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For other destinations and types of holiday, visit Kuoni
For other destinations and types of holiday, visit Kuoni 
Discover remarkable Indian architecture like this rose-hued haveli in Jaipur when you take a tailor-made holiday with Alfred&.

India’s Genuine Golden Triangle

By Gemma Wilson-Dines
India Travel Expert for Alfred&

Head into the real heart of Rajasthan on this Golden Triangle tour with a difference. From the frenetic streets of Delhi, to the rose-tinted buildings of Jaipur and marbled walls of the Taj Mahal, you’ll experience all the highlights while staying in family-run guesthouses offering a unique glimpse into local life. Dine with your hosts, hear stories about their heritage and learn all about the authentic culture of this fascinating region.

Places

Length
8 days
Guide price range
£1,425 - £1,550pp
including international flights
Best months to go
September to April

Top Experiences
Itinerary Highlights

Agra

Taj Mahal at sunrise

Watch the Taj Mahal turn from gold yellow to a sparkling mountain white...

Jaipur

Experience the magnificence of Amber Fort

Jaipur has so many beautiful monuments, Amber Fort being the most impressive at 1,000 years old...

Delhi

Home from home at the Colonel’s Retreat

Guests often come back after a day of sightseeing in Delhi and tell me: “It’s nice to be home”...

Day by day
Itinerary in detail

1

Arrival in Delhi

On arrival in Delhi, you’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to explore the capital. Formed from what were once seven separate cities, today Delhi is a vibrant metropolis with a string of impressive sights, from the Red Fort to the elaborate Jama Masjid Mosque. Choose from a range of optional local experiences, including a hands-on cooking lesson, or get to know your hosts at tonight’s guest house. You’ll be staying at a family-run homestay opened by the owner’s father, who was a colonel in the British Indian Army. Take in the sunset from the terrace and enjoy a traditional north Indian dinner prepared by your hosts as you get an insider glimpse into local life. Overnight at The Colonel's Retreat.

Things to do:

2

Delhi

Enjoy a full day in the city today. If you’re feeling energetic, opt for a Delhi by Dawn tour to see the city come alive in the early hours. Alternatively, enjoy an optional culinary tour with a local food expert, take a rickshaw ride round Old Delhi’s higgledy-piggledy lanes or embark on a night tour of the neighbourhood to see its bazaars in a different light. Otherwise, head out to explore this captivating city on your own terms, before returning to your guest house for more stories (the colonel sometimes pops by, so if you’re lucky you might get to meet him). Overnight at The Colonel's Retreat.

Things to do:

3

Delhi & Jaipur

After breakfast, transfer by private car to Jaipur, also known as the Pink City. Painted rose to welcome the Prince of Wales and Queen Victoria in 1876, this striking walled city is home to several colourful temples, as well as the famous Amber Fort. Explore independently or head out on a private tour; options range from an architectural walking tour to a cooking lesson at a local 19th-century guest house. Your home for tonight is Ikaki Niwas, a historic haveli house where you can enjoy neighbourhood walks with the family and tuck into meals prepared from the hotel’s 20-acre farm. Overnight at Ikaki Niwas.

Things to do:

4

Jaipur

This morning is free to enjoy optional activities. Take to the skies in a hot-air balloon ride to enjoy a different perspective of the city, high up away from the hustle and bustle below. You may wish to embark on an optional walking tour of Old Jaipur’s haveli homes and temples or wander these blushed streets independently. In the afternoon, you’ll be driven to Amber Fort – a sprawling, UNESCO-listed palace, built from sandstone in the 16th century on a hill overlooking the city. Wander its cobbled paths, historic ramparts and elaborate halls – among them the Sheesh Mahal, or mirror palace. Built by Shah Jahan (who commissioned the Taj Mahal), this opulent, marbled hall is covered in sparkling mirrors inlaid into the walls and ceilings. Return to your guest house for another memorable evening with your hosts. Overnight at Ikaki Niwas.

Things to do:

5

Jaipur & Agra

Travel to Agra this morning to see one of India’s true bucket-list sites – the Taj Mahal. Set on the banks of the Yamuna River, Agra was the capital of the Mughal Empire until Emperor Shah Jahan shifted it to Delhi, and traces of its imperial history remain in much of its architecture today. En route you’ll have the option to visit Fatehpur Sikri, a walled city built from red sandstone that was once the Mughal capital. Otherwise, spend the day exploring Agra at leisure and settle into tonight’s accommodation – a brightly-coloured guest house run by a local tour guide and his wife, where home-cooked vegetarian meals are served at a shared table. Overnight at The Coral Tree.

Things to do:

6

Agra

Set the alarm early this morning for a memorable sunrise visit to see Agra’s crowning glory, the Taj Mahal. Commissioned in the 17th century by Emperor Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his late wife, this marble masterpiece is best seen at dawn, when the sky turns peach above its elaborate domes. Wander the gardens to admire its architecture before exploring the interiors, inlaid with semi-precious stones and inscriptions. Afterwards, opt for a guided walking tour through Old Agra, pedal around local villages on a cycling trip or embark on a heritage-themed tour to learn more about the women of the Mughal dynasty. Overnight at The Coral Tree.

Things to do:

7

Agra & Delhi

This morning enjoy the backdrop of the Taj Mahal before being driven to Delhi. Spend the rest of the day taking in the city under your own steam or choose from one of several tours. Options range from a photography workshop capturing the city’s spice markets to an evening tour of Old Delhi and Chandni Chowk market. Overnight at The Colonel's Retreat.

Things to do:

8

Delhi & Departure

Your tour comes to an end today. You’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight home or onward travel.

Another stop?

Extensions

Extensions

Extensions

Extensions

Holiday Budget
Guide price information

Low Season

01 Apr - 30 Sep

£1,425

High Season

01 Jan - 31 Mar, 01 Oct - 31 Dec

£1,550

Alfred & Gemma Wilson-Dines

Fascinated by the people, culture, and religions of India, Gemma feels right at home in this incredible destination. Having a grandmother who was born and raised in Ambala may well play a part in this! Favourite locations include the unique alpine feel of Shimla and the bright colours that typify Rajasthan. But her most vivid memories are from Amritsar’s Golden Temple, where she made chapati’s alongside the ladies in the ‘world’s largest kitchen’

Plan your holiday withAlfred&

Your journey will start with one of our UK team – someone like Malcolm, who's travelled extensively in India. They’ll shape your ideas into the trip of a lifetime. But they won't do it alone. They'll draw on the expertise of our contacts on the ground, connecting you to the people who'll make your holiday one you'll always remember.

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