Golden Triangle & Shimla

Overnight flight from London (regional connections available) to Delhi with Virgin Atlantic. (N)

Arrive in Delhi in the morning and transfer to the Eros Hotel (or similar) for 1 night. Afternoon tour of Old Delhi, including the Jama Masjid mosque and Raj Ghat. (D)

Morning tour of New Delhi with a drive past India Gate and the former viceregal residence, both very fine examples of British imperial architecture. Continue to the tomb of the Mughal emperor Humayun and the Qutb Minar tower. Afternoon drive to Agra where you will stay for 2 nights at the Trident Agra (or similar). (B, D)

Visit the Taj Mahal at sunrise. After breakfast, visit the tomb of Itmad-ud-Daulah and Agra fort. Evening visit to Mehtab Bagh, a 400-yearold Mughal garden on the banks of the Yamuna, to see the sun set over the Taj Mahal. (B, D)

Continue to the pink city of Jaipur via the deserted sandstone city of Fatehpur Sikri. Stay 3 nights at Ramgarh Lodge (or similar). (B, L, D)

After breakfast, visit the ancient palace of Amber fort and then the City Palace in the afternoon, home of the present maharajah. (B, D)

A day at leisure to relax or explore Jaipur’s many bazaars. Alternatively take an optional tour of the ghost town of Bhangarh, visit the elephant camp at Dera Amer or take a sunrise balloon flight over the peaceful countryside*. (B, D)

Drive to Delhi in the morning and stay overnight at the Eros Hotel (or similar). (B, D)

Take the morning express train to Kalka followed by the narrow gauge mountain railway toy train ride to Shimla. Stay at the Oberoi Cecil in Shimla, the British summer capital during the Raj era, for 3 nights. Upgrade to a Premier Valley View room from £210 for 3 nights. (B, L, D)

Morning tour of Shimla. Remainder of time at leisure. (B, D)

Drive to Chandigarh this morning and connect with the express train to Delhi. Stay overnight at the Eros Hotel (or similar). (B, D)

Morning transfer to the airport. Fly to London with Virgin Atlantic. (B)