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Overview
Experience a taste of India on this outstanding introductory tour of the country’s most celebrated sights. Exploring the Golden Triangle, this journey combines imperial Delhi with the legendary Taj Mahal at Agra and a 3-night stay in the princely city of Jaipur, culminating in the beautiful hill station of Shimla.
Itinerary
Day 1: Fly to Delhi
Overnight flight from London (regional connections available) to Delhi with Virgin Atlantic. (N)
Day 2: Delhi
Arrive in Delhi and transfer to the Taj Palace for 1 night. Tour of Old Delhi, including the Jama Masjid mosque and Raj Ghat. (D)
Day 3: New Delhi • Agra
Tour of New Delhi, including a drive past India Gate and the former viceregal residence. Continue to the tomb of the Mughal emperor Humayun and the Qutb Minar tower. Drive to Agra, stay for 2 nights at the Trident Agra. (B, D)
Day 4: Agra
Sunrise at Taj Mahal. Visit the tomb of Itmadud-Daulah and Agra Fort. Visit Mehtab Bagh gardens, for sunset over the Taj Mahal. (B, D)
Day 5: Fatehpur Sikri • Jaipur
Continue to Jaipur via the deserted sandstone city of Fatehpur Sikri and Abhaneri Stepwell. Stay 3 nights at Shahpura House. (B, L, D)
Day 6: Jaipur
Morning visit to the Amber Fort and the City Palace in the afternoon, home of the present maharajah. Dine on the hotel terrace while watching a local dance performance. (B, D
Day 7: Jaipur
A day at leisure to relax or explore Jaipur’s many bazaars. Alternatively, take a sunrise balloon flight, enjoy a heritage walk or visit the artistic hub of Sanganer*. (B, D)
Day 8: Shahpura • Delhi
Travel to Shahpura for lunch at Shahpura Haveli and a village walk. Continue to Delhi for an overnight stay at the Taj Palace. (B, L, D)
Day 9: Shimla
Take the morning train to Kalka followed by the narrow gauge mountain railway toy train ride to Shimla. Stay at the Oberoi Cecil in Shimla, the British summer capital during the Raj era, for 3 nights. Upgrade to a Premier Valley View room from £160pp for 3 nights. (B, L, D)
Days 10: Shimla
Explore the history of Shimla and listen to stories of its many colonial buildings while making your way to the Vice Regal Lodge. (B, D)
Day 11: Shimla
Day at leisure. Option to explore Shimla on a nature walk from the house where Rudyard Kipling wrote Plain Tales from the Hills to the gallery of a Shimla painter. Alternatively, enjoy afternoon tea at the Oberoi Wildflower Hall or visit the princely state of Dhami to spend the day with the noble family, birdwatching and enjoying their stories over lunch*. (B, D)
Day 13: Fly to London
Fly to London with Virgin Atlantic. (B)
