Golden Triangle Tour with Haridwar & Rishikesh

Best time to visit: Throughout the year
Duration: 08 Nights / 09 Days
Routing:  Delhi - Haridwar - Delhi - Jaipur - Abhaneri - Fatehpur Sikri - Agra - Delhi Departure 

Best available hotels:

Haridwar	Delhi	Jaipur	Agra
The Haveli Hari Ganga Hotel Haridwar	The Oberoi	Rambagh Palace, Jaipur	The Oberoi Amarvilas

Trip Highlights
Haridwar	Witness spectacular view of evening (Aarti) at Har Ki Pauri,
Rishikesh	Neelkanth Mahadev Temple,Ram jhula , Laxman Jhula ,Gheeta Bhavan
Agra	Taj mahal,Agra fort , Mehtab Bagh , Itmad ud Daulah ,Sikandara
Jaipur	City palace , Jantar Mantar , Hawa Mahal,Amber fort and sheesh Mahal
Delhi	Raj Ghat ,Jama Masjid , President’s house, Humayun’s tomb ,Qutub Minar

Detailed Itinerary

Day 01: Delhi – Haridwar (220 kms / 5-6 Hrs)
Arrive by International flight, after traditional Indian style ‘Swagat’ (Welcome) by Exceptional Escapes representative, he would assist you at the airport & straight drive to Haridwar. Upon arrival transfer to the hotel by Exceptional Escapes representative for check in. 
Observe witness spectacular view of evening (Aarti) at Har Ki Pauri, sacred Ghat was constructed by King Vikramaditya in memory of his brother Bhartrihari. It is believed that Bhartrihari eventually came to Haridwar to meditate by the banks of holy Ganga. This sacred bathing ghat is also known as Brahmakund.

Rest of the time is free for relax.
Overnight Hotel – Haridwar

Day 02: Haridwar – Rishikesh – Haridwar
Start you’re your day with yoga & Meditation with a yoga master. 
Post breakfast proceed for full day excursion of Rishikesh visiting.

Neelkanth Mahadev Temple; is a Hindu temple dedicated to Nilkanth. The temple is situated at a height of 1330 meters and is located about 32 km from Rishikesh in the Pauri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand, India. 
Laxman Jhula; suspension Iron Bridge Lakshman Jhula was built in 1929. This is where Rama's brother Lakshman is said to have crossed the river on jute ropes. One can enjoy the spectacular surroundings & the cool breeze from the River while standing on the bridge.

Ram Jhula; another suspended bridge close to Lakshman Jhula is the Ram Jhula- This suspended bridge was recently built between Shivanand & Sawarg Ashram. It is similar to the Lakshman Jhula. It is also known as Shivanand Jhula.

Geeta Bhavan; famous for its attractive paintings and statues from the Hindu mythology. Situated just across the Lakshman Jhula.
In the evening transfer to railway station to board the train to Delhi. Upon arrival transfer to hotel.

In the evening Ganga Aarti at Parmarth Niketan is organized and performed by ashram residents, particularly the children who are studying the Vedas there. The ceremony commences with the singing of bhajans, prayers, and a purifying and sacred ritual that takes place around a fire, with the offerings made to Agni, the fire god. The lamps are lit and the aarti takes place as the final part of the ceremony. The children sing along with the spiritual head of the ashram, in sweet, haunting voices. A huge statue of Lord Shiva overlooks the proceedings.

Later drive back to Haridwar Hotel.
Overnight Hotel – Haridwar (B)

Day 03: Haridwar - Delhi (220 Kms / 5 Hrs approx.)
Post breakfast visit of Mansa Devi temple, temple of Goddess Mansa Devi is situated at the top of Bilwa Parwat. The rope-way with its brightly colored cable cars takes devotees to the old hilltop of Mansa Devi. 

Later drive to Delhi takes pride in being the capital of the country for many dynasties. It is in fact a city wrapped in legend, where time flows differently, and where every moment becomes a moment of history. A vibrant melting pot, it encapsulates two very different worlds, the 'old' and the 'new', each representing delectably different experiences. Come experience it..., on arrival check into your Hotel.
Overnight Hotel – Delhi (B)

Day 04: Delhi – Jaipur (Drive 260 Kms / 6 Hrs approx.)
Post breakfast driven to Jaipur: popularly known as Pink City, the flamboyant & colorful capital of Rajasthan. With its rich & colourful past, resplendent with tales of velour & bravery, it is now one of the most important heritage cities in India. The city was founded in the year 1728 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the ruler of Amber. It remains the only city in the world symbolizing the nine divisions of the universe, through nine rectangular sectors.
 
Rest of the time is free for relax.  
Optional: Chokhi Dhani Rajasthani Village is a cultural tour with folk entertainment and mouthwatering Rajasthani food.
Overnight Hotel – Jaipur (B)

Day 05: Jaipur
Post breakfast private guided sightseeing of PINK City, Jaipur   

Start your day with an exciting adventure overwhelming experience of elephant ride at Amber Fort, the palace complex which stands to this date was commenced under the reign of Raja Man Singh.  
City Palace a perfect blend of Rajasthani & Mughal architecture. The center of the palace is a seven storied building called Chandra Palace, with fine views over the gardens & the city. 

Jantar Mantar (Solar Observatory) an astronomical treasure house, with solar devices that give accurate predictions till date. 

Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds), a five-storied structure of pink sandstone. It was built in the year 1799 so that veiled royal women could peer down the busy street market unseen by the world through its 593 stoneJharokas (mini windows).
Post Lunch day at leisure to explore the local market of PINK City.
Overnight Hotel – Jaipur (B)

Day 06: Jaipur – Abhaneri (96 Kms / 1:30 Hrs Approx.)
Agra via FatehpurSikri (Drive 260 km - 6 hours)

Post breakfast drive to Abhaneri; a great historical site of the 7th Century Step well or “Bawri”, which is a unique invention of the natives. It is one of India's largest step wells and is located in front of the Harshat Mata Temple, an ancient 7th Century Sun Temple.   
Optional - Enjoy a camel ride through Abhaneri Village, visit to the onsite farm & experience the traditional village life from close quarter, followed by a traditional lunch.
Continue driven to Agra, en route a private guide visit to FatehpurSikri (Ghost Capital), the political capital of India's Mughal Empire under Akbar's reign, from the year 1571 until 1585, when it was abandoned, ostensibly due to lack of water. Also visit Emperor Akbar's Residential complex, Mosque &Tomb of Salim Chisti.

Continue drive to Agra: beautifully situated on the banks of river Yamuna. It achieved prominence as the capital of the Mughal Emperors from the year 1526 to 1628, remains major tourist destination because of its many splendid Mughal-era monuments, most notably the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort & Fatehpur Sikri, all three are UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Rest of the day leisure to explore local market and famous inlay marble art work of Agra.
Overnight Hotel – Agra (B)

Day 07: Agra – Delhi (Drive 220 Kms 4-5 Hrs Approx.)
Morning visit of Taj Mahal “Symbol of eternal LOVE Taj Mahal” at dawn (Closed on Friday), which stands on the banks of River Yamuna. It was built by the 5th Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan in the year 1631 in memory of his wife, MumtazMahal. It was completed in 22 years.

Post breakfast guided city tour of Agra 

Agra Fort, taken over from the Lodhis by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in the late 16th century. The Fort can be more accurately described as a walled palatial city. It was built from red sandstone, often inlaid with white marble & intricate decorations.
 
Itmad Ud Daulah;, one of the most beautiful of Mughal tombs, stands across the river Yamuna from the Taj Mahal, nearly one and a half kilometers up-stream. Belonging to the age of Jahangir, it contains cenotaphs of Mirza Ghiyas and Asmat Begum, parents of the powerful Mughal Empress Nurjahan queen of Jahangir, an exceptional beauty and an astute administrator. 

Later drive to Delhi on arrival Check into your Hotel.
Rest of the time is free for relax.
Overnight Hotel – Delhi (B)

Day 08: Delhi
Post breakfast start your day with a private guided city of Old Delhi 

Raj Ghat, memorial to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. It is a simple black marble platform that marks the spot of his cremation20on 31 January 1948. 
Continue the 17th century walled city of Shah Jahanabad, the great Jama Masjid, the principal mosque of Old Delhi. Built in the year 1656 AD by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, it is the largest & best known mosque in India.  
 
Experience the rickshaw ride ‘a friendly local guides takes you through the bustling streets for an authentic glimpse of the ‘walled city’ in the heart of Delhi. As you travel by foot and rickshaw, explore KhariBaoli, Spice Market, Visit a Sikh temple & admire historical land mark and more…

Post lunch Continue private guided tour of New Delhi  
Drive past India Gate, and memorial built in the year 1931 to commemorate the Indian soldiers who died in the World War I & the Afghan Wars. The names of the soldiers who died in these wars are inscribed on the walls.  
President's House, the official residence of the President of India, built in the year 1931. Until 1950 it was known as Viceroy's House & served as the residence of the Governor-General of British India. 
Humayun's Tomb, memorial of Mughal Emperor Humayun, built in the year 1562. The complex is a World Heritage Site & the first example of this type of Mughal architecture in India.  
Qutub Minar built in the year 1206 by Qutub-ud-din Aibek. It is the tallest (72m) brick minaret in the world, an important example of Indo-Islamic Architecture. QutubMinar& its monuments are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Enjoy rest of the free time for shopping at some High end Fashion stores of Delhi – One of the most happening places of Delhi. Visit Craft Emporiums etc with our shopping expert.
Overnight Hotel – Delhi (B)

Day 09: Delhi
Post breakfast in time transfer to airport to board your international flight for onward journey taking back a wonderful holiday experience.

Tour Concludes: Exceptional Escapes Manager will assist you with your transfer to the airport for boarding onward flight.