Golden Triangle Tour -North India

Golden Triangle Tour -North India

This tour has been designed especially for visitors who are on a short visit to India and would like to visit some of the best this country has to offer, and of course those who Love shopping while holidaying. The 3 major cities of Delhi, Jaipur & Agra have been featured here. Also known as the "Golden Triangle"

Experience the best of India’s historical and architectural highlights on this 8 day Golden Triangle Tour of Delhi, Agra & Jaipur with a private guide & a personal Chauffeur.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Delhi : Meeting, assistance & Transfer by private car to your hotel (check-in 1400 hrs)

Stop At: India Gate, Rajpath Near Connaught Place New Delhi, New Delhi 110001 India
Delhi is a city built and rebuilt seven times over several centuries. The capital city today marries the quaint and unique elements of different historical eras with the pace of the bustling, growing economy. At every turn of the road, the past and the present coexist.

Afternoon at 1430 hrs proceeds for Half Day guided tour of New Delhi. The buildings designed by Edward Lutyens, architect of modern Delhi - are truly majestic. The Presidential Palace, Parliament House and India Gate are all reminiscent of the British “Raj”. Drive through Delhi’s beautiful tree-lined avenues and the Diplomatic Enclave Enroute to the 12th century, 234-foot high fluted minaret of Qutab Minar the tallest brick minaret in the world, is an incredible example of early Indo–Islamic architecture. Next visit the famous Lotus Temple. Since its inauguration to public worship and visits in December 1986, the Baha'i House of Worship has drawn to its portals more than 70 million visitors, making it one of the most visited edifices in the world. Visitors have admired its universal design in the form of a lotus and have been fascinated by the Teachings of the Baha'i’ Faith, especially its tenets of the Oneness of God, the Oneness of Religions, and the Oneness of Mankind. Your tour will terminate with a visit to Humayun’s Tomb built in 1570, which houses the body of the second Mughal emperor, Humayun, before returning to back to hotel for Overnight stay.
Duration: 4 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: 4/5 star Deluxe Hotels

Day 2: Delhi -Jaipur:Morning after early breakfast at 0800 hrs depart by surface for the City of Jaipur

Stop At: City Palace of Jaipur, Tripolia Bazar Near Jantar Mantar, Jaipur 3023002 India
Jaipur an exuberance of colors, dance & song with traditional arts and crafts. Known, as the 'Pink City', it is one of India's most well planned cities with wide straight avenues, roads, streets and lanes in a grid system. A 5.5 hours’ drive gets us to this land of Maharaja's, Forts and Palaces with its diversity of colors & culture that is unique to the State of Rajasthan. On arrival, check in to your pre booked hotel.

Afternoon is reserved for guided sightseeing tour of the City Palace situated in the heart of the old City, it occupies about one seventh of the old city area. The City Palace SMS Museum displaying a collection of clothes, armory & weapons located within the premises of the City Palace and Jai Singh's Observatory also called “Jantar Mantar” built in the18th century by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, where the huge Masonry instruments were used to study the movement of constellations and Stars in the sky.

Drive past Hawa Mahal (Palace of winds) built in 1799, by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, is the most recognized monument of Jaipur. The 5 storied stunning Semi-octagonal Monument having 152 windows with over hanging latticed balconies is a fine piece of Rajput Architecture. Originally designed for the royal ladies to watch and enjoy the processions and other activities, on the street below. Stop here for photos, before continuing on to Albert Hall Museum, located in the premises of Ram Niwas Garden. Its Ind-Saracenic architecture and stone ornamentation became a source of reference for varied classical Indian styles of design from Mughals to Rajputs. The foundation stone of Albert Hall was laid during the visit of the Prince of Wales, Albert Edward to Jaipur in 1876 and was completed in 1887 AD. Return to your hotel for overnight stay. Included (B)
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: 4/5 Star Hotels & Heritage Palaces

Day 3: Jaipur

Stop At: Amber Fort, Amer, Jaipur 302001 India
Morning after breakfast, at 0930 hrs proceed for Half day guided excursion to see one of the most impressive forts of Rajasthan. Visit the impressive Amber Fort the former capital of the Royal Family of Jaipur, Jeeps/car transports us to the lofty fort, where we’ll experience a tour of this Rajput extravaganza. It is a deserted palace surrounded by majestic ramparts and the magnificent public & private room's evidence the splendor of the rulers of 16th & 17th century Rajasthan. Return to your hotel (you also have the option of going to any of the numerous restaurants spread all over Jaipur for lunch – own expense)

Afternoon is free to explore the exotic & colorful markets, handicraft & jewelers shops, clothes boutiques, museum and art galleries of Jaipur (Vehicle and driver will be at disposal). Overnight stay Included: (B)

Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: 4/'5 Star Deluxe & Heritage Hotels

Day 4: Jaipur

Stop At: Jaipur Blue Pottery Art Centre, Near Jain Mandir, Amer Road, Jaipur 302002 India
Morning after early breakfast at 0700 hrs is reserved for a guided Cycling tour of Jaipur Old City. Jaipur's essence lies in its beautiful monuments but also in the by lanes of the old city. These cycle tours have been designed with a deep understanding of India's history, culture and street life. In a short space of time the cycle tour will offer you the chance to see the major monuments of Jaipur but also each of them will take you on a voyage of discovery to the hidden heritage of the Pink City and its multiple facets. Return to hotel

Afternoon is free to explore the exotic & colorful markets, handicraft & jewelers shops, clothes boutiques, museum and art galleries of Jaipur (Vehicle and driver will be at disposal). Overnight stay Included: (B)
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: 4/5 Star Deluxe Hotels & Heritage palaces

Day 5: JAIPUR > SISODIA RANI GARDEN - ABHANERI > FATEHPUR SIKRI > AGRA

Stop At: Abhaneri Historical Place, Abhaneri, Rajasthan 303326, India
Morning after breakfasts depart by surface for the Mughal splendor of Agra. A 5.5 hour’s drive gets us to this fascinating historically rich city of the Taj Mahal. En-route you halt to see the Sisodia Rani Garden & Palace, the step wells of Abhaneri Village & later the deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri.

Sisodia Rani Garden and Palace is a palace garden 6 kilometres from Jaipur city. It was built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II in 1728. The place consists of tiered multi-level gardens with fountains, watercourses and painted pavilions. A double storied palace occupies the top terrace of the garden. The palace has many galleries, pavilions and beautiful murals depicting scenes from the life of lord Krishna. The palace lies on Jaipur Agra highway. The palace garden derives its name from the rani (queen) for whom it was built. She hailed from the Sisodia line of Suryavanshi (Sun dynasty) Rajputs, who ruled and now nominally rule the region of Mewar in Rajasthan.

Next halt brings us to Abhaneri located at a distance of 95 km from Jaipur, on the Jaipur-Agra road. This small village is popular for the Chand Baori step well which is one of India's deepest and largest step wells (also known as tank gardens). Step wells are unique to India. They were used as cool places of resort, as pools for ritual cleansing before a temple visit and as a water supply for dry weather. Adjoining the step well is the Harshat Mata Temple. Even though the village is now in ruins, it attracts large number of tourists from across the globe.

Continue your journey to Fatehpur Sikri a magnificent fort, built in red sandstone. The well preserved ghost city located 35 kms from Agra was once the political capital of India's Mughal Empire under Akbar's reign, from 1571 until 1585, it was abandoned, ostensibly due to lack of water. Sikri shared its imperial duties as a capital city with Agra, where a bulk of the arsenal, treasure hoards and other reserves were kept at its Red Fort for security. During a crisis, the court, harem, and treasury could be removed to Agra, less than a day's march. Visit the tomb of Salim Chisti built by Mughal emperor Akbar in honor of this Sufi saint in 1571 who foretold the birth of 3 sons to the Emperor Akbar, is an example of robust stability combined with originality. Each important edifice here represents a type by itself. Notable among them are the Diwan I Khas, Punch Mahal, and the Buland Darwaza. Later drive to Agra and on arrival check-in to your pre booked hotel. Included (B)

Duration: 7 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: 4/5 star Deluxe Hotels & Heritage places

Day 6: Agra

Stop At: Taj Mahal, Dharmapuri, Forest Colony, Tajganj, Agra 282001 India
Morning after breakfast, day is reserved for city sightseeing. Begin your guided tour at 0900 hrs visiting Sikandra, the mausoleum of Akbar. Akbar himself started construction of this beautiful monument. This structure has a perfect blending of Hindu, Christian, Islamic, Buddhist, Jain themes. Sikandra Fort is located in the western periphery of the city at a distance of about 10 Kms from the city center. After visit return to Agra City and visit the Agra Fort which lies across the river Yamuna which abode attractive constructions such as Pearl Mosque, Jahangir Mahal, Di wan-i-Khas, Di-wan-i- Am and more. It was here that Aurangzeb the 3rd son of Shah Jahan kept his father under house arrest until his death.

Late afternoon is reserved for a guided visit by to see the incomparable Taj Mahal. Situated on the banks of river Yamuna, the monumental beauty has inspired countless people around the world and is a fine example of fusion of many architectural styles. It is one of the wonders of the modern world. Built in the year 1652, by Emperor Shah Jahan to immortalize the memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, who died tragically in 1631. It took 22 years and 20,000 skilled artisans to complete this poem in white marble. Witness, sunset before returning to your hotel for overnight stay. Included: (B)
Duration: 7 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: 4/5 star Deluxe hotels & Heritage Palaces

Day 7: Agra -Delhi

Stop At: Itmad-ud-Daulah, Yamuna Bridge, Katra Wazir Khan, Agra, Uttar Pradesh 282006, India
Early Morning before sunrise (subject to weather condition) around 0530 hrs proceed with your guide to Mehtab Bagh which is the best place to see Taj at sunrise. The garden complex is perfectly aligned with the Taj Mahal on the opposite bank. This was the last of eleven Mughal- built gardens, along River Yamuna which flows in between the Taj and Agra Fort.

On your return journey visit Itmaudualla - a Mughal mausoleum, often described as a "jewel box", and sometimes called the "Baby Taj", the tomb is often regarded as a draft of the Taj Mahal. Queen Noor Jahan, wife of Emperor Jahangir, commissioned this mausoleum for her father Mirza Ghiyās Beg, originally a Persian Amir in exile who had been given the title of I’timād-ud-Daulah (pillar of the state). Noor Jahan was also responsible for the construction of the Tomb of Jahangir and her own at Lahore. Mirza Ghiyās Beg was the grandfather of Mumtaz Mahal (originally named Arjūmand Bāno, daughter of Asaf Khan), the wife of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, responsible for the construction of the Taj Mahal.

Return to your hotel for breakfast. Later after a leisurely breakfast, depart for Delhi by surface. A 3.5 hrs drive gets us back to the capital city of India. On arrival, check into your pre booked hotel.

Afternoon at 1400 hrs is reserved for half day guided city tour of Old Delhi. Visit the Magnificent Red Fort, built at the zenith of the Mughal Empire in India. Its walls, which stretch for over 2km, were built in 1638 to keep out invaders. The centuries- old international market- place that sprawls at its feet is still one of Delhi’s most important commercial hubs: Chandni Chowk, or “Moonlight Square”. Ride on cycle-rickshaws (Optional) or walk through the bustling silver market and the wholesale spice market. The sounds, smells and colors of the bazaar, and the throngs of people who animate it make this an unforgettable spectacle. Visit Jumma Masjid, the largest mosque in Asia. Its courtyard can hold an incredible 25,000 devotees. The mosque took 13 years to build and was completed in 1650. You finish your tour visiting Rajghat-Mahatma Gandhi’s memorial, before returning to your hotel for overnight stay. Included: (B)
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: 4/5 Star Deluxe & Heritage hotels

Day 8: Departure Delhi

Stop At: Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, Delhi 110037, India
Morning after breakfast day is free for own activities. A Day to write your memoirs, drink a margarita by the poolside, read a book, laze around or simply go shopping.

Later on time transfer to the Delhi International airport to connect flight for onward journey (Rooms till 12 Noon)

END OF OUR SERVICES - We sincerely hope that you had an “incredible” experience while in India and take this opportunity to wish you a happy & memorable journey back home.


Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: 4/5 Star Deluxe Hotel