Golden Triangle: Yoga & Bollywood Edition – 12 days land only

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- 1 night camping accommodation with basic facilities
- 2 nights Ashram stay accommodation
- 1 night heritage property accommodation
- 6 nights hotel accommodation
- 1 night overnight sleeper train accommodation
- Selected breakfasts, lunch & dinners
- Old Delhi walking tour, Jama Masjid & Sheeshganj Gurudwara (Sikh Temple) in Delhi
- Taj Mahal & Red Fort in Agra
- Village walk in Suroth
- Amber Fort guided tour & Bollwood movie- Raj Mandir Cinema in Jaipur
- Bollywood night
- Walking tour & Yoga class in Rishikesh
- Touring & transport by car, cycle rickshaw, metro, private vehicle & shuttle bus

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New Delhi

Namaste. Welcome to India. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6pm. Please look for a note in the hotel lobby or ask reception where it will take place. We'll be collecting insurance details & next of kin information at this meeting, so ensure you bring these details to provide to your leader. If you're going to be late, please inform the hotel reception. Perhaps visit the World Heritage-listed Humayun's Tomb, Qutub Minar or Red Fort of Delhi if you have any spare time.

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New Delhi

Join your leader on an excursion through Old Delhi. Ride the city’s metro system, & then hop in a rickshaw to the once water-filled square of Chandni Chowk. Discover the Jama Masjid, Delhi’s oldest mosque, before learning about the history of the Sikh religion at the Sheeshganj Gurudwara. This afternoon, join in the colour & fun of a Bollywood Dance class with a local instructor.

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Agra

Travel to Agra (approximately 3 hours). This is where you'll find the iconic Taj Mahal. Best known as a monument to love & loss, the 17th century Taj is a beautiful example of Mughal architecture, surrounded by trimmed English gardens. Spend some time exploring this marvellous site. Today you also have the option of visiting the Agra Fort, one of the finest forts in the country. This dark red sandstone stronghold is part fortress, part palace & part prison. If you go there you can search through the throne rooms & tiny but incredibly decorated mosques.

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Suroth

Drive to Karauli (approximately 3.5 hours). This delightful town was founded in 1348 & is packed with rural ambience & traditional temples. Take a guided walk around the Old Quarter, interacting with friendly locals & learning about rural Indian life off the tourist trail. Be sure to visit the eclectic market stalls along the way & sample some seasonal local sweets made from Indian ingredients, including petha (pumpkin), jiggery (organic sugar), peanut brittle & gazak (sesame seeds).

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Jaipur

Travel by express train into Rajasthan & on to its capital, Jaipur (approximately 5 hours). A friendly, busy town crammed with palaces & bazaars full of jewellery, textiles & folk-based arts, Jaipur is a favourite for many travellers. Visit the Jai Mahal & the Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds), then head over to Jaipur's Royal City Palace & explore its extravagant rooms & apartments. Later, discover one of the five astronomical observatories built by Maharaja Jai Singh, the founder of Jaipur. Tonight you will head to a local cinema to watch a Bollywoood film.

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Jaipur

Choose to take an early morning hot air balloon experience, often a highlight of visiting Jaipur. Ballooning can be done over Jaipur on the morning of day four between September & June. For additional information, please see the Important Notes section of the Essential Trip Information. In the afternoon, at around 2.30pm, visit the Amber Fort. Set on a hilltop overlooking Maota Lake, the fort is an authentic example of Rajput architecture & the Sheesh Mahal (Hall of Mirrors) is one of its more spectacular buildings.

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Rishikesh - ON sleeper train

Enjoy a free day in Jaipur before catching an overnight train to Rishikesh (approximately 13 hours). The train departs Jaipur at around 11pm & arrives in Haridwar (about 20 kilometres away from Rishikesh) at around 12 noon the following day. A sleeper train trip is an essential experience for visitors to this part of the world – a chance to travel as the locals do & experience the real India.

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Rishikesh

After pulling into Haridwar in the morning, drive to Rishikesh (approximately 1 hour). Check in to your hotel before going on an orientation walk. Aptly named the 'Yoga Capital of the World', Rishikesh is a great place to relax & seek a little enlightenment. In the evening, take a stroll along the holy Ganges River as temple bells ring & the nightly fire ritual of Ganga Aarti begins. Being sacred, Rishikesh is a dry town & alcohol is prohibited.

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Rishikesh

Start the day with some early morning yoga. Afterwards, the rest of the morning is yours to roam around Rishikesh. Perhaps tuck into a masala dosa for breakfast before walking it off on one of the trails along the Ganges. In the afternoon, reunite with your group for a walk through the jungle to nearby waterfalls & caves.

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Rishikesh

Whether you're new to yoga or a seasoned pro, today is a great opportunity to wile away some hours on this ancient Indian practice. The health benefits – physically, mentally & spiritually – are many. Alternatively, there are plenty of places around town to enjoy some coffee, health food or classic south or north Indian cuisine. Hit the Devraj Coffee Corner & neighbouring bookshop for a hot beverage & some nice views.

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New Delhi

After another free day (perhaps filled with yoga), say goodbye to beautiful Rishikesh & take the train back to Delhi (approximately 7–9 hours). Your train departs at around 6 pm from Haridwar & arrives in Delhi at around 11 pm. You will be transferred to your hotel on arrival. Maybe gather your group for a final meal to celebrate this Indian adventure.

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New Delhi

Your trip comes to an end on arrival in New Delhi this morning. If you're staying longer, extra accommodation can be arranged. Whether you're a foodie, a history buff or just curious, you might like to join an Urban Adventure for a short & sharp day trip across this mind-boggling metropolis.