Join us on an unforgettable journey through the cities of India's Golden Triangle, stopping at some of the country's most revered holy sites and sojourning in the shadows of the Himalayas.
An all-encompassing snapshot of India, this tour begins in the capital of Delhi, best explored by rickshaw, and concludes in Agra, where you'll witness the fabulous sight of the Taj Mahal illuminated by the changing colours of sunset.
You'll get an unparalleled introduction to some of India's most culture-rich cities, including Jaipur, where you'll explore the Pink City's Jantar Mantar observatory, the City Palace and the Palace of the Winds, and Delhi, where you'll wander through bustling bazaars and see the spectacular Red Fort, with its soaring, scarlet walls.
Spend time exploring some of India's most important religious landmarks in Amritsar - home of Sikhism's most holy site, the Golden Temple - and Shimla, where you'll see Tara Devi Temple, a holy Hindu temple high in the Himalayas. You'll also enjoy a special visit to Dharamshala, where you'll witness the Buddhist temple complex of Tsuglagkhang, home of his holiness the Dalai Lama.
A two-night stay in the heart of Ranthambore National Park will allow you to venture into the jungle on safaris, searching for the elusive Bengal tiger with the company of an expert naturalist.
Throughout the tour you'll be staying in a series of exceptional five-star hotels where you'll enjoy breakfast and dinner each day, including the Oberoi Cecil Hotel in the Himalayan foothills, a landmark colonial-era property dating from 1884.
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* From price is per person, based on two people sharing a room, subject to availability and based on 13 September 2024 departure date and LHR flight. Various departure dates are available, please call for details. Price and itinerary correct at time of print but may be subject to change. Single supplement n/a. Deposit £250pp. Local charges such as tourist tax may apply. Offers are not valid in conjunction with any other offers or promotions. Travel insurance is not included and should be taken out at time of booking. Images used may not reflect your actual tour experience. This holiday may be sold through other selected brands. Tour is operated by and subject to the booking conditions of TS Travel Ltd and Newmarket Holidays ABTA V7812. ATOL protected 2325. ABTOT 5509.
Today you'll set off on an overnight flight from the UK to Delhi.
This morning, you'll arrive in the Indian capital of Delhi, where you'll meet your friendly tour manager and transfer to your hotel for check-in.
You'll have the rest of the day free to spend as you wish, possibly taking it easy and making use of the hotel's facilities or exploring the surrounding area before enjoying dinner at the hotel.
After an early breakfast at the hotel you'll set off on a morning sightseeing tour of Delhi. This enlightening tour encompasses all the city's major historical landmarks, including the Jama Masjid Mosque, one of the largest in India, Raj Ghat, Gandhi's cremation site, and Agrasen-Ki Baoli, a centuries-old step well.
You'll also enjoy an exhilarating rickshaw ride around Chandni Chowk, in the heart of Old Delhi, passing by the India Gate War Memorial, the Red Fort, with its soaring, scarlet walls, and the city's impressive Government buildings.
In the afternoon, you'll visit the striking Qutub Minar, the highest tower in India, consisting of five storeys with projecting balconies. This tower, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, forms part of Delhi's oldest fortified city.
After an educational day in Delhi, you'll return to your hotel to unwind and have dinner.
Another early breakfast today before you check-out of your hotel and transfer to the New Delhi Railway Station, the largest station in India.
From here, you'll embark on a scenic journey to Amritsar, a city in the north-western Indian state of Punjab, where you'll check in at your hotel and take some time to freshen up before dinner at the hotel restaurant.
After dinner, you'll drive to the breathtaking Golden Temple. The most significant shrine in Sikhism, this temple sports a grand, jewel-encrusted dome and overlooks an expansive holy pool. Once here, you'll be able to see the spiritual Palki ceremony - which translates to the 'putting to bed' ceremony.
Performed every evening, this ceremony is carried out by devout followers who carry the holy book 'Guru Granth Sahib' from the main shrine to another room for the night. Accompanying the ceremony is singing, drumming, music, and the reading of hymns by a priest. After this special service, you'll be transferred back to the hotel for the night.
Today, you'll get to see the Golden Temple again and have more time to uncover its intriguing history and the pivotal role it still plays. Throughout the years, this sanctuary's main temple serves as a shelter for pilgrims from all over the world, and its wide-reaching dining hall sees the distribution of food to 35,000 people every day. You'll also have a chance to walk around the Central Sikh Museum, which provides further insight into Sikh history and culture.
The next stop is the Jallianwala Bagh, a historic memorial park of national importance located near the Golden Temple complex. This location commemorates one of the bloodiest days in Indian history and those wounded and killed during the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, also known as the Amritsar massacre, in 1919.
This evening, you'll make the short journey out to the Indo-Pakistani border crossing at Wagah. Here, every day as the sun sets, a military practice referred to as the 'Beating Retreat' border ceremony takes place. It has been carried out by the security forces of India and Pakistan since 1959 and entails a colourful, coordinated parade of the lowering of the two nations' flags.
Once the ceremony is over, you'll return to the hotel for dinner.
After breakfast today you'll take a drive to the small, pretty village of Pragpur, backed by the Dhauladhar mountain range, where you'll check into your hotel and get settled.
Later in the afternoon, you can join a 'Heritage Walk' through this mediaeval hamlet, which was named the country's first 'Heritage Village' due to its unique architecture and unspoilt natural beauty. Wander down its narrow, cobblestone lanes, lined with fort-like houses and villas with their slated roofs and mud-covered walls.
Head back to the hotel in the evening to make the most of your time in this enchanting 300-year-old accommodation, set in a manor house fringed by an exquisite garden looking out over the Himalayas.
After breakfast this morning, you'll head off on an excursion to the city of Dharamshala. The home of the Dalai Lama, this mountainside city is ringed by cedar forests and positioned on the edge of the Himalayas.
While here, you'll seek out the impressive Dalai Lama Temple, the current residence of 'His Holiness', adorned with statues and filled with ancient books and artefacts.
On the outskirts of Dharamshala, you'll find the Kangra Fort, the largest fort in the Himalayas, thought to be the oldest in India, which boasts beautiful views of the dramatic surrounding landscapes.
At the entrance to the fort, there is a small museum that will unveil more of the structure's past before you refuel with an included lunch.
In the evening, you'll go back to the hotel for dinner, and perhaps enjoy a drink on the veranda while reflecting on your day.
This morning you'll transfer to Shimla, set in the foothills of the Himalayas, and check in at the magnificent Oberoi Cecil Hotel, a landmark colonial-era property dating from 1884.
Given Shimla's hillside location, this is the perfect place to stretch your legs, and maybe explore the area on a gentle hike through the pine and oak forests. A loop around the streets, scattered with relics of the past and colonial-style buildings, is also a must. Make sure to check out the assortment of handicraft shops along The Mall, a pedestrian avenue, and the Lakkar Bazaar too.
When you've had your fill of wandering, venture back to the hotel for dinner, further enhanced by an arresting vista of the Shimla Valley.
Today you'll enjoy a full day of sightseeing in Shimla, starting with the famous Tara Devi Temple - a holy Hindu temple constructed within the Himalayan peaks in the 18th century and inspired by a vision of the goodness of Tara.
The Viceregal Lodge is next. This former British summer retreat of teak-panelled interiors was where the map of Indian Partition was drawn up. You'll then stop over at the Indian Institute of Advanced of Studies, a research institute housed in a historical building of Indo-Gothic style.
Later in the afternoon, take a leisurely stroll to Scandal Point, on the western edge of Shimla, where two of the city's roads meet - The Ridge and Mall Road. This traditional meeting place for locals features a small square with a mock-Tudor state post office. You'll then pass the Gaiety Theatre, where you might have time to look inside before returning to the hotel for dinner.
After breakfast, you'll travel down the scenic valley from Shimla to Chandigarh, continuing to the airport for a flight to Jaipur.
After landing, you'll be picked up and taken to your hotel - a remarkable property with a red brick exterior inspired by the royal era. After some time to unpack and settle in, perhaps enjoy a sundowner at the bar, before sitting down for an Indian feast.
Kick-start the day of sightseeing around the 'Pink City', Jaipur, before visiting the former Rajput capital, the Amber Palace. You'll climb by jeep to the city's vast sixth-century hill-top fort to wander its Royal Halls and take in the magnificent views over Maota Lake from the ramparts.
After lunch, you'll head off to the City Palace, a red-hued intricate complex of temples, courtyards, pavilions and gardens, and a major heritage landmark and see the Jantar Mantar, an observatory constructed in 1724. This UNESCO World Heritage Site houses the world's largest sundial and an assortment of 19 astronomical instruments.
On the way back to your hotel, you'll pass by another palace - Hawa Mahal. Also known as the 'Palace of the Winds', this 18th-century building is constructed from red and pink sandstone and lined with ornate windows and screened balconies.
Tonight, there's an optional walking tour which will lead you into the labyrinth of Jaipur's antique bazaars while sampling traditional delicacies and learning about the artistic traditions of the city.
After a relaxed breakfast this morning you'll set off on a drive to Ranthambore - one of the largest national parks in Northern India. This former royal hunting ground is now a key centre for 'Project Tiger', and its grasslands, streams and pools are home to striped hyenas, sambar deer, sloth bears and of course, the elusive and still endangered tigers of Ranthambore.
Later in the day, you'll arrive at your villa accommodation, tucked away in a jungle setting teeming with wildlife.
Take your time to get comfortable and explore the property before enjoying dinner at the resort.
Today you can choose to spend a relaxed morning at the hotel or join an optional excursion to Ranthambore Fort. Perched at the top of a hill and ringed by a towering stone wall, once you've climbed the 273-step path to the top you'll be rewarded with panoramic views of the national park.
In the afternoon, after an early lunch, you'll be driven to Dholpur, a city on the banks of the Chambal River. Upon arrival, you'll check into your stately heritage hotel, built in the city's iconic red sandstone.
This evening you'll get the chance to watch a short cooking demonstration by the resident chef before dinner.
Today you can choose to spend a relaxed morning at the hotel or join an optional excursion to Ranthambore Fort. Perched at the top of a hill and ringed by a towering stone wall, once you've climbed the 273-step path to the top you'll be rewarded with panoramic views of the national park.
In the afternoon, after an early lunch, you'll be driven to Dholpur, a city on the banks of the Chambal River. Upon arrival, you'll check into your stately heritage hotel, built in the city's iconic red sandstone.
This evening you'll get the chance to watch a short cooking demonstration by the resident chef before dinner.
Today you'll head to the waters of the Chambal River, where a picturesque boat ride allows you to see the splendours of the jungle from a different angle.
You'll return to the hotel for lunch and enjoy a leisurely afternoon to pack up and get ready for your journey to Agra - India's 'City of Love' and the site of its most famous monument, the Taj Mahal.
Upon arrival in Agra, you'll be taken to Mehtab Bagh - a garden complex away from the bustle of the city, where you can enjoy incredible views of the Taj Mahal in all its glory. Find your position on the opposite side of the Yamuna River to snap the perfect photograph.
You'll then head back to your luxury hotel, surrounded by a beautiful garden of water channels, walkways, and fruit trees, where you'll check-in and have dinner.
Enjoy the morning at your own pace before an excursion to the royal pavilions, palaces, and courtyards of the majestic Agra Fort. This 16th-century fortress set on the Yamuna River, near the gardens of the Taj Mahal, is built from the city's red sandstone.
To conclude this day, you'll travel to the Taj Mahal at sunset and watch as this monument is dappled in swathes of changing colour as the light gradually dips behind the building. After a guided tour, you'll return to the hotel for dinner and perhaps a nightcap at one of the hotel's welcoming bars.
Spend one last unforgettable morning in India by joining an optional excursion to view the Taj Mahal at dawn, and see this iconic monument bathed in the colours of sunrise.
You'll then return for breakfast at your hotel and have some spare time to enjoy the state-of-the-art facilities, like the tennis courts, mini-golf course, fitness centre, and spa.
In the late afternoon, you'll leave the hotel and begin the drive to Delhi. A final and celebratory dinner will be served in Delhi, as you bid farewell to your newfound friends and travel to the airport for your overnight flight home.
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* From price is per person, based on two people sharing a room, subject to availability and based on 13 September 2024 departure date and LHR flight. Various departure dates are available, please call for details. Price and itinerary correct at time of print but may be subject to change. Single supplement n/a. Deposit £250pp. Local charges such as tourist tax may apply. Offers are not valid in conjunction with any other offers or promotions. Travel insurance is not included and should be taken out at time of booking. Images used may not reflect your actual tour experience. This holiday may be sold through other selected brands. Tour is operated by and subject to the booking conditions of TS Travel Ltd and Newmarket Holidays ABTA V7812. ATOL protected 2325. ABTOT 5509.