Thirteen days that follow the Ganga from the Himalayan foothills to the ghats of Varanasi, with the Golden Triangle’s monuments and Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir in between. A private journey for NRI and OCI families who want India’s great sights and its living pilgrimage in a single trip, at a pace that leaves room for prayer.
Last reviewed November 2026 · Planned by the Prime Value Tours team in Varanasi
This circuit covers Delhi, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Agra, Jaipur, Ayodhya and Varanasi in 13 days and 12 nights. It opens with the Ganga at her foothill gateway, crosses the monuments of Agra and Rajasthan, visits Ram’s city on the Saryu, and ends at the Varanasi ghats.
Delhi is the hub for every connection, so the route passes through it three times. We use those nights for rest, not rushing.
| Duration | 13 days, 12 nights |
|---|---|
| Route | Delhi 1N → Haridwar 1N → Rishikesh 1N → Delhi 1N → Agra 1N → Jaipur 2N → Delhi 1N → Ayodhya 1N → Varanasi 3N |
| Transport | Private AC vehicle on road legs; flights Delhi to Ayodhya and Varanasi to Delhi |
| Best months | October to March. Mid-January to April 2027 coincides with the Haridwar Ardh Kumbh |
| Price | On request. Written quote within 24 hours |
Distances and times are approximate. We re-cut the route around your arrival date and your family’s pace.
Overnight: Delhi
Meet at Indira Gandhi International Airport and transfer to your hotel. Nothing is planned after a long-haul flight; we can book the room from the night before so you can rest on arrival.
Overnight: Haridwar
Drive about 215 km north, five to six hours with a break. After check-in, walk to Har Ki Pauri for the evening Ganga Aarti, when small lamps drift down the river as the priests’ flames rise.
Overnight: Rishikesh
Take the ropeway up to Mansa Devi Temple in the morning, then drive about 25 km to Rishikesh. Walk the Ram Jhula riverside, see the former Beatles Ashram (Chaurasi Kutia) if you wish, and attend the evening aarti at Triveni Ghat or Parmarth Niketan.
Overnight: Delhi
Spend the early hours by the Ganga, with an optional yoga or meditation session. Drive to Delhi in the afternoon, about six hours, and arrive for dinner. This is a pause day, not a sightseeing day.
Overnight: Agra
Drive about three and a half to four hours to Agra. After lunch, Agra Fort, then Mehtab Bagh at sunset for the Taj across the river.
Overnight: Jaipur
The Taj when it opens, breakfast, then about five hours to Jaipur with a stop at Fatehpur Sikri.
The Taj is closed on Fridays. If this morning is a Friday, we visit the Taj on the afternoon of Day 5 instead.
Overnight: Jaipur
Amber Fort early, then the City Palace, the Govind Dev Ji temple beside the palace gardens, Jantar Mantar and the Hawa Mahal façade. In the evening, aarti at the white-marble Laxmi Narayan (Birla) Mandir.
Overnight: Delhi
A five-to-six-hour drive, about 270 km. If we arrive early enough, we visit Humayun’s Tomb before it closes; otherwise the evening is yours.
Overnight: Ayodhya
A flight of about an hour and twenty minutes to Ayodhya. In the afternoon, Hanuman Garhi and Kanak Bhavan; at dusk, the Saryu riverfront aarti.
Direct Delhi–Ayodhya flights are limited. We confirm seats at booking and route via Lucknow when needed.
Overnight: Varanasi
Darshan at your booked slot, a light lunch, then about four to five hours by road, roughly 200 km, to Varanasi.
Ayodhya is a single night here. Add a second night for a calmer darshan day.
Overnight: Varanasi
A boat along the ghats at sunrise, then the lanes to Kashi Vishwanath Temple, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas. In the evening, Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat. Our Varanasi team handles this day themselves.
Overnight: Varanasi
Visit Sarnath, 10 km away, where the Buddha gave his first sermon, to see the Dhamek Stupa and the museum. Afternoon at leisure for silk, a last walk on the ghats and the farewell aarti. See our Sarnath & Varanasi tour.
Varanasi
Transfer to Varanasi airport for your flight to Delhi or Mumbai and your international connection. Allow at least five to six hours between domestic landing and an international departure.
The Ardh Kumbh Mela is scheduled in Haridwar from 14 January 2027 (Makar Sankranti) to 20 April 2027 (Chaitra Purnima), with ten major bathing dates announced by the mela administration in April 2026, including 6 March (Mahashivratri). Please confirm the official list before you book.
If you want the Kumbh atmosphere, book hotels early and expect large crowds and traffic restrictions around bathing dates. If you prefer a calm Haridwar, we plan Day 2 on a non-bathing day or choose dates outside the mela. See also our Maha Kumbh Mela 2028, Ujjain page.
Where the Ganga leaves the mountains and enters the plains. Aarti at dusk, temples on the banks and a slower rhythm to start the trip.
Mughal and Rajput India in the middle of the journey, when a change from prayer is welcome and hotels with pools help everyone rest.
Ram’s city on the Saryu, with Ram Janmabhoomi, Hanuman Garhi and Kanak Bhavan.
The ghats, the boat at dawn, Kashi Vishwanath and Sarnath, where the Ganga is most associated with moksha. We close the trip here, in our home city.
Delhi connects every leg, so you sleep there three times. We keep those days light.
Vegetarian food is the norm in the pilgrimage towns. We arrange Jain and sattvic meals on request.
Shoulders and knees covered, shoes off, and bags, phones or leather items restricted at some shrines. We brief you the evening before.
Ghats, ropeways and temples involve steps and uneven ground. For older travellers we choose boat access and short walks and arrange assistance where possible.
| City | Nights | Standard stay | Upgrade option |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi | 3 | 4-star near the airport or in South Delhi | 5-star or boutique hotel |
| Haridwar | 1 | 4-star near Har Ki Pauri or on the riverbank | Best available riverside property |
| Rishikesh | 1 | Riverside hotel or quiet ashram-style stay | Wellness resort |
| Agra | 1 | 4-star with Taj-view rooms where available | Luxury hotel with Taj-facing rooms |
| Jaipur | 2 | Central 4-star with a pool | Heritage palace hotel |
| Ayodhya | 1 | 4-star close to the temple, vegetarian dining | Best available premium; options are limited |
| Varanasi | 3 | Ghat-side or central 4-star | Heritage riverside hotel |
Hotel names are confirmed in your written quote.
Thirteen days and twelve nights is a comfortable minimum. Shorter versions are possible by dropping Jaipur or Rishikesh; message us and we will re-cut it.
About 215 km, roughly five to six hours by road depending on traffic. Rishikesh is a further 25 km or so from Haridwar.
It can be. The Ardh Kumbh runs from 14 January to 20 April 2027. We can schedule Haridwar on or away from a bathing date. Bathing dates are very crowded, so book early and confirm the official dates.
Yes. Without Jaipur the route becomes about ten days. Tell us what matters most and we will rebuild it.
Yes, with adjustments. The longest drives are Delhi to Haridwar and Rishikesh to Delhi, which we can split with an extra night. We choose hotels with lifts and arrange short walks and boat access.
Plan to. The temple trust runs a pass and slot system, and rules can change. We guide you through registration and confirm current rules before your date.
Yes. Starting in Varanasi and ending in Delhi works well if you fly into Varanasi or Lucknow. Tell us your arrival airport.
Price is on request because it depends on dates, number of travellers, hotels and flights. You receive a written quote within 24 hours.
Send your dates and who is travelling. If you are aiming for the 2027 Kumbh, tell us the bathing dates you prefer.
