India – the Taj Mahal, Tigers & Shimla by Air

Make your own way to London Heathrow for the overnight flight to Delhi.

We arrive in Delhi this morning and, after clearing customs and immigration, we’ll be met and transferred to our hotel in New Delhi. The rest of the day is free to relax and enjoy the facilities of the hotel.

Included Highlights

Delhi

After breakfast at the hotel, we embark on a fantastic day of sightseeing around Old Delhi. Our first stop is Raj Ghat, the place where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated on the evening of January 31, 1948. Drive past the Red Fort and visit the Jama Masjid, one of the largest Muslim mosques in India.

A bicycle rickshaw will take you into the heart of Chandni Chowk (the silver square, named because of the silver merchants). Drive past India Gate, President's Estate and the Government building before we stop for an included lunch.

Later, we visit the city's most striking monument, the Qutub Minar, which looms majestically across the wide plains of Delhi and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We return to the hotel for a welcome dinner and drinks this evening.

Included Highlights

Old Delhi Tour

After breakfast, we visit Humayun's Tomb, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The tomb is in large, immaculately-maintained gardens in the Persian Char Bagh (four corners) style. Humayun’s garden-tomb is also called the ‘dormitory of the Mughals’, as the cells have over 150 Mughal family members buried here. It inspired several major architectural innovations, culminating in the construction of the Taj Mahal.

After an included lunch, we visit the most prominent Sikh Gurdwara, or Sikh house of worship, in Delhi. The 'Langars', or the community kitchen, proves to be the ideal example of prodigious hospitality of the Sikhs. Anyone and everyone can have a scrumptious meal! We return to the hotel and rest of the evening is free at leisure.

Included Highlights

Humayun's Tomb Sikh Gurdwara

After an early breakfast, we transfer to Delhi railway station to start our train journey towards the former summer capital of the British in India, and the present capital of Himachal Pradesh, Shimla. On arrival in Kalka, we join the Toy Train to Shimla where we enjoy a packed lunch on board. Kalka is the last station at the bottom of the hills and the entry gate of the Shivalik ranges of the Himalayas. All broad-gauge trains terminate here, and all narrow-gauge toy trains start from here.

Kalka Shimla Railway, commonly known as KSR, is a marvel example of engineering of British Raj. It was started to make it easy for the Summer Capital to move up to the hills from Calcutta. After going through several surveys, the project was initiated on 30 April 1897, and within five years and six months, it was completed on 9th November 1903. The track goes through 20 railway stations, 103 tunnels, 900 curves, and over a similar number of bridges. On arrival, we check-into our Heritage Grand Hotel for our three night-stay.

Included Highlights

Shimla Toy Train

After breakfast at the hotel, we embark on a walking tour of Shimla with our guide. Originally, Shimla was established as a retreat, then a sanatorium, and then was officially declared to be used as the Summer Capital of British India. It remained so from 1864 to 1947 when India earned freedom from British rule. The story of the development of Shimla, from a tiny village to the Summer Capital, is more interesting when narrated by a local historian from Shimla. Walk through the Heritage Zone of Shimla and learn through its lanes, trails, architecture, lifestyle, culture, and people. We also include a visit to the Viceregal Lodge, the seat of the Imperial Government.

Later today, we include a visit to a Heritage Home – because when you think of Shimla, you think of the British and their Heritage Homes. A local family will share their stories and transport us back to a bygone era over drinks and dinner.

Included Highlights

Shimla Walking Tour Viceregal Lodge

This morning, after breakfast, we travel by road to a Viceroy’s Hunting Forest. The trail passing through the oak trees and the forest was once a hunting ground for the Viceroy. We walk through this forest for 2-3 km and then drive for half an hour to Arki.

The Arki Palace was built between 1695 and 1700 by Rana Prithvi Singh, a descendant of Rana Sabha Chand. Fort Arki is one of the few forts left in this state and still holds the grandeur of the past. The Royal Family will be our host for the lunch in their Haveli. We return to Shimla and rest of the evening is free at leisure.

Included Highlights

Viceroy’s Hunting Forest Arki Palace

After breakfast, we travel by coach to Chandigarh airport for the flight to Jaipur. We include lunch in a local restaurant prior to the flight. On arrival in Jaipur, we transfer to our hotel for our two-night stay.

Jaipur, the largest city of Rajasthan, is the epitome of magnificence and vibrancy. Established in 1727, it is India's first planned city, also known as the ‘Pink City’. This royal place is rich in heritage, culture, and architecture. With splendid fortresses, majestic palaces, tranquil temples and beautiful havelis, Jaipur displays exquisite handicrafts and spectacular jewellery. The intricate works of art add life and colour to the Pink City's uniqueness.

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Jaipur

Today we explore Jaipur and enjoy a visit to the Amber Fort. Built in 1592, the fort boasts various buildings of prominence. The aesthetic ambiance is seen within its walls on a four-level layout plan in a well-turned-out opulent palace complex built with red sandstone and marble.

After this, we make a photo stop at the Palace of Winds, the Hawa Mahal, a five-story building with 25-cm thick façade, dating from the 18th century. It has 953 windows and niches so that ladies of the Royal Family could see the procession and events in the city without being visible to the people.

We enjoy lunch in a local restaurant and, in the afternoon, we visit the City Palace in the centre of Jaipur. It now houses the Royal residence and museums with collections of textiles and costumes, armoury, manuscripts, paintings, and other royal treasures. We will also visit the Jantar Mantar observatory (1728-34), built by Maharajah Jai Singh II, who had great interest in astrology. There will also be time here to explore the local markets.

Dinner tonight will be with a local Rajasthani family.

Included Highlights

Hawa Mahal Amber Fort Jantar Mantar City Palace

This morning, we travel by coach to Ranthambore National Park, declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1957. In 1974, it gained the protection of the Government of India’s Project Tiger conservation programme. Since then, the numbers of resident tigers have been increasing thanks to dedicated conservation efforts in the area. Ranthambore National Park is also home to Ranthambore Fort, a vast UNESCO World Heritage Site that overlooks the park and dates back a thousand years. Once you’ve settled into your hotel and enjoyed lunch, we set off for our first game drive in the national park.

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Ranthambore National Park

Today, we enjoy morning and afternoon safaris. Ranthambore National Park is home to numerous water bodies scattered across the park, which provide perfect relief to the wild animals during the scorching hot days in summer. A huge fort, after which the park is named, towers over the park on a hill. There are many ruins of bygone eras scattered all over the jungle, which give it a unique, wonderful and mixed flavour of nature, history and wildlife.

Included Highlights

Safaris in Ranthambore National Park

Today we depart for Gadoli, offering an unforgettable village experience and a welcome break from the regular tourist spots. We travel towards the pristine and untouched lives of the real people of the land. On arrival at our hotel, we enjoy lunch then embark on a camel cart safari to visit a charming village and meet its friendly people who are eager to share their life with you. This evening there’s a Cultural dance performance followed by the dinner at the retreat.

Included Highlights

Gadoli Camel Cart Safari

This morning, you can enjoy early morning yoga in the lush green gardens of the retreat before we depart for Agra. En-route, we visit Abhaneri stepwell, the ancient 7th century stepwells which were called by BBC Travel as being among the 10 Great Unknown Wonders of the World! On arrival at Agra, check-in to the hotel and enjoy an included lunch. This afternoon, we visit the “Mehtab Bagh” situated north of the Taj Mahal complex on the opposite side of the Yamuna River, in the flood plains. The garden complex, square in shape, is perfectly aligned with the Taj Mahal on the opposite bank. The most important attraction of Mehtab Bagh is the Taj Mahal itself. This is a unique spot as you can get a picturesque view of The Taj from here. We return to the hotel and the evening is at leisure.

Included Highlights

Mehtab Bagh Abhaneri Stepwell

This morning, savour a travel highlight as we embark on a tour of the Taj Mahal, the magnificent tomb of white marble built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz. Home to one of the seven wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal, Agra is a sneak peek into the architectural history with other UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri. History, architecture, romance all together create the magic of Agra and hence makes for a must-visit for anyone visiting India.

We also visit the imposing Red Fort of Agra before enjoying the 'Mohabbat E Taj' show which depicts a romantic, passionate, and loving tale of Emperor Shahjahan and his beloved wife Mumtaz.

Included Highlights

The Taj Mahal Red Fort

After breakfast, we board our train for the journey back to Delhi. The afternoon is free for you to explore Delhi before we gather for a farewell dinner this evening with drinks included, to cherish our memorable journey.

We transfer to Delhi airport for our flight back to London Heathrow.