Golden Triangle + Kashmir
No. of Days: 10 Nights / 11 Days
Routing: Delhi – Jaipur – Agra – Delhi – Srinagar – Pahalgam – Gulmarg – Srinagar – Delhi
Come on an unforgettable 11-day journey that blends India’s vibrant heritage with its serene natural beauty. Begin in Delhi, where centuries of history unfold through grand Mughal monuments and colonial boulevards. Continue to Jaipur, the Pink City, with its royal forts and lively bazaars, and then marvel at the timeless wonder of the Taj Mahal in Agra. From there, fly to Kashmir, often called Paradise on Earth, where you’ll drift across Dal Lake in a Shikara, stroll through Mughal gardens, and soak in alpine beauty at Pahalgam and Gulmarg. With a perfect balance of culture, architecture, nature, and soul-soothing moments, this itinerary offers a richly textured experience of India, both regal and rejuvenating.
Tour Highlights | |
Delhi | Red Fort, Raj Ghat, Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk, India Gate, President’s House, Humayun’s Tomb & Qutub Minar |
Jaipur | Elephant ride to Amber Fort Palace , City Palace, Jantar Mantar (Observatory) & Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds) |
Agra | Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Sikandara |
Srinagar | Shikara ride at Dal Lake |
Pahalgam | Beautiful Mountains |
Gulmarg | Best Ski slopes in the world and highest golf course of the world with 18 holes, Khilanmarg |
Day 01
Arrive Delhi
Arrive by International flight, after traditional ‘Swagat’ (Welcome) our representative would assist you at the airport & transfer to the hotel for check in.
Delhi is a bustling metropolis, which successfully combines in its folds the ancient with modern. Its strategic location was the prime reason why successive dynasties chose it as their seat of power. In fact, more mythological cities are believed to be here, like the city of Indraprastha from the Hindu epic Mahabharata, founded around 5000 BC. Numerous monuments were built over several centuries by different rulers like Qutub-ud-din Aibek, Alauddin Khilji, Tughlaqs, Humayun & Shah Jahan, who built the Walled City ShahJahanabad.
Later in first half of the 20th century much of New Delhi was planned by Sir Edwin Lutyens, who laid out a grandiose central administrative area as a testament to British rule in India. The division in walled city & New Delhi also marks the division in life styles.
Overnight Hotel – Delhi
Day 02
Delhi
Full Day Tour
Today we take a guided tour of Old Delhi, the 17th century walled city of ShahJahanabad, Visiting the great Jama Masjid, the principal mosque of Old Delhi. Built in the year 1656 AD by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, it is the largest & best known mosque in India. Later we will walk down through Chandi Chowk, the old marketplace of ShahJahanabad now a picturesque bazaar to reach Red Fort, built in the year 1648 by Shah Jehan.
In New Delhi, we visit Raj Ghat, memorial to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. It is a simple black marble platform that marks the spot of his cremation on 31 January 1948. Further we drive past India Gate, memorial built in the year 1931 to commemorate the Indian soldiers who died in the World War I & the Afghan Wars. The names of the soldiers who died in these wars are inscribed on the walls. President’s House, the official residence of the President of India, built in the year 1931. Until 1950 it was known as Viceroy’s House & served as the residence of the Governor-General of British India. We will also visit Humayun’s Tomb, memorial of Mughal Emperor Humayun, built in the year 1562. The complex is a World Heritage Site & the first example of this type of Mughal architecture in India. Qutub Minar, built in the year 1206 by Qutub-ud-din Aibek. It is the tallest (72m) brick minaret in the world, an important example of Indo-Islamic Architecture. Qutub Minar & its monuments are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Overnight Hotel – Delhi
Day 03
Delhi – Jaipur (262 km – 5-6 hours)
Today we drive to Jaipur, popularly known as Pink City, the flamboyant & colourful capital of Rajasthan. With its rich & colourful past, resplendent with tales of valour & bravery, it is now one of the most important heritage cities in India. The city was founded in the year 1728 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the ruler of Amber. It remains the only city in the world symbolizing the nine divisions of the universe, through nine rectangular sectors.
Overnight Hotel – Jaipur
Day 04
Jaipur
Full Day Tour
Today we take an excursion to Amber Fort, the palace complex which to this date was commenced under the reign of Raja Man Singh. We take an Elephant ride to reach the Fort situated on the hill, an overwhelming experience.
Later we will visit the City Palace, a perfect blend of Rajasthani & Mughal architecture. The center of the palace is a seven-storied building called Chandra Palace, with fine views over the gardens & the city. Further we visit Jantar Mantar (Solar Observatory), an astronomical treasure house, with solar devices that give accurate predictions till date. We will also visit Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds), a five-storied structure of pink sandstone. It was built in the year 1799 so that veiled royal women could peer down the busy street market unseen by the world through its 593 stone Jharokha (mini windows).
Overnight Hotel – Jaipur
Day 05
Jaipur – Agra Via Fatehpur Sikri (260 km – 6 hours)
Today we drive to Agra, en route we will visit Fatehpur Sikri (Ghost Capital), the political capital of India’s Mughal Empire under Akbar’s reign, from the year 1571 until 1585, when it was abandoned, ostensibly due to lack of water. We will visit Emperor Akbar’s Residential complex,Mosque & Tomb of Salim Chisti.
Further we continue our drive to Agra, beautifully situated on the banks of river Yamuna. It achieved prominence as the capital of the Mughal Emperors from the year 1526 to 1628, remains a major tourist destination because of its many splendid Mughal-era monuments, most notably the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort & Fatehpur Sikri, all three are UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Overnight Hotel – Agra
Day 06
Agra – Delhi (225 kms – 5 hours)
Half Day Tour
Today we will visit Taj Mahal (closed on Friday), a symbol of eternal love, which stands on the banks of River Yamuna. It was built by the 5th Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan in the year 1631 in memory of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It was completed in 22 years. Further we visit Agra Fort, taken over from the Lodhis by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in the late 16th century. The Fort can be more accurately described as a walled palatial city. It was built from red sandstone, often inlaid with white marble & intricate decorations. We will also visit Sikandra, Akbar’s tomb. His son Jahangir completed the construction of the tomb in 1613.
Later we drove to Delhi. I Arrived in Delhi and checked in at the hotel.
Overnight Delhi.
Day 07
Delhi – Srinagar by flight
You arrive at Srinagar by flight. Srinagar also known as “Paradise On Earth”. our representative would assist you at the airport and take you to the hotel / Houseboat for check-in.
Shikara boat ride on Dal lake is one of the most soothing & relaxing aspects of a holiday in Kashmir. Later in the afternoon we explored Dal Lake and its Waterways and will visit the floating vegetable market in a traditional Shikara boat. This unique kind of market can be only witnessed in Thailand and Kashmir. En route we shall see many species of aquatic birds on the lake, nestling on surrounding trees on floating marshes used for growing vegetables by local people, who have inherited a unique lifestyle living on the Lake for over decades.
Overnight stay at the Houseboat / Hotel.
Day 08
Srinagar / Pahalgam (Approx 96 Km / 3 Hrs drive)
After breakfast drive to Pahalgam (Valley of Shepherds). The distance of about 96 kms will be covered in about 3 hrs. Enroute visiting Saffron fields, Awantipura ruins (1100 years old temple of Lord Vishnu built by King Awantiwareman), see the beautiful countryside on the way and a lot of rice fields. Drive through the pine forest. Arrive Pahalgam transfer to Hotel. After lunch have bridle walks and feed your cameras with the picture of magnificent views of mountains.
Overnight in a hotel at Pahalgam.
Day 09
Pahalgam / Gulmarg (Approx 160 Km/ 4 ½ Hrs drive)
After breakfast drive to Gulmarg (Meadow of Flowers) 2730 Mts. above sea level. The distance of 160 kms will be covered in about 4-½ hrs. Gulmarg has one of the best Ski slopes in the world and the highest golf course of the world with 18 holes. One can also have the view of Nanga Parbhat if weather permits. The view enroute from Tangmarg to Gulmarg is fascinating. One can also have a short trek up to Khilanmarg, which can be covered in about 3 hrs. Also enjoy sledding on snow. Chair Lifts for mountain rides are also available.
Overnight in a Hotel.
Day 10
Gulmarg / Srinagar (Approx 60 Kms / 02 Hrs drive)
After breakfast, I drove back to Srinagar. Distance of 60 kms will be covered in about 2 hrs. On Arrive in Srinagar transfer & check-into the Hotel / Houseboat.
Today’s visit to Srinagar covering Nishat Bagh (Abode of pleasure) was built by Asif Khan brother-in-law of Jehangir in 1632 AD. The largest of the gardens, Nishat has seven terraces with a beautiful water channel flowing right in the middle. Shalimar Bagh (Abode of love) was built in the year 1619 A.D for was built by Emperor Jehangir for his wife Empress Noor Jehan. The Garden has four terraces; the 4th terrace was once reserved for royal ladies. Chashme Shahi (The Royal Spring) was originally laid out by Shah Jehan in 1632 AD. It is a tastefully laid garden in terraces, which commands a magnificent view of the Dal Lake below and surrounding mountain ranges. The cool water of the spring is highly refreshing and digestive.
All the gardens are situated on the banks of Dal Lake with the Zabarwan mountains in the background and Shankaracharya Temple located on a hillock, thus providing a panoramic view of the entire city, Dal Lake and River Jhelum. Shankaracharya Temple is located at 1100 ft. above surface level of the main city on the Shankaracharya hill, also known as Takht-e-Suleiman. The Shiva temple was constructed by Raja Gopadatya in the year 371 B.C. and as such is the oldest shrine in Kashmir.
Later in the evening we can visit handicraft & handloom centres famous for production of Pashmina / Shahtoosh shawls, world famous Carpets etc.
Overnight at Hotel / Houseboat
Day 11
Srinagar /Delhi and Departure
On time transfer to Airport to connect flight for Delhi. Arrive and Transfer to International airport to board flight for your onward journey.