For a long weekend, or a first visit with elders. Four nights at Laladham give Mathura, Vrindavan, Govardhan, Barsana and Gokul their due, without one rushed day.
On the last morning we leave in the dark for Agra and stand at the Taj as the sun comes up, then the fort, then you head home from Agra or Mathura.
Along the way there is a boat at dawn, a gaushala, a kitchen class and kirtan, the small things that make Braj somewhere you stayed, not somewhere you saw.
Best for: Long weekends and first visits with elders, when you want Braj properly and the Taj once.
Itinerary, day by day
- Shri Krishna Janma…Day 1, 4:00 pm
- Banke Bihari TempleDay 2, 7:45 am
- Prem MandirDay 2, 6:30 pm
- Shri Radha Rani Te…Day 3, 4:00 pm
- Seva at a gaushalaDay 4, 10:30 am
- Agra FortDay 5, 10:00 am
Arrive in Mathura
Laladham, the birthplace and the evening aarti
- Pickup at Mathura Junction On the road
The driver waits at the main exit with your name. The Delhi airport pickup is an add-on.
- Settle in at Laladham Meal
Drop the bags, eat, rest.
- Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Darshan
The prison cell shrine where Krishna was born. Phones and bags stay behind.
- Dwarkadhish Temple Darshan
The evening darshan in a haveli temple full of colour.
- Aarti at Vishram Ghat Darshan
Lamps swing over the Yamuna and the ghat sings.
Vrindavan
Dawn on the river, the old temples and Prem Mandir
- Dawn at Keshi Ghat Darshan
Mist on the water and a short boat ride before the town wakes.
- Banke Bihari Temple Darshan
Darshan comes in glimpses as the curtain opens and closes. The lanes are busy, so stay close.
- Radha Raman Temple Darshan
A small old temple, calm after the crowd.
- Nidhivan Darshan
Twisted tulsi trees and the legend of the Rasa that is said to happen here each night.
- Prasad lunch in Vrindavan Meal
A thali near the temples, then rest.
- ISKCON Krishna Balaram Mandir Darshan
Marble halls and kirtan that rarely stops.
- Prem Mandir Darshan
White marble lit in changing colours, with the leelas carved on its walls.
Govardhan and Barsana and Nandgaon
Giriraj ji, the kunds and Radha's hill
- Daan Ghati, Govardhan Darshan
A pranam to Giriraj ji, then a stretch of the parikrama on foot or by e-rickshaw.
- Kusum Sarovar Darshan
Sandstone chhatris over still water.
- Radha Kund and Shyam Kund Darshan
Two kunds side by side, the quiet heart of Govardhan.
- Lunch at Govardhan Meal
Puri, aloo and a long rest in the shade.
- Shri Radha Rani Temple, Barsana Darshan
Up the steps to Radha's temple for the evening darshan, with Braj spread out below.
- Nand Bhawan, Nandgaon Darshan
Nand Baba's hill temple at sunset, looking back at Barsana. Then the drive home.
Gokul, the cows and the kitchen
Gokul, the cows and the Laladham kitchen
- Gokul Darshan
Nand Bhawan and the cradle shrine, where Krishna grew up.
- Raman Reti Darshan
Soft sand where the child played. Seekers sit in it, and some roll.
- Seva at a gaushala Visit
Feed the cows with rotis and jaggery. The calves will find you first.
- Lunch at Laladham Meal
Homecooked food and an unhurried afternoon.
- Cooking class in the Laladham kitchen Visit
Roll rotis, temper a dal and learn the slow kadhi of Braj. Dinner is what you cook.
- Kirtan in the courtyard Visit
Harmonium, kartals and old bhajans to say goodbye to Braj.
The Taj at sunrise
An early road to Agra and the fort
- Leave in the dark On the road
Tea in a flask, about an hour and a half to Agra.
- The Taj Mahal at sunrise Visit
Marble going from grey to pink to white. Closed on Fridays, so this day never falls on one.
- Breakfast in Agra Meal
Bedmi puri and jalebi, the Agra way.
- Agra Fort Visit
Red sandstone walls and marble palaces, with the Taj seen far down the river.
- Drop in Agra, or back to Mathura On the road
Agra Cantt station, your Agra hotel, or back to Mathura. Delhi is an add-on.
Day 5 ends in Agra around 1 pm, or back at Mathura Junction by about 3 pm
Included
- AC cab or Tempo Traveller all 5 days
- Local guide in Braj and Agra
- 4 nights at Laladham, twin share
- Homecooked breakfast and dinner
- Dawn boat at Keshi Ghat
- Cooking class, gaushala seva and kirtan
- Parking, fuel and tolls
Not included
- Lunches
- Taj Mahal and Agra Fort tickets
- Delhi airport pickup or drop (add-on)
- Temple offerings
What to carry
- Aadhaar or any photo ID
- Comfortable cotton clothes, covered shoulders and knees for temples
- Slip-on footwear (you leave it outside every temple)
- Water bottle, cap or dupatta for the sun
- Small bag only: big bags are not allowed inside many temples
- Some cash for offerings, boat and prasad
- Passport, if you are visiting from abroad (needed for Taj tickets)
- A shawl from November to February
Places on this route
Questions, answered
Can we end the trip in Delhi instead?
Yes. Agra to Delhi is about four hours by road. Add the drop when you book.
Is the Taj ever closed?
Every Friday. Group departures start on a Wednesday so the Agra morning is a Sunday.
How do I book this tour?
Open the tour in the app and choose a group date or a private day. You can also write to us on WhatsApp and we will set it up with you.
