Grand Journey from India's Golden Triangle to Shimla for solo travellers

Grand Journey from India's Golden Triangle to Shimla for solo travellers

Your visit will be a real feast for the senses as the vibrant colours, delicious flavours and heady scents combine to make a truly unforgettable holiday. Specially tailored for people travelling alone, our tour starts in rural Rajasthan, where a potpourri of the ancient and the modern is so clearly exhibited. The ‘Pink City’ of Jaipur is popular for its wealth of palaces, fine examples of jaw-dropping architecture.

The natural world is also a major attraction and there will be the opportunity to spot tigers in their natural habitat in Ranthambore. Of course, the highlight for many is the sublime Taj Mahal, a mausoleum so often seen in films and photographs, but there is simply no substitute for the feeling of seeing it first-hand. We conclude our wonderful journey with a breath-taking train journey into the Himalayas and the hill station of Shimla.

What's included:

• 13 nights in three to five-star accommodation
• Return flights & transfers
• 12 included experiences
• 13 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 6 dinners
• We’ll meet you at your departure airport or train station
• Welcome drinks & dinner
• Expert Tour Manager that specialises in solo travel, looking after you throughout
• Small group sizes (maximum of just 25 guests on tours)
• Checked luggage
• Hotel porterage

Highlights:

• Embark on a wonderful tour of northern India’s ‘Golden Triangle’.
• See the breath-taking Taj Mahal bathed in soft morning light and go on a guided tour of the Viceregal Lodge in Shimla plus a walking tour of the city.
• Experience both Old and New Delhi seeing all the major sights and enjoy a guided tour of the 400-year-old deserted Moghul city of Fatehpur Sikri.
• Enjoy a driving safari in Ranthambore National Park, the best place in India to spot the elusive tigers and marvel at the extraordinary location and beauty of Amber Fort, home of one of India’s most powerful maharajas.
• Explore the ‘Pink City’ of Jaipur, capital of the desert kingdom of Rajasthan with a guided city tour and travel on the famous Shimla railway on board a classic toy train for Kalka and stay for 3 nights in Shimla.

4* Ranthambore Regency's Facilities

• 24-hour front desk
• Restaurant
• Lounge & bar
• Snack bar
• Coffee shop
• Swimming pool
• Spa & wellness
• Garden

4* Oberoi Trident Hotel's Facilities

• Swimming pool
• Spa & wellness
• Lounge & bar
• Fitness centre
• 24-hour front desk
• Lift between floors
• Air-conditioning
• Laundry service
• Snacks
• Gift shop

5* Oberoi Cecil Hotel's Facilities

• Swimming pool
• Spa & wellness
• Lounge & bar
• Restaurant
• 24-hour front desk
• Air-conditioning
• Laundry service
• Gift shop
• Terrace
• Complimentary tea & coffee

5* Le Medridien Hotel's Facilities

• Swimming pool
• Spa & wellness
• Lounge & bar
• Restaurant
• Coffee shop
• Fitness centre
• 24-hour front desk
• Lift between floors
• Air-conditioning
• Laundry service
• Snack bar

4* Jaipur Marriott's Facilities

• Swimming pool
• Spa & wellness
• Lounge & bar
• Restaurant -Coffee shop
• Fitness centre
• 24-hour front desk
• Lift between floors
• Air-conditioning
• Laundry service
• ATM/cash machine

5* Taj by Vivanta's Facilities

• Indoor swimming pool
• 2 restaurants
• Bar
• Patisserie

4* Alsisar Mahal's Facilities

• Restaurant
• Bar
• Lounge
• Outdoor swimming pool
• Coffee shop

4* Ranthambore Regency

About the hotel

The four-star Ranthambore Regency Hotel is a charming family-run, low-rise hotel located close to the entrance of Ranthambore National Park. The hotel is built around lush, well-tended gardens with a small pool and plenty of quiet shady spots to relax in, this is one of our clients’ favourite hotels for its low-key informal atmosphere and personal service. There is also a large lounge with bar and a small shop. All guests are on full board basis and the hotel’s buffet restaurant offers a wide selection of (mild!) regional Indian dishes and western options.

4* Oberoi Trident Hotel

About the hotel

The four-star Oberoi Trident Hotel is located in quiet surroundings, near to the Taj Mahal. Managed by the famed Oberoi group, this low-rise modern hotel is surrounded by beautiful gardens with water features and a swimming pool. The hotel grows all its own vegetables, and the contemporary-style restaurant offers both buffets and a la carte Indian and continental cuisine, as well as popular wood-fired pizza oven. There is also a small lobby bar and fitness room. All 137 comfortable rooms overlook the Mogul-style gardens or pool and are air-conditioned, with en-suite bathroom, hairdryer, minibar (local charges apply), satellite TV, safe, wireless internet (extra charge) and tea/coffeemaker.

5* Oberoi Cecil Hotel

About the hotel

The hotel is located within walking distance from the centre of Shimla. The five-star Oberoi Cecil Hotel features Burmese teak floors with a magnificent atrium and is one of India’s best-known and best-loved hotels. The hotel has maintained a warm colonial feel, with a charming tea lounge & lobby bar, a heated indoor pool and excellent Asian Spa. The high-ceilinged, wood-panelled restaurant with its white linen-covered tables and views across the foothills of the Himalayas is a pleasure to dine in and, as you would expect, the service is exceptional.

5* Le Meridien Hotel

About the hotel

The hotel is located in the heart of New Delhi. Nearby, within walking distance, is the historic landscape of Lutyens Delhi great for exploring the sights, sounds and aromas of this area. The five-star Le Meridien features one of the highest rooftop restaurants in the city. Dining choices include two speciality restaurants serving Indian and Chinese cuisine or the option of all day dining international cuisine, as well as the coffee bar serving light snacks.

5* Habarana Village by Cinnamon

About the hotel

The four-star Habarana Village by Cinnamon is located on the shores of Habarana Lake and set in 27 acres of grounds.

Facilities include an open-air restaurant, lounge bar, outdoor pool and the Azmaara spa. Take a stroll in the gardens or on the jogging path and you may spot geckos, monitor lizards, monkeys and plenty of birdlife. The 108 rooms are set in detached and semi-detached cottages and are all air-conditioned, with shower, hairdryer, safe, minibar (local charges apply), cable TV, tea/coffee-making facilities and complimentary WiFi.

4* Jaipur Marriott Hotel

About the hotel

This modern and contemporary hotel is located close to the centre of Jaipur. This modern hotel has an outdoor swimming pool and spa, the hotel has two restaurants offering a selection of international and local fishes, a café/bakery and a bar serving drinks and snacks. The 374 modern, stylish, air-conditioned rooms all have bath, shower, hairdryer, minibar, safe, iron/board, cable TV, tea/coffee-maker and Wi-Fi. Swimming pools in India: most outside pools are not heated and may not be usable in the winter months.

5* Taj by Vivanta

About the hotel

The Taj by Vivanta is located in neighbourhood of Dwarka, on the southwestern edge of Delhi, close to Delhi Airport. It’s well connected to the heart of the city. Designed for comfort, with never-ending charm, the Taj by Vivanta boasts many amenities. From a spa that offers various treatments and an indoor swimming pool, to not one, but two restaurants – serving different styles of cuisine. Between meals, why not head to the bar or patisserie for a bistro-style savoury bite and delicate desserts? You’re sure to find the perfect pick-me-up. The spacious rooms are equipped with a TV, tea and coffee making facilities, a seating area, a safe and a hair dryer.

4* Alsisar Mahal

About the hotel

Alsisar Mahal is located in Shekhawati’s Alsisar village, India. Once the home of the Alsisar family - a prominent family in India with a long history - this heritage hotel is full of history with incredible architecture and luxurious interiors, Rajasthani motifs and antique furniture. As well as the beautiful frescoes and grand courtyards, the hotel also features an outdoor swimming pool, a coffee shop and a lounge.

Day 1: Departure

Begin your journey to Delhi.

Day 2: Arrival in New Delhi

You will transfer to the five-star Le Meridien Hotel for an overnight stay. After time to freshen up, you'll begin your 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 you can enjoy a pleasant and informal welcome dinner, where you’ll have the opportunity to get to know your tour manager and other like-minded travellers exploring the world on their own.

Day 3: Old Delhi

After breakfast, you'll continue your exploration of the city to Old Delhi, where you'll visit Mahatma Gandhi’s modest memorial, as well as the imposing Red Fort and the Gurudwara Bangla Sahib Temple, one of the most prominent Sikh gurdwaras - or Sikh house of worship - in Delhi.

You'll continue to Agra where you will stay at the four-star hotel – the Oberoi Trident.

Day 4: Taj Mahal

An early start this morning will be worth the while when you 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 Mughal Empire for many years.

Later this evening, you’ll have the option to return to the Taj Mahal to enjoy the sunset.

Day 5: Fatehpur Sikri

Leaving Agra this morning we continue towards the ancient, abandoned city of Fatehpur Sikri, built in 1571, as Emperor Akbar’s imperial capital. Although it was mysteriously abandoned just 15 years later, it remains in a remarkable state of preservation, with numerus palaces, wide courtyards and beautiful carvings.

Stop for lunch (included) at the the Laxmi Vilas Palace in Bharat 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, India’s famous Tiger Project was created to protect the country’s tiger population. Despite many difficulties, the tigers of Ranthambore have survived and numbers have stabilised.

Your hotel for the next two nights is the comfortable family-run three-star Ranthambore Regency on full board basis.

Day 6: Tiger Safari

An early start this morning is worth the sacrifice as you head out to the park for your safari using specially built, 20-person, open-top four-wheel drive vehicles known as ‘canters’.

In the morning, you'll rise early in the hopes of catching a glimpse of Ranthambore’s 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 your 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.

Day 7: Jaipur

The ‘Pink City’ of Jaipur is our destination today, as we leave the natural playground of Ranthambore behind. One of Jaipur’s 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 your hotel, the new four-star Marriott Jaipur for two nights.

Day 8: Amber Fort

Another icon of India is the colossal Amber Fort, located in the hills above Jaipur. You will be treated to a local guide’s expert insights, so you can truly appreciate the fine details of this most magnificent of structures. Another icon of India is the colossal Amber Fort, located in the hills above Jaipur. We are treated to a local guide’s expert insights, so we can truly appreciate the fine details of this most magnificent of structures.

Day 9: Rajasthan

Heading north deeper into rural Rajasthan, you'll pass small villages and towns on your way to the Sekhawati region of the state and the village of Alsisar. Once part of India's Silk Road, over the years the merchants here grew very rich, building luxurious mansions known as ‘havelis’ to display their wealth with magnificent frescoed walls. Though most have been abandoned, the imposing and luxurious residence of the local kings has been lovingly restored as a Heritage hotel.

In the afternoon you'll take a guided walk through the village to explore the best examples of the havelis and see the locals going about their day.

Day 10: New Delhi

After breakfast we leave Rajasthan behind and return to the nation’s capital, New Delhi, for a one-night stay before our journey into the Himalayas.

Tonight, you'll stay at the five-star Hyatt Regency Delhi Hotel. Dinner is included this evening.

Day 11: Train to Shimla

This 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, you will check into the luxurious five-star Oberoi Cecil hotel for three nights.

Day 12: Shimla

Shimla’s 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.

Day 13: Free day in Shimla

Enjoy 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 buffet dinner is included this evening.

Day 14: Train to Delhi

This morning after breakfast, we drive to Kalka and then return by express train to New Delhi for your last night at the Hyatt Regency Delhi hotel.

Day 15: Return home

Say goodbye to Delhi for your flight home.