Northern Indian Odyssey

Touch down in Delhi, where you'll be met and transferred to your hotel. Spend the rest of your day at leisure, enjoying the hotel's colonial charm and conveniently location near India Gate. Tonight, indulge in a delectable culinary experience at your Welcome Dinner.

Enhance your Journey - VIP Meet and Greet

Enjoy a hassle free arrival at Delhi airport with a VIP meet and greet and fast track assistance through immigration and customs (additional expense).

This morning, embark on an Insider Experience that will invigorate your senses. The rest of your day is yours to enjoy at leisure.

Insider Experience - Delhi Five Senses Tour

Delve into the diverse cultures and captivating history of this magnificent city as you experience Delhi through your five senses. Admire the Mughal architecture, explore ancient lanes and absorb the different influences that have shaped the city over the centuries. Learn about the history of attar (fragrant essential oil), and discover Nur Jahan’s, the Empress of Mughal India, influence on the perfume industry. You'll also get to create a personalised fragrance in a historical 8th-generation studio.

In the passing streetscapes of Chandni Chowk, enjoy a thrilling rickshaw ride and absorb the essence of the Mughal Empire combined with the chaos of modern life. After a visit to a non-for-profit organisation, delight in the taste of local flavours including authentic curries and kebabs. The tour finishes with a Gurbani experience at Delhi's largest gurdwara (a Sikh place of worship) and a drive past New Delhi’s landmarks.

Today, board your flight to Amritsar, the location of the spectacular Golden Temple and the centre of Sikhism. This northwestern city is an integral pilgrimage site where people travel across the world to bathe in the holy waters of Amrit Sarovar surrounding the Golden Temple and commemorate the holy Sikh scripture within. This evening, visit the Golden Temple to delight in the moving Palki Sahib night ceremony.

The day begins with a visit to the immaculate Harmandir Sahib, also known as the Golden Temple. Admire the awe-inspiring façade adorned in gold and marble. Enter the communal kitchen where the Sikh community unite to prepare simple meals for the 35,000 pilgrims who frequent the temple daily. Afterwards, travel a short distance to Jallianwala Bagh, a memorial park of national importance where you can reminisce on this slice of history and commemorate the martyrs of the Indian freedom struggle. Enjoy the rest of your afternoon at leisure before embarking on a historic experience this evening, a drive to Wagah border at sunset. Witness soldiers from both India and Pakistan lower their country’s flag in a moving ceremony.

This morning, board a flight via Delhi to the city of more than a thousand temples, Varanasi. As another integral pilgrimage site, the Ganges River flows through the city and is believed to have the power to wash away mortal sins. Renowned for its spiritual qualities and history, Varanasi echoes the essence of centuries past. Settle into your hotel and surrender to the serenity of the tranquil location. Situated on the banks of the Ganges, this five-star hotel offers a haven of modern comforts and amenities. Later, immerse yourself in your Insider Experience.

Insider Experience - Aarti Prayer

Enjoy Aarti, a prayer led by saffron-robed gurus at dusk on the bank of the river known for its holy water. Enchant all your senses with the scent of incense, rhythmic drumming and chanting, and a vast array of flowers and candles floating downstream. This is an experience you will never forget.

At dawn, board a captivating boat ride along the Ganges to witness the devotees at prayer and the sunrise. Then, join a tour of the city with your expert guide and marvel at the sheer number of temples and shrines. Stroll through the old town’s maze of narrow lanes, showcasing local culture with vibrant markets and architecture before returning to the hotel for breakfast. Later, head towards Sarnath ruins. Just 10 kilometres from Varanasi, Sarnath is celebrated for its Buddhist monuments and the site of Buddha's first sermon. Admire the Dhamekha and Chaukhandi stupas, various monasteries and temples representing a range of Buddhist schools. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure or choose from an optional experience to continue your exploration of Varanasi.

Enhance your Journey - Temple Tour

Join a guided tour through Varanasi and learn about one of India’s most spiritual cities. The tour escorts you to the city’s highlights including the most iconic temples including Durga Temple and the renowned Banaras Hindu University, and dives into the rich stories behind these landmarks.

Enhance your Journey – Varanasi Local Food Tour

Traverse the winding lanes of the city, full of shops and spicy eateries, learning about the significance of gastronomy and the part it plays in Varanasi’s religion and culture. This tour guides you through the vibrant markets to locate remarkable eateries, including the well-liked Kachauri Gali and Deena Chat Bhandar. Then, head towards the river in Dashashwamedh Ghat and relish a Ganga Aarti Ceremony performed by priests.

Enhance your Journey – Learn to Cook with local

Take part in a cooking lesson with a local family. Begin with a trip to the local market to select the fresh ingredients and spices you will use to prepare your meal. Then visit the home of a local family in Varanasi where you will learn traditional cooking methods using exotic Indian spices and other ingredients. Savour an array of tantalising flavours while engaging in enriching conversation.

Begin the day with a drive to Lucknow, enjoying a box lunch on the journey. Arrive in Lucknow and marvel at the city's diverse influences. From the Nawabs to the British, the city showcases a cultural variety of music, arts, cuisine and craftsmanship. Radiating elegance and opulence, the Taj Mahal Lucknow hotel serves exquisite cuisine, lush decor and bespoke experiences. Indulge in a dinner at Oudhyana to savour North Indian fare.

After breakfast, begin your exploration of Lucknow with a visit to La Martiniere, an architectural marvel designed by Frenchman Major-General Claude Martin. This grand residence, known as Constantia, was later transformed into a school as per Martin’s will. It was awarded Battle Honours by Queen Victoria and features a memorial hall commemorating the bravery of its students in the 1857 Mutiny, both World Wars, and post-independence conflicts—a truly moving experience.

Next, visit the elegant Dilkusha Palace and Gardens, designed by Saadat Ali Khan, followed by brief stops at Chattar Manzil and The Lucknow Residency, both deeply linked to the events of 1857.

After lunch, explore the Asafi Imambara, a stunning monument built during a devastating famine to provide employment. Then, visit the Husainabad Imambara Complex and see Asia’s tallest clock tower.

The remainder of the day is yours to relax or explore at your own pace.

This morning, embark on a journey to Agra, the second capital of the Mughal Empire. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel and enjoy the spectacular, charming architecture, constructed with red sandstone and white marble. The Mughal heritage echoes throughout the city today with enriching Mughlai cuisine filling the bustling eateries. After settling into your accommodation, head out for a tour of Agra Fort, situated at the bend of the Yamuna River. Then catch your first sight of the majestic Taj Mahal, Witness sunset overlooking one of the Seven Wonders of the World from Mehtab Bagh, a garden situated across the river. Return to the hotel for an evening at your leisure.

Rise early this morning to witness the Taj Mahal at dawn, delighting in the pink hues of the sun as it rises over this extravagant monument. After breakfast at the hotel, depart the city and journey towards the breathtaking Ranthambore National Park via the deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri. This idyllic fortified red sandstone city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a sight to behold. Stop for lunch in Bharatpur before continuing to Sawai Madhopur and on to your hotel in Ranthambore, your stay for the next two nights. Settle into Juna Mahal Jungle Resort Ranthambore, an elegant and centrally located accommodation in the heart of the national park.

Embark on a morning jeep safari in Ranthambore National Park for a chance to see regal Bengal tiger in their natural habitat. The park is also home to leopard, hyenas, deer and rich birdlife. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure, and perhaps participate in an afternoon game drive, or simply relax at your hotel.

This morning, you’ll head towards Jaipur, India’s remarkable pink city. The extensive use of pink plastered stone reflects the world of yesteryear, infusing Jaipur’s colourful history with modern day culture. Admire the city’s large forts, lush gardens, spectacular palaces and temples. After your arrival, enjoy some free time for lunch, before your special experience. For the next two nights, retreat to the family-run Royal Heritage Haveli, a haven of serenity among the bustle of metropolitan life. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure.

Insider Experience - E-Tuk Tuk Ride

Embark on a 45-minute tuk tuk ride with a company run by women to support women. See icons including the City Palace in the centre of the city, the Jantar Mantar Observatory and the Hawa Mahal for a photo opportunity.

Today you’ll travel to Amber Fort, be awed by the beauty of this structure, heavily influenced by the Mughal era. Afterwards, head to the Anokhi Museum of Hand Printing to immerse yourself in the Rajasthani craft of block prints. This afternoon, transfer back to your hotel for some free time or visit a vibrant market in Jaipur accompanied by a guide before your cultural experience tonight.

Insider Experience - Cultural immersion in a family home

Indulge in an immersive cultural experience in Jaipur as you enjoy an evening in a local family’s home. Take part in a Rajasthani cooking demonstration before savouring a feast of regional flavours. Admire the ancient art of henna and turban tying, engaging in Jaipur’s historic traditions. Be mesmerised by the moonlit view of Jaipur as you head back to your hotel.

Spend the morning at leisure before departing historic Jaipur in the afternoon. Head back to Delhi and settle into your hotel before tantalising your tastebuds at your Farewell Dinner.

This morning, bid farewell to your fellow travellers followed by a transfer to the airport.