India’s Golden Triangle

Day 1 – Overnight to Delhi

Scheduled overnight flight from your preferred airport to Delhi.

Day 2 – Delhi

On arrival in Delhi transfer with our guide to the 5* The Surya Hotel for a two night stay on bed and breakfast basis – rest of the day is at leisure to explore Old Delhi laced by a maze of narrow lanes with graceful architecture and, in contrast, New Delhi created by the British with numerous fine colonial structures, magnificent buildings and wide boulevards.

Day 3 – Guided tour of Delhi

Guided tour of Delhi starts with a visit to Jama Masjid, Asia’s largest mosque that can accommodate 20,000 people at one time – an included rickshaw ride takes us past the magnificent parliament building and Rashtrapati Bahwan, the official residence of the President of India and set in grounds designed by Sir Edward Lutyens – continue past India Gate and Humanyun’s Tomb, built in the 16th century and architecturally considered the forerunner of the Taj Mahal – day concludes with a visit to Qutub Minar, a 72 metre tower dating back to the 13th century.

Day 4 – Agra Fort

Drive to Agra, once the capital of the Mughal empire – this afternoon we visit Agra Fort, an outstanding example of Mughal architecture and the seat and stronghold of the Mughal Empire under successive generations – check in at the 5* Double Tree by Hilton in Agra for an overnight stay on bed and breakfast basis.

Day 5 – Taj Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri, Jaipur & dinner at the Narain Niwas Palace

Witness the breath taking view of the Taj Mahal by sunrise – built by Emperor Shah Jahan for his favourite queen, Mumtaz Mahal, this exquisite white marble mausoleum was commissioned in 1631 and took 20,000 artisans 22 years to complete – en route to Jaipur we visit Fatehpur Sikri, the deserted red sandstone city that was built by Emperor Akbar as his capital before it was abandoned a few years later but whose 'ruins' are still in pristine condition – on arrival in Jaipur, the ‘Pink City’ and the 18th century capital of Rajasthanm, we check in at the 5* Hilton Hotel for a two night stay – enjoy an included evening of traditional Rajput music and dance with dinner at the Narain Niwas Palace.

Day 6 – Amber Fort, City Palace, Jantar Mantar & Hawa Mahal

An included elephant ride takes us to the Amber Fort, a 16th century honey coloured fortress palace in the Aravalli Hills decorated with intricate ivory, mirror and glass work complemented by exquisite wall paintings – in the afternoon we visit the City Palace with an imposing blend of traditional Rajasthani and Mughal Art and the awe inspiring Jantar Mantar, an accurate observatory built in 1726 AD – see the elegant façade of the Hawa Mahal, the spectacular Palace of the Winds, built by King Sawai Pratap Singh in 1799.

Day 7 – Delhi

On our return to Delhi we check in at the 5* Crowne Plaza Today Hotel for an overnight stay – farewell dinner in our hotel tonight.

Day 8 – Home

Transfer by coach to Delhi Airport for our direct scheduled flight home.