India: Delhi to Varanasi by Train - From £460

Asia India
OVERVIEW
Get ready for 8 epic days of sacred rivers, local trains, and sunset ceremonies. Experience India’s spiritual heart, ticking off Rishikesh, Lucknow and Varanasi by local train and road. You’ll roll out a mat in the yoga capital, wander ashrams and markets, ride tuk-tuks through Nawabi-era streets, and of course, witness the Ganges lit by evening Aarti flames.
EXPERIENCES
Lucknow: Hop into a tuk-tuk for an orientation spin around Lucknow’s key sights, taking in the city’s grand façades and everyday rhythm from the street. We’ll see the landmarks from the outside, soaking up the vibe as we go.

Rishikesh: Ease into the morning with a guided yoga session designed to stretch out travel-tired muscles and reset your mind. All right here, in the home of yoga.

Rishikesh: Gather at the Ganges for the evening aarti. The priests perform synchronized rituals, brass lamps glow against the dusk, and chants echo along the riverbanks. You'll watch diyas float across the water and feel the energy build as day turns to night. It’s a powerful way to experience Rishikesh after dark.

Rishikesh: Walk through Rishikesh with a guided orientation past markets and ashrams, then head to the Beatles Ashram to explore old meditation huts, bold graffiti and forest trails overlooking the Ganges. It’s part spiritual retreat, part open-air art gallery (and seriously photogenic).

Varanasi: Zip through Varanasi on a guided e-rickshaw tour, weaving between temples and bustling lanes before heading to the Ganges for the evening Ghat Aarti ceremony. Watch the flames rise, hear the chants build, and feel the riverfront come alive after dark.
DEPARTURE DATES AND PRICES
Tour
Departs		 Tour
Returns		 Starting From
(price per person)		 Definite Departure
What's this? 		Book Now!
28/01/2027 04/02/2027 £460   Book
11/02/2027 18/02/2027 £460   Book
25/02/2027 04/03/2027 £460   Book
11/03/2027 18/03/2027 £460   Book
25/03/2027 01/04/2027 £460   Book
29/03/2027 05/04/2027 £460   Book
01/04/2027 08/04/2027 £460   Book
08/04/2027 15/04/2027 £460   Book
22/04/2027 29/04/2027 £460   Book
06/05/2027 13/05/2027 £460   Book
21/10/2027 28/10/2027 £460   Book
04/11/2027 11/11/2027 £460   Book
25/11/2027 02/12/2027 £460   Book
09/12/2027 16/12/2027 £460   Book
16/12/2027 23/12/2027 £495   Book
30/12/2027 06/01/2028 £495   Book
20/01/2028 27/01/2028 £460   Book
10/02/2028 17/02/2028 £460   Book
24/02/2028 02/03/2028 £460   Book
09/03/2028 16/03/2028 £460   Book
15/03/2028 22/03/2028 £460   Book
18/03/2028 25/03/2028 £460   Book
22/03/2028 29/03/2028 £460   Book
06/04/2028 13/04/2028 £460   Book
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ITINERARY

Welcome to Delhi -  the buzzing city where centuries-old forts meet full-throttle city life. Meet your crew and Trip Manager tonight, before we head out for dinner at a local restaurant to kick things off properly.

Bye Delhi. We’ll hop on the local train and roll out towards Haridwar's calmer scenes. We’re stepping into India’s spiritual side here. From Haridwar, we’ll swap the train for local transport and make our way to Rishikesh. Welcome to this charming, calm and cool Ganges riverside town, known as the home of yoga. We’ll check in, explore the laid-back lanes of Tapovan, then gather by the river for an evening Aarti as the ceremony lights up the water.

We ain’t leaving the home of yoga without rolling out a mat. This morning, we’ll start with a yoga class at the retreat, fuel up on a sattvic vegetarian breakfast, then head out on a guided walk past markets and ashrams, finishing at the legendary Beatles Ashram (yep, THE Beatles).

Today, we’ll say goodbye to Rishikesh and start the journey back, hopping into local transport for the drive to Haridwar. (It's a long travel day ahead, have your playlists ready!). Train time again. We’ll board and roll on towards Lucknow, watching the landscapes shift as we head deeper into Uttar Pradesh. Welcome to Lucknow, known for its rich Nawabi heritage and legendary food scene, and our base for the next two nights. Settle in tonight. Tomorrow we'll dive in properly into everything this city has to offer.

Tuk-tuk time! We’ll zip through the city’s landmarks on a guided ride, soaking in views of Lucknow’s grand architecture and everyday buzz from the best seat in the house. The rest of the day is yours. And if you’re hungry, you can opt into a street food tour to taste the flavours this city is so famous for.

Later, Lucknow. We’ll board another train and travel local-style towards one of India’s holiest cities. Welcome to Varanasi — spiritual, intense, and guaranteed to leave an impression. Sacred to Hindus and home to the city’s burning ghats, this is a powerful, unfiltered side of the Ganges (that couldn’t feel more different to laid-back Rishikesh). We’ll take to the streets by e-rickshaw, then end at the river for the Ghat Aarti ceremony as flames light up the waterfront.

You’ve got a full day to dive into this city’s energy. Opt for a sunrise boat ride along the Ganges as the river shifts through golden hour, or head to Sarnath - the place where Buddha first shared his teachings.

And just like that, our India adventure has officially wrapped up. From Delhi streets to holy rivers, we’ve covered some ground. Hug it out, swap details, and say your goodbyes (or maybe just “see you on the next one.”)
ACCOMMODATION
DAY 1: Hotel Pooja Palace (or similar) - Meals:
DAY 2: Akhanda Yoga Ashram (or similar) - Meals:
DAY 3: Akhanda Yoga Ashram (or similar) - Meals:
DAY 4: Hotel Surya International (or similar) - Meals:
DAY 5: Hotel Surya International (or similar) - Meals:
DAY 6: Hotel Meadows (or similar) - Meals:
DAY 7: Hotel Meadows (or similar) - Meals:
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