Day 0: Departure
Fly out from the UK (recommended night flight from Heathrow) VS 300 2000 hrs departure OR AI 166 2145 hrs
Day 1: Arrival in Delhi
Arrive Delhi at 0930 hrs by VS 300 OR BY AI 166 at 1035 hrs, Upon arrive at Delhi’s International Airport (suggest arrive Delhi between 0830 hrs – 1000 hrs), you’ll be met by our representative and transfer to your hotel.
Afternoon (around 1400 hrs) start with the World Heritage site of Qutub Minar, followed by the grandest of early Mughal monuments in India, Humayun’s Tomb.
Day 2: Old Delhi
Today, we marvel at the glory days of Mughals in Shahjahanbad, starting with an early visit to Jama Masjid, the grand mosque. Climb one of the minarets of the mosque for a truly spectacular bird’s eye view (if open and permitted by the Authorities)
Enjoy a rickshaw ride through the busy Chandni Chowk markets, where the street food has something for everyone – lip-smacking kebabs, paranthas and mithais.
During the afternoon, you’ll visit a traditional family-owned perfumery to observe the medieval art of making natural perfumes.
Meet a Kabootar-baaz and learn all about the intricacies of this sport from the rooftops of Old Delhi for a truly unique cultural experience to end your day. Then drive along the wide treelined boulevards of New Delhi.
This evening, join a unique City Walk tour with the Salaam Balak trust – an English-guided tour of almost two hours conducted by the children who used to live in the streets of Delhi before joining the Trust. These adolescents are fully trained as local guides and want to improve their communication and speaking skills. City Walk gets the children’s stories heard and gives people a view of their world through their eyes. Led by a teenager at the Trust, the City Walk tour covers the streets of the inner city of Paharganj and the area around New Delhi Railway Station. The respective child is someone who once lived and worked on the streets. This makes the tour special and personal for the tour guide. You will experience a tour far from the typical and touristy places and cover lesser-known attractions. City Walk is an example of how a volunteer’s creativity can translate into a unique and enduring programme, which is both popular and economically viable. Over the last 19 years, thousands have taken the Walk and empowered several children, thus helping them to join mainstream life.
Day 3: Wildlife SOS – Agra
After an early breakfast drive to Agra (04.5 hours) via Yamuna Express Way
Enroute, stop at Wildlife SOS Elephant centre to see rescued elephants with their guide. End your visit with a home style simple lunch.
Proceed to Agra, and visit the Mehtab Bagh, a lost Mughal Garden which has gradually been restored and is the best place to watch dusk fall over the Taj Mahal from across the river.
Day 4: Agra
After breakfast, visit Agra Fort, followed by a short walk around old bazaars of Agra.
Visit Agra’s Jama Masjid, tucked away in the streets of the old city.
To gain insight on Agra’s living arts and distinctive cuisines, see some of Agra’s speciality foods being prepared – the sweet ‘Petha’, the savoury ‘Dal Moth’ (Agra’s tangy version of Bombay mix).
The mausoleum of Itmad-ud-daulah (often called ‘Baby Taj’) is perfectly formed, and profusely decorated in marble inlays.
Later, visit the Roman Catholic cemetery in Agra to gain insight into the lives of the British and European powerful folk who lie buried here in grand mausoleums, one of which is a smaller version of the Taj, built in red sandstone (often called the ‘Red Taj’)
Day 5: Agra
Fall in love with the Taj Mahal at sunrise. An early morning start to beat the crowds is the best way to appreciate its sublime beauty. No matter how many times one has seen the photos, the experience is truly memorable. Watch marble inlay artisans at a marble workshop.
After breakfast back at hotel, drive to Sariska National Park.
En-route, visit the Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri and Abhaneri Stepwell.
Arrive in Sariska and check into your hotel.
Day 6: Sariska National Park
Enjoy morning and evening safaris in shared jeeps (max 6 people in a jeep).
Day 7: Sariska – Jaipur
Enjoy your last safari this morning in Sariska.
After breakfast at the hotel, check out and drive to Jaipur (3.5hrs), stopping enroute at the romantic ruins of Bhangarh Fort, allegedly one of the most haunted forts of India – but perfectly safe during the day.
Arrive Jaipur and check in at your hotel. In the evening, visit the Birla temple if time permits.
Day 8: Jaipur – Delhi
Explore the Pink City on a guided tour that takes in the majestic City Palace, including exclusive tour of the Royal and private apartments, followed by visits to the iconic Hawa Mahal and Jantar Mantar.
Enjoy the ‘Culture Gully’ Rickshaw tour with the Pink City Rickshaw, a not-for-profit organization that aims to provide a new aspirational employment opportunity to 200 women from low income households in Jaipur. Skilled to ply custom designed e-rickshaws, they have enrolled as equity holders in the Pink City Rickshaw Co. that they now proudly own and manage. On this tour you will visit markets and see local craftsmen in action.
Explore Amber Fort.
Visit the Anokhi museum to learn about the rich tradition of textile weaving in India
End your time in Jaipur with a drive back to Delhi (5hrs) to check into your hotel near New Delhi Railway Station.
Day 9: Delhi – Amritsar
Early transfer to New Delhi Railway Station to board the express train to Amritsar (#12029,0720-1330) Executive class for a scenic journey to a city of charm and historic significance.
Upon arrival in Amritsar, you’ll check into your hotel and take some time to unwind after your journey or explore the city at your own pace.
Later in the evening, visit the grandiose Golden Temple at night, when numerous lights illuminate its beauty jewel-encrusted dome, and cast mesmerizing reflections in the expansive holy pool.
Witness the Palki, or ‘putting to bed’ ceremony where devotees the holy book from the main shrine to another room for the night. Accompanying the ceremony is singing, drumming, music, and the reading of hymns by a priest. Dinner at a local restaurant (Vegetarian)
Day 10: Amritsar
After an early breakfast, visit Jallianwala Bagh, a historic garden and memorial to one of the most horrific events in the history of the British Empire – the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. As you stroll around the grounds, the signs of the tragic events of 13 April 1919 when British soldiers opened fire on a peaceful gathering of unarmed Indians are all around you. The museum offers an excellent overview of the Empire’s politics and events leading up to the fateful day.
Then, visit the Golden Temple again to explore the complex and community kitchens used by devotee volunteers to produce up to 20,000 meals per day. Here, you’ll enjoy a simple yet delicious lunch with other visitors from all over India and beyond – all are equally welcome to partake and this is among the most authentic of Indian experiences.
Visit the Partition Museum, dedicated to the Subcontinent’s Partition of 1947. The museum is a repository of oral histories and personal artefacts, documenting experiences of millions.
Later that afternoon, drive out to the India – Pakistan border for the military ‘Beating the Retreat’ ceremony marks the closure of the border gates, and involves a colourful, coordinated parade of the lowering of the two nations’ flags.
Day 11: Amritsar – Delhi
This morning, catch your early morning express train to Delhi (#22488, 0820-1350) – Executive class
Arrive Delhi and visit to the adjacent sites of Lodi Gardens and Safdarjung Tomb, to get a final glimpse of Delhi and India. The landscaped Lodi Gardens is Delhi’s answer to the Hyde Park, with several historical monuments to explore.
Day 12: Delhi – Gwalior
Catch the early morning express train to Gwalior.
Gwalior’s spectacular fort is perhaps one of the most romantic forts of India outside Rajasthan. Inside, palaces and temples deserve a leisurely examination, and the rampart has spectacular views of the city. The Gujari Mahal museum holds the famous 10th century Salabhanjika – the bust of a celestial nymph dubbed ‘India’s Mona Lisa’ for her enigmatic expression. It is sculpted in the most graceful three bend Tribhanga (tri-bent pose) posture, with the leaning neck and curving waist giving it a delicate S shape which emphasises its sensual and aesthetic beauty.
Later, visit Gwalior’s opulent 19th century Jai Vilas Palace, the seat of the royal family of Scindias during the British era.
Day 13: Gwalior-Orchha
An early breakfast and start as you drive south to Orchha, pausing at two hidden gems en-route.
Datia’s (1.5hrs drive) resplendent seven storeyed, 17th century palace is an excellent representation of Indo-Islamic (Mughal and Rajput to be precise) style of architecture. Veer Singh Deo, a powerful ruler Orchha, commissioned this mansion to welcome the Mughal emperor, Jahangir.
Later, drive (45m) south to Jhansi Fort, a hill-top fortress which was a stronghold of the Chandela Kings from 11th -17th century. The fort passed to the hands of the British East India Company in 1853, where in 1857 soldiers of the 12th Bengal Infantry mutinied and seized the fort.
The previously dethroned Rani of Jhansi, Lakshmi Bai, tried to take control but in 1858 the British recaptured the town after a very tough battle in which the Rani took part. She finally fell after a heroic fight on 18th June 1858 outside Gwalior and is now considered a heroine of Indian independence.
Notable sights in Jhansi Fort are the Shiva and Ganesh temples, and the Kadak Bijli (‘Strong Lightning’) cannon used in the battles of 1857.
Drive (30m) to arrive at the riverside setting of your resort in Orchha in the evening, hopefully well in time to witness the serenely beautiful cenotaphs of the Orchha Rajas silhouetted against the setting sun.
Day 14: Orchha – Khajuraho
Orchha was founded as the capital of the Rajput state of Bundelkhand by Raja Rudra Pratap in 1501, and its citadel was built on a rock island in the Betwa river. Later, Orchha’s fortunes declined, and it was eventually abandoned in 1783, but the romantic remains of the grand palaces, temples and riverside cenotaphs re perfect for a morning’s exploration.
After lunch, drive to Khajuraho (3 hrs) and check into your hotel.
In the evening, enjoy the son-et-luminaire show narrating the history and tales of the life of the Chandela rulers and of the 10th-11th century temples.
Day 15: Khajuraho
Built by the Chandela Dynasty, the World Heritage site of Khajuraho is famous for its Nagara-Style architecture and graceful sculptures of nayikas (Hindu mythological female protagonists) and deities, but of course, the majority of visitors come to be bemused and enthralled by the profusion of erotic sculpture, sensuous in nature and intricate in detail.
Only 25 of the original 85 temples remain, and are divided amongst the Western, Eastern and Southern groups which you explore at your own pace with your guide today.
After lunch, make a short visit to the interesting Adivart Tribal and Folk Art Museum which showcases the art and craft of the various ethnic tribal communities of Madhya Pradesh, including antiques, folk paintings, jewellery, masks, terracotta and metal craft, paintings, sculptures and artwork.
Drive (3.5hrs) to Rewa and check into your hotel.
Day 16: Allahabad
An early morning start today to drive (3hrs) to the holy city of Allahabad.
The city lies close to the Triveni Sangam, the “three-river confluence” of the Ganges, Yamuna and the mythical Sarasvati rivers, playing a central role in Hindu scriptures and hosting the Kumbh Mela every 12 years.
Beyond the holy Hindu temples and ghats, the city has a rich multi-cultural history and a wealth of Mughal and colonial monuments.
Visit Khusro Bagh’s four sandstone Mughal mausoleums standing within the walled garden, presenting an exquisite example of Mughal architecture.
Anand Bhawan, a historic house museum, erstwhile home of the Nehru family which gave India two Prime Ministers.
Drive around the city’s major landmarks such as the Allahabad Fort, University, All Saints Cathedral and the High Court for a glimpse
Day 17: Drive to Varanasi
After an early breakfast drive to Varanasi (03 hours), Arrive Varanasi and check in at your hotel
Later in the evening, return to Dashashwamedh Ghat for the quintessential Varanasi experience of the grand Ganga Aarti (prayers) where priests in splendid ceremonial dress swirl blazing oil lamps in an intense and gloriously photogenic spectacle and a rising crescendo of chants, drumbeats, ringing bells that makes your spine tingle.
Day 18: Varanasi
Start your day with an early morning boat trip on the Ganges from where you have the best vantage point to observe the timeless ghats of Varanasi at their magical misty best.
The sights and sounds of various religious rituals, the chanting of devotees and the ringing of temple bells helps one understand why Rudyard Kipling called Varanasi “the greatest spectacle in India”.
Explore the city’s narrow lanes, temples and daily life on a guided walk.
Afternoon visit to Sarnath, back to your hotel and relax.
Day 19: Drive to Lucknow
After breakfast drive to Lucknow (05 hours approx), arrive Lucknow and check at your hotel.
Start exploring Lucknow with a visit to the battle-scarred former British Residency, the site of bloody sieges in 1857 where British soldiers and civilians were encircled by Indian forces in the First War of Independence.
This evening, enjoy a food walk around the old market streets visiting the town’s legendary establishments serving grilled meats, delicately spiced curries.
Day 20: Lucknow
Lucknow is an underrated gem with a vast collection of grand monuments from the time when Lucknow’s ruling Nawabs emerged to exert their political and cultural influence as poets and other creative talent left Delhi’s fading Mughal courts for better prospects.
Explore the rich architectural heritage of the Nawabs on a tour that includes the opulent Bara Imambara and the Hussainabad Imambara, or ‘Palace of Lights’, venues that hosted banquets, dance and musical performances for the opulent court.
In the afternoon, join a heritage tour of Lucknow’s bazaars for a final treat on this grand tour. Shop around for souvenirs, or just enjoy the street food delicacies on offer at every step.
Day 21: Departure
Transfer to Lucknow airport in the morning to connect your flight back home