SHARE IT - SAVE UP TO 10% ON ALL HOLIDAYS
Throughout this very special small group tour of India you will encounter the extraordinary richness and opulence of the country's past. You'll visit the vast palaces, impregnable forts and dazzling, decorated havelis of Rajasthan, and along the way will stay in spectacular heritage hotels - many of which were once the seats of ruling maharajas, and some still home to their present-day descendants. From Delhi's Raj-era glories and Agra's monument to love, to the wooded Aravali Hills, Udaipur's lakes and the desert landscapes - and starlit skies - of Jodhpur and Bikaner, and finally to the jungle retreat of Vanaashyra, this is a holiday crammed with unforgettable highlights and unique experiences.Extend your holiday and visit Goa, with white sand beaches backed by swaying palms, is a perfect ending to your holiday. It’s a charming blend of Portuguese and Indian cultures, laid back, green and generally untouched by mass tourism.
Highlights
- Stay in some truly spectacular, luxurious heritage hotels
- Discover the sights of Old Delhi by rickshaw
- Spend four nights in a beachfront resort in Goa
- Visit Agra's Fort and peerless Taj Mahal
- Enjoy a boat safari on the Chambal River
- Explore Jaipur's Amber Fort, famous Observatory and City Palace
- Enjoy two jeep safaris and village walks
- Discover Udaipur on a guided tour and enjoy a cruise on Lake Pichola
- Visit Ranakpur's astonishing Jain temples
- See Jodhpur's stupendous Meherengarh Fort
- Experience an 'Arabian Nights' adventure under Bikaner's desert sky
- Discover Bhangarh's extraordinary ruins
Inclusions
- 18 nights' accommodation staying in historic heritage and five-star hotels in Delhi (1 night), Dholpur (2), Jaipur (2), Deogarh (1), Udaipur (2), Jodhpur (2), Bikaner (1), Alsisar (1), Vanaashyra (2) and Goa (4)
- Breakfast each day, four lunches and dinner each evening
- Return scheduled flights to Delhi via Doha, returning from Goa via Doha
- Gatimaan Express train Delhi-Agra
- Air-conditioned vehicle transfers and travel
- The services of a Tour Manager in India
Day 1
Head to the airport and board your overnight flight to Delhi via Doha.
Day 2
Upon arrival in Delhi, meet your Tour Manager and transfer to elegant, historic Maidens Hotel, renowned for its old-world splendour and a famously deep swimming pool.After settling in, re-join the group and your Tour Manager for a guided tour of colourful Old Delhi, which reveals some of the city's most iconic sights: Red Fort, Jama Masjid Mosque and Raj Ghat - Gandhi's cremation site. After the tour, immerse yourself among the sights, sounds and smells of Indian street life on an exhilarating rickshaw ride through vibrant Chandni Chowk, one of the city's oldest markets, before heading back to the hotel for a delicious first dinner.
Day 3
Rise early this morning to board the Gatimaan Express, India's fastest train, to Agra, the glorious 'City of Love'. Upon arrival, join your guide for a tour of majestic Agra Fort, exploring its royal pavilions, palaces and pretty courtyards, then continue to the site of the Taj Mahal, where you'll have a few hours to explore this dazzling monument to undying love, which has become India's most potent symbol.
Day 4
Enjoy a lazy morning at your opulent hotel in Dholpur. After lunch, board one of the Palace's boats for a one-hour cruise along the Chambal River (subject to the water level in the river). On this scenic journey you'll see an abundance of colourful birdlife, and you might also spot crocodiles and rare, endangered species such as long-snouted gharials.
Day 5
Today you'll travel across the Rajasthani plain to the 'Pink City' of Jaipur, where a beautiful heritage hotel is your home for the next two nights. Set in a former harveli - an Indian mansion - this beautiful hotel is a peaceful retreat located close to the bustling old city. Enjoy a lazy evening settling into your surroundings, perhaps opting for a dip in the pool or a relaxing treatment at the spa, before dinner is served.
Day 6
Discover the historic sights of Jaipur, travelling firstly to the 16th-century Amber Fort, which perches on a hilltop and offers stupendous views from its red sandstone ramparts. After some time to explore the ornate Royal Halls, you'll travel to the Hawa Mahal, or Palace of the Winds, to view its famous red facade featuring a jumble of windows and screened balconies.This afternoon, enjoy a lavish lunch in the ornate surroundings of the Samode Haveli, a historic former home of the maharajas that has been converted into a luxurious hotel situated on the desert-fringed outskirts of the city. After lunch, you'll visit the City Palace complex to explore its temple, museums, courtyards and gardens, and then continue to Jantar Mantar to visit the ancient astronomical observatory.
Day 7
After breakfast, leave Jaipur and travel south west to Deogarh, where you'll spend one night at the Deogarh Mahal heritage hotel, a former home to Mewar rulers. After checking in, set off on a thrilling jeep safari through the countryside, then enjoy a walk through a local village before returning to the hotel in time for dinner.
Day 8
Today's short journey takes you to Udaipur, where the Trident Hotel welcomes you for a two-night stay. This magnificent hotel overlooks Lake Pichola and is surrounded by the rolling Aravali Hills. Settle in, and enjoy dinner at the hotel this evening.
Day 9
See the sights of Udaipur this morning on a guided tour, which reveals the majestic City Palace and the stunning 'gardens of the royal ladies' at Sahelion-ki-Bari. This afternoon, explore under your own steam, then re-join your group for a leisurely evening cruise on Lake Pichola, and a dinner overlooking the stunning facade of City Palace.
Day 10
Journey north today through the beautiful scenery of the Aravali Hills, and call in Rankpur to visit the magnificent Jain temples - a quartet of intricate, marble edifices that nestle in a wooded valley. You'll then continue to the outskirts of Jodhpur for a two-night stay at Rohet Garh, a beautiful, lakeside heritage hotel boasting a spa and an outdoor pool.
Day 11
Enjoy a day of sightseeing in Jodhpur, the 'Blue City' - so called because of the blue colour-washed houses that decorate its old city. Explore monumental Mehrangarh Fort, which towers over the city from its sandstone butte and is comprised of lavish palaces and decorative courtyards. Your day then continues with visits to the marbled Jaswant Thanda memorial and the fascinating Umaid Bhawan palace museum, and a thrilling evening jeep safari, on which you'll visit a traditional village inhabited by the Bishnoi tribe, who are thought to be some of the world's first eco-warriors.
Day 12
On today's adventure you'll journey into the Great Indian Desert to the remote city of Bikaner, where ornate Junagarh Fort dominates the snaking streets of its old city. Step behind the Fort's high walls to explore the pavilions and palaces, then enjoy a fascinating visit to a camel-breeding farm. This evening, you'll travel further into the desert to a camp that sits among the towering sand dunes. Enjoy a roller-coaster tour down the dunes, marvel at the dazzling sunset and enjoy an unforgettable dinner under a starlit desert sky. You'll then return to the hotel at the end of this very special evening.
Day 13
Continue your journey through the desert, as you travel along an ancient trading route past small market towns and resplendent havelis built by wealthy traders. You'll spend a night at the Alsisar Mahal heritage hotel, which boasts decorated arcades, frescoes and tranquil courtyards. Settle in, then enjoy a glass of champagne while listening to a talk from a local historian, who will shed light on the story behind the opulent Shekhawati havelis.
Day 14
On the last leg of this wonderful journey you'll travel back towards the Aravali Hills, with an included lunch en route at the ornate Shahpura Haveli. You'll be spending two nights at Vanaashrya Resort, which sits immersed in beautiful jungle scenery. Upon arrival, rest and relax, and settle into your well-appointed, air-conditioned cottage.
Day 15
Spend your day relaxing at Vanaashrya, perhaps opting for a spa treatment or a dip in the swimming pool. Explore the ruins of Bhangarh Fort, which dates back to the 17th Century and is thought to be haunted, then take a camel cart ride to a nearby village for a glimpse of local life. This evening, you'll be treated to a cookery demonstration, followed by a dinner with your group.
Day 16
Fly from Delhi to Goa, meet your guide at the airport and transfer south along the coast to your hotel, for a four-night stay. Spend the rest of the day relaxing by the expansive pool or enjoying an ayurvedic massage in the hotel’s tranquil spa.
Day 17-18
Choose to spend today soaking up the southern Indian sun, perhaps by the hotel’s pool, or venture further afield to explore the wide-open beaches situated just a moment’s walk from your hotel. Likewise, choose to dine in your hotel, or to visit one of a number of local eateries.
Day 19
Once again, today you are free to simply let Goa’s relaxed southern feeling wash over you, perhaps with a long, lazy walk on the beach. Alternatively, choose to join us on an optional excursion to Aguada Fort and the Basilica of Bom Jesus.
Day 20
Bid a fond farewell to Portuguese influenced Goa, as you transfer late evening from your hotel to the airport and board your flight home via Doha.
Day 21
Arrive in the UK after a truly spectacular holiday.
