GOLDEN TRIANGLE
A cultural tour of India

For people with very little time, our famous Golden Triangle tour allows you to see three of the most significant tourist destinations India has to offer: Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. The trip will provide you the opportunity to sample the Taj Mahal, the magnificent architecture of Jaipur, including Amber Fort and countless monuments in Delhi. This is only a quick introduction to the subcontinent, and we are sure that you will return to see more.

Day 1: Arrive Delhi
Namaste! We are welcomed the traditional Indian way with hands clapped together. After immigration and custom formalities, we are met and transferred to Our Hotel. In the evening we are hosted to a Welcome dinner at local restaurant.
Overnight: Delhi (2 nights) (D)

Day 2: Delhi
The capital of India is a true reflection of the old and new of India. We start our morning tour with New Delhi and visit the famous India Gate followed by the Houses of Parliament, Co naught Place and the Qutub Minar - a perfect minaret towering 102 meters / 112 yards into the sky. New Delhi is a blend of Mughal India, Hindu India, British India and certainly of modern independent India. After lunch at Local restaurant we visit Old Delhi, starting with the famous Red Fort. Built by Shah Jehan, this was once the most opulent fort of the Mughal Empire. Next we visit another Mughal majesty, the Jama Masjid, India's largest mosque, followed by the Raj Ghat, the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi. (B)

Day 3: Delhi / Agra (Drive 220 kms / 140 miles)
This morning we pass interesting Indian scenery as we drive to Sikandra. This is where lie the remains of Akbar the Great - one of the greatest of the Mughal rulers. A very simple mausoleum for a person of his stature. The mausoleum brings in a lot of visitors. We then proceed to Agra - the city that is home to the most well known of the wonders of the world - the Taj Mahal.
On arrival we check into our hotel
Overnight: Agra (2 nights) (B)

Day 4: Agra
Early in the morning we visit to one of the most well known wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal. Built by Shah Jehan as a mausoleum for his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj is built of white marble, beautifully carved and inlaid with semi-precious stones. Return back to hotel for breakfast. Next we visit Agra Fort, where Shah Jehan, was imprisoned by his son to prevent him from spending the family fortunes on a black echo of the Taj Mahal. We also visit Itmad-Ud-Daulah, often called as Baby Taj. A highly ornate edifice, this mausoleum is considered as the imminent precursor of the Taj Mahal as far as elaborate carvings and inlay work are concerned. Though the structure does not have much to offer architecturally, it makes a clear departure from the earlier Mughal tombs built during the period and is more softer and with a lot of inlay carvings. We end our tour with a visit to some of the local factories famous for inlay work on marbles and witness the complex art inlaying precious and semiprecious stones on the world famous Marbles for the mines of Makrana. (B)

Day 5: Fatehpur Sikri / Jaipur (Drive 235kms / 145 miles)
A short drive gets us to Fatehpur Sikri, the beautiful capital built in 1640 by the Mughal King, Akbar the Great. The city was later abandoned for lack of water. A superb example of Mughal architecture, it stands perfectly preserved in the desert. We also visit the artistically designed mausoleum of Salim Chisty who is reputed to have prayed for a son for Akbar leading to the birth of Salim Jehangir, the builder of the Taj. From here we continue on a countryside drive to Jaipur, the rose pink capital of Rajasthan.
Overnight: - Jaipur (2 nights) (B)

Day 6: Jaipur
A royal experience awaits us as we take an elephant ride uphill to the intriguing Amber Palace, a distinguished example of 17th Century Rajput architecture. After the tour and enjoying a panoramic view, we return to Jaipur to visit the old astronomical observatory built by Jai Singh the founder of the city. We also visit the majestic Palace, which houses a rare collection of Indian art, and the colourful bazaar. Jaipur is noted for its craftsmen, skilled in brass inlay, lacquer work and stone setting. Most of the buildings in the old city are made of pink sandstone and one of the most beautiful is Hawa Mahal, Palace of Winds, where the ladies of the royal harem used to watch the city from behind the intricately carved facade. Evening is free to enjoy both shopping and a cultural experience in the bazaars of Jaipur. (B)

Day 7: Jaipur / Delhi / Home
Completing The Golden Triangle, Today we drive to Delhi in time to connect our flight to Home. (B)

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Departure Dates
2012 English Speaking Departures Please call for details - 1-800-663-0844 / 1-604-264-7378
Inclusions
Tour Price Includes Tour Price Does Not Include Accommodation on twin-share basis in hotels as selected International Airfare & Departure taxes Meal Plan as mentioned (B=Breakfast D=Dinner) Travel Insurances / Visa fees Welcome Dinner at Delhi Entrance Fees to Museums and Sites All Sightseeing and Transfers as per the itinerary Drinks/Beverages with meals Dinner and Cultural Show at Jaipur Tips / Gratuities to Drivers & Guides Elephant Ride at Amber Fort (Subject to avaibility)   Services of Local English Speaking Guides   Porterage
Tour Price
We accept payment in US $ (US Dollars), CA $ (Canadian Dollars) or equivalent EURO (for clients outside North America). Bestway Tours & Safaris offers conversion rate protection. Once full payment has been received, and no modification has been made to the tour itinerary, we will honour that rate. For complete payment procedures, please download Bestway_Payment_Info.pdf Note: to read this file you must have Adobe Acrobat.
Hotel Category Double Occupancy Single Room Supplement   Option 1 Please call for details - 1-800-663-0844 / 1-604-264-7378 Option 2 Hotels City Option 1 Option 2 Delhi (2 Nights) Ramada Plaza 4Star (Superior Room) Vasant Continental 5 Star (Standard Room) Agra (2 Nights) Clarks Shiraz 4 Star The Gateway Hotel 5Star (Standard Room) Jaipur (2 Nights) Ramada Plaza 4Star (Superior Room) Trident Hotel 5star (Deluxe Garden view)
Estimated International Airfare - International airfare is NOT included in this tour
Canada - West Coast US $ 1600 USA - West Coast US $ 1400 Canada - East Coast US $ 1200 USA - East Coast US $ 1000
Participants
This tour operates on a minimum of 02 and a maximum of 15 participants.
Notes
Please note Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays
Customised Itinerary If you would like to have a tour on dates other than the above ones or with a customised itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy to work out an exclusive program for you. Foreign Language Departures Please contact us for information on French, German, Italian and Spanish speaking departures. You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com or call us at 604.264.7378. Residents of U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1.800.663.0844.