9-Day India Golden Triangle with Tiger Safari

When you arrive in India, you will be met by our representative in the arrivals area and then taken to your hotel in a private car. After check-in, you can spend the afternoon relaxing in your hotel to decompress from your long journey.

Start your day by exploring Jama Masjid, a historic and large mosque crowned with three imposing black-and-white marble domes. Then walk down the sandstone steps into the bustling streets where you will take a rickshaw ride through the Chandni Chowk market which is lined with busy shops and full of people buying and selling goods.

The sacred Jama Masjid

In the afternoon, go and see the Qutub Minar, where Qutbuddin Aibak announced the advent of the Muslim sultans. Then visit Humayun's Tomb, the first great example of a Mughal garden tomb and also the inspiration for the incredible Taj Mahal.

You will also drive pass the India Gate, the Red Fort, the Rashtrapati Bhavan and the Parliament House..

The symbol of victory, Qutub Minar

Drive from Delhi to Agra in the morning.

Have a Walk in the village near the Mehtab Bagh in the afternoon. Say hello to the local villagers and have a glimpse of their daily life. Enjopy a simple high tea in a villager's house End your day at the Mehtab Bagh for the sunset view of Taj Mahal.

Get the classic view of the Taj Mahal from Mehtab Bagh, or the 'Moonlight Garden', which is a beautifully landscaped garden built along the Yamuna River.

Get the classic view of the Taj Mahal from Mehtab Bagh.

Today, you will take a tour of this fascinating city. The day begins with an early-morning visit to the perfectly proportioned Taj Mahal which was built as a mausoleum for the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan's favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, and is the perfect image of the Islamic garden of paradise.

The construction of this world wonder took around 20,000 workers over 20 years to complete. Walk around the famous Lotus Pool and take a photograph sitting on the marble bench in front of the Taj Mahal with its mirror image reflected on the lake in the background.

Get the classic view of the Taj Mahal.

Next, you will visit the Agra Fort, a red sandstone rampart situated on the west bank of the Yamuna River. This enormous complex includes many courtly buildings that range in style from the early red sandstone architecture of Akbar to the elegant white marble refinement of Shah Jahan.

In the afternoon, visit the small yet elegant garden tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah, often described as a 'jewel box' in marble. End your day in Mehtab Bagh, a garden that is an ideal place to view the sunset as it turns the white marble of the Taj Mahal into a beautiful golden orange.

Be impressed by the beautiful red sandstones of Agra Fort.

Continue your journey by heading east to the abandoned city of Fatehpur Sikri. Built by Emperor Akbar between 1571 and 1585, Fatehpur Sikri is a great example of the ancient architecture of the Mughal Empire and their walled cities. Your guide will lead you through the different sectors of the city where you can see the blend of Hindu and Islamic architecture. You will also have a chance to hear the stories of Akbar's leadership and secular governance.

Arrive at Ranthambore in the evening.

Unlock the stories of Akbar's leadership in Fatehpur Sikri

Explore Rajasthan's incredible Ranthambore National Park and enjoy two jeep game drives through the jungle and rugged terrain. The most famous resident of this wildlife park is the endangered Bengal tiger and it is a truly special experience to catch a glimpse of these big cats in the wild.

Apart from tigers, this park also has many other animals such as bears, leopards, jackals, elephants, striped hyenas, bison, monkeys, and several types of deer.

Indian jackals at a water hole

Jeep safaris take place early in the morning and in the late afternoon when the animals are most active. The safari vehicle is a 4-wheel drive Gypsy which is a 6-seater and is shared with other travelers. Each jeep is driven by a professional driver and guided by a naturalist.

During the safari, you will listen to the sounds of the jungle and see the beauty of the first light shining through the trees in the forest. This experience is a great way to gain a better understanding of India's endangered animals and their important habitat. This is also a great place for photographs so bring a camera if you want to get up-close shots of the animals.

Catch a glimpse of these big cats in the wild via a jeep safari

In the morning, drive to the Pink City of Jaipur (approximately 4 hours). When you arrive, take some time to enjoy your stay by relaxing in the courtyard of your heritage hotel. This hotel has a history of hundreds of years and is a beautiful structure with intricate ancient murals, high ceilings, and antique furnishings.

Experience staying in a heritage hotel

You will start the day at the Hawa Mahal or 'Palace of Winds'. This building's ornate pink fa?ade has become an iconic site in Jaipur and is a great place to take photos.

Afterward, continue on to visit Panna Meena Kund, one of the best-restored stepwells in Jaipur. This stepwell was once an ancient water storage tank and its intricate levels of cascading stairs make for a beautiful place to relax and take in the view.

The highlight of any visit to Jaipur is the Amber Fort. Sitting like a crown on the hilltop, the Amber Fort is famous for its architecture which is a fusion of Rajput (Hindu) and Mughal (Islamic) styles. From the Amber Fort, you can get a panoramic view of the city of Jaipur below you including Maota Lake and the historic pink old town.

The coloful buildings of Amber Fort

After the Amber Fort, you will then visit the home of a Jaipuri local where you will learn to cook classic Indian dishes. First, you will be greeted by the host who will start the class with an introduction to the spices and ingredients that you will use to create your meal. Then they will teach you step-by-step how to cook several North Indian dishes. After you are done cooking, share the meal you have made with the host and engage in the lively conversation.

Enjoy a cooking class and dinner in a local family's house

Drive back to Delhi by private car to catch your flight back home.