See India’s most famous sights

From the earliest days of the Harappan civilisation, dating back to the middle of the 4th millennium BC, the Indian sub-continent has been developing and refining its own distinct cultures and philosophies.

Home to one of the world’s oldest civilisations and several of the world’s great religions, India has been subject to invasions over the centuries by the Greeks, Romans, Turks, Dutch, Portuguese and British. All of these nationalities left their mark, bringing ideas and influences which India has absorbed and incorporated into its own way of life.

The Golden Triangle: Delhi, Agra and Jaipur – seven days/six nights

Emirates Holidays’ Golden Triangle tour takes in historic northern India and its most famous sights – Delhi, the capital city, with a rich tapestry of tradition and culture; the ethereal beauty of the Taj Mahal in Agra, the deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri and the Pink City of Jaipur. Many of the attractions date back to the Mughal period.

Upon arrival at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, transport is provided to the hotel. An afternoon tour introduces the visitor to Old Delhi, home to many fine examples of Mughal architecture, including the Red Fort, Raj Ghat (Mahatma Gandhi’s memorial), Jama Masjid mosque and Chandni Chowk.

The following morning there is a visit to New Delhi, with its parks and imposing colonial buildings, Humayun’s Tomb, Qutab Minar and the India Gate. The remainder of the day is spent at leisure.

The next day, after a morning departure for Agra, the afternoon can be spent exploring the city and the 17th century marble wonder that is the Taj Mahal (closed on Fridays). Later in the afternoon, guests can tour Agra Fort, Yamuna River and the local bazaar.

En route to Jaipur, known as the Pink City, a stop-off is scheduled for Fatehpur Sikri, Emperor Akbar’s deserted capital, where Indian styles combine with central Asian and Persian influences to create a unique architectural heritage. There will also be a morning visit to Amber Fort, which should be made even more memorable with an elephant rise up the hill.

Tours around Jaipur are set for the afternoon, with visits to the Jantar Mantar, an 18th century observatory, and the Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds).

Upon returning to the hotel in Delhi on the sixth day, the rest of the day is spent at leisure. The following day, transport to the airport will be provided by Emirates Holidays for the homebound flight.

Alternatively, Emirates Holidays offers the choice of extending the trip by adding two other destinations: Udaipur and Goa.

Udaipur and Goa

A short flight from Delhi, Udaipur is a city lying in the thickly wooded Aravalli hills. In the evening, guests can enjoy a ride on the picturesque Lake Pichola, while the next morning, visitors could explore the city, visiting the honey-coloured City Palace and other palatial apartments. Guests could have dinner at the famed and romantic Taj Lake Palace hotel.

After a short flight to Mumbai, the country’s premier cultural and financial centre, the rest of the day can be spent at leisure. In the morning, guests can explore the main highlights of this lively city on a half-day tour before proceeding to the airport for the flight to idyllic Goa.

The next two days can be spent enjoying some of the most beautiful beaches in the country. Whitewashed chapels and churches dot the Goa landscape along with sleepy villages and rice fields.

On the 12th day, transport will be provided to the airport for the flight to Mumbai and the return flight to Dubai.

Emirates Holidays’ The Golden Triangle and the Udaipur and Goa extensions are available as a private chauffeur-drive, which includes car, driver and pre-booked accommodation, with a choice of standard, deluxe or palace hotels. Emirates Holidays also offer the option of tailor-making holidays according to guests’ wishes.

Getting there

Emirates Airline flies daily between Malta and Dubai. Flight EK 108 leaves Malta at 3.45 p.m. and arrives in Dubai at 00.40 a.m. the following day.

The airline operates flights from Dubai to 10 gateways in India: Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Calicut, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Thiruvananthapuram.

For more details, call the Emirates Sales Office on 2557 7255; log on to www.emirates.com/mt or contact your travel agent.