Golden Triangle + Varanasi: The Complete India Itinerary
The usual route is Delhi → Agra → Jaipur by road, then a flight from Jaipur (or Delhi) to Varanasi. Eight days is a good minimum: five for the Golden Triangle and two nights in Varanasi. Ten days lets you slow down, and twelve adds Ranthambore, Sarnath at leisure or more of Rajasthan.
Why Combine the Golden Triangle With Varanasi?
The Golden Triangle shows you India's great monuments: Mughal Delhi, the Taj Mahal and the palaces of Jaipur. Varanasi shows you living India at its most spiritual, with the evening Ganga Aarti, dawn on the river and the old city's lanes. Together they make one of the most rewarding first trips to North India.
The 8-Day Itinerary
- Day 1 – Delhi: arrive; Old and New Delhi highlights.
- Day 2 – Delhi to Agra: drive 3.5–4 hours; Agra Fort and the Baby Taj; sunset from Mehtab Bagh.
- Day 3 – Agra to Jaipur: Taj Mahal at sunrise; drive to Jaipur via Fatehpur Sikri.
- Day 4 – Jaipur: Amber Fort, City Palace, Jantar Mantar, Hawa Mahal and the bazaars.
- Day 5 – Jaipur to Varanasi: fly to Varanasi (direct or via Delhi, depending on the day); evening Ganga Aarti.
- Day 6 – Varanasi: sunrise boat ride; old city walk; Sarnath in the afternoon.
- Day 7 – Varanasi: a free morning on the ghats; evening at leisure.
- Day 8: fly from Varanasi to Delhi for your onward journey.
Our 7-day Golden Triangle with Varanasi tour is a slightly tighter version of this plan.
The 10-Day Itinerary
- Days 1–2 – Delhi: one day each for Old and New Delhi, with time to recover from your flight.
- Days 3–4 – Agra: Agra Fort and Mehtab Bagh on arrival; the Taj Mahal at sunrise; Fatehpur Sikri.
- Days 5–6 – Jaipur: forts, palaces, markets and Nahargarh at sunset.
- Day 7: fly to Varanasi; evening Aarti.
- Days 8–9 – Varanasi: sunrise boat, the old city, Sarnath and unhurried time by the river.
- Day 10: fly to Delhi.
The 12-Day Itinerary
Use the 10-day plan as a base and add one of these:
- Ranthambore (2 nights) between Agra and Jaipur for jeep safaris; see our Golden Triangle with Ranthambore itinerary.
- Udaipur (2 nights) from Jaipur before flying to Varanasi; see our Udaipur guide.
- Orchha and Khajuraho between Agra and Varanasi, as on our Sacred India tour.
Transportation: Road, Flights and Trains
- Delhi, Agra and Jaipur: by private car with driver, or by train between Delhi and Agra.
- To Varanasi: Varanasi is far from the Golden Triangle cities, so most travellers fly. Flights to Varanasi run from Delhi and some other cities; from Jaipur there may be a direct flight or one via Delhi depending on the day.
- Trains: Delhi and Agra have train connections to Varanasi, often overnight. They save a hotel night but make for a long journey.
Flight and train schedules change. We help you choose suitable timings, and you book flights and train tickets directly.
What to See in Each City
- Delhi: Humayun's Tomb, Qutub Minar, Chandni Chowk, Jama Masjid; see the Delhi guide.
- Agra: the Taj Mahal at sunrise, Agra Fort, the Baby Taj; see the Taj Mahal guide.
- Jaipur: Amber Fort, City Palace, Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar; see the Jaipur guide.
- Varanasi: the Ganga Aarti, a sunrise boat ride, the old city and Sarnath; see the Varanasi guide.
How to Avoid Rushing
- Give Varanasi at least two nights; the Aarti and the sunrise boat ride fall on different days.
- Stay overnight in Agra rather than day-tripping, so you see the Taj at sunrise.
- Keep the flight day light: arrive in Varanasi in time for the evening Aarti and do nothing else.
- Avoid planning your Agra day on a Friday, when the Taj Mahal is closed.
- If you have 10 days or less, add Varanasi rather than trying to squeeze in several extra cities.
Best Time for This Itinerary
October to March is ideal for all four cities. The monsoon, from around July to September, can restrict boat rides on the Ganges, and April to June is very hot across the plains.
Frequently Asked Questions
Eight days is a comfortable minimum. Ten days allows a slower pace, and twelve lets you add Ranthambore, Udaipur or Khajuraho.
Most travellers fly, from Jaipur or Delhi. Overnight trains from Delhi or Agra are an alternative.
Either works, but ending in Varanasi is popular: the monuments come first and the spiritual experience of the ghats is a memorable finale.
At least two, so you can see both the evening Aarti and a sunrise boat ride without rushing.
No. We help you choose suitable flights and timings, and you book them directly.
