Popularly known as the Golden Triangle, this tour takes in the most popular sights of the country and is a true introduction to India. Start in the city of Delhi with the tree-lined boulevards of Lutyen’s New Delhi and the hustle and bustle of the Old City. Move on to Agra to admire one of the most iconic and beautiful buildings in the world, the Taj Mahal, as well as the impressive Agra Fort with its Diwan-i-Am & Diwan-i-Khas (halls of public and private audience) and lastly, the Pink City of Jaipur, with its stately forts, sprawling palaces and bazaars.
Cultural Tours
Greeted on arrival in Delhi and transferred to the Suryaa Hotel or similar for two nights. The remainder of the day is at leisure, with a welcome dinner at a local restaurant in the evening.
Explore Delhi on a full day sightseeing tour. Start with a tour of Old Delhi in the morning: enjoy a cycle rickshaw ride in the bustling lanes of Chandni Chowk followed by a visit to see the Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India, and the Raj Ghat, a memorial built for Mahatma Gandhi. In the afternoon, drive past Lutyen’s Delhi. Visit the tomb of Humayun and the lofty Qutab Minar, an early Mughal structure made of red sandstone and white marble.
Drive to Agra (4-5 hours) for an overnight stay in the ITC Mughal hotel or similar. In the afternoon, visit the impressive Agra Fort whose buildings, made of red sandstone and marble, are a mix of Hindu and Islamic architecture followed by a visit to the ornate tomb of Itamud-ud-Daula. End the day with a heritage walk of Agra. (Jan-Apr 2020 departures will visit the Taj Mahal at sunset instead of the heritage walk of Agra).
Visit the Taj Mahal at sunrise (Oct 2020-Mar 2021 departures). After breakfast back at your hotel continue to Jaipur (6-7 hours) with an en route stop at Fatehpur Sikri, the red sandstone city built by Emperor Akbar that was abandoned after just 14 years. Closer to Jaipur, stop to see the impressive 9th Century Chand Baori step well at Abhaneri. Stay at The Lalit or similar on the outskirts of the city, for three nights.
Visit the 17th century hilltop fort of Amber and the sparkling Mirror Palace. In the afternoon visit the City Palace complex including, its museum and the 18th century Jantar Mantar astronomical observatory. Drive through the busy bazaars at the recently restored Hawa Mahal, one of the most famous buildings in Jaipur.
Day at leisure or take one of our optional excursions. This evening there will be a colourful cultural performance and dinner at an ethnic restaurant.
Drive back to Delhi this afternoon (5 hours) for an overnight stay at an airport hotel.
Today you will be transferred to Delhi International airport for your onward flight.
✓ 7 nights accommodation
✓ All internal transportation and transfers
✓ English-speaking accompanying guide throughout
✓ Breakfast daily. Lunch on days 2, 4, 5. Dinner on days 1, 6
✓ Entrance fees to sites and monuments listed in tour itinerary
Board the early morning Shatabdi Express to Kalka. Journey onward, on the narrow gauge railway towards Shimla. On arrival, check-in at the legendary Clarke’s hotel for three nights.
A morning’s sightseeing tour of Shimla includes a visit to the Vice Regal Lodge, Mock Tudor Library and Jakhu Temple, as well as a walk down the busy Mall Road to see the Gaiety Theatre and Christ Church. The remainder of the day is at leisure.
Your day is at leisure to explore the neighbouring towns of Kufri, Naldhera and Chail or enjoy a walk in the picturesque mountains.
Drive to Kalka (2 ½ hours) to board the Shatabdi Express back to Delhi. Stay overnight at The Pride Plaza or similar
Transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Take the early morning Shatabadi Express (5 hr train journey) to Amritsar for a two night stay at the Holiday Inn. Your afternoon will be at leisure.
Visit the Golden Temple complex, one of the holiest shrines of the Sikh faith and Jallianwala Bagh. In the afternoon drive to the Wagah border to see the indulgent joint ‘retreat’ ceremony of the Indian and Pakistani guard.
Fly back to Delhi. On arrival, transfer to an airport hotel for the night.
Transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Transfer to the airport for a short flight to Varanasi. Transfer to the Gateway Hotel Ganges for two nights.
Varanasi is the oldest continuously inhabited places on earth. Streams of Hindu worshippers still come here today to bathe in the sacred waters. We will enjoy a peaceful early morning boat ride on the Ganges. The afternoon is spent visiting Sarnath, the site of Buddha’s first public discourse. In the evening we head back to the Ganges to witness ceremonial worship with oil lamps.
A midday flight back to Delhi. On arrival, transfer to an airport hotel for an overnight stay.
Transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Drive to Sawai Madhopur this morning (4-5 hours) staying two nights at the Ranthambore Kothi, your base to explore Ranthambore National Park. Enjoy an afternoon game drive in the park.
Enjoy morning and evening game drives in Ranthambore National Park in search of the elusive Royal Bengal Tiger. Other animals include Leopard, Sloth bear, Sambar deer, Chital, Nilgai, Black bucks, Langur and Macaque.
Enjoy a morning game drive. Journey by train to Delhi this afternoon. On arrival, transfer to the hotel, staying overnight at the Park hotel.
Transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
Fly from Delhi to Goa, arriving mid afternoon. Transfer to the Holiday Inn or similar (upgrades available) for three nights.
At leisure.
Transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
| DEPARTURE DATE | PRICE PER PERSON | SINGLE ROOM supplement | AVAILABILITY | |
| Sun 18 Oct 2020 | £965 | £485 | Limited | |
| Mon 09 Nov 2020 | £1055 | £485 | Good | |
| Sun 17 Jan 2021 | £965 | £485 | Good | |
| Sun 07 Feb 2021 | £965 | £485 | Good | |
| Sun 28 Feb 2021 | £965 | £485 | Good | |
| Thu 25 Mar 2021 | £1055 | £485 | Good |
Hari
Alain
Alex
Agomoni
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