Day 1

Airport check-in for your overnight flight direct to Delhi.

Day 2

On arrival we connect with the domestic flight (approx. one hour) to the Sikh holy city of Amritsar, arriving at approximately lunchtime. Our hotel for the next two nights is the new five-star Radisson, where you can relax after the journey. During the early evening we enter Amritsar for our first glimpse of the remarkable and beautifully floodlit Golden Temple, silhouetted against the dark sky with its rich golden glow shimmering in the surrounding waters. We’ll also witness the Palaki ceremony, when the Sikh holy scriptures are paraded on a flower-garlanded palanquin.

Day 3

Gloriously romantic by night, the Golden Temple is also extraordinary and fascinating by day, beautifully illustrated on our morning visit where we learn about the Sikh way of life with this magical building alluringly reflected in its huge sacred pool, surrounded by marble colonnaded arcades. Everything is scrupulously clean and well-ordered, with pilgrims and visitors mingling together. Once inside, the richly gilded inlay work is a revelation - wood panels decorated with gold and silver plus ivory carvings, all viewed whilst holy scriptures are continually recited under a brilliant dome containing 100kg of pure gold. In accordance with Sikh custom anyone who wishes is offered sustenance free of charge, with the resultant kitchens capable of feeding 6,000 people per hour, being absolutely fascinating – their huge vats of dhal (lentils) and an ancient machine producing a constant stream of hot chapattis! Here in Amritsar, it would be remiss of us if we did not see the site of the Amritsar Massacre – where in 1919 a nationalist demonstration of unarmed locals were fired upon by the British authorities without warning. This pivotal event had a profound effect on the Indian Independence Movement’s most influential leader, Gandhi, who then initiated his ultimately successful ‘civil disobedience’ campaign. After some relaxation time, we take the short drive to the nearby Bagh Border post with Pakistan. Over the years this has developed into a light-hearted, rather bizarre competition as to who has the most flamboyant marching style and vociferous supporters. It’s a typically Indian concoction, a fascinating blend of open-air theatre, party and military parade. Some of the Army’s tallest soldiers act as border guards with popular Bollywood songs played beforehand - anyone can go and join in the exuberant singing and dancing.


Day 4


We fly to Delhi, continuing by road to Agra and the Taj Mahal, arriving late afternoon, staying one night at the centrally-located, four-star Taj Gateway.

Day 5

In the soft morning light, as the mist rises from the Yamuna River, the Taj Mahal seems to float, mirage-like, above the almost surreal surrounding landscape. A combination of extraordinary beauty, symmetry and history makes this wonder of the world one of the planet’s most amazing monuments and you have plenty of time to admire it from all angles. Then, in stunning contrast, you visit the vast red sandstone 16th century Agra Fort, once the headquarters of the vast Moghul Empire. This afternoon we drive to Jaipur, staying two nights at the new five-star Marriott Hotel, with its large pool and excellent dining options.

Day 6

Jaipur is a fascinating place, its pink-coloured buildings contrasting beautifully with the kaleidoscope of striking reds, saffron’s and deep violets of hundreds of traditional saris whose countless sequins reflect the midday sun. Raised pavements are home to street stalls groaning under the weight of luscious fresh vegetables and vibrant, pungent spices of every description. Welcome to Rajasthan, India’s most colourful state! Our first stop the Amber Fort, located in an amazingly scenic location in the nearby hills. Our tour includes sections reserved for the Maharaja’s wives and concubines and an amazing hall completely covered with tiny convex mirrors embedded mosaic-like in walls and ceilings. Next is the pink sandstone Palace of the Winds, an incredible honeycomb of windows from which the royal household’s ladies watched the street life and processions below. Next, we visit the City Palace, home to the present Maharaja of Jaipur, viewing the superb collection of formal robes, intricate carpets, fine paintings and an impressive armoury. Finally we see the outstanding 18th century Jantar Mantar open-air Observatory, an extremely accurate collection of early astronomical instruments, used for predicting eclipses, the impending arrival of monsoons and detailed observation of the heavens.

Day 7

India is far from just monuments and today we experience one of its greatest institutions – the iconic railway system. Jaipur station is a busy hub where you’ll enjoy watching the colourful comings and goings before boarding the comfortable ‘chair class’ carriages of the Shatabdi Express. We soon arrive at Pushkar, the sacred Hindu town, magically set on the banks of a mystical lake and home to the world’s largest camel fair. A gathering of as many as 160,000 dealers and coinciding with the full-moon in November, business often takes a back seat to musicians, snake-charmers and dancers on hot coals. After checking into the three-star superior, family-run, Pushkar Resort, set in its own spacious gardens, it’s time to explore the town. We visit its rare Brahma temple, the only place in the world where it is permitted to worship the creator-God of the Hindu religion, continuing through the small market to visit the sacred lake and bathing ghats at the town’s heart.

Day 8

Leaving Pushkar, we continue towards Nagaur Fort, a fascinating and little-know fort-cum-palace complex displaying a unique merging of Rajput and Moghul architecture. With its 800-year history and careful restoration, it well deserves its UNESCO recognition. Located on the edge of the vast Thar Desert, one of its most intriguing aspects is Nagaur’s incredible water-conservation systems which resulted in huge ‘tanks’ used as swimming pools by its rulers – the ultimate luxury in this parched land.
Driving through pleasant country roads, through an arid landscape of sand dunes, we are off the beaten track now surrounded by the rural India of ox carts and small villages before seeing the astonishing Khimsar Fort. Nothing prepares you for the sight of this grand, 16th century edifice of towers, domes and ramparts, owned by the same family for 21 generations, and now a charming heritage hotel. The rooms are all different and spread out within the walls. There’s a bar, restaurant tea room and spa, plus a lovely pool. Dining is a real delight, either within the picturesque buildings or along the battlements.

Day 9

Today we have a free day enjoying our peaceful surroundings, with the option of a jeep drive into the local ‘bush’ hopefully spotting blackbuck and bluebuck, two of the local antelope species, then a walk experiencing colourful village life watching potters, the activity of numerous small shops and the daily market. There’s plenty of time to relax or explore and enjoy this delightful hotel and a true haven of peace and tranquillity. This afternoon perhaps enjoy a drive to the dunes and a short camel cart ride before halting at the desert’s edge to experience that magical moment when the sun sinks slowly in a fiery glow and the almost unimaginable explosive array of reds, yellows and oranges streak across the sky. This evening, there’s a delightful Kalbelia dance troupe, a typical Rajasthani puppet show and traditional musicians.

Day 10

This morning we take the short drive to Jodhpur, the ‘Blue City’, so named after the colourwash of its ‘old city’ and totally dominated by the imposing Mehrangarh Fort. Few sights can match this for pure grandeur, a gigantic mass of stonework seemingly growing from the huge hill on which it stands, with an impressive hall of mirrors, secret balconies and superbly intricate sandstone carvings. Its museum houses Emperor Akbar’s sword, plus antique belongings of the Maharajas. This afternoon we walk through Jodhpur’s fascinating open-air Clocktower Market, crammed with a variety of orange and red turbaned vendors selling absolutely everything from exquisite sequin-studded fine silks, to a host of freshly cut vegetables, aromatic spices, plus almost every conceivable essential to Indian life. This is a fascinating snapshot into the past and a real photo opportunity. Tonight we stay at the four-star Taj Vivanta.

Day 11

Today we leave Jodhpur and the plains of Rajasthan behind us, driving east to the Aravali Hills, some of the planet’s oldest rocks. Here the landscape changes to smooth bare hilltops interspersed with lush green narrow valleys, in one of which lies Ranakpur and arguably India’s finest Jain temple. Beautifully constructed entirely from white marble and completely covered by some of the world’s finest intricate carvings, with no two of it’s wonderfully preserved 1,444 columns identical. Continuing to Udaipur, we stay three nights at the Taj Fateh Prakash Palace overlooking Lake Pichola. Set within the vast palace complex, our rooms all have lake views, with the amazing Lake Palace right in front. In fact, you may also upgrade your stay to the utterly sumptuous five-star Taj Lake Palace, one of the world’s finest hotels and an amazing once-in-a-lifetime experience!

Day 12

Udaipur, the City of Lakes with its backdrop of green-covered hills has a stunningly romantic setting which never fails to impress! The stage for countless ‘Bollywood’ films and James Bond’s ‘Octopussy’, Udaipur’s most famous sight is the astonishing white marble Lake Palace, seemingly floating on the calm waters of Lake Pichola, illustrating India at its most seductive. Overlooking this is the vast complex of the City Palace, Rajasthan’s largest royal complex which we visit. We’ll see the Maharani’s amazingly decorated private apartments, courtyards, pleasure gardens, a host of miniature paintings and armaments. Also fascinating are the seven arches commemorating the seven times each king was weighed, with the equivalent in gold distributed amongst the lucky populace! We’ll also see the great Durbar Hall and the Crystal Gallery, lined with thousands of unique items of crystal, all produced in Birmingham in 1877. This afternoon you are free to explore as you wish, shop for Udaipur’s renowned antique jewellery or perhaps just catch up on some reading by the pool.

Day 13

A day at leisure to enjoy Udaipur. Sometimes known as the ‘Venice of the East’, it’s one of the smaller of India’s great cities, famous for its captivating lakes. Why not take a motor launch around the lake, providing some truly excellent photo opportunities. Udaipur also has a host of markets and bazaars and as the day closes, perhaps end your tour by having a drink on the open-air Sunset Terrace of the Fateh Prakash Palace as the sun goes down over the lake.

Day 14

Today you catch the morning flight to Delhi connecting to London, arriving later the same day.

Five-star Radisson, Amritsar

Four-star Taj Gateway, Agra

Five-star Marriott Hotel, Jaipur

Three-star Pushkar Resort, Pushkar

Four-star Taj Vivanti, Jodhpur

Four-star Taj Fateh Prakash Hotel, Udiapur

Upgrade Five-star Taj Lake Palace, Udiapur