Do you have any tour scheduled in February 2024?

We will be publishing our 2024 dates and prices shortly.

Is this tour guaranteed to depart?

It requires a minimum of 2 persons to operate a departure. We don't currently have any guaranteed departures for this trip based on minimum 2 travellers.

Is there A/C on the sleeper train?

The train Delhi to Varanasi is an A/C train, yes. AC 2-Tier Sleeper is open plan style with 4 berths (lower and upper) similar to the AC First Class, but with curtains separating beds from the corridor. It is comfortable and seats are convertible into bunks for night use. The arrangements of 6 beds are 4 on one side of the common corridor and 2 on the other side against the wall. The latter have their own individual curtain around each bed. There are 4 toilets per coach, 2 at each end, one Indian is style and one western style.

Will we be able to buy some food for the train journey?

Yes, you will have a shopping opportunity in Delhi to buy snacks for the train ride.

From

US $1,720 per person

Taj to Varanasi

11 days

•

From New Delhi to Delhi

4.5

905 traveler reviews

View all
View all

From

US $1,720 per person

Price based on Cheapest Room

Price based on Shared Room

Price based on Private Single Room

Price based on Private Double Room

Booking needs min. 2 travelers

Select Date

1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Best price guarantee Learn More

Plan your adventure:

Operator: Encounters Travel
In-depth Cultural: Immerse yourself in rich history and local traditions
Group Tour: Join a group and forge lifelong friendships
Fully Guided: An experienced guide will be with you for the entire tour
Low Intensity: Travelers can expect some light physical activities
Guided in English
Group Size 2 - 12
Ages 8+

Image of a map showing the route of the tour

Itinerary

Day 1
Arrival in Delhi
Day 2
Delhi
Meals
Breakfast
Included Activities
- Morning tour of New Delhi
- Visit to India Gate
- Drive past President's Palace and Parliament of India
- Visit to Humayun's Tomb
- Visit to Bangla Sahab Gurudwara Sikh Temple
- Metro ride to Old Delhi
- Walking tour of Chandni Chowk market
- Exploration of Chawri Bazar
- Street food sampling and tasting
- Rickshaw ride
- Visit to Jama Masjid mosque
Landmarks
India Gate
President's Palace
Parliament of India
Humayun's Tomb
Bangla Sahab Gurudwara
Connaught Place Station
Chandni Chowk
Chawri Bazar
Jama Masjid
Day 3
Delhi to Agra
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at Sheroes Hangout Cafe)
Included Activities
- Lunch at Sheroes Hangout Cafe
- Mughal Heritage Walk through Kachhpura village
- Guide tour of village life and local homes
- Visit to local leather shoe-making cottage industry
- Visit to Mughal era monuments
- Stroll around Mehtab Bagh park
- Taj Mahal sunset viewing
Optional Activities
- Vegetarian Thali cooking lesson and meal with a Hindu family
Landmarks
Taj Mahal
Red Fort
Mehtab Bagh
Day 4
Agra to Suroth
Meals
Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner at hotel restaurant)
Included Activities
- Sunrise tour of Taj Mahal
- Village exploration in Suroth
- Interaction with local villagers
- Walking tour of village streets
- Visit to local temple
- Optional visit to local barber shop for shave or head massage
- Cooking demonstration
- Dinner at hotel restaurant
Landmarks
Taj Mahal
Day 5
Suroth to Jaipur
Meals
Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Abhaneri step well
Optional Activities
- Hot air balloon ride in Jaipur
- Bollywood movie at Raj Mandir Cinema
- Cooking demonstration and dinner with local family
Landmarks
Abhaneri step well
Day 6
Jaipur
Meals
Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Amber Fort
- Visit to Jantar Mantar monument
- City Palace tour
- Walking tour of walled city craft markets
- Visit to jewelers and silversmiths
- Visit to textile workshops
- Visit to bangle makers
- Blockprinting workshop
- Gemstone demonstration
Optional Activities
- Early morning hot air balloon ride over Jaipur
Landmarks
Amber Fort
Jantar Mantar
City Palace
Day 7
Jaipur to Delhi
Meals
Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit to Swaminarayan Akshardham mandir and Sahaj Anand water show
Landmarks
Swaminarayan Akshardham
Day 8
Delhi to Varanasi
Meals
Breakfast
Included Activities
- Train journey Delhi to Varanasi
- Evening Aarti ceremony on Ganges River
Landmarks
Ganges River
Day 9
Varanasi
Meals
Breakfast
Included Activities
- Early morning boat ride on Ganges River
- Walking tour of medieval Varanasi streets
- Exploration of temples
- Exploration of markets
- Exploration of the Ghats
- Visit to Sarnath Buddhist site
Optional Activities
- Offer Pind Daan in memory of deceased loved ones
Landmarks
Ganges River Ghats
Sarnath
Day 10
Varanasi to Delhi
Meals
Breakfast
Included Activities
- Train journey Varanasi to Delhi
Day 11
Departure from Delhi
Meals
Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Ranthambore National Park tiger safari
- Spinmonkey cycling tour
- Extra day in Delhi - post-tour

Landmarks
India Gate
President's Palace
Parliament of India
Humayun's Tomb
Bangla Sahab Gurudwara
Connaught Place Station
Chandni Chowk
Chawri Bazar
Jama Masjid

Landmarks
Taj Mahal
Red Fort
Mehtab Bagh

Landmarks
Taj Mahal

Landmarks
Abhaneri step well

Landmarks
Amber Fort
Jantar Mantar
City Palace

Landmarks
Swaminarayan Akshardham

Landmarks
Ganges River

Landmarks
Ganges River Ghats
Sarnath

What's Included

Expand All

Accommodation
Guide
Meals
Additional Services
Transport

What's Not Included

Flights
Insurance
Optional
Additional Services

Operated by

Encounters Travel

4.5

(905 reviews)

Number of tours

108

Age Range

5 to 99 years old

Response time

within 1 day

Response rate

88%

Encounters Travel is an adventure tour operator, based in the UK but with...

Cancellation Policy

A transparent overview of applicable fees.

Travel Insurance

Be covered for any unforseen circumstances.

Reviews from other tours by Encounters Travel

Tour Operator
4.5

Emma
March 25th, 2025
5
It was the best two weeks ever thanks to Atul and his wonderful team. We spent one week north of India, visited all...
It was the best two weeks ever thanks to Atul and his wonderful team. We spent one week north of India, visited all the wonderful spots and we even celebrated Holi. It’s very complicated to select one highlight as we really saw so many wonderful things. After a week in the north we went to Kochi and visited the south of India which is more relaxing, green and seems like a different country. Atul was the best coordinator, he anticipated all our needs and was listening and adapting the program to our wish. Thank you so much Atul and Vijay for everything. You made our trip wonderful.Show more
Satish
July 25th, 2024
5
ExcellentExcellentExcellentExcellent
Ruby
May 30th, 2025
5
There were days when the itinerary was a little rushed so our group missed out on some events I would have liked to...
Show more

Dates & Availability

Select departure month and travellers

Select Date

1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Upcoming departures

From Saturday
4 Apr, 2026
To Tuesday
14 Apr, 2026
English
From:
US $1,720 per person
From Saturday
18 Apr, 2026
To Tuesday
28 Apr, 2026
English
From:
US $1,720 per person
From Saturday
16 May, 2026
To Tuesday
26 May, 2026
English
From:
US $1,720 per person
From Saturday
13 Jun, 2026
To Tuesday
23 Jun, 2026
English
From:
US $1,720 per person
From Saturday
11 Jul, 2026
To Tuesday
21 Jul, 2026
English
From:
US $1,720 per person
From Saturday
8 Aug, 2026
To Tuesday
18 Aug, 2026
English
From:
US $1,720 per person
From Saturday
5 Sep, 2026
To Tuesday
15 Sep, 2026
English
From:
US $1,720 per person
From Saturday
3 Oct, 2026
To Tuesday
13 Oct, 2026
English
From:
US $1,825 per person
From Saturday
31 Oct, 2026
To Tuesday
10 Nov, 2026
English
From:
US $1,825 per person
From Saturday
28 Nov, 2026
To Tuesday
8 Dec, 2026
English
From:
US $1,825 per person

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What our customers ask about this tour

The content in our FAQ section is subject to change.

All questions

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N
Neil
Asked on August 6th, 2023
Do you have any tour scheduled in February 2024?
Tour Details
- Encounters TravelOperator•Written August 2023
  We will be publishing our 2024 dates and prices shortly.
S
Sandy
Asked on January 1st, 2017
Is this tour guaranteed to depart?
Other
- Encounters TravelOperator•Written January 2017
  It requires a minimum of 2 persons to operate a departure. We don't currently have any guaranteed departures for this trip based on minimum 2 travellers.
S
Susan
Asked on January 1st, 2017
Is there A/C on the sleeper train?
Transport
- Encounters TravelOperator•Written January 2017
  The train Delhi to Varanasi is an A/C train, yes. AC 2-Tier Sleeper is open plan style with 4 berths (lower and upper) similar to the AC First Class, but with curtains separating beds from the corridor. It is comfortable and seats are convertible into bunks for night use. The arrangements of 6 beds are 4 on one side of the common corridor and 2 on the other side against the wall. The latter have their own individual curtain around each bed. There are 4 toilets per coach, 2 at each end, one Indian is style and one western style.
R
Rachel
Asked on January 1st, 2017
Will we be able to buy some food for the train journey?
Other
- Encounters TravelOperator•Written January 2017
  Yes, you will have a shopping opportunity in Delhi to buy snacks for the train ride.

From

US $1,720 per person

Price based on Cheapest Room

Price based on Shared Room

Price based on Private Single Room

Price based on Private Double Room

Booking needs min. 2 travelers

Select Date

1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Best price guarantee Learn More

Plan your adventure:

Good to Know

Tour ID: 24084

Currency
₹
Indian Rupee
India
Plugs & Adapters
Vaccines
- These are only indications, so please visit your doctor before you travel to be 100% sure.
- Typhoid - Recommended for India. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
- Hepatitis A - Recommended for India. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
- Cholera - Recommended for India. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
- Tuberculosis - Recommended for India. Ideally 3 months before travel.
- Hepatitis B - Recommended for India. Ideally 2 months before travel.
- Yellow fever - Certificate of vaccination required if arriving from an area with a risk of yellow fever transmission for India. Ideally 10 days before travel.
- Japanese B encephalitis - Recommended for India. Ideally 1 month before travel.
Visa
- Unfortunately we cannot offer you a visa application service. Whether you need a visa or not depends on your nationality and where you wish to travel. Assuming your home country does not have a visa agreement with the country you're planning to visit, you will need to apply for a visa in advance of your scheduled departure.
- Here is an indication for which countries you might need a visa. Please contact the local embassy for help applying for visas to these places.
Payment information
- For any tour departing before May 18th, 2026 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after May 18th, 2026, a minimum payment of $250 is required to confirm your booking with Encounters Travel. The final payment will be automatically charged to your credit card on the designated due date. The final payment of the remaining balance is required at least 65 days prior to the departure date of your tour. TourRadar never charges you a booking fee and will charge you in the stated currency.
- Some departure dates and prices may vary and Encounters Travel will contact you with any discrepancies before your booking is confirmed.
- The following cards are accepted for "Encounters Travel" tours: Visa, Maestro, Mastercard, American Express or PayPal. TourRadar does NOT charge you an extra fee for using any of these payment methods.
Cancellation Policy
- Your money is safe with TourRadar, as we only pay the tour operator after your tour has departed.
- TourRadar is an authorized Agent of Encounters Travel. Please familiarize yourself with the Encounters Travel payment, cancellation and refund conditions.
Accessibility
Some tours are not suitable for mobility-restricted traveler, however, some operators may be able to accommodate special requests. For any enquiries, you can contact our customer support team, who are ready and waiting to help you.
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Video

Taj to Varanasi

Itinerary

Included Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Included Activities

Optional Activities

Want to read it later?

What's Included

What's Not Included

Your Peace of Mind Options

Cancellation Policy

Travel Insurance

Reviews from other tours by Encounters Travel

Dates & Availability

Want to read it later?

Why book with TourRadar?

What our customers ask about this tour

Good to Know

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