Day 1
Delhi
Upon arrival in Delhi, you’ll be met by a representative and transferred to your hotel for check in. Depending on your arrival time, you may have time to explore a bit of the city. There’s also an optional Mutiny Tour that introduces you to Delhi’s British roots.
Overnight: Maidens Hotel
Day 2
Delhi
Today you’ll enjoy a full-day tour of Old and New Delhi, which includes fun activities like a rickshaw ride through the winding lanes of Chandni Chowk and a visit to the 17th century Jama Masjid. You’ll also have a photo stop at the Red Fort - Mughal Empire’s most lavish fort, and you’ll stop by Raj Ghat to see where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated.
In the afternoon, you’ll be exploring New Delhi. You’ll drive past The Presidential Palace, the India Gate – a memorial designed in honour of the soldiers martyred in the Afghan war, and a drive along the Rajpath to see the secretarial buildings.
Later on, you’ll visit Qutab Minar, a tower built in the 20th century by a slave king which is now the prototype for all minars (towers) in India. Your last stop is Humayun’s tomb, who was a precursor to the Taj Mahal.
The evening is free for you to spend at leisure.
Overnight: Maidens Hotel
Breakfast included
Day 3
Agra
The day begins with a private transfer to Delhi railway station to board the train to Agra, a city on the banks of the Yamuna which was transformed from a small village by two Mughal monarchs – Akbar and his grandson Shah Jehan.
Upon arrival in Agra, you’ll be met by your representative and guide for a tour of Agra Fort, a magnificent attraction originally started by Emperor Akbar in 1565.
After checking into your hotel, you’ll next enjoy a visit to Mehtab Bagh, which offers unsurpassable views of the Taj Mahal. There are many beautiful photo opportunities here. This is one of the best places to view Taj Mahal from as it was built as an important part of the Taj complex.
If you would rather enjoy a walking tour you have the option to join the Kachhpura Walk, a community-based trail where a youth will show you around their village and end your tour on a rooftop overlooking the Taj Mahal. The money from this walk goes directly towards the local welfare, including upgrading schools and building toilets.
Or, you could visit Sheroes Hang Out Café, a feminist café managed by female acid attack survivors and serving hearty and warming cuisine.
Overnight: Trident
Breakfast included
Day 4
Jaipur
Wake up very early in the morning to witness the gorgeous sunrise over the Taj Mahal. The slowly rising sun bounces off the marble walls and the result is breath-taking.
After heading back to the hotel to freshen up and check out, you’ll begin your drive to Jaipur – the Pink City. The drive includes a visit to Fatehpur Sikri, a deserted red sandstone city built by the Great Mughal Emperor Akbar that was once seat of Mughal legacy.
Jaipur is a bustling city renowned for its colourful arts and crafts, and you’ll have some time to explore when you arrive. There is the option to join a tour called Bazaar, Cuisine & Crafts of Old Jaipur, which takes you through the evening markets to sample some delicious authentic street food, watch local artisans in their workshops, and perhaps buy a souvenir or two.
Overnight: Hotel Samode Haveli
Breakfast included.
Day 5
Jaipur
After breakfast, you’ll jump on a jeep for a drive up to the hilltop fortress at Amber. This huge complex has beautiful courtyards and halls for you to stroll around. Along the way, you’ll drive past the Palace of Winds, a beautiful pink sandstone palace.
In the afternoon you’ll discover the City Palace, filled with intricate palaces, lush gardens and carved doorways. Afterwards, you’ll visit Jantar Mantar – the most famous of Sawai Jai Singh’s five observatories. Jai Singh was passionate about astronomy.
In the evening, you’ll enjoy a wonderful cooking demonstration followed by an authentic meal with a local family in their home.
Overnight: Hotel Samode Haveli
Breakfast included
Day 6
Chandigarh – Shimla
After an early breakfast, you’ll be transferred to Jaipur Airport for a flight to Chandigarh. Once there, you’ll be met with your representative and drive to Shimla to check-in to your hotel. Shimla is the capital city of Himachal Pradesh, known for its handicrafts and vibrant bazaars.
Overnight: Hotel Oberoi Cecil
Breakfast included
Day 7
Shimla
Today you’ll experience one of India’s toy trains, with gorgeous views and a rich heritage. You’ll board the train to Kandaghat before being transferred back to Shimla again.
After lunch, your guide will take you on a sightseeing trip around Shimla, including the Vice-regal Lodge, where the partition of Indian into two parts (India and Pakistan) was planned. You’ll discover the British architecture build here, plus a Hindu temple adorned with shrines to many Hindu gods.
Afterwards, you’ll enjoy a laidback walk along the Mall to Scandal Point, and you may even get the chance to have a refreshment overlooking the Himalayan peaks.
Overnight: Oberoi Cecil
Breakfast included.
Day 8
Shimla
The day is free for you to enjoy at you own leisure. There are plenty of options for you, including the Sleeping Beauty Trail which shows you how Shimla has evolved over the years, including visiting Lakka Bazaar, the Elysium Hill the house of the Chief Engineer of Kalka Shimla Railway and the Auckland School.
Overnight: Oberoi Cecil
Breakfast included
Day 9
Chandigarh – Amritsar
After breakfast you will be transferred to Chandigarh station to board a train to Amritsar. Once there, you’ll be transferred to the hotel. Considered the centre of the Sikh religion, you’ll have the chance to see the holiest of Sikh sites, the Golden Temple.
Overnight: Hyatt Amritsar
Breakfast included
Day 10
Amritsar
In the morning, you’ll enjoy a half-day sightseeing tour of Amritsar, visiting the Golden Temple and the historic Jallianwala Bagh. In the afternoon, you’ll be taken to Wagah Border to watch the retreat ceremony.
Overnight: Hyatt Amritsar
Breakfast included
Day 11
Delhi
The morning is free to spend as you like, and then in the afternoon you’ll be transferred to Amritsar railway station to board the train to New Delhi. Once there, you’ll be transferred to your hotel.
Overnight: Hotel Novotel
Breakfast included
Day 12
Delhi
Today is at leisure, before your transfer to the airport for your ongoing flight.
