Golden Triangle with Shimla

Discover the enchanting delights of British colonial history on this magical tour across Northern India. In the Days of the British Raj a hill town in the Indian Himalayas become the summer capital of government officials, military attaches, viceroys and attendant servants and families. They went to Shimla to escape the heat and even ruled from there.
Now you can ride the same narrow-gauge railways they used (and built) as you travel the Kalka-Shimla line into Britain’s colonial past.

• You will stay in Shimla, ‘Queen of Hills’ including visits to all the sights including the famous Gaiety Heritage Theatre
  and the iconic Christ Church.
• A broad-gauge ride from Delhi to Agra in India’s semi-bullet train – Gatimaan Express, vintage Rail Bus travel over a myriad of aqueducts and bridges on the Kalka-Shimla line.
• Your adventure then moves to Delhi, for two days of sightseeing among the greatest monuments in Indian history, including the National Rail Museum.
• A short stay in Agra, where you visit the Taj Mahal – one of the seven Wonders of the World – and the Bharatpur
  Bird Sanctuary.
• A whirlwind tour end in Jaipur, the Pink City of India. Amer Fort and visit the iconic Temples and Palaces of the city.
• Visit to Jhala Leopard Sanctuary along with the Elephant Park. All yours to discover on this once-in-a-lifetime trip to the enigmatic East.

Sunday 14 December
Depart UK

You board an overnight flight from UK to Delhi to start your Indian adventure.

Monday 15 December
Arrive Delhi and travel to Chandigarh
You arrive Delhi in the morning and internally transfer from the international terminal to domestic terminal to board a short flight to Chandigarh. You’ll receive a traditional welcome on arrival at Chandigarh airport with fresh marigold flower garlands. You then transfer by air-conditioned coach to your hotel. Evening at leisure or visit the lively and bustling market. Dinner and overnight accommodation will be in your hotel in Chandigarh. (D)

Tuesday 16 December
Chandigarh – Kalka and Shimla
This morning, you have a short tour of Chandigarh city, visiting the Rock Garden followed by a transfer by coach to Kalka station, to the narrow-gauge line platform to board an exclusive chartered vintage Railcar bound for Shimla. You will ride exclusively on the UNESCO World Heritage Narrow Gauge enjoying the scenic 96.5 km ride on this historical Kalka-Shimla ‘Toy Train’ line. With its 105 tunnels and single and double arch bridges, this leisurely journey from Kalka to Shimla climbs the foothills of the Himalayas and negotiates an altitude difference of 1400 metres. Shimla straddles an eight-mile long ridge, with buildings clinging to the green hillsides. The British began coming here in the 1820s as a refuge from the summer heat and by 1864 Shimla, nicknamed The Queen of Hills, was the official summer capital of the British Raj. You arrive by early evening and are transferred to the hotel for your overnight stay. (B L D)

Wednesday 17 December
Shimla
Today after breakfast, you’ll have a guided tour of Shimla, including its main shopping centre, the Mall. You start with visiting the fascinating Indian Institute of Advances Studies, which is the Viceregal Lodge, residence of the Viceroy of India since 1884 during the British Raj until India’s independence where it was used as the President’s Retreat. A beautiful museum in one of the sections of this Gothic Victorian style building, now mainly houses the scholars and researcher’s. The Ridge is an open space that runs from east to west along the Mall, which connects to the Scandal point on the west. Scandal point, at an altitude of nearly 8000 feet is Shimla’s highest peak and offers a beautiful view of the town and of the snow-covered Himalayas. Also on the Mall is The Gaiety Heritage Theatre - a remarkable piece of Victorian-theatre architecture. It has been called a miniature version of London’s Royal Albert Hall. Among many other highlights is Christ Church, the second oldest church in Northern India. It has a majestic appearance and inside there are stained glass windows which represent faith, hope, charity, fortitude, patience and humility. (B D)

Thursday 18 December
Shimla
A free day at leisure to enjoy the hotel, main shopping centre and The Mall. (B D)

Friday 19 December
Return on the main line express broad gauge to Delhi
You enjoy a relaxed breakfast at your hotel and a free morning in Shimla before transferring by coach to Kalka. On arrival at Kalka station, you board the 12012 Kalka Shatabdi Express at 1745 to arrive Delhi railway station at 2155 hrs. Dinner will be served on board. On arrival in New Delhi, you are met before transfer to your hotel. (B D)

Saturday 20 December
 
Delhi: Old Delhi cycle rickshaw ride & other highlights
This morning you meet your guide in the hotel lobby for a tour of the historic city of Delhi. Under the influence of the many rulers who ruled this region, Delhi has been built, destroyed and re-built over seven times. Your guided tour takes you to the monuments that depict these different eras. The highlights include: Cycle Rickshaw ride in Old Delhi and explore the narrow lanes of Old Delhi on a cycle rickshaw being peddled through the old part of the city showcasing the magnificent havelis, tiny shops, wholesale trading of almost everything you can think of; Raj Ghat - a memorial to Mahatma Gandhi. Originally it was the name of a historic ghat of Old Delhi on the banks of Yamuna river; drive past the India Gate - At the centre of New Delhi stands the 42-m high India Gate. It commemorates the 70,000 Indian soldiers who lost their lives fighting for the British Army during the World War I; President House - The Rashtrapati Bhavan or The Official Residence of the Head of the State is the official residence of the President of India, located at Raisina Hill in New Delhi. Until 1950 it was known as Viceroy’s House and served as the residence of the Viceroy and Governor-General of India. After your fascinating tour, you return to your hotel. (B D)

Sunday 21 December
 
Delhi: New Delhi with National Rail Museum
Today after breakfast, your guide will meet you in hotel lobby to enjoy a guided visit of New Delhi city. You will visit the Humayun’s Tomb, a magnificent garden tomb and the first substantial example of Mughal architecture built in 1565. Inside the walled enclosure the most notable features are the garden squares (Charbagh) with water channels, centrally located well proportional mausoleum topped by double dome. In the afternoon you visit the National Railway Museum - The museum focuses on the rail heritage of India since 1st February 1977. The recently renovated indoor gallery and outdoor exhibits from across the country makes it an interesting place to visit. A number of attractions have been added to enhance your visit. (B, D)

Monday 22 December 
Mainline broad gauge train to the monument of love – Taj Mahal
After an early breakfast, you transfer to Hazrat Nizamuddin railway station to board a train for Agra, the Gatimaan Express which is India’s first semi-bullet train. Enjoy a guided visit of the Itimad-Ud-Daulah, also known as Baby Taj, often described as a ‘Jewel Box’ and regarded as a draft version of the Taj Mahal. You’ll visit a local marble factory to witness the inlay work of precious stones also known as Pietra dura, which is the same art of stone work illustrated on the Taj Mahal & Baby Taj. You then transfer to your hotel for check-in. In the early evening, you visit Agra Fort - a UNESCO World Heritage Site, built in red sandstone. You return to your hotel for dinner after another rewarding and fascinating day (B D).

Tuesday 23 December

Dawn visit to Taj Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri abandoned city of the Mughals and Happy Village walk
You’ll need to rise early today to enjoy a dawn visit with your guide to the famous wonder of the world – the Taj Mahal. One of the best views of the Taj is during dawn with fewer people around. The porous nature of Taj’s white marble helps it absorb light and thus reflecting different shades of white making it look even more stunning for pictures. You’ll have a relaxing hour or so to enjoy the views through different angles. The unquestionable beauty of this piece of extravagance can only be treasured by visiting it. Afterwards you return to your hotel for breakfast. Later, you are driven to Bharatpur, and en-route enjoy a guided visit of Fatehpur Sikri. This city originally belonged to the Rajput clan, but was re-found in 1569 by the great Mughal emperor Akbar. It is at Fatehpur Sikri that the legends of Akbar and his famed courtiers, the nine jewels or Navaratnas, were born. Fatehpur Sikri is one of the best-preserved collections of Indian Mughal architecture in India. You then transfer to a heritage palace hotel in Bharatpur. In the early evening, you have a guided Bharatpur Village walk - A rural experience - We have arranged a special visit to the ‘happy village’ of Bharatpur for an exciting walk amongst the villagers and just experiencing their daily routine and perhaps learn a bit about its 1000 years old history. A rural experience like no other. (B L D)

Wednesday 24 December
Bharatpur UNESCO World Heritage bird sanctuary
After breakfast, you have a guided tour of Bharatpur bird sanctuary by rickshaw with your naturalist guide. The sanctuary was established in 1956. This 29-sq.km marshland is one of the finest bird sanctuaries in the world with over 360 species of birds, out of which 117 are the local birds. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it used to be a part of the private shooting reserve of the Maharaja of Bharatpur. Around noon you are driven to Jaipur, the Pink City of India. It’s the capital and largest city of the Indian state of Rajasthan. Founded in 1727, the city today has a population of 3.1 million. In 1876 Jaipur was coloured in terracotta pink to welcome Prince Albert, and hence the name ‘Pink City’. (B, D)

Thursday 25 December
Pink city Jaipur
Today we have an early breakfast at hotel then we go on a guided walking tour to the vegetable & flower market followed by an excursion to grand Amer Fort by jeep. Amer was the capital of the Kachwahas Rajputs before they moved to their newly built capital in Jaipur. The Amber Fort is built in white marble and red sandstone and the nearby lake adds to its charm. There will be an opportunity during the day for you to visit the following sites as you wish; Diwan-e-Aam, or Hall of Public Audience; the Diwan-e-Khas, or Hall of Private Audience; the Sheesh Mahal (mirror palace); or Jai Mandir, and the Sukh Niwas, where a cool climate is artificially created by winds that blow over a water cascade within the palace. The Jantar Mantar is a collection of architectural astronomical instruments, built by Maharaja (King) Jai Singh II between 1727 and 1734. The Jaipur observatory is the largest and best preserved of these observatories. The Hawa Mahal Palace is where the poet King Sawai Pratap Singh built this palace of winds, one of the landmarks of Jaipur. By evening, you also visit a hand block-printing factory and local arts & crafts. The city is rightly famous for its extravagant gems & jewels, reflecting the royal character of a bygone era. After a busy day you will enjoy dinner at your hotel. (B D)

Friday 26 December
Leopards and Elephants
An early start today as we head off to enjoy the Jhalana Leopard Safari by open jeeps. Spread in an area of 23sq km, the reserve is home to around 35 leopards with many of those having territory in the tourism area of park. Keep your eyes peeled as you look for these majestic animals. You then return to the hotel for breakfast. Later, we will then visit the Elefantastic Sanctuary where we’ll spend quality time with the elephants. An introduction with the elephants will be explain the basics of elephant language spoken by the caretakers (mahout’s). Followed by elephant feeding, traditional elephant body painting with natural colors, bath time and walk with the Elephant in the village. A lunch is organized by the sanctuary and after an exciting day, we will return to our hotel for dinner
(B L D)

Saturday 27 December
Jaipur to Delhi – Return to UK
Our final day sees us have breakfast at the hotel. We are then driven back to Delhi and transfer to airport hotel for a chance to change and a farewell dinner. We then transfer to Delhi International airport terminal to board your return flight. (B D)