Day 1
New Delhi
Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel for check-in. In the evening, you’ll head out for night food walk through Old Delhi with a knowledgeable guide. Here you’ll learn about India’s culinary heritage alongside sampling incredible flavours, smells and textures. The tour includes a rickshaw ride across the by lanes of Old Delhi, visiting Asia’s biggest Spice Market and visiting the community kitchen Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib.
Overnight: Maidens Hotel
Day 2
New Delhi
After breakfast, you’ll enjoy a full day sightseeing tour of Delhi, where you’ll discover the contrasts of old and new.
You’ll start with a visit to Jama Masjid Mosque, before strolling through the bustling bazaars. You’ll also enjoy a rickshaw ride through the 500-year-old city, Chandni Chowk, to see the silver merchants. The tour also includes Gurdwara Bangla Sahib - the main temple of the Sikhs in Delhi with its golden dome, Laxmi Narayan Temple - with beautiful shrines and a large garden, plus Humayun’s Tomb and Qutub Minar, two UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Overnight: Maidens Hotel
Day 3
Agra
Agra is one of India’s most popular destinations, and is home to the iconic Taj Mahal. As well as this famous landmark, you’ll also see more impressive sights including the Agra Fort, the sacred Jama Masjid mosque and Itmad-ud-Daulah’s tomb.
Today you will have breakfast, before a three-and-a-half-hour drive to Agra. Once there, you’ll have an afternoon visit to the Agra fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site founded in 1565. Afterwards, you’ll visit the Artisans trail to see the incredible architecture and visit local craftsmen.
Your overnight stay is at the Coral Tree Home, just walking distance from the Taj Mahal and with fantastic restaurants, shopping malls and nature walks nearby. The bungalow rooms are colourful and spacious, overlooking a lush garden.
Overnight: The Coral Tree Home Stay
Day 4
Fatehpur Sikri
The day begins with an early start to see the sunrise at Taj Mahal. Afterwards, you’ll head east to Fatehpur Sikri, an abandoned city that was once the capital of the Mughal Empire from 1571 to 1585. This world heritage site is one of the best-preserved collections of Mughal architecture, and you’ll have times to enjoy the elaborate structures including the Jama Masjid Mosque.
Your overnight stay is at Khem Villas, which is located in the Ranthambore Tiger reserve, featuring a campfire, a plunge pool, a spa and a bar.
Overnight: Khem Villas
Day 5
Ranthambore National Park
Today you will visit Ranthambore National Park, which is located in the Sawai Madhopur district. One of the most visited wildlife parks in India, you’ll discover beautiful jungle, cliffs and savannah, alongside magnificent tigers in the wild. The Bengal tiger is the main attraction, and there are other wild animals to spot too, including crocodile, gazelle and wild boars. Enjoy a three-hour safari with an experienced naturalist.
Overnight: Khem Villas
Day 6
Jaipur
The capital of Rajasthan is where you’ll be travelling today. Jaipur is famed for being India’s first planned city with pink terracotta buildings, earning it the nickname ‘The Pink City’. The city is part of the popular tourist circuit, the Golden Triangle, which also includes Agra and Delhi.
In the evening, you’ll have a cooking demonstration and dinner at your hotel.
Overnight: Dera Mandawa Hotel
Day 7
Jaipur
You’ll wake early to visit the hilltop fortress at Amber, called Amber Fort. On route, you’ll stop by the Palace of Winds to see the elaborate pink sandstone carving. Upon arrival via a jeep, you’ll explore the courtyards and halls of Amber Fort.
In the afternoon you’ll visit the City Palace and marvel at its decorative art, before heading to Jantar Mantar to visit the five observatories built by Sawai Jai Singh in India. The evening will be spent walking around a busy market, watching a bangle-making demonstration, and tasting all the lovely street food.
Overnight: Dera Mandawa Hotel
Day 8
Jodhpur
It’s a driving day today, with a six-hour scenic route to Jodhpur.
Overnight: Hotel Pal Haveli
Day 9
Jodhpur
You’ll explore Jodhpur today, starting with a visit to Mehrangarh Fort to see its picturesque palaces and respective museums. You’ll then see Jaswant Thada, a pillared marble memorial to the ruler Jaswant Singh II, who helped boost the economy at time of ruling.
The afternoon will be spent enjoying the bazaars, including the bamboo market, spice sellers, local tea shops and fabric shops. The list of fabulous stalls is endless. One of the oldest markets, Sardar Market, has over 6,000 shops with a wide variety of goods.
After that, you’ll visit the tribal villages of the Bishnois via an open jeep. The environmentalists who live here never harm animals, and never cut down trees – wood is collected for burning only after it has fallen to the ground.
Overnight: Hotel Pal Haveli
Day 10
Udaipur
It’s an early start with a five-hour drive to Udaipur. On route, you’ll visit Ranakpur Jain Temple and its 144 uniquely carved pillars.
Once in Udaipur, the day is free to enjoy at your leisure.
Overnight: Amet Haveli
Day 11
Udaipur
After breakfast you’ll stroll through the bazaars and visit Jagdish Temple, before seeing the City Palace to explore the museum filled with mosaics and glass figures and visiting Sahelion-Ki-Bari.
The afternoon will be spent at the old market, filled with spice shops, a silver market, local food and jewellery shops. You’ll even see the areas where the James Bond film, Octopussy, was shot.
Next up is a boat ride along Lake Pichola, where you’ll see evening ritual ceremonies, the City Palace and the Jag Mandir.
Overnight: Amet Haveli
Day 12
Udaipur
Today you will escape the hustle and bustle of the city and visit the Aravalli Mountains. Here you’ll see the tribal communities that live here, including the Bhill community and Garasia community. This beautiful mountain range has a rich biodiversity with 43% of the area under forest cover and plenty of lovely rivers.
Later on, you’ll enjoy a Dharohar Folk Dance performance in the evening.
Overnight: Amet Haveli
Day 13
Delhi
Today you will depart for an afternoon flight to Delhi, where you’ll connect for your flight home.
If you’d like to add extra time to your India adventure, we have two fantastic extensions to choose from
Option 1 – Jawai Extension
Day 1
Bera
After your tour ends, you’ll travel to a tiny hamlet in the Aravali Mountain range called Bera. Here you’ll discover amazing wildlife within the rocky outcrops and forest plains, including sloths, Indian leopard, jungle cat and Indian wolf, on an afternoon safari. You’ll also explore the best tourist attractions here including the Jawai hills and lake – a renowned leopard spotting location, the Ranakpur Temple and Kumbalgarh Sanctuary.
Overnight: WelcomHeritage Cheetahgarh Resort & Spa
Day 2
Bera
Enjoy another safari in Jawai, this time early in the morning to spot the gorgeous birdlife. The remainder of the day is at leisure.
Overnight: WelcomHeritage Cheetahgarh Resort & Spa
Day 3
Udaipur
After breakfast you will have a three-hour drive to Udaipur for your ongoing flight.
Option 2 – Bikaner and Khimsar
Day 1
Bikaner
After breakfast in Udaipur, you’ll have a six-hour drive to Bikaner, a fabulous city. Once there, you should have a bit of time to explore the Karni Mata Temple and the Bhandasar Jain Temple to see the incredible architecture and artwork at each.
Overnight: Narendra Bhawan Bikaner
Day 2
Bikaner
Today you will enjoy a sightseeing tour of Bikaner. The tour includes a visit to Junagarh Fort’s intricately decorated interiors, plus a visit to the National Camel Breeding Farm. The rest of the day is at your leisure.
Overnight: Narendra Bhawan Bikaner
Day 3
Khimsar
After breakfast, you will travel to the charming village of Khimsar. On the way, you’ll stop at Deshnok Temple, home to the 600-year-old Karni Mata Temple where the local rats are sacred due to local legend.
Once in Khimsar, you’ll check in to your hotel before going to explore Khimsar Fort at sunset.
Overnight: Welcomhotel Khimsar Fort & Dunes
Day 4
Jodhpur
Today you’ll have an hour and a half journey to Jodhpur for your onward journey
