Compare India's Golden Triangle & the Maldives by Audley Travel vs India & Maldives in 10 days - Golden Triangle & All-Inc. Indian Ocean - Superior by Exoticca

Day 1 : International outbound flight

Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to Delhi.

Day 2 : Delhi

On arrival in Delhi Airport be greeted by your Audley representative and your driver who will stay with you for your time in India. Drive to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure. You might like to explore Delhi using a local rickshaw or simply relax at your hotel.

Day 3 : Delhi

Today get a real feel for Delhi, exploring the old and new areas of the city. Starting off in the Old City, experience the sights, smells and people of Chandi Chowk Bazaar with your private local guide. Driving over to New Delhi, you will see some of the architectural highlights including the iconic India Gate.

Day 4 : Agra

This morning enjoy a city walk that takes you through the enchanting backstreets of Paharganj, run by the Salaam Baalak Trust, a non-profit organisation, your guide who is a former street child will provide a unique and humbling insight into Delhi life.In the afternoon travel three hours to Agra by road. On arrival you may like to explore the Baby Taj and Red Fort.

Day 5 : Jaipur

Rise early this morning to see the iconic Taj Mahal at sunrise. At this time the beautiful site is at its quietest allowing for more of a tranquil experience. Drive onwards for about five hours to Jaipur with your driver today, via the abandoned city of Fatehpur Sikri where you can stop to explore. The tales of the Emperor who created the city are fascinating. Easy to explore independently, we don't tend to find a guide is necessary, but if you are particularly interested in the history, we can arrange this for you.Arriving into Jaipur, you have the evening to relax.

Day 6 : Jaipur

Today enjoy a private guided tour of Amber Fort, the original Maharaja's Palace, which lies 40 minutes outside the city. Drive back into the city to explore sights of Jaipur itself, which is fondly known as the Pink City, including the City Palace and the Palace of the Winds. It's a busy city best explored in parts on foot.

Day 7 : Delhi

This morning is free to relax in Jaipur. You might like to visit some of the local markets which are famous for their textiles and fabric painting. After a leisurely start to the day, travel by road back to Delhi and stay in an airport hotel, a convenient base for your onwards flight tomorrow. The drive takes about five hours but your driver can suggest places to stop along the way if you wish.

Day 8 : Maldive Island

An early start as you are taken to the airport for your flight to Male. On arrival into Male you are met by a resort representative and transferred by speedboat to Kurumba. Here you can enjoy your time in the Maldives and enjoy your time at leisure relaxing on the beach.

Day 9 : Maldive Island

Today you have the day to simply relax and recover from the busy pace of India, or explore your Maldivian Island. Spend some time in the spa, or relax with a book by the beach or pool.

Day 10 : Maldive Island

Another day free to relax. Consider taking a cocktail master class, or cooking lesson in one of the hotel's kitchens.

Day 11 : Maldive Island

Your final day in the Maldives. With crystal clear waters and a vibrant array of marine life, it's worth taking some time to snorkel or dive. Guided snorkelling and diving trips are available to book at the resort, or simply wade in right from the beach.

Day 12 : International return flight

This morning you will be transferred by speedboat back to Male to catch your onwards flight home. Your return flight will arrive the same day.

Day 1: US - Night on board

Are you ready to experience the land of a thousand colors? Pack your bags and set off to your departure airport ready to check-in for a flight * to Delhi, India's vibrant capital! Night on board. * If either your outbound or inbound flights depart in the early hours (before 4:00 a.m.) you must arrive at the airport the night before the indicated departure day.

Day 2: Delhi

Touch down in Delhi and transfer to the hotel. Get ready to explore the city and all it has to offer you, intrepid traveler! From the cacophony of sounds to the dizzying aromas and rainbow palette of colors, Delhi is the gateway to your India adventure! Be sure to explore its historic center, filled with the relics of its past under Islamic conquerors. Spend the day at your leisure. Overnight stay in Delhi.

Day 3: Delhi

Breakfast at the hotel. Today you'll explore the treasures of Old Delhi such as the majestic Jama Masjid Royal Mosque and lively Chandi Chow Street, for your first taste of Indian culture. Make like a local and embark on a rickshaw ride around the Red Fort, former residence of the Imperial Family. Next, admire Raj Ghat, where the legendary Mahatma Gandhi was cremated. In the afternoon, see a different side of the city in sparkling New Delhi, passing by the India Gate, the Mausoleum of Emperor Humayun, and the Presidential Palace. Overnight stay in Delhi.

Day 4: Delhi - Jaipur

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, begin your Rajasthan adventure and set off to Jaipur, the so-called Pink City. It's the capital of Rajasthan known for its fusion of Hindu, Jain and Mughal culture. Enjoy your first glimpse of the Rajasthani landscape as you travel through local villages and countryside. Arrive and transfer to the hotel. You will enjoy some free time in the afternoon to get to know the city or to simply relax. Be sure to capture the evening light, where the pink and the orange buildings exude a magical glow, complemented by the colorfully dressed Rajasthanis. You're likely to spot camel-drawn carts, characteristic of Jaipur's street scene. Overnight stay in Jaipur.

Day 5: Jaipur

Breakfast at the hotel. The first order of the day is a visit to the much-photographed Hawa Mahal, Palace of the Winds, one of India's most beloved historic buildings with a fascinating past. Next up, feel like a true adventurer as you embark on an exciting Jeep transfer to the atmospheric Amber Fort; have you ever felt more like Indiana Jones? Here you can see the palace of Jag Mandir and the famous Sheesh Mahal, a room embedded with beautiful, bright pieces of mirror, all the while imagining the glamorous lives of the Maharajas. In the afternoon, it's back to Jaipur for a city tour, including the illustrious Palace of the Maharaja, home to an informative museum that brings this era to life. Afterwards, get to know a little about India's scientific achievements at the Jantar Mantar, the largest observatory in the world. Imagine star-gazing from here! Overnight stay in Jaipur.

Day 6: Jaipur - Fatehpur Sikri - Agra

Breakfast at the hotel. You're getting closer to iconic Agra as you set off, once again, into the dusty landscapes of Rajasthan. Stop in the ghost town of Fatehpur Sikri, where time stands still, and pass through the Bulund Darwaza gateway, the highest gateway in the world and a monument of Mughal might! Arrive in Agra, Rajasthan's most romantic city, and you'll notice the contrasts between red sandstone and white marble in the city's buildings and feel its tantalising charms. Transfer to the hotel and in the afternoon visit the Agra Fort, a formidable structure which houses the picturesque Pearl Mosque. Just walking through the main gate, you'll feel like Mughal royalty! Return to the hotel and overnight stay in Agra.

Day 7: Agra - Delhi

Breakfast at the hotel. It's finally here, the day you tick the legendary Taj Mahal off of your bucket list! The ivory-white marble mausoleum, the brilliant domes, the fountain and that famous bench where everyone has their photo taken; today you'll experience it all for yourself! Home to the tomb of a Mughal Emperors beloved wife, both the story and the beauty of the structure itself may well leave you feeling teary-eyed and filled with a warm fuzzy feeling. Take some time to soak it all up and take the perfect photo, one you'll treasure for a lifetime. Afterwards, enjoy a scenic afternoon drive back to Delhi, where you can spend the remainder of the day reminiscing about your journey and all the wonderful, soul-stirring sights you've seen as well as the warm people who've shared their culture with you along the way. Overnight stay in Delhi.

Day 8: Delhi - Maldives

Breakfast at the hotel. Early in the morning, transfer to the airport for your flight to Malé, the capital of the Maldives. Enjoy an exciting speedboat transfer to your hotel, passing paradise atolls and admiring the landscape. Arrive at the hotel and settle in, ready for an idyllic All-Inclusive stay. Overnight stay in the Maldives.

Day 9: Maldives

All-Inclusive. Spend the day at your leisure and take the opportunity to snorkel in the turquoise waters or simply unwind with a beachside massage. Overnight stay in the Maldives.

Day 10: Maldives

All-Inclusive. Enjoy a day at your leisure. We recommend exploring the island and making the most of the incomparable facilities of your hotel. Overnight stay in the Maldives.

Day 11: Maldives - Night on board

Breakfast * at the hotel. Transfer to the airport for your return flight back to the US. Night on board. * Depending on the return flight schedule and the hotel breakfast service, you may not be able to enjoy the included breakfast on the last day.

Day 12: US

Arrive in the US and end your trip.