India's
Golden Triangle
APRIL 4-10, 2027
This trip can be booked either on its own, or with a Pre-trip 1
or 2 nts. In the start point of Delhi, or with a 3 to 4 night Pre – trip stay
on the Magnificent Maldives islands nearby.
This trip also makes a great pairing with our Sri Lanka trip,
March 14-28, 2027, which also offers the same 3-4 nights on the Magnificent
Maldives islands as a Post trip stay.
VISIT THE TAJ MAHAL AT SUNRISE FOR A UNFORGETTABLE, ONCE IN A
LIFETIME EXPERIENCE
The incomparable site of the Taj Mahal, see at sunrise
Trip
Overview
On northern India’s great cultural
circuit, the standout landmarks are just the beginning of our amazing adventure…
Of course, the highlight
for many is visiting the Taj Mahal at sunrise, but the lesser-known wonders may linger just as long in your trip
memories.
Witness the Taj Mahal in the soft light of sunrise
– a time when the crowds are thinner, the views and better
and the
memories are deeper…
Complete the famed Golden
Triangle, visiting Delhi, Agra and Jaipur
Explore
the narrow streets of Old Delhi on a cycle rickshaw adventure
Our Adventure begins in Delhi •
Explore the narrow streets of Old Delhi on a cycle rickshaw ride
Begin your adventure in pulsating Delhi. It’s a city split
in two, with historic Old Delhi in the north and the nation’s capital, New
Delhi, in the south.
At approximately 2pm, join your local trip leader for a tour
of Old Delhi, starting outside Jama Masjid, a colossal mosque capable of
holding up to 25,000 worshippers. Afterward, we’re taken through the narrow
streets of the Old Delhi markets by cycle rickshaw, finishing at Khari Baoli,
the largest spice market in India, where we can meet the vendors and walk
through the fragrant rows of spices, nuts, herbs and grains.
Around 6pm, we gather as a group to get to know each other
and learn more about the adventures ahead over a welcome meeting. Your tour
leader then arranges a group dinner at a nearby restaurant.
·
Accommodation:Iris
Park (or similar)
·
Meals included: Dinner
Our hotel
offers airport pickup service for a fee.
Do You Want more time in Delhi? Ask us about a one or two
night Pre tour stay in Delphi with more optional sightseeing.
Or, ask us about our 3 or 4 night Magnificent Maldives
islands Pre tour package.
Day 2 – April 5, 2027
Explore the colonial
architecture and grand memorials of New Delhi • To Agra
Join your local tour leader to explore New Delhi this
morning. It starts at Humayun’s Tomb, a rather understated name for what is
really a precursor to the Taj Mahal, a mausoleum on a palatial scale.
Humayun’s Tomb in Delhi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
commissioned in 1565 by Bega Begum, is the first substantial example of
Mughal architecture in India.
Designed by Persian architect Mirak Mirza Ghiyas, this red
sandstone mausoleum introduced the garden-tomb layout (charbagh) to the Indian
subcontinent, later inspiring the Taj Mahal
·
Architecture: The structure features a
Persian-inspired double dome, high arches, and a combination of red sandstone
with white and black inlaid marble.
·
Design
& Layout: It sits in the
center of a 10-hectare (25-acre) charbagh (paradise garden)
divided into 36 smaller squares by water channels and pathways.
We then drive past fine colonial buildings, including
Rashtrapati Bhavan, a 320-acre (130ha) estate built by British architect Edwin
Lutyens in 1931, which comprises the official residence of the President of
India, Parliament House and India Gate – a memorial to soldiers who died in the
First World War.
This afternoon, we head to Agra (approximately four to five
hours’ drive).
Upon arrival, check into the hotel with the evening free to
relax.
·
Accommodation:The Taj
Vilas (or similar)
·
Meals
included:Breakfast
DAY 3 – APRIL 6, 2027
Sunrise trip to the Taj
Mahal followed by Agra Fort • To our palace-hotel in Hindaun
It’s the moment
everyone’s been waiting for!
Wake early to visit
the Taj Mahal at sunrise, when the white-marble exterior is illuminated by the
soft early light, the crowds are smaller and the birds chatter among
themselves. After admiring it from the outside and enjoying a deep dive into
this New World Wonder from our tour leader, we head inside, with a chance to
explore the beautiful inner chambers and mausoleum.
After we’ve fully soaked in the magnificence of the Taj
Mahal, we visit the imposing Agra Fort (also known as the Red Fort). It was
built by the third Mughal emperor, Akbar, whose mighty red sandstone walls
enclose the white-marble Pearl Mosque and the palaces, halls, courtyards, and
gardens of his sons and successors, Jehangir and Shah Jahan.
In the afternoon, we transfer (approximately three to four
hours) to Suroth Mahal, a 600-year-old fort in the city of Hindaun. This former
royal residence was once home to the Maharaja Krishna Chandra Pal, though
tonight you’ll be the guest of honor!
The palace of Suroth is the 600 years
old building which is a treasure trove of architecture, stone carvings,
gorgeous jail work, glass inlay work, classic paintings with elaborated
ornamented stucco work and frescoes.
After checking into the hotel and freshening up, we have a
45-minute round trip excursion by camel cart to a century-old Hindu temple.
Back at the hotel,
enjoy a short cooking demonstration, in which you’re shown how to make pakora –
a skill certain to impress your friends back home.
·
Accommodation:Suroth
Mahal, Heritage Hotel (or similar)
·
·
Meals
included:Breakfast
DAY 4 – APRIL 7, 2027
Meet local people on a
gentle village walk •
Visit Jaipur and the
amazing Chand Baori stepwell
The
intricately carved Chand Baori Step-well
Start the day with a gentle one-hour walk to a 300-year-old
village, where we meet the residents and learn about their daily life. En
route, we also visit a local market (haat) and see the community going
about their daily tasks, such as creating handicrafts or working in their
fields.
In the afternoon, we are transferred (approximately four to
five hours) to Jaipur. Breaking up this journey, we stop at Chand Baori, one of
the largest and deepest step-wells in India. With its intricate criss-cross
staircase pattern, you’ll feel like you’re part of an Escher artwork.
The
Chand Baori is a step-well built over a thousand years ago in the Abhaneri
village of Rajasthan.
It
is one of the largest step-wells in the world and also one of the most
beautiful ones.
Stepwells,
also called bawdi or baori, are unique to this nation. The wells have
steps built into the sides that lead down to the water.
Chand
Baori one was built during the 8th and 9th centuries and has 3,500 narrow steps
arranged in perfect symmetry, which descend 20m to the bottom of the well.
The steps form a magical
maze and the consequent play of light and shadow on the structure gives it a
captivating look.
The evening is free but if you still have some energy, why
not join your tour leader for an evening cooking class at a local family home?
This optional activity is a great way to interact with the local people, learn
some great cooking tips and gorge on sumptuous food.
·
Accommodation:Hotel 7
Apple (or similar)
·
·
Meals
included:Breakfast
Rise with Jaipur on a dawn walk •
Explore the magnificent landmarks of the pink city
Enjoy a full day exploring Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan
and one of the most attractive and colorful cities in India.
Rise early, heading out for a dawn walking tour as the pink
city begins to wake. Visiting different chowkris (blocks)
within the walled city, we can see the local people start their day and watch
the rituals that take place in early morning flower and vegetable markets.
Visiting
a small temple, we witness a morning aarti, a moving Hindu ceremony accompanied
by singing, ringing bells and incense.
We can also interact with different artisan communities,
while also sampling local food and drink.
Returning to the hotel for breakfast and time to refresh, we
head out again mid-morning. First, we visit the hilltop Amer Fort, which was
built by Kachwaha dynasty ruler Man Singh and acted as the seat of the dynasty
before the capital was shifted to Jaipur. A highlight is the Sheesh Mahal (Hall
of Mirrors), which is adorned with more than a million pieces of hand-cut
mirror and glass, intricately arranged to reflect light throughout the space.
Amer Fort (Amber Fort)
is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in
Jaipur, Rajasthan, known for its artistic
Hindu-Mughal style. Built starting in 1592 by Raja Man Singh I, it is
constructed from yellow/pink sandstone and white marble. It serves as a
majestic hilltop palace complex featuring the famed Sheesh Mahal (mirror
palace).
AMER FORT IN JAIPUR
Later, we visit one of the most intriguing sites in India,
Jantar Mantar (Jaipur Observatory), an assembly of immense marble-and-brass
astronomical instruments in a pleasant garden.
We also see the Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds), a
five-story landmark built of pink sandstone, which allowed the women of the
royal household to observe street festivities without being noticed.
Hawa Mahal, or the "Palace of Winds," in Jaipur, India, is a
renowned 1799 Rajput masterpiece built by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh. Famous
for its pink sandstone façade and 953 small windows (jharokhas), it was
designed to allow royal women to observe street life discreetly while providing
natural cooling.
THE PALACE OF THE WINDS
Finally, we can end the day exploring the local market
within the walled city – admiring the local dhurries (woven
rugs), carpets, printed cloth, semi-precious stones and leatherwear.
·
Accommodation:Hotel 7
Apple (or similar)
·
·
Meals
included:Breakfast
·
We will return to Delhi after
breakfast…Typically, the group gathers for a final meal this evening, a chance
to relax and recount the amazing week and memories created with new-found
friends.
·
Accommodation:Iris
Park (or similar)
·
·
Meals
included:Breakfast
Our Adventure ends in Delhi
The adventure ends in Delhi today. Begin your return journey
home or, if you’d like a bit more time to explore this magnificent city, speak
to your sales representative about extending your stay with additional nights
in either Delhi or in the magnificent Maldives islands.
·
Meals included today: :Breakfast
TOTAL COST OF OUR 7 DAY
TOUR OF THE BEST OF INDIA AND ITS GOLDEN TRIANGLE APRIL 4-10, 2027
ONLY $1499 PER PERSON
INCLUDING TAX with 2 people per room
We can assign you a
roommate if you do not have a friend to travel with
Or
Optional
single room supplement for this trip: Only $489 supplement to have the privacy of your own room…But single
rooms are limited so book early if you wish to get one on this exciting trip.
Payments: A deposit of $500
is due within 7 days of booking.
The balance payment is due
December 1st, 2026
Cancel policy for this
trip: The tour operator of this trip
mandates that the $500 deposit is not refundable, but if you cancel before the
balance payment is due, they will give a future trip credit to the same tour
within one year of your cancelation.
BALANCE PAYMENTS ARE NON
REFUNDABLE UNLESS REPLACED BY A NEW PASSENGER.
