India’s Golden Triangle & Maldives holiday package

Enjoy your direct flight from London Heathrow to Delhi, capital of India.

U.K. regional departures available with alternative airlines.

After clearing immigration, meet our local representative who will assist you with your private transfer to your confirmed hotel. Enjoy rest of the day at leisure.

• 2 nights Deluxe room breakfast included at The Suryaa Hotel, Delhi, India.

Today's highlights:

• Morning sightseeing tour of Old Delhi.
• Afternoon visit to New Delhi.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. The first half of the day will be to explore the old part of Delhi. Visit the Jama Masjid (Mosque), This great mosque is the largest in India, with a courtyard capable of holding 25,000 devotees. It was begun in 1644 and ended up being the final architectural extravagance of Shah Jahan, the Mughal emperor who built the Taj Mahal and the Red Fort. The highly decorative mosque has three great gates, four towers and two 40 m-high minarets constructed of strips of red sandstone and white marble. After mosque visit, hop on to your cycle rickshaw ride to experience one of the busiest markets of Delhi ‘Chandni chowk’. Walk/ride through the alleys of Old Delhi including Kinari Bazaar, Ballimaran, Paranthe wali Gali, Jain quarters and Khari Baoli (One of the biggest spice markets in Asia). Afternoon enjoy the lunch at Indian specialty fine dine restaurant (Direct payment basis). In the afternoon proceed for New Delhi sightseeing tour. Begin with visit of Qutab Minar boasts of being one of the tallest minarets in the world as the height of Qutub Minar is 72.5 meters. Built in 1192 by Qutab-ud-din Aibak, it is considered to be first building, marking the arrival of Muslim rulers in the country. Although there are also a few contradicting theories on the same. Surrounded by an appealing garden, Qutub Minar creates a sight worth remembering. The Next of this exciting tour is Humayun’s tomb, first substantial example of Mughal architecture in India. It was built in 1565 A.D. nine years after the death of Humayun, by his senior widow Bega Begam. Inside the walled enclosure the most notable features are the garden squares (chaharbagh) with pathways water channels, centrally located well proportional mausoleum topped by double dome. There are several graves of Mughal rulers located inside the walled enclosure and from here in 1857 A.D; Lieutenant Hudson had captured the last Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah II. Also visit Gandhi Smriti, the museum dedicated to the father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi. While sightseeing tours, enjoy the drive to India gate, President’s palace and other important and interesting government buildings.

Today's highlights:

• Today you will be driven from Delhi to Jaipur ( approx. 5 hours by road ).
• Afternoon free at leisure.

Breakfast will be served at your hotel. Post breakfast you will be driven from Delhi to Jaipur (5 hours approximately). On arrival check-in at your hotel and the remainder of the day will be free for independent activities. Founded in AD 1727 by Sawai Jaisingh II, Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, is popularly known as the Pink City with broad avenues and spacious gardens. The capital of Rajasthan, Jaipur is steeped in history and culture. Here the past comes alive in magnificent forts and palaces, blushed pink, where once lived the maharajas. The bustling bazaars of Jaipur, famous for Rajasthani jewelry, fabric and shoes, possess a timeless quality and are surely a treasure-trove for the shoppers. This fascinating city with its romantic charm takes you to an epoch of royalty and tradition.

• 2 nights Deluxe room breakfast included at Ramada by Wyndham Grand Hotel, Jaipur, India.

Today's highlights:

• Morning visit the Amber Fort.
• Afternoon enjoy exploring the city.

After breakfast start your day early today and drive to the outskirts of the city to visit the Amer Fort. The magnificent Amer Fort is an extensive palace complex that has been built with pale yellow and pink sandstone, and with white marble. The fort is divided into four main sections that are graced with their own courtyards. There are a lot of attractions for one to see at the Amer Fort, including the diwan-e-aam, such mandir, and the Sheesh Mahal. Amer Fort is also home to some underground tunnels that connect Amer to Jaigarh Fort. A part of these tunnels has been restored and is now open to the public as well. Encompassing all this, the Amer Fort is a perfect example of Rajasthani architecture, which is a must-visit. You will ascend the fort by Jeep. In the afternoon explore the pink city, starting with visit to City Palace built between 1729 and 1732 AD by Sawai Jai Singh II. He ruled in Amer and planned and built the outer walls of the palace and later rulers added to the architecture of this palace. The palace also includes the famous 'Chandra Mahal' and 'Mubarak Mahal', and other buildings which form a part of the palace complex. Continue your trip to Jantar Mantar (Observatory) built by the Rajput king Sawai Jai Singh II in 1734, Jantar Mantar Jaipur is an astronomical observatory, which features the world’s largest stone sundial. India has five of them, and the largest one is in Jaipur. This Jantar Mantar observatory is also a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Today's highlights:

• Today you will be driven from Jaipur to Agra via visiting Fatehpur Sikri.

Post breakfast drive to Agra (5 hours approximately) enroute visiting Fatehpur Sikri. A city predominantly made of red sandstone, Fatehpur Sikri was founded in 1571 century by Mughal Emperor Akbar. It is essentially a fortified city built by the king and had been the capital of his Empire for fifteen years. Now a UNESCO world heritage site, it is home to Jodha Bai's Palace, Jama Mosque, Buland Darwaza, and Tomb of Salim Chisti among many other famous monuments. Derived from Arab and central Asian tent encampments, the Imperial Complex is a work of pavilions arranged in formal geometry on a piece of land. After the visit continue your drive and arrive in Agra by late afternoon.

• 2 nights Deluxe room breakfast included at Courtyard by Marriott Agra Hotel, Agra, India.

Today's highlights:

• Visit Taj Mahal at dawn.
• Return to hotel for breakfast.
• Later visit Agra Fort.
• Afternoon will be at leisure.
• Evening visit Mehtab Bagh to witness Taj Mahal at sunset.

Visit Taj Mahal with the first ray of sun. No image of The Taj, neither on canvass nor on celluloid, can adequately express its conceptual imaginary. The Taj Mahal, a spectacle in white marble, unparalleled in grandeur that depicts the sheer opulence of an era. The awesome structure, the monument of love that Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan gave to the world, stands as a testimony of his intense love for his wife Mumtaz Mahal. It is a romance celebrated in marble and glorified with precious and semi-precious stones and that’s the way to appreciate it. Later return to the hotel for breakfast. Later in the morning visit Agra Fort. Explore massive Agra Fort with your guide. A powerful fortress of red sandstone encompasses, within its 2.5-km-long enclosure walls, the imperial city of the Mughal rulers. It comprises many fairy-tale palaces, such as the Jahangir Palace and the Khas Mahal, built by Shah Jahan; audience halls, such as the Diwan-i-Khas; and two very beautiful mosques. The afternoon will be at leisure. In the late afternoon proceed for visit of Mehtab Bagh, a serene riverside garden in Agra, offers an enchanting view of the Taj Mahal at sunset. It's a tranquil spot to witness the monument's ethereal beauty in the fading daylight.

Today's highlights:

• Early morning transfer to Agra railway station (boxed breakfast can be carried if required)
• Depart by Shatabdi express train for Jhansi at 07:55 hrs
• Arrive Jhansi at 10:45 hrs and transfer to Orchha for visit
• After lunch (at own cost) transfer to Khajuraho
• On arrival check-in at your hotel
• Overnight stay at hotel in Khajuraho

Today early in the morning, transfer to Agra railway station to connect Shatabdi express train at 07:55 hrs for Jhansi. The boxed breakfast can be carried from the hotel if required. On arrival at 10:45 hrs, meet and assist at Jhansi railway station and transfer to Orchha for visit, which is a marvelous example of a medieval Fort Palace. Within the turreted walls are gardens, gateways, pavilions and temples, near the confluence of the Betwa and Jamni rivers. The Raj Mahal with its Hall of Private Audience exemplifies Bundela Rajput architecture. Despite the neglected appearance, there are some beautiful murals on the ceilings and walls of both religious and secular themes. The Jahangir Mahal was built in the 17th century and synthesizes both Hindu and Muslim styles. Around the central square courtyard are the three storied royal apartments decorated with domes, arches and hanging balconies. The decorative turquoise blue tiles, and latticed screens give this palace a delicate and airy feel. Across the river the Chattris, though sadly neglected, are an atmospheric place to walk around in the afternoon, though the best sight of them are from the palaces. Enjoy the lunch at Orchha in local restaurant (at own cost). Later you will be transferred from Orchha to Khajuraho (approximatively 5 hours). Arrive khajuraho and check-in at your hotel for an overnight stay. Khajuraho, a UNESCO World Heritage site, unveils a unique blend of sensuality and spirituality through its intricately carved temples. Nestled in central India, these architectural marvels showcase a stunning fusion of artistry and devotion, portraying amorous sculptures alongside religious motifs. Each stone masterpiece narrates tales of ancient craftsmanship and cultural richness. Khajuraho, a UNESCO World Heritage site, unveils a unique blend of sensuality and spirituality through its intricately carved temples. Nestled in central India, these architectural marvels showcase a stunning fusion of artistry and devotion, portraying amorous sculptures alongside religious motifs. Each stone masterpiece narrates tales of ancient craftsmanship and cultural richness.  

• 1 night  double room breakfast included at Ramada by Wyndham Grand Khajuraho Hotel, Khajuraho, India.

Today's highlights:

• Breakfast at the hotel
• After breakfast enjoy the visit of Khajuraho temple complex
• Later departure transfer to airport to connect the IndiGo flight 6E-2232 at 14:30/15:25 hrs for Varanasi
• On arrival meet and assist at Varanasi airport and transfer to your hotel
• Overnight stay at hotel in Varanasi

Breakfast at the hotel. Later visit the Khajuraho temples, form a stunning complex of ancient Hindu and Jain temples, renowned for their exquisite and intricate erotic sculptures. These UNESCO World Heritage sites, constructed between the 9th and 12th centuries, showcase exceptional architectural prowess and artistic finesse. The temples, divided into Western, Eastern, and Southern groups, feature intricate carvings portraying various facets of life, spirituality, and erotica, symbolizing a celebration of love, beauty, and life's essence. Visitors are spellbound by the artistry and intricate detailing, reflecting a blend of religious devotion and artistic expression. The sculpted figures and friezes narrate stories from Hindu mythology, showcasing a splendid amalgamation of spiritual beliefs and human desires. Beyond the eroticism that has drawn curiosity, these temples epitomize architectural brilliance, intricate craftsmanship, and a profound representation of ancient India's cultural ethos, making a visit to Khajuraho an awe-inspiring journey through art, history, and the enigmatic tales of an era long past. After visit transfer to Khajuraho airport to connect the IndiGo flight 6E-2232 at 14:30/15:25 hrs for Varanasi. On arrival meet and assist at Varanasi airport and transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the evening will be at leisure for independent activities. Varanasi, the spiritual heart of India, captivates with its ancient charm along the Ganges River. A city of ghats, temples, and vibrant rituals, it offers a profound cultural experience. Witnessing the Ganga Aarti at dusk and exploring its narrow alleys reveals the timeless spiritual essence that defines Varanasi.

• 2 nights Deluxe room breakfast included at Rivatas by Ideal Hotel, Varanasi, India.

Today's highlights:

• Early morning boat ride on river Ganges
• After visit return to hotel via Narrow streets
• Breakfast at the hotel
• Later proceed for sightseeing tour of Varanasi city
• Afternoon visit Sarnath
• Evening witness the Aarti ceremony on river Ganges
• Overnight stay at hotel in Varanasi

Early morning take a boat ride on the river Ganges to view the sunrise. Varanasi's unique culture is associated with the river Ganges, where life and death intermingle. The living flock the ghats to pray with the belief that bathing in the waters of the sacred river would result in the remission of their sins, while the ashes of the dead are scattered in the water to break the cycle of reincarnation and let the soul rise to enlightenment. After boat ride return to hotel via narrow lanes. Post breakfast visit some of the other important sites in the city with your guide. Dotted with temples, the city's principle shrine is the Vishwanath temple, dedicated to Shiva. The temple was destroyed repeatedly during various invasions but was finally rebuilt in 1776 A.D. by Rani Ahilyabai of Indore. Afternoon visit Sarnath. After attaining enlightenment at Bodh Gaya, the Buddha went to Sarnath. It was here that he preached his first discourse in the deer park to set in motion the 'Wheel of the Dharma'. The museum at Sarnath (Sarnath Museum Closed on Fridays) contains carvings representing a whole range of styles: archaic, the Mathura School, Gupta, past Gupta and Medieval covering work of sculptors from the 3rd century B.C. to the 12th century A.D. Later in the evening, watch the illuminated aarti ceremony that is performed at Dasahwamedh Ghat. The presiding priests stand on a wooden Chauki in the water. To the chant of Sanskrit mantras, and the clash of cymbals and drums, the river is worshipped with flowers, incense, sandalwood, milk and vermilion. First the blazing camphor lamp and then the many flamed aarti lamps are raised high and then arched back to the water, the dark river reflecting the golden flames as Ganges accepts the worship. It is the Ganges that gives Varanasi its spiritual resonance.

Today's highlights:

• Breakfast at the hotel
• The morning will be free for independent activities
• Later in-time assisted departure transfer to airport to connect to the flight UK-674 at 15:20 hrs.
• Arrive Delhi at 16:45 hrs and private transfer to your hotel in Delhi.

Breakfast at the hotel and the remainder of the morning will be at leisure for independent activities. Later in-time assisted departure transfer to airport to connect Air Vistara flight UK-674 at 15:20 hrs. Arrive Delhi at 16:45 hrs and private transfer to your Delhi hotel.

• 1 night Deluxe room breakfast included at The Suryaa Hotel, Delhi, India. 

After breakfast, private transfer to Delhi airport for your flight to Male, Maldives via Mumbai, Vistara Airlines. On arrival at Male International airport, meet our local representatives who will assist you with your SEAPLANE transfer to your Island resort.

• 3 nights Overwater Villa on Full Board Plus basis at Centara Ras Fushi Resort and Spa, Maldives. 

 

Enjoy Maldives.

Enjoy Maldives.

Morning seaplane transfer to Male International airport. Direct return flight Male to London.