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Take a journey of the senses to the cities of the Golden Triangle, Sikhism's most sacred site and some of northern India’s most alluring countryside.
Search for tigers in Ranthambhore and see the Taj Mahal on this enthralling holiday in Northern India. Journey into the prosperous province of Punjab, home to Amritsar’s sacred Golden Temple, and explore the beautiful Himalayan hill-state of Himachal-Pradesh, one of India’s most arresting and beguiling regions. Experience the colourful theatrics of a border-closing ceremony, visit exquisite, Tibetan-influenced Dharamsala and ride the Shatabdi Express train.
Extend your holiday and visit sacred Varanasi is a 3,000 year old city on the sacred Ganges to which Hindu pilgrims make their way to bathe in the holy waters. View the ghats from a river boat at dawn and journey to Sarnath, one of Buddhism’s holiest sights.
Highlights
- A stay in Ranthambhore National Park, with two safaris
- Witness the Palki ceremony at Amritsar’s Golden Temple
- Sunset and sunrise visits to the immortal Taj Mahal
- An included guided tour of the sights of New Delhi
- Enjoy a traditional rickshaw ride through Old Delhi
- Climb to Amber Fort by Jeep
- See Jaipur’s Palace of the Winds
- Stay overnight in a pool villa in Dholpur
- Enjoy an Indian cookery demonstration
- Explore the Heritage Village at Pragpur
- A tour of the glorious Himalayan foothills
- A visit to the Jallianwala Bagh memorial park
- See the Indo-Pakistani border closing ceremony
- Complete your holiday with a stay in sacred Varanasi
Inclusions
- 15 nights' half-board accommodation in a series of good-quality hotels in Delhi (2 nights), Jaipur (2), Ranthambhore (2), Dholpur (1), Agra (1), Pragpur (2) Amritsar (2), Varanasi (2) and Delhi (1) plus two nights on the aircraft
- Seven lunches
- Return scheduled to Delhi
- An internal flight from Amritsar to Delhi and between Delhi-Varanasi-Delhi
- First-class rail travel between Delhi and Jalandhar
- Comfortable, air-conditioned coach travel and transfers throughout
- Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Day 1
Fly overnight from the UK to Delhi.
Day 2
Arriving in India, you'll meet your tour manager and transfer to your hotel. Later, after an included lunch, join your tour manager on a guided tour to the ruins of the Quwwat-ul-Islam mosque and the ornate Qutb Minar tower that rises from them.
Day 3
Today’s explorations begin with a guided tour of the Old City, and an exciting rickshaw ride through the lanes of Chandni Chowk. Afterwards, you’ll explore New Delhi, with its echoes of the British Raj, and visit the impressive Agrasen ki Baoli stepwell. This afternoon, you’ll travel to the Pink City of Jaipur, where you'll spend the next two nights.
Day 4
Visit Amber’s extraordinary hill-top fort by Jeep to explore the Royal Halls and enjoy the magnificent views. This afternoon, discover Jaipur’s stunning City Palace museum, the famous astronomical observatory and drive by the 18th-century Palace of the Winds. Dinner tonight is taken in the city with a local Rajasthani family.
Day 5
Journey to beautiful Ranthambhore National Park for a two-night stay, during which you’ll hope to catch a glimpse of the legendary Tigers of Ranthambhore. Relax in the hotel or join this afternoon’s optional excursion to Ranthambhore Fort before this evening’s tiger talk from a local naturalist.
Day 6
Today's highlights will be two canter (open-air vehicle) safaris in the company of a knowledgeable naturalist guide. Search for signs of the legendary Tigers of Ranthambhore, as well as some of the park's other inhabitants: striped hyenas, sambar deer, sloth bears and perhaps even leopards. Lunch is included today.
Day 7
Journey through the Rajasthan countryside to Dholpur to your next hotel - the Raj Niwas Palace. Once a Royal retreat, this glorious, red sandstone, Raj-era building stands in 13 acres of manicured gardens. During your stay you'll enjoy attentive service, accommodation in beautifully appointed pool-villas in the grounds, and have the opportunity to watch a cookery demonstration before dinner at this splendid heritage hotel.
Day 8
An early morning cruise on the Chambal River offers the opportunity to spot crocodiles, turtles and birdlife. Afterwards, you'll travel to Agra, the City of Love, whose crowning sight is the awe-inspiring Taj Mahal. Visit majestic Agra Fort before your first sight of the Taj – in all its glory – at sunset.
Day 9
Pay an early morning visit to view the Taj Mahal from across the Yamuna River. Afterwards, bid farewell to Agra and make your way back to Delhi for an overnight stay.
Day 10
This morning we'll board an air-conditioned Shatabdi Express train and journey north to Jalandhar. You'll travel in First Class and breakfast will be provided en route.
After lunch in Jalandhar, you'll cross the Punjabi plain and continue to exquisite Pragpur hill station. This former Royal settlement was named India's first Heritage Village. Enjoy its delightful surroundings, which include a 19th-century artificial Taal pond, several colourful temples and a collection of traditional artisans' shops. There will also be an included cookery demonstration at the hotel.
Day 11
Call at former British hill station, Dharamsala and its upper town McLeod Ganj – a Tibetan refuge and home-in-exile to the Dalai Lama, which draws visitors from across the globe to its glorious setting. Visit Kangra Fort where a late lunch is included, before returning to Pragpur.
Day 12
You'll take a scenic journey across the Punjabi plain to Amritsar, today. Here, you'll join the throng for the extraordinary Palki ceremony at the breath-taking Golden Temple. Sikhism’s holiest shrine is stunning by night, towering over the narrow streets of Amritsar’s Old Town. See its copper-plated Harimandir, from which a covered causeway runs out over the waters of the sacred lake, lined each evening by devotees who have come for the procession of the Granth Sahib, Sikhism’s Holy Book.
Day 13
Today brings another opportunity to visit the Golden Temple. The jewel-encrusted, golden-domed main temple (which provides welcome and shelter for pilgrims from across the globe), the vast dining hall – where food is distributed free to some 35,000 people each day – and the Central Sikh Museum are all highlights of a fascinating day.
You’ll also visit the Jallianwala Bagh, a poignant memorial park that commemorates one of the bloodiest days in Indian history. This evening, you'll make the short journey out to the Indo-Pakistani border crossing at Wagah, where the gates are closed and the flags lowered at sunset in a colourful, unforgettable ceremony.
Day 14
Fly to historic Varanasi, and transfer to your hotel. Take some time to relax before venturing out into the heart of the old city. Rub shoulders with holy men and walk with devotees towards this evening's Aarti ceremony on the banks of the sacred Ganges. Later, take dinner in your hotel.
Day 15
After breakfast this morning, take a boat ride along the great Ganges, known locally as Mother Ganga - India's most sacred river. Later, take in over 2000 years of history as you are taken on a guided tour of this most important of Indian conurbations. Afterwards, enjoy lunch and take an excursion to Sarnath to visit is museum and ruins.
Day 16
Spend this morning relaxing in your hotel, or choose to venture out into Varanasi's beguiling streets one last time. In the afternoon, transfer to the airport and fly to Delhi. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel, dine and rest.
Day 17
This morning take breakfast in your hotel, before transferring to the airport and boarding your flight home.
