The Golden Triangle & Shimla
Itinerary
Arrive in Delhi and transfer to The Imperial for a night. Visit the Jama Masjid mosque and explore the labyrinthine streets of Old Delhi by cycle rickshaw. Tour of New Delhi, including a drive past India Gate and the former viceregal residence. Attend a welcome dinner at Haveli Dharampura, enjoy a dance performance, and take in views of the Red Fort and Jama Masjid from the upper terrace.
Visit Humayun's Tomb and the Qutb Minar tower. Drive to Agra and stay at the Trident Agra (or similar) for 2 nights.
Sunrise visit to the spectacular Taj Mahal before exploring the tomb of Itmad-ud-Daulah and Agra Fort. Visit Mehtab Bagh (‘Moonlight Garden') for sunset over the Taj Mahal.
Continue to Jaipur via the deserted sandstone city of Fatehpur Sikri and Abhaneri stepwell. En route, enjoy lunch at the lavish Laxmi Vilas Palace. Stay 3 nights at a converted royal hunting lodge, Ramgarh Lodge (or similar).
Morning visit to Amber Fort and the Anokhi Museum. Afternoon visit to the striking City Palace, home of the present maharajah and the curious Jantar Mantar observatory.
Your day is at leisure to relax. Perhaps explore Jaipur's bazaars seeking out traditional Indian crafts, including jewellery, silver and silk.
Explore the Birla Mandir temple before flying to Chandigarh. Selected as the new capital of Punjab in 1948, Chandigarh was designed by the hugely influential Swiss-French modernist architect Le Corbusier and completed in the early 1960s. Stay for a night at the Taj Chandigarh.
Catch the early-morning Kalka Shimla Express toy train to Shimla, passing through stunning mountains. Enjoy the 360-degree views from the panoramic, fully glazed Vistadome carriages. Stay for three nights in this breezy, altitudinous settlement in the Western Himalaya, which served as the British summer capital during the Raj era.
Explore the historic Mall, a popular thoroughfare through Shimla established during the Raj era. Enjoy stories of its many colonial buildings while making your way to the grandest example: the Viceregal Lodge, a palatial 19th-century residence.
Your day at leisure, with options to explore Shimla on a nature walk, enjoy afternoon tea at the Oberoi Wildflower Hall, or visit the state of Dhami for birdwatching and lunch with a noble family (optional activity).
Drive to Chandigarh and connect with the train to Delhi. Stay overnight at The Imperial and enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
Tour ends in Delhi.
Trip Inclusions
- Admire the sunset over the Taj Mahal from Mehtab Bagh gardens
- Catch the toy train to Shimla in fully-glazed, panoramic Vistadome air-conditioned carriages
- Enjoy a welcome dinner at a UNESCO-awarded haveli townhouse with views over Old Delhi
- Take a rickshaw tour of Old Delhi for glimpses of vital city life
- Internal flights
- Flexible - extensions and room upgrades available
- 5-star accommodation
- Small group size - average 14 people (max 18)
- Welcome & farewell dinners
- Porterage at hotels and train stations
- Guided sightseeing & entrance fees
- 11 breakfasts, 2 lunches & 10 dinners
- Experienced local tour manager
- Ride in air-conditioned vista-dome carriages which give great views of the surrounding landscape
- Transfers in air-conditioned vehicles
- Express train travel in air conditioned executive class
- Itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and specified internal flights. International flights not included.
- † These activities can be pre-booked and incur an additional cost.
- Festival departures - Diwali: 06 Nov 2026, 22 Oct 2027 Holi: 27 Feb 2026, 12 and 19 March 2027
Cox & Kings groups rarely exceed 18 guests, and ninety percent of journeys have at least one guaranteed departure date, letting you plan with peace of mind.
Cox & Kings tours feature deep, authentic local experiences that reveal hidden truths and cultural secrets about each destination.
Cox & Kings partners with charming hotels that are comfortable and capture the essence of their surroundings, whether it’s a historic, characterful building, or an ideally placed location.
All Cox & Kings tours are guided and supported by experienced locals, who use their knowledge and on-the-ground relationships to improve and deepen the travel experience.
Dates & Pricing
Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you Enquire. Additional savings may apply. T&C’s apply.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Cox & Kings. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
