Cornelius Amann
October 06, 2026
5/5
India: Delhi, the Taj Mahal and Varanasi
5 days from Delhi: Old Delhi by rickshaw, the Taj Mahal at sunrise, then a flight to Varanasi for a dawn boat, Sarnath and the evening aarti.
5 days · Round trip from Delhi · up to 12 guests
The Taj Mahal from the reflecting pool Photo: Almbauer, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Taj_Mahal_2018.jpg)
The facts
At a glance
- Length
- 5 days, 4 nights
- Start and end
- Round trip from Delhi
- Group size
- 7 to 12 guests
- Longest drive
- 4 h on day 2No drive day is longer than 4 hours.
- Activity level
Easy
Sightseeing on foot for 2 to 3 hours most days, on stone ramps, steps and crowded lanes, with steep ghat steps and small wooden boats in Varanasi. There are two early starts (the Taj at sunrise and the dawn boat), one road day of about four hours and one travel day with a train and a short flight. You can sit any walk out.
- Meals included
- 4 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners
- Room of your own
- + CAD 235 (estimated price)
- Season
- October to March
Highlights
Why this trip
- Cycle rickshaws through Old Delhi to the Khari Baoli spice market, with a street food lunch
- Agra Fort in the late afternoon, looking down the Yamuna to the Taj as the sun sets
- The Taj Mahal at sunrise, with the main tomb ticket included
- A train and a short flight instead of a sleeper train to the Ganges
- The ghats of Varanasi from the water at sunrise
- Sarnath, where the Buddha first taught
- The Ganga aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat from our own boat
What makes this trip different
Short drives, all published
Every drive is listed day by day, and none is longer than 4 hours.
Free time is part of the plan
Free time and choices are marked on the days they fall.
Solo without the penalty
A room of your own is + CAD 235 (estimated price).
Day by day
Itinerary
The longest drive is 4 h, on day 2.
Tap any stop on the map to open that dayClick any stop on the map to open that day
Arrive in Delhi
Indira Gandhi International Airport to your hotel in New Delhi
- Welcome dinner
- Stay in Delhi
- Drive about 1 h
Your trip starts at Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL), where a driver meets you in the arrivals hall for the drive of about 20 km into New Delhi. If you are joining from another trip in India or stopping over on the way across Asia, we can collect you from your Delhi hotel instead.
Evening
Many flights from North America land late at night or before dawn, and India is nine and a half to ten and a half hours ahead of eastern Canada, so today asks nothing of you: sleep, shower and let your body catch up. If you land early in the morning, tell us your flight and we can book the room from the night before. In the early evening your See Sight Tours guide meets the group in the lobby for a short briefing: the plan for the Taj at sunrise, what to wear in mosques and temples, and how the train and flights work. Then we sit down together for a welcome dinner of North Indian cooking, such as dal makhani, tandoori breads and slow-cooked curries.
Included
- Pick-up at Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) or your Delhi hotel
- Welcome briefing with your guide
- Welcome dinner
Free time: Free until the early-evening briefing
Activity: To join the briefing and dinner, land by about 4 pm; if you land later, your guide briefs you at breakfast.
Old Delhi, then Agra Fort at sunset
Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk and Khari Baoli, then Delhi to Agra by road and Agra Fort
- Breakfast and lunch
- Stay in Agra
- Drive about 4 h
We set out early, before the lanes of Old Delhi fill up. Shah Jahan, the emperor who built the Taj Mahal, laid out this walled city in the 1640s, and its great mosque, the Jama Masjid, finished in 1656, is one of the largest in India. Visitors are not let in during prayers, so we time our visit around them. From the mosque steps we take cycle rickshaws down Chandni Chowk and into the bazaars to Khari Baoli, the spice market, where sacks of chillies, turmeric and cardamom spill onto the street.
Afternoon
Lunch is an early street food tasting with your guide, at busy stalls picked for freshness. Then we drive to Agra on the Yamuna Expressway, about 230 km and four hours with a rest stop, the one long road stretch of the trip. In the late afternoon a licensed local guide takes us into Agra Fort, Akbar's red sandstone citadel, listed by UNESCO in 1983, where Shah Jahan spent his last years looking down the Yamuna River to the Taj. We watch the sun set on it from the fort's terraces.
Included
- Jama Masjid with your guide
- Cycle rickshaw ride through Chandni Chowk to the Khari Baoli spice market
- Old Delhi street food tasting lunch
- Drive to Agra by the Yamuna Expressway
- Agra Fort with a licensed local guide, with the Taj at sunset from the fort
Easier option: Skip the street food walk: your guide takes you back to the vehicle after the rickshaw ride and arranges a sit-down lunch on the way to Agra instead.
Free time: Evening free in Agra
Activity: About 2 hours on foot in crowded lanes in the morning and about 1.5 hours at Agra Fort on ramps and uneven stone. Shoes come off in the mosque, and shoulders and knees should be covered.
The Taj at sunrise, then fly to Varanasi
Taj Mahal at sunrise, express train from Agra to Delhi, then a flight to Varanasi
- Breakfast and dinner
- Stay in Varanasi
- Drive about 2 h
The alarm goes early, and it is worth it.
Morning
The Taj Mahal opens its gates about half an hour before sunrise, and we are in line before they open, with tickets bought ahead, including the ticket into the main tomb. A licensed local guide walks us through the great gateway to the reflecting pool while the white marble turns from grey to pink, then around the tomb Shah Jahan began in 1632 for his wife Mumtaz Mahal, with the mosque and its twin on either side. Back at the hotel for a late breakfast and time to pack. In the late morning an express train takes us back to Delhi in about two hours, while the bags travel with us.
Afternoon
From the station we go straight to the airport for an afternoon flight to Varanasi of about an hour and a half, with your guide on the plane. From Varanasi's airport it is up to an hour into the city, and the last stretch to our hotel near the ghats may be on foot, with porters for the bags.
Evening
Dinner together tonight.
Included
- The Taj Mahal at sunrise with a licensed local guide, including the main tomb ticket
- Express train from Agra to Delhi, with station transfers
- Flight from Delhi to Varanasi, with airport transfers
- Dinner in Varanasi
Free time: Late morning free in Agra after breakfast
Activity: The Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays, so this day never falls on a Friday. In December and January fog can hide the Taj at sunrise; we wait in the garden for it to lift. Tripods, food and large bags are not allowed inside.
The Ganges at dawn, Sarnath and the aarti
A boat along the ghats at sunrise, Sarnath, then the Ganga aarti from the river
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Stay in Varanasi
- Drive about 1 h
Morning
The ghats of Varanasi face east across the river, so sunrise is the hour to be on the water. We walk down to the river in the half dark and board our own boat at first light. As the sun comes up over the far bank, the boatman rows slowly past the ghats: pilgrims bathing and praying, priests under bamboo umbrellas and the first chai stalls opening. We pass Manikarnika, the main cremation ghat, at a respectful distance; your guide explains the rites, and nobody photographs them. After breakfast we drive about 10 km to Sarnath, where the Buddha gave his first sermon. A licensed local guide walks us through the Deer Park, the ruined monasteries and the Dhamek Stupa, then the Archaeological Museum and the Lion Capital of Ashoka, India's national emblem.
Afternoon
Lunch is in Sarnath, then the afternoon is free.
Evening
At sunset we board our boat again and sit in front of Dashashwamedh Ghat for the Ganga aarti, with brass lamps, bells and conch shells. Dinner together follows.
Included
- Sunrise boat along the ghats with your guide
- Sarnath with a licensed local guide: the Deer Park, the Dhamek Stupa and the Archaeological Museum
- Lunch in Sarnath
- The Ganga aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat from our own boat
- Dinner in Varanasi
Easier option: Sleep in and skip the dawn boat; you see the river again from the boat at the evening aarti.
More active option: Spend the free afternoon walking south along the ghats to Assi Ghat with your guide, about 3 km of riverside steps, and meet the group at the boat.
Free time: Afternoon free
Activity: About 20 to 40 steep stone steps down to the boat, depending on the river level, and a step into a small wooden boat. Bring a warm layer from December to February. The Sarnath museum is closed on Fridays, so this day never falls on a Friday.
Old Varanasi, then fly to Delhi
A walk through the old city lanes, then Varanasi to Delhi by air and Indira Gandhi International Airport
- Breakfast
- Drive about 1 h
Morning
One more morning on the river before the flight. After breakfast your guide leads a walk of about an hour and a half through the lanes of the old city, too narrow for cars: past small shrines, sweet shops and silk weavers' doorways, towards the Kashi Vishwanath temple, stopping for hot kachori and a clay cup of chai. If you would rather, sit on the ghats with a last cup and watch the river instead. Around the middle of the day we drive about 25 km to Varanasi's airport for a flight of about an hour and a half to Delhi, with your guide on the plane. In Delhi your guide sees you to the international departures area, or into a car to your hotel if you are staying on or joining another trip.
Evening
Book a flight home leaving Delhi after about 7 pm; many long-haul flights from Delhi leave late at night. If you would like more time in Delhi, ask us for extra nights when you book.
Included
- Old city walk with your guide, with a street food tasting
- Transfer to Varanasi airport
- Flight from Varanasi to Delhi
- Drop-off at international departures at Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) or at a Delhi hotel
Easier option: Skip the old city walk and spend the morning on the ghats or at the hotel.
Free time: Free time on the ghats before the airport transfer
Activity: Book an international flight leaving Delhi after about 7 pm and allow three hours at the airport.
- Delhi1 night
- Agra1 night
- Varanasi2 nights
- Delhiend
- Overnight stop
- Day trip
- By boat or train
Wildlife and weather: October to March is dry and sunny, warm in October and March and cool in December and January, when nights in Delhi, Agra and Varanasi can be cold and mornings on the river are chilly. December and January fog can hide the Taj at sunrise and delay morning trains and flights, so day 3 carries slack. Diwali (October or November) and Dev Deepawali in Varanasi about two weeks later bring lamps, crowds and higher hotel prices. April to June is very hot, and the July to September monsoon floods the lower ghats.
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Before you book
Right for you?
Good for you if you want
- Travellers with five days who want the Taj and the Ganges, not one or the other
- An add-on before or after a longer India trip, or a stopover on the way across Asia
- Travellers who prefer a train and short flights to sleeper trains
- Early risers happy to trade a sleep-in for the Taj and the river at dawn
- Solo travellers who want company at dinner and on the boats
Not for you if you want
- Travellers who want Jaipur and Rajasthan as well (see our Golden Triangle trips)
- A slow trip: two of the four nights are single-night stops
- Step-free access: forts, ghats and old lanes mean steps, slopes and crowds
- Travellers who would find open-air cremation hard to witness
- Travel between April and September
Book flights after we confirm your seat.
4 nights
Where you'll stay
Your hotels are named in your trip confirmation.
- Delhi1 night
- Agra1 night
- Varanasi2 nights
One price
What's in the price
Included
Accommodation
- 4 nights: 1 in New Delhi, 1 in Agra near the Taj Mahal and 2 in Varanasi close to the ghats
- Central hotels of a 3-star-plus standard or better, named when we confirm your dates
- Rooms shared, or your own for a supplement
Transport
- Pick-up at Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) or your Delhi hotel on day 1, and drop-off at DEL or a Delhi hotel on day 5
- A private air-conditioned vehicle and driver for the group from Delhi to Agra and in each city
- Express train from Agra to Delhi, with station transfers
- Flights from Delhi to Varanasi and from Varanasi to Delhi, with airport transfers
- Cycle rickshaws in Old Delhi
- Our own boat on the Ganges for the sunrise and the evening aarti
Your guide
- A See Sight Tours guide with the group from arrival to departure, on the train and both flights
- Licensed local guides at the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Sarnath
Activities
- Delhi: Jama Masjid and a cycle rickshaw ride through Chandni Chowk to Khari Baoli
- Agra: Agra Fort at sunset and the Taj Mahal at sunrise, with the main tomb ticket
- Varanasi: the sunrise boat along the ghats, the Ganga aarti from the river and an old city walk
- Sarnath: the Deer Park, the Dhamek Stupa and the Archaeological Museum
Meals
- 4 breakfasts
- 2 lunches: an Old Delhi street food walk and lunch in Sarnath
- 3 dinners: welcome in Delhi, on arrival in Varanasi and after the aarti in Varanasi
Not included
- International flights to and from Delhi
- Indian visa (most visitors apply online for an e-Visa)
- Travel insurance
- Lunches and dinners not listed above
- Drinks
- Tips for your guide, local guides, drivers and boatmen
- Camera or video fees where charged
- Excess baggage on the domestic flights
- Extra nights in Delhi before or after the trip
- Personal expenses such as laundry
Extras
- Room of your own
- CAD 235 (estimated price)
When you can go
Dates and prices
Pick your start date when you request to book. We check that date and confirm it in your quote.
Prefer to travel without a group or guide? Ask us about arranging hotels, transport and city tours for you to travel independently.
Before you book
Booking terms
Nothing is charged now. Full terms and the cancellation schedule come with your quote, before you accept.
Business addresses
See Sight Tours Trips (USA): 3172 N Rainbow Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89108, United StatesSee Sight Tours Trips (Canada): 5305 50 Avenue, #1091, Red Deer, AB T4N 4B6, Canada+1-888-961-6584Guest reviews
What guests say
Reviews from guests on our day tours.
Jane
October 06, 2026
5/5
Susan
October 06, 2026
5/5
Tom L
October 05, 2026
5/5
MandL83
October 05, 2026
5/5
Darren O
October 05, 2026
5/5
Good to know
Questions
What does the price include?
The price covers four nights in central hotels, 9 meals (4 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 3 dinners), airport transfers, the drive to Agra, the train back to Delhi, flights to and from Varanasi, your See Sight Tours guide throughout, licensed local guides at the Taj, Agra Fort and Sarnath, every entry on the plan and both Ganges boats. There are no shopping stops.
How big is the group?
The small-group trip runs with 7 to 12 guests. That is small enough to share one boat on the Ganges, move easily through the lanes of Old Delhi and Varanasi, and sit around one table at dinner.
Who leads the trip?
A See Sight Tours guide travels with the group from day 1 to the airport on day 5, including on the train and both flights. Licensed local guides join at the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Sarnath. We name your guide when we confirm your dates.
How fit do I need to be?
Fit enough to walk 2 to 3 hours a day on stone, steps and busy streets. Varanasi asks the most: steep ghat steps down to the boats and narrow, crowded lanes. There are two early starts, one four-hour drive and one travel day, and you can sit out any walk.
I am travelling solo. What does a room of my own cost?
A room of your own is from CAD 235 more than the shared price, shown when you request to book and never added later. Solo travellers join the same small group, the same boats and the same dinners, with the same guide looking after everyone.
When is the best time to go?
October to March, when days are dry and sunny. December and January are cool, with cold nights and morning fog that can hide the Taj at sunrise or delay the train and flight on day 3. April to June is very hot, and the monsoon from July to September floods the lower ghats in Varanasi.
How much does it cost, and how does booking work?
Prices are per person sharing a room, with taxes, and differ by style. The small group starts from CAD 1,300 per person, and a room of your own is from CAD 235 more. Pick your start date when you request to book, and we confirm your trip within 24 hours. Nothing is charged until then.
Can we travel privately or on our own dates?
Yes. Besides the small group, the trip comes as a private trip for your party only, on a date you choose, from CAD 2,340 per person. If you would rather travel independently on your own dates, ask us from the dates section: we can quote the same hotels, train, flights, drivers and local guides.
Can I add this to a longer India trip or a stopover?
Yes. The trip starts and ends in Delhi, with pick-up from the airport or a Delhi hotel and drop-off at either, so it fits before or after another trip in India or as a stopover on a flight across Asia. Tell us your other plans when you request to book and we will line up the transfers.
Do I need a visa for India?
Most visitors do, Canadians included, and many nationalities can apply online for an Indian e-Visa before travel. Rules change, so check the current requirements for your passport well before you go and carry the approval with you. The visa fee is not in the trip price.
What is Varanasi like, and will we see cremations?
Varanasi is crowded, noisy and deeply devotional, with prayer, daily life and death side by side on the riverbank. Cremations take place in the open at Manikarnika and Harishchandra ghats. We pass by boat at a respectful distance, your guide explains the rites, and nobody photographs them. If you would rather not look, sit facing the far bank as we pass.
How is this different from your Golden Triangle trips?
This is the short version: Delhi, the Taj and Varanasi in five days, without Jaipur. Our 8-day Golden Triangle covers Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, and the 11-day Golden Triangle and Varanasi adds three nights on the Ganges. If you have more than a week, the longer trips go at an easier pace.
See Sight Tours has been providing travel services across North America since 2006. Operating in 20 cities across Canada and the USA, the company specializes in small group tours that offer personalized, high-quality experiences for travelers.
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