India's Golden Triangle

 Fly overnight from your chosen airport to Delhi.

On arrival, transfer to the charming 5-star The Claridges Hotel. An afternoon city driving tour passes the stately India Gate arch, parliament building, and Viceroy’s House, and includes a visit to the Ghandi Smriti, a museum dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi, who spent the last few months of his life in this building. Arrive back at the hotel and enjoy a welcome drink with your group. (D)

Today enjoy an amazing 'Five Senses' tour of  Delhi; marvel at the sight of sandstone and marble of the Mughal's era, smell the aroma of ittar (essential oil) and mix your own, take a rickshaw to Chandni Chowk, tastes the delights of the iconic foods of Delhi, experience the sweet sound of the gurbani and finally drive past some of the most iconic buildings (not visited previously) as you return to your hotel.
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Take the early morning train to Jaipur (5hrs). The chaotic capital of Rajasthan, and the regal 18th century ‘Pink City’, Jaipur is a paradox of opposites and extremes. Visit the Albert Hall Museum of Rajasthan, the striking Indo-Saracenic structure set outside the city wall and housing a treasure trove of artefacts from ceramics to jewellery and fabrics. Spend the afternoon at leisure before dinner at the hotel. Three nights at the Taj Amer.
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Take to the air to see the Pink City and its surrounds on an optional balloon ride this morning (bookable locally, dependent on weather). Free time to explore independently, perhaps to join the haggling and hustling at colourful spice stalls and artisan shops. Enjoy a cocktail in the Polo Bar and dinner at Rambagh Palace.
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This morning, view the Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds) with its wall of windows, from which the women could observe unseen; visit the pink-walled City Palace, home to the former royal family, its temples and pavilions spread between courtyards and gardens; and the 18th - century Jantar Mantar Observatory, UNESCO listed as India’s most significant site for observation of astronomical positions. Take a Pink Tuk Tuk tour through the Old City until Birla Temple. Afternoon at leisure, or join an optional walking tour of Old Jaipur city, with its many temples and historic ‘haveli’ houses, encircling intimate inner courtyards and encircled by formal outer grounds (pre-bookable).This evening enjoy a cooking demonstration and dinner with a local family.
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 Enjoy the journey by road from Jaipur, visiting the village of Abhaneri and its astonishing Chand Baori ‘step well’, 30-metres deep, with a pattern of perfectly symmetrical steps leading down to the water; stopping for lunch in Bharatpur, at the heritage hotel Laxmi Vilas Palace. Continue to Agra for two nights at the 4-star Tajview Agra.
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Begin the day with a sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal. With acres of print and galleries of pictures of this romantic icon, it needs no introduction, yet a first sight of it still thrills. Visit the 16th-century Agra Red Fort, a UNESCO listed and lavishly opulent palace, set beside the Yamuna River and encompassing the perfect and peaceful Pearl Mosque; and the ‘baby Taj’, Itmad-ud-Daulah, a forerunner of its more famous monument; with a view of the Taj Mahal from the Mughal gardens. Later in the day or early evening, enjoy a rooftop drink, with sunset views of the jewel in Agra’s crown.
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Return to Delhi (5 hrs), and visit Qutab Minar, the 73m-tall 'tower of victory', built in the 12th century, and now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Enjoy a 'farewell' dinner at a local restaurant in Delhi. Overnight at the 5-star Suryaa Hotel Delhi.
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Transfer to the airport for your return flight.
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