India’s Golden Triangle, Shimla & Amritsar’s Golden Temple with Three-night Varanasi & the Ganges Extension

Fly overnight from the UK to Delhi.

This morning, you’ll arrive in the Indian capital of Delhi, meet your friendly tour manager, and be transferred to your hotel for check-in. Settle in this morning ahead of an included lunch, which will be served in the hotel restaurant. You’ll then have the rest of the day at leisure, possibly taking it easy and making use of the hotel’s facilities or pottering around the surrounding area. As night falls, you can enjoy dinner at the hotel.

Following a restful night, you’ll rise early, tuck into breakfast, and set off on an included morning sightseeing tour of Delhi. This enlightening tour encompasses all the city’s major historical landmarks, including the Jama Masjid Mosque, one of the largest in India, Raj Ghat, Gandhi’s cremation site, and Agrasen-Ki Baoli, a centuries-old step well. 

An exhilarating rickshaw ride around Chandni Chowk, in the heart of Old Delhi, will serve as another memorable moment before the tour commences, passing by the India Gate War Memorial, the Red Fort, with its soaring, scarlet walls, and the impressive Government buildings. 

In the afternoon, the tour will visit the striking Qutub Minar, the highest tower in India, consisting of five storeys with projecting balconies. This tower, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, forms part of a complex, which is situated at the site of Delhi’s oldest fortified city. 

After an educational day of discovering the delights of Delhi, you’ll return to your hotel to unwind and have dinner.

Another early morning and breakfast await before you check out of your hotel and transfer to the New Delhi Railway Station, the largest station in India. The tour will then switch from the road for rails as you embark on a scenic journey to Amritsar, a city in the north-western Indian state of Punjab. You’ll then arrive at your hotel, take some time to freshen up after your travels, and enjoy dinner at the on-site restaurant. 

A post-dinner activity involves a drive to the breathtaking Golden Temple. The most significant shrine in Sikhism, this temple sports a grand, jewel-encrusted dome and overlooks an expansive holy pool. Once here, you’ll be able to watch in awe as the spiritual Palki ceremony, which translates to the ‘putting to bed’ ceremony, takes place. Performed every evening, this ceremony is carried out by devout followers who carry the holy book 'Guru Granth Sahib' 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. After this special service, you’ll be transferred back to the hotel for the night.

Today, you’ll get to see the Golden Temple again and have more time to uncover its intriguing history and the pivotal role it still plays. Throughout the years, this sanctuary’s main temple serves as a shelter for pilgrims from all over the world, and its wide-reaching dining hall sees the distribution of food to 35,000 people every day. You’ll also have a chance to walk around the Central Sikh Museum, which provides further insight into Sikh history and culture. 

The next stop is the Jallianwala Bagh, a historic memorial park of national importance located near the Golden Temple complex. This location commemorates one of the bloodiest days in Indian history and those wounded and killed during the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, also known as the Amritsar massacre, in 1919. 

This evening, return to the hotel for dinner.

Embrace a more relaxed morning and breakfast that will be followed by a drive to the small, pretty village of Pragpur, backed by the Dhauladhar range. Upon arrival, you’ll check into your hotel and get settled. 

When afternoon comes around, you can venture on a ‘Heritage Walk’ through the medieval, elevated hamlet, which was named the country’s first ‘Heritage Village’ due to its unique architecture and enclosing unspoilt natural beauty. Meander down its narrow, cobblestone lanes, lined with fort-like houses and villas featuring slated roofs and mud-covered walls. 

Head back to the hotel in the evening to make the most of your time in your enchanting 110-year-old accommodation, which is set in a splendid manor house fringed by an exquisite garden looking out over the Himalayas.

After breakfast this morning, you’ll head off on an excursion to the city of Dharamshala. Ringed by cedar forests and positioned on the edge of the Himalayas, this mountainside city, awash with enthralling sites, is the home of the Dalai Lama. During the excursion, you’ll seek out the impressive Dalai Lama Temple complex, the current residence of ‘His Holiness’ and the site of the Dalai Lama Temple, adorned with statues and filled with ancient books and artefacts. 

On the outskirts of Dharamshala, refuel with an included lunch at a local restaurant before taking in the impressive Kangra Fort, the largest fort in the Himalayas and thought to be the oldest in India, which boasts beautiful views of the rugged landscape. At the entrance to the fort, there is a small museum that will unveil more of the structure’s past. 

In the evening, you’ll go back to the hotel for dinner, perhaps followed by a tipple on the veranda while reflecting on your day.

Arise today for breakfast, followed by a drive to Shimla, set in the foothills of the Himalayas. You’ll then arrive at the magnificent Oberoi Cecil Hotel, a landmark colonial-era property dating from 1884. 

Given Shimla’s hillside location, this is the perfect place to stretch your legs and maybe explore the area on a gentle hike through the pine and oak forests. A loop around the streets, scattered with relics of the past and colonial-style buildings, is also a must. Make sure to check out the assortment of handicraft shops along The Mall, a pedestrian avenue, and the Lakkar Bazaar too. 

When you’ve had your fill of wandering, venture back to the hotel for dinner, further enhanced by an arresting vista of the Shimla Valley.

A hearty breakfast is up for grabs before you embark on your day of sightseeing in Shimla. You'll then head for Shimla Railway station, where you'll board the 'Toy Train' for a ride through stunning mountain scenery to Tara Devi Station. Here you will visit the famous Tara Devi Temple – a holy Hindu temple constructed within the Himalayan peaks in the 18th century and inspired by a vision of the goodness of Tara before heading back into the city to continue your sightseeing. 

The Viceregal Lodge is next, and this former British summer retreat of teak-paneled interiors was where the map of Indian Partition was drawn up. You’ll then stop over at the Indian Institute of Advanced of Studies, a research institute housed in a historical building of Indo-Gothic style. 

Later in the afternoon, take a leisurely stroll to Scandal Point, which is positioned on the western edge of Shimla, where two of the city’s roads meet – The Ridge and Mall Road. This traditional meeting place for locals features a small square with a mock-Tudor state post office. You’ll then pass the Gaiety Theatre, boasting colonial architecture, and if time permits, have a look inside, before returning to the hotel for dinner. 

After breakfast, you'll drive down the mountain to Chandigarh for an included lunch at a nearby restaurant before transferring to the airport for an afternoon flight to Jaipur (final timings will be confirmed with your final travel details). 

Once you've landed, you’ll be picked up and taken to your hotel – a remarkable property with a red brick exterior inspired by the royal era. Unpack, perhaps have a sundowner at the bar, and then sit down for an Indian feast. 

Rise this morning and head for the former Rajput capital, Amber. Board your Jeep and climb to the city's vast sixth-century hilltop fort as part of a captivating tour of its Royal Halls. You can then take in the magnificent views over Maota Lake from the ramparts.   

After a busy morning’s exploration, enjoy the afternoon at leisure to spend as you please.

Kick-start the day of sightseeing around the ‘Pink City’ with breakfast and then visit the former Rajput capital, Amber. You’ll climb by jeep to the city's vast sixth-century hill-top fort to wander its Royal Halls and take in the magnificent views over Maota Lake from the ramparts. 

After lunch, you'll head off to the City Palace, a red-hued, intricate complex of temples, courtyards, pavilions, and gardens, and a major heritage landmark. The Jantar Mantar, an observatory constructed in 1724, is the following highlight. This UNESCO World Heritage Site houses the world’s largest sundial and an assortment of 19 astronomical instruments. 

While returning to the hotel, you’ll pass by another poignant palace – Hawa Mahal. Also known as the ‘Palace of the Winds’, this 18th-century building is constructed from red and pink sandstone and lined with ornate windows and screened balconies.

Tonight, join an optional walking tour. This tour will lead you into the labyrinth of Jaipur’s atmospheric antique bazaars and shops while sampling traditional delicacies and learning about the artistic traditions of the city. After an evening of unique experiences, you’ll return to the hotel for dinner. 

This morning, you’ll drive to Ranthambore – one of the largest and most famous national parks in Northern India. This former royal hunting ground is now a key centre for ‘Project Tiger’, and its grasslands, streams and pools are home to striped hyenas, sambar deer, sloth bears, and of course, the elusive and still endangered tigers of Ranthambhore. You'll then head to your next hotel for check-in, where lunch will be provided.  

This afternoon will be at leisure, or you may choose to partake in the optional excursion to Ranthambhore Fort. Perched at the top of a hill, ringed by a towering stone wall, this structure presents panoramic views of the national park once you’ve climbed the 273-step path. 

You’ll rise early this morning as a day of delving into the surrounding wilderness is on the cards. Accompanied by a local, expert naturalist, you’ll go on your first jungle safari in an open-air vehicle. Keep your eyes peeled for sightings of Royal Bengal tigers, hyenas, jackals, and leopards. 

After an exciting morning, you’ll be taken back for breakfast, and have time to rest, maybe having a swim to cool off, before heading back to the hotel for an included lunch. In the afternoon, you can set off on another safari, alongside your guide, learning more about the local flora and fauna living across the diverse terrain as you go. 

Dinner this evening will be served at the hotel, and you can then return to your villa, completely content. 

Drive to Agra this morning – India’s ‘City of Love’ and the site of the Taj Mahal. Make a brief pit stop in Bharatpur for lunch at a local restaurant ahead of the second leg of your journey.  

Upon arriving in Agra, you’ll be taken to Mehtab Bagh – a garden complex away from the bustle of the city, showcasing a splendid view of the Taj Mahal in all its glory. Find your position on the opposite side of the Yamuna River to snap the perfect photograph. 

The tour will then head to your luxury hotel, encased in a beautiful garden of water channels, walkways, and fruit trees, so you can check-in and have dinner.

Wake up in a serene paradise, taking the morning at your own pace after breakfast. You’ll then embark on an excursion to the royal pavilions, palaces, and courtyards of the majestic Agra Fort. This 16th-century fortress set on the Yamuna River, near the gardens of the Taj Mahal, is built from the city’s red sandstone.   

To conclude this day, you’ll travel to the Taj Mahal at sunset and watch as this monument of love is dappled in different casts of colours as the light gradually dips behind the building. After a guided tour, you’ll then return to the hotel for dinner and perhaps muse over a drink at one of the on-site bars.

Start your day in a truly unforgettable way by joining an optional excursion to view the Taj Mahal at dawn. You’ll then return for breakfast at the hotel. 

In the late afternoon, you’ll be driven to Delhi airport to fly to the sacred city of Varanasi, located on the banks of the River Ganges.  

Upon arrival, travel to your hotel and settle in before heading to the ghats this evening to witness the Aarti ceremony. This daily ritual takes place at sunset along the banks of the River Ganges, where priests perform a traditional prayer involving lighted lamps, chanting, and music. The ceremony is an important part of Hindu worship and offers an insight into the spiritual life of Varanasi.

Wake up in Varanasi and make your way to the banks of the Ganges for a boat ride downstream. Here, under the rising sun, you’ll experience this sacred river and its idyllic surrounding landscapes at their most serene. Pass the city’s riverside ghats, which number 84 in total, and learn about their use in religious ceremonies. As the city rises from its sleep, you’ll enjoy a snapshot of life in Varanasi. 

Return to the hotel for a late breakfast and a few hours to relax before heading back into the heart of the city. Begin at the Benaras Hindu Campus, one of India’s finest universities. This grand building, founded in 1916 by Annie Besant, a key proponent for Indian independence, has since become a major research centre.  

Continue to Shri Viswanath Mandir, a major temple and shrine for Indian Hindus, where you’ll learn more about the religious history and the faiths that coexist in Varanasi. Your final stop, the Sankat Mochan Temple, worships the monkey god, Hanuman, and showcases Uttar Pradesh’s traditional Hindu architecture. 

Sarnath, a popular Buddhist pilgrimage spot on the outskirts of Varanasi, will be the backdrop for the afternoon’s exploration. Join a friendly local guide for a tour of the town’s assorted stupas, temples, and ruins. Learn about the region’s colourful history with a stop at the Sarnath Museum, which showcases a vast collection of archaeological finds and Buddhist relics.  

After some time to explore the town’s rich Buddhist heritage, return to Varanasi and unwind.

Enjoy a relaxed morning at leisure before your afternoon flight back to Delhi. On arrival, transfer to your hotel for a final night in India.

After breakfast, travel to Delhi airport for a day flight back to the UK.