Along the north of India stands the Golden Triangle, a renowned route between the cities of New Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. Named for the geometric shape they form on India's map, a journey through these cities is an incredible introduction to the splendor of this nation's magnificent culture.

On a five-city tour through the Golden Triangle and beyond to Mumbai, be welcomed to this legendary country in majestic style. Revel in the vibrant sights and aromatic scents of India's lively spice markets where amongst the bustling lanes of ancient cities, an endless variety of heaping spices entices all the senses. Shop amongst the world's most colorful shopping bazaars for silver, pearls and other fine Indian specialties to uncover the pulse of India's dynamic street culture.

A nation's culture resides in the hearts and in the soul of its people. - Mohandas Gandhi 

Encounter the captivating architecture of the nation in private guided tours through the region's most regal palaces and significant monuments, including the iconic white-marbled grounds of the Taj Mahal, the legendary testimony of love from Emperor Shah Jahan to his wife in Agra.

In Jaipur, join the Royal Family for special meetings and cultural exchange, followed by a visit to the verdant fields of Rambagh Palace Elephant Polo Grounds. There, beautifully decorated elephants will charm visitors with their polo skills. 

Other highlights include a private lunch with India’s most celebrated chef, Hemant Oberoi,  featuring the Marathi and Parsi Cuisines of Mumbai.

*A minimum number of travelers may be required for select experiences mentioned in the program.

• 9 Day Itinerary: New Delhi, Agra, Alwar, Jaipur, Mumbai
• Day 1: New Delhi

  New Delhi

  

  Arrive to the extraordinary grounds of the ITC Maurya Hotel, a tribute to the age of the great Mauryan Dynasty (321 to 185 B.C.). This timeless structure boasts inspiring architecture in a majestic ambience.
• Day 2: New Delhi

  Old Delhi, Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Humayun's Tomb

  

  After breakfast at the ITC Maurya, experience a full-day guided tour of Old and New Delhi. Begin along Raj Path, a wonderfully planned boulevard with ornamental ponds and trees lining each side, and encounter the red sandstone and granite India Gate, a 42-meter-high memorial that commemorates the soldiers of the British Indian Army. Continue past the Rastrapati Bhawan (Presidential Palace) a blend of both Mughal and Western architectural styles, before leaving New Delhi to the three-thousand-year old city of Old Delhi. Highlights include Old Delhi's 17th century Red Fort, the prominent walled palace built by Shah Jahan, the Mughal emperor and a symbol of Indian independence, along with the Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India.

  Explore the culture of this ancient part of Delhi by rickshaw. Wind through the narrow lanes of Chandini Chowk on a ride through this neighborhood, renowned for its antique, sari and silver stores. Visit the Kinari Bazaar, New Delhi's famed Bridal market, along with its legendary Spice Market, where you will be immersed in a myriad of colorful sights and fragrant aromas of an endless variety. Conclude the morning by discovering the art of pigeon flying by a kabootar baz. On the rooftop of his home, watch as he controls up to 50 pigeons using only a whistle, stick and a bag of seeds.

  After dining at one of New Delhi's finest restaurants, visit the wonderfully-preserved Humayun's Tomb, constructed in honor of the 16th century Mughal emperor and set amongst four imperial gardens. Conclude the day at the gold-domed Sikh Gurdwara, the revered Sikh shrine and witness the closing of the Holy Book for the night. (Please note that shoes are not allowed in the temple and men and women are both requested to cover their head with a scarf or handkerchief.) In the evening, special arrangements have been made for a dinner event at one of Delhi's most acclaimed restaurants, with politicians and members of Delhi society in attendance.
• Day 3: Agra

  Baby Taj, Agra Fort, Taj Mahal

  

  After a leisurely breakfast, be transported to Agra, approximately four hours away, for an afternoon of sightseeing. Begin with a visit to the jewel-box-in-marble minarets of Itimad-ud-Daulah's Tomb, also known as the Baby Taj (pictured). Set among a vast cruciform garden of water walks, the white-marbled Baby Taj is architecturally notable for being one of the first monuments in the Mughal style, over the traditional red-sandstone style of previous eras.

  On the western banks of the Yamuna River stands the crescent-shaped 16th century imperial Agra Fort. Surrounded by 70-foot red sandstone walls, this regal complex built by Emperor Akbar in 1565 includes a marbled, open-air Hall of Public Audience encrusted with jewels plus a myriad of royal palaces, including the arabesque Khas Mahal, built with a stream running through its interior.

  At sunset, be taken to the Taj Mahal, India's celebrated monument of love, built in memory of Empress Mumtaz by her husband, Shah Jehan. As the day ends, watch how the sun transforms the breathtaking white marble monument into a rose-colored treasure.
• Day 4: Agra, Alwar

  Taj Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri, Aman Bagh

  

  Perhaps the best time of the day to visit the Taj Mahal is at sunrise. Learn about the inspiration, history, origin and influences surrounding this iconic Mughal masterpiece (pictured). Enjoy the opportunity to start your day viewing the monument in the pristine morning light, when it is not crowded with visitors.

  Return to the ITC Mughal for breakfast, then be transferred to Aman Bagh in Alwar by road, an approximate four hour ride. En route, visit the walled city of Fatehpur Sikri, built by the great Mughal Emperor Akbar. This City of Victory was considered one of the best examples of Mughal architecture, blending the best of Hindu and Islamic traditions. With its imposing gateways, Fatehpur Sikri symbolized Akbar's secular visions of India. Uncover the history of India's once great capital, from detailed conception to subsequent decline, due to its lack of water supply. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1986, the city remains to this day a site to behold.
• Day 5: Rajasthan

  Rural Rajasthan

  

  Enjoy group yoga classes at the resort before breakfast. Today, a private cooking class for the group has been arranged where participants are invited to learn more about Indian cuisine. Afterwards, be transported to Bhangarh, a 17th century "ghost" city abandoned for hundreds of years, and learn about its storied history. Continue on your tour of the Rajasthan countryside with an evening excursion by jeep to a nearby village to watch the cows as they are walked home along the village's roads. This is a great way to experience rural Rajasthan, meet and interact with locals, and further understand the history of the region.
• Day 6: Jaipur

  Rambagh Palace, City Palace, Spice and Herb Market

  

  Depart Rajasthan for Jaipur, an approximate two-and-a-half hour trip. Upon arrival to the Pink City, visit the City Palace, the private residence of Maharaja Bhawani Singh of Jaipur. Part of the palace is open to the public and features a museum, along with an observatory. Tour the Hawa Mahal, the Palace of the Winds, a five-story facade that overlooks the walled city's main thoroughfare. With its 953 small windows, it was historically used by the ladies of the royal household to watch the local people perform daily activities.
  
  In the evening, visit Jaipur's acclaimed markets, beginning at the Spice and Herb Market, There, your guide will teach you about the various aromatic spices used in Indian cooking. Continue to the lively Bangle and Henna market, where women will have the opportunity to have henna designed on their hands or feet.
• Day 7: Jaipur

  Amber Fort, Elephant Polo

  

  Encounter a sprawling complex of courtyards, halls, palaces and apartments at Amber Fort, where you will have the opportunity to view the majestic grounds from atop an elephant. After visiting the Fort, be transferred to Rambagh Palace Elephant Polo Grounds where you will be welcomed by eight beautifully decorated elephants along with festive dancers and local musicians. Witness an exciting polo match with elephants, then enjoy lunch and the opportunity to meet members of Jaipur's Royal Family.
• Day 8: Mumbai

  Sights and Sounds of Mumbai

  

  Depart Jaipur to Mumbai by plane. After hotel check-in, be taken on a sights and sounds program of the dynamic city of Mumbai. The experience has been designed to showcase some of the more interesting and colorful inhabitants of the city, from Koli fisherman to the residents of Kotachiwadi; the dhobis who scrub the city's laundry at the open-air Dhobi Ghat and a few of Mumbai's 200,000 dabbawallas (the lunch carriers of Mumbai). Highlights include a tour of an Old Parsee home, the residences of Mumbai's first Persian settlers, a visit to Malabar Hill, the exclusive residential area in Mumbai, the terraced gardens known as The Hanging Gardens, and the Tower of Silence. Complete your tour with a visit to Mahatama Gandhi's Mumbai Residence, known as Mani Bhawan, now a museum.
  
  Lunch with Chef Hemant Oberoi, India's most celebrated chef, who has designed a special meal featuring Marathi and Parsi Cuisine. Then tour downtown Mumbai and the district known as "Fort." Learn about the colonial past of India's financial and business centre and visit architectural highlights including the Gateway of India, the extravagant Victoria Terminus, Bombay University and the High Court. Conclude your day with a hosted dinner and an option to visit one of Mumbai's most exclusive nightclubs.
• Day 9: Elephanta Island

  Elephanta Caves

  

  Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, then be transported by sea to the Elephanta Caves, approximately an hour away. Groves of mango, tamarind and palm trees encircle the tranquil Elephanta Island, just off the coast of the Arabian Sea. Discover the island's most important historical site, the 6th century A.D. Elephanta Caves. Hewed from basalt rock, over 60,000 square feet of intriciate frescoes are dedicated to Shiva Mahadeva, the holy Hindi icon. Be amazed by the three-faced stone carvings of Lord Shiva, as he is depicted as The Destroyer, The Creator and the Preserver.  After returning from Elephanta Island, eat brunch at either Indigo or Olive, two of Mumbai's most notable restaurants.