The Grand Tour of India

Fly from London (regional connections available) to Amristar via Delhi with Jet Airways. (N)

On arrival, transfer to RanjitVilas (or similar) for 2 nights. Welcome dinner and evening visit to the Golden Temple for the auspicious Palki Sahib night ceremony. The temple is profusely lit and the lights are beautifully reflected in large water tanks surrounding the sanctum. (D)

Morning visit to the Golden Temple and the community kitchen called 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)

Morning flight to Varanasi for an overnight stay at the Hotel Madin (or similar). This evening, visit the Dasaswamedh ghats to witness the magical Ganga aarti ceremony from a boat on the Ganges. On the 9 Nov 2019 departure enjoy the Dev Diwali celebrations when the steps of the ghats are lit with more than a million earthen lamps. (B)

Serene early morning boat ride on the Ganges, followed by breakfast at Brijrama Palace overlooking the river. Walking tour of the Bengali Tola. Take the afternoon flight to Delhi for a 2-night stay at the Trident Gurgaon (or similar). (B)

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

Take the Gatimaan Express train to Agra for an overnight stay at Trident Agra (or similar). Visit the huge Agra fort and enjoy the highlight of sunset at the Taj Mahal. (B)

Morning drive to Fatehpur Sikri, the deserted 16th-century sandstone city. Continue to Bharatpur and take the train to Sawai Madhopur. Transfer to Swai Villas (or similar) for 2 nights. (B, D)

Wildlife drives in the early morning and late afternoon in search of the elusive Bengal tiger. Although well known for its tiger population, Ranthambore is also home to sambars, panthers, marsh crocodiles, sloth bears and leopards, as well as being a bird watcher's paradise. (B, L, D)

After breakfast, drive to Jaipur and stay at the Trident Jaipur (or similar) for 2 nights. (B)

Optional early morning yoga session*. Morning tour of the ancient palace of Amber fort. Afternoon visit to the City Palace and Jantar Mantar astronomical observatory. (B)

Full-day drive to Rohet via Jodhpur. Visit the magnificent Mehrangarh fort and the imposing Jaswant Thada cenotaph. Continue to Rohet and stay at Rohet Garh (or similar) for 2 nights. On the 24 Oct 2019 departure, enjoy the Diwali celebrations. (B, D)

Morning at leisure. After lunch, take a 4x4 safari to visit the Bishnoi tribal villages. The Bishnoi tribe protect the flora and fauna of the area with reverence and as far back as the 16th century they are known to have resisted royal edicts ordering the felling of trees, by literally wrapping themselves around them. (B, D)

Drive to the lake city of Udaipur, visiting the exquisite Jain temples at Ranakpur en route. Arrive at the Trident Udaipur (or similar) for a 2-night stay. Or upgrade to the Taj Lake Palace (luxury Lake View room) from £440 for 2 nights. (B)

Morning tour of the City Palace, Jagdish temple and a miniature painting studio. Afternoon at leisure. Evening Bagore-ki-Haveli cultural show. Holi festival departures will witness the celebrations at the Maharajah’s Palace. (B)

Transfer to the airport and fly to Mumbai (Bombay) to connect with the Jet Airways flight to London. (B)