Golden Triangle with Shimla

Early morning you will embark on the combined city tour Delhi. Delhi is divided into two parts New and Old Delhi. First, you will visit the old part of Delhi. You will visit:

Jamia Masjid – One of the oldest Mosques in Asia followed by a rickshaw ride in the old narrow streets of Chandni Chowk, silver streets and spice Markets, then later visit the Red Fort (photo stop only) and the Rajghat – Cremation place of Mahatma Gandhi. Following this, you will take a break at local ethnic restaurants (at own cost). Afterward, you return to the hotel.

After lunch, you will kick off the second part of your Delhi tour for sightseeing of New Delhi by drive past Rashtrapati Bhawan (President’s House) and its well-maintained Mughal Gardens, the Parliament of India and India Gate, a war memorial. Then you’ll visit the famous Humuyus Tomb – the replica of Taj Mahal made of sandstone and marble. Other highlights of the day include visits to Lotus Temple – belonging to the Bahai Faith. Later visiting the Tallest Minaret called Qutub Minar and return to the hotel.

Overnight is in Delhi

After breakfast, you begin your journey to Agra (214 Km /5 Hrs).

Upon arrival in Agra, you will check-in at your hotel and a representative will assist you to complete your check-in formalities.

Agra came into the limelight during the rule of the Afghan King Sikandar Lodhi – who had made it the capital of his empire. Later in 1526 A.D., the Mughal Emperor Babar took upon himself the task for rendering Agra, a unique character, and beauty of its own. The next few hundred years of Agra witnessed the rise of the pomp and pageantry of three great Mughal monarchs – Emperor Akbar, Jehangir, and Shahjahan. In modern times, the city of Agra is a thriving carpet industry where you can also find leather workers, sandstone and marble sculptors, some of whom claim to be direct descendants of the craftsmen who had helped build the Taj Mahal.

Visit the Taj Mahal, monument remains closed on all Fridays. Taj Mahal was built by an emperor in memory of his beloved queen. Construction of the Taj Mahal began in 1631 and is believed to have taken 18 years to complete, with over 20,000 craftsmen working around the clock. The design and construction are said to be that of the legendary architect, Ustad Ahamad Lahori. What makes the Taj Mahal unique is its perfect proportions, distinct femininity, the medium of construction and ornamentation. Its marble exterior reflects rose and golden tints at sunrise and sunset, while it is dazzling white during the day. It is impossible to visualize the Taj Mahal in any surrounding others than its paradoxical garden. Paradise, in Islam, is visualized as a lush garden where running streams flow.

Later visit the impressive Agra Fort, the seat and stronghold of the Mughal Empire for successive generations. The buildings within this sprawling fort complex represent the assimilation of different cultures, which was the mark of the Mughal period. Most of the structures within the Agra Fort are a mixture of different architectural styles.

Overnight is in Agra

Today after breakfast, you will drive to Ranthambore (approx. 294 km / 6 hours) en-route visiting Fatehpur Sikri – the deserted red sandstone city that was built by Emperor Akbar as his capital. Ponder the mysterious desertion of this capital city that was dramatically abandoned a few years after it was built. It was a veritable fairytale city and its ‘ruins’ are still in a pristine condition. It is not hard to imagine what the court life must have been like in the days of its grandeur.

Continue your drive to Ranthambore where upon arrival, check-in at your hotel.

Ranthambore National Park is regarded as the most suitable place for wildlife photography in the world. The park is majorly famous for its tigers and is one of the best locations in India to see the majestic predators in its natural habitat. Ranthambhore is also counted as the famous heritage site because of the pictorial ruins that dot the wildlife park. The time spends on watching tigers roaming around, verdant greenery, a gamut of other species of chirpy birds and animals is priceless and worth enough to be explored at least once in a life.

Spend the evening at leisure.

Overnight is in Ranthambhore

Breakfast at Hotel.

Day at leisure

Overnight is in Ranthambhore

Today after breakfast, you will drive to Jaipur (approx. 170 km / 4 hours).

Jaipur – the capital of Rajasthan province is known for its arts and crafts, jewelry, hand-painted fabrics and stone sculptures; it is one of North India’s finest examples of a planned city embodying the best of Rajput and Mughal architecture.

Upon arrival in Jaipur, you will be met & assisted by LUMLE representative for your check-in at the hotel.

The evening is at your leisure.

Overnight is in Jaipur

After breakfast, visit Amber Fort. High above the city, the towers and domes of the Amber Fort are reminiscent of scenes from some fairy tale. The palace itself is within the enormous fort complex and is replete with halls, gardens, pavilions, and temples. The Hall of Mirrors is not to be missed where one lit matchstick can illuminate the entire room.

Later proceed to visit the City Palace Museum where you can see an imposing blend of traditional Rajasthani and Mughal Art. The museum is resplendent with its collection of robes of royal princes, carpets, an armory of old weapons, miniature paintings portraying court scenes, battle scenes and processions, Also visit the awe inspiring Jantar Mantar (an accurate observatory built in 1726 AD).

Your tour also included is a photo visit at the Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds) – a five storied wonder with a spectacular pyramidal facade and overhanging windows with latticed screens, domes, and spires.

Later walk through the colorful markets of Jaipur.

Overnight is in Jaipur.

The morning after breakfast you will set your return journey to Delhi (approx. 260 km / 5 hours). On arrival and transfer to hotel. After freshen-up you can do go some shopping in the Delhi market. For example – Channa Market, Connaught Place, Chandni Chowk, Karol Bagh etc. and return back to the hotel.

Overnight is in Delhi

Delhi – Kalka By Train
Kalka – Shimla By Surface

Today prior to your train departure time you will be met by a LUMLE representative and be transferred to New Delhi Railway Station, to board your train to Kalka.

Departure – Delhi At 0740 By Kalka Shatabdi
Arrival – Kalka At 1145 AC Chair Car

On arrival in Kalka, you will be driven to Shimla (120 km / 04 hrs approx) where upon arrival you will check in at the hotel.

Shimla, the capital city of Himachal Pradesh, It lies about 343 km from Delhi at an altitude of 2,213 meters above sea level. Before the British discovered it in 1819, Shimla was a small village that was part of the Nepalese kingdom. In 1830, the local Raja was persuaded to part with the land by the British and the settlement became the subcontinent’s most fashionable summer resort. Shimla was declared the summer capital of India in 1864. After India’s independence, Shimla became the capital of Punjab till 1966, when it came under Himachal Pradesh.

Spend the rest of the evening at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

Today morning after breakfast, set off for the Shimla Tour with your guide.

Start by visiting the Vice-regal Lodge, this also happens to be the place where the partition of India into two parts India and Pakistan was planned on the world map. The British architecture here is amazing; the wooden work inside the building is still kept alive as it was during the British rule. The building is now used by Indian scholars and is called Institute for Advanced Studies. After the tour of this impressive building visit a Hindu temple containing shrines to the many and various Hindi gods.

After lunch (at your own cost), enjoy a leisurely stroll back along the Mall to Scandal Point. En route, it may be possible to have a quick look at the Gaiety Theatre or Christ Church. Alternatively, find a spot for refreshments whilst viewing snow-capped Himalayan peaks (if the weather is clear).

The evening is at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

Today morning enjoy your breakfast at the hotel.

Breakfast will be available in our hotel’s restaurant. Your time is free to explore Shimla at your own pace today. Perhaps stroll through the pine forests, or relax and enjoy the facilities of the hotel.

Overnight at the hotel.

Shimla – Kalka By Surface
Kalka – Delhi By Train

Today Morning after breakfast you will be transferred to Shimla Railway station to board your Toy Train till Solan where from you will be driven by surface to Kalka Railway Station to board your further train.

Departure – Shimla At 1030 By Himalayan Queen
Arrival – Solan At 1312 Non AC Chair Car

Toy Train, a narrow gauge line covering almost 100 km, where the top speed rarely exceeds 20 mph. This rail link was built by the British in 1904 and has a total of 105 tunnels (distance is marked in 1/20km on the right-hand side of the track).

Departure – Kalka At 1745 By Kalka Shatabdi
Arrival – Delhi At 2155 AC Chair Car

Upon arrival in Delhi, you will be met & transferred to your hotel.

Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, you will be dropped to Delhi airport for your final journey back home.