Responsible Golden Triangle, Tigers & Shimla

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).

Arrive in Delhi where, you’ll be met by our representative and transfer to your hotel.

After lunch, visit 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 (without guide)

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 Kalka (#12011 Kalka Shatabdi,0740-1140) Executive class for a scenic journey to a city of charm and historic significance.

Arrive Kalka and board the World Heritage Kalka Shimla train (1200 hrs / 1700 hrs). Arrive Shimla and transfer to your hotel

After breakfast check out and drive to Kalka Train Station (04 hours), arrive Kalka and connect Shatabdi Express to Delhi (Train No 12012, departing Kalka at 1745 hrs. arrive Delhi at 2150 hrs).

You’ll be transferred from New Delhi train station to Delhi airport for your flight back home late night/early hours of next day. Recommended flights are VS 303 at 0205 hrs or by AI 161 at 0245 hrs.

An extra night can be added near the airport if your flight is next morning or later in the day.