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Discover the glorious cities of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, Ranthambhore’s tigers and the Raj-era comforts of India’s most famous hill station.
Combine a tour of the classic sights of India’s capital and the wonders of Rajasthan with a journey back in time to Shimla, the quintessentially colonial haven high in the Himalayan foothills. Begin in Delhi, before journeying on to Shimla, the former summer capital of the Raj. The Pink City of Jaipur, with its extraordinary Fort and palaces, Agra’s majestic Fort and peerless Taj Mahal, and stays in famed Ranthambhore Park and a wonderful jungle resort complete this unforgettable journey.
Extend your holiday with a visit to Kerala. See Kochi’s famous Chinese fishing nets as well as enjoying a spice plantation visit and a houseboat cruise on the backwaters. You’ll also visit Periyar National Park for a chance to see the wildlife.
Highlights
- Watching the sun set (and rise) behind the Taj Mahal
- Riding the "toy train" from Kandaghat to Shimla
- Conclude your holiday with a five-night extension in colourful Kerala
- Searching for Ranthambhore's tigers on two included safaris
- Discover the sights of New Delhi
- Enjoy a rickshaw ride through Old Delhi
- Stay in the five-star Oberoi Cecil Hotel – an institution since the days of the Raj
- See Jaipur's Palace of the Winds
- Enjoy dinner hosted by a local family in Jaipur
- Ride up to Amber Fort for exceptional views
- See Chand Baori, Abhaneri’s astonishing stepwell
- Stay in the beautiful resort of Vanaashyra
- Enjoy an Indian cookery demonstration
Inclusions
- 11 nights' dinner, bed and breakfast accommodation in a series of four-star and five-star standard hotels in Delhi (2 nights), Shimla (2), Jaipur (2), Agra (1), Ranthambhore (2) and Vanaashrya (2), plus one night on the aircraft
- Five nights' half-board accommodation at hotels in Kochi (2 nights), Periyar (1) and Alleppey (2)
- 12 lunches
- Return flights to Delhi via Abu Dhabi returning from Kochi via Abu Dhabi
- An internal flight from Delhi to Kochi
- All rail travel in India
- Comfortable, air-conditioned coach travel and transfers throughout
- Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Day 1
Fly overnight from the UK to Delhi via Abu Dhabi.
Day 2
You'll arrive in Delhi, this morning, meet your tour manager and transfer to your first hotel. After lunch, enjoy a guided tour of some of the city’s major sights, including the historic Red Fort, Jama Masjid Mosque and Raj Ghat (Gandhi’s cremation site), as well as the Raj-era grandeur of New Delhi. Complete the day with an exhilarating rickshaw ride before dinner at the hotel.
Day 3
This morning you'll catch the train to Chandigarh. From here, you'll journey up to Kandaghat to board the "toy train" to Shimla. Relax as the narrow-gauge route winds its scenic way into the foothills of the Himalayas, along the line opened by Lord Curzon, Viceroy of India, in 1903, to where the magnificent Oberoi Cecil Hotel waits to welcome you.
Day 4
We’ll rejoin the "toy train", this morning, for a short journey through the mountains to Tara Devi’s Hindu Temple. Enjoy lunch at Clark’s hotel, the first hotel of the now world famous Oberoi chain, before heading out for an afternoon guided tour of Shimla. We'll visit the teak-panelled rooms of Viceregal Lodge - a former British summer retreat and where the map of Indian Partition was drawn up. Other highlights will include the high, open space of the Ridge, dwarfed by the Gothic spires of the very English Christ Church and offering superb views of the distant peaks, and the shops of Mall Road. We'll pass the colonial Gaiety Theatre, and join the throng at Scandal Point, Shimla's traditional meeting place.
Day 5
Today we'll retrace our steps, heading back down to Chandigarh for the return rail journey to Delhi.
Day 6
After a morning drive to Jaipur, and lunch when we arrive in the city, you'll have the afternoon free to relax or join our optional excursion to Elefantastic. This conservation sanctuary is home to some of the world’s most extraordinary animals, and you'll the chance to get up close to some of its rescued elephants.
Day 7
After breakfast you'll visit the former Rajput capital, Amber, and its vast fort, climbing by jeep to visit the Royal Halls and take in the magnificent views from the ramparts.
After lunch, you'll take a guided tour of Jaipur to see the City Palace museums and ancient astronomical observatory of the City Palace, and drive past the 18th-century Palace of the Winds with its ornate windows and screened balconies.
This evening, enjoy a special dinner at historic Nokha House, hosted in traditional Rajasthani style by the Rathore family.
Day 8
Bid farewell to Jaipur after breakfast, and journey to Agra, the fabled City of Love. After a visit to the royal pavilions, palaces and courtyards of majestic Agra Fort, you’ll make your first visit to the incomparable Taj Mahal, a monument to undying love, to see it in all its glory at sunset.
Day 9
Awaken early to pay a second visit to the Taj Mahal, watching the sun rise over it from across the Yamuna River. We'll return to the hotel for breakfast, and then leave Agra behind as we head to Abhaneri. This ancient village is home to Chand Baori, one of the oldest and most intricate stepwells in India, its 13 storeys and 3500 steps offering access to water and much-needed refuge from the sun's heat.
After lunch at the sumptuous Umaid Lake Palace heritage hotel, we'll continue to Ranthambhore National Park. This former royal hunting ground is now a key centre for Project Tiger, and its grasslands, streams and beautiful pools are home to striped hyenas, sambar deer, sloth bears and of course tigers.
This evening, prior to tomorrow's adventures, enjoy a tiger talk from a local naturalist.
Day 10
Today’s two canter (open-air vehicle) safaris in the Park are sure to be highlights of your entire holiday. Join a knowledgeable naturalist guide to search your surroundings for signs of tigers, leopards and other species in their natural environment.
Day 11
Rest and relax this morning, or join our optional excursion to Ranthambhore Fort, climbing the gradual, 273-step path to take in the stupendous views.
Later, journey into the Aravali Hills and head to the jungle resort of Vanaashyra, calling en route at the fascinating ruins of 17th-century Bhangarh fort.
Day 12
Rest and relax at Vanaashyra, then enjoy an afternoon camel-cart ride and a cookery demonstration before a farewell dinner at the resort.
Day 13
Begin your extended tour with a flight to the southern Indian jewel of Kochi, where you will be met by your tour guide and escorted to your first hotel - the four-star deluxe Trident. Check-in, rest and relax, or take a dip in the courtyard pool, prior to taking dinner in the hotel's restaurant.
Day 14
Begin your exploration of Kerala, 'God's Own Country', today, with a tour of historic Kochi. Take in the Portuguese-built and peculiarly named Dutch Palace, the spectacular Paradesi Synagogue and the area's photogenic Chinese fishing nets. In the evening, enjoy a traditional Kathakali dance show.
Day 15
This morning travel to Periyar, inland from Kochi, to spend one night in the Greenwoods Hotel. After checking into your hotel, enjoy an enlightening tour of a local spice plantation. In the evening, relax in your hotel, taking advantage of its spa, swimming pool and treehouse cafe.
Day 16
Rise early on the fourth day of your extension to take to the waters of Lake Periyar for a wildlife boat tour, after which we transfer to our third and final stop, coastal Alleppey. Check in to your resort hotel set on the lush banks of the Punnamada Lake, and spend the rest of the day recharging your batteries.
Day 17
Get to know Kerala's famous backwaters, today, as you take lunch on a traditional kettuvallam houseboat and relax as life plays out on the area's labyrinthine banks. Later, return to your hotel and enjoy a restful evening looking back on your journey through India.
Day 18
On your final day in India, transfer from Alleppey to Kochi, and board your flight back to the UK via Abu Dhabi.
