Itinerary

Day 1

Agra - VaranasiThis evening, you'll be transferred from your hotel in Agra to the railway station, for the overnight train to Varanasi. After about 8 hours (give or take – you're on India time now) you'll arrive in the holy city of Varanasi. You'll be collected by your driver at the station and taken to your hotel, a smart little establishment in the leafy Cantonment area, just north of Varanasi's railway station. This 3 star hotel has well furnished rooms with Indian art on the walls and a green themed restaurant which serves good Indian, Chinese and Western food. There is also a subterranean bar which can be enjoyed here.

Day 2

Varanasi The next three days are completely free for you to explore at your own pace. The Ganges is flanked by a series of ghats – broad stone staircases leading down to the water – that stretch into the horizon. You can stroll along the traffic-free ghats, and attend the evening prayer ceremony on the main ghat where flower candles are set afloat on the river.

Day 3

VaranasiAnother day to explore amazing Varanasi... Life and death rubs shoulders here like nowhere else on earth, and the experience is very inspiring. Watching a cremation take place on the ‘burning ghats' is something that you will remember forever. Next to the cremation ghat, you'll find kids playing cricket, cows nosing through rubbish, and women beating laundry on rocks.

Day 4

VaranasiYou could take a city tour through the twisting alleyways of Varanasi, sneaking past the dozing cows, or take an excursion to Sarnath – a holy place for Buddhists - 10 km from Varanasi. It was here that Buddha gave his first lecture. After his enlightenment in Bodhgaya, Buddha came to Sarnath to preach about the Middle Way of reaching Nirvana. After this, the religious ruler Ashoka built an enormous stupa (temple) and several Buddhist monasteries to commemorate the teaching. Each Buddhist country in the world now has its own temple, which often makes the place feel like a World Expo is being held there. You can get to Sarnath by auto rickshaw in about 20 minutes or, if you would prefer, we can arrange a private car to take you there.

Day 5

Varanasi - Overnight train to Delhi Today, we can highly recommend a boat trip on the Ganges at dawn. This is an extremely special experience and you cannot help but soak up the intensely spiritual atmosphere. You'll float past pilgrims from all walks of life as they perform their ritual bathing before sunrise, and religious chanting will drift to your ears over the water. In the afternoon, you can perhaps consider visiting the Bharat Mata Temple and Varanasi University. At the end of the day, we'll arrange the easy transfer to the railway station for the overnight train back to Delhi (departs at 6.45pm).

Day 6

Delhi - End of module You'll arrive early in New Delhi in the morning (about 7.45am). From the train, you're likely to see the morning rituals of the Indians. It is pretty normal to see people using the edge of the track as a toilet, so don't be too surprised.

The afternoon is free for you to explore frenetic Delhi, at your own pace. Try some local treats from the stalls around the India Gate, savour the stillness of Humayun's Tomb, and discover Qutab Minar, the Red Fort and Raj Ghat. Or head to Connaught Place, the Tibetan Colony or Khan Market for some last-minute purchases before your trip home.

Extra Information

Inclusions -

2 sleeper trains, 3 nights accommodation with breakfast, transfers from and to Varanasi station

Exclusions -

International flights, entrance fees