India's Golden Triangle

Itinerary 1 (up to Sep 8 2012)

Day 1Fly overnight from London Heathrow to Delhi.

Day 2 Transfer to the central Hotel Royal Plaza. Afternoon orientation tour of Delhi including India Gate, Raj Ghat, Gandhi’s home and Jama Mosque with a drive past the Red Fort.

Day 3 Visit Akbar’s mausoleum at Sikandra en route to Agra (5 hrs). Two nights at the Clarks Shiraz Hotel. Afternoon optional tour of Agra Fort, built by Emperor Akbar in 1565.

Day 4Early morning visit to the Taj Mahal, built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his queen Mumtaz. Afternoon at leisure.

Day 5 Drive to Jaipur (6 hrs), the capital city of Rajasthan, visiting en route a stepwell and the abandoned Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri, for two nights at Raj Mahal.

Day 6Optional early morning Balloon ride in the area of Amber Fort. Visit Amber Fort, the City Palace with its fine Rajasthani and Mughal architecture, the Observatory and view the Palace of the Winds. Optional Sound & Light at Amber Fort.

Day 7 Continue to Nimaj Palace (5 hrs) for two nights. This characteristic heritage property is located in a rural Rajasthani village and is accessible by bullock cart.

Day 8Full-day visit to Jodhpur, the fabled ‘Blue City’ dominated by the Meharangarh Fort, including Jaswant Thada and Ummed Bhawan Palace.

Day 9 Drive to Pushkar for a sightseeing tour of this colourful lakeside pilgrimage town. Free time for lunch before transferring by road to Ajmer to board the Shatabdi Express train (air-conditioned chair class) to Delhi (7 hrs) and overnight at Hotel Royal Plaza.

Day 10 Early afternoon flight to London arriving later the same day.