A wonderful tour of northern India’s ‘Golden Triangle’
See the breathtaking Taj Mahal bathed in soft morning light, gazing in awe at the simple purity of its white marble and the exquisite craftsmanship of its inlay work
City tours of both Old and New Delhi seeing all the major sights
Enjoy a guided tour of the 400-year-old deserted Moghul city of Fatehpur Sikri
Driving safari experience in Ranthambore National Park, the best place in India to spot the elusive tigers
Explore the ‘Pink City’ of Jaipur, capital of the desert kingdom of Rajasthan with a guided city tour
Marvel at the extraordinary location and beauty of Amber Fort, home of one of India’s most powerful maharajas
Stay in an original Rajasthani fort, converted into a stunning Heritage Hotel
Travel on the famous Shimla railway on board a classic toy train for Kalka and stay for 3 nights in Shimla
Guided tour of the Viceregal Lodge in Shimla plus a walking tour of the city
A welcome dinner on the first night to get to know your travelling companions
Hand-picked accommodation rated three to five-stars, including all local taxes, with breakfast and eight meals included
Hotel porterage of one item per person
Inclusions
The price of this holiday is per person, based on one person in a twin/double room for sole occupancy. Price includes:
Thirteen nights’ accommodation in three, four or five-star hotels
Daily breakfast and eight meals
Scheduled flights to/from Delhi
All transfers
All local accommodation taxes
All flight taxes
All touring as mentioned
All local transport by train or coach as described
Hotel porterage of one item of luggage per person
The services of an experienced Riviera Travel tour manager
Indian visa not included.
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You will be greeted at the airport before your overnight flight to Delhi.
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We will transfer to the five-star Le Meridien Hotel for an overnight stay. After time to freshen up, we begin our solo tour with a visit to New Delhi, where we see the Parliament building and the India Gate, as well as some of the more ancient sites of Qutub and the tomb of Humayun.
This evening we enjoy a pleasant and informal welcome dinner, where you’ll have the opportunity to get to know your tour manager and other like-minded travellers exploring the world on their own.
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After breakfast, we continue our exploration of the city to Old Delhi, where we visit Mahatma Gandhi’s modest memorial, as well as the imposing Red Fort and one of Asia’s largest mosques, Jama Masjid. We continue to Agra where we stay at either four-star hotel – the Oberoi Trident.
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An early start this morning will be worth the while when we witness the glorious sun rising over the stunning Taj Mahal. As the mist rises above the adjoining Yamuna River, the constantly changing colours of the marble domes further highlight the symmetrical beauty of one of the modern wonders of the world. Our tour continues to the huge terracotta-coloured Agra Fort, the headquarters of the Moghul Empire for many years. Later this evening, you’ll have the option to return to the Taj Mahal to enjoy the sunset.
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Leaving Agra this morning we continue towards the ancient abandoned city of Fatehpur Sikri, built in 1571, as Emperor Akbar’s imperial capital. Although it was mysteriously abandoned just 15 years later, it remains in a remarkable state of preservation, with numerous palaces, wide courtyards and beautiful carvings.
We stop for lunch (included) at the the Laxmi Vilas Palace in Bharat before going on to the railway station to catch the Shatabdi Express for our comfortable two and a half hour journey to Ranthambore National Park. Originally the private hunting preserve of Maharajahs, its 400 square kilometres of forested rolling hills, valleys and lakes form a unique ecosystem. Started in 1973, India’s famous Tiger Project was created to protect the country’s tiger population. Despite many difficulties, the tigers of Ranthambore have survived and numbers have stabilised.
Our hotel for the next two nights is the comfortable family-run three-star Ranthambore Regency on full board basis.
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This morning, we rise early in the hopes of catching a glimpse of Ranthambore’s famous tigers on safari. Specially adapted four-wheel-drive vehicles manned by expert drivers will take us around the vast national park to spot the many different wildlife species that call it home, including antelopes, monkeys, crocodiles, wild boar, and rare sloth bears. We return to our hotel later this morning with plenty of time to relax and have a bite before our second safari drive to spot yet more fantastic wild creatures. Dinner is included this evening.
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The ‘Pink City’ of Jaipur is our destination today, as we leave the natural playground of Ranthambore behind. One of Jaipur’s highlights is the Astronomical Observatory, home to a multitude of huge sundials. We will also visit the City Palace where the Maharajah of Jaipur still resides. Later we check into our hotel, the new four-star Hilton Jaipur for two nights.
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Another icon of India is the colossal Amber Fort, located in the hills above Jaipur. We are treated to a local guide’s expert insights, so we can truly appreciate the fine details of this most magnificent of structures.
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After breakfast we leave Rajasthan behind and return to the nation’s capital, New Delhi, for a one-night stay before our journey into the Himalayas.
Tonight we stay at the five-star Le Meridien Hotel. Dinner is included this evening.
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This morning we take the express train from Delhi to Kalka in ‘chair-class’ carriages with air-conditioning and large windows. We transfer at Kalka to the narrow-gauge ‘toy train’, which although does not have the same creature comforts, offers increasingly stunning views as it crosses 800 bridges and goes through 100 tunnels along the 100km-route to the small station in Shimla. After a busy day of travelling, we will check into the luxurious five-star Oberoi Cecil hotel for three nights.
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Shimla’s colonial past is the main theme of our exploration today as we encounter the Viceregal Lodge and its stunning botanical gardens. Certain parts of the building are open to visitors and give a tantalising glimpse into the life of the Viceroy and his staff, who resided here for six months of the year.
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Enjoy a day at leisure in Shimla, relax at the hotel pool or spa, or maybe take another stroll along the mall and do some last minute bargain hunting in the markets. Alternatively, there are a number of short local ‘treks’ that can be arranged in the surrounding hills. A sumptuous buffet dinner is included this evening.
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This morning after breakfast, we drive to Kalka and then return by express train to New Delhi for our last night at the Le Meridien hotel.
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We leave Delhi in the early afternoon for our flight home, arriving back the in the UK on the same day after a truly wondrous holiday.
4* Oberoi Trident Hotel - Agra
The four-star Oberoi Trident Hotel is located in quiet surroundings, near to the Taj Mahal. Managed by the famed Oberoi group, this low-rise modern hotel is surrounded by beautiful gardens with water features and a swimming pool. The hotel grows all its own vegetables and the contemporary-style restaurant offers both buffets and a la carte Indian and continental cuisine, as well as popular wood-fired pizza oven. There is also a small lobby bar and fitness room. All 137 comfortable rooms overlook the Mogul-style gardens or pool and are air-conditioned, with en-suite bathroom, hairdryer, minibar, satellite TV, safe, wireless internet (extra charge) and tea/coffee-maker.Swimming pools in India: most outside pools are not heated and may not be usable in the winter months.
3* Vanaashrya Resort - 2024 Only
2024 only
Experience an escape to nature at the The Vanaashrya Resort, set in lush green surroundings, this hotel offers a peaceful atmosphere to relax and unwind. The hotel has a swimming pool with gazebos to relax under and a spa offering a selection of treatments. The hotel bar is located on an outdoor deck overlooking the surrounding gardens so you can enjoy a drink whilst bird watching, the restaurant serves a selection of international and local cuisine.
All of the individual cottages have views over the surrounding gardens, with a private patio. They have ensuite facilities, air-conditioning, tea/coffee facilities, safe and hair dryer.
3* Ranthambore Regency - Sawai Madhopur
The three-star Ranthambore Regency Hotel is a charming family-run, low-rise hotel located close to the entrance of the National Park. Built around lush, well-tended gardens with a small pool and plenty of quiet shady spots to relax in, this is one of our clients’ favourite hotels for its low-key informal atmosphere and personal service. There is also a large lounge with bar and a small shop. All guests are on full board basis and the hotel’s buffet restaurant offers a wide selection of (mild!) regional Indian dishes and western options. All 42 rooms are spacious and air-conditioned, with en-suite bathroom, hairdryer, cable TV, wireless internet (extra charge), mini-fridge, tea/coffee-maker and look out into the gardens.Swimming pools in India: most outside pools are not heated and may not be usable in the winter months.
5* Oberoi Cecil Hotel - Shimla
The five-star Oberoi Cecil Hotel is well located in a commanding position overlooking Shimla, within walking distance from the centre. With its Burmese teak floors and magnificent atrium, this is one of India’s best-known and best-loved hotels. The hotel has maintained a warm colonial feel, with a charming tea lounge & lobby bar, a heated indoor pool and excellent Asian Spa. The high-ceilinged, wood-panelled restaurant with its white linen-covered tables and views across the foothills of the Himalayas is a pleasure to dine in and, as you would expect, the service is exceptional. All 75 rooms are beautifully furnished in classically elegant style with a small seating area & writing desk, wooden floors, luxurious marble bathrooms, hairdryer, minibar, TV & DVD, internet access (extra charge), safe and tea/coffee-maker. Please note most rooms have king-size beds; a few twin-bedded rooms are available on request but cannot be pre-booked or guaranteed.Swimming pools in India: most outside pools are not heated and may not be usable in the winter months.
5* Jaipur Marriott Hotel - Jaipur
This modern hotel has an outdoor swimming pool and spa, the hotel has 2 restaurants offering a selection of international and local fishes, a café/bakery and a bar serving drinks and snacks. The 374 modern stylish air-conditioned rooms all have bath, shower, hairdryer, minibar, safe, iron/board, cable TV, tea/coffee-maker and Wi-Fi. Swimming pools in India: most outside pools are not heated and may not be usable in the winter months.
Heritage Alsisar Mahal - Alsisar
The heritage-class Alsisar Mahal is located by the village of Alsisar in the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan. You are really in the middle of rural India here and a stay at this charming property gives you an insight into the India of yesteryear. The hotel can be described as a half-palace, half-castle property, entered through ancient, heavy wooden doors which lead into a wide courtyard encircled by domed roofs and overhanging balconies. There is an open-air pool, spa, traditional bar, billiard room and restaurant. All the 51 air-conditioned rooms are different in style and size, many with antiques and extra large marble bathrooms. In keeping with the style of the property there are no TVs. Swimming pools in India: most outside pools are not heated and may not be usable in the winter months.
