Golden Triangle and Beyond
11 Days
Suitable for families with young children
0
Highest point/ Max altitude
Fitness Grade
Easy
Fairly easy 5-6 hours of activity per day. May include some uphill sections, reasonable fitness recommended.
A relaxing 11-day tour featuring India’s so-called Golden Triangle (Delhi-Agra-Jaipur), with a rich backdrop of fascinating culture, monumental architecture and historical splendor – plus a memorable encounter with Hinduism’s most sacred city. We’ll see some of the most compelling highlights of northern India, together with its colourful people and fabulous wildlife.
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Tour Highlights
- Magnificent Taj Mahal at sunrise
- Stunning Amer Fort on the hilltop at Jaipur
- Game drives to search for tigers at Ranthambore National Park
- The sacred Ganges ghats at Varanasi, with a sunrise boat ride
- Fatehpur Sikri, the abandoned city of the Mughals
- Flexible tailor-made booking options
Best Season
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Tour Details
The itinerary is loosely based around the Golden Triangle, and at various stages along the way we’ll be taking in the compelling sights of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. The national capital forms the start and end points, and there’s plenty of time to visit all of the major places of interest from across the centuries including the Red Fort, the Gandhi Memorial and the magnificent Jama Masjid. Further west, towards the desert, Jaipur - the Pink City of India - proliferates in its magnificent past, bellicose history, renowned tradition and architectural elegance. Agra, meanwhile, needs little introduction as the home of the matchless Taj Mahal.
Elsewhere on the tour we’ll go looking for tigers and other wildlife at Ranthambore National Park, stop by at the abandoned Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri, and journey east to Varanasi: this sacred city is the hub of the Hindu religion, and a visit to the bathing ghats on the Ganges is a profoundly memorable experience. We’ll enjoy a boat ride on the river in the early morning to make the most of this incredible sight, as well as taking a short trip out to the sacred Buddhist site of Sarnath.
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Flexibility Guaranteed
Please note: You can use this itinerary as a guide to fully customise this tour as per your budget and requirements. Flexible options include travel dates and duration, places, activities and experiences, hotel category (star/rating) and any specific requirements that you may have.
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DAY 01 - Delhi
Arrive Delhi, transfer to hotel and evening free
Arrive at the international airport of Delhi. After a traditional 'Swagat' (Welcome) our KVT’s representative would assist you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel for check-in. Rest of the day is free for us to relax and explore the market.
Overnight Hotel
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DAY 02 - Delhi
Half-day sightseeing of Delhi and overnight train to Varanasi
This day after breakfast we proceed for the half-day sightseeing tour of Delhi; we start with Jama Masjid, is the largest mosque of Old Delhi and it was built between 1644 - 1658 by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan who built the Taj Mahal and Red Fort. Then we visit Rajghat which is a memorial to Mahatma Gandhi located on the bank of Yamuna River. It is located in Old Delhi opposite to the Red Fort and next to Chandni Chowk. Afterwards we drive pass through Colonial buildings such as the President's House, the official residence of the President of India, built in the year 1931 and India Gate is a war memorial, also known as ‘All India War Memorial’. India Gate is 42m high located at the centre of New Delhi across Rajpath. Then we visit Humayun’s Tomb, it is the tomb of the Mughal Emperor Humayun and it was built in between 1565-1572 by his first wife Bega Begum. It was the first garden-tomb on the Indian subcontinent and it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993. In the evening we will be transferred to the railway station to catch the overnight train to Varanasi.
Overnight Train
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DAY 03 - Varanasi
Arrive Varanasi and check-in to the hotel; afternoon a trip to Sarnath and evening an optional visit to Ganges Ghat
Arrive Varanasi early morning and transfer to the hotel for check-in. Varanasi is the oldest living cities in the world, it is also known as Banaras or Kashi situated on the bank of River Ganges, it is considered to be the 7th holiest city of Hinduism. Pilgrims from all-over India come here to take a holy dip into the sacred river to wash away their sins. There are thousands of pilgrims, wandering holy men (Sadhus), religious elders and casual visitors. In the afternoon we will visit Sarnath, it is 10km away from Varanasi and located near the confluence of the Ganges and the Gomati rivers, it is the place where Gautama Buddha delivered his 1st sermon after he attained enlightenment in Bodh Gaya. It is one of the four Buddhist pilgrimage sites. Evening an optional visit to Ganges Ghats for puja ceremony can be arranged.
Overnight Hotel
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DAY 04 - Varanasi
Morning boat ride on the Ganges and overnight train to Agra
Other than being a holy city for Hindus, Varanasi also holds a very significant association with Buddha's life and Buddhism. Just before dawn, we take a boat ride on the Ganges River to witness the extraordinary spectacle on the Ghats, the steps leading down to the river. The boat ride takes us past the various Ghats of Varanasi. Every day thousands of Hindu pilgrims and devotees visit this city to make holy prayers, to meditate and to purify themselves through taking a bath in the holy river Ganges. After the boat ride we have free afternoon and in the evening we will be transferred to the railway station to catch the overnight train to Agra.
Overnight Train
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DAY 05 - Agra
Arrive Agra and transfer to hotel; visit Agra Fort then an optional visit to Taj Mahal
Morning we arrive Agra railway station and will be transferred to the hotel for check-in. In the afternoon visit imposing Red Fort of Akbar, third of the Mughal Emperors, whose mighty red sandstone walls enclose the beautiful white marble Pearl Mosque and the palaces, halls, courtyards and fountains of his sons and successors, Jahangir and Shah Jahan. Then an optional visit to the beautiful white marble Taj Mahal (remains closed on every Friday) can also be arranged during sunset.
Overnight Hotel
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DAY 06 - Ranthambore
Morning visit Taj Mahal then drive to Ranthambore National Park en-route visit Fatehpur Sikri
Early morning we wake-up and visit the beautiful white marble Taj Mahal (remains closed on every Friday) during sunrise. Taj Mahal is a symbol of eternal love which stands on the banks of River Yamuna; it was built by the 5th Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in the memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died in 1631. The Taj Mahal is serenely beautiful and never fails to amaze a first time visitor. Afterwards we drive to Ranthambore (Distance: 280Km approx.) en-route visit Fatehpur Sikri. It was formally the capital of the Mughal Empire; this wonderfully preserved ‘ghost town’ was constructed by Emperor Akbar and it reflects his ideals in art, religion and architecture. The mosque is designed to hold ten thousand worshippers. But this magnificence only lasted 14 years, as in 1585 Akbar left Fatehpur Sikri due to lack of water, leaving this city much as we see it today. Then continue towards Ranthambore. Reach there and check-in to the hotel and relax.
Overnight Hotel
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DAY 07 - Ranthambore
Morning and evening game drives at Ranthambore National Park
Ranthambore National Park is in Sawai Madhopur District of Indian state Rajasthan. Located at the junction of Aravalli and Vindhya hills range, it is one of the biggest and famous national parks in Northern India. Ranthambore National Park was declared one of the Project Tiger reserves in 1973 and it became a national park in 1980. Ranthambore National Park is the site of one of the largest banyan trees in India. This day we have two game drives in Ranthambhore National Park. The first game drive will be in the morning and second in the afternoon. There are two choices of vehicle for going on the safari, an all-wheel drive jeep called a "Gypsy" (which seat up to 6 visitors) or 16 or 20 seater safari bus called a "Canter – a large open truck" on sharing basis. Later after the game drives relax at the hotel.
Overnight Hotel
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DAY 08 - Jaipur
Morning optional game drive at Ranthambore National Park then drive to Jaipur
This morning an optional morning game drive can be organized or after breakfast we drive towards Jaipur (Distance: 180km approx.). Jaipur is popularly known as the Pink City and is the colorful capital of Rajasthan with its rich cultural heritage and colorful past. It is now one of the most important heritage cities in India. Reach Jaipur and check-in to the hotel; in the evening, we explore the colorful bazaars of Jaipur.
Overnight Hotel
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DAY 09 - Jaipur
Sightseeing of Jaipur
After breakfast we drive to the ancient capital of Amber, 11 km away from Jaipur. Famous for its massive Amber Fort, Amber was the ancient capital of Kachhawaha dynasty for 6 centuries. We take an Elephant ride to reach the Fort situated on the hill, an overwhelming experience. Later, we proceed to the City Palace, a perfect blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. Further we visit Jantar Mantar (Solar Observatory), an astronomical treasure house, with solar devices that give accurate predictions till date. We also visit Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds), a five-storied structure of pink sandstone. It was specially built as a high screen wall so that the women of royal household could observe the street festivities while nobody can see them from outside.
Overnight Hotel
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DAY 10 - Delhi
Drive to Delhi and evening free to relax
In the morning we drive to Delhi (Distance: 280km approx.) reach there and check-in to the hotel. Rest of the day is free to relax or can explore the local and nearby market area for the last minute shopping.
Overnight Hotel
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DAY 11 - Delhi
Departure transfer to the International airport
Morning you will be transferred to the Indira Gandhi International airport, Delhi to board the flight for back home.
Tour Map
Send an enquiry
Flexibility Guaranteed! Using the above itinerary as a guide you can fully customise this tour as per your budget and requirements. Flexible options include travel dates and duration, places, activities and experiences, hotel category (star/rating) and any specific requirements that you may have. On receiving your enquiry we will respond with prices and work with you to create a truly personalised holiday experience that is in your budget and personal style.