Indias Golden TriangleFully escorted tour, India

This fantastic introduction to India combines the three cities of the ‘Golden Triangle’ with a couple of days in Ranthambore National Park. Journeying in a loop from Delhi, you’ll tick off highlights including the Taj Mahal and the forts and pink-hued palaces of Jaipur. With three safari drives in Ranthambore, you’ll go in search of the park’s elusive Bengal tigers, as well as looking out for leopards, sloth bears, monkeys and all manner of birdlife.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

8 nights in hotels and 1 in flight (accommodation as specified or similar)

International flights. Prices are based on return flights with Virgin Atlantic from London Heathrow. Supplements may apply from other airports

18 meals: 8 breakfasts (days 3-10) 2 lunches (days 6-7) 8 dinners (days 2-9)

VIP door-to-door travel service

Services of a tour manager

Travel in destination by coach

Porterage

10 excursions and visits

City tours of New and Old Delhi, and Jaipur

Visits to Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri

Train journey from Bharatpur to Sawai Madhopur

3 game drives in Ranthambore National Park

ITINERARY

Day 1 UK - In flight

VIP door-to-door travel service collects you from home, for your flight to Delhi.

Day 2 Delhi

This morning, you’ll arrive in Delhi, the first stop on your Golden Triangle tour. After a little time for refreshment and relaxation, you’ll head out to soak up the sights and sounds on an afternoon sightseeing tour of New Delhi. You’ll see the India Gate memorial, built to commemorate the Indian soldiers who died during the Great War, and pass the official residence of the President of India. Later you’ll continue to UNESCO-protected Qutab Minar, the tallest brick minaret in the world.

Day 3 Delhi - Agra

Your morning tour concentrates on Old Delhi. You’ll see the black marble memorial to Mahatma Gandhi and the grand Jama Masjid - one of India’s biggest mosques. You’ll also stop by the UNESCO-listed memorial to the Mughal emperor Humayun, the first example of Persian-inspired Mughal architecture in India and the historic Red Fort, the once-time residence of the Mughal Emperor. In the afternoon, you’ll make your way to the riverside city of Agra.

Day 4 Agra

Have your very own Princess Diana moment in front of the white marble Taj Mahal today. This great world wonder dates back to the glory days of India’s Mughal emperors. It took 20,000 skilled labourers to create this mausoleum and memorial to Shah Jahan’s favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Some see it as a sad and mournful creation, but others celebrate the romance and love behind its story. After a morning here, you’ll move on to Agra’s imposing fort - a walled city of palaces, mosques, halls and residences occupied for more than 900 years.

Day 5 Agra - Ranthambore

Your journey continues with a visit to the ghost city of Fatehpur Sikri, once the capital of the Mughal Empire. Although it lay abandoned and virtually unknown for hundreds of years, its palaces, pavilions, mosques and residences are remarkably well preserved and visually stunning. Later, you’ll continue by road to Bharatpur. You’ll board a train bound for Sawai Madhopur, then journey on to Ranthambore National Park. Formerly the private hunting ground of the maharajahs of Jaipur, the park is now better known for its 1,000-year-old fort (which is surrendering slowly to the encroaching jungle), its picturesque lakes and, of course, its Bengal tiger reserve.

Day 6 Ranthambore National Park

Ranthambore National Park is a wildlife haven, and you’ll head out in search of leopards, monkeys, birds and sloth bears on two safari drives today. The grand prize is a sighting of the majestic Bengal tiger - a greater possibility nowadays thanks to the conservation work of the Ranthambore Foundation.

Day 7 Ranthambore - Jaipur

After a final safari drive, you’ll make your way north-west to Jaipur, known as the ‘pink city’ for its rose-red palaces.

Day 8 Jaipur

A full-day tour of Jaipur reveals why this great city is considered one of India’s foremost cultural attractions. After an early breakfast, you’ll drive up to Amber Fort, a beautiful sandstone palace perched on a hilltop. You’ll tour the fort, then head to the foothill lake. Keep your eyes peeled for elephants - they sometimes like to bathe in the lake. Back in Jaipur itself, you’ll explore the City Palace (a fusion of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture) and the 18th-century Jantar Mantar observatory, and admire the latticed façade of the Hawa Mahal, or Palace of Winds.

Day 9 Jaipur - Delhi

Today you’ll journey from Jaipur back to Delhi. Enjoy your final night in India before your flight home tomorrow.

Day 10 Delhi - UK

After one last cup of chai, transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK. Upon arrival, your vehicle will be waiting for the journey home.

Important information about your destination

Visa is not included, please call for details. Please note: Game viewing is different to that in Africa and therefore sightings of the elusive tiger may be difficult.

Indias Golden Triangle is located in Fully escorted tour, India. Accommodation rating is the operators own rating and may not be the official rating. Hotel details correct at 04/04/2020