India Essentials

Delhi City Tour

Welcome to your first morning in Delhi, the capital of modern India and a city that offers a unique historical perspective on the past and the future. Delhi is made up of seven ancient cities spanning the period from the 11th to 20th centuries. It has seen the rise and fall of many emperors, which has left behind many monuments that commemorate their grandeur and glory.

Once greeted by your private guide, begin with a visit to two monuments from Delhi’s past—Qutub Minar (An imposing tower built in the 13th century by Qutub-ud-din Aibak, the first Muslim ruler of northern India) and Humayun’s tomb (Begun by Emperor Humayun and finished by his wife after his death; a masterpiece of Mughal architecture and regarded as a prototype to the Taj Mahal).

Later, enjoy a cycle rickshaw ride around the historic district of Old Delhi, an exciting way to take in this beguiling city’s sights and sounds. Next, you will drive along the ceremonial avenue, Rajpath, past the imposing India Gate (a towering archway in the middle of a crossroad), President House (a palatial building built on 330 acres with a private garden designed by Edwin Lutyens), and Parliament House (symbol of Indian democracy), having you feeling like a true New Delhi native before returning to your hotel.

Breakfast included

Delhi - Agra

Post breakfast, you will check out from your hotel for a comfortable drive to the city of love – Agra.

Agra is one of the best-known destinations on any India itinerary. The Mughal emperor Shah Jahan built the Taj Mahal as a monument of love to his wife, overlooking the Yamuna River. The city was once the capital of the Mughals, and their relics are scattered all over Agra. From the Taj Mahal to the massive Agra Fort; the delicately carved Itmad-ud-Daulah’s tomb to Akbar’s deserted majestic capital Fatehpur Sikri, Agra is home to some of India’s most famous sightseeing destinations.

Upon arrival into Agra, you will check-in to your hotel where the rest of the day will be at your leisure.

Breakfast included
2 Nights in Agra – you can choose your hotel and standards below

Taj Mahal and Agra Fort

This morning, head out with your English-speaking guide for a visit to the Taj Mahal, an architectural masterpiece. Construction began in 1631 and took some 22 years to complete. It is believed that more than 20,000 craftsmen worked around the clock on this magnificent edifice. The Taj Mahal’s exterior is made of marble and reflects rose and golden tints at sunrise and sunset, while it is dazzling white during the day. It is impossible to visualise the Taj Mahal in any surroundings other than its paradoxical garden.

Later, visit the magnificent forts of the Mughal era—Agra Fort. When the Mughal Emperor Akbar established his supremacy in Northern India, he began his first architectural venture: rebuilding Agra Fort as a beautiful palace with marble and mosaic. Richly decorated, it was in this fort that Shah Jahan spent his last years—confined by his son Aurangzeb. His private quarters have a magical view of the Taj Mahal across the river Yamuna. Today, this is a World UNESCO Heritage Site.

Deluxe and Indulgence travellers will enjoy a high tea at a secret spot across the river with views of the Taj and Agra Fort.

Breakfast included
High Tea included for Deluxe and Indulgence

Agra - Ranthambore

After breakfast, check out from the hotel for a comfortable drive to the deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri – a city planned by Mughal emperor Akbar as his new capital. A 16th-century English traveller Ralph Fitch described it as ‘considerably larger than London and more populous.

After visiting Fatehpur Sikri continue your drive to Ranthambhore, where you will check in to your hotel and have the remainder of the day at your leisure.

Breakfast included
2 Nights in Ranthambore – you can choose your hotel and standards below

Ranthambore National Park

Early morning, have a cup of coffee or tea at your resort before heading out by Jeep on an early morning safari of Ranthambore National Park. After the safari, you will return to your resort at around 9:30 am. to freshen up and enjoy a full breakfast.

Ranthambore National Park is one of India’s largest national parks and is known for its large population of Royal Bengal Tigers. The park also has an affluent population of Leopards, Sloth Bears, several Deer species, Marsh Crocodiles, Palm Civets, Jackals and others.

The morning safari will end with a visit to Dastkar Ranthambhore Project. Since 1981, six women have been working to help traditional artisans in contemporary India. The project helps people learn new skills and preserve old ones so that craft traditions can continue to play an essential role in India’s economic mainstream.

Enjoy some time to relax before you venture out on your second safari in the afternoon.

Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Ranthambore - Jaipur

After checking out of the hotel, you and your English-speaking driver will head to Jaipur in your comfortable private car. Jaipur is the capital of Rajasthan and one of India’s “Golden Triangle” cities. It is also widely known as the “Pink City” because of its famous pink buildings in the old town.

After checking in to your hotel, the rest of your day is at leisure to explore this famous city’s many forts and palaces.

Breakfast included
2 Nights in Jaipur – you can choose your hotel and standards below

Jaipur City Tour

After breakfast at the hotel, head out with your private English-speaking guide to visit the magnificent Amber Fort and experience a blessing at the Shila Mata Temple. Amber Palace, also known as Amber Fort, is one of the most beautiful palaces in India. With its large ramparts, maze-like passages and cobbled paths, the fort overlooks Maota Lake, the primary water source for the Amer Palace.

In the afternoon, take a trip to the City Palace Museum to see an imposing blend of traditional Rajasthani and Mughal Art. The museum has robes of royal princes, carpets, an armoury and miniature paintings portraying court scenes, battle scenes, and processions.

Indulgence travellers will enjoy an exclusive private tour of the residential areas of the royal family, which is restricted to general visitors. There they will enjoy a cup of tea/coffee in one of the living rooms before taking memorable pictures of these beautifully decorated rooms where Princess Diana had once dined.

Next, visit the awe-inspiring Jantar Mantar, a stone astrological and astronomical Observatory and a photo visit to the Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds) before spending some time in the city’s crowded and colourful bazaars picking up your final souvenirs for the day.

Breakfast included

Note: We do not encourage an elephant back ride at the fort where the animal is used as a taxi and made for walking on the concrete and stone paths. Instead, we can offer an optional exclusive interaction with rescued elephants at Dera Amer, where you can paint the elephant with natural colours that do not damage the skin, and bathe them before enjoying lunch from locally grown organic vegetables. More information can be found in your travel booklet if you would like to include this experience.

Depart India

Depending on your chosen flight time, breakfast will be served at the hotel before being transferred by your English-speaking driver back to Delhi airport.

Breakfast included