Golden Triangle Tour

Day 1 :

Welcome to India! Upon arrival at Indira Gandhi International Airport, you are greeted by our representative and transfer to the pre-booked hotel. Rest of the day at leisure to relax after a long flight. Overnight in Delhi: Hotel Florence (3-star) or similar / Meals: N/A

Day 2 :

After leisurely breakfast, check out from your hotel and set out for a half-day tour of New Delhi where you visit Qutab Minar, a Unesco World Heritage Site built in the early 13th century, the red sandstone tower of Qutb Minar is 72.5 m high. The surrounding archaeological area contains funerary buildings, notably the magnificent Alai-Darwaza Gate, the masterpiece of Indo-Muslim art (built in 1311), and two mosques, including the Quwwatu'l-Islam, the oldest in northern India, built of materials reused from some 20 Brahman temples.

Also visit Humayun’s Tomb, a Unesco World Heritage Site built in 1570, is of particular cultural significance as it was the first garden-tomb on the Indian subcontinent. It inspired several major architectural innovations, culminating in the construction of the Taj Mahal.

Tour of Gurudwara Bangla Sahib or just Sikh Temple in Delhi is one of the main worship places for Sikhs. A beautiful white building flanked by a golden dome has a pool (Sarovar) inside the complex where the devotees take bath before entering the temple. The holy rhymes of Gurbani meditate the visitor. Volunteer yourself and make some Indian bread (Roti or Chapati) in a large community kitchen in-side the temple which serves free food daily to all the visitors and devotees of all religions, society, caste, and creed. If you like relish the delicious Indian food cooked and served for free in this Sikh temple.

Also visit India Gate (memorial to the Indian army soldiers who died in the world war I), Drive past the Rashtrapati Bhavan (formerly the viceroy’s residence) and the Parliament House - The Parliament House is 173 m in diameter, has a colonaded verandah and the roof of the outer circle is supported by 247 pillars. You can wander around this awe-inspiring structure before leaping in with a prior permission from the Government of India.

Later in the afternoon drive to the home town of Taj Mahal – Agra, takes you through the beautiful countryside. The magical allure of the Taj Mahal draws tourists to Agra like moths to a wondrous flame. And despite the hype, it’s every bit as good as you’ve heard. But the Taj is not a stand-alone attraction. The legacy of the Mughal empire has left a magnificent fort and a liberal sprinkling of fascinating tombs and mausoleums.

Day 3 :

Early morning at sunrise head to the breathtaking Taj Mahal (Friday Closed) to see the sunrise over the World Heritage Site. Introduce yourselves to what the Victorian Viceroy Lord Curzon called the “gem of man’s handiwork…the most perfect structure in the world. Built in the 1600s by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in the tribute to the memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. Just immerse yourself in its amazing architecture, history, and beauty. The magical allure of the Taj Mahal shall definitely be the highlight of your tour.

After visiting the Taj Mahal return to your hotel for breakfast and soon after breakfast visit a marble inlay studio (after seeing the exquisite Taj inlays, you must want to know how this marble magic works).

Afternoon visit the fascinating World Heritage Site Agra Fort (where Shah Jahan was imprisoned for the last years of his life, peering dolefully out at his masterpiece - The Taj Mahal). It was the main residence of the emperors of the Mughal Dynasty until 1638 and one of the finest Mughal forts in India. The imposing red sandstone fort combines both Hindu and Central Asian architectural styles. Walking through courtyard after courtyard of this palatial red-sandstone and marble fortress, your amazement grows as the scale of what was built here begins to sink in.

Soon after enjoying your Agra Fort visit the Zardozi Museum - Zardozi work is a metal thread embroidery that is a specialty of the city of Agra. It was once used to embellish the ensemble of the kings and royals.

Post lunch you will drive across the Yamuna River to visit the Baby Taj, the exquisite tomb of Mizra Ghiyas Beg should not be missed. It doesn’t have the same awesome beauty as the Taj, but it’s arguably more delicate in appearance thanks to its particularly finely carved marble jalis (lattice screens). This was the first Mughal structure built completely from marble, the first to make extensive use of pietra dura and the first tomb to be built on the banks of the Yamuna, which until then had been a sequence of beautiful pleasure gardens.

Evening at sunset visit Taj View Point - a perfect point on the bank of river Yamuna near Mehtab Bagh to have a panoramic view of Taj Mahal. Tourists can enjoy various mesmerizing views of Taj Mahal from this point from Sunrise to midnight. One can have a golden Taj in the morning and evening, milky white Taj in the afternoon and also one can enjoy the celestial beauty of this monument of Love during moonlight too.

Day 4 :

Post lunch drive to the 'Pink City' of Jaipur, Enthralling, historical Jaipur, Rajasthan’s capital, is the gateway to India’s most flamboyant state. The city’s colorful streets ebb and flow with a heady brew of old and new. Buses dodge dawdling camels, cycle-rickshaws leisurely hold-up swarms of motorbikes, buzzing auto rickshaws hawk for unhurried walkers. In the middle of this cacophony, the splendors of Jaipur’s majestic past are islands of relative calm evoking a different pace and another world.

On the way to Jaipur stop to visit Abhaneri (Chand Baori Stepwell), a small-town village, popular for the amazing 'Baoris' (step wells). Abhaneri is prominent for 'Baoris', which are the unique invention of the natives for harvesting rain water. Chand Baori is one of India's deepest and largest step wells. The huge tank with delicate carvings certainly is delightful to the eyes.

Continue drive to Jaipur, upon arrival check inn to the pre-booked hotel.

Day 5 :

After a leisurely breakfast, spend the day exploring some of Jaipur’s most iconic monuments. Begin the day with a visit to the the magnificent hilltop Amber Fort, a Unesco World Heritage Site. The Fort is surrounded by fortified battlements and overlooks the Maotha Lake. Once on top, stroll through the sprawling complex of courtyards and halls. Most fascinating, perhaps, is the Sheesh Mahal (hall of mirrors) where a single lamplight is reflected in the numerous mirrors, lighting up the entire room.

Next to Amber fort visit Panna Meena ka Kund - The beautiful 16th-century yellow-colored stepwell lies in the shadow of a famous fortress Amber Fort. A pretty baori (step-well) with geometrical designs and sharp shadows that has been restored. This setpwell was built so the people of Amer could collect water, which was later used at many temples nearby. Women also came here to fill their water pots for household work. Apart from this, Panna Meena ka Kund was a resting place for many travelers—business people and saints alike—as the temperature inside the stepwell is significantly cooler.

Stop for photos at the Lake Palace (Jal Mahal), near the cenotaphs of the maharanis of Jaipur, and beautifully situated in the watery expanse of Man Sagar, is this dreamlike palace. Continue to the next photo stop Palace of Winds (Hawa Mahal), the monument is adorned in an ornate pale pink facade with a tiered baroque-like build. The original design was intended to allow royal ladies to observe everyday life and public festivals in the streets below without being seen.

Afternoon Tour of Maharaja’s City Palace, the former Royal residence, part of it converted into a museum. A small portion is still used by the Royal family of Jaipur. One of the major attractions in the museum is the portion known as armoury museum, housing an impressive array of weaponry-pistols, blunderbusses, flintlocks, swords, rifles and daggers.

Later visit Jantar Mantar (Observatory), a Unesco World Heritage Site built by Sawai Jai Singh ll in the 18th century is the largest stone and marble crafted observatory in the world, having 17 large instruments, many of them still in working condition.

Enjoy Shopping in Jaipur - Jaipur offers one-of-a-kind shopping experience with its rich treasure of bewitching jewellery, beautiful gems, semi-precious stones, kundan and minakari work (enamel work on gold). The exotic blue pottery, enamelware and brassware, make excellent souvenirs and gift items. The city is also famous for woolen carpets and cotton rugs, as are the leather footwear, especially that embroidered juties.

Day 6 :

After leisurely breakfast, check out from your hotel in Jaipur and drive back to Delhi from where you board your homebound flight