DAYS 1 & 2 UK/Delhi
We fly overnight to Delhi and transfer to our hotel; the 5-star Crowne Plaza. Relax awhile in the midst of its large park, ponds and beautiful flowering bushes before our afternoon tour of New Delhi. Here, the broad avenues and noble buildings – a legacy of the British Raj – contrast with the exquisite tomb of Mughal Emperor Humayun and tapering Qutab Minar tower, erected to mark the Turkish conquest of Delhi.
DAY 3 Old Delhi
Step back in time today as we explore the Delhi of the Mughals. We’ll see Chandni Chowk, once an imperial avenue and now a teeming bazaar; Jama Masjid – the largest mosque in India; and Raj Ghat, the site of Ghandi’s cremation.
DAY 4 Jaipur
Leaving the bustle of Delhi behind, we travel by coach into the desert state of Rajasthan, renowned for the wealth and extravagance of its Maharajah’s palaces and lavish lifestyles. Our destination is Jaipur, founded in 1727 and remarkable for the beauty of its sandstone buildings, tinged with pink and ochre. We will stay at the 5-star Hotel Rajputana for the next three nights.
DAY 5 Amber Fort & Samode Palace
Just five miles from Jaipur, the Amber Fort commands a hilltop setting above the parched desert. We visit the eerie Temple of Kali, the jewel-like Palace of Mirrors and the enchanting Hall of Pleasure. The royal treatment continues this evening with a special Indian feast, music, dancing and a firework finale at the splendid Samode Palace.
DAY 6 Jaipur
Emperor Jai Singh consulted the stars before building Jaipur, and the elaborate if enigmatic Jantar Mantar observatory stands testimony to his belief in astrology. Exploring the city this morning, we’ll also see the City Palace with its seven storeys and seven courtyards, and the Hawa Mahal, or Palace of the Winds, where ladies of the court could watch, unseen, the public processions in the streets below.
DAY 7 Fatehpur Sikri & Agra
On today’s drive east to Agra we visit Fatehpur Sikri, built in 1568 and deserted just 13 years later. It’s notable for its pink and red stone architecture, its gates and courtyards, pillared pavilions and Panch Mahal, a five-tiered palace, open on three sides to catch the cooling breezes. We will stay at the Mughal Hotel for the next two nights.
DAY 8 Taj Mahal & Agra Fort
Nothing prepares you for the overwhelming beauty of the Taj Mahal, built by Shah Jehan in memory of his favourite wife. Set in classical gardens with rippling reflecting pools, its white marble walls inlaid with semi-precious stones are truly breathtaking. We’ll catch another glimpse from the mighty Agra Fort, where Shah Jehan was imprisoned by his son, spending his last days gazing longingly at the mausoleum.
DAY 9 Orchha & Khajuraho
Today we board the Shatabdi Express for a scenic journey through lovely countryside, bustling towns and track-side villages to Jhansi. We continue by coach to see the magnificent 16th-century stone palaces of Orchha, built by the Bundela dynasty, then it’s on to Khajuraho. This evening we offer an optional trip to see some classical Indian dance. We stay for two nights at the Taj Chandela Hotel in Khajuraho.
DAY 10 Chandela Temples
Khajuraho was once the capital of the Chandela dynasty, which built the city’s most famous monuments - the Chandela temples. These masterpieces of sandstone architecture are crowned by domes, their towering facades featuring a mass of intricately carved figures, including figures in explicitly erotic poses, leaving nothing to the imagination!
DAY 11 Varanasi
We take the short flight to Varanasi for a two night stay, a city dating back to 1,000 years BC and whose position on the sacred Ganges has made it a revered site of Hindu pilgrimage for millennia.
DAY 12 Varanasi & the River Ganges
Experience the mystical sunrise over the city as we sail along the Ganges, its teeming banks lined with step-like Ghats leading down to the river. Here, beneath a pink-tinged skyline of domes and minarets, the faithful bathe, while laundrymen pound the washing clean. A guided walk through the streets reveals more of the sacred city, and the university. Enjoy a traditional aarti ceremony tonight.
DAY 13 Delhi
There’s time this morning to explore more of Varanasi and perhaps shop for handicrafts before our flight to Delhi. This evening, reflect on your discoveries and share your experiences with fellow travellers over a dinner in Delhi.
DAY 14 Delhi/UK
Leaving around lunchtime, fly back to the UK, arriving in the early evening.