India’S Golden Triangle – Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Ranthambore

Itinerary

• Day 1 - Depart for India

  Fly to Delhi.

• Day 2 - Arrival in Delhi

  Upon arrival in Delhi you will be met and transferred to your hotel where you will stay for two nights. The rest of the day is at leisure in Delhi. This evening a welcome dinner will be included at your hotel.

  Meals - Dinner

• Day 3 - Old and New Delhi

  Enjoy an included guided tour of the capital of India, Delhi, with its historic and often turbulent past. The city is sprinkled with monuments and sites of its past and present glories, including a drive past the Red Fort, the Jama Masjid and the pulsating and teeming bazaars of Chandni Chowk, all built by Shah Jahan when he moved his capital from Agra to Delhi.

  Offsetting this are more modern symbols of present day Delhi, including Connaught Place, a thriving business hub; India Gate and its surrounding parks; the seat of Government, Parliament House, Rashtrapati Bhavan and the presidential residence.

  Also see Humayun’s Tomb, an example of Mughal architecture, and Qutab Minar, a 13th century red sandstone minaret.

  During the day we include lunch at a Delhi restaurant.

  Meals - Breakfast, Lunch

• Day 4 - Train to Agra

  This morning we make our way to the railway station to board the train to Agra where we will be met and transferred to our hotel for two nights. This evening we will enjoy a sunset visit to Mehtab Bagh to see the Taj Mahal on the opposite bank.

  Meals - Breakfast

• Day 5 - Taj Mahal & Agra Fort

  Join today's included excursion – one of the highlights of our tour – as we visit the extravagant Taj Mahal.

  Built between 1631 and 1648 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his favourite wife, 20,000 men laboured for over 17 years to build this immense mausoleum of white marble and precious stone. Today, the Taj Mahal is widely regarded as a masterpiece of world heritage.

  Few forts in the world have a more fascinating story to tell than the great fort of Agra, an outstanding example of Mughal architecture and the seat and the stronghold of the Mughal Empire under successive generations.

  Situated on the west bank of the Yamuna with incredible views of the Taj Mahal, the Agra Fort was built by Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1565. This magnificent citadel of red sandstone encompasses within its high ramparts, an enormous complex of courtly building, ranging in style from the early eclecticism of Akbar to the sublime elegance of Shah Jahan.

  Marvel at the lavishly decorated halls, courtyards and galleries including Jahangiri Mahal dating back to Akbar’s reign, the elegant marble hall of Khas Mahal, the royal baths of Sheesh Mahal, the lavishly decorated Diwan-i-Khas (hall of private audience) and the many-pillared Diwan-i-Aam (hall of public audience).

  The other impressive monuments include the Nagina Masjid (Jewel Mosque) built by Shah Jahan for his harem, and the Moti Masjid (Pearl Mosque) and the octagonal tower of Musamman Burj, where Shahjahan was imprisoned by his son Aurangzeb and spent the last years of his life.

  In this once-impregnable fortress, discover the many hidden rooms and immerse yourself in the grand legacy of the Mughals in India.

  This evening you have the opportunity to join us for a sunset visit to the Taj Mahal.

  Meals - Breakfast

• Day 6 - Drive to Ranthambore via Abhaneri Step Wells

  We leave Agra this morning and head towards Ranthambore for a two night stay.

  Nestling at the foot of the Aravalli Hills, the forests around Ranthambore were once the private hunting grounds of the Maharajas of Jaipur. Today the Ranthambore National Park is one of India’s finest wildlife locations and an outstanding example of the implementation of Project Tiger, the most famous wildlife conservation project in India. En-route we will visit the Abhaneri Step wells and take lunch at an organic resort. This evening we will enjoy a tiger talk with a Naturalist with refreshments.

  Meals - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

• Day 7 - Ranthambore

  Today, we enjoy two jungle safaris in Ranthambore National Park. Famous for its frequent sightings of tigers, you may also spot leopards, sloth bears, Blue Bulls, Sambhar Deer, Marsh Crocodiles, Striped Hyenas and numerous species of birds.

  Meals - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

• Day 8 - Ranthambore to Jaipur

  This morning is at your leisure, or you will have the opportunity to take an optional tour to Ranthambore Fort - UNESCO World Heritage Site. After lunch we make our way to Jaipur where we will stay for two nights.

  Meals - Breakfast, Lunch

• Day 9 - Jaipur

  Spend the day in the city of Jaipur. We start the day with an included visit to the magnificent Amber Fort. Following lunch we will enjoy a sightseeing tour of the city including City Palace. This evening we will join a local Indian family where we will learn how to make a complete Indian meal and discover their secret home recipes and culture.

  Meals - Breakfast, Dinner

• Day 10 - Drive to Delhi

  After breakfast we travel back to Delhi for an overnight stay where the remainder of the day is spent at your leisure.

  Meals - Breakfast

• Day 11 - Departure from India

  Transfer to the airport for your return flight home.

  Meals - Breakfast

Accommodation

Hotel Crystal Sarovar Premier in Agra, Ranthambore Regency and the Shahpura House in Jaipur. You will also stay for two nights at the start of your tour at the Vivanta Dwarka and overnight on the last night at the Lemon Tree Aerocity in Delhi.

All hotels are of 4-star superior Indian standard.