Itinerary
Day 1 | Fly overnight to Delhi Fly overnight to Delhi, ready for your connecting flight to Amritsar. Day 2 | Arrive in Amritsar and Palki ceremony Arrive in Delhi to board a connecting flight to Amritsar. Transfer to the 5-star Taj Swarna for two nights. Visit the Golden Temple, the most important pilgrimage site for Sikhs. Witness the Palki ceremony before returning to your hotel for dinner. (D) Day 3 | Visit the Golden Temple and watch the India- Pakistan border ceremony Return to the Golden Temple, admire the domed temple and visit the community kitchen where volunteers feed tens of thousands of worshippers per day. Male visitors will take part in a turban tying demonstration while women observe the Punjabi art of embroidery, Phulkari. Drive to the Wagah- Attari border between India and Pakistan to see the changing of the guard ceremony. (Due to FCO advice we currently can no longer visit the Attari / Wagah Border Ceremony. We are monitoring the situation.) Enjoy dinner at your hotel. (B, D) Day 4 | Travel to Theog Catch the train to the city of Ambala and enjoy the journey southeast through the countryside (4.5hrs). When you arrive in Ambala, a driver will take you by car to Theog in the foothills of the Himalayas (5.5hrs), stopping for lunch along the way. Stay at the 5-star Taj Theog Resort and Spa for the next three nights. (B, D) Day 5 | Ride the Toy train and tour Shimla Enjoy a Toy Train ride on a narrow-gauge railway line opened by the British in 1903. Ride an 11-kilometre stretch of the heritage railway line from Shimla to Taradevi, enjoying views of forests, valleys and snow-capped peaks. Afterwards, tour Shimla’s highlights; Rashtrapati Niwas at the top of Observatory Hill, Sanath Art Gallery and Christ Church. Finally, stroll along the Mall’s pedestrian avenue before returning to your hotel for dinner. (B, D) Day 6 | Enjoy a free day in Theog Begin the day with an optional, six-kilometre guided hike. Soak up views of mountains and fruit orchards on the way to Daafi, where you’ll look over Bashnog Village with its traditionally built houses. Continue through the forest to Sarivan Village for a glimpse of daily life before heading back to the hotel. Spend the rest of the day relaxing at your luxury resort. (B, D) Day 7 | Travel to Delhi via Chandigarh Take a four-hour drive to Chandigarh, home to gardens and European-style boulevards. Free time in the city for lunch. Board the Vande Bharat Express train to Delhi for a three- hour ride through the countryside. Check into the 5-star Taj Mahal hotel for two nights. (B, L, D)
Day 8 | Tour Delhi’s highlights Start the day with a five senses tour of Old Delhi. Ride a rickshaw through the area, which is filled with Mughal-era architecture and ancient religious buildings. Soak up the sights and sounds of daily life on the main street, Chandni Chowk, home to Asia’s largest wholesale spice market, Khari Baoli. Browse market stalls and mix your own blend of essential oil, known as ittar and sample a range of Delhi Street food. (B, D) Day 9 | Take the train to Agra and visit Agra Fort Board the Gatimann Express train to Agra where you will visit Agra Fort. Afterwards, head to your base for the night, the 5-star Taj Agra. Settle in and enjoy dinner at the hotel’s rooftop INFINI – Sky Lounge, which is also home to an infinity pool. Sip cocktails and dine with sunset views of the Taj Mahal. (B, D) Day 10 | Visit the Taj Mahal and Abhaneri Stepwell Get up before dawn to watch the sunrise over the Taj Mahal. Stroll through gardens decorated with fountains and reflection pools that lead to the grand mausoleum. Return to your hotel for breakfast, then take a five-hour drive west to Jaipur. En route, visit one of India’s most impressive stepwells, Chand Baori. Continue to Jaipur, staying at the 5-star Jai Mahal Palace for the three nights. (B, L, D) Day 11 | Explore Jaipur Visit the City Palace, a collection of pink-walled temples and pavilions. Next, visit neighbouring Jantar Mantar, one of five observatories that Jai Singh built across India. Make a photo stop at the pink Palace of the Winds, before visiting Birla Mandir Temple. Continue to the Albert Hall Museum before taking a guided rickshaw ride through the old city. Optional sound and light show at the Amber Fort, bookable locally. (B, D) Day 12 | Discover the Amber Fort and Jaipur highlights Rise early for an optional hot air balloon ride over Jaipur. Visit the Amber Fort just outside of the city, known for its huge, gated ramparts, towers and Hindu design. Afternoon at leisure to relax at your heritage hotel. End the day with a cocktail in the Polo Bar of the Rambagh Palace Hotel, where you’ll also enjoy dinner. (B, D) Day 13 | Fly to Mumbai for a city tour Fly to Mumbai and stay overnight at India’s most famous hotel, the 5-star Taj Mahal Palace. Spend the rest of the day on a city tour, starting at the British-built Gateway of India. Stop at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, a Raj-era train station formerly known as Victoria Terminus. Get a glimpse of real Mumbai life at the Mahalaxmi Dhobi Ghat. (B, D) Day 14 | Fly from Mumbai Transfer to the airport for your return flight home. (B) For the full itinerary for this tour visit: vjv.com/india-taj
Extend your trip – North Goa Unwind on the shores of the Arabian Sea and delve into the captivating history of Goa and its vibrant
Portuguese heritage. 4 nights from £965pp Single supplement from £475
31 For more information & to book online visit vjv.com or call us on 020 3553 3945
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