9-Day India Tour to Holiest City Varanasi

The schedule of this trip is appropriate for those who want to know about India's 3,000 years of culture and history when they first come to India.

As you walk beside the Ganges, witnessing people's piety will grow your respect and admiration for Hindus.

Tour Highlights

China Highlights, Asia Highlights, and Global Highlights collaborate to provide families and couples with personalized and stress-free experiences in diverse destinations.

Albee was great in booking our tour to

Albee was great in booking our tour to Indonesia Malaysia and Singapore.She was very friendly and responded to my request to change itinerary few times to fit our needs.

, Dec 2023

China is Amazing Wonders that do not stop coming at you.Great country

Great job,Loved every minute of it,Ethan did an amazing job,True Ambassador of China,Just like the Chinese people,Friendly, dignified and hardworking,Very happy.China Highlights exceeded expectations and then some,I will never even think of travelling with another company.

Philip Sardar /Maps10321171537, Dec 2023

Wonderful times with the pandas

The tour was amazing and we loved the pandas we got so many wonderful pictures and our guide Helen was great. She is super knowledgeable and always ready to help

Kavita, Dec 2023

Xi’an

During our trip around China, we spent three days in Xi'an. Thanks to our wonderful guide, Susan, who took us to visit the most beautiful places, explaining additional details about the dynasties. We especially enjoyed the Terracotta Warriors, where we had the chance to create one at a local workshop. Susan was very attentive; she tried to find a restaurant where everyone was happy with the food and found a pizza for our little son. She even made a gift for our daughter—a beautiful hairpin. Very positive experience!

Kamilya1818, Dec 2023

Wonderful trip to Beijing and Xian

Had a great trip to bejing n xian. Our guide lily liu is so well versed in english and we have no worry here at all. We managed to dine in great halal restaurants though out our trip. Highly reccomended to all muslims travellers.

Efen Reyes, Dec 2023

Great experience, highly recommended!

Additionally, she helped me with all my personal needs like getting a SIM card, finding an ATM, shopping, dining, checking in at the train station, hotel, suggested a couple additional very entertaining art events. Was also punctual and spoke good English.

Wayne S., Nov 2023

Chengdu and surrounding area tours

Our guide Helen was the complete package. She guided us every step with deep knowledge and energy. But, that's not all. She bought us snacks for the optional kungfu show. She helped us check into every hotel and inspected our room to ensure it was perfect. She translated at every need. She even bought a bamboo stick to help us ward off some aggressive monkeys. We had 4 lovely days with Helen and our excellent driver, Mr. Wu. Highly recommended!

Chris, Nov 2023

Like a dream come true, but better

The experience itself was above and beyond what was described. The driver and vehicle was spotless and on time, the lantern festival and seats were like something from a wonderful dream. The lesson to make kratong and the dinner after were perfect. This whole experience has been a dream come true and I cannot recommend it enough.

Diana B, Nov 2023

excellent communication

Bangkok guide Mr. Samart was great, and saw to all our needs. Mr. Chong in Chaing Mai was fun and very sweet. (5 Stars, Mr. Chong!) Finally, Nittaya is experienced, flexible to our needs, and took good care of us right to the flight out.

Abigail Kamelhair, Nov 2023

We really enjoyed touring Chiang Mai

She met us at the airport and accompanied us on hiking tours, market visits, temple and pagoda tours, and our Thai cooking class, and then returned us safely to the airport where she helped us navigate the check-in process.

Steve, Nov 2023

Excellent Siem Reap tour guide

He shared his vast knowledge about the Angkor temples, the Cambodian culture, the Khmer people, and the Khmer spirituality, in both historical and modern times. I appreciated how he connected Cambodia with other countries in Southeast Asia, as I had visited these countries prior to Sam's excellent tour.

Baha, Nov 2023

Everything worked very well

Everything worked very well, for the second time I used Asia Highlights' service, and I'm already planning the third time, I have to praise the attention given by Sharon and Amir, who went beyond the professional service, during the trip, my wife Teresa had to carrying out a surgical procedure in India, and Sharon and Amir were tireless so that we could have peace of mind during that urgent moment. We would like to express our gratitude to these two professionals, and see you soon.

William Roberto Guedes, Nov 2023

Accommodations by Asia highlights have

Accommodations by Asia highlights have been terrific so far. The Khmer Residence in Siem Reap as well as Eastin Grand hotel in Bangkok. Both had excellent pools and breakfasts.Tours in Siem Reap were particularly well given with an amazing mix of culture, history and humor throughout (Mr Poly). Tours in Bangkok by Mr Banks were informative and well organized with samples of Thai fruit and treats throughout.

Chris Williams, Nov 2023

Our guide Chhong was amazing

Our guide Chhong was more than knowledgeable about the many temples of Siemens Reap, he was passionate about them. My wife and him talked on and on about the myths, stories and Gods that adored the many temples. He knew so much about Cambodian history that it a pleasure to have him accompany us. His driver Jack knew how to pick us up at secret locations to shorten the walking (it was still a lot these temples are huge). We had a marvelous time and I’m definitely going to return as there are still so many things for Chhong to show us.

Brent Zadorozny, Nov 2023

Great experience from planning with Sharon

Great experience from planning with Sharon to all the guides, drivers, and adventurers we had in Thailand and Cambodia.

Deborah Hinerfeld, Nov 2023

Family tour

Claire set up our whole trip in just a few days. She listened to all our needs, and made sure it all fit our budget. She was also there 24/7 to answer any questions we had. Her service made us feel really looked after.

Kamila, Nov 2023

Vietnam November 2023

It was our second trip organised by Asia Highlights. After wonderful stay we had in South China in 2017 now we decided to go to Vietnam. Everything was perfectly organised and planned for our group by excellent advisor - Monica

Aneta Ignatowicz, Nov 2023

Vietnam and Cambodia

The variety of experiences provided by Asia Highlights was great. In every city we had many different types of tours and really learned about the culture.

Jodi Ralston, Nov 2023

Piseth was our guide and he was

Piseth was our guide and he was exceptional from beginning to end. So kind, courteous and very very knowledgeable. He made our stay in Cambodia a wonderful experience. His driver Bo was a great driver and courteous man. Would highly recommend Piseth for any traveller

Peggy, Nov 2023

ASTONISHING SE Asia with Asia Highlights Tours

Every detail was taken care of from flights, airport greeting, transportation, meals, hotels and tours. They were available for any concerns we had throughout the trip which was very reassuring in countries where we did not speak the languages.

Shelbee & Jerry, Nov 2023

Itinerary Details

Day 1

Delhi Arrival

Welcome to Delhi, a city where new and old cultures meet. After getting off the plane, you will take the private car we arranged for you to go to the hotel and enjoy settling into your room.

We recommend a hotel located in the city center so you can travel conveniently and enjoy the clean and accommodating facilities. Many famous scenic spots are not far from the hotel. In your spare time, you can take a stroll and feel the enthusiasm of the city.

Day 2

Visit the Old Delhi and have a Cooking Lesson

After you have enjoyed breakfast in the hotel, your tour guide will take you to Old Delhi for a visit and the famous Red Fort will be first on the docket. Looking up at the fort from under the gate, you can feel its magnificence. Then you will go nearby to Jama mosque, one of the world's three mosques where you can see the religious beliefs of devout believers.

After that, your guide will take you to the shopping streets in old Delhi, where traditional style of an old market has been preserved for centuries. The hustle and bustle of people and the shouts of peddlers will make you feel that you have traveled back in time. Then you will go to the home of a local resident for a meal. The host of the home will choose the ingredients with you and tell you how to make local delicacies. Of course, you can also talk to her about the cooking methods of your country. After the lesson the host will give you an Indian cook book. (Although many Indians are vegetarians, the meal can be catered to your interests as long as it falls within the realm of normal Indian cuisine. If you have any special dietary needs, please let us know in advance.)

Today's final stop is the Tomb of Humayun, the earliest Mughal edifice in India and the tomb of the Mohsen emperor Humayun.

Day 3

Prepare for the Ganga Aarti

After breakfast at the hotel, you will be taken to Delhi airport and fly to Varanasi. When you arrive at this historic city, you will go to the hotel and have a good rest for a few hours because today's excursion is best experienced in the evening.

When the lights on the streets start to shine in the evening, your guide will take you to the Ganga Aarti. Slowly, large crowds begin to gather on the banks of the river, waiting to watch an ancient Ganga Night Sacrifice. Indians regard the Ganges as a holy river. It is just such a river that the Indians have to worship it every day. The bright lights around the venue will shine brightly. This kind of ceremony has lasted for thousands of years. No matter what happens, it will be held every day without interruption. Many tourists come to Varanasi to watch this ceremony.

Day 4

Enjoy the sunrise on the river and transfer to Jaipur

Apart from the evening ceremony, the second thing you must do when you come to Varanasi is to take a boat ride at sunrise. Enjoy the sunrise, boat ride, and beautiful mountain views. Watch people engage in ancient Hindu activities and watch people live in harmony with the Ganges River.

After getting off the boat, you will spend the rest of the morning visiting Sarnath. This is where Sakyamuni taught Buddhism for the first time and where the Buddhist Sangha was established. Sarnath is also one of the four holy places of Buddhism in ancient India.

In Sanat, the tour guide will show you the Dharma Hefo Pagoda. Today's tour will end at an archaeological museum, where you can see well-preserved Buddhist relics.

Day 5

The City in Pink

Your trip today will start in the Pink City. Jaipur's greatest feature is pink. The buildings are arranged neatly. Pink walls, pink windows, street shops, stalls, and even toilets are painted pink. In the color language of the Rajput, pink represents hospitality. The whole of Jaipur is a pink dream.

Then go to Ganesh Pol which will be the most magnificent and colorful door you will pass through during your trip to India. Its kaleidoscope-like polygonal patterns and the pure plant pigments that depict these exquisite patterns are exquisite!

Continue to the center of Jaipur and you will come to Jantar Mantar Observatory. These astronomical instruments are immortal masterpieces of old used to study the heavens before modern observatories existed.

Later you will come to the City Palace Museum, located in the center of the old city which is one of the best-preserved historic sites in India. Here your tour guide will explain to you the glorious stories of the past imperial palace.

After visiting the palace, the bustling market is not far away. You can see peruse handicrafts here and also see the lifestyle of common Indian people.

Day 6

Bird Sanctuary - Keoladeo Ghana National Park

In the morning, you will take a bus to Agra, a city full of miracles.

On your way to Agra, you'll visit Keoladeo Ghana National Park. Keoladeo is one of the most famous bird habitats in India. Its area is not very large, but it has many ecological types of wetland, grassland, and forest. Here you can see not only a dazzling array of rare birds but also many wild animals. This vibrant land is waiting for your exploration.

After visiting the National Park, you will continue to Agra by private car. After arriving in Agra, your driver will take you to your hotel to recharge for tomorrow's trip.

Day 7

Explore the Relics of an Ancient World Civilization in Agra

When you are ready to leave the hotel, the first place you'll visit is the world-famous Taj Mahal. Some people said, "When you go to India, you must go to Agra to see the Taj Mahal. If you haven't seen the Taj Mahal, you can't really be considered to have been to India. " The two marble coffins in the central palace are inlaid with exquisite jasmine patterns with more than 20 kinds of colorful gemstones such as jadeite, agate, crystal, and malachite. At the same time, your tour guide will also explain to you the sad and beautiful love story behind the Taj.

Then you will go to Khas Mahal. It is a private palace built by Sha Jahan for himself. Due to the Sha's proclivity for marble, in 1637, he built the palace with pure white marble.

Then you'll go to Itimad-ud-Daulah where marble inlays depicting vases, trees, fruits and other patterns can be found on the surrounding walls, giving off a strong Persian flavor.

Lastly, go see the Mehtab Bagh and experience the calm brought on by the beautiful scenery in the sunset.

Day 8

Agra to Delhi

In the morning, you will go back to Delhi by private car.

After your arrival, your tour guide will take you first to Qutub Minar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Mehrauli area of Delhi. It tapers from bottom to top. There are intricate angles and grooves around the tower's body that truly make it a marvel to witness.

Finally, you will see the famous Victory Gate of India and take some photogenic shots to add color near the end of your trip.

Day 9

Delhi Departure

After enjoying breakfast in the morning, your guide will take you to the airport to see you off. See you next time!