India's Golden Triangle & the Ganges

Arrive in Delhi at any time. Most international flights land by the evening, leaving just enough time to get from the airport to your hotel and settle in. An airport transfer can be arranged through a women-run driver service. With no activities planned, the day is free to recover from the flight before the trip begins in earnest.

The morning begins with a short tour of central Delhi, taking in the stately India Gate war memorial and the colonial-era architecture of Connaught Place. From there, it's a 5-6 hour, 260km overland drive to Jaipur. The route cuts through the Rajasthani landscape, with a stop before the city at a women's cooperative to try traditional block printing.

Upon arrival in Jaipur, the 'Pink City,' an orientation walk through the main markets helps get your bearings. For the evening, an optional visit to a local cinema to see a classic Bollywood film is a popular choice.

Today is dedicated to Jaipur's most significant sites. The main event is a visit to Amber Fort, a sprawling UNESCO-listed palace complex that combines Hindu and Mughal architectural styles, perched on a hill overlooking Maota Lake. A photo stop at the Hawa Mahal, or 'Palace of the Winds,' is essential to see its intricate, five-story latticed facade, built so women of the court could observe street life unseen.

The rest of the day is free. Options include a cycle tour through the city or taking in a Bollywood movie at the famous Raj Mandir cinema, an Art Deco institution.

The route pushes east from Jaipur, a 240km drive across arid terrain and through small towns towards Āgra. The primary goal is to arrive in time for a sunset visit to the Taj Mahal. A two-to-three-hour visit allows for ample time to walk the grounds and appreciate the iconic Mughal architecture of the white marble mausoleum as the light changes. It is one of the most recognized structures on earth, built by Emperor Shah Jahan as a monument to his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal.

Leaving the major cities behind, the journey south to Orchha involves a train ride followed by an auto-rickshaw transfer from the station. This small town on the Betwa River offers a quieter look at rural Indian life. A visit to Tarragram, a local paper-making enterprise that employs tribal women using recycled clothing and wood pulp, provides insight into local craft. Afterwards, explore the Orchha palace complex, a collection of medieval mahals (palaces) like the Raj Mahal and Jehangir Mahal. As evening falls, there's an opportunity to observe a puja, a Hindu prayer ceremony, at a local temple.

A full day is free to explore Orchha at your own pace. The town is small enough to navigate easily on foot. Popular options include renting a bicycle to pedal through the surrounding countryside, taking a slow walk along the Betwa River, or signing up for a local cooking class to prepare and eat a traditional lunch. In the evening, a taxi takes you to the station for the overnight train to the holy city of Varanasi.

The train arrives in Varanasi, one of Hinduism's most sacred cities. Millions of pilgrims come here to worship at the River Ganges, making it a place of intense spiritual energy. After checking in, an orientation walk is the best way to get acquainted with the city's layout. The walk follows the riverfront ghats—the stone steps leading down to the water—and winds through the narrow, crowded lanes of the old city.

The day in Varanasi is framed by two boat trips on the Ganges. The first is at sunrise, to see the river come to life with pilgrims performing their morning rituals of bathing and prayer at the water's edge. The hours between are free to explore the city's hundreds of temples and shrines, get lost in the old city's alleyways, or simply sit on the ghats and watch life go by. A side trip to Sarnath, where the Buddha gave his first sermon, is a common option for the afternoon.

In the evening, a second boat trip provides a different perspective, culminating in the observation of a candlelit flower ceremony on the water as dusk settles over the city.

The trip concludes in Varanasi. There are no planned activities, allowing for a flexible departure at any time. Depending on flight schedules, there may be time for one last walk along the ghats or some final souvenir shopping in the old city's markets before heading to the airport.