Overview:

This 13-day itinerary is a wonderful private tour for a first-time visitor to India who to explore and experience glorious mountain scenery, charming hill station and the famous Golden Triangle of India. Start your journey from the holy city of Amritsar. Take a train ride through the stunning Kalka – Shimla narrow gauge railway to the hill station of Shimla, the summer capital of British India that was once considered the ‘Queen of the Hills’. From the hills you return to Delhi for a wonderful wonderful introduction to this imperial city before heading to Agra to see Taj Mahal, the iconic memorial to love and the pink city of Jaipur.

Day 01

Arrive Amritsar

Arrive Amritsar International Airport. You will be met on arrival at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Stay Hyatt Regency for two nights, a deluxe grade modern hotel. In the evening, you will visit the Golden Temple to see “Palki Ceremony” also known as putting to bed ceremony.

Day 02

Amritsar

After breakfast, proceed for a half day sightseeing tour of Amritsar, an excellent introduction to world's most important Sikh cities and an important pilgrimage site. You will visit the iconic Golden Temple, Memorial of Jallianwala Bagh massacre, Durgiana Temple & Katra cloths market. Late in the afternoon, you will drive to the Atari (Wagah) Border, to witness the Flag Retreat ceremony, a fascinating experience where, every evening, the dramatic ceremony of the changing of the guards and the lowering of the flags is carried out.

Day 03

Amritsar – Chandigarh

After breakfast, drive to Chandigarh. Enjoy a half day sightseeing tour of the city this afternoon. Chandigarh is the definition of modern India, a well-planned city designed by the French architect Le Corbusier. In the afternoon visit the Rose Garden, home to over 1,500 varieties of rose, walk along Sukhna Lake stopping in the nearby ornamental gardens, and explore the Rock Garden. A completely unique and innovative creation, the Rock Garden is a collection of over 2,000 sculptures created over 20 years from a collection of concrete, steel drums, old bicycle frames and broken sinks. Stay at Hyatt Regency Chandigarh for the night.

Day 04

Chandigarh - Shimla

After breakfast, drive to Kalka station to board the narrow-gauge train Himalayan Queen, which traverses a mostly mountainous route from Kalka to Shimla. It is known for dramatic views of the hills and surrounding villages. The railway was built under the direction of Herbert Septimus Harington between 1898 and 1903 to connect Shimla, the summer capital of India during the British Raj, with the rest of the Indian rail system. You will be met on arrival at Shimla railway station and transferred to your hotel. Stay at the Oberoi Cecil for 03 nights.

Day 05 & 06

Shimla

Over the next two days you will explore Shimla and its neighbouring towns; you will visit the mock Tudor library, the famous Gaiety Theatre, the Vice Regal Lodge and Mall Road. Explore Shimla on a nature walk from the house where Rudyard Kipling wrote Plain Tales from the Hills to the gallery of a Shimla painter. Or, enjoy afternoon tea at the Oberoi Wildflower Hall or visit the princely state of Dhami to spend the day with the noble family, birdwatching and enjoying their stories over lunch.

Day 07

Shimla - Delhi

The morning is at leisure. In the afternoon, you will drive back to Kalka station where you’ll board Shatabdi Express train back to Delhi. You will be met on arrival at Delhi railway station and transferred to your hotel. Stay at Hotel ITC Maurya for 02 nights.

Day 08

Delhi

Enjoy a full day’s sightseeing tour of the historical city of Delhi, beginning in the wide avenues of New Delhi, to see Lutyen’s buildings and the India gate memorial, along with the impressive tomb of Humayan and Qutab Minar. Afternoon you will visit the bustling and vibrant streets of Old Delhi to see the Jama Masjid and Rajghat, the resting place (Samadhi) of Mahatma Gandhi.

Day 09

Delhi - Agra

Drive to Agra in the morning. Stay overnight at Hotel Trident Agra for the night. Visit the Agra Fort in the afternoon. Later in the evening, visit Mehtab Bhag, the Mughal Park on the other side of river Yamuna to enjoy beautiful views of Taj Mahal during sunset.

Day 10

Agra - Jaipur

Early morning, proceed for a sunrise visit of Taj Mahal. Later, drive to Jaipur visiting the deserted Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri en route. Stay at Samode Haveli for two nights.

Day 11

Jaipur

Today morning you will visit the impressive Amer Fort. Afternoon visit the sights of Jaipur including the City Palace, Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds), Jantar Mantar and the Museum.

Day 12

Jaipur - Delhi

After a leisurely breakfast, drive to Delhi. Stay overnight at Hotel Pullman New Delhi Aerocity.

Day 13

Transfer To Delhi Airport

Like all good things, your tour in India comes to an end but you will always carry with you, memories of this unique and unforgettable holiday experience. In goodtime you will be transferred to Delhi International Airport to connect your flight home.