India is a vast country full of history, culture and color. The trip starts and ends in the buzzing city of Delhi with its many historical sights and colorful bazaars. We visit the ancient holy city of Varanasi and then marvel at the beautiful Taj Mahal. We search for tigers in the jungle and explore the pink city of Jaipur with its imperial palace. This is a fantastic trip giving a taste of all that India has to offer.
India the charming country has many shades – bristling with landscapes, cultural diversity, and heritage which it carries on its shoulders! Your journey here in this enchanting land of vibrant people blows out your imagination and leaves an imprint that is more charming than anything else – especially the Golden Triangle Tour!
On your arrival in Delhi, you will be met by our representative and transferred to hotel. Delhi was the capital of Indraprastha and capital of the Pandavas during the Mahabharata. This magnificent city has been inhabited from the 6th century BC and has been a capital of many kingdoms. It has been destroyed and rebuilt many times and is called the “city of cities”. Delhi’s culture has been influenced by its different rulers and the city is full of beautiful monuments. The Mughal rulers influenced the food habits of the residents and Mughlai cuisine originated here. Due to the proximity of different states, all festivals are celebrated here. Old Delhi is a maze of small lanes lined and old buildings and New Delhi has large road with huge buildings. The first day of your tour will take you for a pleasant evening at the Akshardham temple, one of the largest religious temples in India of Swaminarayan sect. Bask in the religiousness and marvel at the amazing water and light show. Overnight in Delhi.
Today we begin our tour in India’s capital city, Delhi. Start the afternoon by exploring the Qutub Minar, touted as India’s largest Minaret. Qutub Minar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was built in 1192 by Turk ruler Qutub-Ud-Din Aibak. In the afternoon, we drive to the pink city of Jaipur. The city was first established in 1727 and was India’s first planned city. In the evening we visit the Birla Temple built by the well-known Birla family to worship Lord Vishnu and his wife Goddess Lakshmi. The temple is built purely from white marble and contains an array of delicate carvings. This is an oasis of calm in a busy city.
The morning journey starts from Amer fort also known as Amer Palace, the earlier capital of Jaipur. This magnificent fort was constructed in red sandstone and marble by Raja Man Singh and is divided into four sections each with a courtyard. The main entrance gate is Surajpol having fascinating architecture.
Near the Ganesh Gate, there is a temple dedicated to the Goddess Sila Devi. The Diwan-e-Aam – hall of public audience, Diwan-e-Khas – hall of private audience, Sheesh Mahal – the palace of mirrors, and Sukh Niwas are quite beautiful. At the Sukh Niwas, a pleasant climate is created by winds that blow over a water cascade. You could ascend the fort by walking up the steps or on an elephant’s back or in the jeep. In Jaipur, you will be taken to Maharaja City Palace, a royal palace with seven stories as well as Jantar Mantar, the observatory.
This wonderful observatory attracts mathematicians as well as astronomers from the whole world. City palace is the perfect blend of all three excellent styles (Mughal, Rajput, and European). Another palace, Hawa Mahal is popular all over the world for its magnificent architecture. You will be taken through Pink Rose Garden as well business centers of Jaipur.
A tour of Jaipur is not complete without shopping. Jaipur is famous for clothes, carpets, precious and semi-precious stones, and jewelry, and various handicrafts made of wood, metal, etc., and also for silk paintings and miniatures. Overnight in Jaipur.
Today we drive to Ranthambore national park which was first established as a game sanctuary in 1955, it went on to become one of the project tiger reserves in 1973. After arrival, transfer to hotel. Later, visit Ranthambore Fort and Ganesh Temple. Overnight in Ranthambore.
This morning we have an early morning game drive/Jungle Safari to see what wildlife we can spot and to search for tigers. The park is one of the best places to spot the elusive tiger in its natural habitat. There is also a wealth of other wildlife here including leopards, wild boar, and mongoose as well as a huge variety of birds, including the rare brown-faced owl, and many plant species. We will have breakfast when we return followed by some free time.
In the evening we will go on another game drive/Jungle Safari to further explore Ranthambore and watch the wildlife. Overnight in Ranthambore.
This morning, you will be transferred from Ranthambore to Agra enroute visiting Fatehpur Sikri – built in the 16th century by Emperor Akbar. Fatehpur Sikri holds exceptional testimony to Mughal civilization and is one of well-known UNESCO World heritage site of India and has various historical monuments. Later you will be driven to Agra where you have the afternoon at leisure. Overnight in Agra.
Agra the former capital of Hindustan is a city on the banks of the river Yamuna. Agra is a major tourist destination of India and a part of the Golden Triangle India Travel along with Delhi and Jaipur. In the morning visit to Agra, you will be taken to the Taj Mahal, one of the wonders of the world.
This beautiful building is elegantly built with white marble by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan between the years 1631 to 1648 and it was built in memory of his favorite beloved Queen Mumtaz Mahal. Standing majestically on the banks of the Yamuna River, this breathtaking, immensely beautiful monument is synonymous with romance and love.
Your next stop Agra Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and known for its architectural structure and was built in the 16th century during the Mughal Empire. This place comprises several fairy-tale palaces like Khas Mahal and Jahangir Palace. Over here you will also get a chance to see Diwan-e-Aam and Diwan-e-Khas, which are also known as private audience halls and public audience halls.
The afternoon can be spent visiting more places of interest or shopping. Agra is famous for inlaid marble work and handicrafts made of marble, wood, and metal. Later in the evening visit the itmad-ud-daulah and Mehtab Bagh (if time permits).
Tonight, we board the overnight train to Varanasi. Overnight in Train.
Arrive early morning in Varanasi the spiritual capital of India and one of the oldest living cities in the world (Hotel accommodation is available after 01 PM). Spend the day exploring this enchanting city with its many shops and stalls selling religious items and offerings for the temples. In the evening we go to see the religious ceremony that takes place on the banks of the river Ganges every day. Overnight in Varanasi.
Sunrise boat trip on the Ganges to see the many ghats and pilgrims bathing in the holy water. This is a fascinating time of day to visit the ghats as the whole world begins to come to life with bathers, tea sellers, people selling breakfast snacks, and holy men advising pilgrims on prayers. In the afternoon we visit Sarnath the place where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon.
Here we also visit the museum which contains interesting artifacts and carvings from the Buddhist and Hindu religions. In the evening we go to see the religious ceremony that takes place on the banks of the river Ganges every day.
In the evening we board the overnight sleeper train to Delhi.
Arrive in Delhi in the morning (Hotel accommodation is available after 01 PM). In the afternoon we will drive past the India Gate, the memorial for soldiers from the British Indian Army who died between 1914 and 1921 in the Afghan war and the First World War. Over 13 thousand soldiers’ names are inscribed into the stone of the gate making this a very moving place despite the busy location.
Later we visit the Jama mosque built by emperor Shah Jahan and completed in 1656. This is the best-known mosque in India and was built to hold 25 thousand worshippers in its courtyard. After we go to Raj Ghat the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi father of the nation. Overnight in Delhi.
