13-day Golden Triangle and Ranthambore starting at £2,795pp
India tours from the UK have become increasingly popular, as this magical country offers so much to the open-minded traveller. Distant Journeys takes you around India’s ‘Golden Triangle’, a classic itinerary including three iconic, colourful cities.
The tour begins in the nation’s capital, Delhi, full of astounding architecture and vibrant culture; continuing to the ‘Pink City’ of Jaipur, before spending two nights in Ranthambore National Park, home to the elusive tiger. No tour of India would be complete without visiting arguably the most beautiful building in the world – the Taj Mahal. We spend two nights in Agra, allowing plenty of time to drink in the Taj Mahal’s splendour.
Staying in top quality hotels throughout, and conducted at a relaxed pace, this tour is the perfect way to explore and enjoy the enigma that is India.
A country which will enchant, surprise and sometimes challenge you, it’s a destination like no other…
Day 1: Depart UK
Depart from either Birmingham, Glasgow, London Gatwick, London Heathrow or Manchester with Emirates – you can choose the most convenient airport for you at no extra cost. These all include a change of aircraft in Dubai. You also have the option to fly direct to Delhi with Virgin Atlantic from London Heathrow at no extra cost.
In-flight meals and drinks included
Day 2: Delhi, 3 nights
All Emirates flights travel via Dubai, while Virgin Atlantic flights travel directly to Delhi. Once you’ve landed in Delhi, you’ll be transferred to your first home from home in India, the five-star Hyatt Regency hotel. This evening is a great opportunity to enjoy a welcome drink and get to know your Tour Manager and fellow travellers, ready for the adventures that lie ahead.
In-flight meals and drinks included
Day 3: Delhi
Our first destination in our Indian adventure is Delhi, the perfect introduction to the country, offering a blend of the traditional and modern. A rickshaw ride through Old Delhi starts off our day, taking us past many of the city’s historic treasures. Our rickshaw journey will travel via the opulent Red Fort, an impressive Moghul palace, Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India, and Chandni Chowk, a lively market burst with colour. We will also visit the imposing India Gate and Parliament House in New Delhi before stopping for a spot of lunch at the Olive Bar & Kitchen. The afternoon will see us take in the landmarks of New Delhi, demonstrating how the city has become a melting pot of religions and cultures. These include Humayun’s Tomb and the Qutub Minar, a towering minaret made from red sandstone and white marble, dating back to the 13th century and measuring 75 metres high.
Breakfast and lunch included
Day 4: Delhi Freedom Day
The first of our Freedom Days during our time in India, where you are welcome to spend your day as you like. Our Distant Journeys Tour Manager will be there for you to offer any advice on the local area, from what to do to where to eat, and can also help with any excursions or arrangements you may need. One suggestion is to visit two of the most architecturally impressive temples in India, the Lotus Temple and the Akshardham Temple, or alternatively enjoy an introduction to the country’s many languages, cultures and religions. There is also the option to take a tour of the markets and schools of Delhi, with local street children leading the way – part of a project supported by the Salaam Baalak trust. This evening, you can also choose to dine in one of three excellent restaurants personally chosen by us, each offering their own take on the delectable Indian cuisine.
Breakfast included
Day 5: Jaipur, 3 nights
This morning we begin our journey to the ‘Pink City’ of Jaipur. En route we visit the excellent Heritage Transport Museum for an interesting journey through the evolution of India’s motor industry on a self-guided tour. Later, we continue to Jaipur, the colourful capital of Rajasthan, and to the Trident Hotel Jaipur, offering stunning views of Mansagar Lake and Jal Mahal.
Breakfast and lunch included
Day 6: Jaipur
After breakfast, we travel a short distance to meet our waiting Jeeps, which take us to the majestic Amber Fort. Set amidst the hills and overlooking the Maota Lake, this UNESCO World Heritage site is a fabulous example of Rajput architecture. Later, we stop for a photo opportunity at the beautiful façade of the Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds). This afternoon visit the City Palace Museum with its blend of Rajasthani and Mughal Art, and the awe-inspiring Jantar Mantar, an observatory built in 1726 which still provides accurate information to this day. This evening, should you wish, there is the option to take one of two wonderful dining experiences; a dinner under the stars, surrounded by bushland and the Aravali Hills, or enjoy a cooking demonstration and dinner in the home of a local Rajasthani family.
Breakfast included
Day 7: Jaipur Freedom Day
Explore Jaipur at your own pace with a Freedom Day, where you can sit back and relax or take in as much of the city as you wish. A heritage walking tour through the old city, showcasing the local trades and crafts, is one of our optional activities for today. We also offer the chance to visit a local organic farm and watch a live cookery demonstration, or to learn all about the ancient art of hand block printing and the manufacture of the area’s famous Blue Pottery. This evening we will enjoy a meal to remember at the delightful 1135AD. Here you can dine like royalty, as this acclaimed restaurant is set within the Amber Fort’s historic ramparts.
Breakfast and dinner included
Day 8: Ranthambore, 2 nights
Leaving Jaipur behind, we journey on to Ranthambore National Park. Once the private hunting ground of the Maharaja, the park is now celebrated for its wildlife conservation, and in particular its majestic tigers. After lunch, we board our open canter vehicle for our first safari. Whilst the elusive tiger is the park’s most famous inhabitant, keep an eye out for sambar deer, marsh crocodiles, sloth bears, monkeys, leopards and more than 250 species of birdlife. Our accommodation for the next two nights is the delightful Nahargarh Fort Hotel, built in the style of a traditional Rajput hunting palace. Dinner this evening is at our hotel.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Day 9: Ranthambore
This morning we rise early, ready to explore another fascinating area of the National Park. We will travel through more of Ranthambore again in the hope of seeing more of the amazing wildlife, including the elusive tigers. Returning to the hotel for breakfast, the rest of the day can be spent as you please. After a few busy days of exploration, a spot by the hotel pool may be the perfect place to enjoy some R&R, before enjoying a barbecue dinner surrounded by picturesque views of the hotel grounds at twilight.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Day 10: Agra, 2 nights
After breakfast we make our way to Bharatpur, where we enjoy lunch in the tranquil and peaceful Laxmi Niwas Palace. We continue our journey to Agra where we discover Fatehpur Sikri, an imperial city of the Mughal dynasty. Built in the 16th century by Emperor Akbar, Fatehpur Sikri was deserted after only 14 years of rule. The abandoned city is now a UNESCO World Heritage site, providing a wonderful insight into life in the time of the Mughal dynasty. We continue on to Agra and our hotel, the Trident Agra.
Breakfast and lunch included
Day 11: Taj Mahal
Agra is home to India’s most iconic attraction, the Taj Mahal, so our morning begins with a visit to this magnificent monument. The Mughals were at the peak of their power and wealth during Shah Jahan’s reign and it is said that over 20,000 stone carvers, masons, and artists from across India, Turkey and Iraq were employed to build this monument to love on the banks of Agra’s Yamuna River. After a wonderful visit to the Taj Mahal, we visit the impressive red sandstone Agra Fort which was the imperial city of the Mughal rulers. Embracing grand halls and palaces, the country was governed from here for many years. Our afternoon has been left free to spend as we please. This evening, there is an opportunity to experience Mohabbat The Taj show, depicting the romantic story of the Emperor Shah Jahan and his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal.
Breakfast included
Day 12: Delhi, overnight
For those that wish, you can rise early for another opportunity to view the Taj Mahal at sunrise. Our vantage point is from across the river at Mehtab Bagh or ‘Moonlit Gardens’, which provide some incredible photo opportunities. Following breakfast in the hotel, we travel with our local tour manager back to Delhi. Staying at the Pride Plaza Hotel, our afternoon is free to take in any last-minute souvenir shopping.
Breakfast included
Day 13: Depart India – arrive UK
We’ve sadly come to the end of our Indian adventure, flying back to our chosen airport in the UK. Emirates flights will fly via Dubai before arriving at the airport of your choice, while Virgin Atlantic flights fly direct to London Heathrow.
Breakfast and in-flight meals and drinks included
There’s so much to experience in this magical place. So you’ll be pleased to know that the Golden Triangle and Ranthambore tour already includes so much for its exceptional price.
That’s all your scheduled international flights, overseas transfers, perfectly located hotels, daily breakfast and many other meals, experienced local tour managers and friendly, knowledgeable guides, and many wonderful sightseeing excursions.
Prices: Prices are per person based on two people sharing a twin or double room.
Single supplement: £745 per person.
Deposit: £1,000 per person if travelling in economy class, £1,950 per person if travelling in premium economy, and £3,750 per person for business class.
Visa: British and Irish Citizens travelling to India will be required to obtain an e-Tourist Visa (e-TV) before travelling. You can find more information about the eligibility criteria for the e-visa and apply online on the government of India’s e-Tourist Visa website: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html The cost of this visa is currently (September 2018) USD75 per person. As the government online application can be tricky in places, you may prefer to use a visa agency to simplify the process. We recommend a company called VisaHQ. Please call for details.
Terms and conditions: Holiday prices are subject to the availability of flights in the lowest fare booking class and may change, however, the correct price will always be confirmed before you book. For full terms and conditions see our terms and conditions page.
All the hotels on our tours to India are personally selected by our Directors to ensure they meet their high standards. Over the decades they’ve worked in the travel industry, they’ve come to understand exactly what elements of a hotel work best on a touring holiday. So throughout your touring holiday in India, rest assured that we’ve aimed to provide top quality accommodation, where service with a smile comes as standard.
During your escorted tour of India, there will be plenty of opportunity to discover your destination with the included sight-seeing and experiences included in your holiday. In addition to this, you have Freedom Days – days in which you can spend as you please, according to your interests. You may decide to use these days to relax at your hotel and recharge before the next adventure. Alternatively, you can opt to take one of the additional activities to experience the food, culture and history of India.
There’s no need to decide everything before you leave the UK – many of our Freedom Day excursions can be arranged locally with your Tour Manager up to the day before.
To learn more about the excursions on offer, simply click on the names below.
If you’ve decided to stopover in Dubai on the way home and extend your holiday, you may want to make the most of your short stay in this exciting destination by taking an optional excursion or two.
Click on any of the descriptions below to find out more about any of the optional excursions in Dubai.
India is a melting pot of different cultures, languages and religions, which all co-exist happily. In India, the entire country celebrates each other’s religious festivals. Hinduism has many gods, whereas...
INR 2528/ GBP £32 Read More >The Salaam Baalak Trust is a non-governmental organisation actively involved in ameliorating the lives of New Delhi’s many street children. These children are mostly ones who have run away from...
INR 2923 / GBP £37 Read More >The Hindu Swaminarayan Group’s Akshardham Temple, Delhi, is considered one of the modern wonders of the world. Inaugurated in 2005 but created using ancient techniques, the lavish sandstone and marble...
INR 2528/ GBP £32 Read More >Leave the city behind and explore a local organic vegetable farm, with a live cookery demonstration followed by lunch. Just a 45-minute drive from Jaipur, the farm has a glorious...
INR 6320 / GBP £80 Read More >Discover the ancient art of hand block printing and creating the region’s famous Blue Pottery on one of our tours of India by taking an optional visit to Sanganer, just...
INR 2765 / GBP £32 Read More >There is no better way to learn about a nation’s culture than through its people. This morning’s guided walking tour takes you through the heart of the old city of...
INR 3002 / GBP £46 Read More >For a truly authentic taste of local life and Indian dishes, dine with locals in the home of a Rajasthani family, where you will be treated to a cooking demonstration...
INR 3950 / GBP £50 Read More >Having visited the Taj Mahal, learn more about the love story of Emperor Shajahan and his wife Mumtaz Mahal in the Mohabbat The Taj show. Taking place in the renowned...
INR 3318 / GBP £42 Read More >All aboard an exhilarating Dubai helicopter tour. After take-off from Dubai Festival City you will follow the creek winding past the Creek golf course and continue over the Spice Souk...
USD $194 / GBP £155 Read More >A fabulous evening on a Bateaux Dubai dinner cruise awaits. This elegant two-and-a-half hour Dubai Marina dinner cruise offers the best sightseeing with fine dining, personalised service and a contemporary...
USD $172/ GBP £137 Read More >For a magical and memorable evening, join us on a Dubai Desert Safari tour. Leave behind the hustle and bustle of the city and venture into the mysterious desert in...
USD $133 / GBP £110 Read More >This fascinating half day Dubai City tour provides an insight into Dubai’s rich history. Your tour of Old Dubai passes the Zabeel Royal Palaces, visits historical buildings with their ancient...
USD $51 / GBP £41 Read More >Explore the highlights and landmarks of the city on a half-day tour. From The Palm, Jumeirah and Dubai Marina to Downtown Dubai and The Dubai Mall, see all of the...
From USD $66 / £53 Read More >Get to know this surprising and enchanting country a little better during you Golden Triangle and Ranthambore tour with one of our special offers. Speak to one of our travel experts for details.
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