India Golden Triangle Tour & Beyond

Day 1: Arrive in Delhi

On arrival at Delhi airport assistance & transfer to hotel (hotel check-in/ out time 12 pm). Rest time free to relax and personal activities. Overnight at the hotel.

🏚️ Hotel Option: The Royal Plaza/ Country Inn & Suite Saket or similar. (5-Star hotels are available on request.)

Day 2: Delhi (B)

City tour of Delhi. In Old, Delhi visits the majestic Red Fort (closed on Monday) the residence of the Mughal emperor for nearly 200 years until 1857. Jama Masjid one of the largest mosques in the world built by Shah Jahan. Cycle Rickshaw ride in Chandni chowk & Khari Baoli Spice Market a busy shopping area with markets full of spices, dried fruit, silver jewelry, and vivid saris, while the narrow side streets are crowded with tiny shops selling essential oils, stationery, and traditional Indian sweets. Raj Gath the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi where he was cremated after his assassination.
In New Delhi visit Humayun Tomb the first garden-tomb in the Indian subcontinent and an early example of Mughal architecture commissioned by Humayun`s first wife Empress Bega Begum in 1569-70. Qutab Minar a 73-meters tall minaret that forms part of the Qutb complex a fine example of Afghan architecture. Lotus Temple a Bahai House of Worship notable for its flower-like shape. Also, drive and pass President House, Parliament & India Gate, etc. Overnight at the hotel.

🏚️ Hotel Option: The Royal Plaza/ Country Inn & Suite Saket or similar.

Day 3: Delhi – Mandawa (250kms) (B)

Drive to Mandawa check-in at the hotel. Later visit Mandawa famous for its marvelous mansions (Havelis). The wealthy businessmen of the village constructed many Havelis and baolis with colored painting adorning their walls. Later on, with the migration of these merchant families, their old settlements remained in total obscurity with no one to look after them. Located in the heart of the Shekhawati region Mandawa is often called an open art gallery. Famous Havelis you can visit are Hanuman Prasad Goenka Haveli, Goenka Double Haveli, Murmuria Haveli, Jhunjhunwala Haveli, Mohan Lal Saraf Haveli, Gulab Rai Ladia Haveli, The Binsidhar Newatia Haveli, Lakshminarayan Ladia Haveli, and Chokhani Double Haveli Overnight at hotel.

🏚️ Hotel Option: Viviana Culture /Udai Vilas Palace or similar.

Day 4: Mandawa – Jodhpur (330kms) (B)

Drive to Jodhpur via visiting Nagaur the Ahhichatragarh Fort a wonderful example of Rajput – Mughal architectural glory. Arrive in Jodhpur check-in & overnight at hotel.

🏚️ Hotel Option: The Ummed/ Ranbanka Place or similar.

Day 5: Jodhpur (B)

City tour of Blue City Jodhpur City tour of Jodhpur popularly known as the Blue City. The name is clearly befitting as most of the architecture, forts, palaces, temples, Havelis, and even houses are built in vivid shades of blue. The mammoth, imposing fortress of Mehrangarh has a landscape dominating a rocky ridge with eight gates leading out of the fortress. Jodhpur marks its origin back to the year of 1459 AD, Rao Jodha the chief of the Rathore Clan is credited with the origin of Jodhpur. Mandore, the ancient capital of Marwar is a major historical site lying just 10kms out from Jodhpur where you will find the cenotaphs of Jodhpur`s former rulers built along the lines of Hindu temples. Visit Mehrangarh Fort, Jaswant Thada, Umaid Bhawan Palace & Museum, Mandore Temples, Gardens & Cenotaphs. Overnight at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

🏚️ Hotel Option: The Ummed/ Ranbanka Place or similar.

Day 6: Jodhpur – Jaipur (330kms) (B)

Drive to Jaipur en-route visit Pushkar, one of the oldest cities in India surrounded by hillocks on three sides. Along with an interesting mythological history, a legacy of timeless architectural heritage makes Pushkar a fascinating city. According to legends, Lord Brahma, believed to be the creator of the Universe dropped a lotus to the ground leading to the immediate creation of a lake. The city of Pushkar is home to the only active temple dedicated to Lord Brahma. Hindus consider a journey to Pushkar to be the ultimate pilgrimage that must be undertaken to attain salvation. Visit Pushkar Lake one of the holiest lakes in the country having 52 bathing ghats, Brahma & Savitri Temple. And Khwaja Dargah E Sharif, Adhai Din Ka Jhonpda, Anasagar Lake in nearby town Ajmer. Arrive at Jaipur check-in at the hotel. Rest time free to relax. Overnight at the hotel.

🏚️ Hotel Option: Holiday Inn City Centre/ Lemon Tree Premier or similar.

Day 7: Jaipur (B)

City tour of Jaipur the first planned city of India. Established in 1727 by Jai Singh II, the king of Amber when he shifted his capital from Amber to the new city because of the rapidly-growing population and increasing water scarcity. Noted architect Vidyadhar Bhattacharya used the established principles of Vastu Shastra to build the city. In 1876, the Prince of Wales visited Jaipur and the entire Jaipur city was painted in pink the symbolic colors of hospitality to welcome him. Jaipur rises up majestically against the backdrop of the forts Nahargarh, Jaigarh, and Garh Ganesh Temple. In the morning visit, Amber Fort followed by Jaigarh Fort. Later visit City Palace, Observatory, Hawa Mahal, Sisodia Rani Garden & Birla temple. Explore the famous bazaars of Pink City with its rich history and heritage that exudes an amazing mix of royalty and art. Overnight at the hotel.

🏚️ Hotel Option: Holiday Inn City Centre/ Lemon Tree Premier or similar.

Day 8: Jaipur – Ranthambore (145kms) (B,L,D)

Drive to Ranthambore National Park & check-in at the resort. Later visit Ranthambore Fort built by the Chauhan rulers in the 10th century. The fort encompasses temples, tanks, massive gates, and huge walls, numerous cenotaphs, ruins, and abandoned settlements overcome by nature testament to battles and romances of an era long gone. The fort is also related to the historical legend of the royal women performing Jauhar (self-immolation) when the Muslim invader Alauddin Khilji laid siege on this fort in 1303. Overnight at the hotel.

🏚️ Hotel Option: Ranthambhore Regency/ Ranthambore Forest Resort or similar.

Day 9: Ranthambore (B, L, D)

Head into Ranthambhore Park twice to enjoy game drives through the rugged terrain which is home to lots of wildlife, including the elusive Bengal tiger. Your game drives are early in the morning and then early evening when animals at their most active.
Ranthambore National Park and Tiger Reserve are some of the world`s best-known wilderness areas at the junction of some of the geologically oldest mountain ranges, the Aravallis and Vindyas. Once a private game reserve of the royal house of Jaipur Ranthambore offers some of the finest opportunities for sighting the magnificent tiger in the wild. A mix of rolling hills and crags, and meadows, lakes, and rivulets, this dry-deciduous forest system is home to an incredible variety of flora and fauna. Apart from the tiger, you can also spot sloth bear, leopard, caracal, jackal, fox, hyena, Indian wolf, and mongoose. The dainty chital, sambhar deer, the blue bull antelope, rhesus macaque, langur, and an incredible variety of birds amidst a setting of dhok, fig, and banyan trees make a visit to this park a delight for tourists and naturalists alike. Basking crocodiles, king vulture on a snag, the scream of the serpent eagle, the alarm calls of spotted deer are some sights and sounds that make this safari experience like none other. Overnight at the hotel.

🏚️ Hotel Option: Ranthambhore Regency/ Ranthambore Forest Resort or similar.

Day 10: Ranthambore – Agra (250kms) (B)

Drive to Agra en-route visit Fatehpur Sikri an abandoned predominately red sandstone construction sprawling over a huge area. See the graceful buildings including Diwan-E-Khas hall, Jodha Bai Palace, Jama Masjid, Tomb of Salim Chisti, Panch Mahal & Buland Darwaza. Arrive Agra check-in & overnight at the hotel.

🏚️ Hotel Option: Radisson Hotel/ Holiday Inn or similar.

Day 11: Agra – Delhi (210kms) (B)

Sunrise visit Taj Mahal an ivory-white marble mausoleum commissioned in 1632 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan to house the tomb of his favorite wife Mumtaz Mahal, it also houses the tomb of Shah Jahan himself. Agra Fort was the main residence of the emperors of the Mughal Dynasty until 1638. And Itmad-ud-Daula Tomb commissioned by Nur Jahan for her father Mirza Ghiyas Beg. Later drive to Delhi drop off at the airport.