Taj Mahal
Hello! I am traveling to Rishikesh and Varanasi at the end of February. Will be starting in Delhi and am considering making a 2 day side trip to visit the Taj Mahal. I only have 2 weeks for all of this. Would you advise I do this 2 day jaunt or stick to Rishikesh and Varanasi given the travel/time it will take. My purpose for this trip is a spiritual pilgrimage (yoga and meditation.)Thanks for your input!
Namaste,
Katie
1
How do you plan to travel between cities?2 days for Agra might be a bit too much. If a visit to Agra is only for the Taj Mahal then it would be a good idea to take the early morning train from Delhi to Agra (Shatabdi or Taj Express) and then take the Marudhar Express to Varanasi the same evening.
Split the remaining days in Varanasi and Rishikesh. There are train connections from Varanasi to Haridwar.
4
by train:Dellhi to Agra = http://erail.in?T=NDLS::AF:
Agra to Varanasi = http://erail.in?T=AF::BSB:
Varanasi to Haridwar = http://erail.in?T=BSB::HW:
Haridwar to Delhi = http://erail.in?T=HW::NDLS:
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you could skip Rishikesh,
and visit Khajuraho instead (?)
Agra to Khajuraho = http://erail.in?T=AF::KURJ:
Khajuraho to Varanasi = http://erail.in?T=KURJ::BSB:
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if only one train to Varanasi wont do it:
Khajuraho to Mahoba = http://erail.in?T=AF::MBA:
Mahoba to Varanasi = http://erail.in?T=MBA::BSB:
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Varanasi to Delhi = http://erail.in?T=BSB::NDLS:
7
You could also hire a car and driver for the day.Pick you up from your hotel, drive to Agra for the Taj Mahal and Fatephur Sikri and return.
Saves a lot of time at both ends and you are not tied to the train schedule or taxis at both ends.
Trains and taxis may cost about $60 total. A car and driver may be about $70-$80 for the day.
8
The best way is to take the train from Delhi to Haridwar and travel to Rishikesh. After spending 4- 5 days in Rishikesh and Haridwar area you can catch the overnight Train to Varanasi from Haridwar. After spending 3-4 days in Varanasi you can catch another Train to Agra. As suggested by others just spend one night in Agra to see Taj Mahal and Red Fort. From Agra you could also travel to Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary which is only 55 kms and on the way you can stop to see Fatehpur Sikri.Bharatpur is very quite and relax place and you can catch direct train from here back to Delhi.9
"which is only 55 kms" - be aware that many of the roads are single lane and VERY busy. The road trip Agra to Fatephur Sikri took me 2 hours... even though it is partly multi lane tollway.
