Golden Triangle
Independent Tour (9 days)

London - Delhi - Jaipur - Agra - Delhi - London
Ideal for first time visitors with limited time, this tour takes you to the very heart of India's tourist circuit, popularly called the 'Golden Triangle'. Reflecting its long and varied history, Delhi offers a wealth of sites including its medieval Moghul buildings, labyrinthine bazaars and the Raj's immaculate new city, now the seat of government. Capital of the princely state of Rajasthan, the 'pink city' of Jaipur boasts several enormous palaces and forts. The Taj Mahal, arguably India's (if not the world's) most beautiful building stands majestically by the banks of the Yamuna River at Agra.

Travel is by private car staying at an interesting mix of hotels including a period colonial hotel and a former royal mansion.
International flights are on a scheduled direct carrier.
You travel by yourself on a departure date of your choice.

Itinerary
Day 1 London-Delhi Fly from London Heathrow in the morning by a direct flight to Delhi, arriving late the same evening. You will be met and transferred to the Oberoi Maidens/Nikko Hotel for three nights. (You could upgrade to The Imperial/Oberoi/Taj Mahal - suppl.)

Day 2 Delhi The seat of power during the Moghul Empire and the British Raj, today the capital of modern India, Delhi comprises the bustling old city, teeming with people and bazaars, and Lutyen's modern showpiece of New Delhi with wide treelined boulevards. In the afternoon the sights of Old Delhi are visited including the Rajghat, the "samadhi" of Mahatma Gandhi, Jama Masjid and the busy bazaars of Chandni Chowk.

Day 3 Delhi Enjoy a morning sightseeing of New Delhi including Humayun's Tomb, Qutub Minar and Lutyen's buildings. Afternoon free.

Day 4 Jaipur After breakfast drive in your private chauffeur-driven car to the "Pink City" of Jaipur, capital of Rajasthan, the "Land of Kings". On arrival check into the Samode Haveli or Alsisar Haveli for 2 nights. (You could upgrade to the Ram Bagh Palace/Raj Vilas - suppl.)

Day 5 Jaipur Enjoy a full day's sightseeing covering the City Palace, Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar Observatory, Sawai Man Singh Museum, and Amber Fort - climbed on elephant back.

Day 6 Agra After breakfast drive to Agra visiting Fatehpur Sikri en route. An optional visit to the famous Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary is available. Agra is known for its leatherware, sweetmeats, and historical monuments including the Taj Mahal. Check into the Trident Hilton for 2 nights. (You could upgrade to the Amar Vilas - suppl.)

Day 7 Agra The morning sightseeing includes the Fort and the Taj Mahal. The afternoon is free.

Day 8 Delhi Drive back to Delhi to board your return flight, just past midnight. A room will be arranged for your use, till departure.

Day 9 London Fly back to Heathrow.

Meal Plan: Bed & breakfast.
Season: Throughout the year with mid- September to mid-April being the best months.
Clothes: Cottons with light to heavy woollens in winter.

What Is Included
The following elements are included in your holiday for group as well as independent travel. For tailor-made holidays/extensions/amendments there can be individual variations.

International flights in economy class from London Heathrow (apart from the following tours, which do NOT include international flights: Cambodia Tour, Laos Tour, Singapore Stopover).

For upgrades to higher classes and departure from ports other than Heathrow please ask us for a quote. The airport taxes are additional to the holiday price and are subject to change.

Airport taxes are included in your holiday price except for places where they are payable locally directly on departure.

Assisted transfers for all arrivals and departures by air or rail, using a private coach or chauffeur-driven car. In some resorts the hotel may provide a courtesy transfer. For courtesy transfers and arrivals/departures by road assistance may not be available in some places.

Accommodation in the hotels listed, or similar. Unless otherwise specified standard grade rooms are booked. For booking superior rooms or suites please ask us for a quote.

Meals as indicated in the "Meal Plan" with each tour. Most tours have a bed & breakfast arrangement, except in game parks and remote places where full board is provided. Given the wide variety and choice of restaurants in most hotels it is preferable not to be tied down to a fixed meal. It is also more cost effective to have a la carte dining in most hotels.

All scheduled sightseeing including English-speaking guides and entrance fee to monuments and other sites listed in the tour details. 

All scheduled game viewing in game reserves. This is usually in shared jeeps, seating up to five, or a larger open vehicle, seating up to eighteen, accompanied by a naturalist. For booking exclusive jeeps a higher charge may apply. These are subject to availability as only a limited number of vehicles is allowed inside a game park in a day.

All trekking expenses including guide & cook, porters, camping equipment, environment fee and insurance for porters. Sleeping bags are provided but you are welcome to bring your own. When travelling independently the entire retinue is organised just for you.

All internal travel including flights in economy, trains in the class specified, boat cruises - normally using exclusive boats for your private use, and road travel by a private coach or your own chauffeur-driven car. For road journeys spread over many days a daily allowance for the driver to cover for his accommodation and meals is included in your price. Again for such long journeys the vehicle and driver are normally available for local use, within reasonable limits, at each place of halt at no extra cost. When adding extra days to a tour using a car circuit, the cost of retaining the car is also included in your supplementary accommodation costs.

The assistance of our local agents - we have a wide network of tried and tested agents who are on hand to assist you during your travel.

The services of an experienced local tour escort for published group tours with minimum 5 persons. If the number falls below 5 we may still, at our discretion, provide an escort. The escort joins you on arrival and remains with you for the main body of the tour. For some portions of the tour, normally at the end, the accompanying escort may leave you. In such instances local assistance is provided. For example in North India & Nepal the escort remains with you from Delhi through till Varanasi and the Nepal portion is assisted locally.