Golden Triangle with Ajanta & Ellora

Duration: 12 Nights & 13 Days
Destinations: Delhi (2n) – Agra (2n) – Jaipur (2n) – Mumbai (2N) – Aurangabad (3n)– Delhi(1n)

Golden Heritage

Discover the riches and glories of opulent dynasties, the legacy of ancient civilisations and its profound history, while enjoying some scrumptious food. This exhilarating itinerary will explore India’s fascinating multi-cultural heritage in Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Mumbai, and Aurangabad. Delhi is the capital city of India, rich with culture and history that represents the country. Agra is home to the most popular Seven Wonders of the World, the Taj Mahal, a testament of a King’s everlasting love.

Jaipur also known as “The Pink City”, this flamboyant state’s capital, with its magnificent forts and palaces and perfectly designed architectural splendour is the jewel of Rajasthan. Mumbai, the gateway of India is the defining landmark of the last of Colonialism in India. Aurangabad speckled with stunning and legendary ancient monuments, temples, and rare paintings, reflecting tumultuous history of medieval India spread amongst the infamous Ajanta and Ellora caves. This is heritage at its most enthralling.

Tour Highlights

Detailed Itinerary

DAY 01 – ARRIVE in DELHI:
 Upon arrival, after traditional 'Swagat' (Welcome) ceremony, Caper Travel's representative will assist you at Delhi Airport & transfer to hotel for check in.
Overnight Hotel – Delhi

DAY 02 – DELHI:
After breakfast we proceed for a guided city tour. Old Delhi is the historic part of the metropolis Delhi. This walled city of Shahjahanabad was built in the 17th century.

• Visit the great Jama Masjid, one of the largest mosques in India. Built by Shah Jahan in the year 1656 AD, it served as the imperial mosque of the Mughal emperors until the demise of the empire in 1857. It remains as one of Delhi’s most beautiful architectures.
• Explore Chandni Chowk, also known as the Moonlight Square. Designed by Princess Jahanara Begum, Shah Jahan's favourite daughter, in 1650 CE, originally containing 1,560 shops, the bazaar was 40 yards wide by 1,520 yards long. The market was once divided by canals to reflect moonlight now remains one of India's largest wholesale markets, filled with vibrant culture, and mouth-watering street foods.
• Red Fort, was built in the year 1648 as the palace fort of Shahjahanabad, the new capital of the fifth Mughal Emperor of India, showcasing the zenith of Mughal creativity.

 New Delhi is the capital of India and has significant importance in commercial, historical, as well as being the cultural and political hub of India.

• Visit the Raj Ghat, a memorial samadhi dedicated to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi where it marks the spot of his cremation on 31 January 1948.
• Drive by India Gate, a monumental arch built in the year 1931 to commemorate the Indian soldiers who died in the WW1& the Afghan Wars.
• President's House, Rashtrapati Bhavan or until 1950s was known as Viceroy's House. Built in the year 1931 it served as the residence of the Governor General of British India and currently is the official residence of the President of India.
• Visit the Humayun's Tomb, grand dynastic mausoleum built in the year 1562. The landmark is a World Heritage Site and a monument of Mughal architecture in India.
• Stopover the Qutub Minar, built in 1206 by Qutub-ud-din Aibek, it’s the tallest (72m) brick minaret in the world. This UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a specimen of Indo-Islamic architecture, symbolizes India's rich cultural and religious history.
  

Overnight Hotel - Delhi (Breakfast)

DAY 03 – DELHI TO AGRA (Car/Coach: 265 kms / 5 hrs):

• After breakfast we’ll begin our journey to Agra. Situated on the banks of river Yamuna, the city is home to one of the ‘Seven Wonders of the World’, the Taj Mahal and a UNESCO World Heritage site, Agra Fort. A must visit destination of India, Agra preserves and reflect the legacy of the golden age of the Mughals empire from 1526 to 1628. It breathes history, culture, and everlasting romance.

Overnight Hotel - Agra (Breakfast)

DAY 4 – AGRA:
“A Tear on the Face of Eternity” - Rabindranath Tagore describing the Taj Mahal.

• After breakfast, we explore the city of Agra and grasp the beauty of Taj Mahal (closed on Friday) in the first ray of the morning light, when this majestic monument bathe in its warm glow. This greatest architectural achievement was commissioned by Shah Jahan in 1631, in the memory of his wife Mumtaz  Mahal, who died giving birth to their child. Grieving after his beloved wife he illustrated his love as the inspiration of this iconic shrine, at unprecedented scale and cost. Thousands of elephants carried dazzling white marble over 300km. Semi-precious stones were brought in from Tibet, Persia and as far as Russia. Floral ornaments made of jasper, agate, malachite, opal, and mother-of-pearl was skillfully inscribed in perfect symmetry on the snow-white building, bequeathing a feeling of weightlessness. The main gateway was decorated with 22 white towers representing the number of years it took to build it, and a concluding passage in Arabic reading “Enter my paradise”.
• Next, we will visit the Agra Fort. Built in 1565 by Emperor Akbar the Great, it housed Sheesh Mahal and Khas Malah, Shah Jahan’s  residence when he was imprisoned by his son. A combination of Islamic, Persian, Turkish and South-Asian architecture, this fortified city was doubly enforced, with crocodiles in the wet moat of the outer wall, whilst the dry moat of the inner wall was populated with tigers.
• Drop by a nearby village to visit The Parchinkari craftsmen of Agra at work, who are believed to be descendants of the same craftsmen who built the Taj Mahal.

Overnight Hotel - Agra (Breakfast)

DAY 05 – AGRA TO JAIPUR (Car/Coach: 240 kms / 5 hrs):

• A picturesque drive to the city of Jaipur, popularly known as ‘The Pink City’, this colorful city is the capital of Rajasthan and the most important city of heritage in India. Founded in 1728 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the ruler of Amber, it’s the only city in the world sub-divided into nine rectangular sectors, symbolising nine divisions of the universe.
• En route we will visit Chand Baori, known as one of the largest and the most beautiful Stepwells in the world. It consists of 3,500 narrow steps over 13 storeys, and it extends approximately 30m (100 ft) into the ground. The oldest part of the Step wells was built in the 8th century, and the upper storey’s were expanded around the 18th century during the Mughal era.
  

Overnight Hotel - Jaipur (Breakfast)

DAY 06 – JAIPUR:

• Take a trip to the magnificent Amber Fort. Overlooking the Maota Lake, this palace was commenced under the reign of Raja Man Singh. It is now part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site along with five other remarkable 'Hill Forts of Rajasthan’.

**As a responsible travel company, we don’t include or encourage Elephant rides to the Fort’s palace entrance due to the ethical concerns over animal welfare. Return transfer to the palace entrance will be made via a jeep**

• In the Afternoon, we’ll visit the City Palace which remains one of the finest, most opulent, and well-maintained palaces. Occupying its centre is a seven-storeys citadel called Chandra Palace, with its unrivalled picturesque view of Jaipur.
• Visit Hawa  Mahal (Palace of Winds), an iconic five-storeys structure of pink sandstone built in the year 1799 for royal ladies to peer down the busy street market through its 593 stone Jharokas  (mini windows), unseen by the world.
  

Overnight Hotel - Jaipur (Breakfast)

DAY 07 – JAIPUR – MUMBAI (Flight: AI-612 @ 1335hr – 1525hr):

Board a flight to Mumbai. Upon arrival, our representation will meet you to drive you to your hotel to check-in. Spend the free evening at your leisure.
Overnight Hotel - Mumbai (Breakfast)

DAY 8 –MUMBAI:

• After breakfast we will explore the city of Mumbai, previously known as Bombay, the name was changed to Mumbai in 1995, home to the glittering Bollywood  film industry.
• Visit The Gateway of India, arch monument where the last British troops passed through the Gateway with a 21-gun salute, signalling the end of the British Raj.
• Prince of Wales Museum, now known as Chhatrapati  Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS), housing over 70,000 Indus Valley civilization artefacts dating 2000 BC and priceless Tibetan & Nepali Art.
• Catch a ferry boat (not available in monsoon season) from Gateway of India to visit Elephanta Caves (closed on Monday), located on Elephanta Island, 10km offshore. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this collection of rock-cut temples and shrines dating back to the 2nd century BCE, are dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva.
• Ride along the Marine Drive, also known as the Queen’s pearl necklace, from Nariman Point past Chowpatty Beach to the foot of Malabar Hill

Overnight Hotel –Mumbai (Breakfast)

DAY 9 –MUMBAI to AURANGABAD (FLIGHT: 6E-5392 @ 1655hr – 1755hr):

• After breakfast, visit the Mumbai Chhatarpati Shivaji Terminus. Formerly known as Victoria Terminus station, this World UNESCO Heritage site is an outstanding fusion of Victorian Gothic Revival architecture and Indian traditional craftsmanship.  
• In the afternoon, transfer to the Airport to board a flight to Aurangabad, home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the legendary Ajanta and Ellora Caves.
• Upon arrival in Aurangabad check-in to your hotel and the evening is at your leisure.

Overnight Hotel –Aurangabad (Breakfast)

DAY 10 – AURANGABAD:

• After breakfast we will proceed for a full day exploration of the Ajanta caves (close on Monday).  Ajanta was discovered in 1819 by a group of British army officers. The Caves were developed during the period spanning from 200B.C. to 650A.D. Ajanta’s 29 caves hold a rich collection of rock-cut architecture and exquisite mural paintings. Among the 29 caves, 5 were developed during the Hinayana phase, while 24 were created during the Mahayana phase of Buddhism. Its exquisite fresco paintings and sculptures of Buddha's life are famous throughout the world asthe earliest and finest examples of Buddhist pictorial art.
• Enjoy the free evening at your leisure.
  

Overnight Hotel –Aurangabad (Breakfast)

DAY 11 – AURANGABAD:

• After Breakfast we will explore the Ellora Caves (close on Tuesdays), Daulatabad Fort and Aurangabad Caves, rock-hewn temples and monasteries dating from 600 to 1000 A.D. There are total of 34 cave temples, 12 Mahayana Buddhist caves (550-750AD), 17 Hindu caves (600-875AD) and 5 caves of the Jain faith (800-1000AD). 22 more caves dedicated to Lord Shiva, were recently discovered. Kailash Temple (cave16)is the central attraction at Ellora and the most remarkable. Chiseled by hand from a single massive rock, it is believed to have taken 7000 laborers, working in continuous shifts and 150 years to build.
• Enjoy thefree evening at your leisure.
  

Overnight Hotel –Aurangabad (Breakfast)

DAY 12 – AURANGABAD to DELHI (Flight: AI-444 @ 0740hr – 0925hr):
Transfer to airport to board a flight to Delhi. Upon arrival, check-in to your hotel and spend the free evening at your leisure.

Overnight Hotel –Delhi (Breakfast)

DAY 13 – DELHI:
After Breakfast, we will transfer you to Delhi International Airport to board your flight and conclude your tour. We Thank   you for travelling with Caper Travel and letting us be part of your journey. We hope to see you again soon!
Departure (Breakfast)

PACKAGE RATES INCLUDES:

• 12 x  Nights  Accommodation.
• Total of 12xBreakfasts per person (one/day at each hotel – excluding arrival day)
• Entry fee (Single visit) to all Monuments will be visited in the itineraries.
• Transportation – Air condition Toyota Crysta car (min 2 pax) OR an Air condition 9seaters Mini coach (min 4-6 pax) with driver.
• Services of an English-speaking guide (excluding ‘leisure’ intervals).
• Additional transportation – 40mins Rickshaw ride at Chandni  Chowk Old Delhi Tour Day2, Return Jeep transfers at Amber Fort, Ferry boat transfer to Elephanta Island.

PACKAGE EXCLUDES:

• Flights (local or international) or any mode of transportation not mentioned in the package.
• Any personal expenses e.g: alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks, laundry, telephones, tips, meal not stated as ‘included’, Camera fee, etc.
• Any items/destinations/tours not stated as ‘included’ in this package.
• Additional Experiences Tours are priced separately and will be charged accordingly.

HOTELS UTILISED:

*subject to availability and changes to a similar category*: