Meet at your hotel or group assembly point in Pune; confirm tickets, luggage, medical kit and headcount for 14 people. Arrive at Pune Junction 60–90 minutes before departure for a large group to avoid last-minute rush.
Light, reliable breakfast near Pune station: Vaishali (South Indian favourites) or German Bakery for large groups and quick service; both open from c.08:00. Good for last-minute packing and group coordination.
Board train 12779 (Goa Express) for the overnight journey to Hazrat Nizamuddin (Delhi). Confirm exact coach/seat allocations and arrival time on your tickets; keep IDs and group PNR ready. Overnight travel with sleeping berths.
Arrive Hazrat Nizamuddin / New Delhi area; transfer to pre-booked hotel close to the Dargah to freshen up and store luggage. Early check‑in if available or request luggage hold.
Pay respects at Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya Dargah — one of Delhi’s most important Sufi shrines. The Dargah is accessible most of the day (commonly open early morning to late evening; qawwali is best on Thursday evenings—confirm local schedule).
Breakfast at a nearby café or hotel; Chor Bizarre (if open) and small local breakfast spots serve hearty Mughlai and North Indian options — useful before a busy sightseeing day.
Visit Humayun’s Tomb (UNESCO) — an elegant Mughal garden‑tomb and precursor to the Taj Mahal; best in the morning for cooler light and fewer crowds. Typical opening hours 6:00–18:00 (confirm before travel).
Take a short transfer to Old Delhi for classic Mughlai fare at Karim’s (near Jama Masjid) or Al Jawahar; rich kebabs and biryani are perfect for a group craving traditional flavours (open roughly 11:00–23:00).
Explore Chandni Chowk: fabrics, jwellery, prayer caps, and stalls perfect for group street shopping; Kinari Bazaar is best for wedding trimmings and dupattas. Markets normally open 10:00–20:00; expect narrow lanes and bargaining.
Return to Nizamuddin area for evening ziyarat; check if there’s a qawwali session (most notable on Thursday evenings) and arrive early for seating. The Dargah area is active in the evenings with devotees and small stalls.
Group dinner at a recommended local restaurant near the hotel — choose a place that can handle 14 people (advance booking recommended). Open evenings typically until 22:30 or later.
Start with a popular Delhi breakfast: chole bhature or parathas; Sita Ram Diwan Chand or Paranthe Wali Gali (Old Delhi) are options. Shops typically open c.08:00–10:00.
Visit Jama Masjid for its vast courtyard and rooftop view over Old Delhi; mosque open mornings and afternoons (approx 7:00–18:30) but closed to non‑worshippers during Friday prayers.
Walk around Red Fort exterior and the surrounding Shahjahanabad area; the Red Fort complex usually opens 9:30–16:30. Enjoy the historical fabric and street vendors outside the fort.
Choose indoor options to avoid afternoon traffic: National Museum (check opening hours c.10:00–17:00, closed Mondays) or Dilli Haat for handicrafts and souvenirs (open 10:30–22:00).
Choose peaceful sites for reflection: Lotus Temple (open 9:00–17:30 approx) or Gurudwara Bangla Sahib for community langar (free meals) and a calm atmosphere.
Afternoon spent at Karol Bagh (clothes, shoes, religious items) or Lajpat Nagar for bulk textile shopping and ready‑made garments; markets usually open 10:00–21:00.
Leave early from Hazrat Nizamuddin/Delhi by booked Shatabdi/Gatimaan or private coach to reach Agra for sunrise at the Taj (approx 2–4 hours depending on transport). Book seats for 14 in advance.
Visit the Taj Mahal — open 6:00–18:30 (closed Friday). Aim for early morning to avoid crowds and catch the best light; entry rates vary (approx INR50 for Indian nationals; INR550+ for foreign visitors).
Group lunch at a recommended Agra restaurant offering Mughlai and North Indian dishes near the Taj/fort area; book for a party of 14 to ensure seating.
If time allows, visit Fatehpur Sikri (c.40km from Agra) to see the Tomb of Salim Chishti — a revered Muslim pilgrimage site and UNESCO complex (open approx 6:00–18:00).
Either return to Hazrat Nizamuddin/Delhi by evening train or proceed with arrangements to travel toward Ajmer (overnight train/coach) — advise an overnight train to Ajmer if you want to reach Ajmer early on the 21st.
Arrive Ajmer early morning (by overnight train/coach), check into hotel and rest. Arrange group rooms close together and confirm pick‑up for afternoon activities.
Take a relaxed walk around Ana Sagar Lake and the nearby markets for handicrafts and Ajmer specialties; good chance to buy prayer caps, shawls and small souvenirs.
Group lunch at a recommended Ajmer restaurant with halal options. Many small restaurants near the railway station and Dargah serve hearty Rajasthani and North Indian fare.
Visit the Ajmer Sharif Dargah — the principal reason for the Ajmer stop. The Dargah is open most of the day and evening (many pilgrims visit in late afternoon/evening); dress modestly and arrange group queueing plan.
Breakfast at a Pushkar café; many cafés open from around 8:00 and serve vegetarian/continental options — note many are vegetarian due to temple town customs.
Visit Pushkar Lake for parikrama and the Brahma Temple (open typically 6:00–21:00) — the temple is one of the few Brahma temples in India and Pushkar is famous for its bazaars and devotional atmosphere.
Shop the colourful Pushkar Bazaar for handicrafts, rugs, jewellery, prayer mats, and Rajasthani textiles — bargaining expected; shops generally open 9:00–21:00.
Attend evening aarti or ziyarat at Ajmer Sharif Dargah if desired; evenings are lively and often the best time for ambiance and interaction with devotees.
Visit Taragarh Fort for panoramic views of Ajmer and photo opportunities; suitable for a short historic stop and not physically demanding for most travellers.
Final big shopping session: Subhash Bazaar and markets near the Dargah for prayer items, shawls, and souvenirs; bargain and buy in bulk if needed for the group.
Free time to pack, rest, or make any last visits to the Dargah. Confirm train departure time for the return to Pune and organise group boarding logistics.
Check out of your Ajmer hotel, load luggage into the coach/minibus and transfer to Ajmer railway station well in advance. For a party of 14, allow extra time for boarding.
Board your pre-booked return train to Pune — confirm train number and timing for the group; ensure all carry valid IDs and boarding passes. If travelling via Delhi, allow connection time.