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Explore the teeming, colourful cities of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur on this superb-value Indian holiday. Step into a landscape said to have inspired Kipling as you spend two nights 'on safari' in Ranthambhore National Park, the home of the legendary Tigers of Ranthambhore, and see the Red Fort, the Palace of the Winds and the awe-inspiring Taj Mahal. It's the perfect introduction to one of the world's most fascinating and alluring destinations.Continue your thrilling Indian adventure and extend your holiday to ancient Nepal. Explore the Nepalese capital of Kathmandu on a full guided city tour and enjoy idyllic views of the Himalayas from your base in Nagarkot.
Highlights
- The sights and sounds of New Delhi
- The historic Red Fort, the India Gate war memorial and the ruins of the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque
- Enjoy unforgettable panoramic views of the majestic Himalayas
- Marvel at Kathmandu’s exotic-feeling blending of palaces, temples, courtyards and shrines
- Taking a rickshaw ride through Old Delhi
- A guided tour of Agra, India's city of love
- The magical Taj Mahal, a UNESCO World Heritage Centre
- Chand Baori, Abhaneri's astonishing 13-story stepwell
- Searching for Ranthambhore's tigers on two included safaris
- Exploring the ramparts, gates and cobbled paths of Jaipur's Amber Fort
- Jaipur's exquisite Palace of the Winds
- Dinner with a local family in Jaipur
- Staying in cottages at Vanaashrya Resort
- Enjoy a camel cart ride and an Indian cookery demonstration
- Visit the fascinating Heritage Transport Museum in Delhi
Inclusions
- Eight nights' dinner, bed and breakfast accommodation in a series of four-star and five-star standard hotels, 2 nights Delhi (1 at arrival and 1 at departure), 1 night Agra, 2 nights Ranthambore, 2 nights Jaipur, 1 night Vanaashrya, plus one night on the aircraft
- Four nights' half-board accommodation at hotels in Nagarkot (1 night) and Kathmandu (3)
- Six lunches
- Return flights to Delhi via Abu Dhabi, returning from Kathmandu via Abu Dhabi
- An internal flight from Delhi to Kathmandu
- Comfortable, air-conditioned coach travel and transfers
- The services of a friendly, experienced tour manager
Day 1
Your Indian holiday begins with an overnight flight from the UK to Delhi via Abu Dhabi.
Day 2
Arrive in Delhi to be greeted by your tour manager, then transfer to your hotel for lunch. In the afternoon, you'll have a chance to explore the ruins of the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque and the ornate Qutb Minar tower.
Day 3
This morning, a guided tour of the Old City will introduce you to Jama Masjid Mosque and Raj Ghat, Gandhi's famous cremation site close to the Yamuna River. You'll also see the legendary Red Fort, the residence of the Mughal emperor for nearly 200 years (until 1857), and take a rickshaw ride through the narrow lanes of Chandni Chowk. Before evening falls, you'll also see some of the city's Imperial highlights, including the India Gate war memorial, the vast boulevard of the Rajpath and Parliament House. Later, we'll travel to Agra, India's City of Love and site of the exquisite Taj Mahal. Built as a monument to undying love by grief-stricken Shah Jahan - after the death of his beloved wife - the Taj is seen in all its glory at sunset. Your guided tour of Agra will also take in the royal pavilions, palaces and courtyards of Agra Fort.
Day 4
Start your day with the unforgettable view of the Taj Mahal at dawn, seen from across the Yamuna River. After breakfast, you'll visit Abhaneri, a small town famed for its amazing baoris (stepwells). See the mighty Harshat Mata Temple, and discover the architectural beauty of the Chand Baori stepwell and its intricate carved panels. Descending 13 stories and approximately 30 m (100 ft) into the ground, this is one of the deepest and largest stepwells in India.Leaving Abhaneri, you'll travel to Ranthambhore National Park, stopping en route for lunch at the Umaid Lake Palace, a lovely heritage hotel set amid landscaped gardens. Ranthambhore is not only one of the largest national park in northern India, it's also one of the best examples of conservation in the whole country. Once the hunting ground of Indian princes, the park stands atop a 600-metre-high hill range and is home to a number of India's famous, elusive (and still endangered) tigers. Relax for the afternoon, then enjoy an evening tiger talk with a local naturalist: the perfect preparation for tomorrow's adventure.
Day 5
This morning, search for some of the park's most revered inhabitants: striped hyenas, sambar deer, sloth bears and, of course, tigers (and perhaps even a leopard) as you enjoy the first of two tours led by an expert naturalist guide. After lunch, your second guided safari will offer another opportunity to look out for tigers and many other extraordinary wild animals at close quarters in their natural environment.
Day 6
This morning, after the chance to climb up the 273 steps to Ranthambhore Fort on an optional excursion, we'll travel through Rajasthan to Jaipur, nicknamed India's pink city, where you'll stay for the next two nights. Settle into your heritage hotel in downtown Jaipur, and enjoy the on-site facilities, including a relaxing and cooling outdoor pool.
Day 7
Visit Amber, the ancient capital of the Rajput Empire. Discover its magnificent palaces and temples dominated by the stronghold of the Amber Fort, and take the time to see the royal halls and the unrivalled views from the ramparts. After an included lunch, you'll tour Jaipur to see the City Palace Complex, with its museums, and Jantar Mantar, the ancient astronomical observatory. In the evening, you'll enjoy dinner with a local Rajasthani family in the city.
Day 8
This morning you'll head north to Vanaashrya. En route you'll stop for tea or coffee at Bhangarh, a ruined fort dating from the 17th Century. After a relaxing afternoon, you can take a camel cart to visit the local village and enjoy a pre-dinner cookery demonstration. You'll spend the night in your private cottage, a place designed to give you a sense of the India of the past with the little luxuries of the present day (like air conditioning).
Day 9
As we make our way back to Delhi, we'll stop at the fascinating Heritage Transport Museum, which showcases the development of road, rail and air transport in India.
Day 10
Fly to the beautiful Himalayan city of Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, and then transfer to Nagarkot for a one-night stay at Mystic Mountain Resort. Check-in, admire the scenery or take a dip in the hotel’s outdoor pool.
Day 11
Nagarkot offers some the best mountain views in the entire valley. Start your day with the unforgettable panoramic views of the majestic Himalayas from the comfort of your hotel. Breathe in the fresh air and enjoy the tranquil surroundings before leaving Nagarkot to head back to central Kathmandu for a three-night stay.
Day 12
Today’s sightseeing tours will give you the chance to marvel at Kathmandu’s exotic-feeling blending of palaces, temples, courtyards and shrines, and everyday bustle. Visit Kathmandu Durbar Square, the traditional heart of Kathmandu, discover Nepal’s ancient cultural centre in Bhaktapur, and take in the spiritual atmosphere at the Buddhist stupa of Boudhanath – one of the largest stupas in the world.
Day 13
Today you’re free to relax or explore under your own steam. Enjoy your hotel’s historic surroundings, or head out to explore the bustling town of Thamel. Crammed with street vendors’ stalls and backpackers, Thamel is a haven for tourists (if not for the faint-hearted). Beneath the colourful web of bunting, banners, power cables and shop signs that festoon the narrow streets, you’ll find shops, cafes and restaurants filled with unexpected treasures. Later, enjoy your final dinner at the hotel’s restaurant, or at your leisure in the city.
Day 14
Bow your head and bid namaste to Nepal and its welcoming people as you transfer back to the airport to board your evening flight back to the UK via Abu Dhabi.
Day 15
Early this morning, you'll land back in the UK.
