Discover India’s Golden Triangle & Tigers

Your discovery of India begins as we meet at London Heathrow, ready for a direct evening flight to India. With our fellow travellers and Tour Manager, we board the plane for an overnight journey to this magical and captivating country. Your holiday takes in bustling cities such as the capital, Delhi, spellbinding palaces and wild landscapes where iconic animals wander free. During the flight, we can begin to anticipate these incredible experiences that await.

After we touch down in Delhi in the morning, we make our way to our five-star hotel where there is time to unwind. With an on-site spa and an outdoor pool, there are many opportunities to relax before we gather for dinner this evening and get to know one another better.

Delhi is a lively and colourful metropolis where old and new cohabit side by side. For those wishing to explore the local area, our hotel is a short distance from the ruins of a 14th-century Tughlaq fortress. A more modern site is the remarkable Baha'i temple constructed in the 1980s that resembles a lotus flower.

Back at our hotel this evening, we enjoy dinner in the on-site restaurant.

• Dinner

Founded in 1648 by Shah Jahan, Delhi has many spectacular sights which we uncover today. Our day starts with a wonderful rickshaw ride through the frenetic stalls of Old Delhi's Chandni Chowk bazaars. From here, we admire the 17th-century Jama Masjid mosque, pass the striking Red Fort and view the Gandhi memorial Raj Ghat, before our rickshaw tour comes to an end.

There is free time to enjoy lunch before we embark on a sightseeing tour of New Delhi's wide avenues and colonial architecture, partly designed by notable architect Edward Lutyens. Its ceremonial centre, Kartavya Path, contains India Gate. This triumphal arch commemorates Indian soldiers killed during World War One. At the other end is Rashtrapati Bhavan, the official residence of India's president. After a visit to the opulent 16th-century tomb of Mughal emperor Humayun, we conclude our tour at the Gandhi Smriti Museum. 'Father of the Nation' Mahatma Gandhi spent his final days here, and we learn about his life through informative artefacts and personal effects.

We return to our hotel this evening in time for dinner.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Today is a highlight of any visit to India as we leave Delhi on the Gatimaan Express bound for Agra in AC Chair Class. On arrival we head straight to the city's most famous attraction, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World - the Taj Mahal. This UNESCO-listed mausoleum was built by emperor Shah Jahan to honour his wife Mumtaz Mahal and stands as a monument to undying love. It's regarded both as the pinnacle of Mughal architecture and the most beautiful building ever built.

We enjoy a guided tour of the Taj Mahal and its magnificent gardens before checking in to our hotel, where there is time to relax before visiting the imposing red sandstone Agra Fort. The centrepiece of this historic complex is the Musamman Burj, an octagonal tower where Shah Jahan spent the final eight years of his life imprisoned in view of the Taj Mahal. Inside the fort, we can observe exquisite specimens of Mughal architecture, including the Moti Masjid - a white marble mosque.

After a day sightseeing, we return to our hotel for dinner.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Leaving Agra after breakfast this morning, we board a comfortable coach to travel into Rajasthan, admiring the contrasts of rural India.

Enroute, we stop at Abhaneri, originally known as the 'City of Brightness'. This timeless town sits peacefully these days, but was once ruled by the Chahaman dynasty. Here, we visit the Chand Baori, or Moon Well, one of the oldest and deepest step wells in India. A marvel of ancient engineering, this innovative way of sourcing water during the region's hot summers dates back to the 8th century. Its mind-blowingly interlinked latticed pattern plays with lights and shadows as the steps zigzag 13 storeys deep in inverted pyramid form. The site also contains a historic palace and adjoins the Harshat Mata Temple.

Leaving Abhaneri, we stop for lunch on our way to our hotel for the next two nights, on the edge of Ranthambore National Park. On arrival this evening, we sit down for dinner together in the hotel restaurant.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

There's a relaxed morning to enjoy a leisurely breakfast before a naturalist joins us to discuss the region's wildlife. A highlight of the trip follows lunch as we venture into Ranthambore National Park. In open-topped safari vehicles called 'canters', we embark on a safari into this fascinating wilderness. Declared a Project Tiger Reserve in 1973, it is possible to see a mighty Bengal tiger in the wild. These regal animals are elusive, but we will be keeping our eyes peeled in the hope of seeing them basking in the sun or prowling their domain.

While Bengal tigers are the main attraction, there are many other incredible species to make our safari a memorable one, with leopards, hyenas, caracals, crocodiles, mongooses, cobras, pythons and jackals stalking the landscape.

We return to our hotel for free time. Over dinner this evening at our hotel, we can discuss the day's viewing and the wildlife we have hopefully been lucky enough to witness.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Rising early, we head out again in our safari vehicles. Guided by local experts who are well-versed in the animals' movements, we hopefully have a good chance of spotting a tiger.

There is free time after breakfast back at our hotel to enjoy a leisurely morning. After lunch, we travel deeper into Rajasthan, viewing everyday life from the windows of our comfortable coach.

Arriving in Jaipur in the evening, there is time to unwind before dinner in the hotel. The stunning hues of the 'Pink City' date back to the 19th century. As the citizens prepared for the visit of the Prince of Wales in 1876, the local ruler - Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh II - decided to paint the city in shades of resplendent pink, the colour of hospitality. The prince, who later became King Edward VII, named Jaipur the 'Pink City', a moniker that has remained ever since. One year later, the Queen of Jaipur declared herself a fan of pink so the maharaja passed a law stating all future buildings should be that colour.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, Jeeps transport us to the remarkable Amber Fort. On our journey, it's possible to spot camels and decorated elephants. Amber Fort is believed to have been built for the Rajput maharajas around 1600. This UNESCO-listed palace first appears almost as a mirage on top of Aravalli Hill as the sun casts its morning glow. Exploring the palace's flamboyant rooms and ornamental Charbagh garden backdropped by mountains, it's easy to be spellbound by this reminder of Rajasthan's glorious history.

Our sightseeing continues in the afternoon with a visit to the City Palace, a gorgeous 17th-century palace blending decorative Mughal and Rajput architecture. Later, we travel to the UNESCO-listed Jantar Mantar, an 18th-century astronomical observatory. One of Jaipur's most renowned sights is the Palace of the Winds, with its façade of pink and yellow sandstone. Five storeys of intricate lattice work dotted with 953 small windows lend a honeycomb effect that originally allowed cool air to flow into the palace, making the interior a more appealing place during summer.

Returning to our hotel, we enjoy dinner in the restaurant.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Boarding our coach after breakfast, we travel through the Indian countryside to Tijara, arriving early afternoon. A short transfer by Jeep takes us up to our fantastic hotel - a 19th-century hilltop fort.

This verdant oasis rising above its semi-arid surroundings was once the dream project of the Maharaja of Alwar. Construction began in 1835, but the nine-acre site was left unfinished after his death and later abandoned. Now restored, guests can immerse themselves in the lifestyle of maharajas while relaxing on the colonnaded verandas or strolling the ramparts at sunset. This evocative atmosphere is increased by its seven terraced hanging gardens, with splashes of colour provided by jacaranda and golden amaltas amidst the jungle flora.

There's a free afternoon to relax in the sunken hillside pool or admire the lotus pond. Alternatively, you could opt to take part in an included pottery spinning class on the terrace or indulge in afternoon tea. Later, we enjoy dinner before a cultural dance show - a wonderfully authentic way to conclude our time in mystical Rajasthan.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Rising early, we close the final corner of India's Golden Triangle by returning to Delhi, with a picnic breakfast provided by our hotel.

This stunning part of India has been revealed through its magical palaces and spectacular wildlife as we have travelled from Delhi to Agra and Jaipur. Being guided through the capital's energetic bazaars on rickshaws provided an up-close insight into daily life in the city, while a contrasting experience was enjoyed admiring the iconic Taj Mahal. From seeking out tigers in their natural habitat to riding in Jeeps to Jaipur's Amber Fort and relaxing amidst the serene surroundings of our Tijara hilltop fort, India has showcased its majesty and charm.

Arriving at Delhi airport, we board our direct flight back to London Heathrow where your Indian adventure comes to a conclusion.

• Breakfast