Ranthambore & India's Golden Triangle

Begin your Indian adventure at the airport, boarding your flight from London Heathrow to New Delhi, travelling via Muscat. On arrival in Delhi on Day 2, meet your local Tour Manager then transfer to your hotel, the 5* Crowne Plaza Okhla.

On Day 3, embark on a guided tour of beautiful Old Delhi, enjoying a rickshaw ride through the lively streets nestled within the Old Town of India's colourful capital city. Perhaps the most famous sight here is the enormous Jama Masjid, India's largest mosque. This stunning symmetrical building is a breathtaking sight. Standing proudly over a spacious courtyard, it features 2 minarets 132 feet each, and 3 great gates. Later, take a guided tour of New Delhi, where you dive past the Presidential Palace and see sights including Humayan's Tomb and India Gate. This afternoon, transfer by coach to Agra, home to the Taj Mahal. On arrival, continue to your hotel, the 5* Clarks Shiraz.

This morning, enjoy an early morning trip to the Taj Mahal, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This white marble structure was built for Mumtaz Mahal, the beloved wife of the Emperor Shah Jahan, and it is her tomb that is located in the very centre of the building.

Here, enjoy a guided tour after you've had time to see the beautiful sunrise. The morning turns the stunning façade of the Taj Mahal from orange, to pink, to white, in a truly breathtaking display. Return to your hotel for breakfast. Later, visit Agra Fort, an imposing red sandstone complex that also boasts a UNESCO World Heritage listing. After a guided tour of this massive fort, the rest of your day is at leisure in Agra.

Explore Fatehpur Sikri this morning on a guided tour. This incredible city was built in the 16th century and was meant to become the capital of the Mughal Empire. After 14 years, it was abandoned due to a lack of water and still stands exactly as it was 400 years ago. The houses here are some of the most incredible examples of Mughal architecture in India.

Next you transfer to Bharatpur, where you enjoy lunch and transfer to the train station for your journey on the Kota Jan Shatabdi Express to Sawai Madhopur. On arrival, check into the 4* Ranthambore Regency, situated in the town centre. After time to settle in and freshen up, this evening attend a talk delivered by a local naturalist on the flora and fauna of nearby Ranthambore National Park.

You head in to Ranthambore National Park today for 2 game drives, 1 in the morning and 1 in afternoon. Home to many rare animals, including leopards and panthers, keep your fingers crossed for sightings of these creatures as well as hyenas, marsh crocodiles, and sloth bears. The most popular animal in the park however, is the Bengal tiger. This reserve forest is one of the very few places in India where it is possible to spot one of these incredible creatures in the wild. In the evening, enjoy a complimentary demonstration of how Indian dishes are prepared at your hotel.

This morning, you are at leisure. After lunch, transfer by coach to Jaipur. See the stunning Birla Mandir in Jaipur along the way, where you witness a traditional Aarti ceremony, performed with fire which is offered to the Hindu god, Shiva.

Day 8 is spent exploring the marvellous 'Pink City' of Jaipur. Start your tour with a trip by Jeep to the Amber Fort, a 16th-century sandstone building that was used as a royal stronghold. After time to explore the myriad of rooms filled with wall paintings, mirrors, and precious stones, transfer to the City Palace, home to the current Maharaja of Jaipur. You also see the 18th-century Astronomical Observatory and the spectacular Palace of the Winds, an opulent building that was created for royal ladies to look over the city without being seen.

Today is spent at leisure. You could relax at your hotel, or perhaps enjoy a spot of shopping in Jaipur? Often considered one of the best cities in which to purchase craft goods in India, there are a diverse range of shops and stalls to visit. Another option is to embark on an optional morning tour, taking in the Albert Hall Museum, which serves as the state museum of Rajasthan(payable locally).

On the morning of Day 10, transfer to Jaipur airport for your flight to Muscat. Here, you board your final flight to London Heathrow.