Day 3

After breakfast, we continue our exploration of the city to Old Delhi, where we visit Mahatma Gandhi’s modest memorial, as well as the imposing Red Fort and one of Asia’s largest mosques, Jama Masjid.  We continue to Agra where we stay at either four-star hotel – the Oberoi Trident.

Day 4

An early start this morning will be worth the while when we witness the glorious sun rising over the stunning Taj Mahal.  As the mist rises above the adjoining Yamuna River, the constantly changing colours of the marble domes further highlight the symmetrical beauty of one of the modern wonders of the world.  Our tour continues to the huge terracotta-coloured Agra Fort, the headquarters of the Moghul Empire for many years.  Later this evening, you’ll have the option to return to the Taj Mahal to enjoy the sunset.

Day 5

Leaving Agra this morning we continue towards the ancient abandoned city of Fatehpur Sikri, built in 1571, as Emperor Akbar’s imperial capital. Although it was mysteriously abandoned just 15 years later, it remains in a remarkable state of preservation, with numerous palaces, wide courtyards and beautiful carvings. We stop for lunch (included) at the the Laxmi Vilas Palace in Bharat before going on to the railway station to catch the Shatabdi Express for our comfortable two and a half hour journey to Ranthambore National Park. Originally the private hunting preserve of Maharajahs, its 400 square kilometres of forested rolling hills, valleys and lakes form a unique ecosystem. Started in 1973, India’s famous Tiger Project was created to protect the country’s tiger population. Despite many difficulties, the tigers of Ranthambore have survived and numbers have stabilised. Our hotel for the next two nights is the comfortable family-run three-star Ranthambore Regency on full board basis.  

Day 6

This morning, we rise early in the hopes of catching a glimpse of Ranthambore’s famous tigers on safari.  Specially adapted four-wheel-drive vehicles manned by expert drivers will take us around the vast national park to spot the many different wildlife species that call it home, including antelopes, monkeys, crocodiles, wild boar, and rare sloth bears.  We return to our hotel later this morning with plenty of time to relax and have a bite before our second safari drive to spot yet more fantastic wild creatures. Dinner is included this evening.

Day 7

The ‘Pink City’ of Jaipur is our destination today, as we leave the natural playground of Ranthambore behind.  One of Jaipur’s highlights is the Astronomical Observatory, home to a multitude of huge sundials.  We will also visit the City Palace where the Maharajah of Jaipur still resides.  Later we check into our hotel, the new four-star Hilton Jaipur for two nights.

Day 8

Another icon of India is the colossal Amber Fort, located in the hills above Jaipur.  We are treated to a local guide’s expert insights, so we can truly appreciate the fine details of this most magnificent of structures. 

Day 9

Day 10

After breakfast we leave Rajasthan behind and return to the nation’s capital, New Delhi, for a one-night stay before our journey into the Himalayas. Tonight we stay at the five-star Le Meridien Hotel. Dinner is included this evening.

Day 11

This morning we take the express train from Delhi to Kalka in ‘chair-class’ carriages with air-conditioning and large windows.  We transfer at Kalka to the narrow-gauge ‘toy train’, which although does not have the same creature comforts, offers increasingly stunning views as it crosses 800 bridges and goes through 100 tunnels along the 100km-route to the small station in Shimla.  After a busy day of travelling, we will check into the luxurious five-star Oberoi Cecil hotel for three nights.

Day 12

Shimla’s colonial past is the main theme of our exploration today as we encounter the Viceregal Lodge and its stunning botanical gardens.  Certain parts of the building are open to visitors and give a tantalising glimpse into the life of the Viceroy and his staff, who resided here for six months of the year.

Day 13

Enjoy a day at leisure in Shimla, relax at the hotel pool or spa, or maybe take another stroll along the mall and do some last minute bargain hunting in the markets. Alternatively, there are a number of short local ‘treks’ that can be arranged in the surrounding hills. A sumptuous buffet dinner is included this evening.

Day 14

This morning after breakfast, we drive to Kalka and then return by express train to New Delhi for our last night at the Le Meridien hotel.

Day 15

We leave Delhi in the early afternoon for our flight home, arriving back the in the UK on the same day after a truly wondrous holiday.