feedback rating: 4.59 out of 5 how does this work?
meals included: 6 Breakfasts
transport: Train, private vehicle, boat
accommodation: Hotels (6 nts), overnight train (1 nt)
budget: Allow USD $140 for meals not included.
departs: Daily (except Sun), subject to availability
important notes: Roundtrip airport to hotel transfers are included, please advise of flight details at least 14 days in advance
Days 1-2 Delhi
Old Delhi pulses with the energy and colour of lively bazaars and is laced by a maze of narrow lanes full of the sights, sounds and smells of India. Visit the famous Red Fort, built by the Emperor Shah Jehan. In contrast, the new part of the city is a city of wide boulevards and spacious parks.
Day 3 Jaipur
Drive to Jaipur in the morning and spend the afternoon enjoying a sightseeing tour. Admire the famous pink, delicately honeycombed sandstone windows of the Palace of the Winds.
Day 4 Amber Fort
Visit Amber Fort, stunningly situated on a hilltop overlooking Maota Lake. The Sheesh Mahal, Hall of Mirrors, becomes a dazzling fantasy with the light of a single match.
Day 5 Fatehpur Sikri/ Agra
Tour the magnificent deserted Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri on the way to Agra.
Day 6 Taj Mahal/ Agra Fort
Visit the stunning Taj Mahal, the monument to love built by the Emperor Shah Jehan as a tomb for his beloved queen Mumtaz Mahal, and the magnificent masterpiece of Agra Fort.
Days 7-8 Varanasi
Varanasi encapsulates all that is India. Bathing ghats choked with pilgrims, temples full of incense, narrow shop-filled alleyways - it really is one of the world's special places. Take it all in on a sightseeing tour and sunrise boat trip on the Ganges.
This trip is part of our Intrepid Independent range. As it is not a group trip it has no fixed departure dates. Select your preferred start date from the menu below and our reservations team will process your booking request. Please note that is a booking request and is subject to availability at your preferred travel time.
If you are travelling within the next 30 days, we will require full payment before we can request your booking. Please contact us directly to make your request.
The Trip Notes provide you with detailed information about your trip.
This is where you will find everything you need to know... from what's included to suggestions about what to take. This is also where you will find the most up-to-date itinerary and any late changes.
The Trip Notes provide you with a detailed outline of your trip itinerary, and important information like where to meet your group, what to pack, what's included, estimates of spending money requirements and much more. They make great reading.
These documents have been prepared by Intrepid staff to give you a brief introduction to the places you are visiting. We think it's important to understand the culture you are visiting, and the expectations of their society.
Intrepid is committed to a style of travel that is environmentally, culturally and socially responsible - we call this 'Responsible Travel'. Download this document and visit the About Intrepid section of this site for more information about how to be a Responsible Traveller.
Please also read our safety guidelines for further information on the operational safety standards you can expect on every Intrepid trip.
On 07 June the Australian Government issued an updated travel warning for East Timor strongly advising against travel to East Timor because of the extremely dangerous security situation. Australians in the country are advised to leave. The Travel Warning remains at Category 5 - Do Not Travel.
On Tuesday 07 June we have taken the decision to cancel the remainder of our East Timor trips scheduled to depart in 2006. All travellers will be notified and given the opportunity to transfer to another trip or obtain a full refund (land content only). We very much regret having to take this action and our thoughts and sympathies are with the people of East Timor during this troubled time.
We are confident of being able to resume our normal schedule of trips to East Timor in 2007 and hope that those travellers who have had to cancel their plans this year will travel with us to East Timor in 2007.
For other safety updates, please see our general safety updates page.
Every day, hundreds of happy people return from Intrepid trips, and their comments are here for you to read. We do not screen the feedback on this site, all comments are posted here as they were written (unless they used inappropriate language).
Our Independent trip to India was excellent. Our guides and drivers could not do enough for us. I can't wait to return!
Lesley Gracey
trip was ok but room for lots of improvements
Clinton Smith
You should be proud of yourselves and your co-workers in India. What a well oiled machine you are! All the arrangements were faultless - the pick up times, attendance of representatives, drivers, hotels etc. were lovely. Our whole Inida exerience was stimulating, shocking, exciting, exhilerating and totally incredible. Yes, there is squalor, poverty and hassle from beggars but after a couple of days in Delhi we soon desensitised and things were great. The most hassle was in Jaipur where traders became a little aggresive with their pressure sales but our guide took care of us and the mini bus driver and his assistant were ever present with the bus for refuge!!
The Taj Mahal at sunrise, and then at sunset, were never to be forgotten. We flew kites with the locals in Jaipur from the rooftops with our lovely guide. Varanasi was just something else - the cremation ghats absolutely awesome, in a strange sort of a way.
THank you so very much for a wonderful trip. My group now think that I am a good leader and really it was down to you Erin, and all your group for arranging things so very well for us.
One tip for other India travellers - to get away from it all now and again we went to the big posh hotels like The Radisson, Imperial, Claridges and The Taj for the day to be by the pool with drinks served etc. It was inexpensive and relaxing!
We will definitely recommend Intrepid to all we know and will be back with you again.
India will stay in my thoughts and heart forever!
Thasnk you
Lindsey Morgan
Intrepid Independent was perfect for us; we didn't want to be with a big group and we still got the structure and help needed to get around India in a tight time frame.
Jocasta Norman
Sorry, only passengers from Australia, New Zealand or the United Kingdom are able to request flight quotes online at this stage.