Golden Triangle & Tigers
For the first time visitor with limited time but the desire to spot a tiger in the wild while seeing mainstream India; this tour covers the well traversed tourist circuit called the Golden Triangle, and also includes one of the better managed tiger parks, Ranthambore.
Delhi, the capital city offers a blend of the old and the new in the same city, busy bazaars in one and open tree-lined boulevards in the other; Agra has on proud display a shimmering marble edifice on the banks of the Yamuna, the Taj Mahal; Jaipur is a display of colours and the royal splendour of Rajasthan.
Recommended Itinerary
DAY 01 - FLIGHT
Fly to Delhi
DAYS 2 & 3 - DELHI
Arrive into Delhi, transfer to a well-run guest house for two nights (or stay at Maidens Hotel/The Imperial). Visit the World Heritage sites of Delhi; enjoy a rickshaw ride through Chandni Chowk; see the Modern Art Museum; walk through Lodhi Gardens; visit Hauz Khas Village or Delhi Haat to pick up an artefact.
DAY 4 - AGRA
Drive in the morning to Agra; stay the night at a well run Home Stay, within walking distance of the Taj (or the modern Trident/Mughal Hotel). Visit the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort in the afternoon. You can visit Mehtab Bagh in the evening to see the Taj again at sunset from across the Yamuna River.
DAYS 5 & 6 - RANTHAMBORE
Drive to Bharatpur to visit the Word Heritage Bird Sanctuary on cycle-rickshaws, with a naturalist. Later take a train to the national park of Ranthambore; stay two nights in a comfortable jungle lodge with a swimming pool; the next day visit the jungle in jeeps to seek the elusive tiger and see life in the forest.
DAYS 7 & 8 - JAIPUR
Proceed to Jaipur by car; stay two nights at a royal residence or haveli (or stay at an elegant farm house on the outskirts with its own stables). Visit the city sights, climbing Amber Fort on elephant back. A cooking session can be arranged with a local family followed by a meal with them.
DAY 9 - RETURN FLIGHT
Take a morning flight to Delhi to connect with your early afternoon flight home, arriving London the same evening.