The Golden Triangle

Day 1: Delhi

Today is an arrival day and no activities are planned, so you may arrive at any time. If you are arriving early, please check the noticeboard in the foyer of the hotel for suggestions of things to see and do in Delhi. A pre-departure meeting takes place this evening at the hotel. Please also check the noticeboard for details of this meeting and for any other messages from your Delhi city guide. Please also bring your passport and travel insurance documents to the meeting.

Day 2: Agra

We catch the early morning express train (please note that you will be unescorted whilst on the train) to Agra, home to India’s most famous icon - the majestic Taj Mahal. Here we meet our Agra city guide and visit the amazing 17th century marble mausoleum, which Emperor Shah Jahan built as a monument to the memory of his second wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died whilst giving birth. The emperor himself was subsequently overthrown and imprisoned by his son and oversaw the construction of this magnificent monument whilst incarcerated in Agra Fort. Upon his death, Shah Jehan was also entombed in the Taj Mahal next to his beloved wife. Our city guide will also give us the option of visiting Agra Fort (please see refer to 'Optional Excursion' section below for approximate cost).

Day 3-4: Jaipur

Our journey continues to Jaipur, the vibrant and colourful capital of Rajasthan, where we meet our new city guide. There we see traditionally dressed Rajput men wearing colourful turbans and sporting magnificent moustaches making their way through crowded streets, packed with cars, camel carts, rickshaws, trucks and bicycles. We include a visit to the stunning medieval Amber Fort, located some 11 kilometres from Jaipur. This fortification was built in 1592 by Maharaja Man Singh and is a superb example of Rajput architecture. Several hours are needed to explore the huge area that it covers. Our city guide also take us to the Old Bazaar and the Hawa Mahal, better known as the Palace of the Winds. This five-storey façade with pink, honeycombed sandstone windows is one of Jaipur's best-known landmarks.

Day 5: Delhi

We return to Delhi and are transferred to our hotel. Our city guide then takes us into the old city's market area known as Chandni Chowk as well as Connaught Place - the commercial heart of New Delhi. The rest of the day is free for relaxing or doing some further sightseeing on our own. Red Fort and the impressive Jama Masjid (Great Mosque) are two of the city's most notable landmarks, whilst Raj Ghat is a monument that marks the spot where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated. In the final evening we have the opportunity to head out for a final dinner (optional) before saying our goodbyes to India.

Day 6: Delhi

Our trip ends today around breakfast time. If you wish to stay on in Delhi, please pre-book your post-tour accommodation before you commence your travels. Delhi has many interesting museums and monuments. If you are interested in historical and cultural matters, it is recommended that you to extend your stay and visit some of these places. Humayun's Tomb and Safdarjang's Tomb are other great examples of Mughal architecture and design. Hauz Khas Village is a great place to escape the hustle and bustle of downtown - a chic artistic enclave set right next to the remnants of a historical site.

Tour Grade: Culture

Whether you’re taking in man’s greatest works at places like Petra or Angkor Wat, experiencing grand set-pieces like the Trans-Mongolian Railway or trying your hand at regional specialities like tango in Buenos Aires, getting to grips with local cultures is what travel’s all about. A few tips from a local guide and a sense of adventure are pretty much all you need. So what are you waiting for? It’s time to get the lowdown on high Tibet among Lhasa’s magisterial temples; follow up Delhi’s eye-popping bustle with a fix of its fiery food; and mix manic markets and Incan masterpieces in Peru.