India’s Golden Triangle

Day 1 Depart London Heathrow
You’ll fly overnight direct to Delhi this evening.

Day 2 Delhi
Once you’ve checked into the Royal Plaza Hotel for your 1 night stay, you’ll venture out into the lively capital. A driving tour will take you through Old and New Delhi past the city’s key highlights, including Red Fort, India Gate war memorial, and Rasthrapati Bhawan (President House). You’ll stop off to visit Jama Masjid, the largest Mosque in India.

Day 3 Delhi to Jaipur
After breakfast you’ll visit Qutub Minar, a towering monument dating to 1192, before continuing by road to Jaipur, known as ‘The Pink City’. This afternoon you’ll reach Fortune Select Metropolitan Hotel and stay for 2 nights. This evening, there’s an optional sound and light show at the Amber Fort.

Meals: Breakfast.

Day 4 Jaipur
Today you’ll start at the Amber Fort which was the ancient capital of Jaipur State. You’ll continue to the City Palace in the centre of Jaipur, where the Royal family still live, before visiting the Jantar Mantar, the largest stone-built observatory in the world. You’ll see Hawa Mahal, the ‘Palace of the Winds’, which was built in 1799 to allow the women of the court to watch street processions while remaining in a strict state of purdah.

Meals: Breakfast.

Day 5 Jaipur to Ranthambore
Today’s early morning walking tour offers a uniquely rewarding and enriching insight into real life. Walking through Jaipur, you’ll visit colourful temples used by locals for daily worship and learn about the city traditions. Continue your journey, arriving in Ranthambore at lunchtime. This afternoon you’ll visit Dastkar, a responsible tourism workshop and craft centre. Set up and run by local women, they print and dye fabric which they then make into an impressive range of clothing, accessories and homeware. Your hotel for 2 nights is the Ranthambore Regency.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 6 Ranthambore
You’ll head into one of the largest national parks in India on morning and afternoon safari drives in the hope of spotting wild tigers, sambar deer, marsh crocodiles and a variety of birds, including eagles.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 7 Ranthambore to Agra
Early this morning you’ll board the Shatabdi Express for your train journey to Bharatpur. A packed breakfast will be provided by your hotel. On arrival, you’ll visit the ‘Ghost City’ of Fatehpur Sikri, the UNESCO World Heritage site that was built in 1569. After lunch you’ll be free to explore before your 1 night stay at Clarks Shiraz Hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.

Day 8 Agra to Delhi
This morning’s early start means you’ll see the world famous Taj Mahal at sunrise, when its beauty is incandescent. The monument was built by Shah Jahan in 1560 as a shrine to his queen Mumtaz Mahal. It took 17 years to complete and is built from white marble. After breakfast, you’ll visit Agra Fort before returning to Delhi’s Royal Plaza Hotel for 1 night.

Meals: Breakfast.

Day 9 Arrive London Heathrow
Your early afternoon flight arrives later the same day. Or why not take advantage of our pre-bookable extensions and see another side of India.

Meals: Breakfast.

Tour includes:

Local expert guides in resort
All flights specified
Inspirational sightseeing programme
Luggage service at all hotels
7 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners

On a Journey of Distinction, you are not merely a bystander. They believe that the wonders, customs and cultures you experience will live on in the core of your being. They even go so far as to say that one of their holidays will change your life forever.

Their combination of Tour Managers and Local Guides is what makes Journey of Distinction so distinctive. When you’re embarking on a voyage of discovery, it’s reassuring to know that a seasoned traveller is with you every step of the way; planning, organising, checking details and offering their advice and support. Their groups all depart from the UK, and no one joins us along the way, so you have the reassuring constancy of always knowing your travelling companions.

Our Opinion
“Limited to just 25 travellers per departure, every Journeys of Distinction escorted tour has an intimate, personal feel that makes for a more enjoyable experience.”