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Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

India's Golden Triangle, Tigers & Shimla

14-day India tour: Delhi, Shimla Toy Train, Taj Mahal, tiger safaris, Jaipur

Illustration of India's Golden Triangle, Tigers & Shimla

Great Rail Journeys operates India's Golden Triangle, Tigers & Shimla, a 14-day escorted tour departing from London Heathrow and returning from Jaipur. The journey combines the architectural wonders of India's Golden Triangle (Delhi, Agra, Jaipur) with the colonial hill station of Shimla in the Himalayas. A UK Tour Manager stays with the group throughout, guiding daily activities and managing logistics. Travellers ride four named trains, including the UNESCO-listed Himalayan Queen narrow-gauge railway, which winds through the Shivalik Hills from Kalka to Shimla via 102 tunnels and hundreds of bridges. The itinerary mixes guided sightseeing (Delhi's Jama Masjid and Red Fort, the Taj Mahal, Amber Fort, Fatehpur Sikri's red sandstone palace), wildlife experiences (two safari drives in Ranthambore National Park seeking Bengal tigers and leopards), and cultural moments such as a historian's talk on British Shimla and rides in female-operated pink tuk-tuks through Jaipur. Nights are spent in 4 and 5-star hotels; most stops last two or three nights, creating a balanced pace. This tour suits guided travellers seeking luxury accommodation, rail variety, and both cultural landmarks and wildlife encounters in a single journey.

What to know before you look closer

  • The single supplement is substantial: from GBP 3,749 (USD 5,010) compared to GBP 2,599 (USD 3,471) per person on a double, roughly 44 percent more.
  • Certain departure dates (11th and 14th February, 9th November) have different Shimla hotel accommodation; confirm your assigned property when booking.
  • Day 10 safaris may be scheduled as two safaris followed by a morning at leisure on Day 11, depending on the departure date.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: In flight

    Overnight flight from London to Delhi

    Your tour begins at London Heathrow. Meeting the Tour Manager and the rest of the group, you board a direct evening flight to India.

  2. Day 2overnight: New Delhi

    Arrival in India's bustling capital, Delhi

    Landing in Delhi late this morning, transfer to your five-star hotel for a chance to unwind. After free time to relax and possibly explore the local surroundings, regroup this evening for dinner in the hotel restaurant.

    Meals: Dinner

  3. Day 3railovernight: Shimla

    Into the Himalayas on the UNESCO-listed 'Toy Train'

    Early morning transfer to New Delhi station to board the Shatabdi Express AC Chair Class to Kalka (170 miles, just over four hours). Then board the narrow-gauge Himalayan Queen 'Toy Train' with a picnic lunch, meandering through the Shivalik Hills via hundreds of bridges and 102 tunnels to Shimla. Check in to the historic five-star hotel. Note: for departures 11th & 14th February and 9th November, accommodation is at WelcomHotel Elysium Shimla.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  4. Day 4overnight: Shimla

    Uncovering the history of colonial Shimla

    Author and historian Raaja Bhasin presents a talk on Shimla's role during British rule. Sightseeing tour in private cars to the Viceregal Lodge, Sankat Mochan Temple, and the Gothic revival Gaiety Theatre. Dinner at the hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  5. Day 5overnight: Shimla

    A free day to explore Shimla

    Day at leisure. Optional trip to Kufri and a tea experience at Wildflower Hall, or explore Shimla independently: Mall Road, the Ridge, Scandal Point, Children's Library, Christ Church, and Lakkar Bazaar. Dinner at the hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  6. Day 6railovernight: New Delhi

    Returning down the mountains to Delhi

    Leave Shimla by private cars, stopping for lunch at a local restaurant, then continue to Chandigarh Junction to board the train in AC Chair Class back to Delhi. Arrive late afternoon, check in to hotel, dinner this evening.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  7. Day 7overnight: New Delhi

    Discovering Delhi, India's bustling capital

    Sightseeing tour with a local guide: Jama Masjid, rickshaw ride through Chandni Chowk bazaar, Red Fort, Raj Ghat. Free time over lunch. Explore New Delhi's colonial architecture: Kartavya Path, India Gate, Rashtrapati Bhavan, Humayun's Tomb, and Gandhi Smriti Museum. Return to hotel for dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  8. Day 8railovernight: Agra

    Royal Agra and the Taj Mahal

    Depart Delhi on the Gatimaan Express in AC Chair Class to Agra. Visit the Taj Mahal on a guided tour. Check in to five-star hotel, then visit Agra Fort including the Musamman Burj and Moti Masjid. Dinner at the hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  9. Day 9overnight: Ranthambore

    The deserted Mughal capital of Fatehpur Sikri

    Coach to Fatehpur Sikri for a guided tour of the perfectly preserved red sandstone city: emperor's private chambers, Palace of Jodha Bai, Diwan-i-Khas. Buffet lunch at Laxmi Palace Vilas. Continue to Ranthambore, check in to hotel for two nights, dinner this evening.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  10. Day 10overnight: Ranthambore

    On safari in Ranthambore National Park

    Relaxed morning followed by a naturalist talk on the region's wildlife. Afternoon safari in open-topped 'canter' vehicles in Ranthambore National Park, looking for Bengal tigers, leopards, hyenas, caracals, crocodiles, mongooses, cobras, pythons and jackals. *On certain departures, two safaris on this day followed by a morning at leisure on Day 11. Return to hotel for dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  11. Day 11overnight: Jaipur

    Early morning safari and on to Jaipur

    Early morning safari in Ranthambore National Park looking for sloth bears, macaques, wild boar, leopards and Bengal tigers. Breakfast at the hotel, time to relax before lunch. Afternoon coach journey to Jaipur. Check in to modern five-star hotel on the edge of the city, dinner this evening.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  12. Day 12overnight: Jaipur

    The 'Pink City' of Jaipur

    Sightseeing tour: Palace of the Winds, UNESCO-listed Jantar Mantar astronomical observatory, City Palace. Ride through the sights in pink tuk-tuks operated entirely by women as part of a social enterprise. Rest of the day at leisure.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  13. Day 13overnight: New Delhi

    Jaipur's Amber Fort and return to Delhi

    Visit the UNESCO-listed Amber Fort by Jeep, exploring the ornate palace complex, Jaleb Chowk courtyard, ornamental gardens and mountain views. Afternoon coach transfer back to Delhi. Dinner at the five-star hotel – the final night of the tour.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  14. Day 14

    Homeward bound

    Check out with a picnic breakfast and transfer to Delhi airport for the direct flight back to London Heathrow.

    Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Ride the Himalayan Queen narrow-gauge 'Toy Train' from Kalka through 102 tunnels and hundreds of bridges in the Shivalik Hills to Shimla.
  • Day 4Historian Raaja Bhasin presents a talk on Shimla's role as the British Raj's summer capital, followed by a sightseeing tour of the Viceregal Lodge and Gothic Gaiety Theatre.
  • Day 8Travel by Gatimaan Express in AC Chair Class from Delhi to Agra and tour the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort.
  • Day 10Afternoon safari in open-topped canter vehicles through Ranthambore National Park in search of Bengal tigers, leopards, and hyenas.
  • Day 12Ride through Jaipur's pink-painted streets in female-operated tuk-tuks, then visit the Palace of the Winds and Jantar Mantar astronomical observatory.

Included

  • Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 12 nights' 4 & 5-star hotel accommodation
  • AC Chair Class rail travel
  • All rail and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Direct return flights from London Heathrow to Delhi
  • Breakfast and dinner each day, 6 lunches
  • Group luggage transfers between hotels from Delhi to Agra
  • All guided tours and excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance
  • Tips (recommended £28 per person to cover local guides, coach drivers and assistants, arranged with Tour Manager)

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 in the price?
Yes. Great Rail Journeys includes the Shatabdi Express (Delhi to Kalka), Himalayan Queen narrow-gauge train (Kalka to Shimla), Gatimaan Express (Delhi to Agra), and return service (Chandigarh to Delhi), all in AC Chair Class.
Is this an escorted or independent tour?
It is an escorted tour. A UK Tour Manager travels with the group from London Heathrow to Jaipur and back.
What is included in the price?
The price includes direct flights from London Heathrow to Delhi and return, 12 nights in 4 and 5-star hotels, all named train journeys in AC Chair Class, coach and jeep travel, breakfasts and dinners daily, 6 lunches, group luggage transfers, all guided tours and excursions, and a UK Tour Manager. It does not include travel insurance, tips (recommended GBP 28 per person), or single supplements.
How many nights are in each location?
Delhi: 3 nights; Shimla: 3 nights; Agra: 1 night; Ranthambore: 2 nights; Jaipur: 2 nights.
What is the maximum group size?
The maximum group size is 30 travellers.
When does the tour run?
Great Rail Journeys operates 19 departures from September 2026 through April 2028. Scheduled months are September, October, November, December, January, February, March, and April.

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