Country(ies): India
Tour type: Private
Group size: Min: 1 | Max: Any
Accommodation: 5-star hotels, guesthouse, wildlife lodge & heritage hotels
Meals:
Transport: AC car/minibus
Highlights: Old & new Delhi, the Taj Mahal at sunrise, lost city of Fatehpur Sikri, wildlife of Ranthambore, Shekhawati Havellis, the 'Pink City' of Jaipur, fabulous heritage hotels, experiences of Indian culture, food and traditions
This timeless cultural odyssey takes you back in time to grandeur of India's Raj. Our classic tour of Northern India, takes in the Golden Triangle of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur and adds the colourful Shekhawati region in Rajasthan. Marvel at the beauty of the Taj Mahal, lose yourself in the bustling streets of Old Delhi, wonder and the grand folly of Fatehpur Sikri and enjoy the endless pink walls of Jaipur.
We start this tour in the teeming capital, Delhi where there is plenty of time to explore this commercial and cultural hub on Northern India. We take you on an interesting tour of Old and New Delhi visiting the Jama Masjid mosque and parliament buildings and then there is time to explore the bustling streets of Old Delhi.
We next make our way to Agra, home of the famous Taj Mahal. This beautiful monument stands as a testament to one man love and the serene setting is sure to make even the most cynical wonder. After plenty of time to enjoy this and other sites in Agra we head out towards Jaipur stopping en route at the deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri. This amazing city was constructed by the Mughal Emporer Akbar in 1569 and then just a few years later abandoned. It is today still wonderfully preserved well worth a few hours exploring. We also take some time to visit Ranthambore National Park where you and your guide search for the elusive Bengal Tiger, and see plenty of other wildlife.
Arriving in Jaipur we take a tour of the 'Pink City', including a tour of the nearby Amber Palace, a visit to the Hawa Mahal 'Palace of the Winds' and a tour of the Jantar Mantar 'Observatory'. From Jaipur we next visit the Shekhawati region made famous by its colourful outdoor frescos. We'll stay in a wonderful heritage hotel and have plenty of time to enjoy the unique art of this less visited region of India, before heading back to Delhi where the tour ends.
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Restoration of the Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal, one of India's most iconic structures, is getting a much need facelift. The almost-four-century-old Taj Mahal is finally showing signs of ageing. Air pollution is unfortunately turning its ivory-white complexion - yellow. Adding to the colouration problems, the Yamuna River, with which the Taj Mahal shares a river bank, is contaminated and the insects that breed in its waters are leaving patches of green residue on its marble. In order to restore the Taj Mahal's glistening white marble, mud-pack therapy is being used. If you're worried that it might affect your India tour, this handy Taj restoration guide will tell you everything you need to know.
Seasonal prices for this tour are given below. We can also customise the itinerary to fit your personal requirements. Please contact us for details and prices.
The hotels and accommodations listed below are the ones we most often on this tour. From time to time we may exchange these for similar properties at the same level. In general, specific hotels cannot be guaranteed on our group tours, but you may select your preferred options if you are booking a tailor-made trip.
Thikana
Delhi
Featuring a rooftop garden, Thikana Delhi is a lovely boutique guesthouse located in Delhi. It provides a friendly and intimate place to spend your time in Delhi in comfort.
The Trident
Agra
Located 0.9 miles from Taj Mahal, Trident Agra features an outdoor pool and 24-hour front desk. A business centre, restaurant and bar are available. Some rooms offer garden or pool views.
Kem Villas
Ranthambore
Khem Villas in the Ranthambore Tiger reserve is designed to provide peace and tranquility within its luxurious and very personal atmosphere. Khem Villas is situated on the outskirts of Ranthambore, 13 kms from Sawai Madhopur in Rajasthan.
Shahpura House
Jaipur
Featuring traditional Rajput architect, a mixture of Mughal and Indian, a facade with domes and frescoes, Shahpura House is also home to the ruling royal family. The 4-star hotel has a large pool, spa and wellness centre and unique accommodation with
Malji Ka Karma Hotel
Shekhawati
Malji Ka Kamra is a restored haveli (private mansion) from the 1920s. Located in Shekhawati, the property provides beautiful air-conditioned rooms with original paintings and wall murals.
Our tours are designed to include all that you need to enjoy a really special time in the destination youre visiting. However, we do also offer some extra options to complement the tour and add some additional sightseeing or activities, or some extra time at either end of the tour.
All accommodation based options (e.g. Single supplements, extra nights, cruise upgrades) should be booked and paid for in advance so that we can make the appropriate arrangements. Other options may either be booked and paid for in advance or while you are on the tour, though we recommend booking in advance to ensure there are no issues with availability.
Many options are priced the same throughout the year, but some may incur single or high season supplements - full details are given on the tour reservation form or on request.
The detailed Tour Notes below have been written to give you some more detailed information about how the tour runs, what to expect, and how to prepare for your holiday. We recommend downloading an up to date copy of these shortly before you travel in case of any changes.
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