India Tour by Train Holiday Package

Day 2 – City Tour of Delhi

Today you would witness the contrasts in discovering Old and New Delhi on a guided tour. We absorb the colour and clamour of Old Delhi first, making our way through the kaleidoscope -coloured Indian sari selling shops, electronic gadgets of all kinds, and makeshift Dhabas (restaurants) that tumble onto the sidewalks of Chandni Chowk – Delhi’s oldest market. Old Delhi has been in existence since the Mughal empire as we witness the glory of the Shahs in the elaborate marble inlays of Jama Masjid – India’s biggest and most impressive mosque. Later we reach the majestic sandstone ramparts of the Red Fort. The British built what is now called, New Delhi and it is a mix of both modern and colonial era buildings – with beautiful pockets of tree-lined avenues and blinding-white Georgian walkways. We drive past the  Rashtrapati Bhavan and India Gate – built in the memory of Indian soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice in WWI; We while approaching New delhi would make a brief stop at Raj Ghat – the memorial of final resting place of Mahatma Gandhi, and UNESCO-listed heritage site of Qutab Minar – a 13th-century minaret , testimony of a masterpiece of Indo-Muslim art. Overnight stay after an exhaustive but amazing trip of Delhi at hotel.

Day 3 – Delhi – Jaipur

We depart on a road journey reaching the second stop of Rajasthan’s famous Golden Triangle tour, the city of Jaipur -”the Pink City”. The trinket in Rajasthan’s already decorated crown. The pink-washed archways, colourful bazaars and impressive palaces of Jaipur were the background for the film ‘The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel’. The rest of the day is free to relax at the hotel. Optional excursion available to learn flying a kite and enjoy a delicious high tea afterwards or visit an ethenic village resort in the evening and indulge in local cuisine and a cultural fair. Overnight stay at hotel in Jaipur.

Day 4 – Jaipur Tour

After a sumptuous breakfast Today’s tour begins from the outskirts of Jaipur from the UNESCO-listed  monument the Amber Fort – this was the erstwhile capital of the Rajput empire. This was carved out of the desert sandstone hillside, this palace complex rises impressively above a manmade lake. Within the creamy coloured fortifications, we explore a network of marble-inlaid halls, emerald-green gardens and recessed royal courtyards. Optional elephant ride also available to reach the gates of the fort. As we move back towards the city , we stop by for a photoshoot at the Jal mahal a palace in the middle of a lake, we later visit the astonishing Jantar Mantar. It was Built in the 1720s, such is the architectural and astronomical accuracy  that 27 meter sundial can calculate time to within 2 seconds. . Amazing for a 300-year-old clock .We drive past ‘The Palace of the Winds’ better known as Hawa Mahal, it was built in 1799 for the  royal women to watch street processions while in viel, like layers on a wedding cake, tier after tier of beautifully carved windows create Jaipur’s most photographed site. We would also be visiting in the same compound the city Palace museum which is part of the royal residence of Jaipur. Overnight stay at the hotel in Jaipur.

Day 5 – Jaipur to Rantahmbore Nation Park by Train

After Breakfast we share our first experience using Indian rail Travelling by an intercity express train in an air-conditioned coach, leaving Jaipur late morning for nearest rail head for Ranthambhore National park -Sawai Madhopur . Picture perfect setting for an Indiana Jones movie is the 1000 year old depilated fort amidst  the dense jungle as we try spotting the elusive Bengal Tigers. The day is free  at leisure or just sunbathe  by the pool ahead before the exciting  safaris tomorrow’s. There are also two optional excursions for the seekers : a guided nature walk; or take a trip to The Dastkar to see the splendid handicrafts made by the women of the native village. Overnight stay at the Resort in Ranthambhore

Day 6 – Ranthambore Jungle Safari

An exciting day has been planned with 2 jungle safaris. One is in the morning and the other in the afternoon in open-sided vehicles. The promise to see tigers and leopards are the big draw of tourist at Ranthambore National Park Jaipur, Rajasthan. Please also be on the lookout for the park’s other residents amongst the dispersed ruins and lakes – including hyena, sambar and other species of antelopes, wild boar, water buffalo, crocodile etc. Also there is a vast variety of our winged friends that make these safaris ever so exciting and colourful. Overnight stay at hotel in Ranthambhore

Day 7 – Ranthambore – Agra by train

After breakfast and checking out of the hotel another train journey is planned for you as you board the Shatabdi train to go to Bharatpur and then drive to Agra – the final stop of the Golden Triangle. Later we take a guided tour of the city. The city of Agra is best known for the Taj Mahal, and while it remains focus of our visit, this former capital city of the erstwhile Mughal Empire has more to be discovered. Let’s start with the UNESCO-listed Agra Fort. Built in 1565 by Akbar the great Mughal emperor, this huge red sandstone fort was completed over by his grandson and great-grandson, Jahangir and Shahjhan . A complete family home resulted in this 2.5km long and 21m high Fort. In comparison to size of taj , we  visit the nearby tomb of I’timād-ud-Daulah (also nicknamed ‘Baby Taj’) – a royal tomb built as a replica but a fraction of the size of Taj Mahal. Overnight stay at hotel in Agra.

Day 8 – Agra to Delhi Road Trip

Early morning we leave for the most exciting part of this trip, An incredible peace of art, a promise of love engraved in stone. Prepare yourself to be spellbound after you see this poem of love created in marble – The Taj Mahal. As we arrive by sunrise watch the marble walls change colour from flaming orange to coral and then just white, an architectural masterpiece – it was built by Shah Jahan between 1560-82 in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz, a lesson in true love. We take our photos and take a guided tour before the crowds move in. After breakfast back at the hotel, we travel back to Delhi with some very fond memories and to take our next train journey tomorrow  to Amritsar. Overnight stay at hotel in Delhi.

Day 9 – Train Trip from Delhi to Amritsar

We leave early today to board our train from New Delhi railway station for Amritsar. Zipping through changing sceneries, from rocky deserts to rustic countryside, we take the train into India’s Punjab region which is near the border of Pakistan. Begun by the Sikh guru, Guru Ram Das, the scintillating temples of Amritsar are a holy pilgrimage city for Sikhs. Golden Temple is the most revered of the Sikh shrines. The afternoon is at leisure at the hotel or you may opt for an optional excursion to the Partition Museum. Overnight stay at hotel in Amritsar.

Day 10 – Amritsar City Tour with Wagah Border

Amritsar is a city of overindulgences, where dazzling temples and artificial lakes offer moments of peacefulness and enlightenment amongst the honking traffic and full-to-bursting markets . This morning we begin our tour from Jallianwalah Bagh – a memorial to honor the Indians who died at the hands of British troops during a peaceful protest in 1919. Other than a visit to a local bazaar we would also be going to Durgiana Temple, or the Silver Temple – an ornately carved Hindu temple. We then admire Amritsar’s ultimate glory – the golden domes and mirrored waters of the shrine of Golden Temple – the holiest pilgrimage site in the world for Sikhs. Later in the afternoon we travel to the border town of Wagah to see the change of the guard – a scintillating military ceremony engaging both Indian and Pakistani troops that’s take’s place every evening since 1959.  This is attended by hundreds, amongst loud cheering from both sides of the border, it’s quite the spectacle building into a wild frenzy of nationalistic spirits. Overnight stay in hotel at Amritsar.

Day 11 – Amritsar to Chandigarh Road Trip

After breakfast we leave for the most planned city of India- Chandigarh – a modern grid-like city built in complete contrast to the architectural richness of the imperial cities. The city was designed by Swiss architect Le Corbusier in the 1950s. It is probably the most clean and green city compared to most other Indian cities. On your tour you would admire the modern and French-influenced colonial architecture. The beautiful Rose Garden – a 30-acre garden of perfume of over 50,000 rose bushes, and the quaint Sukhana lake – a boating lake popular amongst locals with a view out to the snow-capped Himalayas. Rest day free at Leisure. Overnight stay in hotel at Chandigarh

Day 12 – Toy Train Journey from Chandigarh to Shimla

Day 13 -Shimla Local Sightseeing Tour

Day 14 – Shimla to Chandigarh and Delhi tour