Grand Journey from India's Golden Triangle to Shimla for Solo Travellers

15 days - Escorted Tours

India is a vast country of contrasts waiting to be explored, from world-famous landmarks to wondrous hidden treasures. Your visit will be a real feast for the senses as the vibrant colours, delicious flavours and heady scents combine to make a truly unforgettable holiday. Specially tailored for people travelling alone, our tour starts in rural Rajasthan, where a potpourri of the ancient and the modern is so clearly exhibited. The ‘Pink City’ of Jaipur is popular for its wealth of palaces, fine examples of jaw-dropping architecture. The natural world is also a major attraction and there will be the opportunity to spot tigers in their natural habitat in Ranthambore. Of course, the highlight for many is the sublime Taj Mahal, a mausoleum so often seen in films and photographs, but there is simply no substitute for the feeling of seeing it first-hand. We conclude our wonderful journey with a breath-taking train journey into the Himalayas and the hill station of Shimla.

Highlights

Embark on a wonderful tour of northern India’s ‘Golden Triangle’.
See the breath-taking Taj Mahal bathed in soft morning light and go on a guided tour of the Viceregal Lodge in Shimla plus a walking tour of the city.
Experience both Old and New Delhi seeing all the major sights and enjoy a guided tour of the 400-year-old deserted Moghul city of Fatehpur Sikri.
Enjoy a driving safari in Ranthambore National Park, the best place in India to spot the elusive tigers and marvel at the extraordinary location and beauty of Amber Fort, home of one of India’s most powerful maharajas.
Explore the ‘Pink City’ of Jaipur, capital of the desert kingdom of Rajasthan with a guided city tour and travel on the famous Shimla railway on board a classic toy train for Kalka and stay for 3 nights in Shimla.

Inclusions

The price of this holiday is per person, based on one person in a twin/double room for sole occupancy. Price includes:
Thirteen nights’ accommodation
13 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 6 dinners
Scheduled flights to/from Delhi
All transfers
All local accommodation taxes
All flight taxes
All touring as mentioned
All local transport by train or coach as described
Hotel porterage of one item of luggage per person
The services of an experienced Riviera Travel tour manager
Indian visa not included.

1

Departure

2

Arrival in New Delhi - We will transfer to the five-star Le Meridien Hotel for an overnight stay. After time to freshen up, we begin our solo tour with a visit to New Delhi, where we see the Parliament building and the India Gate, as well as some of the more ancient sites of Qutub. This evening we enjoy a pleasant and informal welcome dinner, where you’ll have the opportunity to get to know your tour manager and other like-minded travellers exploring the world on their own.

3

Old Delhi - After breakfast, we continue our exploration of the city to Old Delhi, where we visit Mahatma Gandhi’s modest memorial, and the Gurudwara Bangla Sahib Temple, one of the most prominent Sikh gurdwaras - or Sikh house of worship - in Delhi. We continue to Agra where we stay at the four-star hotel – the Oberoi Trident.

4

Taj Mahal - An early start this morning will be worth the while when we witness the glorious sun rising over the stunning Taj Mahal. As the mist rises above the adjoining Yamuna River, the constantly changing colours of the marble domes further highlight the symmetrical beauty of one of the modern wonders of the world. Our tour continues to the huge terracotta-coloured Agra Fort, the headquarters of the Mughal Empire for many years. Later this evening, you’ll have the option to return to the Taj Mahal to enjoy the sunset. Personalise your holiday - Moonlight Garden and Baby Taj Moonlight Garden lies north of the Taj Mahal complex on the opposite side of the Yamuna River and was built to align perfectly with the Taj Mahal. We will get the chance to explore the gardens which also offer some amazing views of the Taj Mahal. After this we will visit “Itmad-ud-Daula Tomb” which is built completely in white marble and is often described as a "jewel box" and also called the "Baby Taj". From £15pp Please contact us for more information and to add the above experience to your booking.

5

Fatehpur Sikri - Leaving Agra this morning we continue towards the ancient, abandoned city of Fatehpur Sikri, built in 1571, as Emperor Akbar’s imperial capital. Although it was mysteriously abandoned just 15 years later, it remains in a remarkable state of preservation, with numerus palaces, wide courtyards and beautiful carvings. We stop for lunch (included) at the the Laxmi Vilas Palace in Bharat before going on to the railway station to catch the Shatabdi Express for our comfortable two-and-a-half-hour journey to Ranthambore National Park. Originally the private hunting preserve of Maharajahs, its 400 square kilometres of forested rolling hills, valleys and lakes form a unique ecosystem. Started in 1973, India’s famous Tiger Project was created to protect the country’s tiger population. Despite many difficulties, the tigers of Ranthambore have survived and numbers have stabilised. Our hotel for the next two nights is the comfortable family-run three-star Ranthambore Regency on full board basis.

6

Tiger safari - This morning, we rise early in the hopes of catching a glimpse of Ranthambore’s famous tigers on safari. Specially adapted four-wheel-drive vehicles manned by expert drivers will take us around the vast national park to spot the many different wildlife species that call it home, including antelopes, monkeys, crocodiles, wild boar, and rare sloth bears. We return to our hotel later this morning with plenty of time to relax and have a bite before our second safari drive to spot yet more fantastic wild creatures. Dinner is included this evening.

7

Jaipur - The ‘Pink City’ of Jaipur is our destination today, as we leave the natural playground of Ranthambore behind. One of Jaipur’s highlights is the Astronomical Observatory, home to a multitude of huge sundials. We will also visit the City Palace where the Maharajah of Jaipur still resides. Later we check into our hotel, the new four-star Marriott Jaipur for two nights. Personalise your holiday - Jaipur at night by Rickshaw The “Pink City Rickshaw Co.” is a unique innovative initiative of ACCESS Development Services, a not for profit organization and aims to provide a new aspirational employment opportunity to 200 women from low income households in Jaipur. Experience the medieval mystique of the Jaipur city by the eco-friendly auto rickshaws and enjoy this amazing and completely off-beat experience of Jaipur at night. The beautiful, iconic structures are gorgeously lit up after sunset and you will be treated to splendid views of the city. From £19pp Please contact us for more information and to add the above experience to your booking.

8

Amber Fort - Another icon of India is the colossal Amber Fort, located in the hills above Jaipur. We are treated to a local guide’s expert insights, so we can truly appreciate the fine details of this most magnificent of structures.

9

Rajasthan - Heading north deeper into rural Rajasthan, we'll pass small villages and towns on our way to the Sekhawati region of the state and the village of Alsisar. Once part of India's Silk Road, over the years the merchants here grew very rich, building luxurious mansions known as ‘havelis’ to display their wealth with magnificent frescoed walls. Though most have been abandoned, the imposing and luxurious residence of the local kings has been lovingly restored as a Heritage hotel. This afternoon we'll take a guided walk through the village to explore the best examples of the havelis and see the locals going about their day.

10

New Delhi - After breakfast we leave Rajasthan behind and return to the nation’s capital, New Delhi, for a one-night stay before our journey into the Himalayas. Tonight, we stay at the five-star Le Meridien Hotel. Dinner is included this evening.

11

Train to Shimla - This morning we take the express train from Delhi to Kalka in ‘chair-class’ carriages with air-conditioning and large windows. We transfer at Kalka to the narrow-gauge ‘toy train’, which although does not have the same creature comforts, offers increasingly stunning views as it crosses 800 bridges and goes through 100 tunnels along the 100km-route to the small station in Shimla. After a busy day of travelling, we will check into the luxurious five-star Oberoi Cecil hotel for three nights.

12

Shimla - Shimla’s colonial past is the main theme of our exploration today as we encounter the Viceregal Lodge and its stunning botanical gardens. Certain parts of the building are open to visitors and give a tantalising glimpse into the life of the Viceroy and his staff, who resided here for six months of the year.

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Free day in Shimla - Enjoy a day at leisure in Shimla, relax at the hotel pool or spa, or maybe take another stroll along the mall and do some last-minute bargain hunting in the markets. Alternatively, there are a number of short local ‘treks’ that can be arranged in the surrounding hills. A sumptuous buffet dinner is included this evening. Personalise your holiday - Fagu Valley visit with light lunch Fagu is one of the highest points in Shimla and from this vantage point we get views of the surrounding mountains and valleys, as well as views over Shimla. After our visit we will enjoy a light lunch in the afternoon at the Wood Ville Palace heritage hotel, which is the former summer residence of the Raja Rana of Jubbal, a pre-independence kingdom of the Shimla Hill States. From £39pp Please contact us for more information and to add the above experience to your booking.

14

Train to Delhi - This morning after breakfast, we drive to Chandigarh station and then return by express train to New Delhi for our last night at the Taj by Vivanta.

15

Return home

Ranthambore Regency

The hotel is built around lush, well-tended gardens with a small pool and plenty of quiet shady spots to relax in, this is one of our clients’ favourite hotels for its low-key informal atmosphere and personal service. There is also a large lounge with bar and a small shop. All guests are on full board basis and the hotel’s buffet restaurant offers a wide selection of (mild!) regional Indian dishes and western options. All 42 rooms are spacious and air-conditioned, with en-suite bathroom, hairdryer, cable TV, wireless internet (extra charge), mini-fridge, tea/coffee-maker and look out into the gardens. Swimming pools in India: most outside pools are not heated and may not be usable in the winter months.

Oberoi Trident Hotel - Agra

Managed by the famed Oberoi group, this low-rise modern hotel is surrounded by beautiful gardens with water features and a swimming pool. The hotel grows all its own vegetables, and the contemporary-style restaurant offers both buffets and a la carte Indian and continental cuisine, as well as popular wood-fired pizza oven. There is also a small lobby bar and fitness room. All 137 comfortable rooms overlook the Mogul-style gardens or pool and are air-conditioned, with en-suite bathroom, hairdryer, minibar (local charges apply), satellite TV, safe, wireless internet (extra charge) and tea/coffeemaker. Swimming pools in India: most outside pools are not heated and may not be usable in the winter months.

Oberoi Cecil Hotel - Shimla

The five-star Oberoi Cecil Hotel features Burmese teak floors with a magnificent atrium and is one of India’s best-known and best-loved hotels. The hotel has maintained a warm colonial feel, with a charming tea lounge & lobby bar, a heated indoor pool and excellent Asian Spa. The high-ceilinged, wood-panelled restaurant with its white linen-covered tables and views across the foothills of the Himalayas is a pleasure to dine in and, as you would expect, the service is exceptional. All 75 rooms are beautifully furnished in classically elegant style with a small seating area & writing desk, wooden floors, luxurious marble bathrooms, hairdryer, minibar (local charges apply), TV & DVD, internet access (extra charge), safe and tea/coffee-maker. Please note most rooms have king-size beds; a few twin-bedded rooms are available on request but cannot be pre-booked or guaranteed. Note: most outside swimming pools in India are not heated and may not be usable in the winter months.

Le Meridien Hotel - New Delhi

The five-star Le Meridien features one of the highest rooftop restaurants in the city. Dining choices include two speciality restaurants serving Indian and Chinese cuisine or the option of all day dining international cuisine, as well as the coffee bar serving light snacks. After a day’s sightseeing relax and take a temping signature cocktail in the Nero Bar. Alternatively, there is Henri’s Bar specialising in malts and whiskies. 24-hour room service is also available. Other facilities include an outdoor pool and fitness centre. For a complete spa experience the fourth floor features the Three Graces by Amatrra Spa. The 358 rooms are contemporary and cosy with en-suite bath or shower room, hair dryer, air-conditioning, mini fridge/bar (extra charge), safe, iron/board, TV, tea/coffee making facilities, complimentary Wi-Fi. Note: swimming pools in India are generally not heated and some may not be usable during the winter months.

Jaipur Marriott Hotel

This modern hotel has an outdoor swimming pool and spa, the hotel has two restaurants offering a selection of international and local fishes, a café/bakery and a bar serving drinks and snacks. The 374 modern, stylish, air-conditioned rooms all have bath, shower, hairdryer, minibar, safe, iron/board, cable TV, tea/coffee-maker and Wi-Fi. Swimming pools in India: most outside pools are not heated and may not be usable in the winter months.

Taj By Vivanta

Designed for comfort, with never-ending charm, the Taj by Vivanta boasts many amenities. From a spa that offers various treatments and an indoor swimming pool, to not one, but two restaurants – serving different styles of cuisine. Between meals, why not head to the bar or patisserie for a bistro-style savoury bite and delicate desserts? You’re sure to find the perfect pick-me-up. The spacious rooms are equipped with a TV, tea and coffee making facilities, a seating area, a safe and a hair dryer.

Kamer 1

Kamer 2

Kamer 3

Vanaf € 4.453,27

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