India's Golden Triangle

Upon arrival at Delhi airport (or train station) you will be met by our representative who will transfer you to your hotel. There are no activities planned for the rest of the day so you are free to explore this bustling capital city. Connaught Place. Commonly abbreviated as CP and also known as Rajiv Chowk, this is one of the main business, shopping, restaurants and markets areas of the city. It was developed as a showpiece of Lutyens' Delhi featuring a Central Business District. Named after the Duke of Connaught, the construction work was started in 1929 and completed in 1933. India's capital is an exciting, busy, and often chaotic city but certainly one of the most interesting. Delhi comprises of conspicuously contrasting Old and New Delhi. Old Delhi was the capital of Muslim India between the 12th and 19th centuries and one can find mosques, monuments and forts related to this Muslim history. New Delhi is the imperial city created as India's capital by the British, intricately planned and comprises of imposing buildings displaying various modern styles of architecture. For those arriving early, explore some of the many attractions on your own - explore the Janatar Mantar, wander the market of Janpath in CP, catch the metro anywhere, visit the Crafts Museum, Indira Gandhi Museum or Birla House (the site of Gandhi's assassination) or relax in the magical Lodi Gardens. Overnight: The Metropolitan Hotel or similar

Meals: Nil

This morning, you will visit Raj Ghat, the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi, revered as the father of the Nation. Next, you'll continue to Humayun's Tomb, believed to have been commissioned in 1565 AD by the widow of Mughal Emperor Humayun. The tomb’s design is inspired by Islamic paradise gardens, and it famously influenced the Taj Mahal and later Mughal tombs. Afterwards, you’ll explore the Qutab Minar, a stunning tower adorned with intricately carved quotations from the Koran, known as one of the finest towers in the Persian world. You’ll also drive past the iconic Red Fort before embarking on a 200km (approximately 4-hour) journey to Agra in the early afternoon. *Please note some monuments and museums in Delhi are closed on Mondays. Overnight: Clarks Shiraz or similar Driving: 200km/124mi / approx. 2hrs

Meals: B

You depart the hotel early this morning and make your way to the Taj Mahal to watch as the sun rises over this extraordinary building. Built by Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his wife Mumtaz Mahal, the beauty of this structure is unmatched. On the death of his beloved wife, in wild extravagance, Shah Jahan built her this memorial. 20,000 men laboured for over 17 years to build this wealth of white marble and precious stone. You will have time to walk the corridors and gardens before continuing on to the Agra Fort. With its grand courtyards, royal pavilions, and palaces, the Agra Fort is a fitting testimony to the Great Moghuls – Akbar, Jahangir, and Shah Jahan – during the era when Agra was the capital of the Moghul Empire. The most impressive part of the Fort is the Dewan-e-Am, where the Emperor sat on his throne to dispense to his subjects, and the Dewan-e-Khas where he received foreign dignitaries. A brief visit is also made to the marble inlay workshop, where you can see the art that went into the inlay work at the Taj Mahal. This workshop has revived this almost forgotten art style in India. You will also visit the tomb of Itmad-ud-Daula, father of Queen Nur Jahan – a two-storied tomb bearing mosaics in inlaid semi-precious stones. You will then return to your hotel where you will have free time. If time permits, you should visit Itimad-ud-Daula, known as the ‘Baby Taj’; it was built before the Taj Mahal by Nur Jahan, queen of Jehangir, for her parents. The first Mughal building to be faced with white marble, it is also where ‘pietra dura’ (precious stones inlaid into marble) was first used. Agra is a great place to try barbecue meats (kebabs) mixed with Indian spices. Petha, pieces of white pumpkin dipped in sugar syrup, and Gajak, a crumbly sweet made with sesame and jaggery, are delicious local sweets you should try. They are sold everywhere. Overnight: Clarks Shiraz or similar *Please note the Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays

Meals: B

After breakfast, you set off for Jaipur by road, covering a distance of 240km (approximately 5 hours). Along the way, you visit the hauntingly beautiful ghost city of Fatehpur Sikri. Built from red sandstone by Emperor Akbar in 1569, the city was abandoned just 14 years later due to a failed water supply. Its grand courtyards and majestic palaces evoke the splendour of a bygone era. You will explore the impressive Jami Masjid, the tomb of Shaik Salim Chisti, who foretold the birth of Akbar’s son Jehangir, and the unique Panch Mahal, a five-storey structure that resembles a Buddhist temple. You'll also visit the cloistered courtyard, once the Hall of Public Audience, and the Pachchisi courtyard, paved in black and white, where the Emperor played chess using slave girls as living pieces. Overnight: Alsisar Haveli or similar Driving: 240km/150mi / approx. 5hrs

Meals: B

Early this morning, after breakfast, you set off for a full day of sightseeing in Jaipur. Your first stop is the Amber Fort, a stunning honey-coloured fortress-palace nestled in the Aravalli Hills, just north of the city. Its imposing exterior conceals the splendour of the royal apartments, which offer breathtaking views of the surrounding gorge. The Hall of Victory showcases a dazzling array of decorative art, with alabaster panels finely inlaid in delicate hues, and the mesmerising Chamber of Mirrors. Next, you return to the city to visit the Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds), a remarkable structure adorned with intricate honeycomb screens and carved balconies. From these, the royal ladies, secluded in their chambers, once observed the bustling streets below. You will then explore Jai Singh’s Observatory, built in the 17th century by the city’s founder, who was not only a prince but also a soldier, astronomer, and architect. The tour concludes at the City Palace, now a museum housing an impressive collection of Rajput and Mughal paintings, rare manuscripts, an armoury, antique carpets, and intricately embroidered garments worn by the Maharajas and Maharanis. After your sightseeing, you will drive to Delhi, where the trip concludes. If you require additional accommodation in Delhi, please contact World Expeditions. Driving: 300km/186mi / approx. 4hrs

Meals: B