Down to earth holidays

Description

Our Golden Triangle tour makes an ideal introduction to India for the first-time visitor, combining the colonial grandeur of Delhi, the excitement of Jaipur and the serene beauty of the Taj Mahal. It is one of India's most popular holidays. But our tour differs from most other Golden triangle tours in that we stay in homestays - giving you a better insight into modern Indian life as well as seeing the fabulous historic sites.

You will have your own chauffeur driven air-conditioned car and of course the services of an English-speaking guide for the sightseeing.  What better way to find out about India than from the Indian people themselves? Of course a good local guide is very important if you’re really to enjoy the wonderful highlights you’re going to see on this holiday. But surely having the chance to get to know local people on a more informal and relaxed level would also be nice? That’s why we’ve based this excellent Golden Triangle tour mainly on homestays.  

Your tour starts in the capital, Delhi. On your first full day you will have a comprehensive sightseeing tour of the contrasting cities of Old and New Delhi, enjoying the hustle and bustle of the old and the elegance and space of the new. You will also experience that quintessential Indian mode of transport, the rickshaw.

Jaipur is the famous ‘pink city’, whose sandstone buildings were painted this colour as a sign of welcome for the visit of Prince Albert in 1853 and remain that colour today. It is the capital of Rajasthan and is a busy city with a range of impressive buildings which you’ll have ample time to explore. You will also have the chance to see the imposing Fort at Amber, another ‘must’.

Travelling on to Agra you will stop at the atmospheric site of Fatehpur Sikri, once a great city but fated to be abandoned due to the shortage of water. Many of the fine palaces remain as a tribute to its former opulence.

The next morning is an early start, but worthwhile to view the majestic Taj Mahal at sunrise. Surely no other building in the world can match this for sheer beauty and sunrise is one of the best times to appreciate its magnificence.

After a visit to the grand Agra Fort you will be driven back to Delhi where your Golden triangle tour ends.

Detailed Itinerary

1. DAY 1: On arrival in Delhi you will be met and transferred to your homestay to be welcomed by your hosts. You will spend the next 2 nights here, giving you a great chance to meet and interact with the local people who will enjoy having you as a guest in their own home. Settle in and make yourself at home and make friends with your hosts. D
   
   
2. DAY 2: A full day to explore the city of Delhi. With over 13 million people, this is a busy, crowded city with a full and rich history. There has been a city on this site since at least the 6th century BC and has since been rebuilt several times. There are numerous historical sites and monuments throughout the city reminding you of this varied past, and today your guided tour will take you to many of these. You will explore the bustling alleyways of Old Delhi and the wide tree-lined boulevards of New Delhi. You’ll also enjoy a ride in a traditional rickshaw. Return to your homestay for the night.  B,D
   
   
3. DAY 3: Today you are driven to Jaipur in your air-conditioned car. Arriving at lunchtime you have the whole afternoon free to explore the Pink City. With its geometrical layout, Jaipur is easy to navigate and you have the car and chauffeur at your disposal. Amongst the famous monuments are the Hawa Mahal, or Palace of the Winds, from behind which the ladies of the palace used to watch the city’s processions and activities without themselves being seen, and the fascinating Jantar Mantar or observatory. There are also several museums and palaces and the shopping here is excellent. Your base in Jaipur is another homestay, a gracious colonial villa surrounded by sweeping lawns and palm trees.
   
   
4. DAY 4: This morning you travel out of the city by jeep to Amber Fort and was the capital of the area before Jaipur. It is an imposing sight with a hilltop location and lake below. The architecture is a blend of Hindu and Muslim influences. Originally built as a palace it still retains elements of opulence and artistry, with murals, paintings, mirror work and intricate carvings. In the afternoon you travel back to Jaipur and have a guided sightseeing tour.
   
   
5. DAY 5: Leaving Jaipur you head to Agra via Fatehpur Sikri, a World Heritage Site. This was the capital of the Mughal Empire in the late 16th century. There are many surviving buildings including palaces, halls and tombs which hint at the former grandeur of the city. The city was abandoned after some 14 years due to the lack of water in the area. A short drive takes you to Agra, where you check in to your hotel and have the rest of the afternoon at leisure.
   
   
6. DAY 6: An early start as you visit the Taj Mahal at sunrise. This is surely one of the main highlights of any trip to India and is an unforgettable experience. Built in 1631 by Emperor Shah Jahan to the memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj sits on the bank of the Yamuna River. With its dome and 4 minarets it is an iconic building and one that never fails to impress. Up close you will see the intricate carvings and opulent mosaic decoration. After breakfast you visit Agra Fort. Built by Emperor Akbar, who also founded Fatehpur Sikri, this red sandstone complex stretches for more than a mile and houses a range of mosques and palaces. Later you will be driven back to Delhi, to the homestay. (B)
   
   
7. DAY 7: Transfer to the airport for your flight or onward travel arrangements.

Is it for you?

This is ideal for anyone wanting an introduction to India with limited time. The tour uses homestays, providing a further insight into the life and culture of this absorbing country.

Best times to go

The best time to travel is around October to mid-April. The monsoons season is normally from June to September. The temperature should range from a low of about 22°C to a high of 32°C.

Getting there

You need to fly and in to and out of Delhi if you’re only doing this trip. We can arrange your flights for you as required, so please contact us if you would like us to help you with this.

Responsible Travel

How your holiday helps:
Employment of local people as drivers and guides.
Staying in homestays benefits the local family and community.

Carbon Offsetting:
For every client we take on holiday we plant 10 indigenous tree saplings. This is used as a poverty alleviation and biodiversity scheme as well as helping with carbon offsetting. Click for more details…

Giving to grassroots projects:
Our registered charity, The Tribes Foundation, is currently raising funds for a project in Tanzania. The kindness of strangers can make a big difference, so if you’re a travel philanthropist considering donating to a worthwhile charity, please consider backing this excellent community project.

The Nila Foundation provides recreation, snacks, knowledge, and healthy addiction-free life for the children, women and men of Nal area in the state of Gujarat. It also focuses on respecting nature, diverse cultures and religions, and provides herbal medicines. It has introduced the KaamKaaj program, providing fabric for women to make clothes to sell, and is aiming to introduce sewing classes for the unemployed. One of the Foundation’s criteria is that the men and women who work for it must educate their daughters.

We will shortly have a page with photos of the project on http://www.the-tribes-foundation.org/.

Shop ethically:
If you support buying fair trade, ethical and organic goods, please take a look at our online ethical shop for books, maps, travel gadgets, first aid kits etc before you travel. This is also a great place to find organic goodies and handmade crafts, many made in the countries and areas that we visit. Shop at Tribes Trading.

FOR MORE GENERAL DETAILS ABOUT OUR RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL POLICIES, CLICK HERE.

Comments

Trip Code: IN1

Validity: 1-1-09 to 31-12-09

Individual Trip Dates & Prices

2+ people can take this holiday on most days of the year, subject to availability. Please call us to check availability.

Feb-Mar 2009: £615pp.
Apr-Sep 2009: £590pp.
Oct-Dec 2009: £640pp.

Pricing Notes:

• Prices are based on twin share, excluding flights.
• Please ask about child rates (if available) and single supplements. 
• Exchange rate fluctuations may affect these prices (see our Booking Conditions).  

Duration: 7 days

Included
All accommodation, all transfers, sightseeing and excursions as per the itinerary, services of an English speaking guide, meals as indicated, entrance fees, porterage, tourism development fee.

Not Included
Meals not specified, camera fees, tips, insurance, visas, international flights, items of a personal nature.