India‘s Golden Triangle 2011 5-star Indian rail tour

Kaleidoscopic sights of this colourful country take your breath away. Our rail tour takes in Red and Amber Forts, temples, beautiful palaces and ornate gardens, as we visit Delhi, the pink city of Jaipur and Agra with its white marble icon.Find Out More »

Tour highlights

• Delhi
• Toy Train rail journey
• Shimla & the Shivalik Himalaya
• The Taj Mahal
• Agra Fort
• Fatehpur Sikri
• The Pink City of Jaipur
• Palace of the Winds
• Amber Fort
• Jaigarh Fort

Day 3 - Sightseeing in Delhi

Delhi is one of India's most colourful and exciting metropolises. A major cultural, political and commercial centre, the old and new cities exist harmoniously together. Today we embark upon an enlightening sightseeing tour visiting the monuments, temples, ancient streets, and colourful markets of Old Delhi. We explore the wide, leafy avenues and admire the impressive British colonial architecture of New Delhi. Our tour includes India Gate war memorial with some resemblance to the Arc de Triomphe, and the grandiose Rashtrapati Bhavan, the official residence of the Indian president. We also visit Jama Masjib, India's largest mosque, and the imposing Red Fort, constructed by the Moghuls in the 17th century.

Day 4 - By train to Shimla

Today, we leave Delhi on board the Shatabdi Express for a journey north to Kalka. On arrival we change for the narrow-gauge Toy Train, recently awarded UNESCO World Heritage status, and continue through beautiful valleys and hills to the colonial town of Shimla. We are accomodated in Shivalik Palace, Shivalik Queen and Heritage carriages, exclusive to our group. Affectionately known as the 'Queen of the Hills', Shimla is nestled in the heart of the Himalayan foothills. In the mid-19th century the town was chosen as the summer capital of the British Raj. Today the colonial heritage is preserved in the town's architecture. Our hotel for the next three nights is the beautiful 5-star Oberoi Cecil.

Days 5-6 - Shimla

We begin our exploration of Shimla with a sightseeing tour. Whilst the main streets are on a level ridge, many of the town's houses are sprinkled colourfully across the steep mountainsides. Our journey takes us to the Viceregal Lodge, a majestic, grey-hued structure ringed by tall pines. The 19th century Elizabethan-style mansion was the summer seat of the viceroys until the 1940s and is the only building to occupy a hill by itself. Our afternoon is taken at a gentle pace. A leisurely stroll along the Mall takes us past the town's Gaiety Theatre, the Victorian-Gothic Christ Church and Scandal Point, the town's popular social meeting place. On Day 6 you are free to explore Shimla at your leisure.

Day 7 - By train to Delhi

We depart Shimla in the morning by Toy Train for the journey back down the mountains through stunning landscapes, tunnels and lush green valleys to Kalka. Here we join the Shatabdi Express to Delhi where we spend another night at the Sheraton New Delhi Hotel.

Day 8 - The Taj Mahal and Agra Fort

We join the southbound Shatabdi Express early this morning to Agra. On arrival we visit Agra's imposing Red Fort, originating from the 15th century and considered India's most important fortification. Built on a hill above Agra, its centerpiece is a tower with a marble balcony where Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan spent his last days imprisoned overlooking the Taj Mahal, the mausoleum he built to his wife Mumtaz Mahal. We then travel across the city to the Taj Mahal itself, considered the finest example of Mughal architecture, combining elements from Persian, Turkish, Indian, and Islamic architectural styles. We transfer to the 5-star Mughal Sheraton for the night.

Day 9 - Fatehpur Sikri

We depart Agra by coach along the newly built Agra to Jaipur highway. Our first stop is at Fatehpur Sikri, a perfectly preserved ancient red sandstone city built in the 16th century as India's political capital, but abandoned shortly afterwards due to lack of water. We enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before continuing north to the Pink City of Jaipur, close to the Thar desert. We spend the next three nights at the 5-star Sheraton Rajputana Palace.

Day 10 - Jaipur

We begin our stay in Jaipur with a tour of the city, including a visit to the City Palace, the astronomical observatory and the colourful market. The opulent City Palace is still home to the Maharaja of Jaipur.

Day 11 - At leisure in Jaipur

Today you are free to further explore this wonderful city, take advantage of the hotel's many facilities or relax in the extensive grounds. Alternatively, you may wish to visit the Anokhi Museum of Hand Printing, a small textile museum dedicated to this ancient craft of hand block painting, or Jawahar Kala Kendra, an arts and crafts centre, it was built in 1986 to provide space to the cultural and spiritual values of India and display the rich craft heritage. Alternatively take a rickshaw to the Monkey Temple (Galwar Bagh).

Day 12 - The Amber Fort then return to Delhi

This morning we travel to the Amber Fort, passing the Jal Mahal water palace built in the centre of a lake on the city's outskirts. It may be possible to reach the Amber Fort by elephant. Located high on a hillside, the fort's imposing façade is contrasted by the intricate and beautiful interior. We then pay a visit to the wonderful Palace of the Winds. The red and pink sandstone Palace was originally built in the centre of Jaipur for royal ladies to overlook the city without being seen. Ascending high above Jaipur we then visit the Jaigarh Fort, the original Amber Fort which offers stunning views of the foothills of the Aravalli mountain range. Your afternoon is free before we board the evening train to Delhi for a final night at the Sheraton New Delhi Hotel.

Day 13 - Return home

We transfer mid-morning to Delhi Airport for our return flight to London, arriving late afternoon.

Indias Golden Triangle - Luxury Escorted Train Tours - Train Holidays

Join this 13 day Luxury Escorted Train Tour of India's Golden Triangle and be amazed by Delhi, The Taj Mahal, Agra, Jaipur, The amber Fort and more. Frequent departures, Find out more.
Adventure Holiday Offers, Indias, Golden, Triangle