Golden Triangle Luxury Tour - Taj, Tigers and Palaces

Golden Triangle Luxury Tour - Taj, Tigers and Palaces

This wonderful luxury cultural tour of India's famous Golden Triangle takes you to the three key cities of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur to visit key heritage and cultural sites including the stunning Taj Mahal and impressive Amber Fort. You'll also visit Ranthambore National Park in search of tigers along with a wide range of other wildlife on a private jeep safari. With private guides and transfers, enjoy staying in luxury Oberoi properties throughout.

Itinerary

• Day 01

  Arrive Delhi

  Welcome to India and Delhi, a land and city as diverse as its people, where ancient and modern sit side by side in a wonderfully intoxicating blend of contrasts and surprise, ancient and modern. You'll be met on arrival by our local representative for the transfer drive and check in to your hotel. The rest of your day is at leisure to rest and relax, enjoy your hotel or perhaps explore locally. 

  
  

  Overnight The Oberoi, New Delhi, Premier Room.

• Day 02

  Full day Delhi

  After breakfast, enjoy a full day guided city tour and a chance to explore some of the highlights of the capital. Your tour begins in Old Delhi, with a visit to Raj Ghat, a simple memorial to Mahatma Gandhi. Later we drive past the magnificent Red Fort, overlooking the river Jamuna and built when the Mughal Empire was at its peak in the 1600s. This morning you’ll also visit Jama Masjid, one of Asia’s largest mosques, which is viewed from the outside. Enjoy a rickshaw ride through the busy Old Delhi market a great way to explore locally and experience the narrow lanes in the old part of the city. You’ll also visit the Spice Market. This is the largest wholesale spice market in Asia, that’s been operating since the 17th century. Expect a sensory overload of vibrant colours and aromas! Enjoy a complimentary welcome lunch at Dharampura Haveli, a beautiful old Delhi mansion that’s been lovingly restored. Lunch will be a wonderful selection of delicacies and Mughlai cuisine, as you enjoy the relaxing ambience of the Haveli. After visiting Old Delhi, we head to New Delhi, which reflects the legacy left by British colonialism. The division between New and Old Delhi is the division between the capitals and lifestyles of the British and the Mughals respectively. The walled city is all about tradition where you'll enjoy insights and glimpses of Delhi of the past. New Delhi in contrast, is a vibrant and thriving modern city. Visit Qutub Minar, the tallest stone tower in India and one of the finest Islamic structures ever built in India, at 72.5m high with 379 steps from top to bottom. Your tour of Imperial Delhi also includes a drive past Rashtrapati Bhawan, the President’s residence & Parliament building as well as imposing India Gate. The rest of your day is free to rest and relax and enjoy the hotel facilities and grounds. 

  
  

  Overnight The Oberoi, New Delhi, Premier Room.

• Day 03

  Delhi to Agra 205km, 03 hrs drive

  After breakfast it's time to drive to Agra., approximately 3 to 4 hours’ drive by private air-conditioned car, with plenty to see enroute. You'll be able to check in to your hotel on arrival. After time to get refreshed, this afternoon you'll visit Agra Fort – the seat and stronghold of the Mughal Empire under successive generations of rulers. This impressive red sandstone fort was built between 1565 to 1573AD and shows Mughal architecture at its peak with wonderful gateways, pillared halls, marble trellises and geometric gardens. This evening enjoy a beautiful sunset tour of the iconic Taj Mahal from Mehtab Bagh. The Taj Mahal is everything that has been said about it and more. Taking 22 years and 20,000 men to build, the white marble was quarried 200 miles away and transported to the site by a fleet of 1000 elephants. Built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as an expression of his love for his wife Mumtaz Mahal, in the mid-17th century, the Taj Mahal is truly one of the wonders of the world. Though the Taj appears to be amazingly perfect from almost any angle, it is the close-up marble inlay work, which is really astounding. After your tour the rest of your evening is at leisure to rest and relax.

  
  

  Overnight The Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra, Premier Room.

• Day 04

  Agra to Ranthambore 280km, 07 hours

  Sunrise is the best time to visit the Taj Mahal and this morning enjoy an early morning visit to this stunning monument at sunrise. Afterwards we return to your hotel for breakfast before departing for the drive to Fatehpur Sikri and on to Ranthambore Tiger Reserve. The abandoned ghost city of Fatehpur Sikri is around 40km from Agra. The city was built in 1569 and is remarkably well preserved. Enjoy time to explore and visit the tomb of Salim Chisti as well as visiting some of the palaces of the city. From here we continue on to Ranthambore, one of the largest and most famous Tiger Reserves in India. As well as the resident Royal Bengal Tigers, the Reserve is home to a wide variety of wildlife including leopards, sloth bear, caracal, serval, jackal, hyena, gazelle and many other species as well as over 300 species of migratory and resident birds. Rest overnight in a luxury tent. 

  
  

  Overnight The Oberoi Vanyavilas, Ranthambore, Luxury Tent.

• Day 05

  Ramthambore Tiger Reserve - on safari

  This morning and afternoon enjoy spotting the many and varied species of animal and birdlife on a private safari drive into Ranthambore National Park, one of India's finest tiger reserves. The magnificent tigers are the stars here but there's also much more to see and enjoy. You'll be accompanied by a professional English speaking local naturalist. This evening rest and relax at your luxury tented camp. 

  
  

  Overnight at The Oberoi Vanyavilas, Luxury tent.

• Day 06

  Ranthambore to Jaipur 150km, 3 hrs drive

  It's worth an early start today for a final safari into Ranthambore National Park and another chance to spot the tigers, leopards, hyenas, sloth bears and many other species that live here. Another option is to have a leisurely lie in and enjoy the local facilities and grounds instead. After lunch, it's time to depart for the short scenic drive to Jaipur, also known as the Pink City of Rajasthan. This afternoon is at leisure to rest and relax or perhaps explore locally if you wish. 

  
  

  Overnight at The Oberoi Rajvilas, Premier Room.

• Day 07

  Full day Jaipur

  After breakfast today, your private guide will meet you at the hotel and accompany you to magnificent Amber Fort where there's plenty of time to enjoy the exquisite architecture and design details. En route we'll stop at the beautiful facade of Hawa Mahal. Enjoy the option of an elephant ride or jeep ride from the entrance up to Amber Fort. One of the highlights here is the stunning Sheesh Mahal, the Hall of Mirrors. This afternoon, we'll visit beautiful City Palace, with its wonderful rooms and more exquisite design detail as well as the in palace museum which is home to a vast collection of rare manuscripts, armoury, traditional costumes, carpets and miniature paintings. After time to explore here your next stop will be to visit Jantar Mantar, the impressive Observatory which is the largest stone and marble crafted observatory in the world. Rest and relax this evening at your hotel or perhaps explore locally. 

  
  

  Overnight at The Oberoi Rajvilas, Premier Room.

• Day 08

  Jaipur to Delhi 260km, 05 hrs drive

  After a leisurely breakfast this morning it's time to drive back towards Delhi. Sit back and relax, enjoy the views en route. We'll also stop for a comfort break en route. In Delhi, the rest of your afternoon and evening is free to rest and relax or perhaps explore locally or do any final local shopping. 

  
  

  Overnight at The Oberoi Gurgaon, Premier room.

• Day 09

  Depart Delhi

  This morning you'll be met by your driver for your private transfer to the airport, in time for your check in and flight home or onward to your next destination.