Trip Inclusions
- 12 nights in premium accommodation
- Services of a Great Rail Journeys Tour Escort
- 30 meals – 12 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 12 dinners
- Ride the legendary Toy Train to Shimla, nestled at the foothills of the Himalayas
- Enjoy an informative talk from an author, historian and journalist Raaja Bhasin on the history of Shimla
- Take a fascinating rickshaw tour in Old Delhi and explore the Pink City of Jaipur
- Search for the elusive tiger on morning and afternoon game drives in Ranthambore National Park
- Experience the mighty Amber Fort with its ornate rooms and Mughal architecture
Map & Itinerary
Trip Notes
- Itinerary operated by Great Rail Journeys
- Itinerary, inclusions and pricing are subject to change
- Prices include transfers, tipping and porterage
- When arriving in Delhi, ensure your flight lands before 4pm
- Prices are for land/rail only. Flights not included unless specified
Insider Experiences
Designed exclusively for our guests
Insider Experience
Enjoy an included special or unique excursion or event
Arrive Delhi
Arrive in Delhi, the vibrant capital city of India, which seamlessly blends tradition and modernity. Be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel. Perhaps explore the local area and take in the kaleidoscope of sights, sounds and flavours on offer. Tonight, get to know your Great Rail Journeys Tour Escort and fellow travellers during a Welcome Dinner.
Stay: Delhi, Taj Palace
Daily :Delhi, Shimla
INSIDER EXPERIENCE
Ride the legendary ‘Toy Train’ and travel to Shimla. The World Heritage Toy Train provides one of the country’s most idyllic train journeys. This vintage train chugs its way up a winding route through the Shivalik Hills, passing lush green countryside, tree-covered valleys, across hundreds of bridges and traverse 102 tunnels.
This morning, transfer to New Delhi for your journey to Kalka in the foothills of the Himalayas. From your seats in your AC Chair Class carriages on the Shatabdi Express, relish a picnic lunch at your seats. From here, you’ll embark on your Insider Experience and board the Toy Train to Shimla, once the summer capital of the British Raj, arriving by early evening. Enjoy dinner with fellow guests tonight at your historic 5-star hotel.
Stay: Three Nights, Shimla, The Oberoi Cecil
Daily :
Shimla
INSIDER EXPERIENCE
Enjoy a talk from author, historian and journalist Raaja Bhasin as he presents an informative talk full of spellbinding stories about his hometown as he brings to life the history of Shimla.
After breakfast today, enjoy your fascinating Insider Experience then embark on a guided sightseeing tour of Shimla and see a number of colonial sights including the Viceregal Lodge, once the summer residence of the Indian viceroys and the Gaiety Theatre. Continue to the Sankat Mochan Temple before an afternoon stroll past the Victorian-Gothic Christ Church and to the mysterious Scandal Point, once popular for people to gather and share gossip. Later enjoy dinner at the hotel.
Daily :Shimla
Nestled at the foothills of the Himalayas and surrounded by picturesque natural scenery, Shimla is a delight to visit and was a favourite with the Sahibs from the time of the Raj. Make the most of your free day in this charming town as you discover it further on your own. Perhaps explore the Himalayas outside Shimla or visit Wildflower Hall for an indulgent high tea. Later this evening meet for dinner.
Daily :Shimla, Delhi
After breakfast, travel from Shimla to Chandigarh by road, navigating the twisting route amid incredible scenery of verdant valleys, before boarding the Shatabdi Express train back to Delhi, with a simple picnic lunch at your seat. Upon arrival, transfer back to your hotel and spend some time at leisure before regrouping for dinner.
Stay: Two Nights, Delhi, Taj Palace
Daily :Delhi
INSIDER EXPERIENCE
Take a rickshaw ride through the narrow streets of Old Delhi’s lively Chandni Chowk bazaar.
Today, explore Delhi, India’s vibrant, hectic, awe-inspiring capital city. Visit Jama Masjid, a 17th-century mosque, and one of India’s largest. Sit back and enjoy your Insider Experience. There is free time to enjoy lunch before embarking on a sightseeing tour of New Delhi. See India Gate, a triumphal arch commemorating Indian soldiers killed during the First World War. At the other end of this magnificent boulevard is Rashtrapati Bhavan, the official residence of India’s president, built in a blend of Mughal and European architecture.
After a visit to the opulent 16th-century tomb of Mughal emperor Humayun, conclude your tour at the Gandhi Smriti Museum. Learn about the life of Mahatma Gandhi, the man who Indians call the ‘Father of the Nation’ through informative artefacts and personal effects.
Delhi, Agra
INSIDER EXPERIENCE
Be in awe at the beauty of the iconic Taj Mahal, the white marble mausoleum inlaid with semiprecious stones. Commissioned in 1631 by the fifth Mughal emperor to house the tomb of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. It also houses the tomb of Shah Jahan himself. The structure took over 22 years to build and is a wonder to behold. Its awe-inspiring glittering white marble domes almost seem to change colours throughout the day depending on the position of the sun.
Set off this morning to the station where you will board the Gatimaan Express, travelling from Delhi to Agra, a journey that takes just over an hour and a half, on India's first semi high-speed train and the fastest train in India. Enjoy simple Indian snacks as you relax in fully air-conditioned carriages and enjoy the passing scenery.
Once in Agra, embark on your Insider Experience and later a sightseeing tour of the World Heritage-listed Agra Fort. One of the city’s most historic sites, the fort has served as both a military point and a royal residence in the past.
Stay: Agra, Hotel Clarks Shiraz
Daily :
Agra, Fatehpur Sikri, Ranthambore National Park
INSIDER EXPERIENCE
Indulge in a traditional lunch of Rajasthani cuisine at the opulent Laxmi Palace Vilas, which was built in the 1850s as a home for a prince of the Kingdom of Bharatpur.
Transfer from Agra to Ranthambore National Park, stopping en route at the abandoned ancient city of Fatehpur Sikri, a World Heritage Site, for a guided tour. This town to the west of Agra was once known as the City of Victory. Built in the 16th century, Fatehpur Sikri is home to a number of impressive monuments and temples. Enjoy your Insider Experience before jumping back onto your coach for the last leg of your trip to Ranthambore National Park. Savour dinner at your hotel.
Stay: Two Nights, Ranthambore Regency
Daily :Ranthambore National Park
INSIDER EXPERIENCE
This morning, enjoy a lecture from a local naturalist about Ranthambore National Park.
Enjoy a morning Insider Experience. After lunch, head out for a guided game drive in canters, an open topped safari vehicle, through the national park and go in search of the Bengal tiger. Ranthambore is one of the best parks to view this elusive cat. After an afternoon of exploration, return to your hotel for dinner.
Daily :Ranthambore National Park, Jaipur
INSIDER EXPERIENCE
Witness an evening Aarti, a mesmerising Hindu fire ritual accompanied by lively singing and dancing, offered as part of a temple blessing.
This morning set out on an early morning safari, the best time of day to see native wildlife, such as sloth bears, macaques, wild boar and leopards and perhaps have a chance of seeing an elusive Bengal tiger. Afterwards, return to your hotel for breakfast then travel by coach to Jaipur. Visit Birla Temple for your Insider Experience en route to your premium accommodation in the Pink City of Jaipur.
Stay: Two Nights, Jaipur, Taj Amer
Daily :Jaipur
INSIDER EXPERIENCE
Explore the Pink City of Jaipur via a pink tuk tuk. This enjoyable mode of transport is part of a social enterprise project to provide the city’s women with the opportunity for their own livelihoods. Discover why it’s beautiful buildings are coloured in a distinctive hue.
Begin the day with a visit to the City Palace, a gorgeous 17th-century palace blending decorative Mughal and Rajput architecture and home to the current Maharaja, before travelling to the UNESCO Heritage listed Jantar Mantar, an early 18th-century astronomical observatory. View one of Jaipur’s most renowned sights, the Hawa Mahal, the ‘Palace of the Winds’. The eastern façade of this pink and yellow sandstone structure is incredibly ornate. Five storeys of intricate lattice work dotted with 953 small windows. After our tour, enjoy your special Insider Experience. The rest of the day is free to spend at leisure and you can either unwind at our hotel or explore Jaipur’s excellent shopping options.
Daily :
Jaipur, Delhi
INSIDER EXPERIENCE
Spend time touring through the Amber Fort, learning about its fascinating history and uncover many of the rooms elaborately painted with decadent mirrors and precious stones.
Travel by jeep to your Insider Experience. This afternoon, close the sides of the Golden Triangle as you are transferred by coach back to Delhi. Tonight, say goodbye to your fellow travellers at a Farewell Dinner.
Stay: Delhi, Taj Palace
Daily :Depart Delhi
After breakfast, you’ll be transferred to Indira Gandhi International Airport for your flight.
Daily :Travelmarvel's program runs smoothly from go to whoa, with great guides, perfectly paced excursions.
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