Description

Day 1 Delhi
On arrival in Delhi, transfer to your hotel and enjoy free time until your tour briefing.

Hotel: Maidens Hotel (or similar)

Day 2 Delhi (B)
Spend the day discovering Delhi’s highlights. Drive to the Red Fort, a magnificent monument in the heart of Delhi.

Take a bicycle rickshaw through Old Delhi’s historical trading streets of Chandni Chowk before visiting the city’s famous spice market, Khari Baoli. Wander through Parathey wali gali to see masala chai being made while sampling some of the local food.

Walk to Jama Masjid – the largest mosque in India and view it from the outside before visiting a communal kitchen at a Sikh temple to see volunteers prepare free meals for thousands of devotees.

Visit Humayun’s Tomb – the precursor to the Taj Mahal, followed by Rajpath which is home to India’s government buildings, President’s residence and India Gate. End the day in the colourful Lodhi Art District which is home to beautiful murals painted on buildings by local and international artists.

Day 3 Delhi to Agra (B)
Drive to Agra and explore magnificent Agra Fort which was built by Emperor Akbar in 1565. Catch your first glimpse of the Taj Mahal from the fort’s ramparts.

This afternoon, visit a marble inlay workshop to see the intricate craftsmanship and skill required to make each finely-detailed piece.

DoubleTree by Hilton Agra (or similar)

Day 4 Agra to Ranthambore National Park (B/D)
Rise early to see one of the world’s most iconic landmarks, the Taj Mahal. Enter through the West Gate with its archway framing and revealing the beauty of the Taj. Explore the main tomb, pavilions
and gardens before returning to your hotel for a late breakfast.

Drive through the Rajasthani countryside to Abaneri village. Enjoy a lovely high tea before visiting the 1,300 year old Chand Baori Stepwell. Walk through the colourful local market then continue onto Sawaii Madhopur, home to Ranthambore National Park.

Enjoy dinner at the hotel.

Hotel: Fort Nahargarh (or similar)

Day 5 Ranthambore National Park (B/D)
Begin the day with a dawn game drive through Ranthambore National Park. Covering more than 1,300 square kilometres, it is home to a host of wildlife including deer, jackal, hyena, leopard and tigers.

After a late breakfast, visit a women’s cooperative which makes handicrafts. Return to your hotel for free time before embarking on another game drive in the late afternoon.

Return to your hotel and enjoy a relaxing dinner.

Day 6 Ranthambore National Park to Jaipur (B)
Drive from Ranthambore National Park to Jaipur, Rajasthan’s capital and affectionately called the ‘Pink City’.

Arrive in Jaipur and enjoy a walking tour of the royal observatory. Take a pink rickshaw ride to your hotel with the Pink City Rickshaw Company, a not-for-profit organisation which supports the employment of women from low income households.

Jaipur offers excellent shopping opportunities and this afternoon, there’s free time for you to explore the town’s popular bazaar.

This evening, you have the option of joining your group to watch a Bollywood movie in one of India’s finest Art Deco cinemas, have a palm reading or receive a Henna tattoo.

Hotel: Shahpura House (or similar)

Day 7 Jaipur (B/D)
This morning, see a traditional milk market come to life before admiring the façade of the Hawa Mahal.

Continue to a local tea shop and sample possibly the best chai in Jaipur. Venture by jeep to impressive Amber Fort and spend a few hours discovering the beautiful architecture.

Return to town for a guided walking tour of Jaipur bazaar where you can shop for handicrafts, jewellery and fabrics.

This evening, enjoy a farewell dinner with a local family in their historic haveli home and see how some typical Rajasthani dishes are prepared.

Day 8 Jaipur (B)
Enjoy breakfast before transferring to the airport for your onward journey.

Departures are guaranteed to operate and maximum of 16

DEPARTURE DATES 2019 – 2020

DEPARTURE CALENDAR 2019 – 2020