India’s Golden Triangle and Tiger Safari

Welcome to a tour during which you will see India’s top sights. We travel along the so-called “Golden Triangle” and visit New Delhi, Jaipur and Agra and experience the world heritage sites that are usually on most Indian travelers’ wish list. During the trip you will visit the lively city of millions in Delhi, the Mughal rulers’ grand palace and the fabulous Taj Mahal. The trip also includes a safari in Ranthambore National Park with fantastic nature experiences and good chances to see Bengal tigers in their natural environment.

India's Golden Triangle and Tiger Safari 2

Day 1: Travel to Delhi
Flights to Delhi via Helsinki. Meals are included on board the long-haul flight.

Day 2: Delhi
Arrival in Delhi early in the morning. We are now in the capital of the world’s second most populous country. We eat breakfast and experience how Delhi comes to life. India is one of the world’s oldest civilizations but has always been receptive to new impulses from outside. Delhi has at times absorbed various cultural expressions brought by long-distance merchants and foreign conquerors. Mongols, Turks and English have all left their mark on history. During today’s city tour, we see Delhi’s modern district (New Delhi) which has a more structured cityscape with wide boulevards, avenues and parks. During the tour, we travel along New Delhi’s parade street Rajpath and pass, among other things, the triumphal arch India Gate and the Dhyan Chand National Stadium. We also get to see the Parliament House, the presidential palace and government buildings and then visit two world heritage sites, the high Qutb Minar minaret from the end of the 12th century and the tomb monument of the great mogul Humayun built in 1570. At the end of the stay in India we get to experience more of India’s capital. Overnight in Delhi.

Day 3: Delhi – Agra (Taj Mahal)
After breakfast we travel through the Indian countryside towards the city of Agra. During the journey we get an insight into the everyday life of the inhabitants of the small villages we pass. After checking in at our hotel, we head to the wonderful Taj Mahal, India’s most famous building on the UNESCO World Heritage List with the motivation: “A universally admired world heritage masterpiece”. The palace-like mausoleum was completed in 1631 and erected by the Mughal ruler Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal who died in childbirth. Overnight in Agra.

Day 4: Agra – Fatehpur Sikri – Ranthambore
After breakfast we travel to Ranthambore through the Indian state of Rajasthan (“the land of kings”) with its fascinating landscape and rich history. During the journey we visit Fatehpur Sikri which served as the capital of the Mughal Empire from 1571 to 1585 before the city was finally abandoned. What remained, however, were the magnificent buildings with their magnificent architecture for posterity to view. The “Victory City” with its beautiful palace area and large mosque is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Overnight in Ranthambore.

Day 5: Tiger safari in Ranthambore National Park
We get up early in the morning to go on a tiger safari in the Ranthambore National Park, which since 1973 has served as India’s main reserve for the Bengal tiger. The day offers fantastic nature experiences with good chances to see wild tigers in their natural environment. Overnight in Ranthambore.

Day 6: Ranthambore – Jaipur
In the morning we head to Jaipur, known as “the pink city” because many of the houses in the old city center are built in pink sandstone or are painted in a warm pink color. We visit the famous Amber Fortress located just outside Jaipur which is built in red sandstone and marble. The fortress is a fantastic sight with its mighty retaining walls that are reflected in Lake Moala below. We go up to the fortress and see its beautiful interior, high-class murals, ivory inlays and mosaics. The fortress dates from the 10th century and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Overnight in Jaipur.

Day 7: Jaipur
After breakfast, a city tour awaits during which we visit the City Palace built in the 18th century as the seat of Jaipur’s Maharajas. Within the large palace complex with all its palace buildings, annexes and courtyards is the residence of the current Maharajah. If the flag is raised, he’s home! Parts of the palace have been turned into a museum with exhibitions including art, carpets and weapons. Nearby we see the fabulous Hawa Mahal (“Palace of the Winds”) in red and pink sandstone and the strange Jantar Mantar Observatory with its 27 meter high sundial. After lunch, the afternoon is free for your own adventures in the promenade-friendly city. Overnight in Jaipur.

Day 8: Jaipur – Delhi
After breakfast we return to Delhi – a bus journey of about five hours through the North Indian countryside. After checking in at our hotel, the afternoon offers a tour of the capital’s older districts (Old Delhi). We begin by visiting the Red Fort, which until 1857 was the residence of the Mughal rulers and from where India’s Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru in 1947 gave a speech to the nation to mark the Indian nation’s newfound independence. Then we continue to India’s largest mosque Jama Masjid (“Friday Mosque”) which was built in the middle of the 17th century by Mogul Shah Jahan (the Mughal ruler who also had the Taj Mahal built). Then we visit Raj Ghat, a memorial to India’s father Mahatma Gandhi. During the day we also see the old district’s famous city gates and other historically interesting places and also get to experience the city’s exotic bazaar area with its narrow alleys. In the evening we meet for a farewell dinner with Indian delicacies. Overnight in Delhi.

Day 9: Return from Delhi
Transfer to the airport before returning to the destination via Helsinki. Meals are included on board the long-haul flight.

India's Golden Triangle and Tiger Safari

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