Golden triangle extended Rajasthan

Forts, temples & palaces, tigers & elephants, royals & riches, colours, and the hospitality of its people.

Delhi, the nation's capital, is "connected" to the cities of Agra and Jaipur in what is called India's Golden Triangle. The tourist's circuit got its name because of the triangular shape formed by the locations of New Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, on a map.

This journey through some of India's most popular destinations - Delhi, Agra and Jaipur - will give you a feel of the real India, a glimpse into its royal and cultural heritage, a taste of grandiose Rajputana and Mughal royalty as well as the British legacy.

In northwestern India, Rajasthan - the Land of Kings - is truly the jewel of India. The country's largest state by area, it stretches to the Pakistani provinces of Punjab to the northwest and Sindh to the west, alongside the Sutlej Indus river valley. It encompasses most of the wide and inhospitable Thar Desert, also called Rajasthan Desert or Great Indian Desert. Your tour of Royal Rajasthan will lead you through its rugged landscape to the discovery of its Rajput heritage, still apparent in its mighty forts, exquisite temples and grand palaces. The unique charm exuded by the cities of Rajasthan will leave you spellbound, while the rich culture, delicious food and the warmth and zest for life of its inhabitants will delight you!

One of the oldest mountain ranges in the world, the Aravallis, together with the shifting desert dunes of the Thar Desert, undoubtedly figure amongst the main attractions for travellers. Your itinerary starts in Jaipur and covers Ranthambhore national park, before extending deeper into Rajasthan to Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Ranakpur, Kumbhalgarh, Udaipur and Chittorgarh.

Ask for an offer

Budget

from CHF 2'740

(per person in a group of minimum 02 people traveling together and sharing a room)

details of the circuit

number of days : 12D / 11N
theme of the circuit : Adventure, Spirituality, Nature
Region : North west India

Useful information

Ideal period : October to March-April
number of people : 4 à 12
Main activities : Cultural
Nature
Adventure
Spiritual

Highlights of the circuit

Delhi, a city of contrasts and surprises

Where time travel is possible.

Delhi modern metro will transport you on a journey through time, from old Delhi where you will see men hauling sacks full of fragrant spices while others weigh gold on dusty scales, to the present-day New Delhi, ideal for enjoying high tea in a setting of colonial-era buildings, such as the buildings of Parliament. From there, you can hop to the futuristic skyscrapers of Gurgaon, a satellite city that will satisfy your urge for shopping with the glitz and glamour of its shopping centres.

Delhi is also one of the world's most polluted cities. Yet amidst the frantic hustle and bustle of a metropolis more populated than Australia, you will glimpse moments of pure magic -an elderly man threading temple marigolds; Sufi devotional songs; a boy flying a kite from a rooftop.

So, do not overlook this throbbing and astounding city which has so much to offer, where vestiges of the past will surprise you at almost every street corner.

Agra, the city of the famous Taj Mahal

"Taj Mahal - a teardrop on the cheek of time" - Rabindranath Tagore

Agra's many Mughal era buildings, among which the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri, make it a favorite tourist destination.

The timeless essence of the Taj Mahal shrouds it in an aura of magic. The muslim Emperor Shah Jahan, of the Mughal dynasty, had it built in memory of Mumtaz Mahal, His favorite wife, who died giving birth to their fourteenth child. the Taj Mahal was to be a gift to this most beloved wife and a lasting monument to his love.

The construction began in 1631 and the complex of buildings and surrounding gardens were finally completed in 1654. It sits on the banks of the river Yamuna, in the city of Agra. A combination of Persian and Islamic architecture, the walls of white marble are set with jewels and beautifully ornamented with carving and calligraphy. 20'000 workers are said to have worked for over 20 years to fulfill the promise of the bereaved Shah.

Ranthambore takes you to the wild world of tigers

Best place to spot wild tigers in Rajasthan.

Ranthambore national park is a 1334 sq km wide jungle-fringed with rocky ridges, harbouring 10th century Ranthambore Fort at its centre. All around the fort are hunting pavilions, ancient temples and mosques, vine-covered burial tombs called chhatris, and lakes filled with crocodiles. The park is now a sanctuary, yet it remained a maharajas' hunting ground until 1970.

In 2016 an estimated 52 to 55 tigers were still living in the park, so spotting one is a matter of luck. There is, however, an abundance of other wildlife to see, including over 300 species of birds. From Sawai Madhopur, the gateway town to Ranthambore, it is 10 km to reach the park's first gate, and from there another 3 km to the main gate and Ranthambore Fort.

Jaipur, the pink city.

The Pink city.

Jaipur, the fascinating capital of Rajasthan, is an entropy of noisy winding streets buzzing with an endless swarm of careening buses, auto-rickshaws and motorbikes, through which imperturbable camels forge their way. In the midst of this chaos, the majesty and splendor of Jaipur's history will seem like an oasis, allowing you a glimpse into another world.

At the centre of that world sits the City Palace- which is still home to the former royal family - the cryptic Jantar Mantar - the royal observatory - and the honeycombed Hawa Mahal with the bazaar below. The city is surrounded by arid hills that shelter the magnificence of Amber Fort, undoubtedly Jaipur's greatest attraction.

Bikaner, a gatepost to the silent desert

Rendez-vous with camels

The lively town of Bikaner is dominated by its impressive Fort. Less touristy than many cities in Rajasthan, it is a gatepost to the surrounding desert. It has a wide-range of hotel offers and attracts travellers who are looking for a more peaceful atmosphere and the possibility of a camel safari.

Jaisalmer, the vue of Jaisalmer Fort rising like a mirage in the middle of the desert

Life in the desert

The view of Jaisalmer Fort will take your breath away. You may have to blink to make sure you aren't experiencing a mirage rising from the dusty plain, made of the desert sand itself. Carved out of the same golden sandstone, the fort, with its ninety-nine bastions, and the spectacular Havelis, hidden along steeply cobbled pathways behind the ramparts, gave Jaisalmer its name of the Golden City. You won't be able to shake the sensation of being flown back into medieval times when the camel-train trade stopped at this desert post. Within its walls are shops swathed in shimmering embroideries as well as numerous businesses, but in spite of its mercantilism, you'll be hard-pressed not to be enthralled by this amazing citadel.

Jodhpur, the old medieval city painted in blue

Rhapsody in blue

The Blue City of Jodhpur really is blue!

Inside its 16th century walls, you can lose yourself in the maze of narrow winding streets lined with the blue painted houses of the old medieval city. One moment you will delight in the scent of incense and roses, the next will have you wrinkle your nose at the smell of sewage, but all along your imagination will be captured by the bustling of the busy streets and the crowded bazaars that sell just about everything under the sun, in what is Jodhpur's main tourist area.

You can escape this frenzy by venturing further west, to the charming and typical neighbourhood of Navchokiya.
Towering above the city is the formidable Mehrangarh Fort, a masterwork of architecture, and a truly striking sight.

Ranakpur, pray in one of India's biggest Jain Temple

Ranakpur Jain Temple - an exquisite work of art and architecture

The village of Ranakpur is where you will find one of India's biggest and most extensive Jain temple complex. Situated on the western slopes of the Aravalli Hills, 75 km northwest of Udaipur, it is 50 km by road to Kumbhalgarh (but only 12 km as the crow flies). It is also an excellent departure point for a visit to the Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary or for a day trip to the fort at Kumbhalgarh.

Udaipur, the

Udaipur, the most romantic city in India.

The storybook setting of Udaipur on Lake Pichola, with the yellow and purple ridges of the Aravalli Hills as a background, makes it unarguably the most romantic city in India. Fairytale palaces, fabulous temples, and splendid Havelis, not to mention the maze of narrow and crooked streets, add to the city charm and magic.

Among many activities, visitors can enjoy quiet boat rides on the lake, busy ancient bazaars, a wide array of shops and of course the beautiful countryside, which they can explore by bicycle, on foot or on horseback. It is to be hoped that its well-deserved name of "the most romantic spot on the continent of India" given by Colonel James Tod of the East India Company in 1829 won't be belied by the ever taller hotels that are being built and the increasing traffic jams clogging the city streets.

Chittorgarh, a symbol of Rajput romanticism

Chittorgarh, a symbol of Rajput romanticism, chivalry and tragedy.

Chittorgarh is a stunning and captivating site to explore. Built on a huge rock rising from the plain and surrounded by towering cliffs, it is also India's largest fort complex. Chittorgarh has been three times under enemy attack (in 1303, 1335 and 1568). Each time, its people preferred death to dishonour and performed Jauhar. Garbed in saffron sacrifice dress, the men rode out from the fort to their death, while women and children immolated themselves on funeral pyres.

Following the last sacking, Rana Udai Singh II fled Chittorgarh to establish in Udaipur.

Course of the journey

Day 0 - Day 1

Fly from Switzerland to Delhi. Late arrival. Overnight stay in a comfortable hotel.

Day 2

Drive Delhi to Agra SS Taj Mahal & Agra Fort.

Day 3

Drive from Agra to Ranthambore en route SS Fatehpur Sikri. Evening Safari (possible if arrival on time).

Day 4

Morning jungle safari for tiger sighting.

Day 5

Ranthambore to Jaipur. Afternoon Jaipur Sightseeing.

Day 6

Full day Jaipur sightseeing.

Day 7

Drive from Jaipur to Bikaner. Afternoon Bikaner sightseeing.

Day 8

Drive from Bikaner to Jaisalmer. Afternoon Jaisalmer sightseeing.

Day 9

Full day in Jaisalmer.

Day 10

Drive from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur. Afternoon Jodhpur sightseeing.

Day 11

Drive from Jodhpur to Udaipur. Afternoon Udaipur sightseeing.

Day 12

Full day in Udaipur sightseeing.
Evening flight to Delhi and transfer to T3 for your midnight flight back home.

Course on the map

Accommodations

Hôtel Bloomrooms @ Link Road ****, Delhi

Value for money.
Awarded with the Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence for the fourth year running, you will not find a hotel with better value for money in central Delhi.

Superbly located in the heart of the city, opposite Jangpura Metro station, the hotel is perfect for both business & leisure.

Activities in the hotel :

Relax / read / play indoor games in the lounge.

Included in the offer :

Bed & Breakfast only

Good to know :

Best value for money accommodation for guest who is looking for a right bed/shower after a long day.

Hotel website

Hostel Colonel Sharma Homestay **, Agra

India middle class accommodation, first class hospitality !

This charming Homestay belongs to Col Sharma & Dr Rita Sharma, a retired couple.
Colonel Sharma retired after 33 years in the army. After a long and active teaching and training career, Dr Rita Sharma also retired and is now busy as a freelance clinical psychologist.

Activities in the hotel :

Homely made cooking delights.
Beautiful and creative discussions with the couple who have many interests in life.

Included in the offer :

Bed & breakfast & dinner.

Good to know :

The couple will make you feel at home as if you had always known them.

Hotel website

Hôtel Nahargarh *****, Ranthambore

Feel like a Maharaja !

Neighbouring the Ranthambore National Park, Nahargarh is a luxurious hotel nestled in the foothills of the Aravali range. Surrounded by a 16th-century style fortress, Nahargarh is built like a traditional Rajput hunting palace complete with a vast formal Mughal garden called "Char Bagh".

It is the perfect base to explore Ranthambore from the heart of luxury filled nature.

Nahargarh is a complete habitat in itself as one can see several animals and birds, frolicking in the surrounding grasslands.

The proximity of Nahargarh to the National Park makes it a travellers' hub. With 68 ultra luxurious rooms, it offers the best-in-the-industry facilities for accommodation and dining. Nahargarh, with its vast gardens, well-appointed conference halls and luxurious accommodations is also an ideal location for hosting fairytale weddings and conferences.

Activities in the hotel :

Various projections of films that have been made in Ranthambore National Park.
The property has two beautiful swimming pools.

Included in the offer :

Swimming pool
Bed & breakfast

Good to know :

Royal experience in the wilderness.

Hotel website

Alsisar Haveli, Jaipur

A heritage hotel of majestic architecture offering elegant hospitality and palatial atmosphere

Experience Royal Rajasthani living at the magnificent Alsisar Haveli, the heritage hotel in Rajasthan. For five centuries, Maharajas of Rajasthan have enjoyed the magnificence and grandeur of this regal setting that offers them an aristocratic yet relaxed feel.

In the centre of Jaipur pink city, Alsisar Haveli – the heritage hotel is a delightful combination of monarchical architecture, refined hospitality and stately ambiance. Remaining faithful to its pristine original architecture and interior design, the hotel has been tastefully renovated with special care to preserve its high level of excellence, comfort and flair.

Activities in the hotel :

Swimming pool
puppet show
Wellness (Ayurveda)

Included in the offer :

Bed & Breakfast

Good to know :

You may get a chance to meet the royal family as they live in the same property.

Hotel website

Hôtel Narendra Bhawan *****, Bikaner

Unconventionally curated.

Narendra Bhawan, in its new avatar, retells the story of the last reigning Maharaja of Bikaner, His Highness Narendra Singhji.

Unconventionally curated, it is composed of Narendra Singhji's memories from his travels to destinations near and far.

Included in the offer :

Bed & breakfast.

Hotel website

The Sujan - Serai *****, Jaisalmer

Royal caravan experience, a real oasis in the desert.

Set on a one hundred acre private estate of indigenous desert scrub, The Serai draws inspiration from the royal caravan sites of Rajputana; blending the dash and vivacity of this Land of Kings. There is no better place from which to venture into the mystical environs of Jaisalmer to discover its fabled golden fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Evenings are spent under the vast expanse of the desert sky, punctuated by the stars and ancient melodies of Manganiyar folk musicians whose songs have haunted these dunes for centuries.

The Serai is an oasis, a place for rest and rejuvenation in the desert, mapped out with precision and detail. Built on a linear grid rising up from the desert, it stands proud with some walls carved in sandstone; with tents built on a majestic scale.

Local craftsman worked the stone, built grand plunge pools, and a towering inverted step well upon which lies the placid pool. From the "grand" in scale, to the smallest precious object and artifact, the camp captures and enhances the spirit of Jaisalmer.

The Serai is simple, contemporary and elegant. In white and gold, it shines in the heart of the Thar. Subtle interventions of the crafts and textiles are woven into the property through carpets and turbans, throws and cushions, contrasting the vivid colours of Rajasthan with the stark terrain of the Thar desert, to create a tranquil space.

Included in the offer :

Bed & breakfast.

Good to know :

A life time desert experience.

Hotel website

Guestroom Raas, Jodhpur

Iconic haveli overlooks Fort Mehrangarh.

Located in the prominent north-eastern quarter of the famous Walled City, RAAS

Jodhpur is based around an original eighteenth century Haveli. Echoes of the Rajput architecture can be found throughout the building, in everything from its intricately carved stone panels to its antique shrines to the arches surviving from the stables. Indeed, entire original buildings are interspersed with the rose-red modern architecture.

The Darikhana, also known as the 'Chamber of Carpets', was built towards the end of the eighteenth century and served as the Haveli's guest-house. Now it is RAAS's most popular alfresco dining venue.
In comparison, the Baradari was the haveli's 'newest' addition; built in the 1850s as the Thakur's personal entertainment pavilion, it was where the he spent his days, and no doubt many a night, entertaining and being entertained. It has retained this purpose through the centuries and now serves as a restaurant at the heart of the hotel, hosting events all year round. The pavilion has also retained its original multi-pillared structure, indeed ‘baradari', its very name, means 'twelve pillars'. Original stables, converted into snug alcoves for reading and relaxing, and a small 18th-century temple make up the sides of the picturesque courtyard and we pride ourselves on the beautifully cultivated gardens filling the open space.

Activities in the hotel :

Rest and invitation to dream in an environment with seems to belong to another time.
Refreshment and relaxation in the pool, which offers a breathtaking view of the Mehrangarh Fort.

Included in the offer :

Bed & breakfast.

Good to know :

A unique experience, nestled in the heart of the blue city !

Hotel website

Kings Abode Hotel*****, Ranakpur

Nestled in the majestic wilderness of Rajasthan is King's Abode.

Nestled in the majestic wilderness of Rajasthan is King's Abode. It is the perfect get-away for friends and family longing to experience the serenity of long walkways, lush greens and lazy evenings.

Visiting this home-away-from-home will reveal an old age fortress, sitting aloft a hillock surrounded by nature.

King's Abode is just close enough to the city of Udaipur to be easily accessible and yet far enough to offer a perfect wilderness. In the calmness and coolness of this resort you will find modern amenities, courteous service and a feeling of being welcome.

It is arguably one of the best resorts in Ranakpur today, offering scrumptious cuisine, spectacular views, comfortable rooms. The resort is not only suitable for a short vacation but also for conferences, meetings and formal engagements.

Activities in the hotel :

Offers beautiful pedestrian escapades in a peaceful environment of nature.
Refreshment and relaxation in the welcoming and central pool of the hotel.
Invitation to rest and daydreaming in a heart of a green nature.

Included in the offer :

Bed & breakfast

Good to know :

Welcoming and refined lodging in a calm and green natural environment.

Hotel website

Hostel Karohi Haveli ****, Udaipur

Exceptional view of lake Pichola !

karoshi Haveli will impress you with its traditional Rajasthani architecture and the huge area it covers. Beautiful, lush green lawns offer breathtaking views of the surroundings. Each room has wonderful views of the lake and a terrace with a grand panorama of the City Palace, Lake Pichola, Havelies, Temples, the Old City and Lake Swaroop Sagar.

Ideally situated at the top of a hill, this well designed Haveli offers a peaceful environment and clean air. It faces Lake Pichola near the Hanuman Ghat and is directly opposite the magnificent shoreline of City Palace, Lal Ghat and the old city. Well kept, it exudes comfort and elegance. Its location is conveniently near the restaurants and shops, internet access shops etc, yet it is tucked away around a corner, which gives a feeling of tranquillity! The modern rooms still have the characteristic traditional features of Rajasthan.

Activities in the hotel :

Swimming pool
Ayurvedic massage

Included in the offer :

Bed & Breakfast

Good to know :

You can request a boat ride on the lake or cultural performances with a little advance notice.

Hotel website

Information & rates

from CHF 2'740

(per person in a group of minimum 02 people traveling together and sharing a room)

Ask for an offer

Inclusions

Medium high category accommodation (4* plus in India) with breakfast
chauffeur driven private car during the tour
French or English escort/guide throughout the tour
Local SIM card with enough data to last the tour
GST 5%

Exclusions

International/Domestic flight
A/C chair train ticket from Delhi to Agra (if required)
all entrance fees during the tour
lunches & dinners
camera fee expenses requested on certain sites of visit
personal expenses & laundry
tips to the driver/porter/guide etc.

Good to know

Itinerary disclaimer :

While it is our intention to adhere to the route described, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations.
The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The programme is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations of wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered.
Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission.
Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.