Private journeys in seven lands · a planner replies within one working day
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Six nights for the two essential places of north India: three in Agra at The Oberoi Amarvilas for the Taj Mahal at sunrise and sunset, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri, then three in Varanasi at Taj Nadesar Palace for dawn boats, the evening aarti, the old city and Sarnath.
This is our shortest journey that does justice to both the Taj Mahal and Varanasi. Three nights in Agra mean you see the Taj at first light from inside and at sunset from Mehtab Bagh across the river, with a spare morning held in case of fog or a Friday closure. Agra Fort, the Baby Taj and Fatehpur Sikri fill the days between.
Varanasi follows by air via Delhi. Three nights allow two evenings on the ghats, a private rowing boat at dawn, a guided walk through the old lanes to Kashi Vishwanath, a visit to the silk weavers and a calm afternoon at Sarnath. Taj Nadesar Palace gives quiet gardens to return to; guests who want to sleep on the river can swap to BrijRama Palace.
Highlights
Day by day
Your driver meets you at Delhi airport and takes the Yamuna Expressway south to Agra, about 3.5 to 4 hours with a break. Check in at The Oberoi Amarvilas, where every room looks towards the Taj Mahal. After a rest, your guide takes you across the river to Mehtab Bagh, the Mughal garden directly opposite the Taj, for the last hour of light. Return for a quiet dinner at the hotel and an early night before tomorrow's sunrise.
Rise early for the short buggy ride to the Taj Mahal's east gate, entering as it opens about 30 minutes before sunrise. Your guide walks you through the gardens and onto the marble platform as the light changes, and into the main chamber. Breakfast back at the hotel. In the afternoon, explore Agra Fort, the red sandstone citadel of Akbar and Shah Jahan, then cross the Yamuna to Itmad-ud-Daulah, the inlaid marble tomb known as the Baby Taj. Evening at leisure.
Drive an hour west to Fatehpur Sikri, the capital Akbar built from 1571 and left within about fifteen years. Walk through the halls of audience, the Panch Mahal and the royal palaces in the morning calm, then visit the great mosque, the Buland Darwaza and the white marble tomb of Salim Chishti. Return to Agra for lunch. In the afternoon, visit a family workshop where craftsmen cut semi-precious stones and set them into marble, the technique used on the Taj. This morning is held free if fog hid the Taj yesterday.
After breakfast, drive back to Delhi airport and fly to Varanasi, about 1.5 hours. If a direct flight from Agra is operating that season, we use it instead; check current status before you travel. Check in at Taj Nadesar Palace, a former royal guest house in quiet gardens. At dusk, your guide takes you to the ghats, where a private boat waits to carry you to a position facing Dashashwamedh Ghat for the Ganga aarti, with lamps, bells and conch shells.
Before sunrise, board a wooden rowing boat at the ghats and drift along the river as bathers, priests and washermen begin their day, passing Manikarnika at a respectful distance. Land near the old city and walk the narrow lanes with your guide to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, stopping for kachori and hot jalebi. Return to the hotel to rest. In the afternoon, visit a family of Banarasi silk weavers at their handlooms, then spend the evening at leisure or return to the ghats.
A slow morning in the gardens of Taj Nadesar Palace. After lunch, drive to Sarnath, where the Buddha gave his first sermon. Walk through the excavated monasteries to the Dhamek Stupa, see the Lion Capital of Ashoka in the museum, which is closed on Fridays, and visit the Mulagandha Kuti Vihara as monks chant the evening prayers. Return to Varanasi for a farewell dinner.
If your flight allows, take a last early walk on the ghats or a second short boat ride. After breakfast, your driver takes you to Varanasi airport for your onward flight, or to the station for a train. In December and January we recommend midday rather than early-morning flights, as fog can delay the first departures.
Included
Not included
Where you sleep
The closest luxury hotel to the Taj Mahal, about 600 m from the east gate, with views of the monument from every room. Its Mughal-style terraces, …
A small former royal guest house of the maharajas of Benares, set in large gardens in the Varanasi cantonment. With only a handful of suites, it …
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Questions travellers ask
Yes, for the essentials. Three nights in Agra give a sunrise Taj visit with a backup morning, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri. Three nights in Varanasi give two evenings on the ghats, a dawn boat, the old city and Sarnath. With more time, add Lucknow between them.
Usually by driving back to Delhi, about 3.5 to 4 hours, and flying to Varanasi in about 1.5 hours. When a direct flight from Agra operates, we use it. The alternative is to drive to Lucknow on the expressway and continue by road, which adds a night.
Yes. BrijRama Palace on Darbhanga Ghat puts you directly on the river, a short walk from the aarti. Many guests split the three nights between BrijRama and Taj Nadesar Palace. The price changes slightly; we will quote both options. BrijRama Palace involves steps, so let us know about any mobility needs.
From mid-December to January, fog can hide the Taj at dawn. We keep the morning of day 3 free so you can return. Fog usually lifts by late morning, so midday visits are also possible. Mehtab Bagh at sunset is another clear-weather backup.
October to March. October, November, February and March are most reliable. December and January are cold and foggy at dawn but atmospheric on the river. November can be timed for Dev Deepawali in Varanasi, with advance booking. Book early for the peak weeks of the season.
Yes. Reversing it works well, flying into Varanasi and out of Delhi after Agra. We plan the Agra days so the sunrise Taj visit never falls on a Friday, when the monument is closed. Flying into Varanasi and out of Delhi also suits many international connections.
Yes. Early starts for the Taj and the dawn boat are balanced by rest in the middle of the day. The ghats involve steps, and the old city lanes are uneven, but your guide adapts the walking. Let us know about mobility needs in advance.
Breakfast and dinner are included at the hotels. Lunches are left open so you can choose between hotel restaurants, a Varanasi street-food stop with your guide or a light meal between sights. We can include all meals on request. Dietary needs are shared with each hotel in advance.
Yes, if your dates fall on the full-moon night or two nights either side, except Fridays and during Ramadan. Tickets are limited and sold a day ahead at the ASI office in Agra. Check current status before you travel and tell us early so we can plan.
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