Bengal tiger, a national park Ranthambhore, India

Highlights of India - Golden Triangle & Tigers

  • TAILOR-MADE HOLIDAY IDEA

Duration

9 Days

Prices Start from

$7,734pp(ex. flights)

This classic tour of India’s Golden Triangle takes you to Delhi, Agra and Jaipur and also includes a few days at Ranthambore Tiger Reserve with private extended guided safaris. Stay in a mix of luxury and heritage hotels.

For the first time visitor to India, this holiday idea offers the perfect balance between fascinating historical and architectural sites and wildlife and wilderness, all in a short visit. Over eight days visit Delhi – the capital of India, the iconic Taj Mahal, four tiger safaris and a stay in the vibrant city of Jaipur. This is a wonderful dip-of-the-toe into the region and undoubtedly the start of a life-long love of this incredible country.

Key Highlights of this Itinerary

Taj Mahal, Agra, India 1

Visit the Taj Mahal

See the Taj Mahal at sunrise and sunset from five different locations.

Bengal Tiger, India 2

Go on Tiger Safari

An extended private jeep safari with our expert naturalist after the crowds have departed.

Humayun Tomb,New Delhi, India 3

Explore Delhi

Experience the amazing contrasts of Old and New Delhi with your private guide.

Palace of the Winds, Jaipur, India 4

Discover Jaipur

Explore this vibrant and magical city with our resident expert.

Explore our suggested itinerary

  • Day 1

    Delhi (The Imperial)

  • Days 2 - 3

    Delhi (The Imperial)

  • Day 4

    Delhi - Agra (Oberoi Amarvilas)

  • Day 5

    Agra - Bharatpur - Ranthambore National Park (SUJAN Sher Bagh)

  • Day 6

    Ranthambore National Park (SUJAN Sher Bagh)

  • Day 7

    Ranthambore National Park - Jaipur (Samode Haveli)

  • Day 8

    Jaipur (Samode Haveli)

  • Day 9

    Jaipur - Delhi

Day 1

Delhi (The Imperial)

Arrive into Delhi and transfer to your accommodation.

Days 2 - 3

Delhi (The Imperial)

Experience the amazing contrasts of Old and New Delhi with your private guide. Explore Mughal treasures including the Red Fort and Jama Masjid, complemented by more recent additions to Delhi’s architectural heritage, such as the stunning Lotus and Akshardham Temples. Contemporary Delhi thrives in Connaught Place with its colonially-designed buildings.

Day 4

Delhi - Agra (Oberoi Amarvilas)

Transfer overland to Agra, a journey of approximately four hours. On arrival check into your accommodation and see the Taj Mahal at sunset.

Day 5

Agra - Bharatpur - Ranthambore National Park (SUJAN Sher Bagh)

See the Taj Mahal at sunrise before transferring one hour to the train station at Bharatpur for your train to Ranthambore National Park where you will be met and transferred to your accommodation.

Day 6

Ranthambore National Park (SUJAN Sher Bagh)

Embark on a tiger safari. Stay after the crowds have departed with an extended private jeep safari with our expert naturalist.

Day 7

Ranthambore National Park - Jaipur (Samode Haveli)

Transfer approximately four hours to the city of Jaipur and check into your accommodation.

Day 8

Jaipur (Samode Haveli)

The capital of Rajasthan, Jaipur claims to be India’s first planned metropolis and acts as a gateway to the state’s other regions. Explore this vibrant and magical city with our resident expert.

Day 9

Jaipur - Delhi

Transfer to Delhi, a journey of around five hours for onward travel.

Our travel experts can tailor this itinerary to suit you.

More Details

Taj Mahal, Agra, India
Taj Mahal

A Tribute to Love

Motivated entirely by giving the best experience of this iconic landmark, your private guide will take you to view the Taj Mahal at sunrise and sunset from inside the grounds, but also from different locations, thereby avoiding the crowds and enabling you to experience other aspects of Agra. Often considered synonymous with the Taj Mahal, historic Agra is, in fact, bursting with a variety of Mughal treasures. Whilst its ‘piece de resistance’ is undoubtedly this iridescent-white tribute to love, the city was once the capital of the Mughal Empire and its legacy survives through the magnificent structures that dot the area.

Female Tiger, Ranthambore, India
Female Tiger in Ranthambore

Take a Tiger Safari

Ranthambore is famous for its tigers and is one of the best places in the country to see these majestic predators in the wild.  Your tiger safari will be pre-booked by us well in advance, ensuring you don’t have to navigate the ‘bureaucratic’ booking system. Safaris are designated in specific zones which are pre-allocated either in a shared jeep (a maximum of five per jeep) or if you prefer, in a private jeep. We recommend including an extended all-zone access permit with a private jeep and dedicated driver.

Palace of the Winds, Jaipur, India
Palace of the Winds, Jaipur

Steppes Insider Knowledge

Our regular visits to Jaipur mean we have excellent insider knowledge. Known as the ‘Pink City’ due to the pale red wash that coats its buildings, this magnificent metropolis lies on an apex of the ‘Golden Triangle’ route. Alive with bazaars, street vendors and Mughal architecture, Jaipur is a vibrant and captivating place. Dine on the terrace of the city palace, take a boat across Man Sagar Lake to see the Jal Mahal and enjoy early evening drinks at Bar Palladio – an exquisite ode to Italian style and cuisine, viewed through the prism of a Mughal dream world.

Accommodation

Below you can see some of the wonderful places we have recommended for this journey.

The Imperial £££££

  • India

Continuously ranked as one of Asia’s finest hotels, The Imperial Hotel, Delhi is a legend that offers a unique experience, embracing facets of India’s history. Built in 1931, The Imperial Hotel is known for its contemporary colonial style.

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Oberoi Amarvilas £££££

  • India
  • City

Oberoi Amarvilas is situated just 650 yards from the Taj Mahal. This is the closest hotel to the Taj and has the best views. They need to be seen to be believed. We don’t really need to say anymore. This is the place to be if your only reason to visit Agra is to marvel at the astonishing site that is the Taj Mahal.

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SUJAN Sher Bagh £££££

  • India
  • Safari and Wildlife Lodge

A luxurious tented camp close to Ranthambore National Park offers “African style” tents and authentic safari experience.

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Samode Haveli £££££

  • India
  • Forts and Palaces

The townhouse of the Samode family lies at the heart of Jaipur. It is a real find with fabulous frescoes and large gardens allowing you to forget that you are in one of the city’s busiest streets. As with Samode Palace, the bedrooms are scattered around the rambling building and are superbly decorated. The huge swimming pool is one of Jaipur’s finest and is a draw in itself.

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How does this holiday make a positive impact?

A stay at Oberoi Amarvilas directly contributes to their close partnership with SOS Children’s Villages. In collaboration this initiative provides for the education and upbringing of 210 homeless children living within SOS Children’s villages across Indian cities, including Delhi and Jaipur. Team members and employees of the hotel group across India actively engage with the children, frequently involved in the implementation of fun and educational initiatives.

A stay at SUJAN Sher Bagh includes a direct contribution to The Ranthambore Foundation, co-founded by the Camp owners in 1988. Contributions support a wide number of initiatives including the Village Wildlife Volunteer Programme through which local villagers, farmers and cattle herders volunteer their time to provide surveillance, monitoring, anti poaching and research data. Aided by modern technology such as smart phones and camera traps, these efforts play a crucial role in the conservation of Indian wildlife.

Steppes Travel are proud members of TOFT, (Travel Operators for Tigers ) who, in conjunction with Global Tiger Patrol, support a sustainable approach to tourism in the wildlife reserves of India. Through our membership we have regular updates on which lodges are providing the most sustainable services in India. We are also given regular updates by a team of naturalists in India, informing us of exactly where the best tiger sightings can be found.

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Hidden

India: The Blue City of Jodhpur

Spend time in Jodhpur, sitting on the edge of the Thar desert and founded in the mid-1400s by Rao Jodha, a Rajput king, from from the Rathore Clan. Dominated by striking blue buildings and the magnificent Mehrangarh Fort it retains a Medieval feel with its maze of streets littered with ancient temples and historic havelis.

3 days - Price on request

Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
Jodhpur, India

India: Udaipur

A few days in Udaipur offers a romantic setting that is hard to beat. With the Aravalli mountains in the distance and beauty of Lake Pichola, it is a picturesque and peaceful spot. Add to this Jain temples, bazaars and vibrant art scene and it offers something for those wishing to just relax for a few days or continue soaking up the culture and buzz of Rajasthan. Stay at the Lake Palace for unbeatable views over the lake.

3 days - Price on request

Lake Pichola & City Palace, Udaipur, India
Udaipur, India

A note on price

Prices will vary depending on the time of year you are travelling. Prices do not include international flights. Please ask one of our Travel Experts for an accurate quote. Flights purchased through Steppes Travel departing from the UK are ATOL protected.

This Itinerary
Price
From $7,734 Per person

When to travel

India in January

January is a very popular time to travel to India, due to mild temperatures and very little rainfall. The climate varies across India from snow in the Northern States to the Southern regions experiencing daily sunshine – perfect for an escape to Kerala’s beaches.

India in February

During peak season, February is an ideal month to travel to India, experiencing all regions of the country from Rajasthan in the North to Karnataka in the South.

India in March

Temperatures begin to rise with March typically being the last month of the peak season. A significant month for religious, Hindu festivals, March can become busy in some regions however also a perfect time to travel to experience Indian culture and wildlife.

India in April

With temperatures starting to rise, regions in Northern India start to become more accessible with excellent opportunities to discover hiking trails and the wildlife of these regions. Temperatures can sometimes exceed 40°C, with high levels of humidity in Southern India.

India in May

From May to September, Monsoon rains affect the North and Central states of India with daily rainfall and thunderstorms. During the Monsoon season, it is best to experience high altitude regions and avoid beach resorts.

India in June

Most regions of India will experience the Monsoon season in June alongside high daily temperatures and high levels of humidity. Whilst, not a popular time to travel, experience the mountainous regions as opposed to Central India to experience slightly cooler temperatures at the start of the month.

India in July

At the peak of the Monsoon season, most of the country experiences frequent, heavy rainfall. Whilst travel plans may be interrupted due to the climate, it is a great time to visit India to experience the national parks and the great outdoors.

India in August

As the Monsoon continues, the climate is very similar to that of June and July. Whilst not a suitable time to travel to India’s Southern beaches, other Northern Regions are popular with locals for hiking and outdoor pursuits.

India in September

As the final month of the Monsoon season, rainfall will be less frequent with the occasional sunny spell showcasing the lush, green vegetation that has flourished during the heavy rains.

India in October

As the monsoon rains have finished, humidity levels remain high and the peak travel season begins. During the month of October, there are lots of religious festivals, including Diwali, where some regions may become busier with domestic tourists.

India in November

As one of the best times to visit the country, November brings comfortable temperatures for sightseeing with the monsoon rains dying out from October. As the temperatures drop, however, Northern India and the Himalayas will become less accessible.

India in December

In December, temperatures and climate will be dependant on the region. In the Southern States, India will see a pleasant and mild climate, ideal for sightseeing, whereas, in Northern India and mountainous regions, snow and cold temperatures are likely.

Why Choose Steppes?

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