Jan
min : 13°C
max : 26°C
We Love —
- Journey around India and discover this country's mystical history, traditional culture and unforgettable sights.
- Highlights include Old Delhi, the iconic Taj Mahal in Agra, the Amber Fort in Jaipur, the Pushkar Lake and the havelis of Mandawa.
- Stay in hand-picked hotels throughout your adventures, including the majestic Khimsar Fort, set amidst the undulating Rajasthani desert sand dunes!
Book Now, Pay Later —
Booking 35 days in advance and spending over £500 per person? No need to pay in full today! Just select the 30% deposit option on our payment page (terms & conditions apply)
Your Destinations —
Your Itinerary —
Be met and assisted upon arrival and transferred to your hotel for check-in. (Holding room from previous night). Settle into the capital city of India, for a journey across the fascinating history-markers of medieval north India. Wars were fought and rulers changed in Delhi but ordinary lives were lived in relative continuity. Glimpses of these can be seen even today as the character of the city underwent massive changes in the last decades. In the lands fabled to have seen seven cities, signs of the old are continuously jostling with the new, presenting an ever-fascinating panorama. We welcome you to its chaos and stability, into its steadfastness and its impatience and into a delightful rainbow of amalgamation, producing a world completely its own.
Time at leisure and to relax from the long haul flight. Afternoon start a tour through the green parts of Delhi. Drive through Lutyen's Delhi and visit the main places in South Delhi such as the 12th century Qutab Minar, the mausoleum of emperor Humayun Tomb - a forerunner of the Mughal style of architecture & drive past through India Gate, the president's residence - formerly the Viceroy's Palace, Parliament House and the Secretariat buildings, - an interesting blend of the Victorian and 20th century architecture. Later drive to the vibrant Hauz Khas Village for a walk through medieval ruins and bohemian upmarket boutiques and culinary outlets. End your walk with a Masala Chai before you return to your hotel.
Overnight at Radisson Blu Hotel New Delhi Paschim Vihar or similar
The siren call of Paratha Lane in Old Delhi – where food vendors make and sell parathas on the pavement in front of their tiny one-room cafes, stalls offer jewel-like fruit and vegetables, and smoke drifts from a thousand woks – is entirely seductive. It is exactly where you want to be.
Morning after breakfast drive to Agra. Agra stands on the right bank of the river Yamuna, and was once the seat of the Mughal rulers, the zenith of art and an Enshrined romance. A town famous for its beautiful medieval monuments. The passion of the Mughals for building endowed it with some of the loveliest buildings in the world.
Check in at Hotel. Later proceed for a sightseeing tour of Agra.
Visit the Taj Mahal (1631-1653), a poem in white marble, built by Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaj Mahal. Rabindranath Tagore calls "a teardrop on the cheek of time". Taj Mahal means "Crown Palace" and is in fact the most well preserved and architecturally beautiful tomb in the world. The English poet, Sir Edwin Arnold, as “Not a piece of architecture, best describes it as other buildings are, but the proud passions of an emperor’s love wrought in living stones." It is a celebration of woman built in marble and that is the way to appreciate it. As a tribute to a beautiful woman and as a monument for enduring love, the Taj reveals its subtleties when one visits it without being in a hurry. The dome is made of white marble, but the tomb is set against the plain across the river and it is this background that works its magic of colours that, through their reflection, change the view of the Taj. The colours change at different hours of the day and during different seasons. Like a jewel, the Taj sparkles in moonlight when the semi-precious stones inlaid into the white marble on the main mausoleum catch the glow of the moon. The Taj is pinkish in the morning, milky white in the evening and golden when the moon shines. These changes, they say, depict the different moods of woman. (Taj Mahal remains closed on all Fridays).
Also visit the Agra fort, built alongside the Yamuna River stretching almost 2.5 km. The fort’s colossal double walls rise 20 m in height and measure 2.5 km in circumference. The fort is surrounded by a moat. The lofty battlements of the Agra fort cast its protective shadow over the far stretching mansions of nobles and princes built along the riverfront. The magnificent towers, bastions and ramparts and majestic gateways symbolized the confidence and power of the third Mughal emperor. The fort contains splendid palaces in both red sandstone and white marble built by two generations of prolific builders, Akbar and later on by Jahangir and Shahjahan. Of the nearly 500 Akbari buildings built in the Bengal and Gujarati traditions, only a few have survived, arrayed in a band on the riverfront.
Overnight at Howard Plaza The Fern or similar
After early breakfast, check out and drive to your next destination, Jaipur. The drive will take approx. 6 hours excluding stops. An hour and a half outside Agra is your first stop, Fatehpur Sikri. A typical visit to Sikri takes about an hour and is worth the time.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Fatehpur Sikri was temporarily the capital of the Mughal Empire under Akbar the Great. Built by Emperor Akbar to honour the Saint Salim Chisti who foretold the birth of Akbars’ son and heir, this structure is constructed entirely in vibrant red sandstone architecturally it draws its inspiration from Hindu, Persian and Islamic styles.
Later continue your drive to Jaipur and on arrival check in at Hotel. Enjoy a sumptuous lunch at the Hotel.
Jaipur is also known as the Pink City, because of the terracotta-coloured lime plaster that coats the old part of the city's walls, buildings, and temples. The reasons for painting the town pink are unknown, some say it is because Maharaja Jai Singh II's being a devotee of Lord Shiva and as pink was his favourite. The most popular reason is that pink is the traditional color of hospitality, and the old part of the city was freshly painted and paved with pink gravel to warmly welcome Edward VII for his visit here in 1876. Today, Jaipur is a thriving world class economy that attracts more and more multinational enterprises to set up shop here than in any other city of prominence in North India.
Overnight at Holiday Inn Jaipur City Centre or similar
Breakfast at Hotel. Morning Amber Fort excursion by Jeep ride. Just 7 miles north of Jaipur is Amber with it’s a honey-coloured fortress-palace in the Aravalli Hills which can be mounted by elephant. It has been described as “the sleeping beauty of Rajasthan”. The sombre exterior belies the richness of the royal apartments which open on to striking views of the gorge. It also possesses a Chamber of Mirrors. The Hall of Victory presents a galaxy of decorative art - panels of alabaster with fine inlay work of the tender hues. Spend the afternoon sightseeing.
Jaipur is the city, which has the “tone of the autumn sunset” Visit Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds) an elaborate building encrusted with delicate honeycomb screens and carved balconies from which the royal ladies, confined to their quarters, could view the world outside. Jai Singh’s Observatory built in the 17th century by the founder of Jaipur who, besides being a prince was also soldier, astronomer and builder. City Palace, now a museum, contains fine Rajput and Moghul paintings, rare manuscripts and an armoury.
Overnight at the hotel.
With some 2,000 temples spread throughout Jaipur, intimate places of worship and shrines were everywhere; an amble down an innocuous alleyway led to a former mansion now converted into a vast wedding bazaar, its 200 or so shops seemingly all overflowing with bejewelled saris.
This morning you will drive to Pushkar and upon arrival you will be transferred to hotel for check-in. Pushkar is a sacred town for the Hindus, situated 11 km to the North-West of Ajmer. The charm of this sleepy, lakeside settlement so captivated the great Indian poet, Kalidas, that it found a place in his classic, Abhigyan Sakuntalam. The Great Hindu epics of Mahabharata and Ramayana make references to this religious place regarded to be Adi Tiratha. Evidence points to its having existed during the Fourth century B.C. Lake in the inhospitable surroundings of a desert is no less than a miracle.
Later proceed for sightseeing in Pushkar; Hindus from all across India consider Pushkar Lake to be one of the most sacred lakes of India. According to legend, the origin of this lake was the lotus flower petals that fell on earth from Lord Brahma’s hands. The Brahma Temple is the lone Hindu temple in India where Lord Brahma, the Creator of the World is worshipped. This major attraction of Pushkar is situated on the banks of the Pushkar Lake and is considered to have a special position in the Hindu Pantheons. Rangji Temple is dedicated to Rangji, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, the preserver of the Hindu Trinity. In 1823, the temple was built by Seth Puran Mal Ganeriwal and has a South Indian architectural style, though Mughal architecture peeks from some points.
Overnight at Pushkar Resort or similar
DAY 06 | PUSHKAR – KHIMSAR BY SURFACE 231 KMS/ APPROX. 6 HRS
After breakfast drive to Khimsar and upon arrival check-in at the hotel. Founded in the early 16th century, the Karamsot dynasty has a long lineage of capable rulers who fought hard battles but "lived with grace and dignity". Rao Karamsiji was the eighth son of Rao Jodhaji who was the founder of Jodhpur.He established his kingdom between his brothers- the Maharajas of Jodhpur and Bikaner. The construction of the fort commenced in 1523 A.D. in the fairytale land of majestic forts and palaces. Thus began the dynasty of the Karamsot Rathores. Later proceed for sightseeing of Khimsar Fort and also enjoy the Jeep Safari in desert.
Overnight at Khimsar Fort or similar
Today we will drive to Mandawa and upon arrival check-in at hotel. After some rest proceeds for sightseeing of Mandawa, Mandawa is a small town in the heart of Shekhawati region. The place is known not only for its havelis but also for its Fort Palace. The structure of the palace reminds of the cultural and social importance of this region in the past. Of the havelis, the most important are the Chokhani, Ladia, Binsidhar Newatia, and Gulab Rai Ladia Haveli. Another haveli, the Binsidhar Newatia Haveli, is known for its curious paintings. There is a painting of a boy holding a telephone and a European woman in a car driven by a chauffeur. The Gulab Rai Ladia Haveli is famous for its erotic images, now mostly defaced.
Overnight at Vivaana Culture Hotel or similar
DAY 08 | MANDAWA – DELHI 260 KMS/ APPROX. 6 HRS
After breakfast drive to Delhi and upon arrival check-in at the hotel. Rest of the day at your leisure for independent activities.
Overnight at Red Fox Hotel, New Delhi Aerocity or similar
DAY 09 | DEPART DELHI
Breakfast at hotel and day at leisure and until you are transferred to airport for onward travel to your selected destination.
Your Hotels —
If opting for the Standard category, you will stay at the below hotels (or those of a similar standard) in a Standard Room with Bed and Breakfast.
2 Adults
+ 1 Child
or
3 Adults
Situated in Paschim Vihar, West Delhi, this hotel boasts a soothing spa, an elegant bar, an outdoor swimming pool, and 4 dining options. Free Wi-Fi is available and rooms are spacious with wall-length windows.
Howard Plaza The Fern 4*, Fatehabad Road , Agra - 1 night
Set at the centre of the tourist zone of Agra with the Taj Mahal as its backdrop, Howard Plaza The Fern is equipped with 86 rooms, has 2 restaurants and a bar, a spa, a pool, gym, free Wi-Fi and a rooftop lounge.
Holiday Inn Jaipur City Centre 4*, Jaipur - 2 nights
Located in Jaipur's thriving business district and with convenient access to all the historical monuments, Holiday Inn Jaipur City Centre houses a choice of 3 dining outlets, a Spa, Gym, round the clock Travel Desk and outdoor pool. Wi-Fi available across the hotel.
Pushkar Resort 3*, Pushkar - 1 night
Spread across 15 acres, the property was merely a stopover for the Kochhar family for their wilderness expeditions, and has since welcomed guests like Kate Winslet and Harrison Ford. It houses 40 cottages, an outdoor pool, a restaurant and bar, a spa and sporting facilities - all amid verdant surrounds.
Khimsar Fort 5*, Khimsar - 1 night (PICTURED)
Spread over 11 acres of sprawling lawns, orchards and open courtyards, in the midst of sand dunes, Khimsar Fort is preserved like a royal manor. Established in the 15th century by a scion of the house of Jodhpur, its history is reflected in its architecture. There is an outdoor pool, a restaurant and rooms with authentic decor.
Vivaana Culture Hotel 4*, Mandawa - 1 night
Vivaana is a meticulously restored 19th century Shekhawati Haveli, featuring luxuriously decorated rooms and suites. It reflects the old world charm at its best.
Red Fox Hotel, Delhi Airport 3*, Delhi - 1 night
Red Fox Hotel, Delhi Airport features fresh bold interiors as well as crisp and clean rooms. Facilities include a multi-cuisine coffee shop – Clever Fox Café, a Cyber Kiosk, an efficient meeting room, a well-equipped fitness center and laundry service.
Your Journey —
Flights: The flights included are with either a scheduled or no-frills airline and are subject to live availability and prices can change. You can choose your preferred departure times during the booking process. Please select your flight options carefully as departure and arrival airports may differ.
Transfers: Transfers are included as per the itinerary.
