Golden Triangle and Indian Festivals

Touch down in Delhi and transfer to the hotel for check-in*. Get ready to explore the city and all it has to offer. From the symphony of sounds to the dazzling aromas and rainbow palette of colors, Delhi is the gateway to your Indian adventure!

Be sure to explore its historic center, filled with the relics of its past under Islamic conquerors. Spend the day at your leisure. Overnight stay in Delhi**.

*Possibility of booking early check-in at an additional cost in the next step of the booking process.

**Upgrade to half-board by adding 6 dinners in the next step of the booking process.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today you'll explore the treasures of Old Delhi such as the majestic Jama Masjid Royal Mosque and lively Chandi Chow Street, for your first taste of Indian culture. Make like a local and embark on a rickshaw ride through Chandni Chowk, the backbone of old Delhi.

Next, contemplate the beauty of the Red Fort from outside, former residence of the Imperial Family before admiring Raj Ghat, where the legendary Mahatma Gandhi was cremated. In the afternoon, take part in a stunning visit with panoramic view of sparkling New Delhi, passing by the India Gate, the Mausoleum of Emperor Humayun, and the Presidential Palace. Overnight stay in Delhi.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, begin your Rajasthan adventure and set off to Jaipur, the so-called Pink City. The capital of Rajasthan is known for its fusion of Hindu, Jain and Mughal culture. Enjoy your first glimpse of the Rajasthani landscape as you travel through local villages and countryside. 

After arriving to the hotel, you will enjoy some free time in the afternoon to get to know the city or to simply relax. Be sure to capture the evening light, where the pink and the orange buildings exude a magical glow, complemented by the colorfully dressed Rajasthanis. You're likely to spot camel-drawn carts, characteristic of Jaipur's street scene. Overnight stay in Jaipur.

Estimated transfer distance 159 miles / 257 km.

Breakfast at the hotel. Make a quick stop at the much-photographed Hawa Mahal, Palace of the Winds, one of India's most beloved historic buildings with a fascinating past. After that, delve into an enriching afternoon exploring Jaipur with a city tour. Start your journey at the majestic Maharaja's City Palace, where you can wander through the historic Royal Residence and marvel at the Arsenal Museum.

Afterwards, get to know a little about India's scientific achievements at the Jantar Mantar, renowned for housing the world's largest stone and marble astronomical observatory. Imagine star-gazing from here! Overnight stay in Jaipur.

Breakfast at the hotel. The morning kicks off with an exhilarating jeep transfer to the atmospheric Amber Fort. Here, you'll discover the Jag Mandir palace and the renowned Sheesh Mahal, a room adorned with exquisite mirror work, while imagining the lavish lives of the Maharajas. After the visit concludes, return to the hotel.

In the afternoon, immerse yourself in the vibrant festivities of Diwali with a local family. Diwali, also known as Deepawali or the Festival of Lights, is one of the most significant celebrations in India and Nepal, carrying deep religious significance for Hinduism, Sikhism, and Jainism. It symbolizes the victory of light over darkness and good over evil, observed on the new moon day of the Kartika month, typically falling between October and November. During these days, homes sparkle with decorations and lights, fireworks illuminate the night sky, and people exchange gifts and sweets. Devotees honour Goddess Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth, with prayers for prosperity in the coming year. This shared tradition unites Diwali celebrations across the entire Indian subcontinent. Overnight stay in Jaipur. 

Breakfast at the hotel. You're getting closer to iconic Agra. Stop in the ghost town of Fatehpur Sikri, where time stands still, and pass through the Bulund Darwaza gateway, the highest gateway in the world and a monument of Mughal might! 

Arrive in Agra and you'll notice the contrasts between red sandstone and white marble in the city's buildings and feel its tantalizing charms. Transfer to the hotel for check-in and in the afternoon visit the Agra Fort, a formidable structure which houses the picturesque Pearl Mosque. Just walking through the main gate, you'll feel like Mughal royalty! Return to the hotel and overnight stay in Agra.

Estimated transfer distance 146 miles / 235 km.

Breakfast at the hotel. It's finally here, the day you tick the legendary Taj Mahal off of your bucket list! The ivory-white marble mausoleum, the brilliant domes, the fountain and that famous bench where everyone has their photo taken; today you'll experience it all for yourself! Home to the tomb of a Mughal Emperors beloved wife, both the story and the beauty of the structure itself may well leave you feeling teary-eyed and filled with a warm fuzzy feeling.

Take some time to soak it all up and take the perfect photo, one you'll treasure for a lifetime. Afterwards, enjoy a scenic afternoon drive back to Delhi, where you can spend the remainder of the day reminiscing about your journey and all the wonderful, soul-stirring sights you've seen as well as the warm people who've shared their culture with you along the way. Overnight stay in Delhi.

Estimated transfer distance 130 miles / 210 km.

Breakfast* at the hotel. Sadly, it's time to head back home, but you'll keep the colors and atmosphere of India close to your heart as you transfer to the airport for a flight back to Canada. Arrive back home and end your trip**.

*Depending on the return flight schedule and the hotel breakfast service, you may not be able to enjoy the included breakfast on the last day.

**Depending on the choice of flight, you may arrive back in Canada the next day.