Beyond the Golden Triangle

You will stay at the Clarks Shiraz Hotel in Agra, the Tiger Den Resort in the Ranthambore National Park, the Clarks Amer Hotel in Jaipur, the Samode Bagh in Samode and the Ramada Gurgaon Central in Delhi. All rooms feature private facilities and air-conditioning. Most hotel facilities include swimming pool, restaurant and bar.

Day 1: UK/Delhi

Depart on your scheduled flight to Delhi.

Day 2: Delhi

On arrival in Delhi this morning, transfer to a hotel for lunch and the opportunity to freshen up before continuing to Agra. You will stay in Agra for the next two nights.

Meals: Lunch

Day 3: Agra

The highlight of your tour will, of course, be today’s sunrise visit to the world-famous Taj Mahal. No matter how many times you’ve seen it in pictures, nothing prepares you for the reality of this glorious building, especially as the sun rises and the light is reflecting on the marble in shades of rose and gold. Situated on the banks of the Yamuna River, the Taj Mahal is a magnificent mausoleum built by the Emperor Shah Jahan for his wife Mumtaz Mahal who died giving birth to their 14th child. Twenty thousand men took twenty years to complete the world’s most extravagant and beautiful expression of one man’s love of a woman. You will also visit Agra Fort, where Shah Jahan was imprisoned by his son, and see the exquisite Chowk Pearl Mosque and Jasmine Tower.

This evening you will have the option to see Mohabbat the Taj performance, a spectacular re-enactment of the life and love of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal. You’ll be amazed by the spectacular costumes, lively songs, energetic dancing and the incredible set. This is a superb way to end a magical day.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 4: Ranthambore

Board the train today for your journey to the Ranthambore National Park, where you will stay for the next two nights. Ranthambore is considered to be the best game reserve in India for observing the elusive tiger. It has thick forest with lush vegetation and waterfalls, and boasts over 300 species of birds. Other species include leopard, crocodile, hyena and jackal.

Meals: Breakfast / dinner

Day 5: Ranthambore

Today we include both morning and afternoon jungle safaris into the Ranthambore National Park. Even if you don’t spot a tiger, the chances are high that you’ll see some of the park’s other residents – there’s just so much wildlife here. You’ll have the chance of seeing all sorts, from foxes and hyenas to rare birdlife.

Meals: Breakfast / lunch / dinner

Day 6: Jaipur

We journey to the famous ‘Pink City’ of Jaipur for an overnight stay. The city is made up of sandstone buildings tinged with pink and ochre and is set amongst barren hills. This is the capital of Rajasthan and we include a sightseeing tour this afternoon. All the buildings here are painted pink by Maharaja’s decree. The central landmarks are the City Palace and the Hawe Mahal (Palace of the Winds), which is considered to be one of the best sights in all India. We’ll also visit the Jantar Mantar, an incredibly accurate observatory that was built in 1726.

Meals: Breakfast / lunch

Day 7: Samode

Leaving Jaipur, we head to Samode Bagh, where we stay overnight in luxurious tented accommodation. En route, we visit the marvellous Amber Fort. Set high above its surrounding valley and lake, this is a classic Rajasthani fort palace. A former royal retreat, Samode Bagh offers a unique experience – your tent for the night will have carpets, air-conditioning and its own marble bathroom with hot and cold running water! Surrounded by beautiful gardens, you can spend the day relaxing in the stunning surroundings before dinner in the splendid restaurant and an evening spent swapping stories around the roaring campfire. Whilst at Samode Bagh, we offer a superb optional camel safari in and around the village of Samode.

Meals: Breakfast / dinner

Day 8: Delhi

After a relaxing morning, enjoy lunch before the journey to Delhi, where we stay for the next two nights.

Meals: Breakfast / lunch

Day 9: Delhi

This morning we include a sightseeing tour of the 17th century walled city of Old Delhi, with its city gates, narrow alleys, temples, mosques and bazaars. This is the Delhi of the Mogul Emperor Shah Jahan, and is largely preserved in its original layout. On your sightseeing tour you will see the Jami Masjid Mosque and the Raj Ghat, the cremation grounds of Mahatma Gandhi. Also included is a drive through the fabled street bazaar of Chandni Chowk.

Our sightseeing continues in New Delhi, which in contrast to Old Delhi is a spacious, open imperial city created by the British as the capital of India in 1911. In New Delhi you will visit Humayan’s Tomb and the Qtub Minar. Stood on the outskirts of the city this is one of Delhi’s most lasting monuments. It’s a soaring tower of sandstone and marble built in the 12th century. You will then drive through the diplomatic quarter seeing the official residence of the President and the Indian Gate.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 10: Delhi/UK

Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK. As you are travelling westwards, arrival will be later the same day.

Meals: Breakfast