Golden Triangle and Monasteries of Leh Ladakh (Delhi Agra Jaipur with Leh Ladakh) - Package Details

Duration- 11 Nights / 12 Days

Places- Delhi-Sikandra-Agra-Fatehpur Sikri-Jaipur-Leh-Nubra-Turtuk-Nubra-Pangong-Leh-Delhi

Mode of Transportation- Fight and private vehicle with experienced English speaking chauffer

Meals- All meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Tour Manager- Available at your service right from your arrival till departure

Tour Guide- Local tour guide will be made available at all the locations

Inclusions- All inclusive except expense of personal nature like laundry, entry fee of camera etcetera

Hotel Category- Category of your choice. We recommend palatial / boutique properties wherever available

Golden Triangle-India's golden triangle is a tourist circuit that connects the national capital, New Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. The Golden Triangle is so named because of the triangular shape formed by their locations on a map and also because of the vast wealth of cultural and historic treasures to be found in these three cities The trips usually start in Delhi and move south to the site of the Taj Mahal at Agra then west, to Jaipur (the desert landscapes). It is normally possible to do the trip by road, train or plane. The Golden Triangle is now a well-travelled route, providing a good spectrum of the country's different landscapes in short duration. The circuit is about 450 Miles by road. Each leg is about 4 to 5 hours of seamless driving with few short breaks en route to cover places of historical importance.

Ladakh- Ladakh is the highest plateau in India with most of it being over 3,000 m (9,800 ft). Ladakh is most famous for breathtaking landscapes, the crystal clear skies, the highest mountain passes, thrilling adventure activities, Buddhist Monasteries and festivals.  Ladakh is one of the highest regions of the world. Its natural features consist mainly of high plains and deep valleys.

Day 1– Arrival Delhi

A very warm welcome to India’s capital city!!! Upon arrival you will be welcomed by your English-speaking tour manager and chauffer. Tour manager will help you with hotel check in and discuss thetour details. Depending upon your flight timings local excursions can be planned for the day.

Today’s Excursion- It can be discussed and planned as per your arrival in Delhi

Night Stay- Delhi

Day 2– Delhi

Post relaxing breakfast at the hotel, we will embark on a full day city tour. We will cover / pass through all the below listed places of importance. You have option to add / omit places.

Today’s Excursion-

• • Qutub Minar- Built in 1193, it is the tallest minaret in the world built of bricks. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The compound also has an iron pillar famous for the rust-resistant composition and is an excellent specimen of ancient metallurgy
  • Humayun Tomb- The tomb of Humayun construction was completed in 1572. The building was the first to use its unique combination of red sandstone and white marble. The tomb was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
  • Agrasen Ki Baoli- Agrasen Ki Baoli is a 60-meter long and 15-meter-wide historical stepwell built in 14th century.
  • Jama Masjid- It was built between 1650 and 1656.At the time of its construction, it was the largest mosque in the Indian subcontinent. The mosque predominantly uses red sandstone & Black marble. The courtyard can accommodate 25,000 worshippers.
  • Red Fort- The Red Fort historically served as the main residence of the Mughal emperors. Its design is credited to architect Ustad Ahmad Lahori, who also constructed the Taj Mahal.  it was completed in 1648. The World Heritage Convention characterises the Red Fort as representing “The Zenith of Mughal Creativity”
  • Raj Ghat- It is a black marble platform that marks the spot of Mahatma Gandhi’s Cremation. It is on the west bank of the Yamuna River
  • Rickshaw Ride- The Old Delhi Rickshaw Tour is special as it is royal and regal. Hop on
    board our cushy rickshaws and explore the Mughal-built Walled City in a comfortable, eco-
    friendly and adventurous way. This tour is a mix of Old Delhi Heritage and culture. Immerse
    yourself in this enigmatic experience and have the best of this Old City.
  • Drive through / Photo stop- President house / Parliament house / India Gate

Night Stay- Delhi

Day 3– Delhi to Agra via Sikandra (130 miles / 3 hours)

After early breakfast at hotel, we will depart for Agra visiting Sikandra enroute. Upon arrival at Agra check in and relax for a while before we proceed to take a spectacular view of Taj Mahal during the sun set.

Today’s Excursion-

• • Sikandra- The four-storied tomb combines both marble and sandstone in its exterior. The construction of Sikandra was completed in 1613. The tomb with is set amidst a large garden and is enclosed by four battlemented walls, each with a large gateway. The 99 names of Allah have been inscribed on the tomb.
  • Agra Fort- Also known as Agra’s Red Fort was built by the Mughal emperor in 1573.It served as the main residence of the rulers of the Mughal Dynasty until 1638, when the capital was shifted from Agra to Delhi. The 40-hectare fort has a semi-circular plan, its chord lies parallel to the river Yamuna and its walls are seventy feet high.
  • Taj Mahal- The Taj Mahal is an ivory-white marble mausoleum on the right bank of the river Yamuna. The tomb is the centrepiece of a 17-hectare complex. The Taj Mahal complex is believed to have been completed in its entirety in 1653 at a cost estimated at the time to be around ₹32 million, which currently would be approximately USD $1 billion. The construction project employed some 20,000 artisans. The Taj Mahal was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site 

Night stay- Agra

Day 4– Agra to Jaipur via Fatehpur Sikri (150 miles / 5 hours)

Post relaxing breakfast at your hotel we will drive to Jaipur, visiting the abandoned city of Fatehpur Sikri enroute.

Upon arrival at Jaipur check in and relax for a while before we embark on half day city tour.

Jaipur is also known as the Pink City, due to the dominant colour scheme of its buildings. During the year 1876, the city was painted pink to welcome HRH Albert Edward, Prince of Wales (who later became King Edward VII). It is also known as the Paris of India, and it was founded in 1727 UNESCO World Heritage Committee inscribed Jaipur the Pink City of India & among its World Heritage Sites. It is among the top 10 places of tourist attraction in Asia.

Today’s Excursion-

• • Fatehpur Sikri- It is an abandoned palace city which sits on rocky ridge, 1.9 miles in length and 0.62 miles wide and palace city is surrounded by a 6 km (3.7 mi) wall on three sides with the fourth bordered by a lake. Some of the important buildings in this city holds both religious and secular importance. The city was built massively and preferably with red sandstone.
  • Guided Tour of Old Jaipur City
  • Visit Shops for Souvenir Shopping

Night stay- Jaipur

Day 5 –Jaipur

Post relaxing breakfast at your hotel we will embark on our full day local tour of Jaipur.

Today’s Excursion-

• • Amer Fort- Amer Fort is great example of architecture. Constructed of red sandstone and marble, the attractive, opulent palace is laid out on four levels, each with a courtyard. Its construction ensured that a cool climate is artificially created by winds that blow over a water cascade within the palace. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site 
  • Jaigarh Fort- The Amer Fort along with Jaigarh Fort, is located immediately above on the Hill of Eagles. The Amer Fort and Jaigarh Fort are considered one complex, as the two are connected by a subterranean passage. This passage was meant as an escape route in times of war to enable the royal family members and others in the Amer Fort
  • Nahargarh Fort- Along with Amer Fort and Jaigarh Fort, Nahargarh once formed a strong defence ring for the city. Nahar in local language means abode of tigers. The popular belief is that Nahar here stands for the kind named Nahar Singh Bhomia, whose spirit haunted the place and obstructed construction of the fort. Nahar’s spirit was pacified by building a temple in his memory within the fort, which thus became known by his name
  • Hawa Mahal- The structure was built in 1799 from red and pink sandstone. Its five-floor exterior is akin to a honeycomb with its 953 highly decorated small windows. The original intent of this design was to allow royal ladies to observe everyday life and festivals celebrated in the street below without being seen. This architectural feature also allowed cool air to pass through, thus making the whole area more pleasant during the high temperatures in summer 
  • City Palace- The City Palace, Jaipur was established in 1727. It now houses the Museum and continues to be the home of the Jaipur royal family. The royal family has around 500 personal servants The palace complex has several buildings, various courtyards, galleries, restaurants, and offices  
  • Jantar Mantar- A Jantar Mantar is an assembly of stone-built astronomical instruments, designed to be used with the naked eye. The instrument can be used with an accuracy of about 20 seconds by a skilled observer & to measure the time of day, and the declination of the Sun and the other heavenly bodies. It is the world’s largest stone sundial. The Jaipur Jantar Mantar is a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Optional Activity 

• •  Elephant Ride to Amer Fort
  •  Jeep Ride to Amer fort
  •  Hot Air balloon – Jaipur City view from the top

Night stay- Jaipur

Day 6– Jaipur to Leh (Flight / 7 hours)

The day will start very early today when we will leave for Jaipur Airport to board flight to Leh (Ladakh). We will be required to change plane at Delhi Airport. Breakfast will be served onboard or at Delhi Airport.

Upon arrival check in at hotel and rest to let your body acclimatize to the reduced oxygen level and atmospheric pressure. Since we are arriving at 11000 ft, we strongly recommend taking complete rest & drink ample water on the first day where we should not indulge ourself in any strenuous activity

Later in evening we can take a stroll to the nearby market place.

Night stay- Leh

Day 7– Leh to Sham Valley and back (100 miles / 6 hours)

Post relaxing breakfast in hotel we will embark on our journey to nearby places of interest around Leh.

Today’s Excursion-

• • Hall of Fame Museum- Learn more about the role of the Indian army in the region and Ladakh’s history.

• • Magnetic Hill- Observe the marvel when driver turns the engine off with the gear in neutral, the car will start moving uphill as if attracted by a strange magnetic force that defies gravity

• • Sangam- It’s the confluence of the Indus River (green colour) and the Zanskar River (blue or brown colour depending on the season).

• • Gurdwara Pathar Sahib- Built in 1517, this is place of religious importance to Sikhs

• • Leh Palace- Overlooking the old town, this palace was built in the first half of the 17th century and was the residence of the royal family of Ladakh.

• • Shanti Stupa- A Japanese peace pagoda nestled atop a hillock. This two-level chorten was inaugurated by the Dalai Lama in 1991. It offers a great vantage point over Leh and the Indus valley.

• • Leh Main Bazar- Stroll among locals, where you can do shopping and try typical Ladakhi food.

• • Alchi Monastery- This monastery enshrines some of the best-preserved wall paintings in Ladakh. The monastery was founded in the 11th century by the Great Translator Rinchen Zangpo. A legend says that the poplar tree at the entrance is his walking stick which turned into a living tree

Night stay- Leh

Day 8– Leh to Nubra via Khardungla (90 miles / 5 hours)

Post breakfast at hotel we will check out of the hotel & start our journey to Nubra Valley through Khardungla, which is the World's highest motor able road at 18,832 feet above sea level. At Khardungla pass the snow-capped peaks and the mountain views are amazing. The road then passes through a bridge laid on Glacier which finds its way in Guinness Book of World Records.

Today’s Excursion-

• • Khardungla Pass- The pass offers an amazing view of the K2 Mountain range (the Karakoram)

• • Nubra Valley- Nubra Valley is known as “valley of flowers” in Ladakhi language. The valley lies at an average altitude of 3,100 metres and it is crisscrossed by the Nubra and Shayok rivers

• • Diskit Monastery- The largest and oldest in Nubra valley. Perched atop a rocky hillock, the monastery was established in the 15th century. At the top of a nearby hill, there is a colossal 32-metre-high statue of Maitreya Buddha, one of the landmarks of the valley

• • Hunder Village- Experience a camel ride across the Hunder white sand dunes. The double- humped Bactrian camels were brought to Ladakh when Hunder was a stopping point for caravans travelling on the old Silk Road. 

Night stay- Nubra

Day 9– Nubra Valley to Turtuk (50 miles / 2.30 hours)

Post breakfast at hotel, we will embark on a day trip to the remote village of Turtuk. Its a scenic drive along the Shayok River. offering spectacular view of mountain ranges and small villages. It is one of the most fascinating journeys in Ladakh and this is a less popular destination recently opened for tourist.

Today’s Excursion-

• • Turtuk Village- India’s northernmost village located just 12 km from the Line of Control with Pakistan. The people here have a unique culture. Explore the village composed of traditional stone houses and narrow lanes. Located at an altitude of 2,800 metres, it is warmer than the rest of Ladakh and apricots are grown here. Turtuk was under Pakistan's control until 1971 when it was annexed to India during the Indo-Pakistani war. On a clear day, the summit of K2 peak (the second highest mountain on earth) can be seen in the distance.

Night stay- Nubra

Day 10– Nubra to Pangong Lake (110 miles / 6 hours)

Post breakfast at hotel we will check out of the hotel & start our journey to Pangong lake. We will drive along the Shayok River towards Pangong, an adventurous road trip through beautiful mountain scenery. We will pass through beautiful small villages enroute.

Today’s Excursion-

• • Pangong Lake- It’s the highest salt water lake in the world. Take in the breath-taking views and setting of the blue lake set amidst the lofty Himalaya Mountains. Pangong is also popular because of its color-changing abilities throughout the day according to the sun. The lake lies at an elevation of 4,250m, it is 100 miles in length but only 30% of it is in India. 

Night stay- Pangong Lake

Day 11 – Pangong Lake to Leh (140 miles / 6 hours)

Enjoy breakfast, take a stroll along the shore of Pangong lake and watch the sunrise over the glistening blue waters. The lake is a wonderful place for wildlife enthusiasts as it serves as a breeding site for various migratory birds. Later we will start our return journey to Leh, passing through Chang La pass located at an altitude of 5,360m. We will pass through beautiful small villages and stop to view monasteries and palace.

Today’s Excursion-

• • Chemrey Monastery- Build in 17 th Century, this monastery is located in Chemrey village, rising above the barley fields.

• • Hemis Monastery- It is largest and richest monastery in Ladakh. Many shrines can be found within the monastery complex.

• • Thiksey Monastery- Located on a hillock overlooking Indus valley, this is one of the most famous monasteries in Ladakh. It is easily recognizable due to its architecture that resembles the  Potala Palace  in Lhassa. The monastery enshrines a highly revered 14m-high statue of Maitreya Buddha with a finely decorated headdress.

• • Shey Palace- The former summer palace of the royal family.
  •  

Night stay- Leh

Day 12 – Leh to Delhi (Flight / 1.30 hours)

Post early breakfast in your hotel we will leave for Airport to board flight to Delhi.

Night stay- Delhi (depending upon your onward journey)

Note: This is just a time bound sample itinerary indicative of how and what all could be explored. We can customise the tour as per your requirements. Set your expectations and we will offer memorable experience. Please reach out to us for personalised holiday experience.

All meals- breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation for 11 Nights / 12 Days

All mode of domestic transportation

All the entry tickets

English speaking tour guide at all the locations

All the permits

Camel safari

International flight

Travel insurance

Any service / activity not mentioned in Itinerary

Expense of personal nature like laundry, entry tickets for camera etcetera

Optional tours / activities

Water sports activities