Golden Triangle and Shimla by train

Overview
Itinerary
Accommodation

This fantastic tour of the Golden Triangle and Shimla will fascinate and excite you in equal measures, includes all private transport in an air-conditioned car with English speaking driver, train journey, along with a narrow gauge train on the Himalayan Queen Toy train. Walking in the footsteps of the Maharajah with an elephant ride into the magnificent Amber Fort, English speaking guides for sightseeing, breakfast each morning and international flights with multi-award winning Virgin Atlantic.

Highlights

• Old Delhi tour, with the magnificent Red Fort and Raj Ghat where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated

• New Delhi tour including the Rashtrapati, the Presidential Palace, the World War One memorial arch, the India Gate and Humayun’s Tomb

• Explore fascinating Agra, with a sunrise visit to the UNESCO listed Taj Mahal and Agra Fort

• Visit the ghost city of Fatehpur Sikri, built in red sandstone by the Emperor Akbar

• Explore Jaipur and an elephant ride into the magnificent Amber Fort

• Visit Hawa Mahal or Palace of Winds and Jai Singh’s Observatory

• Scenic drive to Delhi

• Journey on Train 12011 Shatabdi Express of Kalka, transferring to a narrow gauge toy train to Dharampur, depart on Train 52455 Himalayan Queen for Dharampur

• Stay in Shimla,once the summer retreat for British colonial government workers and an ideal escape from the summer heat of the plains

What's Included

• Return economy flights to Delhi on Virgin Atlantic*
• All known pre-payable taxes and charges
• 4* accommodation based on twin sharing basis
• Daily breakfasts in the hotels
• Airport / hotel transfers + city tour + Drives by AC vehicle with ALL INDIA TOURIST PERMIT
• Driver bata, parking, toll, fuel
• Garlanding upon arrival in Delhi
• An Local English-speaking guide as per itinerary.
• Elephant Ride at Amer Fort
• All currently applicable taxes but any other tax as and when levied by the Government shall be extra

What is not included:

• Any meal unless specified in itinerary
• Tips to guide and drivers
• Personal expenses e.g. telephone / laundry, liquor
• Travel insurance
• Services not specified above
• Indian visas

* Virgin Atlantic has highly competitive fares in Premium Economy and Upper Class, if you would prefer to travel in a premium cabin please speak with our friendly highly knowledgeable sales team for further information.

Price Notes
This itinerary/tour is a suggestion and can be tailor-made to suit requirements.
Prices above are per person in pounds sterling (£), based on two people sharing a twin-room. Please contact us for prices for alternative dates or number of travellers.

Pricing is subject to change and availability. Terms and conditions apply. Call us to book or for details. Alternatively you can book or enquire online

Day 1 Depart London Heathrow on multi-award winning Virgin Atlantic to Delhi

Day 2 On arrival, you will be met with an English-speaking driver for your private transfer to the Sheraton Hotel in a Deluxe room for one night.

This afternoon there is a half day tour of Old Delhi, taking you past the magnificent Red Fort (note Red Fort is closed on Mondays), then onwards past the 14th century fort of Kotla Firoze Shah.Your tour continues to the Raj Ghat where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated, then onwards through the Old Town. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore Delhi.

Day 3 After breakfast, there is a city tour of New Delhi in contrast to the chaotic old city, the New City, designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, boasts beautiful Edwardian colonial architecture and wide tree lined boulevards.Your tour will take you past the Rashtrapati, the Presidential Palace, then onwards to the impressive World War One memorial arch, the India Gate, followed by a visit to Humayun’s Tomb built in 1565 by his grieving widow Haji Begum, your tour finishes at the Qutub Minar the 72 meter high Minaret.

This afternoon your journey continues to Agra a scenic journey of approximately three hours. On arrival, check in to the ITC Mughal Hotel, in a Mughal room for one night. The rest of the afternoon and evening is at leisure to explore the fascinating city of Agra.

Day 4 A very early morning start with a sunrise visit to the UNESCO listed Taj Mahal, the greatest love story ever told, built by a grieving Emperor for his favourite Queen, taking 22 years to complete. Return to the hotel for breakfast before visiting Agra Fort, another UNESCO world heritage site, where a fort has stood since the 11th century, during its heyday recognised as the second capital city. Behind the red sandstone battlements, there is a palace, which tells the story of the Moghul Empire.

This afternoon depart by road to Jaipur, enroute there is a visit to the ghost city of Fatehpur Sikri, built in red sandstone by the Emperor Akbar the Great in 1569 and deserted some 14 years later owing to the failure of their water suppy.

On arrival, transfer to the ITC Rajputana Hotel in an Executive Room for two nights. The rest of the evening is at leisure to explore Jaipur.

Day 5 After breakfast at the hotel, your tour will continue to the magnificent Amber Fort seven miles north of Jaipur in the Aravalli Hills. On arrival, you will travel in the footsteps of Maharajah arriving at the honey coloured fortress palace on the back of an elephant. This palace has been described as ‘the sleeping beauty of Rajasthan’.

This afternoon there is a city tour of Jaipur with a photo stop at ‘Hawa Mahal or Palace of Winds, then onwards to the Jai Singh’s Observatory, built in the 17th century by the founder of Jaipur, who was not only a Prince, but also soldier, astronomer and builder. Your journey continues to the City Palace, part of which is now a museum containing fine Raiput and Moghul paintings, rare manuscripts and an armoury, old carpets and beautifully embroidered clothes of the Maharajas and the Maharanis. This evening is at leisure

Day 6 After breakfast at the hotel, there is a scenic drive to Delhi approximately five hours. On arrival, check into the Sheraton Hotel in a Deluxe Room. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore Delhi independently.

Day 7 After an early breakfast, depart at 0740 on Train 12011 Shatabdi Express of Kalka arriving at 1145. On arrival you will be met by our representative who will assist you in transferring to a narrow gauge toy train to Dharampur at 1210 you will depart on Train 52455 Himalayan Queen for Dharampur, a packed lunch has been arranged for you. Your narrow gauge train journey snakes its way up the mountain in a series of steep switchbacks, through small country stations and through 100 tunnels an experience not only for train enthusiasts.

At 1342 arrive a Dharampur railway station with a private transfer to Shimla, on arrival check into the Radisson Hotel for three nights in a Superior Room.

Shimla was once the summer retreat for the British colonial government workers, at over 2,100 metres above sea level this was an ideal escape from the summer heat of the plains.

Shimla still retains remnants of the Raj with mock Tudor bungalows, young boys in traditional English school uniforms making their way to lessons, white wigged and proudly robed lawyers discussing their next case.

The rest of the day is at leisure to explore Shimla independently

Day 8 After breakfast, there is a tour of Shimla starting with the main promenade, stately colonial edifices, churches and a colourful local market at one end of the Mall. The Vice Regal Lodge built in 1888 by the British Viceroy Lord Dufferin now houses a museum and beautifully manicured gardens. Your journey continues to the Botanical Gardens. The rest of day is at leisure

Day 9 Breakfast at the hotel then the rest of the day is at leisure to explore this beautiful colonial town independently

Day 10 After breakfast, there is a 3 hour transit to Chandigarth railway station, at 1200 you will board Train number 12046 Shatabdi for your journey to Delhi arriving at 1520. On arrival there is a private transfer to the Sheraton Hotel in a Deluxe Room.

The rest of the day is at leisure to explore Delhi, or relax by the large outdoor swimming pool and catch some rays.

Day 11 Breakfast at the hotel this morning, check-out and a private transfer to the airport for your Virgin Atlantic flight back to London Heathrow.

Destination	Hotel	Room type	Duration
Delhi	Sheraton Hotel	Deluxe room	1 night
Agra	ITC Mughal Hotel	Mughal room	1 night
Jaipur	ITC Rajputana Hotel	Executive room	2 nights
Delhi	Sheraton Hotel	Deluxe room	1 night
Shimla	Radisson Hotel	Superior room	3 nights
Delhi	Sheraton Hotel	Deluxe room	1 night

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Overview