The Grand Tour of India

Fly to Amritsar via Delhi

Fly from London (regional connections available) to Amritsar, via Delhi, with British Airways. Transfer to Taj Swarna for 2 nights. (N)

Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

Amritsar

Visit the Golden Temple for the auspicious Palki Sahib night ceremony. A welcome dinner will be held this evening. (D)

Amritsar - Wagah

Morning visit to the Golden Temple and its vast community kitchen (langar). Weave your way through Qila Ahluwalia, a fort replete with colonial architectural features, before arriving at the Jalebiwala Chowk with its jalebi shop selling delicious sticky sweets. Late afternoon visit to Wagah, for the unmissable Changing of the Guard ceremony. (B)

Fly to Varanasi via Delhi

Morning flight to Varanasi for an overnight stay at the Taj Ganges (or similar). This evening, visit the Dasaswamedh ghats (stepped wharfs) to witness the magical aarti ceremony from a boat on the Ganges. (B)

Varanasi - Fly to Delhi

Early morning sunrise boat ride on the Ganges. Walking tour of Varanasi’s hidden alleys, paan bazaar, craftsmen colony and the spice, jewellery and flower markets. Take an evening flight to Delhi for a 2-night stay at the Le Meridien. (B)

Old & New Delhi

Morning tour of Old Delhi via rickshaw and drive past the Red Fort, visit to the Jama Masjid mosque, and walking tour. Afternoon tour of New Delhi including a drive past India Gate and the viceregal residence, before visiting Qutb Minar and the tomb of Mughal Emperor, Humayun. (B)

Agra

Take the Gatimaan Express train to Agra for an overnight stay at Trident Agra (or similar). Afternoon visit to the Agra Fort. This evening, visit the Taj Mahal bathed in golden light as the sun sets. (B)

Fatehpur Silkri - Rathambore

Visit Mehtab Bagh Gardens to see the Taj Mahal in the golden hour of sunrise. Drive to Fatehpur Sikri, a deserted 16th-century sandstone city. Continue to Bharatpur for lunch at the regal Laxmi Vilas Palace before a train ride to Sawai Madhopur. Transfer to The Tigress for 2 nights. (B, L, D)

Ranthambore

Early morning and late afternoon wildlife viewing on 4x4 safari drives. Drive through the park in search of deer, sloth bears, birdlife, and the elusive Bengal tiger. (B, L, D)

Jaipur

Morning drive to Jaipur to stay at the ITC Rajaputana (or similar) for 2 nights. Afternoon at leisure. Evening aarti ceremony at a local Hindu temple. (B)

Jaipur

Morning tour of the ancient palace of Amber Fort. Afternoon visit to the City Palace, a superb fusion of Rajput and Mughal architecture, Jantar Mantar astronomical observatory, and the Maharaja’s museum. Then view Hawa Mahal, the Palace of Winds, with its elaborate pink sandstone façade. (B)

Jodhpur - Rohet

Drive to Jodhpur. Visit the magnificent Mehrangarh Fort and wander through the streets of blue-washed Brahmin houses. Stay at Rohet Garh, a heritage mansion, for 2 nights. (B, D)

Rohet

Day at leisure. Optional 4x4 safari to visit the Bishnoi tribal village. (B, D)

Ranakpur - Udaipur

Drive to the lake city of Udaipur, visiting the exquisite Jain temples at Ranakpur en route. Stay at the Trident Udaipur for 2 nights. (B)

Udaipur

Morning tour of the City Palace and a miniature painting studio. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure followed by a cultural dance show and farewell dinner. (B, D)

Fly to Delhi

Transfer to the airport and and fly to Delhi for an overnight stay and farewell drink at the Vivanta by Taj Dwarka. (B)

Fly to London

Transfer to the airport for a direct flight to London with British Airways. (B)

Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

Fly London to Amritsar via Delhi

Fly from London (regional connections available) to Amritsar, via Delhi, with British Airways. Transfer to Taj Swarna for 2 nights. (N)

Meal basis: As per itinerary - B: Breakfast,n L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

Amritsar

Visit the Golden Temple for the auspicious Palki Sahib night ceremony. A welcome dinner will be held this evening. (D)

Amritsar - Wagah

Morning visit to the Golden Temple and its vast community kitchen (langar). Weave your way through Qila Ahluwalia, a fort replete with colonial architectural features, before arriving at the Jalebiwala Chowk with its jalebi shop selling delicious sticky sweets. Late afternoon visit to Wagah, for the unmissable Changing of the Guard ceremony. (B)

Fly to Varanasi via Delhi

Morning flight to Varanasi for an overnight stay at the Taj Ganges (or similar). This evening, visit the Dasaswamedh ghats (stepped wharfs) to witness the magical aarti ceremony from a boat on the Ganges. (B)

Varanasi - Fly to Delhi

Early morning sunrise boat ride on the Ganges. Walking tour of Varanasi’s hidden alleys, paan bazaar, craftsmen colony and the spice, jewellery and flower markets. Take an evening flight to Delhi for a 2-night stay at the Le Meridien. (B)

Old & New Dehli

Morning tour of Old Delhi via rickshaw and drive past the Red Fort, visit to the Jama Masjid mosque, and walking tour. Afternoon tour of New Delhi including a drive past India Gate and the viceregal residence, before visiting Qutb Minar and the tomb of Mughal Emperor, Humayun. (B)

Agra

Take the Gatimaan Express train to Agra for an overnight stay at Trident Agra (or similar). Afternoon visit to the Agra Fort. This evening, visit the Taj Mahal bathed in golden light as the sun sets. (B)

Fatehpur Silkri - Rathambore

Visit Mehtab Bagh Gardens to see the Taj Mahal in the golden hour of sunrise. Drive to Fatehpur Sikri, a deserted 16th-century sandstone city. Continue to Bharatpur for lunch at the regal Laxmi Vilas Palace before a train ride to Sawai Madhopur. Transfer to The Tigress for 2 nights. (B, L, D)

Ranthambore

Early morning and late afternoon wildlife viewing on 4x4 safari drives. Drive through the park in search of deer, sloth bears, birdlife, and the elusive Bengal tiger. (B, L, D)

Jaipur

Morning drive to Jaipur to stay at the ITC Rajaputana (or similar) for 2 nights. Afternoon at leisure. Evening aarti ceremony at a local Hindu temple. (B)

Jaipur

Morning tour of the ancient palace of Amber Fort. Afternoon visit to the City Palace, a superb fusion of Rajput and Mughal architecture, Jantar Mantar astronomical observatory, and the Maharaja’s museum. Then view Hawa Mahal, the Palace of Winds, with its elaborate pink sandstone façade. (B)

Jodhpur - Rohet

Drive to Jodhpur. Visit the magnificent Mehrangarh Fort and wander through the streets of blue-washed Brahmin houses. Stay at Rohet Garh, a heritage mansion, for 2 nights. (B, D)

Rohet

Day at leisure. Optional 4x4 safari to visit the Bishnoi tribal village.* (B, D)

Ranakpur - Udaipur

Drive to the lake city of Udaipur, visiting the exquisite Jain temples at Ranakpur en route. Stay at the Trident Udaipur (or similar) for 2 nights. (B)

Udaipur

Morning tour of the City Palace and a miniature painting studio. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure followed by a cultural dance show and farewell dinner. (B, D)

Fly to Delhi

Transfer to the airport and fly to Delhi for an overnight stay and farewell drink at the Vivanta New Delhi Dwarka (or similar). (B)

Fly from Delhi to London

Transfer to the airport for a direct flight to London with British Airways. (B)

Meal basis: As per itinerary - B: Breakfast,n L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.