Essence of India

Adventure across India—from the Presidential Palace of Delhi, to the tigers of Ranthambore and onwards to the pink city of Jaipur. Delhi impresses with a private tour of Jama Masjid, while in Jaipur a Indian High Tea experience unlocks the private living room of the Maharaja. The culinary highlights continue at the opulent 1135 AD restaurant where a Highlight Dinner is served in a royal interior, with traditional music and stunning sunset views. In Ranthambore, search out the elusive tigers in their natural habitat as you stalk the former private hunting grounds of the maharajahs, peppered with palatial ruins and traditional Chhatri. Later explore Jaipur your way with the choice of shopping the fresh flower and spice markets, or a visit to the Hindu Temple Birla Mandir—to witness the traditional aarti prayer ceremony.The Activity Level of this tour is Balanced, meaning there is 1 to 3 miles of walking per day which may include some uneven surfaces such as cobblestones and stairs.

Dining Summary

6 Dinner (D), 8 Breakfast (B), 4 Lunch (L), 1 Afternoon Tea (AT)

Choice Highlights

Choose between two carefully selected activities, Delhi: Visit the 12th century Qutub Minar, and see the tallest brick minaret in the world before enjoying lunch., Delhi: Join a well-known chef for a culinary exploration of Delhi streets where you will tantalise your taste buds. Experience a wide variety of foods and learn the effect that mixing different flavours has on the palate as you sample Indian delicacies from local stallholders., Choose between two carefully selected activities, Agra: Meet the community living in the shadow of the Taj Mahal when you take a Mughal Heritage Walk. Discover hidden gems of the area and learn about daily life in the ancient village with impressive vistas of India’s most famous monument. Through this initiative the community is supported from tourism to improve their living conditions., Agra: Visit a private colonial bungalow for high tea, meet the host family and listen to their stories about the British Raj and today's Indian culture and society., Choose between two carefully selected activities, Jaipur: Focus on the art of block printing and blue pottery as you visit a workshop., Jaipur: Step in the side lanes of old Jaipur and see the highly skilled local artisans who are passionate about passing their crafts on to preserve this slice of the cultural heritage.

Additional Included Highlights

Enjoy seamless personal assistance throughout your journey. From securing exclusive reservations, to organising transportation, your Travel Concierge ensures every aspect of your travel is tailored to your tastes and preferences., In select destinations, our network of Local Expert Guides will illuminate your journey on a deeper level. ​, Included at all hotels., Hotel taxes, porterage and tips, as well as tips for included dining experiences, are included.​, Enjoy breakfast every morning, and an array of incredible dining options throughout your journey, infused with discovery and adventure., On days where a Relaxed Start (RS) is indicated, you can select to indulge in breakfast in bed., Enjoy complimentary hotel Wi-Fi. And, on select coaches, onboard Wi-Fi may also be available., Transfers are included on your journey start and end dates, and where additional accommodation has been booked in advance through Luxury Gold. Transfers to train stations or alternate hotels, in the same start or end city as the itinerary, may be requested.

Exceptional Dining

Delhi: Relax and acclimatise before your days in Delhi get underway with a delicious Welcome Dinner in the comfort of your hotel. Get to know your Travel Concierge and other travellers over superbly prepared local food and wine., Jaipur: Dine in the elegant surroundings of 1135 AD, one of Jaipur’s most revered local restaurants, offering fine Indian dining served amid opulent royal interiors with stunning sunset views. Hear traditional music playing as you indulge your palate., Jaipur: Enjoy a private access tour around Jaipur City Palace including the maharajah’s personal living room, normally off limits to visitors. Savour an Indian inspired high tea on the regal terrace after viewing the spectacular handcrafted crystal table by René Lalique.

Passport Moments

Delhi: View the monuments of Old and New Delhi when you drive out to Red Fort, the former home of the Mughal emperors. Cruise down the Rajpath to see India Gate and Parliament House., Delhi: Take a tour of Jama Masjid with your Travel Concierge. Feel the majesty of the largest mosque in India with its three great gates, 40-metre-high minarets, and a courtyard large enough for 25,000 devotees., Delhi: Jump into the hustle and bustle of Old Delhi by taking an exhilarating rickshaw ride through the busy streets of Chandni Chowk. Let the city’s sights and sounds swirl around you as you’re transported in traditional style., Delhi: Visit a Sikh temple and community kitchen, where meals are given out to locals and travellers. Those of the Sikh faith regularly open their place of worship to those in greater need., Agra: Visit the impressive fortress in Agra and delve into the history of the Mughal Dynasty, who ruled their empire for over 300 years. See the glorious mosques and fairytale palaces such as the Sheesh Mahal within its protected walls., Agra: Rise in the morning light to view one of the greatest monuments in the world, the grand Taj Mahal. With the light of dawn and fewer visitors, you can fully appreciate its grandeur in peace, accompanied by only the birds and monkeys., Ranthambore: Sit back and relax on the express train from Bharatpur to Ranthambore. Enjoy the scenic vistas of northern India as you are transported door-to-door in just a few hours. Experience the quickest way to travel in India, as small villages and plantations whizz by., Ranthambore: With an expert naturalist, seek out a rare sighting of tigers in their natural habitat on your dawn and dusk safaris in the maharajahs’ former hunting grounds. Witness a wealth of local animals as you search for those elusive stripes., Jaipur: Ascend by jeep to stroll through the intricately designed complex of courtyards and halls of Amber Fort. Enjoy the shimmering walls and ceilings and wonderful views of the surrounding countryside and receive a special blessing at this 16th-century residence., Jaipur: Enter the towering gates to the City Palace Museum for a look back through time at chandeliers, cannons, chariots and incredible murals. Built between 1729 -1732, this glorious complex is still home to the Jaipur royal family and young king., Jaipur: Visit the colourful cavalcade of the fresh flower and spice market. Alternatively, visit the white marble Birla Mandir, a Hindu temple and witness aarti, a traditional prayer ceremony.

Personalise your day

Delhi: Visit the 12th century Qutub Minar, and see the tallest brick minaret in the world before enjoying lunch., Delhi: Join a well-known chef for a culinary exploration of Delhi streets where you will tantalise your taste buds. Experience a wide variety of foods and learn the effect that mixing different flavours has on the palate as you sample Indian delicacies from local stallholders., Agra: Meet the community living in the shadow of the Taj Mahal when you take a Mughal Heritage Walk. Discover hidden gems of the area and learn about daily life in the ancient village with impressive vistas of India’s most famous monument. Through this initiative the community is supported from tourism to improve their living conditions., Agra: Visit a private colonial bungalow for high tea, meet the host family and listen to their stories about the British Raj and today's Indian culture and society., Jaipur: Focus on the art of block printing and blue pottery as you visit a workshop., Jaipur: Step in the side lanes of old Jaipur and see the highly skilled local artisans who are passionate about passing their crafts on to preserve this slice of the cultural heritage.