Golden Triangle – India & Nepal

Delhi - Agra - Ranthambore - Jaipur - Kanthmandu - Pokhara - Chitwan

Duration

17 days

Tour Type

Private

Price From

£4,240 pp

Overview: Golden Triangle – India & Nepal

Experience the best of India and Nepal on this 17-day private tour, combining iconic landmarks, remarkable wildlife, and breathtaking Himalayan scenery. Journey through India’s famous Golden Triangle and Ranthambore National Park before discovering Nepal’s vibrant cities, tranquil lakes, and unforgettable mountain landscapes.

Tour Highlights:

Discover Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur, including the Taj Mahal, Amber Fort, Agra Fort, and the bustling markets of Old Delhi
Visit Fatehpur Sikri and experience authentic rural life with a guided village walk near Bharatpur
Enjoy game drives in Ranthambore National Park, one of India’s best locations to spot Bengal tigers in the wild
Explore Pokhara, visit the Gurkha Museum, Devi’s Fall, the Tibetan Village, and enjoy a boat ride on Phewa Lake
Watch the sunrise over the Annapurna range from Sarangkot before travelling through Nepal’s spectacular countryside
Experience a wildlife safari in Chitwan National Park before discovering the cultural highlights of Kathmandu, including Swayambhunath and Patan

From the grandeur of India’s palaces and monuments to Nepal’s Himalayan landscapes and wildlife, this private tour offers an unforgettable journey through two of South Asia’s most fascinating destinations.

Day 1 - UK Departure

Depart the UK with international economy flight to Delhi. We can also arrange departures from your local airport at no extra cost.

Day 2 - Delhi arrival

Upon your arrival, you will be met by our representative at the Indira Gandhi International Airport. After a warm welcome, transfer to your hotel for 2 nights stay.

Day 3 - Delhi

Today, enjoy the day discovering Delhi, pacing through the city which is as historic as modern, like 2 sides of the same coin!

Enjoy a morning sightseeing tour of Old Delhi, which includes a visit to Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India; a rickshaw ride through narrow alleys and lanes in Chandni Chowk, one of the oldest and largest trading markets of the country; and drive past Red Fort, the place that marked the announcement of India’s freedom from the British Raj.

Later in the afternoon, discover the modern city of New Delhi, visiting the Rajghat where Mahatma Gandhi was Cremated, later continue to visit Humayun’s Tomb, the first tomb in India with beautiful gardens. Later you visit Qutab Minar, a fine example of Indo-Islamic architecture and the world’s tallest brick minaret and Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, the largest Sikh temple of Delhi, with a gold dome, still in active worship. Drive past President’s House, Parliament House and other Government Secretariat Buildings, the most imposing features of Lutyen’s Delhi and take a photo stop at the iconic war memorial arch, the India Gate.

Day 4 - Delhi to Agra

After breakfast, embark on a leisurely drive to Agra, city of the world famous Taj Mahal.

This afternoon visit the splendid Agra Fort, built in red sandstone, encapsulating magnificent palaces, halls of public and private audience and beautiful gardens.

Then, witness the surreal views of the Taj Mahal. Step inside this eternal symbol of love and appreciate the intricate designs and symmetries that rhyme as a poem written in marble. Taj Mahal is an extravagant display of love, built by Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. You may choose to stay back to see the glistening white marble beauty at sunset.

Day 5 - Agra to Bharatpur

This morning we leave for Bharatpur. En-route, make a brief stop to visit Fatehpur Sikri, the capital city of the Mughal Empire in the 16th century. Continue your drive towards Bharatpur, upon arrival check into your hotel for an overnight stay.

Later this afternoon you will be transferred to a nearby village to take a guided walk and experiencing the life in the rural India. The rural life of Rajasthan reflects survival instincts of the local people. The people of these villages belong to different communities and are segregated according to the nature of their profession. The villages of Bharatpur hold their own distinct charm.

Day 6 - Bharatpur to Ranthambore

Early this morning we visit the bird sanctuary – a marshy area, stretching over 29 sq km of forests, grasslands and shallow lakes, the park offers over 350 species of birds, native and migratory. Bharatpur is the Siberian Crane’s only known wintering ground in India. Enjoy a rickshaw ride inside the bird sanctuary.

Later you embark on a leisurely drive to Ranthambore, acclaimed as one of the best places in the world to photograph tigers in the wild. Continue your drive to Ranthambore and upon arrival; check in at your hotel for 2 nights stay.

Day 7 - Ranthambore National Park

Today, enjoy morning & afternoon Jeep Safari (accompanied by a trained naturalist) into the national park. The Ranthambore National Park is one of the prime examples of India’s conservation program, Project Tiger. Once the hunting ground of Indian princes, this national park stands atop a 600m high hill range, and is covered with thorn trees, scrub and grasslands. Dotted with beautiful ponds, streams, lakes and old ruins, it is the home of the tigers of Ranthambore that have often been photographed by visitors from all over the world.

Day 8 - Ranthambore to Jaipur

Today, enjoy an early morning Jeep Safari (accompanied by a trained naturalist) into the national park. Later embark on your drive to Jaipur the land of the Rajputs. Jaipur is an exuberance of colour, dance and traditional arts and crafts. Known, as the ‘Pink City’, Jaipur is home to ancient forts and palaces and is one of India’s most well planned cities. Upon arrival in Jaipur check in to your hotel for 02 nights’ stay.

This evening explore the many facets of Jaipuri crafts such as semi precious jewels, pottery, colourful embroidered fabrics with mirror work, woven carpets etc – watch artisans at work and enjoy souvenir shopping in this colourful city of Jaipur.

Day 9 - Jaipur

Rise early this morning to visit Jaipur’s famous Amber Fort. En route, take a guided walk through the flower market of Jaipur seeing the beautiful yellow and orange marigolds and other seasonal flowers, being traded. In close vicinity is also the wholesale vegetable market where farmers bring fresh produce to begin the day’s trading. Walking through the markets brings you to a junction where you will find the interesting and unusual milk traders of Jaipur, who bring their cattle’s fresh milk to be tested for quality, priced and traded on the spot. Be amazed at the primitive technique of testing quality of milk by dipping hands into large metal milk containers and evaluating the creaminess of milk supplied!

After a brief walk through the local trading markets, drive onward to visit Amber fort, built in the 16th century. The fort is a mesmerising blend of Hindu and Mughal architecture. The Amber Fort was used by the Rajputs for the dual purpose of defence and private residence. The fort encompasses charming gardens and magnificent palaces made from marble and precious stones, richly decorated with intricate stonemason works and paintings, which represented royal splendour and luxury of the Rajput era. To ascend up the fort, you may choose to walk, drive or take an elephant ride.

This afternoon take a photo stop at the Hawa Mahal, Palace of the Winds, with its unique layer-cake honeycomb windows designed to enable erstwhile women of the royal court to observe passing life without being seen; Jantar Mantar, the largest astronomical observatory built in stone, and the City Palace complex with its impressive gardens and museums.

Day 10 - Jaipur to Kathmandu

This morning after breakfast you will be transferred to Jaipur airport for your flight to Kathmandu, Nepal. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, meeting and assistance at the airport by English speaking representative and transfer to hotel.

Day 11 - Kathmandu to Pokhara

After breakfast we take a leisurely drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara, taking in the extraordinary views along the way. Upon arrival in Pokhara, transfer to hotel and rest.

Day 12 - Pokhara

Today we have an early morning drive from Pokhara to Sarangkot – walk uphill for 45 mins to reach Sarangkot Height to view the spectacular sunrise (subject to weather) – we then walk down and drive back to Pokhara for breakfast at the hotel. After breakfast, proceed to tour of Gurkha Museum, Devi’s Fall, Tibetan Village ad then sit back and relax with a one hour boat ride on Phewa Lake.

Day 13 - Pokhara to Chitwan

After breakfast, we drive from Pokhara to Chitwan, again experiencing the outstanding scenery along the way. Upon arrival in Chitwan, we transfer to hotel and rest.

Day 14 - Chitwan

Today is action packed with lots of activities to explore this wonderful national park. Events such as a Jungle safari (including elephant back safari in the community forest), nature walk, bird watching, canoeing (subject to water level) and jeep drive.

Day 15 - Chitwan to Kathmandu

After breakfast, we drive from Chitwan to Kathmandu which takes approx. 5-6 hrs drive under the normal road conditions. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, transfer to Hotel.

Day 16 - Kathmandu

Today we have a full day exploring Kathmandu and it’s surroundings. the tour includes Kathmandu City, Swayambhunath and Patan City.

Day 17 - Kathmandu departure

Today we transfer to the airport for our flight home. End of itinerary.