Golden Triangle Tour India
Delhi > Agra > Jaipur > Ranthambore
This itinerary takes you on a journey through the capital city of India – New Delhi, where you will explore some of the colonial monuments, followed by a drive to Jaipur, the pink city of Rajasthan, where you will be mesmerized by the architectural grandeur of the bygone era. In the midst of this tour, you will also visit the land of the elusive Royal Bengal Tiger – Ranthambore. The last destination of this tour will be Agra, where you will witness one of the wonders of the world – the Taj Mahal.
HIGHLIGHTS: Colonial monuments/heritage of Delhi, Amber Fort in Jaipur, The elusive Royal Bengal Tiger of Ranthambore, and Taj Mahal in Agra.
Upon arrival in Delhi, you will be welcomed by a Vimla India Tours representative who will escort you to your hotel. They will brief you about the tour and handover the travel documents. Rest of the day is free for you to relax. Overnight stay at the hotel.
After breakfast at the hotel, you will visit Old Delhi. The tour will begin with a visit to Raj Ghat, a simple memorial to Mahatma Gandhi, and then drive past the Red Fort continuing to the Jama Masjid, one of Asia's largest mosques. The magnificent Red Fort, overlooking the river Yamuna, was built during the years 1638 - 48 when the Mughal Empire was at its peak. The tour continues to Jama Masjid, one of Asia's largest mosques, which can be viewed from the outside.
After visiting Old Delhi, you will be driven to New Delhi, which reflects the legacy the British left behind. The division between New and Old Delhi is the division between the capitals of the British and the Mughals respectively. The division in the walled city and New Delhi also marks the division in the lifestyles. The walled city is all tradition where one can glean a past lifestyle in all its facets, colors, and spells. New Delhi, in contrast, is a city trying to live up to the best of 21st-century standards.
The tour to Imperial Delhi will include a visit to the Qutub Minar, the tallest stone tower in India. Qutub-ud-din Aibak started building it in 1199. You will also visit Humayun's Tomb and drive past the imposing India Gate, the Parliament building, and the Rashtrapati Bhavan, the President's residence. Lastly, you will visit the Lotus Temple (Bahai Temple).
Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
After breakfast, you will embark on a 6-hour journey to Jaipur, the capital city of Rajasthan, also known as the Pink City. The city is renowned for its captivating designs and architecture. Upon arrival and check-in at your hotel, you will visit Birla Mandir, also known as the Lakshmi Narayan Temple, a beautiful Hindu temple constructed entirely of white marble by the B.M. Birla Foundation in 1988. The temple is dedicated to the Hindu goddess Lakshmi and Lord Vishnu (Narayan). Overnight stay at the hotel.
After breakfast, we begin our sightseeing tour of Jaipur. Our first stop will be at Hawa Mahal (Wind Palace) for some photo opportunities, followed by a visit to Amber Fort. Also known as Amber Palace, the fort is located on a hill in Amer, Rajasthan, just 11 kilometers from Jaipur city. It is a major tourist attraction and a scenic marvel built by Raja Man Singh. The fort presents a fascinating blend of Hindu and Muslim architecture, built using red sandstone and white marble. We take a short jeep ride to reach the fort. After visiting the fort, we will proceed to the City Palace. The palace complex, located deep within the walled city, was built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the founder of Jaipur. The palace is a beautiful fusion of Mughal and Rajput architecture, and it is still home to the last ruling royal family that lives in a private section of the palace. Our last visit will be to the Jantar Mantar (Observatory). It is a collection of nineteen architectural astronomical instruments built by the Rajput king Sawai Jai Singh II and completed in 1734. It features the world's largest stone sundial and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Overnight stay at the hotel.
After breakfast, we will drive to Ranthambore National Park. Established in 1955 as a game sanctuary, Ranthambore is a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts. In 1972, Project Tiger was initiated, and Ranthambore became one of the original tiger reserves in India. It was later declared a national park in 1980. The park is spread over an area of 1,334 square kilometers and is surrounded by the Kaila Devi and Mansingh Sanctuaries. Upon arrival, we will check in at our hotel. After lunch, we will proceed for an exciting Jeep Safari in the park.
Early in the morning, we will embark on another thrilling Jeep Safari to explore the natural habitat of the tigers and other wildlife in the park. After returning to the hotel for breakfast, you can relax and soak in the beauty of the surroundings. After lunch, we will set out for another Jeep Safari to explore the park and spot more wildlife.
After breakfast, we will depart for Agra, but on the way, we will visit Fatehpur Sikri. Fatehpur Sikri is a fascinating ghost city built in the 16th century, located 37 km from Agra. It was founded by Akbar the Great, who went to a saint, Shaikh Salim Chishti, seeking his blessings for an heir. As a gesture of gratitude, Akbar built this city in Sikri and named it Fatehpur Sikri or the City of Victory after his victory over Gujarat. Fatehpur Sikri is a fine example of Mughal architectural splendor at its height, with its palaces, mosques, and other public buildings. After the visit, we will continue our journey to Agra and check in at the hotel upon arrival.
After breakfast, we will proceed to visit the magnificent Taj Mahal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Seven Wonders of the World. This iconic mausoleum was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaj Mahal. The Taj Mahal is an epitome of true love and passion and is considered to be one of the most beautiful monuments in the world. (Please note that the Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays)
After visiting the Taj Mahal, we will explore the Agra Fort, another UNESCO World Heritage Site. This fort was built by the great Mughal Emperor Akbar in the year 1573 and was used as the main residence of the Mughal Emperors until 1638. The fort houses many impressive structures such as Jahangir Mahal, Khas Mahal, Diwan-i-Khas, Diwan-i-Am, Machchhi Bhawan and Moti Masjid.
Later in the day, we will drive straight to Delhi and upon arrival, check-in at your hotel. Overnight stay in the hotel.
After breakfast, we will check out from the hotel and proceed for the final departure transfer to the airport to board your flight for your onward journey. We hope you had a wonderful time exploring the Golden Triangle of India with us and carry back unforgettable memories.
