Golden Triangle with Himalayan Monasteries

Duration: 12 nights - 13 days
Locations: Delhi – Jaipur – Agra – Mathura – Vrindavan- Delhi – Bagdogara – Darjeeling - Pemayangtse - Gangtok – Kalimpong – Bagdogara – Delhi

Detailed Itinerary

Day 01: Arrive Delhi - Jaipur (250 km- 5 hrs)
You arrive in Delhi by International flight. After traditional Swagat' (Welcome), our representative would assist you at the airport & to our hotel for check-in. After some rest & breakfast in the hotel we will check-out of the hotel & proceed for Delhi sightseeing.
At 1000 hrs, we will take you for a half Day sightseeing tour of Humayun's Tomb, Lotus temple (Closed on Monday) & Qutub Minar.
Later we will leave for Jaipur, the flamboyant capital of Rajasthan. On arrival at Jaipur, our representative will meet & assist you to check-in at our hotel.
Overnight Hotel- Jaipur (B)

Day 02: Jaipur
After an early breakfast, we drive 11 km to Amber, the capital of the gallant Rajputs from 1037 to 1728 AD. We ride on elephant back & reach Fort situated on hill & then visit the Fort Palace.  Later we visit City Palace, Birla Temple, Jantar Mantar Observatory & Palace of Winds.
Overnight Hotel- Jaipur (B) 

Optional Excursion to Chokhi Dhani:                                        
An evening excursion to Chokhi Dhani complex, ethnic village resort located at a distance of 15 km from Jaipur. Rajasthani village atmosphere is recreated on the sprawling ground & includes the entertainment by folk dancers & musicians. Guests can move around freely & enjoy the evening. Later drive back to the Hotel for overnight stay.

Day 03: Jaipur - Fatehpur Sikri - Agra (260 km - 6 hrs)
After breakfast in the coffee shop, we drive at 0900 hrs to Agra. En route we visit Fatehpur Sikri, a masterpiece in sandstone with the stunning elegance of its palaces & courts. Further proceed to Agra, upon arrival we help you check-in at our hotel at Agra. In the evening enjoy the magic show performed by the local magician.
Overnight Hotel- Agra. (B)

Day 04: Agra
Agra, erstwhile capital of great Mughals & known for Taj Mahal. It has always fascinated Indians & foreigners alike. Most of Agra is on West bank of river Yamuna, with the Agra Fort & Taj Mahal at its nucleus. Taj Mahal is quite simply one of mankind's most remarkable creations.
After early breakfast, we leave for sighseeing at 0800 hrs to visit the incredible architectural excellence of Taj Mahal (Closed on Friday), built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. Next we visit Agra Fort, built principally as a military establishment by Akbar in 1565. The red sandstone Agra Fort was partially converted into a palace during Shah Jahan's time. This massive Fort is 2.5 km long & is considered as the predecessor of the Delhi Red Fort.
Later in the afternoon we visit Itmad-ud-Daulah Tomb, built by Noor Jahan, wife of Mughal Emperor Jahangir, in memory of her father Mirza Ghiyas Beg. Before Taj Mahal was built, its rough design was already standing in the form of Itmad ud Daulah's Tomb. Next we visit Sikandara, Akbar's tomb. In the evening enjoy the Magic show performed by the local magician.
Overnight Hotel-  Agra. (B)

Day 05: Agra – Mathura & Vrindavan – Delhi (220 km - 5 hrs)
Early morning post breakfast we will depart for Delhi at 0730 hrs, En route we visit Mathura (Shri Krishna Janmabhumi Temple) & Vrindavan (Bankey Bihari Temple & ISKCON Temple) (Temples is close between 1200–1600 hrs), related with birth & childhood of Lord Krishna.
Later we continue our drive to Delhi & on arrival our guide will take you for a sightseeing trip to Gandhi Memorial at Raj Ghat& then drive around India Gate & President's House.
Overnight Hotel- Delhi (B)

Day 06: Delhi – Bagdogara (FLT 9W-601 / 1010-1355) – Darjeeling (100 km-3 hrs)
Morning transfer to airport to board the flight for Bagdogara, upon arrival in Bagdogara airport assistance & transfer to Darjeeling through winding road & lush green tea garden on the rolling hill slope. Upon arrival assistance & check-in hotel
Overnight Hotel- Darjeeling (B,L,D) 

Day 07: Darjeeling
Located at an altitude of 7000 ft., Darjeeling, one of the most reputed hill station in the Indian Subcontinent, is nested in the towering snow-capped mountain ranges, dominated by the almighty Kanchenjunga (Alt. 8598m). Early morning before breakfast visit to Tiger Hill (Alt 8500m) to view sunrise. Then we return to our hotel en route visiting the Ghoom Monastery, the most famous one of the area, built in 1875. Next is a Toy Train ride from Ghoom to Darjeeling. Breakfast at hotel. Morning visit to the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, the Tibetan Refugee Camp & Market. Lunch is suggested at the hotel. Afternoon visit to Museum, Botanical Garden & Tea Gardens within a 20 km radius.
Overnight Hotel- Darjeeling (B,L,D)

Day 08: Darjeeling -Pemayangtse (65 km- 4 hrs)
Morning post breakfast drive to Pemayangtse. Pemayangtse plunges down into the hot, humid valley of the Teesta river where broad-leafed tropical plants thrive & then rises to a 2,085 m high ridge. Here in the 17th century, a Buddhist sage set up a hermitage which grew into Pemayangtse Monastery.  Upon arrival assistance & check-in hotel.
Later in the afternoon we will visit Pemayangtse monastery situated at a height of 6840 feet which is the second largest monastery in Sikkim. This ancient monastery belongs to Nyingma-pa sect & is the head of all other monasteries of this sect in Sikkim. Evening at leisure
Overnight Hotel- Pemayangtse  (B,L,D)

Day 09: Pemayangtse -  Gangtok (100 km- 4 hrs)
Early morning breakfast at hotel & drive to Gangtok. Gangtok is the capital of Sikkim on a ridge overlooking the Ranipul River. Its name implies “High Hill” & the place is ever so famous for snow clad Himalayas, Rhododendron flowers, Orchids & rare Butterfly species, the Red Panda, traditional ethnic culture & a distinctive cuisine. On arrival we assist you to check in at our Hotel. Later in the evening visit to Enchey Monastery, built in 1909, & is home to about 100 Nyingmapa monks. Overnight Hotel- Gangtok (B,L,D)

Day 10: Gangtok
This morning a drive of 24 km. to Rumtek Monastery, seat of the Gyalwa Karmapa,  head of Kagyupa order of Tibetan Buddhism.  Afternoon tour includes Namgyal Institute of Tibetology, promotes research of the language & traditions of Tibet & contains one of the world’s largest collections of books & rare manuscripts on Mahayana Buddhism. Followed by visit to Do-Drul Chorten, one of the most important reliquary stupas in Sikkim.
Overnight Hotel- Gangtok (B,L,D)

Day 11: Gangtok – Kalimpong (80 km - 2 hrs)
Early morning drive to Kalimpong, a resort town for Monasteries. On arrival assistance & check-in hotel. Later in the afternoon we visit Thongsa Monastery (Bhutanese monastery) founded in 1692 & Tharpa Choling,Yellow Hat (Gelugpa Order) Tibetan monastery, built in 1837 at Tirpai. Evening at leisure
Overnight Hotel- Kalimpong (B,L,D)

Day 12: Kalimpong - (70 km- 2 hrs)  Bagdogara– Delhi (FLT 9W-602 / 1250-1650 Hrs.)
Morning post breakfast drive to Bagdogra airport to board the flight for Delhi. Upon arrival assistance and check-in hotel for overnight stay at hotel. (B)

Day 13: Depart Delhi
Our tour concludes: Caper thanks you for your patronage to airport to board the flight for onward destination. 

Cost includes:

• 11 nights accommodation on twin sharing basis with early check in facility.
• Breakfast
• All meals in Darjeeling, Pemayangtse, Gangtok and Kalimpong
• A/C transportation as per the itinerary (No transportation on leisure days).
• Non A/C transportation in Sikkim area.
• Local English speaking guide for Darjeeling, Gangtok, Kalimpong & Pemayagtse.
• Local English speaking guide for Golden Triangle tour.
• Elephant ride in Jaipur.
• Magic show in Agra.
• Toy train in Darjeeling.

Cost does not includes:

• Any airfare or airport tax.
• All presently applicable taxes.
• Expenses of personal nature.
• Monument charges.
• Any other expenses not mentioned in the cost includes.