The Golden Triangle and Breathtaking Kashmir

Saturday, 17 May 2025

Depart the UK to Delhi

Depart the UK on an overnight flight to Delhi.

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Sunday, 18 May 2025

Arrive in Delhi

When you arrive at Delhi Airport you will be met by our local Veloso guide and taken to your chosen hotel for a 2 night stay. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Delhi is often distinguished as the old and new, the old referring to the pre–British control and the new is Lutyen’s Delhi, built to suit British sensibilities and the rapidly expanding city of independent India. However as we explore the city you will see that these demarcations are fluid with an intermixing of the old and new Delhi’s produce a fascinating city life.

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Monday, 19 May 2025

Guided tour of Delhi

This morning, we explore Old Delhi, the former Imperial capital of the Mughal Emperor, though very little remains of the grandeur of the Emperor Shah Jahan’s city. Old Delhi’s backbone is Chandini Chowk. Today, it is a busy market selling an extraordinary variety of items – silver, jewellery, aromatic spices, leather, fruit and vegetables.  Apothecaries sell home grown medicinal items, and roadside dentists display their bizarre array of equipment and false teeth. Here, you will enjoy the walking tour near Chandini Chowk. We also visit India’s largest Mosque, Jama Masjid. This mosque is the final architectural extravagance of Shah Jahan. Begun in 1644, the mosque was not completed until 1658. It has three great gateways, four angle towers and two minarets standing 40m high. It is constructed of alternating vertical strips of red sandstone and white marble.

Your next stop is the Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, the temple of the followers of the Sikh religion

The Sikhs, which means “disciples”, are one of the country’s most recognisable groups.  Beards and turbans give them a distinctive look.  Unlike Hinduism, they believe in one god, and that everyone, regardless of their station in life, should do “sevak” or rendering social services.  This resulted in the “Langar” or community kitchen, where every member of the religion considers it an honour to come and put in a couple of hours cooking thousands of Indian breads, making huge vats of curry to feed the poor and underprivileged.

In the afternoon we visit Humayun’s Tomb, the earliest example of Mughal architecture in India.  Recently renovated with the gardens restored to their former splendour and the working fountains, it is a very attractive site.   Architecturally, the mausoleum drew its inspiration from the styles prevalent in Samarkand, and the design of the Taj Mahal is based on this tomb. 

From here drive to Qutb Minar complex which has many historic monuments. The first mosque in India – The Quwwat-Ul- Islam – built from the dressed and carved stones of demolished temples lies in this complex.  It establishes the political victory of Islam in northern India.  The Qutub Minar itself was begun in 1199 by Qutub ud din Aibak and was completed by his successors.  This fluted elegant tower is decorated with elegant balconies and carvings. 

On your way back to the hotel, you will drive past some famous landmarks; Rajpath (Kingsway), the imposing approach to New Delhi sets the venue for the Republic Day parade every January 26th for millions of people to gather and enjoy the spectacle. Among the buildings you drive past are the Secretariat buildings, Parliament House, Presidential Palace (Rashtrapathi Bhawan) and India Gate, a memorial to soldiers of the undivided Indian Army who died in the period between 1914 and 1921.

Tuesday, 20 May 2025

Agra and visit the Taj Mahal

We drive to Agra for a 1 night stay. Two great Mughal monarchs, Akbar and Shah Jahan, transformed the little village of Agra into a befitting second capital of the Mughal Empire). 

In the afternoon we visit Agra Fort. When the Mughal Emperor Akbar established his supremacy in Northern India, he began his first architectural venture, rebuilding the fort as a beautiful fort palace.  The work was completed by his son and grandson, highlighting the Mughal’s ability to blend defensive and decorative architecture. Richly decorated with marble and mosaic, it was in a part of this fort that Shah Jahan spent the last years of his life, imprisoned by his son Aurangzeb. His private quarters, where he was confined, has a magical view of the Taj Mahal across the river Yamuna.

After High Tea at Taj Khema, we drive to the Taj Mahal, aptly described by the poet laureate Tagore as “A tear on the face of eternity”. Decorated with a mosaic of semi-precious stones and Persian calligraphy recreating verses from the Koran, the mausoleum is an important place of pilgrimage since the empress died in childbirth making her a martyr.

Wednesday, 21 May 2025

Deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri

This morning we visit the deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri, built by Emperor Akbar in 1569, in honour of the great Saint Sheikh Salim Chisti who blessed Akbar and prophesized the birth of three sons to the heirless Emperor. Akbar used Fatehpur Sikri as his capital and the city was fully occupied for 14 years but slowly became deserted and ruined after Akbar left the city. Scarcity of water was the prime factor for the abandonment of this beautiful city. Visit the remarkably well-preserved, graceful buildings within the 'Ghost City' including the Jama Masjid, tomb of Salim Chisti, Panch Mahal Palace and other palaces that speak of the grandeur and splendor of the Mughal empire at the height of its power.

In the afternoon, take the train to Sawai Madhopur where we overnight at your chosen hotel.

Thursday, 22 May 2025

4 x 4 safaris

This famous national park is the best place to spot wild tigers in Rajasthan. Comprising 1334 sq km of wild jungle scrub hemmed in by rocky ridges, seeing a tiger (around 52 to 55 in 2016) is partly a matter of luck; but remember there’s plenty of other wildlife to see, including more than 300 species of birds.

The morning safari starts at 6:30 AM and the afternoon safari is at 2:30 PM. Both safaris last approximately three and a half hours.

Friday, 23 May 2025

Drive to Jaipur

This morning we drive to Jaipur, known as the ‘Pink City’, because of the terra cotta coloured lime plaster that coats the old part of the city's walls, buildings and temples. The reasons for painting the town pink are unknown; some say it is because Maharaja Jai Singh II’s was a devotee of Lord Shiva and pink was his favourite. The most popular reason is that pink is the traditional colour of hospitality, and the old part of the city was freshly painted and paved with pink gravel to warmly welcome Edward VII for his visit here in 1876.

We check into your chosen hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure.

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Saturday, 24 May 2025

Guided Tour of Jaipur

We start your full day guided tour with a drive to the famous Hawa Mahal, the ornate pink façade an icon of the city for a quick photography stop. This five-storied high “screen” composed of projected windows and balconies protected by fine latticed screens, was destined to enable the ladies of the harem to observe the lively street scenes of the city from a position of privacy. Next, visit Jantar Mantar. It’s the world’s largest observatory carved in stone and marble. Many of the huge ancient instruments here are still in working condition.

We continue to the Maharaja's City Palace. This sprawling palace is a superb marriage of the Rajput and Mughal styles of architecture.  The seven storied Chandra Mahal (Moon Palace) is a sprawling complex with multiple courtyards, public buildings, astronomical observatory and zenana mahals (harems).  Within the palace complex are several museums; including an interesting textile gallery exhibiting a fine selection of textiles and costumes from the royal collection.

In the afternoon, we visit Agra Fort. Hill forts were always important to the Rajput rulers.  Belonging to the Hindu “Kshatriya” or warrior class, they believed that “a fort is the strength of a king”.  They built a number of such forts all over the state of Rajasthan; some made for purely defensive purposes, but most built as fort palaces.  Amber is one of the finest examples of a fort palace, built similar in style to the surrounding richly decorated Mughal courts. 

Sunday, 25 May 2025

Fly to Srinagar

This morning we fly to Delhi, and onward to Srinagar. On arrival, transfer to your houseboat on Lake Dal for a 2-night stay on a bed and breakfast basis. The rest of the day is at leisure. 

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Monday, 26 May 2025

Exploring Srinagar

Today enjoy a Donga safari on the Jhelum River. Continue to old Srinagar to see the heritage of Kashmir including Jamia Masjid (Great Mosque of Srinagar) built in 1394. We also visit Hazratbal Mosque, located in a village on the banks of Lake Dal. Its pristine white marble elegance is reflected in the waters of the lake.

We continue to Mughal Gardens, visiting Nishat Bagh (Abode of pleasure) with the Zabarwan Mountain in the background. In late afternoon, we take a  Shikara Ride on Dal Lake visiting floating and Vegetable gardens.

Tuesday, 27 May 2025

Travel to Sonarmarg

This morning we drive to Sonamarg, a delightful hill station in the Kashmiri mountains. Transfer to your hotel for a 2-night stay on a bed and breakfast basis. After lunch, enjoy a guided tour of Sonamarg exploring the Sindh Valley streamed with flowers and surrounded by mountains.

Driving through the alpine valles to Sonamarg and Gulmarg from where on clear days mountains of the Himalayas, Great Himalayan Divide and the Eastern Karakorams can be seen taking your breath away. 

The Mughal Emperor said soulfully: "If there is paradise on Earth, it is here, it is here, it is here". So enamoured was he with this region that it is said that he visited it eight times in his lifetime when the journey was covered by horses and elephants only, taking months one way!

 

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Wednesday, 28 May 2025

Thajiwas Glacier

Today, enjoy a horse ride or trek to  and sledge riding on the glacier. On your way, pass pine and fir trees, waterfalls and stunning Himalayan scenery. Thajiwas glacier is at an altitude of 9,186 feet is a striking silvery scene set against emerald meadows and a clear blue sky. In summers, you can take a half-day hike to numerous waterfalls around this glacier. The road journey is quite hard, but the captivating views make it worthwhile.

Thursday, 29 May 2025

Travel to Gulmarg

We drive to Gulmarg today travelling amidst incredible views. After checking into you hotel for a 2-night stay on a bed and breakfast basis, you have a chance to view Nanga Parbhat Peak. In the evening, take a walk through the green meadows with snow covered mountains all around. Invigorating.

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Friday, 30 May 2025

Trek to Khilanmarg

After breakfast, enjoy cable car ride over the Purvanchal mountain range. We then trek in the mountains to Khilanmarg, with glorious scenic views all around. 

Saturday, 31 May 2025

Return to Delhi

This morning, drive back to Srinagar and fly back to Delhi. On arrival, transfer to your chosen hotel on a bed and breakfast basis, for you last night in India. A chance for some last minute shopping and reflections on your journey.

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Sunday, 01 June 2025

Fly back to the UK

Transfer to Delhi Airport for your flight back to the UK, arriving later that evening.