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Vacations By Rail · Escorted tour

Discover India's Golden Triangle & Tigers

Nine-day escorted tour of Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur with tiger safaris in Rajasthan

Illustration of Discover India's Golden Triangle & Tigers

Vacations By Rail's nine-day escorted tour explores India's Golden Triangle and the wildlife reserves of Rajasthan. The journey begins in Delhi, where travelers on day 2 navigate the bazaars of Chandni Chowk by rickshaw and visit the Jama Masjid mosque. On day 3, the Gatimaan Express carries the group south to Agra for the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort. From there, motorcoach travel takes the tour through rural Rajasthan, stopping at the 8th-century Chand Baori stepwell before reaching Ranthambore National Park for two open-topped safaris in search of Bengal tigers and leopards. The tour then moves to Jaipur for sightseeing at Amber Fort and the City Palace before concluding with an overnight in a 19th-century hilltop fort hotel in Tijara. A professional tour manager accompanies the group throughout, and all excursions, meals except lunch on three days, and eight nights in four and five-star hotels are included. This trip suits travelers seeking guided comfort, cultural monuments, and the experience of Indian wildlife and palace architecture.

What to know before you look closer

  • The from-price of USD 1,699 covers the package; flights to and from India are booked separately.
  • One reviewer noted train cleanliness as a concern; confirm current train conditions with the operator.
  • Day 1 arrival and transfer to the hotel are independent, not guided.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Delhi

    Arrival in India's dazzling capital

    Landing in Delhi, transfer independently to the five-star hotel with an on-site spa and outdoor pool. Delhi is a lively and colorful metropolis; nearby sights include the ruins of a 14th-century Tughlaq fortress and the Baha'i temple. Gather for dinner in the on-site restaurant this evening.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2overnight: Delhi

    An introduction to bustling Delhi

    Visit the 17th-century Jama Masjid mosque, then a rickshaw ride through Old Delhi's Chandni Chowk bazaars, passing the Red Fort and Gandhi memorial Raj Ghat. Free time for lunch, then a sightseeing tour of New Delhi including India Gate, Rashtrapati Bhavan, the tomb of Humayun, and the Gandhi Smriti Museum.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  3. Day 3railovernight: Agra

    The iconic Taj Mahal in royal Agra

    Leave Delhi on the Gatimaan Express bound for Agra in AC Chair Class. A guided tour of the Taj Mahal and its gardens, then check in to the hotel before visiting the Agra Fort, including the Musamman Burj and the Moti Masjid.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  4. Day 4overnight: Ranthambore

    Viewing the remarkable 8th-century "Moon Well"

    Travel by motorcoach into Rajasthan, stopping for lunch en route to Abhaneri to visit the Chand Baori (Moon Well) stepwell and the Harshat Mata Temple. Continue to a hotel on the edge of Ranthambore National Park.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  5. Day 5overnight: Ranthambore

    Safaris in Ranthambore National Park

    A relaxed morning with a naturalist discussing local wildlife, then an afternoon open-topped safari into Ranthambore National Park, a Project Tiger Reserve since 1973, seeking Bengal tigers, leopards, hyenas and other species.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  6. Day 6overnight: Jaipur

    Arrival in the "Pink City" of Jaipur

    An early morning safari guided by a local naturalist, then free time before traveling deeper into Rajasthan to Jaipur, arriving in the evening.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  7. Day 7overnight: Jaipur

    Amber Fort and Jaipur's palaces

    Travel to the Amber Fort, boarding Jeeps to the hilltop entrance, then explore the palace and Charbagh garden. Afternoon sightseeing continues with the City Palace, Jantar Mantar observatory, and views of the Palace of the Winds.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  8. Day 8overnight: Tijara

    Experiencing the lifestyles of maharajas at a hilltop hotel

    Travel by coach to Tijara, then a short Jeep transfer up to a restored 19th-century hilltop fort hotel with terraced hanging gardens. Free afternoon, with an included pottery spinning class option, before dinner and a cultural dance show.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  9. Day 9

    Homeward bound

    Return to Delhi with a picnic breakfast provided by the hotel, closing the final corner of India's Golden Triangle. Arriving at Delhi airport, the tour concludes and travelers are free to board flights home.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Rickshaw ride through Old Delhi's Chandni Chowk bazaars, passing the Red Fort and Gandhi memorial Raj Ghat.
  • Day 3Travel by Gatimaan Express from Delhi to Agra, then a guided tour of the Taj Mahal and its gardens.
  • Day 4Visit the Chand Baori, an 8th-century stepwell at Abhaneri, and the Harshat Mata Temple.
  • Day 5Afternoon open-topped safari in Ranthambore National Park, a Project Tiger Reserve, seeking Bengal tigers and leopards.
  • Day 8Overnight in a restored 19th-century hilltop fort hotel in Tijara with a cultural dance show and optional pottery spinning class.

Included

  • Expertise of a Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 8 nights' 4 & 5-Star hotel accommodation
  • All rail and coach travel throughout your tour
  • AC Chair Class rail travel
  • Breakfast and dinner each day, 3 lunches
  • Group luggage transfers from Delhi to Agra
  • All guided tours and excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance is not included in the price of the tour but can be arranged
  • Arrival and departure flights

Also sold by

The same itinerary is listed by more than one company. Prices and inclusions can differ; compare before booking.

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. One leg travels on the Gatimaan Express from Delhi to Agra in AC Chair Class. All other travel is by motorcoach or Jeep. Rail and coach are included in the tour price.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes. Vacations By Rail provides a professional tour manager who leads the group throughout the nine days and is present for all guided tours and excursions.
What are the hotels like?
The tour uses four and five-star properties: Crowne Plaza New Delhi Okhla in Delhi (with spa and pool), Hotel Clarks Shiraz in Agra, Ranthambore Regency near the national park, Hyatt Place Jaipur Malviya Naga in Jaipur, and Tijara Fort Hotel, a restored 19th-century hilltop fort.
What meals are included?
Breakfast and dinner are included every day. Lunch is included on days 3, 4, 5, and 6. Lunch on days 1, 2, and 7 is at your own expense. Day 9 includes a picnic breakfast.
How much walking is involved?
The tour is rated Mobility Level 3, which includes walking through bazaars, palace grounds, and fort complexes. Jeep transfers access hilltop locations. Open-topped safari vehicles are used in Ranthambore National Park.
What is not included in the price?
International flights to and from India are not included. Travel insurance is not included but can be arranged. Lunches on certain days and any personal expenses are your responsibility.

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