Golden Triangle – Classic India

Breakfast. Old Delhi sightseeing tour, beginning with Raj Ghat, the memorial marking the site where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated; the Bangla Sahib Sikh Temple, where we will observe the devotion with which members of the Sikh community listen to readings from their holy scripture; and Jama Masjid, the Great Mosque commissioned by Shah Jahan and built on a small hill near the heart of Old Delhi.

Islamic heritage remains prominent throughout much of India, particularly in the north, reflecting its former dominance across large parts of the subcontinent, the conquests achieved between the 16th and 19th centuries, and its undeniable influence on the development of Indian culture. From one end of the mosque's main courtyard, we can see the Red Fort, known in Hindi as Lal Qila, built by the Mughal Empire in the 17th century.

We will then continue by rickshaw (a bicycle pulling a passenger carriage) through the bustling streets of Chandni Chowk, one of Old Delhi's most popular markets. Here, we will immerse ourselves in a vibrant maze of stalls selling colourful ornaments, shoes, bags and glasses, surrounded by the intense aromas of spices and street food, with cows and goats occasionally wandering into shops. All of this takes place amid the constant bustle and lively atmosphere of the market.

Lunch at a local restaurant.

In New Delhi, we will drive along Rajpath, the ceremonial avenue of the city designed by Edwin Lutyens as part of the British capital, in the Indo-Saracenic architectural style. We will also see the India Gate, a memorial honouring soldiers who lost their lives in various wars, as well as the Parliament House, the Presidential Palace and the government ministries.

Visit to Qutub Minar, one of Delhi's oldest surviving monuments, whose construction began in the late 12th century. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993.

Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast. Departure by road for Jaipur, with a visit en route to Shahpura Haveli, located in the small town of Shahpura, approximately 65 km from Jaipur.

Shahpura Haveli is a proud symbol of the Shekhawat clan and the residence of the distinguished Shahpura family. As the ancestral seat of this respected clan, the haveli holds a place of honour, overlooking the impressive Warriors' Fort, which belongs to the illustrious family and stands as a testament to its enduring legacy.

Lunch at the haveli.

We will then continue to Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, founded in the 18th century by Maharaja Jai Singh II. Known as the Pink City, although it was not always pink, Jaipur was designed around four main avenues. Two broad parallel streets run through the city, dividing it lengthwise into three sections of equal width, while two other streets cross them at right angles, creating nine rectangular blocks. These nine districts symbolise the nine divisions of the universe.

Jaipur's thriving trade and industries, particularly textiles and jewellery, have helped make it a prosperous city.

In the afternoon, we will attend the Aarti ceremony at Birla Temple.

Overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast. We will travel by jeep to Amber Fort, which offers a spectacular view from the approach road. This magnificent palace complex dominates the top of a hill. Built from sandstone and decorated with carved marble covering its floors and walls, it evokes the splendour in which many maharajas once lived.

Return to Jaipur to visit the Maharaja's City Palace and its museum, as well as the Jai Singh Observatory, which is still in operation. Here, we will be able to appreciate the remarkable precision of the stone instruments built in the 18th century.

We will also stop to admire the spectacular façade of the Hawa Mahal, or Palace of Winds, one of the city's most recognisable landmarks.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast. Departure by road for Agra, visiting Abhaneri en route to explore its medieval Rajput monuments, including the Chand Baori stepwell and the Harshat Mata Temple, dedicated to the goddess of joy and happiness.

We will continue by road to Agra, stopping along the way at the abandoned Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri.

Built by the Mughal emperor Akbar between 1571 and 1585 in honour of the Sufi saint Salim Chishti, Fatehpur Sikri served as the capital of the Mughal Empire for 14 years. It was subsequently abandoned, leaving it vulnerable to looting and theft. Despite this, its magnificent architecture, which blends Mughal and Hindu styles, remains remarkably impressive

Arrival in Agra, situated on the banks of the Yamuna River. At the height of the Mughal Empire, Agra was one of its most important capitals. The city was founded in 1505 by Sikandar Lodi, Sultan of Delhi, on the site of an earlier Hindu settlement. In 1565, when it was known as Akbarabad, the Mughal emperor Akbar made it the imperial capital. It retained this status intermittently until Shah Jahan moved the capital back to Delhi in 1648.

In the afternoon, we will visit the Taj Mahal (closed on Fridays), where the soft light of sunset bathes the monument in delicate shades of pink and red, creating an idyllic setting in which to admire this spectacular architectural masterpiece, regarded as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World.

Built by Shah Jahan between 1631 and 1654 in memory of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj Mahal is constructed from white marble and combines elements of Islamic, Persian, Indian and Turkish architecture. Its romantic inspiration has made it one of the world's most celebrated monuments. Although the white-marble-domed mausoleum is its most famous feature, the Taj Mahal is, in fact, an integrated complex of buildings.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast. Visit to Agra Fort, built from red sandstone by the Mughal emperor Akbar between 1565 and 1573.

This impressive walled complex contains palaces and elegant buildings featuring a variety of architectural styles, ranging from the elaborate structures commissioned by Akbar to the more understated designs favoured by his grandson, Shah Jahan. The fort is surrounded by a deep moat that was once filled with water from the Yamuna River.

Visit to Mother Teresa's ashram.

Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Breakfast. Departure by road for Delhi Airport.

Lunch en route at a local restaurant.

Transfer to the airport.