Relaxed Golden Triangle - (7 Days/ 6 Nights)

Begin your adventure of India with a guided tour of Old Delhi.

Your tour begins with a visit to Delhi's most famous monument, the Red Fort(closed on Monday).Here you will stroll the halls and chambers of this 17th Century fort, which derives its name from the red sandstone used to build its massive walls. The fort, which originally stood at the epicenter of emperor Shah Jahan's newly planned city of Shahjahanabad, now conjures the grandeur and military prowess of medieval India's mightiest empire-the Mughal empire.

You will then visit another treasure of the old city – Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India and Shah Jahan's last architectural feat. The structure is a prominent feature of the Old Delhi skyline. Here you can also view a collection of the Prophet Muhammad's relics, including the Koran written on deerskin, a red beard-hair of the prophet, his sandals and his footprints, implanted in a marble block.

Next, you will enjoy a rickshaw ride through Chandni Chowk, the main street ofOld Delhi. As one of the oldest and busiest markets in India, Chandni Chowk's narrow winding lanes are full of inexpensive jewelry, fabrics, and electronics.

Take a short break for lunch - your guide will select a delectable lunch spot with both local and continental flavors based on your preference.

Afternoon: After lunch, your tour of Old Delhi will conclude with a visit to Gandhi Smriti the house where Mahatma Gandhi, affectionately referred to as the Father of the Nation, wasassassinated on January 30, 1948. The room where he slept is preserved exactly as he left it, and the prayer ground where he held a daily evening mass congregation is open to the public. Plenty of photos, sculptures, paintings, and inscriptions are also on display. You can also visit the Raj Ghat which is the cremation site of the man every Indian calls the Father of the national Mahatma Gandhi.After this visit, you can return to your hotel OR continue to explore Old Delhi with your guide. This is also a good time to do some shopping.

Start your day with a guided city tour of New Delhi at 9 am after breakfast. This tour begins with a visit to Qutub Minar. This tallest brick minaret in the world stands at 238 ft, so be ready to crane your neck to get a good look!

Built in the year AD 1206, the reason for its existence remains a mystery. Some believe that it was made to signify victory and the beginning of Muslim rule in India, while others say it was used to call the faithful to prayer. Also within the Qutab complex is the Ashoka Pillar. This column is one of only nineteen surviving pillars that still have Ashoka's edicts inscribed on them. Ashoka the Great, as he is known in India, was an Indian emperor who ruled much of the Indian Subcontinent during the 3rd century B.C.E. He is the first known Indian emperor to embrace Buddhism and his edicts that were interspersed throughout his empire served as a proud proclamation of Ashoka's Buddhist belief and were meant to be guidelines for his citizens.

Also, there's fun challenge in store here! According to the traditional belief, anyone who can encircle the entire column with their arms, while standing with their back against the pillar, will have any wish granted. After the Qutab complex, you will proceed to visit Humayun's Tomb. You will be reminded of the magnificent Taj Mahal when you get here, this is because Humayun's Tomb served as an inspiration during the creation of the Taj Mahal. You can walk around or relax in the lovely gardens that are part of the monument's complex and you enjoy this little piece of India's history.
There is a break for lunch.

Afternoon: In the last part of your New Delhi city tour, you could choose to visit some of Delhi's other important sights such as India Gate, Rasthrapati Bhavan (President's House), Lodhi Garden. You can also spend the evening visiting some great restaurants and pubs in Connaught Place, the vibrant city Centre.

Evening: Proceed for a guided exploration of the Swaminarayan Akshardham temple. A modern day architectural marvel, the Akshardham Temple is an ode to centuries of traditional culture, spirituality, art, music and architecture in India, and uses modern science and technology to depict their evolution. It was officially opened to the public in 2005. Built by 7,000 artisans on the eastern banks of the Yamuna, the central temple is made entirely of stone, and showcases the spiritual history of India through state-of-the-art IMAX movies, musical fountains, and artistic sculptures. The temple complex is housed in lush, sprawling gardens, and is popular with worshippers and non-worshippers alike.Your guide will discuss the next day tour plans with you this evening. 

Early Morning: You will be assisted with your check out from the hotel at 8 am after breakfast and will proceed to your drive to Agra (3 hours).

Late Morning: Upon arrival at Agra, you will proceed on a guided city tour of Agra. This tour begins with a visit to the famous tomb of Itmad Ud Daulah. Often referred to as “Baby Taj”, this monument has a special place in the chronicles of both history and architecture. It is the very first tomb in India to be made entirely out of marble.

After a brief lunch break, you are at leisure to rest for a few hours.

Late Afternoon: Continue your city tour with a guided visit of the Agra Fort, which was commissioned by Akbar, literally translated as “The Great,” the most famous Mughal emperor. This is a grand and powerful fortress made of red sandstone. You will walk through palaces, audience halls, and two very beautiful mosques that appear to have been taken straight from a fairytale. From the Agra Fort, you will be driven to the five hundred-year-old Mughal garden Mehtab Bagh, which offers stunning views of the Taj Mahal.

Evening: End your evening with a guided sunset tour of the Taj Mahal (closed on Friday) As one of the world’s most famous monuments, the iconic white shrine comes with a story as dramatic as its beauty. Your guide will narrate the fascinating history of the Taj Mahal while you walk the premises and embark on yet another journey back in time.

You are then driven back to your hotel. You will have the rest of the evening to spend at your leisure.

Early Morning: You can either sleep in or enjoy a guided sunrise tour of the Taj Mahal. If you choose to take the sunrise tour, you will have the opportunity to return to your hotel and freshen up for breakfast.

Late Morning: You will be assisted with your checkout from the hotel and will be driven to Fatehpur Sikri. We recommend taking a packed lunch from your hotel today and we can assist you with this. Fatehpur Sikri, an abandoned city that served as the Mughal capital for a mere fifteen years in the sixteenth century. Take a walk through the large courtyards and grand rooms. Make sure to pay attention to the stories behind the grand chessboard and the elephant justice – they are enthralling!

Continue on to your drive to Jaipur. This drive will take you through parts of rural India. It is not uncommon to see camels on the road, women going to the farms, and roadside fruit sellers. This is an opportunity to observe village life.

As you drive into Jaipur, you will notice that most houses are painted pink. For this very reason, this city is also known as the "Pink City".
Upon arrival at Jaipur. you will be assisted with your check in to the hotel.

Morning: Put on your royal robes and start exploring Jaipur. After breakfast, you will visit Amber Fort, which is approximately thirty minutes from the city center. Enjoy a lurching elephant ride to the fort entrance,
or choose to walk or take a Jeep instead. Set on a hilltop overlooking the Maota Lake, the site was the original home of Rajput royalty until the city of Jaipur was constructed. The fort contains a number of breathtaking palaces, halls, gardens, and temples. After your visit, you will return to the Pink City for lunch.

Afternoon: Enjoy a visit to the City Palace, the current residence of the Maharaja of Jaipur. The huge complex of courtyards, gardens, and buildings blend both Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. The Peacock Gate is exquisite, and it contains a captivating display of detailed workmanship featuring bright peacocks. Today, the royal family lives in the graceful Chandra Mahal (Moon Palace) bordering the courtyard. Also inside the City Palace complex are a museum, an art gallery, and several interesting displays of royal costumes and old Indian weapons. Once you’ve toured these attractions, continue on to the intricate and fascinating facade of the Palace of the Winds (Hawa Mahal), which is arguably the most recognized building in all of Jaipur. Legend has it that the Hawa Mahal palace, which overlooks the main street of Jaipur’s lively Old City, was built so that the women in the royal household could watch the streets below without being observed. The top of the structure, behind the façade of the Hawa Mahal, is a panoramic view point of the city.

Following your tour of the City Palace, you will explore Jantar Mantar, a fascinating complex filled with astronomical instruments. There are fourteen simple but brilliant geometric devices here that can measure time, predict an eclipse, and track stars.

Evening: Local bazaars are an explosion of color and culture. A slow walk through these busy streets will take you through collections of handmade textiles, bright bangles, mirrored wall hangings, and Jaipur’s famous cozy quilts. Spend some time here to splurge on a cultural souvenir.

You can sleep in and enjoy the facilities at your hotel this morning.

Afternoon: After lunch, you are assisted with your check out from the hotel and you proceed on your drive back to Delhi. Upon arrival at Delhi, you are driven to the airport and assisted with boarding your International flight. If you have an early morning flight then a room can be booked inside the international airport at additional cost.

Additional Option:
You will be assisted with your check out from the hotel and driven to the Jaipur airport where you will be assisted with boarding the early morning flight to Delhi. Spend the day in Delhi to finish some last minute sightseeing or shopping. A full day vehicle, chauffeur and guide will be provided at Delhi until your late evening assisted check in at the International airport. A day use room can be booked at additional cost.
**Please inquire about associated costs pertaining to this option

We hope you enjoyed your stay in India, and we wish you a safe flight home!