India: Land of the Maharajahs

On arrival, you’ll be warmly greeted and escorted to the Leela Palace. Our luxury city-center hotel blends lavish style and traditional Indian hospitality in the heart of the prestigious Diplomatic Enclave.

After breakfast, you'll join our engaging native-born guide for a full-day tour of India's vibrant and endlessly fascinating capital. Focusing this morning on the sights and sounds of Old Delhi, you'll begin with Jama Masjid, India's largest mosque. Then hop aboard a traditional pedicab - a delightful way to immerse in the colors and rhythms of the city. Step off at the bustling and fragrant Spice Market and explore among the many vendors as our guide offers insight into India's enduring cultural and culinary traditions.
 
Learn about India’s cultural diversity at Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, the city’s largest Sikh temple, and then continue your exploration with the historic landmarks of New Delhi. Marvel at the India Gate, built in memory of Indian soldiers killed during the First World War, and drive along the elegant Rajpath past Rashtrapati Bhawan - an early 20th century landmark that served as the Viceroy's residence and is now the official home of the President of India. At Qutab Minar c, you'll discover the tallest brick minaret in the world – a graceful, fluted, tapering tower completed in the 14th century with beautiful terra cotta embellishments and balconies. Tonight, sit down to an à la carte dinner with wine at your luxury hotel.  Meals B+L+D

We’ll take you to the airport today for your included flight to Udaipur. On arrival, you’ll be escorted to the Taj Lake Palace for an unforgettable 2-night stay. Originally built as the pleasure palace of a young prince, our fabulous luxury hotel is set on a private island surrounded by the tranquil waters of Lake Pichola. Late this afternoon, we’ll take you on a sightseeing cruise to experience the setting sun as it casts is golden rays across the hills and waters that cradle Udaipur, regarded by many as India’s most romantic city.  Meals B+D
 

Udaipur has been called India’s “City of Dreams” and you’ll understand why as you explore the immense City Palace - set magnificently on a ridge overlooking Lake Pichola. With its courtyards and grand halls, all wonderfully ornamented with pillars, balconies, towers and cupolas, this architectural masterpiece was built over several dynasties, but the harmony of its design makes it one of the finest palaces in all of Rajasthan. Now a museum, the richly decorated Palace is famed for its superb collection of cultural treasures including Mogul paintings and carvings.
 
Venturing into the heart of the city, you’ll enjoy a guided stroll through the bustling local market to Jagdish Temple. Built in 1651 and decorated with towering tiers of bas relief carvings, this Hindu temple enshrines a black stone image of Lord Vishnu and his vehicle, a mighty bird called Garuda.

At the Rajasthan School of Art, you’ll meet students who are learning traditional arts like miniature painting. The rest of your afternoon is at leisure so you can enjoy the idyllic setting of your private-island lake resort. Today we’ve also made arrangement for you to view a fabulous private collection of vintage automobiles including a rare Rolls Royce Phantom, a 1939 Cadillac convertible, a 1936 Vauxhall, and a fleet of limousines that belong to the wealthy House of Mewar.  Meals B+D
 

Transfer to the airport after breakfast for your included flight to Jaipur. On arrival in India’s fabled Pink City, you’ll be escorted to the Taj Jai Mahal Palace Hotel, situated in a restored 18^th-century palace with courtyards and gardens. You’ll have time to relax and refresh before dining tonight in the welcoming home of a local family. Delight in congenial conversation, delicious Indian food – and a chance to gain real insight into Indian life and culture.  Meals B+D
 

Founded in the 11^th century and beautifully constructed from yellow and pink sandstone and gleaming white marble, the spectacular Amber Fort c just outside of town stands in testament to the once-powerful and never-conquered Rajput Kingdom. Entering through the towering Sun Gate, your fascinating guided tour reveals lavish courtyards, beautifully decorated halls and the dazzling Chamber of Mirrors.
 
In the afternoon, your exploration of the Pink City continues with a guided tour through the Palace Museum, highly regarded for its extensive collection of miniature paintings, weapons and traditional Rajasthani royal costumes. Then marvel at the lovely Palace of Winds; this unique, oft-photographed landmark was built at the end of the 18th century so that women of royal families could conceal themselves behind its latticed façade as they watched the hustle and bustle of the street activity below. You’ll also visit Jantar Mantar c, an observatory built in 1726. You’ll be astounded by these architectural instruments - ingeniously designed and meticulously constructed of stone to measure time, predict eclipses and track the movements of the stars and planets. The largest instrument stands 90 feet tall and all are amazingly accurate! As the afternoon wanes, you’ll have time to stroll through the colorful bazaars of Old Jaipur as the come alive with the setting sun. The city is famed for its skilled artisans and you’ll find wonderful ateliers and shops specializing in textiles, metalwork, jewelry, wood carvings and the famous blue pottery of Jaipur.  Meals B+L
 

Enjoy the scenic drive this morning to Sawai Madhopur, a historic town founded in 1765. On arrival, check in to the enchanting Vivanta by Taj Sawai Madhopur Lodge, set in a historic 80-year-old hunting lodge. Later this afternoon, thrill to your first game drive in Ranthambore National Park with our expert safari guide.  Meals B+L+D

Most travelers visit this world-famous reserve in a traditional Indian canter, an open-air bus that seats 25 people. But our exclusive safari drives find you in special open-air jeeps that seat only 4 to 6 guests. There’s an experienced naturalist guide in each jeep and these vehicles are faster and much more maneuverable than the canter! They can even take you off-road for more rewarding up-close wildlife encounters. Today, you’ll venture deep into the wild beauty of the reserve on early morning and late afternoon safari excursions - when the animals are most active. Ranthambore’s residents include sloths, bears and hyenas, and with luck and sharp eyes, you might even encounter the elusive Bengal tiger!
 
In between our game-viewing expeditions, you can relax at the Lodge and take advantage of its evocative ambience and romantic setting. The Vivanta’s kitchen is known for its fine presentation of traditional Indian and international dishes, all prepared with the finest ingredients including farm-to-table produce from the Lodge’s own organic gardens.  Meals B+L+D
 

After breakfast and check-out, travel to Fatehpur Sikri c for a fascinating guided tour. Built by Emperor Akbar in the 16^th century but abandoned soon after his death, this veritable fairy tale city is still in pristine condition, making it easy to imagine the opulence of court life long ago. Then continue to Agra and check in to the 5-star Taj Hotel, newly renovated and ideally located close to the Taj Mahal. After time to refresh, gather with your fellow travelers for another fine à la carte dinner with wine.  Meals B+L+D
 

After breakfast, this morning is yours to relax, enjoy and explore as you wish. Later this afternoon, join our expert guide to begin your sightseeing in this venerated city. Behind the impressive 1.5-mile long fortress walls of the Red Fort of Agra c, you’ll discover lovely grounds, mosques, audience halls and fairytale palaces. Dating back to the 16^th century and reflecting elements of both Hindu and Islamic architectural styles, this fort is more aptly described as a magnificent, walled palatial city.
 
As the sun dips towards the horizon, we’ll take you across the Yamuna River to Mehtab Bagh. Most visitors don’t know to come here, but this lovely Mughal garden located on the river banks across from the Taj Mahal c offers some of the most captivating views of the iconic monument – especially in the golden light of sunset. This evening, you’ll enjoy an elegant dinner with wine. Meals B+D

Arise early this morning for a sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal. You of course did already see this renowned "Monument to Love" yesterday evening, but the strikingly iridescent and translucent façade of the Taj Mahal offers a different but equally enchanting experience in the sharper light of early morning. After breakfast back at the hotel, drive to Delhi and board your included flight to Varanasi, the venerated ancient city along the Ganges. On arrival, you’ll be escorted to the Taj Ganges Hotel, where you’ll have time to refresh before dinner with wine.  Meals B+D
 

Arise early this morning and journey to the banks of the Ganges for a guided boat excursion on this sacred river. In the soft golden light of dawn, you’ll witness thousands of devotees descending to these holy waters for purification – a powerfully moving ritual that has played out daily for centuries. This unforgettable excursion ends along one of the many ancient ghats that descend to the riverbanks. From here, a guided stroll through the narrow lanes of Varanasi immerses you in the timeless rhythms that endure in this millennia-old city. Watch as market vendors open for business, and see Assi Ghat; situated where the Assi River flows into the Ganges, these ancient steps are the southernmost of Varanasi’s 88 riverfront ghats. Then visit two local institutions for deeper insight into the city’s ancient traditions, including a school where classes are still taught in Sanskrit – one of the world’s oldest languages!

You’ll have time to relax before our afternoon excursion to Sarai Mohana, a riverside village celebrated for the skill of its weavers. With lavish embroidery often using gold and silver thread, the silk brocade produced by these villagers is used in the finest saris – worn by brides and for special festivals and events. This evening, we’ll take you to Dashashwamedh Ghat. Situated close to Vishwanath Temple with broad steps leading down to the Ganges, this is an evocative setting to experience the Aarti Ceremony, an ancient and mesmerizing Hindu ritual of light and devotion. Meals B+D

You’ll be escorted to the airport today for your included flight to Delhi. On arrival, you’ll be escorted to the deluxe JW Marriott AeroCity Hotel, ideally located near the airport.  Meals B+L
 

We’ll take you to the airport today for your onward flight. Meals B