GOLDEN TRIANGLE

Day 01 : ARRIVE DELHI   (- / - / -)

Flight to Delhi. Arrival by flight,reception and transfer to your hotel (hotel check-in at 14:00 hours). 

A kingdom from which many empires were founded, 'Delhi' today is an incredible combination of ancient and contemporary. It is the magnet that attracts Mongols, Turks, Persians, Afghans, Mughals and Britons, all contributing to its glorious but turbulent past. Such was the fascination with Delhi that although it was abandoned many times, its rulers returned again and again rebuilding it at least seven times. Today, the twin cities of Old and New Delhi offer a stark contrast for a first-time traveller. You can find high-rise towers, swanky malls, and BMWs blending in with historical landmarks, rustic ruins, and ox carts. An excellent gateway to unwind without compromising on luxury, this city is sure to surprise you. 

Night at the hotel. 

Day 02 : DELHI  (B / - / -)

• Visit the city of Delhi: Jama Masjid, Humayun's Tomb and Qutub Minar 
• Passage in front of the Red Fort or Lal Qila 
• 01 Rickshaw ride

Breakfast at the hotel. 

City tour : 

You will fall into a world of colors and smells during this rickshaw ride in the crowded and typical alleys of Chandni Chowk market which means "meeting point illuminated by the moon". Chandni Chowk is reminiscent of the oriental bazaars with its stalls, stalls of all kinds, vendors haranguing the crowd, stalls overflowing with fruits, vegetables, spices, utility items etc... 

Visit Jama Masjid, built by Shah Jahan from 1644 to 1658. It is the largest of the Indian subcontinent. Its two minarets of 40 meters high are decorated with vertical bands of red sandstone alternating with white marble. Its courtyard can hold up to 25,000 worshippers. 

Passing in front of the Red Fort or Lal Qila whose red sandstone wall extends over 2 kilometers. It was started by the emperor Shah Jahan in 1638 and finished by his son Aurangzeb in 1648 (the latter having imprisoned his father in the Agra Fort just after the beginning of the work).  

Afternoon devoted to the discovery of New Delhi, spacious, it includes many embassies and administrative buildings.  

Passage through the Royal Way, Rajpath, a wide avenue flanked by decorative basins. It is the work of the architect Luytens and the scene of the parade during the annual celebration of the Republic on January 26.  

At the two ends, the India Gate (triumphal arch) stands to the east and the Rashtrapati Bhawan to the west, the former residence of the Viceroy, which is now, houses the President.  

Visit of the Humayun's Tomb, a beautiful example of the beginning of the Mughal architecture which will lead to the construction of the Taj Mahal. 

Visit the Qutub Minar, a 72-meter high minaret dating from the 12th century at the dawn of the Muslim era in India. This tower commemorates the victory of Mohammed of Ghor over the last Hindu ruler Prithviraj III in 1192. Two earthquakes in the 14th and 19th centuries severely damaged the Qutub Minar and the surrounding buildings. Its five floors are separated by balconies, the first three being in red sandstone and the last two embellished with white marble. 

Optional Experience : Laughter Yoga 

Laughter Yoga Clubs were started in India in 1995 with just five people. Today, the Laughter Movement is widely accepted and has become a global phenomenon with over 6000 clubs in 60 countries. Realizing the tremendous power of laughter and its efficacy as the best prescription for wellness, Laughter Clubs have positively touched the lives of many people suffering from physical, mental and emotional problems. Participate in one such season with a Laughter Yoga Practitioner in the beautiful backdrop of one of the best gardens of Delhi.  The money paid goes to a women health care organization.  

Subject to availability of  the expert.  

Language : English  

Duration : 45 minutes to 1 hour (Morning preferably before breakfast) 

Inclusions : A Laughter Yoga Practitioner ( English Speaker) 

Tour dependent on weather conditions. 

Overnight at hotel.

Day 03 : DELHI / JAIPUR (250km – 5 hrs) (B / - / -)

• Drive to Jaipur

After breakfast continue your drive towards Jaipur. 

On arrival check in at hotel. 

Jaipur, founded by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II in 1727, is planned according to Indian Vastu Shastra. Jaipur is the only city in the world symbolizing the nine divisions of the Universe through nine rectangular sectors sub-dividing it. The city is steeped in history and culture. The palaces and forts of yesteryear that were witness to royal splendour and processions are now living monuments. Except for the busy traffic of bicycles, cars and buses, little seems to have changed. This fascinating city with its romantic charm takes you to an epoch of royalty and tradition. 

Optional Experience : Cooking lesson at Dera Mandawa

What would you say if, during your stay in Jaipur, you could enjoy a unique cooking demonstration, in a unique homestay? Come and discover the Dera Mandawa Homestay and their hosts, whom are the best in welcoming people and will definitely make you feel at home, thanks to their sense of humor. The Dera Mandawa was built by Thakur Jait Singhji of Mandawa in the 19th century. In this unique place, the silence is broken only by the twittering of the birds.  

Get to know better the owner of the place by sharing a homemade diner, made in a friendly atmosphere during a cooking demonstration. You will undoubtedly succumb to their charms.  

Duration : 2-3hrs 

Day 04 : JAIPUR (B / - / -)

• Visit of Amer Fort 
• A Rickshaw ride in the market
• Visit of local market 
• Visit to a stamp printing and wax decoration workshop  
• Demonstration of the art of saree for women and turban for men
• Tasting of Jalebi 

Breakfast at hotel. 

Optional Experience : Jaipur on foot - Temples and Havelis of old Jaipur with an English speaking expert 

Experience the religious life of local communities by visiting colourful temples, interact with residents over tea and snacks in their home and discover some of the architectural wonders of this fascinating aspect of Jaipur. This walk has been carefully designed to offer a rewarding and enriching experience in the walled city of Jaipur. Enjoy this interactive experience to meet the residents and gain an insight into traditional ways of life. 

Duration : 2.5 hrs. (Starting time: 07.30 hrs (08.00 hrs in Dec / Jan / Feb)   

Inclusions : Guide, Tea & Snacks  

Language : English Speaking guide 

The visit of the Fort of Amber, formerly the capital of the old state of Rajputana, fortified den of the empire of the Moguls. Amber consists of 3 fortresses nested in each other. At the lowest level one finds the fort in itself which sheltered the apartments of the Maharaja and his very many women and concubines. A little above, connected by a network of fortified corridors and secret passages, there is the fortress that housed the prince's soldiers. Even higher, on the top of the mountain, perches the keep where the Maharaja's treasure and his best elite troops were hidden. The whole forms a very impressive architectural and defensive complex. 

Ascent and descent to the fort will be done by jeep. 

In a concern of respect and protection of the wild animal life, we wish to abolish, among other things, the ascent of the Amber Fort on the back of an elephant, whose incessant comings and goings are exhausting especially since the legs of these magnificent pachyderms are not made to walk on the road or on the pavements. Instead, we propose you the ascent and descent by jeep to have the satisfaction to bring a small contribution to the abolition of this practice of another time. 

Afternoon visit of Jaipur: 

The City Palace also called the Maharaja's Palace with its collection of royal clothes, ceremonial canopies and beautiful miniatures. 

The Jantar Mantar Observatory, built by a prince passionate about astronomy and astrology in the early eighteenth century and whose instruments amaze and inspire admiration. 

The Hawa Mahal or "Palace of Winds" (photo stop). Facade behind which the women of the court could see the spectacle of the street, without being seen by the people. 

Electric rickshaw ride: Explore Jaipur in the most unique way with an electric rickshaw ride. Cruise around the old city with its colorful stores, windowed screened houses and pink colored streets. Witness the architectural wonders, men and women in traditional dress. The electric rickshaw ride offers a different glimpse of the local life. 

Walk through the local market.

Visit a block printing and wax decoration workshop: Block printing has been a typical technique in the Jaipur region for over 300 years. An opportunity here to discover an unknown and unique facet of Indian handicraft. 

Demonstration of the art of saree for women and turban for men. 

Tasting of Jalebi, which is a traditional Indian dessert and is very famous and appreciated by Indians. 

Overnight at hotel. 

Day 05 : JAIPUR / FATEHPUR SIKRI / AGRA (241km – 5 hrs) (B / - / -)

• Departure to Agra 
• Visit Fatehpur Sikri 

Breakfast at hotel. 

Later continue your drive towards Agra enroute visiting Fatehpur Sikri. 

On the way stop at Fatehpur Sikri, ancient and magnificent Mughal capital of Akbar the Great. A real ghost town whose ruins are still in the state. It is not difficult to imagine the life in the fort in the time of its splendor. Fatehpur Sikri is a remarkable place from the artistic and architectural point of view.  The imperial city, now deserted, probably due to lack of water, offers the visitor a visitor an overview of its past grandeur with its palaces, colonnaded buildings, kiosks, pavilions, courtyards and ponds, mosques, caravanserais. 

Continue your journey towards Agra.   

Later check in at hotel. 

Day 06 : AGRA / DELHI (240 km – 5hrs)  (B / - / -)

• Visit Taj Mahal & Agra Fort 
• Drive to Delhi 

Breakfast at hotel. 

Later Visit the Taj Mahal. On the bank of the Yamuna, the emperor Shah Jehan made erect, to perpetuate the memory of his favorite wife, the Taj Mahal, the most perfect jewel of the Indo-Persian art. This sublime monument is one of the most universally admired wonders. It symbolizes the story of a great love. Under the dome Shah Jehan and Mumtaz rest together in eternity. (Please note that the Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays and one  can spend maximum of 03 hours inside Taj Mahal per entry ticket). 

Then, discover the Red Fort. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this monument, a mighty citadel of red sandstone, is totally significant of the 17th century Mughal period. Built on an eminence dominating the Yamuna river, it contains many palaces with refined decorations, audience rooms and two very beautiful mosques. 

Later in the afteroon drive to Delhi 

On arrival check in to hotel. 

Overnight at hotel. 

Day 07 : DELHI / DEPARTURE (B / - / -)           

• Drive to Delhi 

Breakfast at hotel. 

Later drive to Delhi International airport to board your flight to onwards journey. 

End of the Tour