We Love —
- A fully escorted small group tour where you will explore the most exciting destinations in India, including Delhi and the Taj Mahal
- India is a fascinating country with jaw-dropping, iconic sights and stunning natural beauty
- 11 nights will zip by on this fascinating trip in which you will stay in some of the Golden Triangle and Shimla's most luxurious hotels
New Voyage Privé —
Carefully selected by our experts especially for you
Here to Help —
Booking 35 days in advance and spending over £500 per person? No need to pay in full today! Just select the 30% deposit option on our payment page (terms & conditions apply)
For any additional information on this offer or assistance in making your reservation please call one of our dedicated team on 0844 8262098 or email sales@voyageprive.com
Opening hours are Monday to Friday 08:00 - 21:00 and Saturdays & Sundays from 09:00 - 17:30.
Your Destination —
The Golden Triangle
This Golden Triangle Tour will take you through the heart of India travelling to Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, taking in sights such as the Taj Mahal and the bustling bazaars of Jaipur. This is one of the most exciting and rewarding travel destinations in the world, wherein you will visit colourful and vibrant cities, exquisite temples and superb scenery.
Shimla
Once the imperial summer capital of the British Raj, this capital of Himachal Pradesh, Shimla, is set in the Foothills of the Himalayas at an average altitude of 7250ft. The city is famous for its beauty and buildings styled in imperial architecture dating from the colonial era.
Shimla known as the "Queen of the hills" was once a summer retreat for the British colonial government, the influence are still present today with the Tudor style Bungalows, Church and Library.
What's Included? —
• Return Economy Flights with Luggage
• Shared Transfers and small group escorted tour itinerary
• 11 nights Golden Triangle & Shimla Tour with small group tour guide
• 5* Accommodation throughout in either Standard or Deluxe rooms: 2 nights Delhi, 2 nights Agra, 2 nights Jaipur, 1 night Delhi, 3 nights Shimla, 1 night Delhi
• Bed & Breakfast meal basis
Our price doesn't include:
• Indian Visa
Itinerary (11 nights) —
Today early morning you will arrive at Delhi’s International Airport. Following customs, immigration formalities and baggage collection, a representative will meet you as you EXIT the ARRIVALS TERMINAL building and transfer you to your hotel, where you will proceed for check-in.
India’s capital and a major gateway to the country, contemporary Delhi is a bustling metropolis, which successfully combines in its folds - the ancient with the modern. Amidst the fast spiralling skyscrapers the remnants of a bygone time in the form of its many monuments stand as silent reminders to the region’s ancient legacy. The first impressions for any visitor travelling in from the airport are of a specious, garden city, tree-lined with a number of beautiful parks.
Rest of the day is free for Independent activities.
Stay overnight in New Delhi.
Day 2 - Delhi
Breakfast at the Hotel.
Proceed for Full day combined city tour of Old and New Delhi. In Old Delhi you will visit the 17th century Jama Masjid and walk through the narrow, winding lanes of colourful and bustling Chandni Chowk. You have the option of taking a rickshaw ride through these bazaars. Also visit the Mughal Empire’s most opulent fort, the Red Fort for a photo stop. Visit Raj Ghat where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated.
Afternoon proceed for New Delhi. Visit Presidential Palace, the one-time imperial residence of the British viceroys; the India Gate, a memorial raised in Honour of the Indian soldiers martyred during the Afghan war and a drive along the Rajpath past the Parliament House and secretarial buildings. Visit Qutab Minar, the 12th century tower of victory built by a slave king and prototype of all minars (towers) in India. Also visit the 16th century Humayun’s tomb, a precursor to the Taj Mahal.
Stay overnight in New Delhi.
Day 3 - Delhi - Agra
Breakfast at the Hotel & after that you will be driven to Agra. Upon arrival in Agra you will check-in at your hotel and our representative will assist you to complete your check-in formalities.
Agra came into limelight during the rule of Afghan King Sikandar Lodhi - who had made it the capital of his empire. Later in 1526 A.D., the Mughal Emperor Babar took upon himself the task for rendering Agra, a unique character and beauty of its own. The next few hundred years of Agra witnessed the rise of the pomp and pageantry of three great Mughal monarchs - Emperor Akbar, Jehangir and Shahjahan. In modern times, the city of Agra is a thriving carpet industry where you can also find leather workers; sandstone and marble sculptors, some of whom claim to be direct descendants of the craftsmen who had helped build the Taj Mahal.
Stay overnight in Agra.
Morning, proceed to visit Taj Mahal, (Closed on Fridays). On the inner walls, jewel-like stones create beautiful designs in white marble. The Mughals perfected the art of embedding semi-precious stones into marble and the Taj is the finest example of this; it is a special process called pietra dura. It begins with a marble plate, varying in size. Then jewels are sliced paper thin and embedded in the marble with such precision that the joints are invisible to the naked eye.
Afternoon you will proceed to visit Agra Fort, where the ageing Emperor Shah Jahan, imprisoned by his son, watched from a distance the fulfillment of his life’s dream-the building of the Taj Mahal in memory of his beloved wife.
You have an option to visit the Taj Mahal at your own at the time of sunset.
Stay overnight in Agra.
Day 5 - Agra to Jaipur
Breakfast is at the Hotel.
After breakfast you will drive to Jaipur enroute you will visit Fatehpur Sikri.
Fatehpur Sikri, the deserted red sandstone city, built by the Great Mughal Emperor Akbar as his capital and palace in the late 16th century. It was abandoned soon after it was built when the local wells went dry and it remains today in much the same condition that it was over 300 years ago. It is complete with palaces and mosques and used to be a town larger than London when it was originally constructed. Now it is an extraordinary place to wander around with its buildings in near perfect condition.
On arrival in Jaipur, proceed to check in at your hotel. Rest of the day is at leisure.
Stay overnight in Jaipur.
Day 6 - Jaipur
Following buffet breakfast you will proceed to visit the capital of Amber to see the fabulous Amber Fort. Maharaja Mansingh, Mughal Emperor Akbar’s most successful General, started the construction of Amber Fort in the 17th century. Before the City Palace was constructed in Jaipur, Amber was the seat of power. The fort is surrounded by fortified battlements and overlooks the Moat Lake. Ruins and remains are spread over the Aravalli hills and sprawling crenulated walls lattice the surrounding area.
An elephant (alternatively by jeeps) will spare you the trouble of reaching up to the fortress. Once on top, stroll through the sprawling complex of courtyards and halls. Many of the rooms have delightful wall paintings, with precious stones and mirrors inlaid in the walls. Most fascinating, perhaps, is the Sheesh Mahal (hall of mirrors) where a single lamplight is reflected in the many mirrors, lighting up the room.
En-route to Amber Fort you will stop and see the `Palace of Winds’, otherwise known as Hawa Mahal. It is really an elaborate facade behind which the ladies of the court used to watch the daily goings on in the street below. It is extremely intricate in its pink sandstone carving. The cool wind blows through its facade of windows and latticed screens through which the queens of the court once viewed the streets of the city.
Afternoon, you will visit the City Palace, which is an overwhelming complex of exquisite palaces, gardens and courtyards, decorative art and carved doorways. The palace museum houses collections of rare manuscripts, armoury, costumes, carpets and miniature paintings.
Jaipur's Jantar Mantar is the most famous of five observatories built by Sawai Jai Singh in India. Jai Singh was a great admirer of progresses and research made in the fields of science and technology, but he was passionate about astronomy. There is a very interesting story behind the construction of this observatory, considered as the largest stone observatory in the world. Sawai Jai Singh sent his emissaries to all parts of the world before commencing the construction of this observatory. The emissaries returned with many manuals on astronomy containing cutting-edge technological information. One of these manuals was a copy of La Hire's "Tables". The king ordered the observatory to be built according to the details contained in this manual. When the construction ended, for the astonishment of the king and others, the observatory was 20 seconds more accurate than the one mentioned in the Tables.
Stay overnight in Jaipur.
Day 7 - Jaipur - Delhi
After breakfast you will be driven back to Delhi. The rest of the day is at leisure for independent activities and last minute shopping in Delhi.
Stay overnight in Delhi.
Today in time you will be transfer to New Delhi Railway Station, where you embark on the Shatabdi Express for our journey to Shimla via Kalka.
From 0740 Departure New Delhi
From 1145 Arrival Kalka
At Kalka, board Toy Train to Shimla, a narrow gauge line covering almost 100 km, where the top speed rarely exceeds 20 mph. This rail link was built by the British in 1904 and has a total of 105 tunnels (distance is marked in 1/20km on the right hand side of the track).
From 1210 Departure Kalka
From 1720 Arrival Shimla
The area around the station at Shimla is too narrow for coaches; therefore on arrival in Shimla, car will be waiting to take you to your hotel for three nights stay.
Day 9 - Shimla
Enjoy breakfast in the hotel’s restaurant.
Today you will explore Shimla, visiting the Vice-regal Lodge, which is where the partition of India into two parts India and Pakistan was planned on the world map.
The British architecture here is amazing; the wooden works inside the buildings have been kept alive as it was during the British rule. The buildings are now used by Indian scholars and called the Institute for Advanced Studies. After the tour of this impressive building visit a Hindu temple containing shrines of the Hindu gods.
After lunch, enjoy a leisurely stroll back along the Mall to Scandal Point. En route, it may be possible to have a quick look inside the Gaiety Theatre or Christ Church. Alternatively, find a spot for refreshments whilst viewing snow-capped Himalayan peaks (subject to the weather being clear).
Overnight at the hotel in Shimla.
Day 10 - Shimla
Enjoy breakfast in the hotel’s restaurant.
Today you will be free to explore Shimla at your own pace. Perhaps stroll through the stunning pine forests or relax and enjoy the facilities of the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel in Shimla.
Day 11: - Shimla - Kalka - Delhi
Enjoy breakfast in the hotel’s restaurant.
Morning is free for leisure.
Later, you will be transferred to Kalka Station where you will embark the Shatabdi Express to Delhi.
From 1745 Departure Kalka
From 2155 Arrival New Delhi
On arrival back into Delhi you will be transferred to your hotel.
Overnight at the hotel in Delhi.
Day 12 - Depart Delhi
A representative will meet you and transfer you to the airport for your international flight back home.
Your Accommodation —
Our members will stay in the below hotels in a Standard Room or Deluxe Room on a Bed & Breakfast basis.
Located in the New Friends Colony, this luxurious 5* hotel has contemporary decor and offers a fitness centre and deluxe Spa with spa bath tubs, a sauna and relaxing massage services.
Each of the spacious rooms are beautifully furnished with flat screen TVs, minibar and tea/coffee making facilities.
The restaurant boasts a superb fine dining Indian restaurant which also serves international cuisine, a pastry shop and a rooftop Chinese restaurant.
Beautifully positioned within 9 acres of landscaped gardens, The Gateway Hotel Agra boasts stunning views of the Taj Mahal, only 3km away.
With a freshwater outdoor pool and a pampering spa, offering traditional Indian therapies and body massages, this hotel offers guests a truly luxurious stay. There is even an option to partake in onsite cooking classes or to have your portrait done.
Each of the en suite rooms have elegant marble flooring, minibar and cable TV.
The kitchen at the 24hr GAD coffee shop never closes; offering Indian and international fine dining, whilst at the Jhankar restaurant one can savour the delicious flavours of traditional Indian cuisine and at the Saqui bar where guests can unwind with a world-class selection of wines, spirits and cigars.
Ideally located only 800 metres from Jaipur City Centre and opposite Jaipur’s Nehru Sahkar Bhawan.
Offering a superb rooftop swimming pool, fitness centre and spa. It also offers its guests free parking privileges and a fitness centre, guests can get a tan on the sun deck or relax in the sauna.
Rooms are fitted with a flat-screen TV, minibar and tea and coffee-making facilities.
Zodiac Coffee Shop offers 24-hour dining while drinks and snacks are served at Nostradamus.
Treat yourself to a rejuvenating retreat amidst breathtaking Himalayan vistas and the surrounding cedar forests at the Radisson Shimla.
Indulge in this hotel's world-class services and amenities, which include an on-site spa, a fitness centre, complimentary high-speed Internet access and gourmet dining options.
This 5* hotel also boasts a multi-level outdoor pool, a steam room, a children's activity centre and a billiards room.
A number of attractions are located near the Radisson, such as the Gaiety Heritage Cultural Complex, Christ Church and the the Jakhu Temple. only 200m away.
Opening out to a garden, Cafe Valley Vue serves international cuisine, whilst drinks can be enjoyed at Pulse Terrasse Bar.
Please note that, whilst we aim to place you in these hotels, subject to availability you may stay in alternative hotels, all of which will be of the same standard or better.
Your Journey —
Indirect, return flights from London Heathrow to Delhi are included.
London Heathrow to Delhi via Doha: (Qatar)
Outbound
Depart London Heathrow at 16:00
Arrive in Doha at 00:45+1
Depart Doha at 01:35+1
Arrive in Delhi 07:40+1
Return
Depart Delhi at 09:20
Arrive in Doha at 10:40
Depart Doha at 12:35
Arrive London Heathrow at 17:55
or
London Heathrow to Delhi via Muscat: (Oman Air)
Outbound
Depart London Heathrow at 21:05
Arrive in Muscat at 07:40+1
Depart Muscat at 10:40+1
Arrive in Delhi 15:15+1
Return
Depart Delhi at 07:45
Arrive in Muscat at 09:35
Depart Muscat at 14:00
Arrive London Heathrow at 19:05
All flight times are local.
Transfers: Shared transfers are included as per the above itinerary.
Please note: as flight schedules are planned many months in advance it is sometimes necessary for airlines to make changes to advertised programmes. In the event of an amendment to the advertised flight time, we will notify you at the earliest opportunity.
