Golden Triangle & Kashmir Horizons
15 days, Delhi to Leh
Itinerary Notes
Want to experience the sights and sounds of Holi? Make sure you’re in India on March 14, 2025 or March 4, 2026 for the nation’s most colourful festival.
Itinerary
Day 1Delhi
Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer is included through the G Adventures-supported Women With Wheels project.
Arriving early with a free day in Delhi? Opt to add the "Half Day Culinary Tour of Delhi" extra to your tour.
Your G for Good Moment: Women With Wheels Transfer
Transfer by a G Adventures-supported project, Women With Wheels. This program provides safe and reliable transport for travellers, while providing a dignified livelihood for local women who once lacked financial opportunities.
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Welcome: Welcome-Moment – Lerne CEO und Gruppe kennen.
Optional Activities - Day 1 HideShow
Half Day Culinary Tour of Delhi
On this half-day adventure that will leave you in food heaven, visit age-old markets and landmark food joints around the city and indulge your tastebuds. Walk with an experienced foodie-guide who will teach you about the intricacies of cuisine from various parts of the country. Highlights on the tour can include; Chandni Chowk, filled with bustling markets and shops, enjoy a steaming cup of Chai tea in an authentic terracotta cup, Kebabs with a recipe that stretches throughout generations, and indulge in local sweets and flatbreads. Perhaps also visit a chaat street chef and stop by Gurdwara Bangla Sahib Sikh Sikh House of Worship which hosts the world's largest community kitchen.
Day 2Delhi/Āgra
Enjoy a youth-led walk through the backstreets of Delhi with G Adventures-supported project, City Walk. Observe a different perspective of Delhi while supporting at-risk youth in the community. Later, explore Old Delhi and travel onward to Agra, home of the Taj Mahal.
Your G for Good Moment: City Walk
Explore the streets of Delhi with a youth-led tour guide from the G Adventures-supported City Walk project. As a former at-risk youth, your local guide will have a unique perspective on the city and can provide more information on the life of a child in India. The guided tour helps support the guide's college or university tuition.
Old Delhi Guided Walk
Visit historic Old Delhi. Explore Jama Masjid, the "Great Mosque," and enjoy its massive courtyard, which can hold up to 25,000 worshippers. Also, visit the ancient Sikh temple of Gurdwara SisGanj, which was established in 1783.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Day 3Āgra
Set eyes on the sparkling Taj Mahal at sunrise before exploring more of this famous landmark. In the afternoon, visit the I'timad-ud-Daulah (Baby Taj) and the Agra Fort.
Taj Mahal Visit
Cross one off your bucket list as you visit one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Explore the gorgeous white marble mausoleum, built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as a testament of his love for his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal.
Baby Taj Visit
Visit this mausoleum that looks like a jewel box, built before the Taj Mahal by Queen Nur Jahan for her father. Enjoy the intricate details of the structure; it was the first Mughal building faced with white marble and where "pietra dura" (precious stones inlaid into marble) was first used.
Agra Fort Visit
Enjoy a visit to this impressive Mughal fort made of red sandstone and white marble.
Day 4Āgra/Dhula Village
Stop at Fatehpur Sikri, the now-deserted former capital of the Mughals, and a stunningly preserved UNESCO site. Visit the Abhaneri Stepwell and marvel at this uniquely Indian water harvesting system. In the afternoon, travel to Dhula Village and get a closer look at rural life in Rajasthan. Tonight, settle in to your cozy tent then opt to relax by the fire and take in the starry night sky.
At Dhula Village you will have the opportunity to learn about local life, play a fun game of cricket, relax in the peaceful atmosphere, or take a cycle to explore the surroundings.
Tonight's accommodation is in spacious and comfortable tents outfitted with beds, lamps, and simple en suite bathrooms.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Fatehpur Sikri Visit
Explore the magnificent red sandstone fort city that was once the capital of India's Mughal Empire and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Keep an eye out for elements of different religions, as King Akbar built three palaces for each of his favourite wives—a Hindu, a Muslim, and a Christian—in the city.
Abhaneri Stepwell Visit
Walk around the amazing Chand Baori, a tenth century water tank that's an impressive 6.1m (20 ft) deep. Learn about ancient Indian environmentalism—a "baori" is a unique Indian invention for harvesting rainwater.
Dhula Village Experience
Get a closer look at village life with a stay in rural Dhula. Enjoy opportunities to interact and explore that may include meeting shepherds and their flocks, cycling through hamlets, tea with villagers at the local temple, trekking in the hillocks.
Day 5Dhula Village/Jaipur
Continue to the pink city of Jaipur. Along the way, try your hand at block printing with the women of the Anoothi Project before arriving at your hotel. Built according to Hindu architectural principles, Jaipur utilizes a unique organization unlike anywhere else in India.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Your G for Good Moment: Anoothi Block Printing Experience
Women from marginalised communities outside Jaipur came together to create the Anoothi Project. In Hindi, Anoothi means 'unique and extraordinary' and by teaching these women to master the traditionally male handicraft of block printing, the collective shines a light on the unique and extraordinary within each individual. At this G for Good visit, engage in a hands-on block printing activity with the local women as you indulge in some local snacks prepared by your hosts.
Jaipur Orientation Tour
Enjoy an orientation of the Pink City by foot, with a short e-rickshaw ride in the walled city.
Day 6Jaipur
Enjoy a visit to the Amber Fort, famous for its mixture of Hindu and Muslim architecture. After, visit the City Palace and have a photo opportunity at Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds).
Opt to get active by pre-booking a cycle tour or sharpen your culinary skills by pre-booking a cooking class with a local family.
Amber Fort Visit
Take in the Hindu and Muslim architecture of the beautiful Amber Fort. Wander through the halls and courtyards and admire the intricate details.
City Palace Visit
Explore the courtyards, gardens, and buildings that make up the City Palace. Located in the heart of the Old City, it is a striking blend of Mughal and Rajasthani architecture. Visit the palace's museum to look at ancient carriages and the former maharaja's gold-embroidered wedding outfit.
Optional Activities - Day 6 HideShow
Jaipur Cycle Tour
With its many lanes and organized layout, Jaipur is the perfect location to explore by bicycle. Choosing to cycle through the city on this morning tour will introduce you to sights, sounds and smells that a vehicle just can't match, so grab a helmet and jump on your bike! Navigate the streets of the 'Pink City' with the help of your experienced guide, starting the day with a traditional Indian yoghurt drink of Lassi. Marvel at the architectural wonders as you enter the walled part of the city and stop at the City Palace to visit the Govind Dev temple. Wander through the historical spices and sweets market, stopping for tea and a tasty snack of pakoras before heading towards the majestic Albert Hall Museum where the tour ends. Taxi transfers from the hotel to the starting point and from the finishing point back to the hotel are included in the price of this cycle tour.
Jaipur Cooking Class with a local family
Join a local family in Jaipur as they welcome you into their home and share their recipes and best-loved dishes with you. Get hands-on with the ingredients and learn how to prepare Pakoda (Pakora), vegetable dishes and Indian breads such as chapatis and puris. Once the hard work is done, get to know your hosts over lunch. Savor the flavours of your creations with the additions of other vegtable dishes, daal and raita, and finish the meal with a sweet treat.
Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds)
202INR per personEnjoy a visit to the intricately-carved Hawa Mahal, or "Palace of the Winds," which is named for the cool breeze that comes through the structure and keeps it comfortable, even in the hot Jaipur summers. Admire this architectural wonder and snap some photos.
Jantar Mantar Visit
202INR per personVisit the Jantar Mantar observatory for a guided tour and explore the collection of astronomical instruments housed there, some dating back to 1727.
Movie at Raj Mandir
200-400INR per personVisit this spectacular cinema and watch a song-and-dance Bollywood film.
Day 7Jaipur/Delhi
If you aren't afraid of heights, opt for a morning hot air balloon ride over Jaipur. Return to Delhi in the afternoon and enjoy free time to explore more of the bustling city.
Admire the Pink City from above by pre-booking the morning Jaipur Balloon Ride when booking your tour.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Free Time
Enjoy free time to see more of Delhi.
Optional Activities - Day 7 HideShow
Jaipur Balloon Ride
Begin your day at dawn, just as the sun starts to rise. As you drift into the sky, enjoy the silence and serenity of the morning, watching as the day starts for the colourfully dressed inhabitants below. From high in the sky, you may float over rolling hills, villages teeming with life, and a small monastery. You may even spot elephants—if luck is on your side.
Available September 1 - April 30.
Day 8Delhi/Srinagar
Fly from Delhi to Srinagar, in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Join an evening orientation walk through the famous Lal Bazar market area alongside your CEO.
Plane
Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
Lal Bazar Orientation Walk
Join your CEO for a walk through Lal Bazar neighbourhood in Srinagar. This part of the city is sandwiched between the Dal Lake and the Anchar Lake. So enjoy the views and get acquainted with the city.
Day 9Srinagar
Today we'll learn why Srinagar is the largest city and the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir. With the stunning Dal Lake, beautiful gardens and historic temples, you'll quickly see why Srinagar is so magnificent.
Srinagar City Tour
Experience the city of Srinagar on a tour today. Start at The Mughal Gardens, made up of a collection of 6 gardens known for their natural freshwater springs-said to have therapeutic properties, and picturesque views of the Dal Lake. Then visit the 17th-century, white-marbled Hazratbal Mosque on the Dal Lake. Get your camera ready for a quick stop at Badshah ka Tomb and the beautiful wooden Khanqah-e-moula (Jama Masjiq). Last stop of the day is Shankaracharya temple, one of Kashmir's oldest temples.
Day 10Srinagar
Join your group for an unforgettable sunrise from the deck of a Shikara, a traditional Jammu and Kashmir style boat. Pay a visit to what's considered the oldest temple in all of Jammu and Kashmir, the Shankaracharya Temple. The rest of the day is yours to explore Srinagar. We recommend a safari at Dachigam National Park to spot the Royal Kashmir stag. Tonight we will stay on a houseboat on Dal Lake.
Sunrise Boat Ride on Dal Lake
Watch the sunrise over the beautiful Dal Lake form the comfort of a Shikara, traditional boat. Visit the vegetable market and enjoy the chance to see the local side of Srinagar.
Shankaracharya Temple
Climb approximately 243 steps to reach the Shankaracharya Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva and believed to be one of Kashmir's oldest shrines. At the top, admire the panoramic views of Srinagar and Dal Lake.
Free Time
Spend the afternoon at leisure in Srinagar.
Overnight on a Houseboat
See Dal Lake from a new view, from aboard a houseboat. Enjoy a peaceful night on the lake and enjoy the views.
Optional Activities - Day 10 HideShow
Dachigam National Park
On the east side of Dal lake lives the Dachigam National Park, a wildlife protected area. Head out on a safari through Dachigam National Park to hopefully spot the Royal Kashmir stag and other wildlife in the area.
Day 11Srinagar/Pahalgām
Drive to Pahalgam and stop at the Avantipura Temple Ruins and Martand Sun Temple on the way. Arrive to Pahalgam in the afternoon and join an orientation walk of the bazaar and down town area.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Avanti Swami Temple ruins
The Avantipura temple ruins are the remains of a 9th-century Hindu temple complex in Awantipora, Jammu and Kashmir, India, built by King Avantivarman. The site originally featured two temples: Avantisvamin, dedicated to Vishnu, and Avantisvara, dedicated to Shiva. Though largely destroyed, the complex is known for its beautiful, intricately carved architecture.
Shri Martand Sun Temple
The Martand Sun Temple is an 8th-century Kashmiri Hindu temple. The architectural marvel, built by the Karkota dynasty, stands on a hilltop. It offers panoramic views of the valley despite its destruction in the 15th century. It features a central shrine and a quadrangle of 84 smaller shrines.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Orientation With CEO
Enjoy a brief walk with your CEO. He/she will give you some tips on finding things like supermarkets, main squares, and ATMs. For more specific or in-depth information, an official guided tour is recommended.
Day 12Pahalgām/Sonāmarg
We continue east through Jammu and Kashmir to the town of Sonamarg. We'll stop at the famous Zero Point for incredible glacial views and then explore the Sonamarg Bazaar.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Sonamarg Bazaar
Wander through the brightly coloured and fragrant Sonamarg bazaar.
Zero Point
Visit this famous lookout point in Sonamarg. Known for its breathtaking views and scenic landscapes, this high-altitude destination sits at an elevation of over 3,500m (11,000 ft) above sea level. It is the farthest point that can be accessed by road in Sonamarg, offering fantastic views of the surrounding glaciers, snow-covered peaks, and alpine meadows.
Day 13Sonāmarg/Lāmayūrū
Cross the border into the next Indian union territory of Ladakh, known for its high-altitude cold Himalayan desert and often referred to as "Little Tibet." On the way stop and visit the Kargil War Memorial. In Lamayuru, we will be staying in the guesthouse of the Lamayuru Monastery, an incredible opportunity to witness the activities of the monks.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Kargil War Memorial
Visit the Kargil War Memorial, also known as the Dras War Memorial, built by the Indian Army to commemorate the soldiers who died in the 1999 Kargil War.
Your Local Living Moment: Overnight at the Lamayuru Monastery
Stay in the guesthouse of the breathtaking Lamayuru Monastery perched on the top of the cliff. Here we will have the opportunity to watch the monks in their daily practices and learn about Tibetan Buddhism.
Meals included:
DinnerDay 14Lāmayūrū/Leh
Travel deeper into the Ladakh region as we head to Leh today. On the way, stop at Sangam point, a beautiful lookout point where the Indus and Zanskar Rivers meet. Next stop is at the optical illusion known as "Magnetic Hill," a gravity hill where a downhill road appears to be uphill, making vehicles in neutral seem to roll upwards. This phenomenon is caused by the layout of the surrounding landscape and slopes, creating the illusion. Third stop is to Gurudwara Pathar Sahib, a significant Sikh pilgrimage site. Arrive to Leh and join an orientation walk of the Leh Market.
Morning Prayer Ceremony at the Lamayuru Monastery
Join the Tibetan Buddhist monks for their morning prayer ritual.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Gurudwara Pathar Sahib
Visit the Gurudwara Pathar Sahib, a significant Sikh pilgrimage site built to commemorate the visit of Guru Nanak Dev Ji in the 16th century. According to local legend, Guru Nanak Dev Ji's divine power transformed a demon's attacking stone into soft clay, leaving an imprint of his body on it. Managed by the Indian Army, it offers visitors a sacred and tranquil environment.
Leh Market
Explore the historic Leh Market on the beautiful streets of Leh.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 15Leh
Depart at any time.
Departure Day
Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.