overnight - amritsar & the golden triangle airport a ... · shimla - the former summer capital...

Amritsar & the Golden Triangle

Amritsar & the Golden Triangle13 Days | Starts/Ends: Delhi

Amritsar & the Golden Triangle - 13 Days updated on 20-07-2018

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This information has been compiled with care and good faith. They give an accurate illustration of the proposed arrangements for this holiday.Circumstances beyond our control such as changes in local conditions, inclement weather or other reasons could force us to make changes to thisitinerary. Any costs shown are subject to change, though are an accurate reflection of costs at time of writing. Please also note that visa requirementsare subject to change and are the responsibility of the traveller and not that of On The Go Tours.

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Marvel at the glimmering Golden

Temple and witness the fascinating

Wagah Border ceremony in

Amritsar, then explore Chandigarh

and its Rock Garden and ride the

Toy Train to the former hill station

of Shimla, all before taking in

the highlights of India's Golden

Triangle.

HIGHLIGHTS AND INCLUSIONS

Trip Highlights• Amritsar - Explore the beautiful Golden

Temple in this northwestern city andwitness the Wagah Border ceremony withneighbouring Pakistan

• Chandigarh - Visit beautiful Sukhna Lake,the Rose Garden and fascinating RockGarden

• Himalayan Queen Toy Train - Journey toShimla - the former summer capital of theBritish Raj, aboard this famous narrowgauge railway through spectacular scenery

• Shimla - Take in the sights of this formerhill station, including the beautiful Jakhootemple, majestic Viceregal Lodge, the StateMuseum, Christ Church and Mall Road

• The Taj Mahal - Admire India's more famousmonument in all its glory with a guidedtour, and visit the nearby beautiful AgraFort

• Karauli - A former princely state. Stay inthe Maharaja's Palace and see the finerestoration work taking place at Karauli CityPalace

• Delhi - Explore Old and New Delhi on aguided city tour, visiting sites such asHumayun's Tomb, Jama Masjid Mosque andRaj Ghat - the site of Ghandi's crematorium.Take a Rickshaw ride through Delhi'sbackstreets.

• Jaipur - Discover the lofty Amber Fort, regalCity Palace and ancient observatory ofJantar Mantar in the Pink City of Jaipur

• Fatehpur Sikri - Uncover this ancientabandoned Mughal city, and explore itsremarkably well-preserved red sandstonebuildings

What's Included• 12 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 2 dinners• 12 nights - 3-4 star and heritage hotels• 2 train journeys: Delhi to Amritsar and Kalka

to Delhi• Travel by jeep to the Amber Fort in Jaipur• Touring of Amritsar, Chandigarh, Delhi,

Shimla, Agra, Jaipur and Karauli• Escorted by an English-speaking Indian tour

guide (for groups of 6 or more)• Services of English-speaking Indian

specialist guides at some sites• Entrance fees to museums in Shimla• All relevant transfers and transportation in

private vehicles

• Airport arrival and departure transfers onday 1 and day 13

• Narrow gauge Himalayan Queen Toy Trainjourney on the Kalka to Shimla Railway Line

What's Not Included• Tipping Kitty: USD$40-50, paid in local

currency• Entrance Fees: USD$70-80, paid in local

currency• International flights and visas• Tip for your tour guide. We recommend

you allow $3 - 7 USD per day per traveller.Tipping your tour guide is an entirelypersonal gesture

ITINERARY

Day 1 : Delhi to AmritsarMonday. Delhi - Amritsar. Upon arrival at DelhiAirport a transfer will take you to the railwaystation for your afternoon train to Amritsar. Youcan also choose to start your tour in Amritsarif arriving via Amritsar Airport. Overnight -Amritsar






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Day 2 : City tour & WagahBorder

This morning we enjoy a sightseeing tourof historic Amritsar, including the GoldenTemple and Jallianwala Bagh. Amritsar’s mainattraction - the beautiful Golden Temple, ismade of white marble, bronze and gold leaf.As sunset approaches we travel to Wagah, avillage situated at the border crossing betweenPakistan and India. Watch as the colourful andhighly animated changing of guard and flag-lowering ceremony takes places at sunset atthe Wagah Border signifying the closing of theborder for the day. Overnight - Amritsar (B)

Day 3 : Chandigarh

Amritsar - Chandigarh. Leaving Amritsar behind,we travel to Chandigarh arriving for anafternoon of guided sightseeing. Chandigarhis the definition of modern India, a wellplanned city designed by the French architectLe Corbusier. In the afternoon, we visit the RoseGarden, home to over 1,500 varieties of rose,walk along Sukhna Lake stopping in the nearbyornamental gardens, and explore the RockGarden. A completely unique and innovativecreation, the Rock Garden is a collection ofover 2,000 sculptures created over 20 yearsfrom a collection of concrete, steel drums, oldbicycle frames and broken sinks. Overnight -Chandigarh (B)

Day 4 : Toy Train to Shimla

Chandigarh - Kalka - Shimla. Today we driveto Kalka station to board the narrow gaugeHimalayan Queen Toy Train bound for Shimla.

The Guinness Records Book of 'Rail Facts andFeats' named the Kalka to Shimla railway as'The greatest narrow gauge engineering featin India’. The scenic 96 kilometre journeywinds around 919 curves, passes through 20railway stations and clatters across five levelcrossings, each to the cacophonous symphonyof greetings, tooting horns and the hubbub ofIndian life. There are also 102 tunnels to navigateand some 863 multi-arched galleries bridges –similar to ancient Roman aqueducts, to crosswhere spectacular landscapes of rolling hills,lush valleys and panoramic vistas can be seen.

Upon arrival in Shimla, we meet ourrepresentative on the station platform andtransfer to our hotel for check-in and an eveningat leisure. Overnight - Shimla (B)

Day 5 : Shimla Sightseeing

The most famous of the British hill stationsand the former summer capital of the Raj,Shimla is set in the foothills of the Himalayasalong a crescent-shaped ridge at an altitudeof over 2100 metres. The famous main street,The Mall, is lined with stately English homes

and retains a quintessentially British look. Todaywe enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of the loftysettlement, venturing into the narrow streets,which fall steeply away from the ridge givingway to colourful bazaars and fine views of thesurrounding valley and snow-capped peaks.Overnight - Shimla (B)

Day 6 : Free time in Shimla

Shimla - Kalka - Delhi. Today offers free time foryou to independently explore Shimla. You canopt for a stroll around the town, drop by thecolourful Lakkar Bazaar or hike to the summit ofJakhoo Hill, Shimla’s highest point. Here visitorsare rewarded with panoramic views of snow-capped peaks set as a glorious backdrop to thesleepy township of Shimla below. Hotel check-out is at noon, opt for some lunch and pack anevening picnic meal before boarding the KalkaShatabdi Express and arriving into Delhi late thisevening.Overnight - Delhi (B)

Day 7 : Delhi sightseeing

Today we enjoy a full day sightseeing tour ofOld and New Delhi, taking in Humayun's Tomb,Jama Masjid - India’s oldest and largest mosqueand Raj Ghat - the site of Gandhi’s cremationin Old Delhi, and the Rajpath and India Gate inNew Delhi. Tonight, we enjoy a group NamasteDinner at our hotel. Overnight - Delhi (B, D)






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Day 8 : The Taj Mahal

Delhi - Agra. Departing Delhi, we make our wayto Agra, the erstwhile capital of the Mughalempire. Our first stop here is the impressiveAgra Fort, which boasts some of India's finestMughal buildings behind its fortified walls. Laterwe travel on to the legendary Taj Mahal. Builtby the order of Emperor Shah Jahan in the 17thcentury in affectionate memory of his belovedwife Mumtaz, the Taj Mahal is perhaps one of themost extravagant monuments to love ever built.Overnight - Agra (B)

Day 9 : The princely state ofKarauli

Agra - Karauli. This morning we explore theMughal city of Fatehpur Sikri, which has beendeserted for over four centuries after it wasallegedly abandoned due to a lack of water.Thanks to the very durable red sandstone fromwhich it was built, Fatehpur Sikri still remainswell-preserved and is a fascinating place toexplore.

The highlight of the day is Karauli, which wasa princely state of India from 1348 until 1949.We spend the night here, at the beautiful PalaceBhanwar Vilas, where the current Maharaja andMaharani of Karauli reside. During our stay, wecan explore the palace and grounds at leisureand we may even be treated to a guided tour bythe princess. The family is also lovingly restoring

the Karauli City Palace, which we visit later thisafternoon. Tonight, opt to attend the eveningAaarti (prayer) taking place nearby. Overnight -Karauli (B, L, D)

Day 10 : JaipurKarauli - Jaipur. This morning we stop brieflyto meet the children and teachers at a localschool (if open) where we operate our ‘Changefor Children’ programme. If you have boughtany educational items with you to hand out tochildren this would be the time to do so. Thenwe drive on to Jaipur, the vibrant capital ofRajasthan. The rest of the day is free to spend atleisure. Overnight - Jaipur (B)

Day 11 : Amber Fort of Jaipur

Very early this morning there is the opportunityto sail over the lofty hilltop forts and regalpalaces of Jaipur in a hot air balloon, onour Balloon Over Jaipur Add-on. We thentravel beyond Jaipur to the stunning 16thcentury Amber Fort where we enjoy a tour ofthe fort's well-preserved interior and grounds.Later we visit a cotton weaving house to seea demonstration of fabric dyeing and blockprinting before touring the City Palace andJantar Mantar - an old yet cleverly designedspace observatory. Overnight - Jaipur (B)

Day 12 : Jaipur to DelhiJaipur - Delhi. This morning we drive back toDelhi. The afternoon is free for you to explorethe capital. Perhaps opt for a meal in the heart ofthe city this evening or simply relax with groupmembers at the hotel. Overnight - Delhi (B)

Day 13 : DelhiSaturday. Our touring arrangements come to anend after breakfast. Following hotel check-outand included transfer will take you to the airportfor your onward travel. (B)

HOTELS

The hotels listed below are ones which wefrequently use on this tour. We reserve theright to substitute these hotels to ones of asimilar standard when necessary.

Golden Sarovar PorticoSet in the centre of Amritsar, this hotel boastsone of the best locations in the city. Itsguestrooms are spacious and feature moderndecor, with free WiFi and room service tomake your stay even more enjoyable. If you’rekeen to keep up your fitness routine whilsttravelling, you’ll enjoy a workout in the hotel’sgym. When it comes to dining you can choosebetween a multi-cuisine restaurant and theTerrace Grill’s mouth-watering BBQ options.The Chill Bar also serves a range of exoticcocktails for you to unwind with at the end ofthe day.

Red Fox HotelSet in the heart of Chandigarh’s business hub,the Red Fox Hotel features fresh bold interiorsand comfortable rooms. Presenting simple yetmodern decor, the guestrooms come equippedwith the modern amenities you’d expect,including air-conditioning, high-speed WiFiaccess and a mini fridge. The Clever Fox Caféserves a free breakfast buffet in the morningand a range of healthy snacks and wholesomemeals to suit all appetites throughout the day.There’s also a well-equipped fitness-centre,perfect for travellers who like to keep fit on theroad.

Hotel Willow Banks






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The Willow Banks is a colonial-style hotelestablished in 1871 with each room boastingits own private balcony. As well as the gym andpool, the hotel has a steam room and sauna,jacuzzi and Ayurvedic massage available soguests can relax and rejuvenate amongst thestunning mountain scenery in comfort. Theinviting rooms are fully appointed with elegantfurniture and rich upholstery with WiFi accessand cable TV. The hotel is located on The Mall,within walking distance of great retail outletsand restaurants.

Jaypee Siddharth HotelThe luxurious Jaypee Siddharth is a stunningpoperty located just a few miles from the NewDelhi Railway Station. Guestrooms featurerich wooden floors and furnishings and areexquisitely decorated with creams and brownsas well as the odd splash of colour. In theirfree time, guests can indulge in one of therejuvenating treatments, available at the spa,or work up an appetite in the gym. A range ofcuisines are served in the various restaurantsthat can be found within the hotel complex.

Seven Hills TowerThe modern and stylish Seven Hills Towerhotel boasts a range of facilities and servicesdesigned to ensure the quality of eachtraveller's stay. Guests can enjoy a dip in therooftop pool or laze on the sun loungers beforeheading to the equally lofty restaurant forsome mouth-watering Mughlai cuisine. Thespacious guestrooms are elegantly decoratedwith neutral colours and fabrics covered withtraditional patterns and all have excellentensuite facilities. Why not head to the rooftop

pool and al fresco dining area for beautiulviews of the Taj - perfect for a sunset drink.

Bhanwar Vilas PalaceBuilt in 1938, this stunning property is theresidence of the Maharaja (181st in the RoyalDynasty) and Maharani of Karauli. Both thearchitecture and furniture have been designedin fitting with colonial styles. Rooms are splitbetween deluxe rooms and luxury suites, eachincluding a range of modern amenities suchas a mini bar, a well-appointed ensuite and aplush king-sized bed. In the evenings, guestscan tuck into an array of regional specialitiesas well as cuisine from around the world in thehotel's restaurant. The hotel is just 7km fromthe nearest train station.

Mandawa HaveliThe beautiful heritage style Mandawa Haveli isa fine example of typical Rajasthan architecture- set in terraced gardens with pretty courtyards.All rooms are well appointed with intricatelycarved wooden beds and king-size royalportraits. An evening spent enjoying a lavishRajasthani dinner in front of a traditional folkdance is highly recommended. Well locatedin the heart of Jaipur city on Sansar ChandraRoad, just a few minute’s drive from the Palaceof the Winds.

Hotel Jivitesh

The Jivitesh Hotel is centrally located in theheart of Karol Bagh, a popular neighbourhoodof Delhi which is renowned for its excellentshops and vibrant street markets. The Jiviteshoffers comfortable and spacious guest rooms,with all modern amenities and you can beassured of a warm welcome and excellentcustomer service from the hotel staff. Enjoyauthentic Indian vegetarian cuisine at thehotel's restaurant and enjoy a refreshing dipin the outdoor swimming pool, after a day ofsightseeing in the capital.

PRICES / DATES INFO

Departure dates noted with a 'G' are

guaranteed to operate. All other departure

dates are guaranteed with a minimum of

2 persons. Prices shown are per person

travelling. 'Twin/Double' prices per person

apply when there are 2 people travelling,

sharing a room. The 'Single supplement'

applies for single travellers who would like

their own room and needs to be added to

the 'Twin/Double' price. If you are happy to

be paired up with another single traveller

of the same sex on your tour, this can be

arranged, thus avoiding the single person

supplement.

PRICES / DATES 2018

Date Twin Share Single20 Aug USD 2,395 USD 3,39503 Sep USD 2,395 USD 3,39517 Sep USD 2,495 USD 3,49501 Oct USD 2,495 USD 3,49508 Oct USD 2,495 USD 3,49515 Oct USD 2,495 USD 3,49522 Oct USD 2,395 USD 3,39529 Oct USD 2,595 USD 3,59512 Nov USD 2,495 USD 3,49526 Nov USD 2,495 USD 3,49510 Dec USD 2,495 USD 3,495






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PRICES / DATES 2018

Date Twin Share Single24 Dec USD 2,595 USD 3,595

PRICES / DATES 2019

Date Twin Share Single14 Jan USD 2,495 USD 3,49528 Jan USD 2,495 USD 3,49511 Feb USD 2,495 USD 3,49525 Feb USD 2,495 USD 3,49511 Mar USD 2,495 USD 3,49525 Mar USD 2,495 USD 3,49508 Apr USD 2,495 USD 3,49515 Apr USD 2,595 USD 3,59522 Apr USD 2,495 USD 3,49506 May USD 2,395 USD 3,39502 Sep USD 2,495 USD 3,49516 Sep USD 2,495 USD 3,49530 Sep USD 2,495 USD 3,49514 Oct USD 2,495 USD 3,49528 Oct USD 2,495 USD 3,49504 Nov USD 2,495 USD 3,49511 Nov USD 2,495 USD 3,49525 Nov USD 2,495 USD 3,49509 Dec USD 2,495 USD 3,49523 Dec USD 2,595 USD 3,59530 Dec USD 2,595 USD 3,595

PRICES / DATES 2020

Date Twin Share Single13 Jan USD 2,495 USD 3,49527 Jan USD 2,495 USD 3,49510 Feb USD 2,495 USD 3,49524 Feb USD 2,495 USD 3,49502 Mar USD 2,495 USD 3,49516 Mar USD 2,495 USD 3,49523 Mar USD 2,495 USD 3,49530 Mar USD 2,495 USD 3,49506 Apr USD 2,495 USD 3,49520 Apr USD 2,495 USD 3,49504 May USD 2,395 USD 3,39518 May USD 2,395 USD 3,39501 Jun USD 2,395 USD 3,39522 Jun USD 2,395 USD 3,39506 Jul USD 2,395 USD 3,39520 Jul USD 2,395 USD 3,39517 Aug USD 2,395 USD 3,39531 Aug USD 2,395 USD 3,39514 Sep USD 2,495 USD 3,49528 Sep USD 2,495 USD 3,495

PRICES / DATES 2020

Date Twin Share Single05 Oct USD 2,495 USD 3,49512 Oct USD 2,495 USD 3,49519 Oct USD 2,495 USD 3,49526 Oct USD 2,495 USD 3,49502 Nov USD 2,495 USD 3,49509 Nov USD 2,495 USD 3,49523 Nov USD 2,495 USD 3,49507 Dec USD 2,495 USD 3,49521 Dec USD 2,595 USD 3,595

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