Varanasi Mahashivratri

DELHI - VARANASI - AGRA - JAIPUR - DELHI

Duration

9 Days

Tour Type

Pilgrimage Tour

Group Size

100 persons

Location

India

Overview

Celebrate the vibrant festival of Maha Shivratri, a significant Hindu occasion, with a unique journey to the spiritual city of Varanasi and India's Golden Triangle. Maha Shivratri, the "Night of Lord Shiva," is a festival celebrated with great enthusiasm across India, marking the divine marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Pilgrims from across the country gather at Shiva temples to offer prayers, fast, and perform rituals. Varanasi, home to one of India's most revered Shiva temples, hosts grand celebrations during this time, attracting over a million devotees.

This tour blends spiritual experience with rich cultural and historical exploration. Begin in Delhi, the bustling capital, where modernity meets ancient heritage, and explore iconic sites like India Gate, Red Fort, and the Lotus Temple. Then fly to Varanasi, where the sacred Ganges River sets the scene for mystical experiences like the Kashi Vishwanath temple visit and witnessing the mesmerizing Ganga Aarti. Continue to Agra, home of the majestic Taj Mahal, and Jaipur, where you'll discover the regal charm of Rajasthan's palaces and forts. This tour offers a deep dive into India’s spiritual heart, historical grandeur, and vibrant traditions, making for an unforgettable journey.

Know before you go

Meeting and assistance by our representative, Airport to hotel & vice versa transfers as per the itinerary.
Welcome with garlands on arrival.
Sightseeing services using air-conditioned transport with the driver as per the tour programme.
Accommodation to choose from in standard hotels offering 3-star facilities or superior hotels offering good 4-star facilities or deluxe hotels offering 5-star standard facilities with breakfast in all the places. Double or twin sharing shall be provided as per your preference.
Parking fees, fuel charges, driver allowance are all included.
Services of an English speaking local guide is included only during the sightseeing tour as per the programme.
A small group size of a minimum of 4 people is required for any particular date and in case of fewer numbers on any particular date, we will give you the option of date change or still travel on the same date by paying a slight supplement.
Rates are based on using standard hotels offering 3-star facilities with the option of upgrading to superior and deluxe categories offering 4 star and 5-star facilities respectively at a slight supplement.
All taxes are included.

Itinerary

DAY 01 : ARRIVAL DELHI

Welcome. On arrival you will be greeted & provided with warm assistance by our representatives to get transferred to the hotel. Check in at the hotel. This is the capital city of India, and can be called as a major gateway to India. Delhi is one of the most important metropolitan in India, as it is the city of power. It has a very good combination of both modern, as well as ancient culture. In these 3000 years of its existence, there has been the origin of seven more cities, where the traditional Indian capital is. Strategic location, mixture of modern and Indian culture, rich history, medieval market, beside the modern ones etc are the main reasons for choosing it, as the seat of power. Delhi is a city waiting to be explored. It is also known as the Headquarters of Indian politics, as most of the heads of the Indian government and other political parties; reside here, including the Prime Minister, and President of the country. Overnight at Hotel.

DAY 02 : IN DELHI

After breakfast combined full day city tour of Old & New Delhi visiting Raj Ghat, where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated Red Fort, Made by Mughal Emperor Shahjahan, Jama Masjid, The largest in India, It has three great gateways, four angle towers and two minarets constructed of alternating vertical strips of red sandstone and white marble. Chandni Chowk , this main street of Old Delhi is the colorful shopping bazaar, known as Chandni Chowk. It has very sharp contrast to the open, spacious streets of Delhi. Laxmi Narayan Temple, dedicated to Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity and good fortune. India Gate, this 42ms high stone of triumph is a war memorial. It bears the names of 85,000 Indian army soldiers, who died in the campaigns of WWI. Rashtrapati Bhawan - This palace-like building is the official residence of the President of India and an interesting blend of Mughal and western architectural styles . Bahai Temple, or the Lotus Temple is a marvel of modern architecture. Set among pools and gardens, adherents of any faith can visit, pray or meditate. Overnight at Hotel.

DAY 03 : DELHI - VARANASI

In time transfer to airport to board flight for Varanasi, On arrival meeting and assistance by our representative, welcome and escort you by a private transport and then transfer to Hotel and assist with check-in Hotel. Varanasi - The city of Varanasi is situated along the west bank of the Ganges in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Called Benaras by the British, Varanasi is an important pilgrimage centre for the Hindus. The city finds mention in the great epics of Mahabharata and Ramayana. It was a flourishing trade center when Buddha came to Sarnath, about 10 kilometers away, to preach his first sermon in 500 BC. The renowned American novelist Mark Twain once wrote, ”Benaras is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together.” Right from the ancient times, Varanasi has stood as a symbol of Hindu renaissance and preserved the rituals and traditions of Hindu philosophy. Down the ages, pilgrims from distant lands have come to Varanasi in search of divine blessings. Overnight at Hotel.

DAY 04 : IN VARANASI

After breakfast city tour of Varanasi visiting temples form the major source of attraction in this ancient city. The banks of the Ganges, considered to be a sacred river by the Hindus, are the centre of much of the religious activity that occurs in the city. The ghats built along the banks of the river for such religious activity also form a major source of attraction here. Some of the other interesting places to visit around the city are Alamgir Mosque, Durga Temple, Vishwanat Temple, Bharat Mata temple, Tulsi Manas Temple, Banaras Hindu University and the Archaeological Museum. Visit Kashi Vishwanath Mandir and Varanasi tour. Evening witness the glittering Aarti ceremony at the Ganges. Overnight at Hotel.

DAY 05 : VARANASI - DELHI - AGRA (205 Km, 4 Hrs)

In time transfer to airport to board flight for Delhi, On arrival meeting and assistance by our representative, welcome and escort you by a private transport and then strainght drive to Agra. On arrival check-in at Hotel. Agra is the quintessential Mughal City, where the world marvels at the epitome of love, beauty and sacrifice, The Taj-Mahal one of the wonders of the world. So overwhelming is the magic monument, that Agra has been immortalized, as the City of the Taj. Overnight at Hotel.

DAY 06 : IN AGRA

After breakfast city tour visiting Taj Mahal, built by the Moghul Emperor Shahjehan in 1630 for his queen Mumtaz Mahal to enshrine her mortal remains. Besides the Taj, the Agra Fort (also called the Red Fort) makes an interesting sight. Besides the historical monuments, one can also explore Agra’s rich heritage of handicrafts in its markets. Overnight at Hotel.

DAY 07 : AGRA - JAIPUR (255 Km, 5 Hrs 22 Min)

After breakfast depart by surface to Jaipur, en route visit Fatehpur Sikri, (37 kms from Agra), On arrival check-in at Hotel. The picturesque capital of Rajasthan, Jaipur is color washed pink-the color associated with hospitality in Rajput culture. This Beautiful city along with Agra and Delhi form what is known as the Golden Triangle of Indian tourist circuit. Jaipur is a city where royalty still lives in the grandeur of its palaces, where fighting for the honour of the clan has never been a need but a way of life, and where treating guests as gods has been a tradition from time immemorial. There is a timeless appeal to Jaipur's colorful bazaars where one can shop for Rajasthani handlooms and trinkets. Beautifully laid out gardens and parks, attractive monuments and marvelous heritage hotels, once the residence of Maharajas are worth admiration. Not to mention the ambling camels and cheerful people in multi-hued costumes that make your trip to the pink city a memorable one. Overnight at Hotel.

DAY 08 : IN JAIPUR

Enjoy full day city sightseeing tour of Jaipur - the picturesque capital of Rajasthan. Morning excursion to Amer Fort - Amber is located at a distance of 11 kilometers from Jaipur and was the old fort of the Kachhwaha clan of Amber, which used to be the capital, till it was moved to Jaipur.The fort is built with white marble and red sandstone and look even more attractive because of the Maota Lake in the foreground. The fort in itself is a beautiful sight to behold but as one looks on the fort with its clear reflection on the lake in the front, one cannot help but wonder if it is a dream or a beautiful illusion. Afternoon city tour visiting City Palace, the former royal residence built in a blend of the Rajasthani and Mughal styles. Jantar Mantar, is the largest of the five observatories built by Sawai Jai Singh. The Hawa Mahal or the Palace of Winds was constructed for the royal ladies to watch the royal processions without being seen. Amber Fort, situated just outside the city, is perhaps the most beautiful example of Rajasthani forts and gives a grand view of the city down below. Overnight at Hotel.

DAY 09 : DEPART JAIPUR

Meeting and assistance for your departure transfer to the airport for your flight to your onward journey.

Included/Excluded

Return Airport transfers with Meeting and assistance

Hotel accommodation on twin sharing with breakfast

Airconditioned Transport with driver

One Lunch or dinner with our compliments

Guide services during sightseeing

All taxes, Toll, Parking Charges

Entrance fees to the Monuments

Any items of personal nature like laundry, Tips, Camera fees etc.

Any Domestic or International Airfare

Travel Insurance

Any item not mentioned in Inclusion

Travel Styles

Cultural

Nature & Adventure

Meeting & Assistance

Independent

Activities

Festival & Events

Special Interest

Sightseeing

Facilities

Wifi

Gymnasium

Restaurant

Reception

Room Service

Dinning & Bar

Experiential Options

Activities

FAQs & Important Travel and Package Info

Exclusions

Return international flights, Visas, Insurance and items of personal nature.

Age restrictions

This visit is focused on guests aged 18 years or more seasoned For youngsters and child accompanied by the adults.

Tour occupancy

Minimum number for any tour date is 2 persons travelling together.
For solo travellers a single occupancy room is allocated.

Passport and Visa Requirements

All guests require a visa with a minimum validity of 6 months which should be beyond your return travel date is required for all passengers.
All Guests need visa and same should be applied in advance, do contact us for any assistance you may need.
It is the visitors responsibility to ensure they are holding the correct and current visa for the countries they are visiting.
Important: We suggest to arrange your visa at least 2-8 weeks prior to departure just incase for any delays due to consulate operating hours and processing times.

Travel Insurance

We recommend you purchase travel insurance as soon as possible after purchasing this package.

Health & vaccination

Travellers are advised to check with their local health professional at least 45 days prior to departure, as some vaccinations require 30 days or more to be effective.
Health care such as a doctor’s surgery, dentist and optometrists may not always be accessible on this tour. It is advised that you ensure you have adequate health insurance cover as part of your travel insurance.

Tipping

Tipping or porterages are not included and are entirely on your discretion while on tour.

Fitness requirements

Travellers should have a good level of physical fitness and mobility. They must be able to partake unaided in their chosen activities/package tours/cruise etc. as outlined in the itinerary.

Dietary Requirements

Any dietary necessities should be received by Special Holiday at least 7 days prior your scheduled departure date. Failure to provide these details by this date may result in an inability to cater for your requirements.
By and large Special Holiday tries to cater for your pre booked dietary requirements but please note that on occasion, this may not be possible due to location, lack of availability of ingredients, and other extenuating circumstances. It is always advised to carry supplies with you.

Transfers

All airport and hotel transfers are included in the tour from the day of your arrival as per the package.

Documentation

Any applicable pre trip or tour documentation will be emailed to you prior to travelling. Should you have any queries regarding this please feel free to contact us directly via email at support@specialHolidays.com.

Special Holiday savings

The value and comparative savings have been determined based on published rack rates and the value of inclusions. Please be advised that rack rates may not be reflective of actual rates being charged, dependent on the timing and manner of your booking and therefore are only indicative of the level of saving.

Itinerary amendments & changes

Occasionally our itineraries are updated prior to departure to incorporate improvements stemming from past travellers’ feedback as well as updates from our ground operators. Please note that while we operate successful tours in this region throughout the year, some changes may be necessary due to inclement weather, public holidays, common seasonal changes to timetables and transport routes, and unforeseen circumstances. This can happen with little notice so please be prepared for modifications to the route. The order and timing of included activities may also vary from time to time.

Availability

ll Special Holiday trips are available on a request only basis and are subject to availability. Once booked you should receive a payment confirmation and receipt via email, followed by a booking confirmation normally within 48hrs of making a booking, sometimes this can take a little longer subject to supplier delay.
If you have not received your confirmation within 2 business days of payment confirmation please contact us immediately by email at support@specialholidays.com.
In the event that your trip is unavailable for the dates you have chosen we will contact you by telephone to advise the next available dates.

Surcharges

Any prices quoted exclude specific costs/measures which may be introduced at a later stage as a result of Government changes due to COVID-19 health and safety restrictions. Special Holiday will inform its guests of these changes as soon as possible, these additional charges will be passed on by Special Holiday to the guest.

Name change or corrections

Name corrections or corrections may incur a fee.
After bookings are fully paid, any amendment has to be requested in writing and may incur a fee per person plus any additional costs and administrative expenses incurred in arranging the amendment.

Date changes

Date changes perhaps allowed at a slight fees.

Refunds

Kindly refer to our booking conditions for all information on refunds.
SpecialHolidays reserves the right to modify prices for marketing and commercial reasons. Please note that full terms and conditions apply. Refer to the website's terms and conditions.

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This is where we give you even more liberty and flexibility to choose and book your own flights as per your specific requirements. SpecialHolidays also has a committed Travel Concierge group, ready to find flights which synchronize impeccably with your vacation and specifically for domestic travel.

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Indeed, the new thing each voyager needs to consider. We have kept our tours flexible and to ensure that assuming your tour is impacted by Covid, you will be covered by easily postponing or changing the travel dates that suits you.

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