Tailor-made Holidays in India by Cox & Kings

Cox & Kings can organise a tailor-made itinerary to India that will cover the must-dos to the truly extraordinary.

The Golden Triangle is a piece of India that is a must-see for first-time visitors. Firstly, take a tour of Old Delhi, visiting the vibrant Chandni Chowk market and Jama Masjid mosque. Then drive onwards to Agra, where you can visit the iconic Taj Mahal at sunset and the imposing Agra Fort. In the ‘Pink City’ of Jaipur, explore the UNESCO-listed Amber Fort, a stunning example of both Mughal (Islamic) and Rajput (Hindu) architecture, and the Hawa Mahal palace with its elaborate facade of latticed windows. Travel to the other corner of the Golden Triangle to Udaipir, said to be Rajasthan’s most beautiful city as it’s set on the tranquil shores of Lake Pichola.

For those interested in wildlife viewing, we would recommend Ranthambore; it is the national park most known for its tiger population, but it is also home to panthers, sambars, leopards, sloth bears, marsh crocodiles, as well as many species of exotic birdlife. Whereas, Pench National Park is more commonly known for sightings of jackals, wild dogs and sloth bears. Kanha National Park has a healthy array of wildlife, home to 22 animal species and 175 varieties of birds. Here you can be on the lookout for Indian elephants and ‘swamp deer’.

Other highlights of India include watching a demonstration of Kalaripayattu in Kerala – an ancient form of martial art. Take a private champagne tour of Mehrangarh Fort, visit dhobi ghats in Lucknow, meditate with monks in Sarnath or visit the ghostly remains of Bhangarh – reputedly so haunted that admittance is banned outside of daylight hours.

Follow scenic trails in the Himalaya and take gentle hikes through traditional Gaddi villages with spectacular views of the Dhauladhar mountain range. To the north of India you can find the tea plantations of Darjeeling and Assam. Drift down the sacred Ganges in Varanasi and speak to our travel consultants to find out when the Dev Diwali celebrations take place so you can witness the steps of ghats lit up with more than a million earthen lamps.

The opportunities to discover something new in India are endless.