Discover the spectacular sights of India's famous Golden Triangle including both old and new Delhi, the Pink City of Jaipur and Agra - home to the magnificent Taj Mahal. Also explore the Chand Baori step well and sample traditional rural life in the quaint village of Bharatpur on this classic 8 day tour of India.
Trip Highlights
Included
Not Included
Itinerary
Delhi
Saturday. Welcome to India! On arrival in Delhi you are transferred from the airport to our hotel. Enjoy the rest of your first day exploring independently in the city. Perhaps visit Akshardham - the world’s largest Hindu temple. This evening we have a welcome meeting at 18:00 at the hotel to meet our guide the rest of the group.
Overnight: Delhi
Old and New Delhi sightseeing
This morning, we enjoy a full day of sightseeing in India’s capital. In Old Delhi we see the UNESCO-listed Humayun’s Tomb and visit Jama Masjid - the oldest and largest mosque in the whole of India. We also visit Raj Ghat, the site of Gandhi’s cremation. An eternal flame now burns here in his honour. Continue to the bustling Chandni Chowk bazaar for an exhilarating rickshaw ride. Later explore New Delhi, including the Rajpath and the impressive India Gate monument. This evening we enjoy a group Namaste dinner.
Overnight: Delhi | Breakfast, Dinner
Jaipur - the Pink City!
Delhi - Jaipur. We leave Delhi and travel to UNESCO-listed Jaipur today. In 1876 the Maharaja had the Old City painted pink to herald a visit by the Prince of Wales (soon to be King Edward VII), giving Jaipur its famous nickname. This afternoon we tour the City Palace in the centre of the Old City and the UNESCO-listed Jantar Mantar space observatory.
Overnight: Jaipur | Breakfast
Amber Fort
Enjoy an optional hot air balloon ride over Jaipur this morning, an unforgettable experience. Sail over the beautiful region with the Pink City below you and pass over palaces, villages and temples. We then take a jeep ride to visit the famous lakeside palace of Amber Fort. Walk down cobbled streets and explore courtyards laid out over four levels. We continue to a local cotton weaving house on our way back to Jaipur.
Overnight: Jaipur | Breakfast
Chand Baori & Keoladeo Ghana National Park
Jaipur - Abhaneri - Bharatpur. Say goodbye to Jaipur today as we travel to the village of Abhaneri to see the beautiful Chand Baori step well, where 3,500 steps climb down to the water’s edge. The well famously featured in the blockbuster movie ‘Batman: The Dark Knight Rises’.
We continue to a local school (if open), where we operate our Change for Children programme. Any donations we can give here will make a real difference to the lives of underprivileged children. You may also wish to bring some educational gifts with you from home to give to the pupils (see trip notes). Finally, we visit the UNESCO-listed Keoladeo Ghana National Park. Enjoy a rickshaw ride around this wetland reserve, home to hundreds of bird species. We are then escorted by a knowledgeable guide who will help us spot and identify these birds.
Overnight: Bharatpur | Breakfast, Dinner
The Taj Mahal
Bharatpur - Agra. We visit the former Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri this morning, which has laid abandoned for more than 400 years. Continue to Agra where we see the imposing Agra Fort, before paying a visit to India’s most iconic site - the Taj Mahal. This famous monument was built by Emperor Shah Jahan in the 17th century in memory of his beloved wife who died tragically in childbirth. It remains the most extravagant monument to love ever built and is the enduring symbol of India. Enjoy a tour of this famous site before we continue to our hotel.
Overnight: Agra | Breakfast
Return to Delhi
Agra - Delhi. After breakfast we return to Delhi, where the rest of the day is free for you to explore. Perhaps visit the impressive Red Fort and enjoy its Sound and Light Show after dark.
Overnight: Delhi | Breakfast
Delhi
Saturday. Our tour comes to an end today with an included departure transfer to the airport.
Breakfast
Golden Triangle & Kerala Tour
Uncover the delights of India’s famed Golden Triangle - Delhi, Jaipur and Agra, then head south to tropical Kerala. Visit historic Fort Kochi and the picturesque hill station of Munnar with its verdant tea plantations, relax in sleepy Kumarakom and spend a night aboard a house-boat, gliding along the palm fringed backwaters.
Our Golden Triangle & Kerala tour includes the arrangements of our Taj Traveller tour coupled with a week of sightseeing and relaxing in captivating Kerala.
View our other add-ons available or check out our short stays. Can’t find what you’re looking for? get in touch, we can arrange private touring arrangements before or after your group tour. Alternatively, you could arrange your entire holiday on a private basis, exclusively for you and your family or friends by paying the private tour supplement. Details are noted at the bottom of the prices & dates tab.
For information about visas, top travel tips, best time to travel and much more, browse our dedicated travel guide.
Prices & Dates
Departure dates are guaranteed with a minimum of 4 persons. 'Twin Share' prices are per person when there are 2 people sharing a room. 'Single Room' prices are applicable to those who don’t have anyone to share a room with or anyone wanting the privacy of a single room.
Read More
Extra Prices
Hotels
The hotels listed below are ones which we frequently use on this tour. We reserve the right to substitute these hotels to ones of a similar standard.
Vivanta by Taj Dwarka, Delhi
Vivanta by Taj Dwarka is a modern, luxury hotel located in Dwarka, on the outskirts of New Delhi, just a 15-minute drive from the airport. Spread over 7 acres, this striking hotel has a unique angular design and offers 250 luxurious rooms and suites. All tastes are catered for at the hotel's multi-cuisine restaurant, while the Indus Express restaurant serves mouth-watering Punjabi cuisine. Head to the popular Tipple bar for a delicious array of heady cocktails or relax by the poolside with a refreshing smoothie from the Celsuis Pool Bar. The nearby Sector 21 Metro station provides direct access to the heart of the city and after a day of sightseeing you can cool off with a refreshing dip in the outdoor pool or relax in the sauna and massage parlour.
Crowne Plaza New Delhi Rohini, Delhi
Located just footsteps from the nearest metro station, the Crowne Plaza New Delhi offers a beautiful blend of contemporary facilities and warm Indian hospitality. Each en-suite guestroom features traditional wood furnishings and a minibar, free WiFi and a flat screen TV. Guests can unwind in the Adya Spa which features a mix of Asian and European therapies or take a swim in the outdoor pool to escape the heat. The hotel prides itself on its range of dining options including the Spice Art restaurant, which serves delicious North Indian cuisine, and Moasic, where you’ll find a range of international dishes.
Hotel Jivitesh, Delhi
The Jivitesh Hotel is centrally located in the heart of Karol Bagh, a popular neighbourhood of Delhi renowned for its excellent shops and vibrant street markets. The Jivitesh offers comfortable and spacious guest rooms, with modern amenities such as free WiFi, and you can be assured of a warm welcome and excellent customer service from the hotel staff. Enjoy authentic Indian vegetarian cuisine at the hotel's restaurant and take a refreshing dip in the outdoor swimming pool after a day of sightseeing in the capital. Please note: The swimming pool at the Jivitesh hotel is currently under renovation and is expected to be finished by September 2020.
Mandawa Haveli, Jaipur
Made of pink and red sandstone, the beautiful heritage-style Mandawa Haveli is a fine example of typical Rajasthani architecture. All rooms are well appointed with intricately carved wooden beds and king-size royal portraits, with modern amenities such as free WiFi and ensuite bathrooms. Spend an evening dining on continental, Indian or Rajasthani cuisine on the outdoor terrace or request a private, candlelit dinner on the rooftop under a star-studded sky. Well located in the heart of Jaipur city on Sansar Chandra Road, this hotel is just a few minute’s drive from the Palace of the Winds.
Udai Vilas Palace, Bharatpur
Set amongst 2 acres of landscaped gardens, the Udai Vilas Palace is a traditional hotel located right in the heart of Bharatpur city. Guest rooms are spacious and well equipped with comfortable beds and large windows. The hotel is famous for its barbecue nights and Rajasthani folklore evenings, where you will be enthralled by traditional music and dance performances. Keoladeo National Park, one of the most well-known bird sanctuaries in India, is also just a five-minute drive away.
Hotel Royale Residency , Agra
Situated a stone’s throw away from the legendary Taj Mahal, the Royal Residency Hotel is perfectly located for anyone wanting to immerse themselves in Agra’s famous monuments. Each comfortable air-conditioned room features a minibar with tea and coffee making facilities, satellite TV as well as excellent en-suite facilities. Guests can enjoy an array of flavours around the world in the multi-cuisine restaurant, or perhaps sip on a cocktail next to the outdoor pool.
Fabulous trip - Really professional tour guide, very well planned whose knowledge was shared in an interesting and thoughtful way. City hotels were fantastic,less so in rural areas but in context of price paid and Indian infrastructure was ok. Historic sights are incredible and to be able to see so many in 8 days makes the lengthy bus journeys worth while”
The team in place in India are excellent . Pickup at the airport was prompt . Yusuf is an excellent tour leader and very knowledgeable.
Hotels varied in standard which we were aware of before we traveled . The only hotel which we felt was not acceptable was the mandawa haveli. The bed linen was clean but the bathroom was dirty with a disgusting white plastic shower curtain black with mould . The white towels were grey with stains . Also we were worried about the standard of electrics , loose plugs and a vey old electric fan as the only heater .
Apart from this one negative we felt the tour was excellent”
The Guide was fantastic - top notch, and absolutely an asset to On The Go!
Vans Pradeep really made the tour what it was.
Otherwise, the trip was spot on. Good hotels, decent restaurants, and the sights were fantastic. The Taj Mahal was better than expected, and I enjoyed the whole experience. ”
Vansh was an awesome guide. He was extremely knowledgeable about all the stops on the tour and about Indian history in general. He went out of his way to ensure that we all had the most amazing time. He is a very kind person. He has an incredibly warm nature and a great sense of humour. He ensured that the group stayed together at all times and gave us sufficient time to explore sites and take photographs. He is a 5 star guide and I will definitely request to go on a tour that he is leading in the future. Please extend my thanks, again, to Vansh for looking after us so well. I would like to nominate him for the best tour guide prize.”
This is my second trip with On the Go. It was everything we wanted. A trip that is jammed packed with so many tours and sightseeing.
We were lucky to have such a caring and an informative guide. Baazars was not included in the tour and us ladies love to shop and experience these markets. After our day tours our guide took us to a market in Jaipur he waited for us until we were done and took us back to the hotel. We felt very safe and very grateful for that. He gave us so much of information and made us appreciate India so much more. He guided us so well. He stopped so many times for ATM's and the restrooms. His stories were interesting regarding all the gods, different religions and the part of India. We had many fun nights with dancing and activities. We even had a dancing night on the bus.We were very comfortable with him and thank him for everything he has done for us. ON THE GO has 1 of the best guides in INDIA.
The overall trip was perfect and planned really well. ”
Fabulous tour. Great group of people. Fantastic tour guide. Mahindra made everyone feel welcome. His attitude was so positive and inclusive. He made me feel very special on my birthday by sharing Indian customs with me. I loved the marigold necklace. Mahindra was marvelous.”
A great taste of India, confronting in one respect but more than I expected, excellent food, great sights. I have done a number of group tours in different countries, a great tour is made by a good tour group and a great guide, we had both on this tour. Mahindra was excellent, related to everyone on tour, good humour, great knowledge, great organisation, a great ambassador for Ön the Go Tours". Everyone that I have spoken to since, I have recommended this tour and suggested that they ask for a tour where Mahindra is the guide. ”
Great tour - fast paced but gave us a small taste of North India. Yusuf was amazing - so knowledgeable, open to share information and kind. ”
Very good well organised tour, conducted by perhaps the best guide I have ever encountered. Informative, interesting and fun trip with too many highlights to list. It was great being met at the airport and transferred to the hotel. Good choice of hotels. ”
Mahi was a great guide. He was extremely friendly and knowledgeable. We were a very small group which was very lucky for us and although we were of differing ages we really gelled and much of this is attributed to Mahi. He made everyone laugh with his upbeat but relaxed personality.
He had a wide range of knowledge about each site we visited and was happy to share additional information about life in India. Although we saw only a small part of India I feel Mahi gave us a real insight into his amazing country ”
In Brief
Tour Add-ons
Enhance your trip with these amazing added extras and add-ons
Extra Tour Info
Fabulous trip - Really professional tour guide, very well planned whose knowledge was shared in an interesting and thoughtful way. City hotels were fantastic,less so in rural areas but in context of price paid and Indian infrastructure was ok. Historic sights are incredible and to be able to see so many in 8 days makes the lengthy bus journeys worth while”
