We welcome you to your dream holiday in the land of the Maharajas! At the airport in Delhi one of our staff members will be waiting for you at the airport and will take you to your hotel where you can check in at your leisure.

Delhi, the exciting capital of India is situated on the Yamuna River. The contrast between old and new India is stronger than anywhere else in this 14 million-moloch. Since the 10th century there have been seven cities with a very varied history. They were ruled by the Rajputs, the Turks, the Afghans, the Moguls and the British, and each individual epoch has left its mark. “Old Delhi” was built by Mogul Emperor Shah Jehan and was the city of the Moguls. Even today, with its narrow streets, mosques, fortresses and bazaars, the typical medieval quarter is well preserved. “New Delhi” was built by the British between 1911-1931. The generous and well-structured city clearly shows the signature of Sir Edwin Lutyens. New Delhi is a very green city with many gardens and has numerous magnificent buildings and wide avenues. Come and experience for yourself!
Overnight stay in Delhi.

The first item on the trip is a city tour of the old part of Delhi directly after breakfast. Here you can immerse yourself in the 7th century Old City, which was built by the conqueror Shahjahan, who until then had his seat in Agra. The first stop is the UNESCO cultural monument Red Fort, an impressive 17th century defensive structure surrounded by a 33m high wall of red stone. Inside there are palaces like from 1001 nights and beautiful gardens. Only a stone’s throw away is the Friday Mosque Jama Masjid, which was built in 1656 and is unmistakable by the contrast of red sandstone and white marble. With a capacity of 20,000 people, it is the largest mosque in India. You can have a direct view of the hustle and bustle of the pulsating bazaar mile Chandni Chowk right next door. The most comfortable way to get around the narrow streets is with a rickshaw. Here you can directly feel the intense Indian life energy. The next stop is the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi, Raj Ghat. It is picturesquely situated right next to the river Yamuna. On the “Golden Triangle India Journey” visit the adjacent Gandhi Smriti Museum, where Mahatma Gandhi spent his last days and was murdered in 1948. The museum is a detailed record of his life, featuring pictures, quotes and video footage, along with the few possessions he left behind, including his trademark glasses. Following his last footsteps and seeing the place where he was shot is a moving experience.

After lunch we turn, as a contrast, to the modern part of India: the part of New Delhi that did not grow naturally, but was planned by architects. Imposing government palaces and the unique Rajpath. Back to modern times: we visit the seat of the Indian president, the Rashtrapati Bhawan. A successful dialogue between typical Indian architecture and western elements. The colourful mixture is completed by the cathedral, which is influenced by Buddhism, the Chattris as a Hindu part and the Colonnades as a relic from the British colonial period. During a tour through the government quarter you can admire the colonialist buildings, unfortunately without being able to get off the bus, as this is not allowed within the banned mile for safety reasons. The India Gate may look familiar to you, as it is a replica of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. It was built in memory of the 90,000 Indian soldiers who lost their lives fighting alongside the British in World War I.

And the best is yet to come: we stop at two other UNESCO cultural monuments!

Outub (Qutub) Minar Complex, the first building of Islam in India The complex rises 71 meters into the sky with its tall red sandstone minaret, which is also decorated with ornamanets and verses from the Koran and is also one of the most famous landmarks of Delhi. Among ruins, this minaret was planned around 1200 as a victory tower by Qutb-ud-in Aibak, who is considered the founder of the Sultanate of Delhi, and was completed between 1211 and 1236.

Afterwards you will visit the Humayuns Tomb, an attractive Mughal Mausoleum in the centre of Delhi. In the immense garden you can walk for hours and relax from everyday stress. From the building, you have an excellent view over the garden and the surrounding area. If you come here at sunset, you can watch a unique experience of light and colours. Serene atmosphere!!! Overnight stay in Delhi.

<span lang=”DE”>Get to know two major Indian religions up close and recharge your batteries, visit the National Museum, stroll around Connaught Place or take a traditional shopping tour in Dilli Haat

This morning, we begin our city tour by exploring the Laxmi Narayan Temple, an amazing remnant of Hindu religion and culture. It is considered a sanctuary for all Hindus and was built in honor of the goddess of luck Lakshmi and her husband Narayan, an incarnation of the world-preserver Vishnu. In this temple there are magnificently decorated original statues of the deities like Hanumana (apple god), Shiva (the destroyer, also cause of the new creation), Ganesha (elephant god), god Krishna with his flute and so on. In large numbers Indians enter the temple to be blessed. Inside the temple you will be welcomed by the temple priest in a relaxed atmosphere and also receive a blessing. The temple is also known as Birla Mandir, named after the industrial family Birla who paid for the construction of the temple. The temple was opened in 1939 by none other than the well-known independence fighter and pacifist Mahatma Gandhi, under the condition that everyone, regardless of their caste, may enter the temple.

Afterwards we visit Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, a Sikh temple. There they experience an atmosphere of incredible piety. Many believers crowd in front of the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh scripture, kneel down, pray and donate various gifts. Rather intense “vibrations” in this Sikh temple, richly equipped with a large artificial pond, as well as meditative music. Tourists are always warmly welcomed and are greeted with a friendly welcome. The real attraction, however, are the people who are here. They will be accompanied by a guide who will explain the Sikh religion to them. Amongst other things, you will even be able to see the immense communal cuisine. The food is mainly paid for by donations and the “community members” prepare it. Take a break for a moment and eat there for free – especially for dinner a unique experience!

The next stop is India’s largest and most important museum – The National Museum. In the museum you will find an enormous number of objects from the earlier times to modern works of the 21st century.

The façade of this magnificent building imitates Lutyens’ Presidential Palace: a sandstone dome is supported by classic brown sandstone columns on a red sandstone foundation. When you enter, you will see a 13th century idol – from the Konark Sun Temple in Bhubaneswar – standing under the dome of Surya, the sun god. Such a statue is emblematic of the strength of the National Museum – which exhibits ancient and especially Hindu sculptures. An entire room is dedicated to artefacts from the Indus Valley civilisation around 2,700 BC; others show works from the Gandharan, Chandela and Chola eras. The collection with the dancing bronze girl of Mohanjodaro, the banister of the Amravati Stupa carving episodes from Buddha’s life, the covering of the 3rd century Barhut Stupa depicting the story related to the Buddha’s bones, a standing Buddha from the Gandhara Art School which had a great influence on Greek iconography, and miniature paintings from the Mughal Age will simply hypnotize you. In addition to sculptures and paintings, there will also be antique jewellery, terracotta pottery, musical instruments, coins, seals, carpets and weapons, including the sword of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. By telling the complete history of India, you will learn a lot about the people, empires, religions and arts of India in the Golden Triangle of India.

The day will end with a guided stroll around the famous Connaught Place Market in New Delhi, the business hub of the Indian capital’s high society, which will illustrate how the term “cultural change” is interpreted in practical life in India. Starting with the ever changing “food culture”, which is increasingly expressed in “MC Donald’s like” restaurants, to the propagation of a consensus-oriented lifestyle with Western influence – “India welcomes all consumers at Connaught-Place”. The market is not only a mere welcome for the numerous tourists who find themselves here, but also a message that should convey to people that increased consumption also means an increased quality of life. Connaught Place is located quite centrally, everything is easily accessible, there are restaurants and shops that can be reached on foot.</span>