The Golden Triangle & Ranthambore Tour

Depart with Virgin Atlantic from London Heathrow for our overnight flight to Delhi.

On arrival into Delhi, we transfer to the impressive ITC Maurya. In the evening, we meet our Tour Manager and fellow travellers for a welcome drink, where we will have the opportunity to become better acquainted for our adventures ahead. Dinner will follow in the pleasant surroundings of the hotel.

Delhi is a city combining the very best of old and modern India, the perfect introduction to this mesmerising country. After breakfast this morning, we embark on a rickshaw ride through Old Delhi, taking in sights as we ride through its streets, including the Red Fort – famed for its opulence, and being the palace of the Mughal Empire in the 1500’s. We also visit Jama Masjid, India’s largest mosque, as well as the lively old-city market, Chandni Chowk. It’s an action-packed morning, concluding with a street food walk in Old Delhi, where we explore the cultural mesh of flavours and Dilli recipes on offer in its many eateries. Later on we witness the imposing India Gate and striking Parliament House, and further explore New Delhi. Visits include Qutub Minar, a 13th century red sandstone and white marble minaret measuring 75 metres tall, as well as the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Humayun’s Tomb, where the 16th century Mughal Emperor lies.

This morning, we make our way to the railway station where we board India’s historic and first semi-high-speed train, the Gatimaan Express, to Agra. On arrival, we visit Agra Fort, a historical fort which remained the main residence of the Mughal emperors until 1638, before travelling to our hotel, the delightful ITC Mughal. Sitting amongst beautiful landscaped gardens the hotel provides the perfect retreat from the city.

Tour Highlight
This evening, as the sun sets, we venture out to see India’s most iconic attraction and testament of love, the Taj Mahal. Commissioned in 1632 by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, to house the tomb of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal, this breath-taking complex is said to have been constructed on the banks of Agra’s Yamuna River by over 20,000 stone carvers, masons, and artists from across India, Turkey and Iraq. We witness this magnificent monument for a sunset like no other.

We leave Agra behind and journey to Abhaneri. Unique to India, Chand Baori at Abhaneri is a 13 storey, 1300-year-old stepwell, constructed with mind-blowing geometry and aesthetics. Our next stop is Umaid Palace, a tranquil organic retreat nestled in 20 acres of rustic countryside where we will take lunch in the palace’s serene surroundings. Afterwards, we continue to Ranthambore, for our next two nights at the Ranthambore Regency Hotel. Situated within close proximity to Ranthambore, the hotel provides the perfect base from which to explore Rajasthan’s premier national park. This evening experience a tiger talk with a local naturalist and learn more about Ranthambore’s most famous and imposing inhabitant.

An early start as we journey into Ranthambore National Park, a former private hunting ground of India’s great ruler, the Maharaja. The park is famed for its majestic and elusive tigers, and celebrated for its wildlife conservation. Keep an eye out for marsh crocodiles, sloth bears, monkeys, leopards, samba deer, and over 250 bird species – all of which inhabit this incredible part of the world. We’ll board our open shared canter vehicle for our first safari, prior to breakfast. We embark on our second safari this afternoon, to explore the park further in our search for the incredible wildlife roaming the lands and waters of this eminent park. Dinner this evening is at our hotel, when we can reflect on the day’s adventures.

Enjoy a leisurely morning at the hotel. Following lunch, we journey to the opulent ‘Pink City’ of Jaipur, capital of Rajasthan. Our accommodation in Jaipur is the ITC Rajputana inspired by the imposing architecture of Rajasthan’s traditional havelis. The evening is ours to enjoy in the most perfect surroundings.

Following breakfast, we travel a short distance to meet our waiting jeeps, which takes us to yet another UNESCO World Heritage Site – the magnificent Amber Fort. Set amidst dramatic pink hills and overlooking Maota Lake, the nostalgic Amber Fort is a fabulous example of Rajput architecture. Later this evening enjoy the unique delight of a cooking demonstration, and an exclusive insight into Rajasthani family life with dinner at a family home.

This morning, we enjoy a tour of the delightful sights of City Palace, including its complex maze of gardens, courtyards and impressive buildings. We also visit Jantar Mantar, the ancient equinoctial sundial, and stop for a photo opportunity at Hawa Mahal, Jaipur’s amazing pink sandstone palace. The rest of the day is ours to spend as we please. In the evening, why not take an optional guided walk and visit the old stables which were converted into a market? Closely observe the gathering of local milk sellers, promoting their products for the production of delicious Indian sweets, or meander through the neighbouring eateries serving local delicacies.

Following breakfast, we bid farewell to wonderful Jaipur and journey to Delhi and our overnight stay at the Welcomhotel by ITC Dwarka. We spend our final night in India with new-found friends, sharing tales of our adventures, as we dine together one final time.

We depart this morning for Delhi Airport for our morning flight with Virgin Atlantic, arriving in London later today.

See more of India

Why not extend your Golden Triangle & Ranthambore holiday with a stay in the hill station of Shimla, or possibly Amritsar – home to the spectacular Golden Temple or perhaps Varanasi – the spiritual capital of India?