Grand Journey from India's Golden Triangle to Shimla

Itinerary

• Day 1
  Departure
• Day 2
  Arrival in New Delhi - On arrival, we transfer to the five-star Le Meridien Hotel for one night. After a short rest we commence our guided tour of New Delhi. The city centre, designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens in 1911, is bisected by wide, tree-lined avenues, a hub which clearly reflects the Raj legacy and home to the former Viceroy’s Palace, now the Presidential Palace. Heading down the imposing Rajpath, we pass India Gate and the Parliament building. We’ll visit some of Delhi’s older monuments, including the Qutub Minaret, started in 1199, which is the tallest stone-built tower in India. Nearby is Humayun’s tomb, an outstanding example of Moghul architecture and the first mausoleum of its type, pre-dating the more widely known Taj Mahal by nearly a century. A buffet dinner is included tonight.
• Day 3
  Old Delhi - This morning we continue our city tour, first visiting Old Delhi, starting with the Raj Ghat, a fittingly simple memorial to Mahatma Gandhi. We continue past the imposing walls and battlements of the great Red Fort before visiting the Gurudwara Bangla Sahib Temple, one of the most prominent Sikh gurdwaras - or Sikh house of worship - in Delhi. We leave Delhi in the afternoon for our drive to Agra, arriving at our four-star Oberoi Trident hotel, in the late afternoon.  Signature experience - Salaam Baalak Trust, a non-profit organisation, provides protection to the street children of Delhi with a programme of residential care, education and talent building activities. In the company of these remarkable young locals experience the sights and sounds of the narrow alleys and thronging markets of Old Delhi. You’ll be entertained with stories of the Mughal era and enlightened with more personal accounts of life today within the walled city. Round off this experience with a rickshaw ride through the vibrant streets where the fragrance of local spices fills the air.
• Day 4
  Taj Mahal - We rise early to catch the sun rising over the Taj Mahal. In the soft morning light, as the mist rises from the Yamuna River behind it, the Taj Mahal seems to float, mirage-like, above the surrounding landscape. A combination of extraordinary beauty, symmetry and history makes this wonder of the world one of the most amazing monuments on the planet and you will have plenty of time to admire it from all angles. Moving on, we continue our tour with a visit to the vast 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. In the evening you have the option of completing a wonderful day with another visit to the Taj Mahal, to witness the shrine at sunset. Signature experience - This afternoon step into the elegant gardens of Mehtab Bagh, also known as the Moonlight Garden and admire the Taj Mahal from across the Yamuna River – the alternative views from this exceptional location are a photographer’s dream. Then discover the splendid marble tomb of I'timād-ud-Daulah, a dazzling white jewel box, also known as the ‘Baby Taj.' Later reflect on these architectural wonders over a dinner of typical Mughal cuisine at a local restaurant. Personalise your holiday - Moonlight Garden and Baby Taj - Classic tours only 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 note this experience is included for Signature tours. Please contact us for more information and to add the above experience to your booking.
• Day 5
  Fatehpur Sikri - Leaving Agra this morning we continue towards the ancient, abandoned city of Fatehpur Sikri, built in 1571, as Emperor Akbar’s imperial capital. Although it was mysteriously abandoned just 15 years later, it remains in a remarkable state of preservation, with numerus palaces, wide courtyards and beautiful carvings. We stop for lunch (included) at the the Laxmi Vilas Palace in Bharat before going on to the railway station to catch the Shatabdi Express for our comfortable two-and-a-half-hour journey to Ranthambore National Park. Originally the private hunting preserve of Maharajahs, its 400 square kilometres of forested rolling hills, valleys and lakes form a unique ecosystem. Started in 1973, India’s famous Tiger Project was created to protect the country’s tiger population. Despite many difficulties, the tigers of Ranthambore have survived and numbers have stabilised. Our hotel for the next two nights is the comfortable family-run three-star Ranthambore Regency on full board basis.
• Day 6
  Ranthambore Tiger Safari - An early start this morning is worth the sacrifice as we head out to the park for our safari using specially built, 20-person, open-top four-wheel drive vehicles known as ‘canters’. After many years of conservation, Ranthambore is now the best place to spot tigers in India, but the reserve is about more than tigers – over 300 bird species have been counted including impressive, crested eagles, painted stork and wild peacocks. The park’s residents also include large numbers of sambars, the largest Asian antelope, as well as marsh crocodiles, wild boar and rare sloth bears and leopards. Look out for the playful troop of black-faced langur monkeys near the main entrance gate. We return to our hotel in the late morning, with time to relax before and after lunch. In the afternoon we take our second trip into the park for another chance to spot the elusive tigers. Dinner is included this evening. Signature experience - In the company of a knowledgeable naturalist learn more about the tiger and hear how these majestic creatures play a pivotal role in the natural health and diversity of the ecosystem. As tigers are at the apex of the food chain, discover how they ensure a balance between natural prey and vegetation as they roam the forests and grasslands of Ranthambore. The experience includes a 40-minute documentary.
• Day 7
  Jaipur - Leaving Ranthambore after breakfast we head north to the ‘Pink City’ of Jaipur. Our afternoon tour will cover all the major highlights of this ancient city. The famous Hawa Mahal, known as the Palace of Winds, is one of our first stops before we continue to the Astronomical Observatory constructed in 1726 and on to the City Palace, still home to the present Maharajah of Jaipur, where we’ll view collections of costumes, carpets, paintings and the impressive armoury. Our hotel for the next two nights is the new four-star Marriott Jaipur. Personalise your holiday - Jaipur at night by Rickshaw The “Pink City Rickshaw Co.” is a unique innovative initiative of ACCESS Development Services, a not for profit organization and aims to provide a new aspirational employment opportunity to 200 women from low income households in Jaipur. Experience the medieval mystique of the Jaipur city by the eco-friendly auto rickshaws and enjoy this amazing and completely off-beat experience of Jaipur at night. The beautiful, iconic structures are gorgeously lit up after sunset and you will be treated to splendid views of the city. From £19pp Please contact us for more information and to add the above experience to your booking.
• Day 8
  Amber Fort - This morning another highlight, on a tour of highlights: you’ll visit the immense Amber Fort, located in the hills just a short drive out of Jaipur. Sampling all the most fascinating sights, our guided tour includes the sections reserved for the Maharajah’s wives and concubines as well as the remarkable hall of mirrors, with tiny delicate convex mirrors embedded like a mosaic in the walls and ceilings.
• Day 9
  Rajasthan - Heading north deeper into rural Rajasthan, we'll pass small villages and towns on our way to the Sekhawati region of the state and the village of Alsisar. Once part of India's Silk Road, over the years the merchants here grew very rich, building luxurious mansions known as ‘havelis’ to display their wealth with magnificent frescoed walls. Though most have been abandoned, the imposing and luxurious residence of the local kings has been lovingly restored as a Heritage hotel. This afternoon we'll take a guided walk through the village to explore the best examples of the havelis and see the locals going about their day.
• Day 10
  New Delhi - After breakfast we head back to Delhi and the last night of our tour, at the five-star Hyatt Regency Delhi Hotel. Dinner is included this evening.