THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE
AN INTRODUCTION TO INCREDIBLE INDIA AND TIGERS
Day 01 Depart London.
Day 02 Arrive Delhi.
Upon arrival in Delhi you are met and transferred to your pre
booked Hotel. Delhi - Living testament to the glory of the Mughal
days, patron of palaces and tombs and the capital of India,
New Delhi is all of this and more. Situated about 160 kms
south of the Himalayas and on the west bank of the Yamuna River,
a tributary of the Ganges, Delhi has the distinction of being
the historic hub of politics. Delhi is as modern or ancient
as you want it to be. Today's Delhi is cosmopolitan, modern
and fun-loving. With feasts for art and theatre lovers, concerts
for the musically inclined and food that can make a gourmet
cry with delight, Delhi is a place with something for everyone.
People from all parts of the country inhabit Delhi. There are
different cultural pockets with Punjabi's being the most dominant
section here. The most common languages spoken here besides
English are Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu. After a leisurely morning,
embark on a tour of New Delhi – Places you can visit.
Rashtrapati Bhavan - Formerly the Vice-Regal Palace, it
is the official residence of the President of India. This 340-room
palace and its gardens cover an area of 330 acres. Special permission
has to be obtained in advance to visit the Rashtrapathi Bhavan.
Qutub Minar - The emblem of Delhi, the 72.55
meter high Qutub Minar was erected in the 13th century by Qutub-Ud-Din
Aibak. Within the complex is an Iron pillar, which has never
rusted. This five-storied tower is visible from a distance of
several kilometers. Which means that you could be visiting a
lot of places in Delhi and the Qutub Minar stays with you. Rajpath
– Rajpath is worth a visit. Every January 26, the grand
Republic Day Parade is held there. At one end, is the India
Gate where the eternal flame burns to commemorate India's war
heroes. At the other end is the Presidential Palace, the Rashtrapati
Bhavan. On some days in early spring, visitors are allowed to
wander around the building's famed Mughal Gardens.
Jantar Mantar - Jantar Mantar is an observatory.
About 300 years old, it can measure the movement of the earth
and the stars. It is also a very peaceful park in the centre
of town.
India Gate - This massive 42m
tall structure was built as a memorial to the 90,000 Indian
soldiers who lost their lives in World War I. The structure
has the names of the soldiers engraved on it. An eternal flame
burns here in commemoration of the brave soldiers.
Lodi Gardens - These beautiful gardens have majestic
domed tombs of many Sayyid and Lodi Sultans. The well-kept gardens
with fountains, ponds, flowering trees, blossoming shrubs and
bushes are ideal places for joggers and those who seek solitude.
Humayun's Tomb - Haji Begum, the senior wife
of Emperor Humayun built this mausoleum in the mid 16th century.
The tomb is situated amidst avenues of trees, watercourses and
flowerbeds. A magnificent example of refined early Mughal architecture,
the structure harmoniously blends with nature.
Connaught Place - Connaught Place is an upmarket shopping area
designed by Edwin Lutyens who also designed the whole of New
Delhi.
Day 03 Delhi – Jaipur (by surface 260 kms time
taken 6 hrs)
Morning Half day tour of Old Delhi visiting Jama Masjid - Jama
Masjid, one of the largest mosques in India was built by Shah
Jahan. The Masjid overlooks
the old markets of the city that are massed around Chandni Chowk
and stretches till the great Red Fort. Walking through this
area can prove to be a trip down the times, where the flavor
of old Mughal charm still lingers.
Purana Qila -This is the sixth city of Delhi. Located
south-east of India Gate, it is one of the most prominent monuments
in Delhi. Humayun started the fort's construction but Sher Shah,
who drove him out from Delhi, completed the city during his
own reign (1538-1545). The massive walls and huge gates were
constructed by Humayun.
The octagonal Shermandal and the Quila-i-Kuhran Masjid were
built by Sher Shah. Red Fort -Also called
the Lal Qila, the Red Fort is laid out along the river Yamuna
as an irregular octagon. It is surrounded by a wall of about
2.4 kms in circumference and is built of red sandstone. The
Mughal ruler Shah Jahan transferred his capital from Agra to
Delhi and after nine years, the fort was completed in 1648.
The fort has two main entrances, the Delhi Gate and the Lahori
Gate. Afternoon Leave by surface for Jaipur . Jaipur popularly
known as the Pink City, was built in 1727 AD by Maharaja Sawai
Jai Singh II. Designed in accordance with Shilp Shastra –
an ancient Hindu treatise on architecture – Jaipur follows
a grid system. Jaipur's regal heritage is evident in its architecture
and culture. Beautifully laid out gardens and parks, attractive
monuments and marvellous heritage hotels, once the residence
of Maharajas are testaments to the Rajasthan of yesteryears.
The arts and crafts of the state are amazing. You'll find elaborately
fashioned jewellery, the multi-coloured 'bandhini' fabrics,
richly decorated handlooms, and other trinkets at the colourful
bazaars of Jaipur. These bazaars are a lot of fun not just what's
available, but also for the cheerful people in their traditional
costumes.. Upon arrival in Jaipur check in at your pre booked
Hotel.
Day 04 Jaipur
Today morning we visit
Amber Fort - In the Aravali Hills, which is a super
example of Rajput (Medieval H indu)
style Architecture.
City Palace - A magnificent structure, the palace
occupies one seventh of the walled city of Jaipur and is a
wonderful blend of Rajput and Mughal architecture. Constructions
and additions to the palace continued until twentieth century.
The palace houses an extensive collection of rare manuscripts,
Mughal and Rajasthani miniatures, Mughal carpets, costumes
and textiles, arms and weapons, objects of art and royal paraphernalia.
Hawa Mahal - The enchanting Hawa Mahal is a multi-layered
palace, with a profusion of windows and stone screens.
Jantar Mantar - Jantar Mantar, one of the five observatories
built by Maharaj Jai Singh, in 1718. He was an avid Astronomer
and loved to study the movements of stars. It is the one of
largest and the best preserved observatories today. A collection
of complex astronomical instruments chiselled out of stone
- most of which continue to provide fairly accurate information
to this day - is the highlight of the observatory. Constructed
with stone and marble, its complex instruments whose setting
and shapes are precisely and scientifically designed represent
the high -points of Medieval Indian astronomy.
Day 05 Jaipur – Ranthambore (by surface 190
kms time taken 3 – 4 hrs)
After breakfast leave by surface for Ranthambore. Ranthambore,
nearly a thousand – year – old fortress. Countless
battles have raged around these walls. The Great Mughal emperor
Akbar laid siege here and built Lake Palace, summer gardens,
temples, mosques, tombs and hunting towers, all over run now
by grass and shrubs. Today leopards and tigers prowl the ruins..
Upon arrival in Ranthambore check in at your pre booked Hotel.
Day 06 Ranthambore
Ranthambore is one of the few preserves where the Camera –
shy tigers may be seen in day light. You’ll take jeep
rides in the morning and evening in search of wildlife. You
sometimes chance upon these fleet – footed and silent
creatures, the embodiment of grace. In the afternoon, explore
the lakes on your own and visit the imposing Ranthambore.
Ranthambore covers an area about 400 square kms and has beautiful
scenery. Ranthambore National Park is very special and unison
area where a natural present meets an historical past.This
park has upto 27 tigers and has a considerable population
of birds.
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Day 07 Ranthambore – Bharatpur (by surface 270 kms
time taken 5 – 6 hrs)
This morning travel to Bharatpur for a tour of the world famous
bird sanctuary here. The reserve boosts of river 300 species
of resident and migratory birds. Visit Bharatpur on cycle rickshaw ride to
watch the birds in Keoladeo Ghana Bird Sanctuary - The forest
around the lake at Bharatpur harbours the sambar, chital,
nilgai, jackal, hyena, fox, mongoose and porcupine. Occasionally,
a fishing cat can be seen scooping its prey from waters edge.
Pythons are also commonly seen sunning themselves along the
edge of the paths or at Python point. |
Day 08 Bharatpur – Fatehpur Sikri – Agra
(by surface 70 kms time taken 1 hr )
After breakfast leave by surface for Agra enroute visit Fatehpur
Sikri. Upon arrival in Agra check in at your pre booked Hotel.
Agra was the chosen city of the Mughal emperors during the early
years. It was here that the founder of the dynasty, Babar, laid
out the first formal Persian garden on the banks of the River
Yamuna. Here, Akbar, his grandson, raised the towering ramparts
of the great Red Fort. Within its walls, Jehangir built rose-red
palaces, courts and gardens. Shah Jehan embellished it with
marbled mosques, palaces and pavilions of gem-inlaid white marble.
At Sikandra, on the outskirts of Agra, Akbar built his own garden
mausoleum. And at Fatehpur Sikri he created a whole new city
- a leap of the imagination that made real a unique concept
of planning and design and gave expression to a style of architecture
that was a perfect blend of Islamic spatial concepts and the
Hindu genius for decorative
sculpture. Across the river, Jehangir's gifted queen, Noor Jehan,
designed an exquisite marble-inlaid tomb for her parents. But
Agra's crowning glory remains the Taj Mahal, a monument to love
built by Shah Jehan in memory of his beloved queen, Mumtaz Mahal.
Afternoon proceed for the city tour of Agra visiting the
Agra Fort - Few forts in the world have a more fascinating
story to tell than the Great Fort of Agra. Originally planned
as an impregnable military structure by Akbar, the Agra Fort,
over a period of time, acquired all the elegance, lavishness
and majesty of an imperial palace. Situated 3 km upstream of
the Taj Mahal on the right bank of the Yamuna, the Agra Fort
was built under the direction of Akbar, by Mohammed Quasim Khan,
his Commander-in-Chief and Governor of Kabul. It took eight
years to complete and entailed an expenditure of three and a
half million rupees. Itmad-Ud-Daulah's Tomb - About 4 km north
of the Taj, on the left bank of the Yamuna, is the perfectly
proportioned marble mausoleum of ltmad-ud-Daulah. Noor Jehan
constructed this splendid marble monument in her father's memory.
This double-storied marble tomb is replete with mosaic, inlaid
with semi-precious stones.
Day 09 Agra – Delhi (by surface 210
kms time taken 4 ½ hrs )
Very early morning visit the Famous Taj Mahal at Sunrise. This
is a breathtaking view- the mausoleum built by a sorrowing Shah
Jehan in memory of his young wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The Building’s
stupendous scale, flawless symmetry, translucent white marble
and shimmering reflection in the water channel are truly breathtaking.
Later leave by surface for Delhi. Upon arrival in Delhi check
in at your pre booked Hotel. Enjoy a Farewell dinner at the
Typical Indian Restaurant with a presentation of Indian music
and dance.
Day 10 Leave Delhi.
You are transferred to International airport for your onward
flight
COST
Per Person on Twin / Double Room Basis
Sterling Pounds 1125 (Inclusive Of International Air Fare)
( Single Room Supplement Sterling Pounds 295 )
| COST INCLUDES |
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International Flight |
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Airport Taxes |
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Accommodation on double/twin sharing basis with breakfast |
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Except Ranthambhore with Game Ride and Full Board |
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All transfers, sightseeing and road transportation by
Air Conditioned Vehicle |
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Use of Local English speaking guide for city tours. |
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Entrances to Monuments. |
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Puppet show and dinner in Jaipur |
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Farewell Dinner in Delhi with Dances of India. |
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Service of an Indian Company Escort for the Round Trip
for More than 10 Persons Traveling on the Group. |
| COST DOES NOT INCLUDES |
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Insurance of any kind |
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Visa Charges |
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Expenses of personal nature |
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Meals :- Lunch and dinner |
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Camera & Video Charges |
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Tips |
| Accomodation |
| Place |
Hotels |
|
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Delhi |
Park Land / Africa Avenue |
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Jaipur |
Golden Tulip/ Country Inn & Suites |
|
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Ranthambhore |
Pugmark / Tiger Moon |
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Bharatpur |
Laxmi Vilas Palace |
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Agra |
Clarks Shiraz / Howard Park Plaza |
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| Departure Dates - Guaranteed
Group & Price Departure even if we have just 2 Persons |
| Group Code |
Departure Dates |
Arrival Date |
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GTT 01 |
18 October 09 |
27 October 09 |
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GTT 02 |
22 November 09 |
01 December 09 |
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GTT 03 |
10 January 10 |
19 January 10 |
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GTT 04 |
07 February 10 |
16 February 10 |
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GTT 05 |
07 March 10 |
16 March 10 |
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