Luxury India – Golden Triangle

Sept 2023 & April 2024 dates coming soon

Delhi – Agra – Samode – Jaipur – Udaipur – Delhi

SEE BELOW FOR TOUR DETAILS

Overview

• Delhi ( The Imperial Hotel - Luxury hotel - Heritage room )
• Agra ( Taj View - 5 star hotel - Executive Taj view room )
• Samode ( Samode Palace - Boutique heritage palace - Deluxe room )
• Jaipur ( TAJ Rambagh Palace - Luxury Palace hotel - Palace room )
• Udaipur ( TAJ Lake Palace - Luxury Palace hotel - Palace room )

PRE TOUR EXTENSION
• Varanasi ( Taj Ganges hotel - Luxury hotel - Deluxe room )

POST TOUR EXTENSION
• Goa ( Taj Exotica hotel - Luxury hotel - Deluxe room )

Trip Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival / Delhi  VIP meet & greet service at airport. Transfer and arrive at luxury heritage Imperial hotel.

Day 2

Delhi Breakfast at the hotel. Morning heritage walking tour in Old Delhi and enjoy a rickshaw ride at Chandni Chowk. Visit to New Delhi, India gate, government buildings, Sikh temple Bangla Sahib & community kitchen. Leisure time at popular Khan Market followed by lots of shopping opportunities. Welcome Dinner at award winning Spice Route restaurant. Overnight at The Imperial hotel.

Day 3

Delhi / Agra Breakfast at the hotel. Drive 3.5 hrs to Agra and check in to your 5 star with views of the Taj Mahal. Free time for lunch. Afternoon visit to the 17th-century World Heritage-listed Agra Fort. Sunset visit to the iconic Taj Mahal. In total, some 20,000 people from India and Central Asia worked on the building. Specialists were brought in from as far away as Europe to produce the exquisite marble screens and pietra dura (marble inlay work) made with thousands of semiprecious stones. The Taj was designated a World Heritage Site in 1983 and looks nearly as immaculate today as when it was first constructed. Dinner at specialty restaurant at your hotel. Overnight at the Taj View hotel.

Day 4

Agra / Samode Witness sunrise at the Taj Mahal. Breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Samode village and check in to Heritage hotel Samode Palace. Free time for lunch. Henna decorative session for guests in the afternoon. This evening celebrate the ‘Diwali’ festival.  Private pool side degustation dinner and overnight at the Samode Palace.

Day 5

Samode / Jaipur Breakfast at the hotel. Jeep safari to explore local farms and villages. Drive 1.5 hrs to Jaipur, marvel at the city known as ‘the pink city’. Upon arrival visit to local markets to explore, shop and eat. Check in to TAJ Rambagh Palace.  Enjoy the evening at your leisure. Free time for dinner. Overnight at TAJ Rambagh Palace.

Day 6

Jaipur Breakfast at the hotel. Morning visit to the Amber Fort, built by Raja Man Singh in the 16th-century. ‘Pink city’ auto rickshaw ride around the city. Later continue on to visit the Observatory and the impressive Hawa Mahal, constructed of red and pink sandstone. Free time for lunch followed by free time for shopping. ‘Elephant Camp Experience’, for many elephants are synonymous with Royal Rajasthan. Spend time walking through the jungle with the elephants followed by a Bush Dinner at Dera Amer, an evening of authentic cuisine under the stars. Overnight at TAJ Rambagh Palace.

Day 7

Jaipur / Udaipur Breakfast at the hotel. Morning to relax at your leisure. Transfer to Jaipur Airport for local flight to Udaipur. Check in to the Luxury Taj Lake Palace. Rest of the afternoon and evening at your leisure to take in the surrounding beauty and other worldly beauty of the Taj Lake Palace, the all-white marble palace that appears to float on the water, originally a summer palace for kings, built in 1743 by Maharana Jagat Singh II. Overnight at the Taj Lake Palace.

Day 8

Udaipur Breakfast time. Then excursion to visit to Udaipur's City Palace, Rajasthan's largest palace where the royal family still lives. Enter the gates, built wide enough for an elephant to pass through when the palace was constructed back in the mid-1500s. Serenity is found in the calming effects of the five lakes on which Udaipur is set, the elegant surrounding all-white Rajasthani buildings and the serene streets weaving between them make Udaipur the nation's most romantic city and in recent years India's destination wedding location. Explore local markets for shopping, James Bond rickshaw ride and lunch at Lakeside café. Sunset boat ride around Lake Pichola to enjoy the beautiful scenery, Special farewell dinner at Taj Lake Palace fine dining Indian restaurant, Neelkamal to share memories and celebrate. Overnight at Taj Lake Palace. 

Day 9

Udaipur / Delhi / Departure Breakfast at the hotel and morning at your leisure. Transfer to Udaipur Airport for local flight to Delhi. On arrival connect with your international flight for departure.

VARANASI pre tour EXTENSION
3 Days /2 Nights

Varanasi Extension Two days in the holy city of Varanasi are a must for any Indian neophyte. Take a sunrise stroll along the river to see the morning fire ceremonies or a wooden boat ride at sunset. Arrive in Varanasi, the spiritual capital of India. This sacred, soulful, spectacular city is one of the most colourful and fascinating places on earth. Your journey here will live within your soul forever. This extension will take in the highlights of the sacred river Ganges and the life which surrounds it in this captivating, timeless and magical city. Visit ‘Sarnath Stupa’ museum, the place where Gautama Buddha first taught the Dharma – Buddha's 'School of Smile' and in the evening time witness the Aarti Ganges Ceremony. Dawn boat ride along the historic River Ganges. Then explore the city on a ghat and bazaar tour.

Day 1

Arrival / Delhi VIP meet & greet service at airport. Transfer to the hotel. Rest of the evening at your leisure. Overnight at the Novotel Aerocity hotel.

Day 2

Delhi / Varanasi Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Delhi Airport to board local flight to Varanasi. Upon arrival at Varanasi visit Sarnath Stupa & museum. Lunch at Local café. Check in to your luxury heritage hotel located on the banks of the Ganges River. Afternoon visit to nearby Ghats. Ghats in Varanasi are riverfront steps leading to the banks of the River Ganges. The city has 88 ghats. Most of the ghats are bathing and puja ceremony ghats, while two ghats, Manikarnika and Harishchandra, are used exclusively as cremation sites. Witness evening ‘Aarti Fire Ceremony’ at the famous ghat. Overnight at the Taj Ganges hotel.

Day 3

Varanasi / Delhi Early morning boat ride along the river from a Ghat. Breakfast at the hotel. Free time to explore local markets and this ancient city. Transfer to Varanasi Airport to board local flight to Delhi. Upon arrival at Delhi airport, pickup and transfer to The Imperial hotel to join the TOUR.

MUMBAI & GOA post tour EXTENSION
6 Days /5 Nights

Mumbai formerly Bombay, is the gateway to India and it is big. A thriving metropolis of colour and sounds, full of dreamers, labourers, starlets, artists, fisherfolk and lots of people, an estimated 14 million. Home to the ‘Bollywood’ film industry, named for ‘Bombay’ and ‘Hollywood’. The genre mixes action, comedy, romance, drama and melodrama along with musical numbers. Some of Asia’s biggest slums can be found here; as well as the world’s most expensive homes to ‘crorepatis’ (or millionaires), along with the largest tropical forest in an urban zone. Formerly, the base for the British East India Company, a colonial and trade influence remains. Mumbai is India’s financial powerhouse, fashion epicentre and a pulse point of different religions. This city truly is pulsating with life and full of vibrancy. The heart of the city contains some of the grandest colonial-era architecture on the planet, but explore a little more and you’ll uncover unique bazaars, hidden temples, hipster enclaves and India’s premier restaurants and nightlife.

Goa is a blend of ancient Portuguese colony, sandy shores, forests, monuments and fresh Goan cuisine, including delectable seafood. Goa is world-famous for its beach life, water sports, lively bars, night life, cafes, beach shack bars and restaurants. From North to South of Goa, there is a new beach to find every five minutes. Goa is a shoppers paradise… from night bazaars to herb and spices markets and clothing markets where you can buy jewellery, beachwear, handmade crafts, boho dresses, handbags and much more. Goa has something for all the senses.

Day 1

Udaipur / Mumbai Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Udaipur Airport for local flight to Mumbai. Check in to your luxury hotel. Enjoy the rest of the evening at your leisure. Overnight at the Taj Mahal Palace hotel.

Day 2

Mumbai Go on a Mumbai by dawn tour. Breakfast at the hotel. Ferry ride to Elephanta caves, UNESCO World Heritage site which is a collection of cave temples which contain rock cut stone sculptures predominantly dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. Afternoon city tour visiting heritage buildings including Dhobi Ghat and the Hanging Gardens. Enjoy the rest of your evening at leisure. Free for dinner. Overnight at the Taj Mahal Palace hotel.

Day 3

Mumbai / Goa Breakfast at the hotel and morning at your leisure. Transfer to Mumbai Airport for local flight to Goa. Check in at the resort located in South Goa. Unwind with the rest of your day and evening at leisure to explore the beach resort and Spa facilities. Overnight at the Taj Exotica hotel.

Day 4

Goa Breakfast time. Full day Golden Goa Tour which includes a visit to the city of Margao, Menezes Braganza House and the famous Hindu temple, Mahalsa. Then continue to spice plantation farm tour with an authentic Goan Hindu lunch. Afterwards explore Old Goa, to see the beautiful churches of the old capital and then visit Panjim before heading back to the hotel. Free for dinner. Overnight at the Taj Exotica hotel.

Day 5

Goa Breakfast at the hotel and enjoy the entire day at your leisure. Unwind by pool, walk the beach, swim in the ocean or enjoy water activities. Spa treatments are also offered at the hotel. Overnight at the Taj Exotica hotel.

Day 6

Goa / Departure Breakfast at the resort and morning at your leisure. Transfer to Goa Airport. On arrival connect with your international flight for departure.

Prepare for your trip

 India is everything, and more, all at once.

It's a sensory potpourri; a visual explosion of bright saris, lumbering cows, marigolds, incense, spices and bursts of sunlight - where you're guaranteed to craft your very own Darjeeling Limited experience.

As for the language, Hindi isn't spoken by everyone in India - in fact there are more than 20 languages spoken throughout the country and English tends to serve as a common one.

A few Hindi phrases will definitely help along the way: "Namaskar" (hello), "shukriya" (thank you), "aap kaise hai" (how are you), "kitna hai" (how much) and "naam kya hai" (what's your name), may come in handy on your trip.

As for money, you'll be dealing in Indian rupees - there are about 55 rupees to each Aussie dollar. Credit cards are widely accepted, but make sure you know all your pin codes as signing has been phased out around the country.

WHERE TO SHOP

Rajasthan is famous for its colourful embroidered textiles, clothing, homewares, gemstones, silver & gold jewellery, pottery, carpets and durrie rugs, antiques and furniture. As well as miniature paintings, papier mache puppets and embroidered leather shoes.

To buy precious and semi-precious gemstones head to the "pink city" of Jaipur, where gorgeous blue-glazed pottery is also made. Jodhpur holds a treasure trove of shopping bounty.

Marble wares inspired by the Taj Mahal, some of them exquisitely detailed and inlaid with semi-precious stones, can be sourced in Agra, while Varanasi is a popular place to pick up silk and saris.

Delhi is globally recognised for quality and very affordable pricing across a variety of goods.

Mumbai take your pick of jewellery, Sarees or block-printed fabric, Art and of course Retro Bollywood posters and postcards.

Goa is well known for its beautiful variety of decorative Azulejos Tiles. cashew nuts and spices, coconut decor, beachwear, bags and accessories. As well as a variety of hats and musical instruments.

Kerala is known for oils and essence. The best and purest forms of oils and essence are found here. Kochi’s options to shop almost rivals its obsession with food. Pick up an array of packaged spices on offer, such as cardamom, pepper, cinnamon, turmeric, ginger, nutmeg, tamarind, cloves and bay leaves… let the wafting aromas guide you there.

In Cochin there are many varieties of cotton clothes and silk emporiums... you can’t leave without buying at least one traditional saree. Along with colourful bead handicrafts, brass bangles, metal mirrors, silver and gold jewellery.

Always a trade destination, from tradtional merchants to hip, young designers who create modern, fresh styles and fashion.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

All tours include domestic flights, accommodation, transport, air conditioned mini coach with refreshments, sightseeing entrance fees, special tour events and activities, local guides, most meals and tipping (except for national guide). Prices may be subject to currency fluctuation or surcharges.

As part of a conscious initiative to reduce the use of single use plastic bottles, TIKKA TOURS ground operator now provides alternatives to plastic bottled water. Re-usable metal water bottles with re-filling facility are part of our guest’s vehicles.

TOUR PRICE

9 Days /8 Nights
On request ( twin share per person )*
On request ( single supplement )*
Locally escorted private tour
( Based on 2 passengers )

VARANASI pre tour EXTENSION
3 Days /2 Nights
On request ( twin share per person )
On request ( single supplement )
Private tour ( Based on min 2 passengers )

MUMBAI & GOA post tour EXTENSION
6 Days /5 Nights
On request ( twin share per person )
On request ( single supplement )
Private tour ( Based on min 2 passengers )