India’s Golden Triangle, Tigers and Amritsar’s Golden Temple - Exclusively Solos

You’ll fly overnight to the Indian capital of Delhi.  

Upon arrival in Delhi, you’ll be met by your friendly and knowledgeable tour manager who’ll transfer you to your hotel. The remainder of the day will be free to relax and settle into your surroundings, perhaps taking a dip in the outdoor swimming pool and having a drink at the bar.

In the evening, your tour manager will give the group an outline of the itinerary as you enjoy a welcome drink. This session is designed to help you get the most out of your trip, and the tour manager will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

After the briefing, a welcome dinner will be served, and you’ll have a chance to meet your fellow travellers.

Enjoy breakfast before setting off on a tour Old Delhi, where you’ll witness the vibrant culture and rich history of this bustling city. Marvel at the stunning Jama Masjid, one of the largest mosques in India, and take a rickshaw ride through the winding alleys of Chandni Chowk, known for its markets and street food. The coach will also drive past the iconic Red Fort, a UNESCO Word Heritage Site, and a symbol of India's rich history and architectural prowess.

For lunch, the group will head to the famous Chor Bizarre Restaurant, where you can savour some of the best of Northern Indian cuisine while surrounded by antique artefacts and vintage cars. You’ll then drive past some of Delhi’s most popular landmarks, including India Gate, President House, and Parliament House. There will also be an opportunity to ride with the local people and experience Delhi’s metro system.

Later in the afternoon, you’ll be taken on a visit to the majestic Humayun's Tomb, a stunning example of Mughal architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

After a full day of exploration, you’ll return to the hotel to unwind and for dinner.

Following an early breakfast, you’ll check out of the hotel and be transferred to the New Delhi Railway Station. Here, you’ll board a train for a scenic journey to Amritsar, home to one of the most revered places of worship for the Sikh community, the Golden Temple.

Upon arrival in Amritsar, you’ll check into your hotel and the rest of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure. Take some time to unwind after your journey or explore the city at your own pace.

Once you’ve had dinner at the hotel’s restaurant, the group will travel to the grandiose Golden Temple, with a jewel-encrusted dome that overlooks an expansive holy pool. During the visit, you’ll witness the Palki ceremony, which translates to the ‘putting to bed’ ceremony. 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.

You’ll then be transferred back to the hotel.

This morning, you’ll have breakfast and then embark on another excursion to the Golden Temple. This sacred sanctuary is not just a religious site, but also an architectural marvel, with its shimmering gold-plated structure.

Your tour manager will take you on a journey through the temple's rich history and cultural significance. You’ll learn about the Sikh faith and its teachings while admiring the intricate carvings and artwork that adorn the temple's walls and get to walk around the Central Sikh Museum. Throughout the year, this sanctuary’s main temple also serves as a shelter for pilgrims from all over the world, and its wide-reaching dining hall sees the distribution of food to 100,000 people every day – you can help make chapati or stir huge vats of dal.

The next stop of the day is Jallianwala Bagh, a public garden that stood witness to one of the most horrific events in Indian history - the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. As you stroll around the grounds, your tour manager recounts the tragic events of 13 April 1919 when British soldiers opened fire on a peaceful gathering of unarmed Indians.

As late afternoon comes around, you’ll travel a short distance to the Indo-Pakistani border crossing at Wagah. It’s at this spot every day that a military practice referred to as the ‘Beating Retreat’ border ceremony takes place. This event symbolises the end of the day's activities and the closure of the border gates, and involves a colourful, coordinated parade of the lowering of the two nations’ flags.

Once the ceremony is over, you’ll return to the hotel for dinner.

You have an exciting day of travel ahead after breakfast, as you’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight to Delhi. Once you’ve touched town in Delhi, a coach will collect the group and drive you to Jaipur, the ‘Pink City’, known for its magnificent palaces and forts.

Throughout the drive, you can sit back and take in the views of the Rajasthani countryside while observing the local way of life. When you arrive at the hotel set in an ornate building with views of the Aravalli Mountain, you can check in and relax.  

Tonight, dinner will be served at one of the hotel’s refined restaurants alongside your fellow travellers.

Today, after an early breakfast, you’ll be taken to the Amber Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was once the stronghold of the Kachwaha clan. As you ascend to the vast sixth-century fort in a Jeep, you'll be struck by the sheer size and beauty of the construction. At the top, you can amble around the many halls, gardens, and temples within the fort, and feel transported back to a time of grandeur and glory.  

You can enjoy lunch at your leisure this afternoon before the group heads out on a guided tour, which includes visits to the City Palace, the royal residence of the Maharaja of Jaipur, and the Jantar Mantar, an astronomical observatory built in the 18th century. You'll also drive past the Hawa Mahal, a stunning palace with intricate lattice work that allowed royal women to watch street processions without being seen.  

As the day comes to close, you’ll return to the hotel for dinner. For those looking for further exploration, an optional evening walking tour is available. During this, you’ll be guided through the narrow lanes of the city, where you can witness local life up close. The group will visit the old stables converted into a market, walk through some of the old havelis (houses), and observe the gathering of vendors selling milk products for the making of Indian sweets. You'll also get to sample delicacies at several local eateries and enjoy tea at a restaurant.  

Once you’ve had breakfast, you’ll check out of the hotel, and venture on the next leg of the trip, which takes you to Ranthambore National Park, a former royal hunting ground, and one of the largest and most famous national parks in Northern Indian.

Upon arriving at the hotel, ringed by wilderness, there will be time to unwind and perhaps have a drink on the terrace.

Later in the day, an experienced naturalist will host a talk about the tigers, which inhabit the surrounding park, and you’ll get to learn about the habitat, behaviour, and conservation of these endangered cats.

As the sun sets, enjoy a delectable dinner at the hotel before retiring to your guestroom for a peaceful overnight stay.

You’ll rise early this morning and head out on a safari into the heart of the park. Accompanied by a naturalist and travelling in an open-air vehicle, you’ll navigate the landscape of rugged hills, verdant forests and shimmering lakes. Keep your eyes peeled for sightings of Royal Bengal tigers, hyenas, jackals, and leopards. 

As the sun rises higher in the sky, the group will return to the hotel for a well-deserved breakfast and have time to rest, perhaps taking a dip to cool off before lunch. In the afternoon, you can set off on another safari, alongside the guide, learning more about the local flora and fauna living across the diverse terrain, as you go. 

As the day draws to a close, you’ll return to your hotel for dinner, recounting your experience with the other travellers. .

Enjoy breakfast, check out of the hotel, and travel to the city of Abhaneri, famous for its stepwells, which date back to the ninth century. Visit one of these intricate structures were built to store water and provide a cool retreat from the hot Indian summers.

Lunch will be served at a nearby local restaurant before you head to Agra, India’s ‘City of Love’ and the site of the Taj Mahal.

You’ll check into your hotel here, and the rest of the day will be free to relax, perhaps taking in the views of the Taj Mahal from your guestroom or exploring the city at your own pace pre-dinner.

Start your day in a truly unforgettable way by joining an excursion to view the Taj Mahal at dawn. You’ll get to watch the sun rise over this white marble mausoleum, built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. As you’re guided around, you’ll also get to marvel at the intricate details and exquisite craftsmanship while learning about the history and legends surrounding this masterpiece of Mughal architecture

You’ll then return for breakfast at the hotel and afterwards, the group will be taken to the Agra Fort, a grand red sandstone fortress that served as the residence of Mughal emperors for over three centuries. Here, you can explore the intricate maze of courtyards, palaces, and mosques within the fort as your tour manager shares stories and historical insights about this impressive monument.

The afternoon will be at your leisure, and you can visit the local bazaars, sample cuisine, or lounge at the hotel before dinner.

Your final day will begin with breakfast, followed by some free time to take advantage of the hotel’s amenities.

Later in the afternoon, you’ll be driven back to Delhi, where a farewell dinner will be served at a local restaurant, allowing you to reflect with the other travellers, on your holiday.

You’ll then be driven to the airport for your overnight flight to the UK.

Note that the tour departing 10 February 2024 will return to the UK on a later flight during day 13, landing back to London in the evening. An extra night's accommodation is provided tonight, in Delhi, close to the airport.

Land back into the UK this morning at the end of your tour.