Golden Triangle & Rajasthan Family Holiday

Depart and fly to Delhi.

Arrive in Delhi and transfer to your hotel in the heart of New Delhi. Enjoy a swim in the pool and a relaxing morning to acclimatise after your journey.

In the afternoon, we suggest a guided three-wheel tour of New Delhi, as the old city is just too much for your arrival day – trust us on this!

Start the day with a cycle rickshaw ride through Old Delhi and past the Red Fort, the most opulent palace of the Mughal Empire. Its main gate faces Chandni Chowk, the bustling and colourful market of the old city, filled with twisting lanes, small streets and crowded bazaars. From here, peer through a portico to catch a glimpse of everything from silver being weighed to a customer at the barbers and every other conceivable form of commerce in between. The sacks of spices and nuts, edible sheets of silver, and local pickles make for an aromatic day out.

Afterwards, following your tour, you’ll take lunch as the guests of an Indian family in their heritage mansion, or Haveli. They will be happy to show you around their beautiful home, including the roof terrace where, in contrast, a whole new view of Delhi reveals itself.

First thing this morning, you will step aboard the Shatabdi Express, to begin the two hour journey to Agra. Travelling by train is integral to the Indian way of life and a holiday would feel incomplete without one!

On arrival at Agra, you’ll be transferred to your hotel. After a chance to have lunch and refresh, there is a chance to visit the Red Fort and the iconic Taj Mahal, built in white marble by Emperor Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his beloved queen. The building is a universal symbol of love and a superb example of Muslim art in India. A once-in-a-lifetime moment!

Next, choose between a first-class train journey or a private drive to Jaipur, the ‘Pink City’. Either option takes around five hours, allowing for a gentle shift in pace as you leave the capital behind and enter Rajasthan’s vibrant heart.

On arrival check into your fantastic, up-market family homestay, to this day home to important nobility who generally host your stay.

Amer, or Amber Fort is one of the can’t-miss palaces of old India, with fairytale terraces and ramparts that are reflected in Maota Lake below.

You’ll enjoy a guided tour on your own terms before venturing further out of Jaipur for a real one-off elephant experience on a private estate in the Rajasthan countryside.

Depending on the age of your children (and the energy of parents!),  there are many varied excursions we can suggest in Jaipur to suit your family. All of them help you get under the skin of the city in their own way.

To begin with, the artisan’s walk through the wholesale workshops is a fascinating introduction. Here, high-quality crafts are produced and bought by locals for elaborate wedding ceremonies, as well as exported around the world. With your walking guide, you’ll see a side of India that few visitors get to experience.

There will also be plenty of time to enjoy your hotel. Then, in the evening, a memorable kite-flying experience awaits. From the rooftops, you’ll join local kite flyers in friendly “combat” in the skies before sitting down to a traditionally cooked Rajasthani meal with the family.

Today, continue your journey to Jodhpur, a drive of around six hours. Along the way, pause in rural Rajasthan, where the landscape unfolds at an unhurried pace and offers a glimpse into everyday village life.

Rather than staying in the city itself, you’ll retreat to the village of Rohet, around 40 minutes from Jodhpur. For generations, travellers have paused here to rest and reset, drawn by its calm atmosphere and the understated charm of rural Rajasthan.

Towering above Jodhpur, Mehrangarh Fort dominates the skyline, described by Kipling as “like the work of giants”. It is one of Rajasthan’s most compelling sights, with a scale and presence that captivates children and adults alike.

After exploring the fort, continue down into the maze of the ‘Blue City’ below. Here, narrow lanes, vivid façades and everyday life create a sensory-rich experience at every turn.

Today’s jeep safari takes you into the wilderness of western Rajasthan to visit homes and see the lives of various tribal communities. These are villages or hamlets, completely off the beaten path, where simple village folk still live in complete harmony with nature.

All along the drive, you can encounter wildlife like black buck, blue bull, chinkara, migratory birds like the demoiselle cranes, various species of ducks and geese and several land birds.

Today’s journey takes you through the Aravalli Range, a full but rewarding drive broken by a stop at Ranakpur. Here, visit one of the finest expressions of Jain devotion, a temple renowned for its intricate marble carvings and quiet grandeur.

Continue onwards to Udaipur and, on arrival, head out for a late afternoon or early evening cruise across the city’s serene lakes, an elegant introduction to one of India’s most romantic settings.

Time to relax and enjoy the surprisingly laid-back and famously beautiful lake city. We’ll include the normal guided tour of the lovely city palace, but you’ll enjoy your own time to explore the region, take gentle guided walks, or just enjoy the restaurants of Udaipur.

Today, return to Delhi for your onward flight, with an overnight stay in the capital. This final evening offers a chance to experience the city from a different perspective, joining a guided walk led by former street children now working with Salaam Baalak Trust in the Paharganj area.

It’s a thoughtful and eye-opening way to give something back, while gaining a deeper understanding of a side of Delhi many visitors never see.