India’s Golden Triangle

Arrive Delhi - 1 night

Namaste and welcome to India!

Upon arrival in Delhi you will be welcomed at the airport by your Tour Director/representative then transferred to your Delhi hotel.

Day 1 - Delhi to Agra

After breakfast we travel from Delhi to Agra (approx 3-4 hours) with a stop at the holy town of Vrindavan, one of most important places of pilgrimage for the devotees of Lord Krishna. Visit the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) Krishna Balaram temple.

Afternoon rest at leisure or join a visit to the Metab Bagh (moonlight) garden, on the opposite side of the Yamuna river with views of the Taj Mahal or an evening walk of Agra’s local Bazaar. (B,D).

Day 2 - Agra

Rise early for sunrise at the sublime Taj Mahal, a ‘tear drop on the face of eternity’ (Tagore). It is an icon, a wonder of the world and an incomparable and breathtaking monument of love!

Return to the hotel for breakfast and have time to relax then spend the afternoon exploring the incredible Agra Fort (also known as the Red Fort). Rebuilt by the Mughal emperor Akbar in 1565 and completed in 1573, it served as the main residence of the rulers of the Mughal Dynasty until 1638, when the capital was shifted from Agra to Delhi. (B)

Day 3 - Agra to Jaipur

After breakfast, we set off for the Pink City, the incredible Jaipur (approx 5 hours).

Stop en route at the majestic Fatehpur Sikri complex. This ancient city, predominantly made of red sandstone and featuring classically designed Mughal gardens, was founded in 16th century by Mughal Emperor Akbar and was later abandoned. It is essentially a fortified city built by the king and was the capital of his empire for fifteen years. Now a UNESCO world heritage site, it is a wonderful example of Mughal architecture. On this site is the beautiful and immense Jama Masjid mosque (1571) which exhibits both Indian and Persian design elements.

Also visit the impressive Chand Baori stepwell, one of the largest in India, in the tiny rural village of Abhaneri.

Stop for a delicious and traditional lunch at an organic retreat with views over rural Rajasthan and its own organic farm.

Arrive in the ‘Pink City’ Jaipur early evening. (B)

Day 4 - Jaipur

This morning we will take an early morning walk through the streets to Jaipur’s beautiful flower market and also pop in to a couple of incredible temples along the way.

After breakfast we will visit the iconic Palace of the Winds and Jaipur’s famous Bappu Bazaar for a spot of shopping (saree or textiles anyone?).

This afternoon, we will take part in a Block printing textiles workshop - For India, block prints hold a place of pride—the age-old craft of dyeing and colouring a fabric using wooden blocks has been perfected over generations. Whether it is Rajasthan's popular Dabu print, which uses the mud printing technique, or Gujarat's Ajrakh, featuring geometric motifs, each block print is symbolic of the country's vast heritage and rich culture—India is, after all, one of the largest manufacturers and exporters of block printed fabrics. We will create a block print, and also understand the history of the beautiful and labour-intensive art form, its uniqueness and how it's being modernised today.

This evening, relax and unwind at the hotel or join the group for a refreshing drink and dinner at Jaipur’s interior design marvel, the wonderful Bar Palladio (B).

Day 5 - Jaipur

This morning we take a short jeep ride up to the majestic Amber/Amer Fort. The magnificent, formidable, sprawling golden hued fort (pronounced 'amer’) is a perfect example of Rajput architecture and rises from the rocky mountainside about 11km northeast of Jaipur. It is the city’s iconic site. We will tour the fort with it’s intricately carved doorways, ornate marble work, elephants and incredible views.

Pass by the picturesque palace on the water Jal Mahal, situated in the middle of Man Sagar Lake.

After the Fort, we’ll visit the nearby Anokhi museum - one of our favorite spots for buying Jaipur’s special hand-crafted block printed textiles and a great place for a chai.

This afternoon we will take part in a Rajasthani cooking class! (B)

Day 6 - Jaipur to Delhi

Today we fly to New Delhi, capital of India!

Afternoon is yours to relax. (B).

Day 7 - Delhi

Intense, colourful, chaotic and unforgettable - welcome to Delhi! Staying at a gorgeous heritage hotel which we will use as our base, we’ll start our first morning in Delhi with a meditation class to prepare us for the hustle!

Today we’ll take a ride on a rickshaw through Old Delhi to the Chandni Chowk Market, one of India’s oldest and busiest markets.

Aside from its myriad bazaar vendors hawking goods, this area is also famous for its street food, from flat bread parantha and incredible dosa to the famous Bikaner Sweet Shop.

After lunch we will visit one of the most prominent Sikh temples in India, Gurudwara Bangla Sahib and its community kitchen which feeds thousands of people each day.

Spend the rest of your afternoon having a swim at the hotel or visit the moving and serene gardens, homestead and museum at GandhiSmirti, where Mahatma Ghandi was assassinated. (B)

Day 8 - Delhi

Time for a spot of shopping at Delhi’s famous Khan Market, a leafy upmarket enclave specialising in local handcrafts, homewares, jewellery, books and fashion.

Lunch at one of Delhi’s most famous vegetarian Dosa restaurants.

This afternoon and past the India Gate, we will drive through the leafy boulevards of New Delhi to visit Humayun's Tomb, a UNESCO world heritage site and a fine example of early Mughal architecture, this red sandstone and white marble tomb is the resting place of Humayun, whose father Babur founded the Mughal empire.

This afternoon we will celebrate our last day with a visit to one of Delhi’s most iconic luxe colonial hotels, the Imperial Hotel Delhi (B)

Day 9

Transfer to airport after breakfast and goodbyes!

$3100 AUD per person - twin share

If you’re travelling solo we are happy to allocate you a room with a fellow solo traveller (where available) in which case the twin share price would apply. Please let us know at the time of booking.

Or, pay the single supplement and enjoy the luxury of your own room - $1100.

Please note that tour prices are subject to change after 23/03/23.

• All accommodation at hand picked hotels 3-5 star on a twin share basis (single supplement applies for single rooms).

• Breakfast daily. Other meals where indicated (B/L/D) in itinerary.

• Australian Tour Director and English speaking local guides.

• All private transport in A/C vehicle.

• Group hotel\airport pickup and transfers.

• All entrance fees to forts and monuments as per itinerary.

• Domestic economy flights as per program.

• Yoga class

• Meditation class

• Bottled water daily (1L).

• Cooking class.

• Block printing class

Exclusions

The package tour land price of your trip does not include:

• International flights

• Kitty or local payments as specified

• Taxes and excess baggage charges unless specified

• Meals or drinks other than those specified in the itinerary as B/L/D

• Visa and passport fees

• Travel insurance

• Cancellation fees

• Optional activities and all personal expenses

• Any other activities outside of the tour program

• New Delhi - Radisson Blu Plaza

• Agra - Hotels Clarks Shiraz

• Jaipur - Samode Haveli

• New Delhi - Maidens

We favour unique havelis and boutique heritage hotels.

Features of these properties can include beautiful gardens, swimming pools and rooftop restaurants with incredible views. Where possible, our properties are centrally located and close to restaurants, temples and bazaars so that you can experience the buzz of India at your doorstep, explore as you wish and then retreat peacefully at the end of each day!

Please note that the hotels listed here are subject to availability. When we are required to seek alternative hotels to the ones listed here, we select hotels of a similar rating and features where possible.

Please note at some locations it may be necessary to include conventional 3/4 star hotels.

India is a big country with a lot to explore - from quiet and tropical Kerala, spiritual and ancient Varanasi, beach side hippy Goa to the cool mountains in the North and the chaos and excitement of Bollywood central Mumbai!

Let us know if you are interested in a tour extension which we can plan and book for you so that you can experience more of what India has to offer!

Please note that extensions are not included in this tour price.