Golden Triangle with Varanasi Shopping Tour

Delhi has been under the reign of various dynasties. It has been destroyed and reconstructed many times. That is why the city is full of historic monuments portraying different architectural styles and representing different eras. Delhi is the capital city of India. Since the city is always busy and fast-paced, it is fondly referred to as the City of Cities. Old Delhi consists of old buildings and narrow lanes while New Delhi has large roads with tall and modern-style buildings.

The rest of the day is free to relax at the hotel.

Overnight stay is scheduled at the hotel in Delhi.

You will have breakfast at the hotel and proceed for city tour of Delhi. You will visit the major attractions of Delhi city. The day tour of Delhi will start from Old Delhi which was constructed by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in the 17th century. You will visit Raj Ghat, the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi, who is called the Father of the Nation. Thereafter, you will visit the museum dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi where you can witness various relics and artifacts dedicated to him. Later you will visit Jama Masjid.

Then you will visit the famous Chandni Chowk and Spice Market. Later you can enjoy a rickshaw ride in Old Delhi and shop for goods like fabrics, jewelry, handicrafts, shoes, bags, tea, spices, coins, antiques, etc. In all, the region is a shopper's paradise.

Old Delhi tour is incomplete without having some local delicacies. Tourists can enjoy food in Chandni Chowk, Chawri Bazaar, and Spice Market. Some of the popular savories include pakodas, samosas, lassi, etc. Tourists can also have paranthe (stuffed bread) in Paranthe wali Gali or they can visit Karim’s for devouring non-vegetarian dishes.

Overnight stay is at the hotel in the capital city of India, Delhi.

You will enjoy breakfast in the hotel and proceed to visit the historic Qutub Minar which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the tallest minaret in India, which was constructed by Qutub-ud-Din Aibak in the 12th century. Afterward, you can visit India Gate which is a war memorial dedicated to the soldiers who sacrificed their lives for the protection of their nation. Later, you will be driven past the Parliament House, President’s House and other Government Secretarial Buildings.

New Delhi is also a perfect place for shopping. New Delhi has many markets with a wide array of handicrafts and other items from all over the country.

Dilli Haat (INA) - The biggest and most renowned market in New Delhi is Dilli Haat. It has been specifically set up by the government to provide a platform for artisans to come and sell their products. It gives the feel of a traditional weekly village market (called a haat). It offers cultural performances and Indian cuisine as well. Dilli Haat has handicraft stalls that host artisans on a rotational basis. It provides the magical world of Indian art and heritage, a fascinating panorama of craft, cuisine and cultural activities.

Connaught Place - Connaught Place is the largest commercial center of the city. It is a shopping paradise for those who wish to buy branded items. The region features hotels, shops, restaurants, banks, exchange houses, offices, etc. There are many entertainment centers also. State emporium buildings are also found in this area. The place is quite popular for its hustle-bustle and modern architecture.

Janpath Market - Janpath Market is one of the most famous markets for tourists (both domestic and foreign) in New Delhi. This market holds the stalls of various products such as perfumes, incense, Tibetan jewelry, souvenirs, silver and junk, Pashmina shawls, Lucknowi chikankari garments, jewelry boxes, footwear, bags, and cotton apparel. The best part is all the items are available at reasonable prices.

After shopping, you can visit Lakshmi Narayan Temple, a temple dedicated to Goddess Lakshmi and Lord Narayana.

Overnight stay is at the hotel in Delhi.

Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan is named after Maharaja Jai Singh who built this city. There are several historic structures in the city, displaying majestic architecture. The Prince of Wales visited the city in the 18th century. At that time, the city was painted pink as a gesture of hospitality. Since then the city is called the Pink City. Arrive Jaipur and be transferred to your hotel. You can proceed to the market in the afternoon for shopping.

Chandpole Bazaar – It is one of the traditional shopping markets in Jaipur. Here one can buy handicrafts, carved out of marble and other handloom products. At the Khanjane Walon ka Rasta, one can shop for popular items like traditional and flamboyant shoes, pretty handicrafts, beautiful sculptures made of wood and stones, carpets, turbans and more.

Kishanpole Bazaar – It is famous for textile goods which are available at reasonable prices. It is also one of the best places in Jaipur for buying wooden souvenirs.

Overnight stay is scheduled in the pink city of Rajasthan, Jaipur.

You can have breakfast at the hotel and proceed for the city tour of Jaipur. Firstly, you will visit Amer Fort. Also known as Amer Palace, Amer Fort was the capital of Jaipur in early times.

Note: Elephant rides are available to ascend the Amer Fort but we do not recommend it. Our intention is not to harm or to use any animal for entertainment or commercial use. We never organize any activity or program for entertainment, featuring animals.

The option of a jeep ride is also available. In case you wish to view Asian elephants, you can opt for a day visit to Elefantastic where you can feed and wash elephants. All the activities are organized at Elefantistic keeping into consideration the well-being of giant creatures

However, if you wish, you can ascend the fort via elephant ride on twin sharing basis and return in a jeep.

Made up of red sandstone, the majestic fort was established by Raja Man Singh. The fort is partitioned into four parts, each having a courtyard. Suraj Pol is the main entrance gate having spellbinding architecture. There is an ancient temple dedicated to Goddess Sila Devi near another gate of the fort, which is called the Ganesh Gate. There are many other structures in the fort, such as Diwan-e-Aam (hall of public audience), Diwan-e-Khas (hall of private audience), Sheesh Mahal (palace of mirrors), and Sukh Niwas.

You will visit Maharaja City Palace in the afternoon. It is a seven-storied royal palace. It portrays a fusion of three different architectural styles – Mughal, Rajput, and European. Later, you will also visit the world-famous observatory, Jantar Mantar. The observatory attracts mathematicians and astronomers from different corners of the world. Then, you will visit the Hawa Mahal, which is famous worldwide for its architectural magnificence. Afterward, you will pass through the pink rose garden and business centers of Jaipur. A trip to Jaipur is never complete without shopping. Tourists can buy clothes, carpets, jewelry, wooden handicrafts, metals, and silk paintings, and miniature paintings, precious and semiprecious gemstones. Tourists can visit the famous markets of Jaipur for buying these items.

Johari Bazaar - Jaipur is famous for the largest and the most fabulous collection of jewelry in India. There are many famous markets in Jaipur selling precious stones, gems, semi-precious stones, and jewelry with a limited warranty. Johari Bazaar is one of the earliest Jaipur shopping places where one can buy all these. The plethora of choices and amazing designs make it one of the best places to shop in Jaipur and it will surely leave you awestruck.

Bapu Bazaar - Another best place for shopping in Jaipur is Bapu Bazaar. This is a one-stop destination for all the Jaipuri items. If you wish to buy cloth in bulk, then this is a perfect one. This bazaar stands out for the moderate prices of items like textiles and Joothis (Rajasthani Shoe). Here one can enjoy the novelty of street shopping. Moreover, the location of this market is quite nice and allows tourists to witness the ‘pink’ side of the city.

Overnight stay is at the hotel in the pink city of Rajasthan, Jaipur.

After having breakfast at the hotel, you will check out and drive towards Agra en-route visiting Fatehpur Sikri.

Fatehpur Sikri – It is a fortified city near Agra in Uttar Pradesh. Built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, Fatehpur Sikri is one of the finest works of the Mughal era. Owing to its architectural splendor and rich heritage, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are many historic structures in the city. Some of the major ones are Jama Masjid, Tomb of Salim Chishti, Panch Mahal, Buland Darwaza, Ibadat Khana, Naubat Khana, Mariam-uz-Zamani’s Palace, Birbal’s House, etc. All these structures portray majestic architecture.

Then, you will proceed towards Agra. Located on the banks of River Yamuna, Agra is a historic city in Uttar Pradesh. In early times, it used to be the capital of Mughals. Agra is a major tourist destination in India and is also an important vertice of the Golden Triangle Tour along with Delhi and Jaipur. Formerly, the city was known as Akbarabad.

Overnight stay will be at the hotel in Agra.

You will visit the famous Taj Mahal in the early morning. It is one of the Seven Wonders of the World and is a famous mausoleum that was constructed by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in the memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal and is considered as a symbol of their love. Taj Mahal is made up of white marble and is a beautiful sight to behold.

TAJ MAHAL REMAINS CLOSED ON FRIDAYS.

Then, you will return to the hotel for breakfast.

In the afternoon, you will visit the famous Agra Fort, which is another UNESCO World Heritage Site in Agra. It is another architectural marvel containing various attractions like Jahangir Palace, Khas Mahal, Diwan-e-Aam, and Diwan-e-Khas.

Later, you will proceed for a shopping tour in Agra.

Marble Shopping: Agra is renowned for fine marble handicrafts. There are many marble shops located on Fatehabad Road, from where one can by a variety of marble artifacts for the décor of their houses. The items like tabletops, crockery, and semi-precious stonework known as Pietra Dura are also available in the markets.

Sadar Bazaar: Sadar Bazaar is the best shopping market in Agra. This big market is located near Agra Cantonment Railway Station. Since the market is quite close to the railway station, it is quite popular among tourists. The best things to buy are handicrafts items, leather bags, garments, sweets, etc. Sadar Bazaar is also very famous for leather products.

Subhash Bazaar: Subhash Bazaar is a perfect shopping destination for silk based products. The market is based in Halwai Gali which is close to Agra Fort. Tourists can choose from a wide variety of silk saris in Subhash Bazaar.

Overnight stay is scheduled at the hotel in Agra.

The breakfast will be served at the hotel. Then, you will check out and be transferred by road to Delhi. You will be dropped at Delhi Airport for catching a flight to Varanasi.

After reaching Varanasi, you will be transferred to the hotel.

Known by different names such as Benares or Banaras or Kashi, Varanasi is a spiritual city in Uttar Pradesh. It is one of the seven holiest cities of Hinduism in India. It is also one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world. As the city has so many temples and ghats, it is often considered as the Spiritual Capital of India. Besides, the town has a rich heritage, which can be seen in the form of historic structures and Tourists can join the famous evening ceremony of Ganga Aarti. The ceremony is performed by priests on Dasaswamedh Ghat every day at the time of sunset. The prayer includes the use of incense, camphor, flower, earthen lamps, etc. The river Ganga looks appealing as thousands of lit lamps are immersed in its holy waters.

Overnight stay will be in Varanasi.

You can enjoy an early morning boat ride on river Ganges. A large no. of pilgrims visits the two famous ghats – Manikarnika Ghat and Harishchandra Ghat. Both ghats serve different purposes. Hindus believe that whoever dies in Varanasi and gets cremated on the bank of river Ganga achieves salvation, thereby gets released from this birth cycle. One can always spot burning pyres around the ghats in Varanasi.

Later, you will return to the hotel for breakfast.

Then, you will head towards the local markets in Varanasi to shop for jewelry and bronze items.

Godowlia Market – It is famous for household items, hardware, fine silk and brocade fabrics, inlaid wood-work, shawls, zari work, readymade garments, fancy sarees, shoes, bracelets, and other customized jewelry.

Vishwanath Gali – Tourists can visit this market for buying bangles, silk trinkets, wooden toys, fabric, and readymade garments. Meanwhile shopping, tourists can enjoy having Banarasi Paan, Golgappe, Kachori, etc.

Varanasi is also famous for the essential oil and tea masala which is used for aromatherapy and Vishwanath Gali Market is the best place where you can find oils like Jasmine, Lotus, White Musk, Black Musk, Rose, and Sandalwood.

Later, you will visit the Bharat Mata Temple (which has a big relief map of India in marble), Durga Temple, Tulsi Manas Mandir, Banaras Hindu University (which has an art gallery and the mosque of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb).

Overnight stay is scheduled in Varanasi.

You can have breakfast at the hotel and proceed for an excursion to Sarnath. Deer Park where Lord Buddha taught his first sermon is located in Sarnath. The tourist attractions at Sarnath are Buddha temples, Dhamek Stupa, Chaukhandi Stupa, and the Archaeological Museum. (Museum remains closed on Friday.)

In the afternoon, you can visit Lallapura, Banarasi silk weaver’s village. It is popular for its silk business in Varanasi. In this village, thousands of families are partially or fully involved in silk weaving business. You can observe the lifestyle of weavers and the way they weave.

Also, you can visit various silk factories and weaving centers. The exclusive and rare designs of Silk Sarees, Brocade, and Banarasi Sarees attract shoppers from all across the world.

Overnight stay will be in Varanasi.

You can have breakfast at the hotel. Later, you will check out and be transferred to the airport to catch a flight to Delhi. You can continue your further journey from Delhi.

End of the Golden Triangle with Varanasi Shopping Tour