Tour price includes: Agra Moti Masjid mosque, Agra Red Fort, Agra bazaar, Agra Taj Mahal (evening), Agra Taj Mahal (morning), Fatehpur Sikri desert city, Jaipur Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds), Jaipur Amber Fort, Amber on elephant back, Amber Fort Garden, Jaipur Observatory (Jantar Mantar), Jaipur City Palace, Samode village, Samode Palace or Samode Tents, Delhi, Delhi Jama Masjid, Delhi Red Fort, Delhi Raj Ghat, Delhi India Gate, Delhi Parliament House, Delhi President’s House, Delhi Qutab Minar tower, Delhi bicycle rickshaw ride.
ITINERARY
Day 1 DELHI
You will be met on arrival in Delhi and transferred to your hotel for a 2 night stay. Overnight Delhi.
Day 2 DELHI
A half day city tour this morning will introduce you to Old Delhi, including an exhilarating bicycle rickshaw ride through Chandni Chowk – a hustling & bustling market place and a maze of narrow streets. Visits will be made to:
• Jama Masjid – an architectural extravaganza of Shah Jahan, with its vast marble domes and minarets. The largest mosque in India, this is a handsome structure that is still used today
• Red Fort – an impressive and immense red sandstone Mughal fort enclosing beautiful palaces and gardens within*
• Raj Ghat – where the Father of India, Mahatama Gandhi, was cremated in 1948
This aftermoon you will discover New Delhi, driving past India Gate, Parliament House, and the President’s House. Time will be spent at Qutab Minar, an 11th century, 73 meter high victory tower built by slave king Qutubuddin Aibak and later completed by his successor Iltumish. Overnight Delhi.* (B)
Day 3 DELHI-AGRA –200kms – 4 hrs
Drive to Agra this morning. This afternoon visit the Agra Fort, the original red sandstone fort built by Akbar in 1565. Shahjahan added the marble palaces inside. Inside the fort is a famous pure marble mosque, the Moti Masjid. Explore the colourful local bazaar, and also see the intricate work of marble inlaid with fine gemstones which is unique to Agra. Then late afternoon you will be taken to experience the ethereal beauty of the Taj Mahal – symbol of love – at sunset.** Overnight Agra. (B)
Day 4 AGRA-JAIPUR -265 kms – 5 ½ hrs
The magnificent Taj Mahal really warrants a second visit, to appreciate its beauty, and to see it in a different light. Watch the pearly light of dawn paint delicate hues on the Taj before driving out to Jaipur, stopping en route to explore Fatehpur Sikri – the deserted red sandstone city built by Emperor Akbar as his capital in the late 16th Century. On to the magnificent Pink City of Jaipur, where you will spend 2 nights. (B)
Day 5 JAIPUR
This morning’s tour will commence with a photo stop at Hawa Mahal or the Palace of Winds, which is a remarkable five storeyed building along the main street of the old city in pink splendour with semioctagonal and delicate honey combed sandstone windows. This is followed by a visit to Amber Fort, 8Kms away, where rides on caparisoned elephants add to the ambience. Ascend to the ancient Rajput capital of Amber on elephant back***. The excursion starts with Dil–e-Aaram Garden that is laid out in traditional Mughal style. The fort is a striking example of Rajput architecture situated on a hillside and overlooking a lake, which reflects the forts’ ramparts and terraces. A half-day city tour this afternoon will include: Observatory (Jantar Mantar) – Built between 1728 and 1734 by Maharaja Jai Singh, it is literally instruments for measuring the harmony of the heavens. City Palace – the most magnificent marvel of Jaipur. It has a rare combination of finest blends of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. Overnight in Jaipur. (B)
Day 6 SAMODE
Morning drive to the lovely little village of Samode, nestled amongst rugged hills close to Jaipur. Spend the night in a magnificent Palace, or relive the splendour of a bygone age recreated in a 16th century-style luxury tented encampment – a unique experience in royal living.**** (B)
Day 7 SAMODE-DELHI – 260 kms – 5 hrs
You will be driven back to Delhi where your tour ends on arrival. Transfer to the airport for an onward flight, or you may wish to extend your stay.
* The Red Fort is closed on Mondays. Places visited may not be in the same order.
**Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays.
***Elephants subject to availability (jeep is the alternative)
****Specify overnight preference – Palace or luxury tented encampment.
| ACCOMMODATION – GOLDEN TRIANGLE WITH SAMODE | ||
| DELUXE HOTELS (5 Star+) | SUPERIOR HOTELS (4 Star+) | |
| DELHI - (2nights) |
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Imperial Hotel (5 Star+) |
The Claridges Hotel (5 Star) With its colonial charm, The Claridges has been a veritable treasure in Lutyens Delhi since the 1950’s, successfully combining old-world service with 21st century conveniences to make your stay truly comfortable and memorable. The 173 guest rooms and suites on just 3 levels are concealed from the outside world and overlook the pool or the green foliage. Hotel amenities include: 3 very good restaurants, coffee shop, pool, tennis court, health club, hair salon, spa, bar, business services and travel services. The hotel is in a superior location, near the city’s business and shopping districts and main attractions but still in a quiet, leafy neighbourhood, a pleasant area to take a relaxing stroll. |
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| AGRA - (1night) |
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| The Oberoi Amarvilas (5 star deluxe ) “…uninterrupted views of the magnificent Taj Mahal” The Oberoi Amarvillas is a member of the Great Hotels of the World, a collection of the world’s finest luxury hotels. Each of the 105 luxurious rooms and suites of this unique hotel has a view of the glorious monument. The Oberoi Amarvilas reflects its grandeur with terraced gardens, reflection pools and tastefully decorated interiors. Moghul arches, domes and fountains complement the palace – offering superb views of the Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. All guest rooms have teak floors, hand-knotted carpets, fine handcrafted furniture and luxurious marble bathrooms with separate shower stalls. The amenities seem endless: a luxury spa with a range of therapies, a swimming pool beset by luxury sundeck chairs where snacks and drinks are served; an ornamented ballroom and a superb restaurant framing that most romantic vista in the world. |
Gateway Taj View (5 star) Taj-View Hotel allows visitors to live in the lap of luxury and gaze at the Taj Mahal for as long as they wish – whenever they feel like. Guests can look forward to gracious interiors, personalized service, and the Taj’s inimitable style for a memorable stay.The hotel offers extensive facilities and is home to Agra’s only 24-hour, multi-cuisine restaurant. |
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| JAIPUR - (2nights) |
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| Rambagh Palace Rajasthan evokes images of erstwhile royalty – polo-playing princes and beautiful princesses who captured their hearts. The history of Rajasthan – or ‘Rajputana’ as it was once called – is rich with legendary tales of love and valour. For nearly two centuries, the Rambagh Palace has been home to generations of royals. Built in 1835 on a modest scale for the queen’s favourite handmaiden Kesar Badaran, it was later refurbished as a royal guesthouse and hunting lodge. In 1925, Rambagh was converted into a palace, and became the residence of the Maharaja of Jaipur. The ‘Jewel of Jaipur’ as it is fondly called, remained the home of the Jaipur royal family until 1957, when it was first converted into a luxury hotel by Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II. But it wasn’t until 1972 that Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces took over the reins. It is now the ‘jewel in the crown’ among the authentic palaces of the Taj in India. In the finest tradition of Rajput hospitality, the Rambagh Palace offers its guests a taste of royal living – a luxury and extravagance that was once the sole preserve of kings. Its elegantly appointed rooms, marbled corridors and majestic gardens echo with history, and every corner has a story to tell. |
The Samode Haveli A small intimate hotel offering personalised service, Samode Haveli has been meticulously restored and integrated into a unique property. This unique atmosphere of the contemporary and the historic gives Samode Haveli a warm & friendly atmosphere enabling guests to relax and treat it as a home away from home! With its understated luxury, antique furniture, furnishings and original work-of-art, the hotel is a celebration of traditional values and gracious living. |
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| SAMODE- (1night) |
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| The Samode Palace The winner of the award for the best Heritage hotel in the country, for 5 consecutive years, the Palace has been meticulously restored offering a retreat into an aesthetically beautiful environment where visitors can enjoy India’s natural beauty and rich history. Samode Palace is one of India’s most charming and romantic hotels. It offers a quiet, elegant and luxurious atmosphere. Considered India’s finest hotel for its consummate standards of modern hospitality, accommodation, services, cuisine and amenities, it is the flagship of the Samode Hotels. The Samode Palace hotel maintains an immutable majestic presence and is a touching reminder of the vision of its creators. |
Samode Bagh A garden paradise situated 4 km from Samode Palace, nestled on 20 acres of beautiful grounds, Samode Bagh combines warmth and luxury, an atmosphere that is quiet, relaxed & elegant. It is a romantic hideaway where you can be as active or comtemplative as you wish. Samode Bagh offers a unique experience of an air-conditioned tented camp where the dune coloured tents are luxuriously furnished with every comfort. The garden is about three blocks long and is enclosed by a 15 foot high stone wall. Samode Bagh is distinguished by the ‘Samode hotels’ long standing commitment to blending the highest standards of hospitality with indigenous culture and the natural environment. The tented camp brings visitors closer to the soul of the country. A 200 feet long row of fountains fed from natural springs and wells are displayed all along the garden. Victorian and traditional Rajasthani décor echo life in a 16th century luxury camp. Relive the splendour of the bygone age recreated in a tented encampment- unique experience in royal living. |
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GOLDEN TRIANGLE WITH SAMODE Tour Costs Include
• Transportation in private vehicle with chauffeur
• English speaking local guides for sightseeing
• Train Tickets where applicable
• Accommodation for the mentioned number of nights
• Daily breakfast
• Porterage
• Entrance fees at monuments & places of visit
• All sightseeing and tours – including a full or half day city tour at each major destination
COST PER PERSON – Land Only – Daily Departure
BOOK DURING FEBRUARY 2010 AND SAVE 5% ON THE PRICE BELOW
| Hotel Class | DELUXE | SUPERIOR | ||
| GOLDEN TRIANGLE WITH SAMODE |
1 Oct 2009 to 15 Apr 2010 | 16 Apr to Sep 2010 | 1 Oct 2009 to 15 Apr 2010 | 16 Apr to Sep 2010 |
| Medium Car -twin share | $3225 [wp_cart:THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE-Medium Car -twin share-Delux Class -1 Oct 2009 to 15 Apr 2010:price:3225:end] |
$2494 [wp_cart:THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE-Medium Car -twin share-Delux Class Apr-Sep 2010:price:2494:end] |
$1518 [wp_cart:THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE-Medium Car -twin share-SUPERIOR Class -1 Oct 2009 to 15 Apr 2010:price:1518:end] |
$1091 [wp_cart:THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE-Medium Car -twin share-SUPERIOR Class Apr-Sep 2010:price:1091:end] |
| Toyota Innova -twin share | $3287 [wp_cart:THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE-Toyota Innova -twin share- Delux Class -1 Oct 2009 to 15 Apr 2010:price:3287:end] |
$2551 [wp_cart:THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE-Toyota Innova -twin share- Delux Class Apr-Sep 2010:price:2551:end] |
$1579 [wp_cart:THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE-Toyota Innova -twin share-SUPERIOR Class -1 Oct 2009 to 15 Apr 2010:price:1579:end] |
$1152 [wp_cart:THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE-Toyota Innova -twin share-SUPERIOR Class Apr-Sep 2010:price:1152:end] |
| Toyota Innova -triple share | $3157 [wp_cart:THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE-Toyota Innova -triple share- Delux Class -1 Oct 2009 to 15 Apr 2010:price:3157:end] |
$2423 [wp_cart:THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE-Toyota Innova -triple share- Delux Class Apr-Sep 2010:price:2423:end] |
$1450 [wp_cart:THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE-Toyota Innova -triple share-SUPERIOR Class -1 Oct 2009 to 15 Apr 2010:price:1450:end] |
$1023 [wp_cart:THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE-Toyota Innova -triple share-SUPERIOR Class Apr-Sep 2010:price:1023:end] |
| Mini Van 4 to 6 share | $3111 [wp_cart:THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE- Mini Van -4 to 6 share-Delux Class -1 Oct 2009 to 15 Apr 2010 :price:3111:end] |
$2377 [wp_cart:THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE- Mini Van -4 to 6 share-Delux Class Apr-Sep 2010 :price:2377:end] |
$1404 [wp_cart:THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE- Mini Van -4 to 6 share-SUPERIOR Class -1 Oct 2009 to 15 Apr 2010 :price:1404:end] |
$979 [wp_cart:THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE- Mini Van -4 to 6 share-SUPERIOR Class Apr-Sep 2010 :price:979:end] |
| Single Supplement | $2345 [wp_cart:THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE-Single Supplement-Delux Class -1 Oct 2009 to 15 Apr 2010:price:2345:end] |
$1667 [wp_cart:THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE-Single Supplement -Delux Class Apr-Sep 2010:price:1717:end] |
$866 [wp_cart:THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE-Single Supplement-SUPERIOR Class -1 Oct 2009 to 15 Apr 2010:price:866:end] |
$477 [wp_cart:THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE-Single Supplement-SUPERIOR Class Apr-Sep 2010:price:477:end] |