Golden Triangle & Amritsar - 15 Days
Golden Triangle & Amritsar - 15 Days
Golden Triangle & Amritsar - 15 Days
15 Days Starting and ending in Delhi
Visiting: Delhi, Agra, Karauli, Jaipur, Shimla, Chandigarh, Amritsar
Tour operator:
Tour code:
1914/GTAM
Specialist Group:
Family/Kids
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
2 - 24
Age range:
15 + if accompanied by an adult.
Trip Styles:
Tour Overview
Take in the highlights of India's Golden Triangle and ride a Toy Train ahead of reaching the former hill station of Shimla. Then explore Chandigarh and its Rock Garden before marveling at the glimmering Golden Temple and witness the fascinating Wagah Border ceremony in Amritsar.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Delhi
Location: Delhi
Saturday. On arrival in Delhi you are met at the airport and transferred to our hotel. The rest of today is free to explore India’s capital at leisure before meeting the group and guide at the hotel at 18:00 for a Welcome meeting.
For those able to arrive very early today or the day prior, why not get off the beaten track and explore Old Delhi with us on our optional 'Backstreets of Delhi' add-on tour. You will get to relish the taste of various street foods, from savoury to sweet. Along the way, visit Khari Baoli, the largest spice market in India and the colourful Bazar Matia Mahal, located opposite the majestic Jama Masjid Mosque. The tour will combine a mixture of metro, electric rickshaw and walking to get around.
Day 2: Delhi
Location: Delhi
Meals Included: Breakfast
Delhi - Agra. This morning we enjoy a packed day of sightseeing in Old and New Delhi. Check out the UNESCO-listed Humayun’s Tomb and Jama Masjid - India’s oldest and largest mosque. Visit the iconic Sikh temple Gurudwara Bangla Sahib and its community kitchen feeding 25,000-30,000 people daily. We also enjoy a thrilling rickshaw ride around the Chandni Chowk bazaar and explore New Delhi. Walk down the Rajpath, formerly known as the ‘King’s Way’ and see the famous India Gate monument.
This afternoon, we will drive to Agra. After checking into the hotel, enjoy a group Namaste dinner for departures in 2024. Please note there is no dinner included for departures in 2025.
Day 3: Agra
Location: Agra
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning, we'll visit the legendary Taj Mahal, India's most renowned monument. Constructed by Emperor Shah Jahan in the 17th century as a tribute to his beloved wife, this iconic white marble mausoleum is an unparalleled symbol of love and devotion, standing as one of the most extraordinary architectural masterpieces in the world. Be sure to capture this once-in-a-lifetime experience with plenty of photos!
Following our visit to the Taj Mahal, we’ll journey to the impressive Agra Fort. This massive red sandstone fortress houses some of India's most exquisite Mughal buildings, all safeguarded behind its towering fortified walls. It’s a site rich with history and grandeur, offering a fascinating glimpse into the Mughal era.
Day 4: Karauli
Location: Karauli
Accommodation Name: Overnight: Karauli or Dholpur
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Agra - Karauli/Dholpur. This morning we journey to either Karauli or Dholpur stopping for lunch en route.
In Karauli, we will stay in the beautiful Palace Bhanwar Vilas. An eclectic melding of both Oriental and Art Deco architecture, the heritage-listed hotel was built in 1938 as a family home of the Maharaja of Jaipur. In Dholpur, we will stay at the magnificent Raj Niwas Palace, which is known for its red sandstone, traditional Rajisthani architecture, and European-style ceramics. It's said that this heritage-listed hotel was built by the Maharaja to welcome HRH Albert Edward, who visited in 1876.
Spend the afternoon at your leisure exploring the grounds, perhaps check out the vintage cars or take a dip in the swimming pools. This evening, you can also opt to attend the evening Aarti (prayer).
Please note: Lunch will be included in 2024. Please note there is no lunch included for departures in 2025, instead you will have time to enjoy lunch at your own expense.
Day 5: Jaipur
Location: Jaipur
Meals Included: Breakfast
Karauli/Dholpur - Jaipur. This morning we hit the road towards the vibrant UNESCO listed Pink City of Jaipur. On arrival, we will spend the afternoon on a tour of the illustrious City Palace and the UNESCO-listed Jantar Mantar Space Observatory, which features 19 separate astrological instruments.
Day 6: Jaipur
Location: Jaipur
Meals Included: Breakfast
Jaipur. Enjoy an unforgettable experience early this morning with an optional balloon ride over Jaipur. Sail with the wind over the surrounding region and pass above hill-top forts and regal palaces. Later, enjoy a jeep ride to Amber Fort for a guided tour and visit a cotton weaving house for an authentic demonstration of fabric dyeing. The remainder of the day is at your leisure, why not opt to explore the Johari Bazaar in the Old Pink City.
Day 7: Delhi
Location: Delhi
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Jaipur - Delhi. Today we return to Delhi for an afternoon at leisure. You may wish to visit Red Fort and attend its famous Sound and Light show this evening.
Day 8: Shimla
Location: Shimla
Meals Included: Breakfast
Delhi - Kalka - Dharampur - Shimla. Rise early this morning as we board the Shatabdi Express train to Kalka. You then transfer independently to the Himalayan Queen Toy Train for a unique experience to Dharampur. The 33km journey sees us travel along narrow twists and turns, through scenic countryside and numerous tunnels. Pass through forests, over bridges and stop at old, traditional stations. Arriving into Dharampur we complete the journey to our hotel in Shimla by road, where the evening is at leisure.
Day 9-10: Shimla
Location: Shimla
Meals Included: Breakfast
We spend the next 2 days in Shimla. Today we explore the city of Shimla, located 2,100m above sea level at the foot of the mighty Himalayas. Explore the famous main street - The Mall, which is lined with stately English homes and has a distinctly British feel. We also discover the Viceregal Lodge, the former residence of the British Viceroy of India. Stroll down narrow streets and explore colourful bazaars in this scenic city, surrounded by the beautiful valley and the towering mountains.
Day 10 offers free time for you to independently explore Shimla. You can stroll around the mall, take in the snow-capped panoramic surrounds, or drop by the colourful Lakkar Baazar.
Day 11: Chandigarh
Location: Chandigarh
Meals Included: Breakfast
Shimla - Chandigarh - Amritsar. Say goodbye to Shimla as we travel to the modern city of Chandigarh for a guided tour. See highlights of the city including the famous Rock Garden. A completely unique and innovative creation, the Rock Garden is a collection of over 2,000 sculptures created over 20 years from a collection of concrete, steel drums, old bicycle frames and broken sinks. If time permits visit the Rose Garden - Asia’s largest botanical garden and home to 1,500 species of roses and also stroll along the shore of the man-made Sukhna Lake. This afternoon we take the train to Amritsar. Upon arrival into Amritsar this evening, you'll be met and transferred to our hotel.
Day 12-13: Amritsar
Location: Amritsar
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning we tour the highlights of Amritsar, including the Jallianwala Bagh memorial and the iconic Golden Temple. The temple is regarded as the holiest pilgrimage site in Sikhism and the dome is made of pure gold. Later we travel to the village of Wagah, on the India-Pakistan border. At sunset watch the colourful, dancelike changing of the guard ceremony and flag lowering, which signals the closing of the border for the day. We then return to Amritsar. The next day is spent at leisure in Amritsar.
Day 14: Delhi
Location: Delhi
Meals Included: Breakfast
Amritsar - Delhi. Early this morning we transfer to the train start where we board the train to Delhi. Upon arrival into Delhi, you'll be met and transferred to our hotel. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.
Day 15: Delhi
Location: Delhi
Meals Included: Breakfast
Saturday. Our Indian adventure comes to an end today. A departure transfer is included today for departures in 2024. If you are travelling in 2025 this can be booked for an additional supplement if required.
What's Included
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Accommodation
3 - 4 star & heritage hotels -
Breakfast daily and 2 dinners
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14 nights 3-4 star and heritage hotels
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Guided sightseeing - Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Karauli or Dholpur, Shimla, Chandigarh and Amritsar
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Travel by jeep to the stunning Amber Fort in Jaipur
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2 train journeys: Delhi to Kalka and Amritsar to Delhi
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Narrow gauge Himalayan Queen Toy Train journey from Kalka to Dharampur
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Entrance fees to museums in Shimla
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Escorted by an English-speaking Indian tour guide (for groups of 4 or more)
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Services of English-speaking Indian specialist guides at some sites
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Airport arrival transfer on day 1 (For departures in 2024 a departure airport transfer is provided on day 15)
What's Not Included
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International flights and visa
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Tip for your tour guide. We recommend you allow USD$4-7 per day, per traveller. Tipping your guide is an entirely personal gesture
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Entrance Fees: USD$75-85pp, paid in local currency
Age Policy
15 + if accompanied by an adult.
Check out our Q&As
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Ensuring our footprint is light and that the benefits of travelling reach the local communities you visit is paramount to us. We’re proud to say that when travelling with us, the large majority of your holiday funds remain within the countries you visit, supporting local economies at a grass roots level.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1998
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
With English-speaking tours, it's not a huge surprise that most on our travellers are from English-speaking countries or have English as their second language. Our group tours cater for everyone from 18 years old to 70+
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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