India & Shimla for Solo Travellers
| Resort: | India & Shimla for Solo Travellers |
| Operator: | Riviera Travel |
| Destination: | Asia, India |
| Price From: | £3199.00 |
Overview
Itinerary DetailsDAY 1DEPARTUREDEPARTUREYou will be greeted at the airport before your overnight flight to Delhi. DAY 2ARRIVAL IN NEW DELHIARRIVAL IN NEW DELHIWe will transfer for an overnight stay. After time to freshen up, we begin our solo tour with a visit to New Delhi, where we see the Parliament building and the India Gate, as well as some of the more ancient sites of Qutub and the tomb of Humayun. This evening we enjoy a pleasant and informal welcome dinner, where youll have the opportunity to get to know your tour manager and other like-minded travellers exploring the world on their own. Humayun’s Tomb, Delhi Humayun’s Tomb, Delhi DAY 3OLD DELHIOLD DELHIAfter breakfast, we continue our exploration of the city to Old Delhi, where we visit Mahatma Gandhis modest memorial, as well as the imposing Red Fort and one of Asias largest mosques, Jama Masjid. We continue to Agra where we stay at either four-star hotel the Oberoi Trident or Marriott Courtyard. Jama Masjid Mosque Jama Masjid Mosque DAY 4TAJ MAHALTAJ MAHALAn early start this morning will be worth the while when we witness the glorious sun rising over the stunning Taj Mahal. As the mist rises above the adjoining Yamuna River, the constantly changing colours of the marble domes further highlight the symmetrical beauty of one of the modern wonders of the world. Our tour continues to the huge terracotta-coloured Agra Fort, the headquarters of the Moghul Empire for many years. Later this evening, youll have the option to return to the Taj Mahal to enjoy the sunset. Taj Mahal Taj Mahal DAY 5FATEHPUR SIKRIFATEHPUR SIKRILeaving Agra this morning we continue towards the ancient abandoned city of Fatehpur Sikri, built in 1571, as Emperor Akbars imperial capital. Although it was mysteriously abandoned just 15 years late it remains in a remarkable state of preservation, with numerous palaces, wide courtyards and beautiful carvings. Just 15kms away is the Bagh Bharatpur a luxury Heritage hotel in Bharatpur where we stop for lunch (included)before going on to the railway station to catch the Shatabdi express for our comfortable two and a half hour journey to Ranthambore National Park. Originally the private hunting preserve of Maharajahs, its 400 square kilometres of forested rolling hills, valleys and lakes form a unique ecosystem. Started in 1973, Indias famous Tiger Project was created to protect the countrys tiger population. Despite many difficulties, the tigers of Ranthambore have survived and numbers have stabilised. Our hotel for the next two nights is the comfortable family-run three-star Ranthambore Regency. Dinner is included this evening. Diwan-i-Khas Court, Fatehpur Sikri Diwan-i-Khas Court, Fatehpur Sikri DAY 6RANTHAMBORE TIGER SAFARIRANTHAMBORE TIGER SAFARIThis morning, we rise early in the hopes of catching a glimpse of Ranthambores famous tigers on safari. Specially adapted four-wheel-drive vehicles manned by expert drivers will take us around the vast national park to spot the many different wildlife species that call it home, including antelopes, monkeys, crocodiles, wild boar, and rare sloth bears. We return to our hotel later this morning with plenty of time to relax and have a bite before our second safari drive to spot yet more fantastic wild creatures. Dinner is included this evening. Tiger at Ranthambore National Park Tiger at Ranthambore National Park DAY 7JAIPURJAIPURThe Pink City of Jaipur is our destination today, as we leave the natural playground of Ranthambore behind. One of Jaipurs highlights is the Astronomical Observatory, home to a multitude of huge sundials. We will also visit the City Palace where the Maharajah of Jaipur still resides. Later we check into our hotel, the new four-star Hilton Jaipur for two nights. Palace of the Winds, Jaipur Palace of the Winds, Jaipur DAY 8AMBER FORTAMBER FORTAnother icon of India is the colossal Amber Fort, located in the hills above Jaipur. We are treated to a local guides expert insights, so we can truly appreciate the fine details of this most magnificent of structures. Amber Fort Amber Fort DAY 9RAJASTHANRAJASTHANThis morning we head deeper into rural Rajasthan. Passing small towns and villages, we continue to the village of Alsisar in the Sekhawati region. Once part of the Silk Road, the area became increasingly affluent and luxury mansions began to be built here. One such mansion has been preserved and converted into a luxurious Heritage Hotel, the Alsisar Mahal, where we stay tonight. This afternoon, a local guide will take us through the village to see the remaining mansions or havelis.Dinner is included this evening. DAY 10NEW DELHINEW DELHIAfter breakfast we leave Rajasthan behind and return to the nations capital, New Delhi, for a one-night stay before our journey into the Himalayas. Tonight we stay at the five-star Taj Palace Hotel (selected 2019 departures will stay at thefive-star Hyatt Regency Hotel).Dinner is included this evening. Delhi Market Stall Delhi Market Stall DAY 11TRAIN TO SHIMLATRAIN TO SHIMLAThis morning we take the express train from Delhi to Kalka in chair-class carriages with air-conditioning and large windows. We transfer at Kalka to the narrow-gauge toy train, which although does not have the same creature comforts, offers increasingly stunning views as it crosses 800 bridges and goes through 100 tunnels along the 100km-route to the small station in Shimla. After a busy day of travelling, we will check into the luxurious Oberoi Cecil hotel for three nights. ‘Toy train’ to Shimla ‘Toy train’ to Shimla DAY 12SHIMLASHIMLAShimlas colonial past is the main theme of our exploration today as we encounter the Viceregal Lodge and its stunning botanical gardens. Certain parts of the building are open to visitors and give a tantalising glimpse into the life of the Viceroy and his staff, who resided here for six months of the year. Viceregal Palace, Shimla Viceregal Palace, Shimla DAY 13FREE DAY IN SHIMLAFREE DAY IN SHIMLAEnjoy a day at leisure in Shimla, relax at the hotel pool or spa, or maybe take another stroll along the mall and do some last minute bargain hunting in the markets. Alternatively, there are a number of short local treks that can be arranged in the surrounding hills. A sumptuous buffetdinner is included this evening. Shimla Shimla DAY 14TRAIN TO DELHITRAIN TO DELHIThis morning after breakfast, we drive to Kalka and then return by express train to New Delhi for our last night India Gate, New Delhi India Gate, New Delhi DAY 15RETURN FLIGHTRETURN FLIGHTWe leave Delhi in the early afternoon for our flight home, arriving back the in the UK on the same day after a truly wondrous holiday. |
