Grand Journey from India's Golden Triangle to Shimla for Solo Travellers

Itinerary

• Day 1
  Departure
• Day 2
  Arrival in New Delhi - We will transfer to the five-star Le Meridien Hotel for an overnight stay. After time to freshen up, we begin our solo tour with a visit to New Delhi, where we see the Parliament building and the India Gate, as well as some of the more ancient sites of Qutub and the tomb of Humayun. This evening we enjoy a pleasant and informal welcome dinner, where you’ll have the opportunity to get to know your tour manager and other like-minded travellers exploring the world on their own.
• Day 3
  Old Delhi - After breakfast, we continue our exploration of the city to Old Delhi, where we visit Mahatma Gandhi’s modest memorial, as well as the imposing Red Fort and the Gurudwara Bangla Sahib Temple, one of the most prominent Sikh gurdwaras - or Sikh house of worship - in Delhi. We continue to Agra where we stay at the four-star hotel – the Oberoi Trident.
• Day 4
  Taj Mahal - An early start this morning will be worth the while when we witness the glorious sun rising over the stunning Taj Mahal. As the mist rises above the adjoining Yamuna River, the constantly changing colours of the marble domes further highlight the symmetrical beauty of one of the modern wonders of the world. Our tour continues to the huge terracotta-coloured Agra Fort, the headquarters of the Moghul Empire for many years. Later this evening, you’ll have the option to return to the Taj Mahal to enjoy the sunset. 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
  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
  Tiger safari - This morning, we rise early in the hopes of catching a glimpse of Ranthambore’s famous tigers on safari. Specially adapted four-wheel-drive vehicles manned by expert drivers will take us around the vast national park to spot the many different wildlife species that call it home, including antelopes, monkeys, crocodiles, wild boar, and rare sloth bears. We return to our hotel later this morning with plenty of time to relax and have a bite before our second safari drive to spot yet more fantastic wild creatures. Dinner is included this evening.
• Day 7
  Jaipur - The ‘Pink City’ of Jaipur is our destination today, as we leave the natural playground of Ranthambore behind. One of Jaipur’s highlights is the Astronomical Observatory, home to a multitude of huge sundials. We will also visit the City Palace where the Maharajah of Jaipur still resides. Later we check into our hotel, the new four-star Marriott Jaipur for two nights. 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 - Another icon of India is the colossal Amber Fort, located in the hills above Jaipur. We are treated to a local guide’s expert insights, so we can truly appreciate the fine details of this most magnificent of structures.
• 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 leave Rajasthan behind and return to the nation’s capital, New Delhi, for a one-night stay before our journey into the Himalayas. Tonight, we stay at the five-star Hyatt Regency Delhi Hotel. Dinner is included this evening.