Responsible Golden Quadrangle, Foothills & Pugmarks

The tour begins in Delhi on Day 1.

We recommend that you fly to Delhi on the following flights, from London Heathrow.

Air India flight AI166, departs LHR 2145, arrives Delhi 1035 (next day)

Virgin Atlantic VS300, departs LHR 2005, arrives Delhi 0930 (next day).

If you are travelling from another airport, or taking other flights, please ensure they arrive by 1030 on Day 1 of the tour.

Note that international flights are not included in the tour price.

Arrive in Delhi at 0930 hrs by flight VS300 or by AI166 at 1035 hrs, where, you’ll be met by our representative and the group will transfer to your hotel.

After lunch, we shall start our tour with a visit to the World Heritage site of Qutub Minar, followed by the grandest of early Mughal monuments in India, Humayun’s Tomb.

Today, we marvel at the glory days of Mughals in Old Delhi (Shahjahanbad), starting with an early visit to Jama Masjid, the grand mosque. Climb one of the minarets of the mosque for a truly spectacular bird’s eye view (if open to public)

Enjoy a rickshaw ride through the busy Chandni Chowk markets, where the street food has something for everyone – lip-smacking kebabs, paranthas and mithais.

During the afternoon, you’ll visit a traditional family-owned perfumery to observe the medieval art of making natural perfumes.

Meet a Kabootar-baaz and learn all about the intricacies of the sport of pigeon racing from the rooftops of Old Delhi for a truly unique cultural experience to end your day. Then drive along the wide treelined boulevards of New Delhi.

This evening, join a unique City Walk tour with the Salaam Balak trust – an English-guided tour of almost two hours conducted by children who used to live in the streets of Delhi before joining the Trust. These adolescents are fully trained as local guides and want to improve their communication and speaking skills. City Walk gets the children’s stories heard and gives people a view of their world through their eyes. Led by a teenager at the Trust, the City Walk tour covers the streets of the inner city of Paharganj and the area around New Delhi Railway Station. The respective child is someone who once lived and worked on the streets. This makes the tour special and personal for the tour guide. You will experience a tour far from the typical and touristy places and cover lesser-known attractions.  Over the last 19 years, thousands have taken the Walk and empowered several children, thus helping them join mainstream life.

Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant in central Delhi.

After an early breakfast drive to Agra (04.5 hours) via Yamuna Expressway.

Enroute, stop at Wildlife SOS Elephant centre to see rescued elephants with their guide. End your visit with a home style simple lunch.

Proceed to Agra, and visit the Mehtab Bagh, a lost Mughal Garden which has gradually been restored and is the best place to watch dusk fall over the Taj Mahal from across the river.

After breakfast, visit Agra Fort, followed by a short walk around old bazaars of Agra.
Visit Agra’s Jama Masjid, tucked away in the streets of the old city.

To gain insight on Agra’s living arts and distinctive cuisines, see some of Agra’s speciality foods being prepared – the sweet ‘Petha’, the savoury ‘Dal Moth’ (Agra’s tangy version of Bombay mix).

The mausoleum of Itmad-ud-daulah (often called ‘Baby Taj’) is perfectly formed, and profusely decorated in marble inlays.

Later, visit the Roman Catholic cemetery in Agra to gain insight into the lives of the British and European powerful folk who lie buried here in grand mausoleums, one of which is a smaller version of the Taj, built in red sandstone (often called the ‘Red Taj’)

Fall in love with the Taj Mahal at sunrise. An early morning start to beat the crowds is the best way to appreciate its sublime beauty. No matter how many times one has seen the photos, the experience is truly memorable. Watch marble inlay artisans at a marble workshop.

After breakfast back at hotel, drive to Sariska National Park.

Enroute, visit the Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri, a World Heritage site with its red sandstone architecture still in remarkable condition. Visit Abhaneri stepwell, one of the best stepwells in India, with its numerous mesmerizingly geometric steps leading down to the water.

Arrive in Sariska and check into your hotel.

Enjoy your last tiger safari this morning in Sariska.

Return to the hotel to have breakfast.

Drive to Jaipur (3.5hrs), stopping enroute at the romantic ruins of Bhangarh Fort, allegedly one of the most haunted forts of India – but perfectly safe during the day.

Arrive Jaipur and check in at your hotel. In the evening, visit the Birla temple if time permits.

Explore the city on a guided tour that takes in the majestic City Palace, including exclusive tour of the Royal and private apartments, followed by visits to the iconic Hawa Mahal and Jantar Mantar.

Enjoy the ‘Culture Gully’ Rickshaw tour with the Pink City Rickshaw, a not-for-profit organization that aims to provide a new aspirational employment opportunity to 200 women from low income households in Jaipur. Skilled to ply custom designed e-rickshaws, they have enrolled as equity holders in the Pink City Rickshaw Co. that they now proudly own and manage. On this tour you will visit markets and see local craftsmen in action, all the while knowing that you are helping improve the lives of local women.

Explore Amber Fort, Jaipur’s hill citadel, with its elaborate pavilions and palaces.

Later, visit the nearby Anokhi museum to learn about India’s rich tradition of textile weaving.

End your time in Jaipur with a drive back to Delhi (5hrs) to check into your hotel near New Delhi Railway Station.

Early transfer to New Delhi Railway Station to board the express train to Amritsar (#12029,0720-1330, Executive class) for a scenic journey to a city of great charm and historic significance.

Upon arrival in Amritsar, you’ll check into your hotel and take some time to unwind after your journey.

Later in the evening, we will visit the grand Golden Temple at night, when numerous lights illuminate its jewel-encrusted dome, and cast mesmerizing reflections in the expansive holy pool.

Witness the Palki, or ‘putting to bed’ ceremony where devotees the holy book from the main shrine to another room for the night. Accompanying the ceremony is singing, drumming, music, and the reading of hymns by a priest.

End the day with dinner at a local restaurant renowned for its vegetarian Amritsari cuisine.

After an early breakfast, visit Jallianwala Bagh, the historic garden memorial to one of the most horrific events in the history of the British Empire – the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. As you stroll around the grounds, the signs of the tragic events of 13 April 1919 when British soldiers opened fire on a peaceful gathering of unarmed Indians are all around you. The museum offers an excellent overview of the Empire’s politics and events leading up to the fateful day.

Then, visit the Golden Temple again to explore the temple complex and community kitchens used by devotee volunteers to produce up to 20,000 meals per day. Here, you’ll enjoy a simple yet delicious lunch with other visitors from all over India and beyond – all are equally welcome to partake and this is among the most authentic of Indian experiences.

After lunch, visit the Partition Museum, dedicated to the Subcontinent’s Partition of 1947. The museum is a poignant repository of oral histories and personal artefacts, documenting experiences of millions.

Later that afternoon, drive out to the India – Pakistan border for the military ‘Beating the Retreat’ ceremony that marks the closure of the border gates at Attari-Wagah, and involves a colourful, coordinated parade of the lowering of the two nations’ flags.

This morning, drive from Amritsar to Dharamshala – 200 kms / 5 hours
Dharamshala once settled by the British, today is the seat of Dalai Lama and his government in exile.

On the way we shall visit to Kangra Fort. Built by Pandawas the age-old fort was annexed by many rulers including, Mughals, Sikhs, Gurkha and finally by the British. The view of Dhauladhar range of Himalaya from the fort are eye catching.

We will visit also the Masroor group of old temples.

Drive to Naddi village and visit the Dalai Lama School.

In the afternoon, visit the Bhagsunag temple

Guided tour of Dharamshala including the Narbulinga Institute of Tibetan culture, where the Dalai Lama often preaches, and the nearby town of McLeodganj. At the Narbulinga Institute Tibetan students learn how to make Thangka paintings, wood craft, metal sculptures and embroidery.

Full day guided tour of the colonial city of Shimla – (includes a Heritage Walk) and the surrounds.
There are beautiful Churches, the Viceregal Lodge, Army Heritage Museum, Annandale Ground, Gaiety theatre and of course The Mall road – a busy pedestrian street.

Visit a Himalayan Village. The host is a descendant of the local royal family and lives in his ancestral house. Kunwar Dushyant Singh, is a naturalist who has recently opened his house for the visitors. We go around with him on a short walk in and around the village Dhami.

Lunch will be cooked by the royal family members. Enjoy your lunch and then return back to your hotel and relax

Transfer to Shimla station to board the heritage train Himalayan Queen from Shimla to Kalka. (#52456, 1040-1610)

Vehicles will carry luggage to Kalka. Upon arrival in Kalka, your car will be waiting for you to drive you onwards to Rajaji National Park (5hrs) after a short break for tea.

This is a long drive with a late night arrival at your hotel in Rajaji, so if you prefer, we can add an extra night in Chandigarh to stay overnight, and drive to Rajaji next morning.

Enjoy the morning at leisure to shake off any tiredness from the previous day.

Embark on your first safari in Rajaji National Park after lunch.

Enjoy your last safari at Rajaji this morning.

Later drive to Corbett National Park (3 hrs) and check in.

After an early breakfast drive to Dhikala Zone of Corbett National Park. Driving to Dhikala Forest Rest House itself a jeep safari inside Corbett National Park
Arrive Dhikala Forest Rest House and check in at your rooms. The FRH Rooms are basic but with an excellent location deep inside the forest

After having lunch, enjoy an afternoon jeep safari to Dhikala Zone of Corbett National Park.

Morning jeep safaris to Dhikala Zone.

After breakfast at Dhikala, check out and drive back to Camp Riverwild. Driving to Camp Riverwild is itself a jeep safari inside Corbett National Park

After checking in, enjoy a local Birding walk along the Kosi River in search of Ibisbill and other species)

This morning, catch your express train to Delhi. (#25036, 1005 -1525), You will travel in AC Chair car, the best class available on the journey.

Upon arrival at Delhi Railway station, you will transfer to the Delhi International Airport for your late evening/night flight to UK.

If your flight timings require staying in Delhi for the night, we can add an extra night at a hotel near the airport for you.