Beyond the Golden Triangle (16 days)

The ‘Golden Triangle’ is India’s premier tourist itinerary. And rightly so: Delhi (with its history, diversity, and character), Agra (the Taj Mahal – say no more!), and Jaipur (gateway to Rajasthan, the Land of Kings) offer between them one of the world’s great travel experiences. We are always looking to enhance the traveller’s experience however, so this itinerary has been designed for those looking to get beyond the beaten path to understand more of India’s culture, history, and rural lifestyles. After taking in Delhi and Agra, the tour continues south to the lovely rural enclave of Bundi. You will then visit sparkling Udaipur – one of Rajasthan’s premier highlights – before moving on to the wilderness of Jawai in search of its seclusive leopard. Continue to Jodhpur, the Blue City, before looping back to finish in regal Jaipur.

Guide Price

From £3,795 per person.

Day by Day Itinerary

Click on each day to expand the itinerary detail. Or click on the print itinerary button above to preview the tour in full.

Day 1: Fly from London Heathrow to Delhi

Flight: VS300 London Heathrow - Delhi 20.00 - 10.20 (overnight)

Day 2: Arrive in Delhi and transfer to your hotel

Meet & greet: Welcome to India! You will be met on arrival in Delhi by a local representative, and introduced to your private driver. Together, they will take you to your city hotel to check in. Once arrived, you have the rest of the day at leisure to recuperate from your long flight.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Haveli Hauz Khas (Deluxe Room)

India Gate, Delhi

India Gate, Delhi

Day 3: Morning guided tour, then afternoon free to explore independently

Guided tour of Delhi: This morning, meet up with your guide and set out to explore Delhi. Start at Humayun's Tomb, a magnificent Mughal building built in 1565-66 and set in a square enclosed garden. This finely proportioned structure in red sandstone and marble served as a model for the Taj Mahal. Dominating the ruins of the earliest existing settlement of Delhi is the city's famous landmark - the Qutab Minar. This imposing victory tower (73 m) has five storeys, each marked by intricately carved projections or balconies. Elaborately carved pillars embellish the courtyard of the nearby mosque, at the centre of which is the amazing Iron Pillar (4th-5th century A.D). Round out the day with a drive or walk through Lutyens’ New Delhi, taking in the India Gate, the Rashtrapati Bhawan (President's House), and Parliament House.

Afternoon at leisure: After the sightseeing, you will be at leisure for the remainder of the day. Return to the hotel and relax, or you could ask your guide to drop you at Jama Masjid, from where you can dive into Old Delhi’s enthralling bazaars.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Haveli Hauz Khas (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Goods on sale, Old Delhi bazaars

Goods on sale, Old Delhi bazaars

Day 4: Train journey to Agra, explore the Taj Mahal then transfer by road to Bharatpur

Train journey to Agra: Early this morning, you will be collected from the hotel by your driver and transferred to New Delhi station. Here you will board the 06.00am Shatabdi Express train, which arrives into Agra Cantanoment station at 08.10am. You will be booked into a 1st Class AC seated carriage for this journey. A simple breakfast will be supplied on board.

Guided tour of Agra Fort & the Taj Mahal: On arrival, you will be taken for a tour of Agra Fort and the Taj Mahal. Many of the events which led to the construction of the Taj Mahal took place in the famous Agra Fort. Begun by Emperor Akbar in 1565, additions continued to be made to the fort until the time of his grandson Shah Jehan. The magnificent palaces, towers, bastions, ramparts and gateways symbolise the power of the mighty Mughals. Made mostly of red sandstone it is strikingly similar to the Red Fort in Delhi. The Taj Mahal (closed on Fridays) has been described as a 'tear on the face of eternity' and as an enduring monument of love. The unique beauty of Taj Mahal is blended with grandeur and its massive over-all design is matched with immaculately intricate execution. Built by Mughal Emperor Shan Jehan in the memory of his beloved queen Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj Mahal complex took 22 years to be completed and is today counted among the Seven Wonders of the World.

Road journey to Bharatpur, via Fatehpur Sikri: After lunch in the city (payable locally), you will be driven to the deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri, just outside Agra. Built by the great Mughal Emperor Akbar in the 16th century to serve as the capital of his vast empire, this citadel of grand courts, palaces, mosques and gardens once rivalled the splendours of Delhi and Agra. Unfortunately destiny had other things in store: shortage of water, compounded by local unrest, forced Akbar to abandon the city only 13 years after its completion. However, even today after the passage of 400 years, the magnificence of this royal city has not faded and remains immaculately preserved. After your visit you will drive on a further 45 minutes to Bharatpur and check into your hotel.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at Laxmi Vilas Palace (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Taj Mahal, Agra

Taj Mahal, Agra

Day 5: Suggested dawn bird-watching trip, then later drive to Bundi

Suggested visit to Keoladeo Ghana National Park: Early this morning, we suggest a visit to Keoladeo Ghana National Park – among the world’s premier birding sites. Even those new to birding will find this an inviting experience, with some 300+ species of bird to be found throughout the year, particularly during peak breeding months between October and February. The area is largely a low-lying network of marshes, covering some 29sq km, and is also home to some limited mammal life including wild boar, blue bulls, and deer. In order to ensure the best quality trackers and vehicles we encourage an advance booking, so please let us know in good time if you would like a visit to be included. Casual visitors can still enter on the day – bikes can be hired at the park entrance, and are a good way to explore its quieter corners.

Road journey to Bundi: After a leisurely breakfast, you will check out and drive on to Bundi, a journey through of around 6 hours through pleasant Rajasthani countryside. On arrival, you will be taken straight to the hotel to check in and relax.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Dev Niwas (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Bird-watching, Bharatpur

Bird-watching, Bharatpur

Day 6: Full day to explore the ancient settlement of Bundi

Guided tour of Bundi: After breakfast, you will meet up with a local guide and head out for a tour of Bundi and the surrounding area. First, you will visit Taragarh Fort, the most impressive of the city's structures. Constructed in 1354 the Fort occupies a dramatic position at the top of a steep hillside, peering down across the city. The largest of its battlements is the 16th century bastion known as the Bhim Burj, on which was once mounted a particularly large cannon called Garbh Gunjam or 'Thunder from the Womb'. The fort contains three tanks which, accordingly to local folklore, have never run dry; the technique with which they were built have been lost to the ages, but the tanks survive as a testament to the advanced methods of construction and engineering in medieval India. Move on to Bundi Palace, situated on the hillside adjacent to the Taragarh Fort. Notable for its lavish traditional murals and frescoes, much of the Palace is closed to the general public but one can still visit the Chitrashala (picture gallery). After these visits, you will walk down into the town to visit some of over 50 stepwells in Bundi, of which only a handful have been maintained. After your tour you will return to the hotel to be at leisure, but you can press your guide for ideas on how to spend the rest of the day.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Dev Niwas (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

View over Bundi

View over Bundi

Day 7: Scenic drive to Udaipur, via Chittorgarh

Road journey to Udaipur, via Chittorgarh: After breakfast, you will leave Bundi and head by road across southern Rajasthan to Udaipur. This will be a journey of around 4-5 hours, and on the way you have the option of stopping at Chittorgarh to visit the largest Fort complex in India. Chittorgarh, once the capital of the Sisodia Rajputs of Mewar, represents the quintessence of Rajput pride and valour. It was here that the chivalrous Rajputs - men and women - repeatedly gave up their lives, preferring death to dishonour and surrender. Throughout its history, this fortified settlement saw siege after siege but refused to bow before foreign power. The ruins of the great monuments at Chittor speak volumes of the many grim and glorious deeds of heroism and sacrifice.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at Kankarwa Haveli (Deluxe Lake Front Suite)

Meals: Breakfast

Lakeside, Udaipur

Lakeside, Udaipur

Day 8: Full day exploring Udaipur

Guided tour of Udaipur: This morning, you will be taken for a privately-guided city tour of Udaipur. Start your exploration at the huge City Palace, which towers over the eastern shore of Lake Pichola. This is the largest palace complex in Rajasthan, and is a blend of imposing Rajput military architecture on the outside and lavish decorative art on the inside. Initial construction was started by Maharana Udai Singh, the city's founder; the City Palace is made up of at least four separate interconnecting palaces built over a period of nearly three centuries. The main part of the palace is now preserved as a museum which houses interesting artefacts from the heady days of royalty.

You will follow on with a visit to Sahelion-Ki-Bari: beautiful gardens laid out in the mid-18th century for a retinue of forty-eight young ladies-in-waiting, who were sent to Udaipur as part of a princess's dowry. The gardens boast beautiful lawns, lotus pools, marble pavilions and marble elephant-shaped fountains - all of which reinforces the romantic reputation of Udaipur. Next continue to Jagdish Temple, sitting just outside the northern gates of the City Palace. This Indo-Aryan temple enshrines a black stone image of Lord Vishnu as Jagannath, the creator of the universe. After your visit to this interesting temple you will make a photo stop at Lake Pichola, looking out towards the iconic Lake Palace. After the tour you will have some time at leisure to look for souvenirs, before returning to the hotel.

Afternoon at leisure: After the tour, you are at leisure. We recommend a stroll through Lal Ghat, or perhaps arranging a boat trip out on Lake Pichola.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at Kankarwa Haveli (Deluxe Lake Front Suite)

Meals: Breakfast

City Palace, Udaipur

City Palace, Udaipur

Day 9: Road journey to Jawai, afternoon jeep safari

Road journey to Jawai: After breakfast, you will meet with your private driver and together drive north into the Jawai Conservation area, a journey of around 3 hours. On arrival, you have some time at leisure before your dusk jeep safari.

Afternoon jeep safari: In the late afternoon, you will head into the Jawai Conservation Zone for a jeep safari. The primary purpose will be to track and spot leopard, but a typical drive might also come across blackbull, sloth bears, jackals, as well as a wide variety of birdlife.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Bera Safari Lodge (Standard Room)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Leopard, Jawai

Leopard, Jawai

Day 10: Morning jeep safari, evening village jeep drive

Morning jeep safari: This morning, you will head out again for a second safari, aiming to spot the elusive leopard. After the drive, you will return to the lodge and have the bulk of the day at leisure.

Evening village jeep drive: In the evening, you will be taken out to explore the villages and countryside. The hills and fields around Jawai represent a true wilderness and the scenery here is among the most striking in Rajasthan. As you make your way around, you will likely come across herdsmen from the Rabari tribe, who have shared this land with wildlife for centuries. Your lodge guide will provide illumination on their lifestyles and discuss the lodges' conservation efforts. Return to the accommodation for dinner.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Bera Safari Lodge (Standard Room)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Shepherd, Jawai

Shepherd, Jawai

Day 11: Road journey to Jodhpur

Road journey to Jodhpur: At a time of your choosing, you will depart the camp and head to Jodhpur, the Blue City. This journey will take around 3.5 hours. On arrival, check into your hotel and relax for the rest of the day.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at Ratan Vilas (Superior Pool Facing Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Jodhpur, India

Jodhpur

Day 12: Guided tour of Jodhpur

Guided tour of Jodhpur: This morning, you will join a private guide on a tour Jodhpur. Begin, where else, with a comprehensive tour of Mehrangarh: the icon of Jodhpur, among the largest forts in India, unsurpassed in beauty and grandeur. Within the walls of the fort are packed innumerable palaces, sprawling courtyards, look-outs, galleries, and intricate stonework. There are also well-kept collections of weapons, instruments, palanquins, costumes and furniture. After ample time to explore the Fort you will drop down to visit the 19th century royal cenotaph Jaswant Thada. This intricate marble memorial sits on the shores of a pretty lake just north of Mehrangarh. It was built in 1899 in the memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II, and still serves as cremation grounds for the Marwar royal family.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at Ratan Vilas (Superior Pool Facing Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Mehrangarh, Jodhpur

Mehrangarh, Jodhpur

Day 13: Road journey to Jaipur

Road journey to Jaipur: After breakfast, you will set out on the drive to Jaipur. This is a long drive of around 6 hours, including stops for lunch (payable locally) and rest breaks. You will pull into Jaipur in the afternoon and be taken straight to the hotel to relax.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at Khandela Haveli (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Hawa Mahal, Jaipur

Hawa Mahal, Jaipur

Day 14: Full day exploring in and around Jaipur

Guided tour of Jaipur: Start today with a visit to Jaipur’s intriguing milk market, where dairy farmers from across the region congregate to trade on a wholesale basis. Observe the intriguing ways by which the buyers judge the purity of milk, and take a front row seat as negotiations unfold. Afterwards continue to Amber Fort – a stunning fort which holds a hilltop position above the city. ‘Amer’ was the former capital of Jaipur state; construction of this key fort began in 16th century, with embellishments continually added by successive rulers. A comprehensive look around the Fort should include the Palace of Mirrors, inlaid with millions of tiny glistening mirrors, the hall of Public Audience, and the beautiful manicured gardens.

In the afternoon, you will continue uncovering Jaipur’s highlights with visits to visit the City Palace, Jantar Mantar (a medieval observatory) and a drive past Hawa Mahal (palace of winds). The City Palace is situated in the heart of the city. The whole complex is wonderfully laid out with large courtyards, balconies, cupolas, arched entrances and gardens, which are a combination of Rajput and Mughal architecture. The museum here displays the rich heritage of the Jaipur family in miniature paintings, textiles, garments, books & manuscripts, carpets, palanquins and weapons dating back to the 15th century. Moving on to Jantar Mantar, this medieval observatory has a curious collection of sculptures which were used to calculate astronomical and astrological events. Each of these structures were built following relentless study of books, manuscripts and discussions with scholars from all over the world. Finally, you will take a quick look at Hawa Mahal. Constructing in 1799, the Palace of Winds is a landmark of Jaipur city, although it is little more than a façade. The five-storey structure, built to enable the women of the harem to observe of the comings and goings of the outside world, without being seen themselves. After the sightseeing return to your hotel to relax.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at Khandela Haveli (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Amer Fort, Jaipur

Amer Fort, Jaipur

Day 15: Road journey from Jaipur to Delhi

Road journey from Jaipur to Delhi: After a leisurely morning you will be picked up and transferred by road back to Delhi. You will spend the final night of your trip at a comfortable hotel close to Delhi's International Airport. This will be a journey of approximately 5 hours, depending on local traffic. On arrival check in and relax.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at Pullman New Delhi Aerocity (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Red fort, Delhi

Red fort, Delhi

Day 16: Fly back to London Heathrow

Private transfer: At the appropriate time today you will be collected from your hotel by your guide, and transferred to Delhi International Airport in time for your onward flight.

Flight: VS301 Delhi - London 12.35 - 17.05

Meals: Breakfast