India's Golden Triangle & Mumbai with Goa Beach Stay

Itinerary

• Day 1
  Travel to Delhi
• Day 2
  New Delhi - On arrival, we’ll transfer to New Delhi for a one-night stay in a five-star hotel. After a short rest, we commence our orientation guided tour of New Delhi. Designed on an imperial scale by Sir Edwin Lutyens in 1911, New Delhi is bisected by wide, tree-lined avenues, a hub which clearly reflects the Raj legacy and is home to the former Viceroy's Palace, now the Presidential Palace. Following the imposing Rajpath - or Kingsway - a vast parade, passing both the India Gate and the office of the Indian Government as well as visiting some of Dehli's older monuments, our orientation includes Qutub Minar, known as Victory Tower. This minaret is the tallest stone tower in India. You'll have the opportunity to choose your own restaurant for lunch and dinner during the day and our expert tour manager and local guide is on hand to direct you to the most authentic Indian cuisine.
• Day 3
  Old Delhi & Train to Agra - This morning, we continue exploring the city, visiting Old Delhi with a guided walking tour from the Salaam Baalak Trust. See the city through the eyes of the children who used to live and work on the streets of Delhi as you wander through narrow alleys and bustling bazaars. Hear their stories first-hand and uncover lesser-known attractions, known only to the locals, with this eye-opening experience. After the tour, we hop aboard a bicycle-driven rickshaw through Chandni Chowk. Known as Moonlight Square, Chandni Chowk is a densely populated neighbourhood in Old Delhi and more than three centuries old. Home to one of the oldest and busiest markets in Old Delhi, you'll find craftsmen, jewellers, eateries and sweetshops - a veritable treasure trove of Indian culture. Explore the everyday life of locals as you walk through the spice markets and satisfy your appetite with Indian street food, including stuffed parathas and jalebis. You’ll have time to seek out a restaurant in Old Delhi for lunch before we leave for our train journey to Agra, arriving at the second city of the golden triangle in the late afternoon.
• Day 4
  Taj Mahal - We’ll be heading out early today to catch the sun rising over the Taj Mahal. The early morning light, as the mist rises from the Yamuna River behind it, captures its ethereal beauty at its best - it's not hard to see why this stunning marble palace is known as the 'Crown Jewel of India'. Built to house the tomb of Mumtaz Mahal - Emperor Johan's wife - it took 20,000 men 22 years to finish it. A combination of extraordinary craftsmanship, meticulous symmetry and abundant history makes this wonder of the world one of the most amazing monuments on the planet - and you'll have plenty of time to marvel at it from all angles. The tour continues with a visit to the red sandstone Agra Fort. Completed in 1573, it was the headquarters of the Moghul Empire, boasting vast size and opulence; its buildings make it more of a walled palace than a fort. Later in the afternoon, you’ll be able to enjoy some free time. Personalise your holiday - Moonlight Garden and Baby Taj Moonlight Garden lies north of the Taj Mahal complex on the opposite side of the Yamuna River and was built to align perfectly with the Taj Mahal.  We will get the chance to explore the gardens which also offer some amazing views of the Taj Mahal. After this we will visit  “Itmad-ud-Daula Tomb” which is built completely in white marble and is often described as a "jewel box" and also called the "Baby Taj". From £15pp Please contact us for more information and to add the above experience to your booking.
• Day 5
  Jaipur - We drive to Rajasthan's capital city, Jaipur, known as the 'Pink City' due to the colour of its walls and many buildings. We stop en route for lunch - the perfect opportunity to sample some local delicacies. We’ll visit the magnificent City Palace, still home to the present Maharajah of Jaipur, where you can view collections of costumes, carpets, paintings and the impressive armoury. Another highlight of the day is a stop at The Jantar Mantar, an astronomical observatory built in 1726, known to be one of the best preserved of India's historic observatories.
• Day 6
  Jaipur & Amber Fort - Waking up in the last city of India’s famous Golden Triangle, Jaipur, this morning we visit the immense Amber fort, located in the hills just a short drive from the city. Sampling all the most fascinating sights, the guided tour includes sections reserved for the Maharajah's wives and concubines as well as a remarkable hall of mirrors, with tiny delicate convex mirrors embedded like mosaics in the walls and ceilings. Look out for the Belgium crystal chandeliers hanging above exquisite marble floors, cut from the very quarries that supplied the builders of the Taj Mahal in this wonderfully opulent setting.
• Day 7
  Flight to Mumbai - After breakfast, we leave the 'Pink City' and fly to the capital city of the state of Maharashtra, Mumbai. Known as Bombay until 1995, Mumbai was formed in the 18th and 19th centuries as part of an engineering project. Recognised as the cultural capital of India, it's synonymous with the Bollywood film industry and the birthplace of Bollywood Day. Some of India's most beloved landmarks can be found here, with architectural influences visible in the city's buildings from Art Deco to Indo-Saracenic. After checking in to a luxurious five-star hotel in the Colaba area, we take a heritage walk through the hotel hosted by a butler. The Taj Mahal Palace hotel, built in 1902 is amongst the most celebrated, iconic hotels in the country with a rich history, where every pillar tells a story. Our tour concludes in the Sea Lounge for a delicious Afternoon Tea. Known for its old colonial charm with art deco furniture, you can enjoy delightful local Indian favourites and classic English delicacies with a spectacular view of the Arabian Sea.
• Day 8
  Mumbai - Today we embark on a tour of Mumbai's cultural institutions, historical sights and bustling markets. This morning's tour includes a trip to one of Mumbai's most famous monuments, the iconic 'Gateway of India'. Steeped in history, this bold basalt arch, facing out to Mumbai Harbour, was designed by Scottish Architect Geroge Witter. It was built in 1911 to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary, incorporating influences from Indian, Indo-Islamic and Roman architecture. From there, we visit the Prince of Wales Museum, one of the most prominent museums of India, the exquisitely sculpted Flora Fountain and the thought-provoking Gandhi Museum, as well as seeing the bright lights of Marine Drive Promenade. This evening, we venture into the city for a delicious dinner at a local restaurant.
• Day 9
  Flight to Dabolim, Goa
• Day 10
  Free day - Offering a stunning mix of exotic sandy beaches, mind-blowing seafood and lush greenery, Goa is the perfect place to spend a few days relaxing. Occupied by the Portuguese for over 400 years, South Goa is an interesting fusion of Indian and Portuguese cultures with churches and temples rich in history, so there is lots to explore during your free time. Sit back, relax and enjoy four days lying in the sunshine. Unwind in our comfortable beach location, take it easy by the pool or explore the local area.