Golden Triangle Tour With
Ranthambhore National Park

Highlights Of India And Tiger Safari

An easy way to combine a classic Golden Triangle itinerary with wildlife is to add a visit to Ranthambhore National Park – one of the best places in the world to observe Tigers in the wild. Here the Tigers can be seen during daytime hours and are not so elusive as other locations in India.

On arrival you can explore the capital of Delhi, including Old Delhi with its imposing The Red Fort and the surrounding markets and bazaars such as Chandni Chowk. Drive through New Delhi to look at Sir Edwin Lutyen’s architectural masterpieces of the British Raj.

At Agra the unforgettable Taj Mahal is going to a tour highlight and is best experienced at sunrise or late afternoon. The enormous Red Fort of Agra was India’s capital for many centuries under the Mughal Empire.

Travel through rural Rajasthan to reach Ranthambhore, one of India’s premier game reserves where you will have a great opportunity to observe an Indian Tiger in the wild.

The Pink City of Jaipur is one of the famed princely states of Rajasthan with forts crowning the hilltops, looking down on the Maharajah’s City Palace with galleries full of priceless artifacts.

Recommended For: Anyone who wants a highlights tour of India with wildlife and tiger watching at Ranthambhore.

Day 01

Depart UK

Depart UK – Overnight flight.

Day 02

Delhi

The Manor  

Relax On Arrival At Delhi
Relax on arrival at your hotel inside a leafy and exclusive area of Delhi.

Early Evening Rickshaw Ride Through Old Delhi
Let India take hold of your senses with a Cycle Rickshaw Ride through the teeming bazaars and markets of Chandni Chowk. At one end is the huge Jama Masjid mosque (1656)

As the last seat of power of the Mughal Empire, The Red Fort Of Delhi (1639) is an interesting introduction to India’s forts and palaces.

Day 03

Delhi

The Manor

Drive Through Lutyen’s Imperial New Delhi
Experience the wide open spaces of imperial New Delhi, with its ordered governmental buildings and blossoming avenues. Those with an appreciation of colonial architecture can marvel at Lutyen’s buildings such as Viceroy's House (Rashtrapati Bhavan) and India Gate, one of Delhi's most famous landmarks.

A great way to sample the ambience of the colonial era would be to stop for tea at the lovely Imperial Hotel or Claridges.

Sights Of Southern Delhi
Driving east and south you come across Humayun's Tomb (1570) and the Qutub Complex, dominated by the Qutub Minar, the tallest brick minaret in the world (239 ft), and an important example of Indo-Islamic Architecture.

If you plan your day carefully you can also see Rajghat, the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi, as well as new landmarks of Delhi such as the Akshardham and Lotus temples.

Day 04

Agra

The Trident Agra

Akbar’s Tomb At Sikandra
The impressive tomb of Akbar The Great (1612) lies conveniently on the roadside near Agra.

Private Guided Tour Of The Red Fort At Agra
The 16th century Mughal monument known as the Red Fort Of Agra was built by Akbar the Great (1556-1605) and is in fact a walled palace that remained India’s premier city for almost two centuries.

The powerful fortress of red sandstone encompasses many fairytale palaces within its 1.5 mile-long enclosure walls, including the Jahangir Palace, the Khas Mahal, audience halls such as the Diwan-i-Khas and the Sheesh Mahal (The Glass Palace) which is inlaid with thousands of mirrors and was once the dressing room of the harem.

Day 05

Ranthambhore

Nahargarh

The Amazing Beauty Of The Taj Mahal
The world’s greatest monument to love – the Taj Mahal. lies overlooking the River Yamuna. The Taj was built in 1631 by Emperor Shah Jahan to enshrine the body of his favourite wife. To truly appreciate the wondrous Taj Mahal and its many moods, you should aim to visit it at dawn or dusk when the reflection of the sun changes the colour of the dome from white to shades of pink.

The Tomb Of Itmad Ud Daulah (1622)
A lovely surprise in Agra is this delightful tomb of a nobleman that is often called the ‘mini’ Taj Mahal.

Fatehpur Sikri
The deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri (1570) was the capital of Emperor Akbar between 1570 and 1585. The city was abandoned, for reasons still not understood, after only fifteen years and the capital was relocated back to Agra. As a result Fatehpur Sikri stands untouched and perfectly preserved, a complete medieval fortress of red sandstone, with vast central squares, exquisitely carved multi-tiered pavilions, cool terraces and formal gardens.

Laxmi Vilas At Bharatpur
The Laxmi Vilas Palace (1887) is an ideal place to have lunch on the way to Ranthambhore.

Day 06

Ranthambhore

Nahargarh

Ranthambhore National Park – AM + PM Wildlife Safaris
Ranthambore is a dry jungle forest with rocky hills and open valleys dotted with water pools and fruit trees. A 1000-year old fortress looms above the forest. It is one of India’s most spectacular and best known Tiger reserves. A series of adjoining reserves at Ranthambhore cover an area of nearly 500 square kms.

Ranthambhore’s tigers are increasingly displaying diurnal behaviour, whereby animals are active during the daytime and rest during the night. It is only at this reserve that Tigers are well acquainted with jeeps and other vehicles, and can be spotted even on the road. Tigers at Ranthambhore have even been known to hunt in full view of human visitors.

Leopards and Sloth Bears are present but rarely seen during daytime. Other predators at the reserve include Striped Hyenas, Jackals, Jungle Cats, Caracals and Indian Foxes who prey on plentiful numbers of Sambar Deer, Chital, Nilgai, Blackbuck and Indian Wild Boar. Primates include Common or Hanuman Languars and Macaques. The park also has a large number of Marsh Crocodiles.

Ranthambhore’s abandoned fortress, lakes and above all it's `friendly' Tigers have made it one of the most filmed and photographed wildlife reserves in the world.

Day 07

Jaipur
The Trident Agra

Ranthambhore National Park – AM Wildlife Safari
One more AM Jeep Safari at Ranthambore will give you a last chance to spot another Tiger!

Jaipur
The old Pink City of Jaipur has a stunning backdrop of ancient forts and palaces that stand as dramatic testimonials of a bygone era and a reminder of their lingering romance. Seven gates into the old city remain, one of which leads into Johari Bazaar - the famous jewellers' market that has the best selection of precious stones in India.

Day 08

Jaipur
The Trident Jaipur

The Fabulous Amber Fort And Palace
After breakfast leave for Amber (pronounced Amer), 7 miles from Jaipur with one of the most fantastic settings in the whole of India.

Here, the Amber Fort (1592) lies cradled in picturesque and rugged hills with a long line of ramparts and battlements leading up to the Jaigarh Fort in the distance.

The forbidding exterior of Amber Fort belies an inner paradise with palaces that are a beautiful fusion of Hindu and Mughal architecture. The top attraction here is the chance of an Elephant Back Ride to ascend to the top.

Private Guided Tour Of Jaipur City Palace
The old Pink City of Jaipur has a stunning backdrop of ancient forts and palaces that stand as dramatic testimonials of a bygone era and a reminder of their lingering romance. Seven gates into the old city remain, one of which leads into Johari Bazaar - the famous jewellers' market that has the best selection of precious stones in India.

The magnificent City Palace built by Maharaja Jai Singh in 1728 is enclosed by high walls and set amidst courtyards with fine gardens. The City Palace is now a vast museum with exhibits that have lost none of their splendour. Royal retainers, clothed in turbans and full livery, still guard the principal halls and entrances with fine displays of royal costumes and armaments.

The Palace of the Winds or Hawa Mahal (1799) is Jaipur’s most famous landmark originally built to offer the women of the court a vantage point from which to watch the activity in the bazaars below.

The Jantar Mantar (1734) is a fascinating astronomical observatory that is also well worth visiting.

Day 09

Delhi
Svelte Hotel

Return to Delhi and relax or do some shopping prior to your onward journey.

Day 10

Depart Delhi

Depart India – Daytime flights arrive back in UK the same day.

* We will send you a detailed quote with flight options, descriptions of hotels used and daily schedules.

IMPORTANT NOTE: THIS TOUR IS ONLY POSSIBLE BETWEEN 01ST OCTOBER AND 30TH  JUNE EACH YEAR BECAUSE RANTHAMBHORE CLOSES DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS.