15 days - Escorted Tours
India, a unique country and civilisation, is a mindboggling potpourri of sights, sounds, colours and experiences as well as a culture-shock of astonishing contrasts.
From the flawless grandeur of the Taj Mahal, to the mighty fortresses of Rajasthan and from the reminders of past glories of the Raj in Delhi to the teeming markets of Jaipur, our India tour encompasses the very best of northern India, ensuring a lifetime of truly amazing memories in spring, summer, autumn or winter.
The jewel of our tour is surely the Taj Mahal in the early morning, when its colours and ethereal beauty is at its most amazing, a tomb built for Mumtaz Mahal, Emperor Jahan’s wife, it represents the ultimate expression of a pure and enduring love. We’ll see the real India, a subcontinent that covers the full gamut of evolution, from the natural world, including the nation’s unofficial symbol, the tiger, in Ranthambore, through the Rajasthan forts and palaces of the Moghul Empire, to the more recent Raj and British colonial influence.
Immerse yourself in this tour and prepare for a revamp of any preconceptions towards one of the world’s ‘must-see’ destinations.
Highlights
- See the breathtaking Taj Mahal bathed in soft morning light, gazing in awe at the simple purity of its white marble and the exquisite craftsmanship of its inlay work.
- Travel on the famous Shimla railway on board a classic toy train for Kalka and stay for 3 nights in Shimla.
- Enjoy a guided tour of the 400-year-old deserted Moghul city of Fatehpur Sikri and city tours of both Old and New Delhi seeing all the major sights.
- Marvel at the extraordinary location and beauty of Amber Fort, home of one of India’s most powerful maharajas and venture on a driving safari in Ranthambore National Park, the best place in India to spot the elusive tigers.
- Explore the ‘Pink City’ of Jaipur, capital of the desert kingdom of Rajasthan with a guided city tour and take a guided tour of the Viceregal Lodge in Shimla plus a walking tour of the city.
Inclusions
- The price of this holiday is per person, based on two people sharing a twin room. Single rooms are subject to availability at the relevant supplement (date dependent). The price includes:
- Thirteen nights’ accommodation
- 13 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 6 dinners
- Scheduled flights to/from Delhi
- All transfers
- All local accommodation taxes
- All flight taxes
- All touring as mentioned
- All local transport by train or coach as described
- Hotel porterage of one item of luggage per person
- The services of a Riviera Travel tour manager
- Included excursions are guided tours of New and Old Delhi, Agra and the Taj Mahal, Fatehpur Sikri, two game drives in Ranthambore, Jaipur city tour, visit to Amber Fort, Village walk through rural Rajasthan, walking tour of Shimla
- Visa not included.
2
Arrival in New Delhi - On arrival, we transfer to the five-star Le Meridien Hotel for one night. After a short rest we commence our guided tour of New Delhi.
The city centre, designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens in 1911, is bisected by wide, tree-lined avenues, a hub which clearly reflects the Raj legacy and home to the former Viceroy’s Palace, now the Presidential Palace. Heading down the imposing Rajpath, we pass India Gate and the Parliament building. We’ll visit some of Delhi’s older monuments, including the Qutub Minaret, started in 1199, which is the tallest stone-built tower in India.
A buffet dinner is included tonight.
3
Old Delhi - This morning we continue our city tour, first visiting Old Delhi, starting with the Raj Ghat, a fittingly simple memorial to Mahatma Gandhi. We also visit the Gurudwara Bangla Sahib Temple, one of the most prominent Sikh gurdwaras - or Sikh house of worship - in Delhi.
We leave Delhi in the afternoon for our drive to Agra, arriving at our four-star Oberoi Trident hotel, in the late afternoon.
Signature experience -
Salaam Baalak Trust, a non-profit organisation, provides protection to the street children of Delhi with a programme of residential care, education and talent building activities. In the company of these remarkable young locals experience the sights and sounds of the narrow alleys and thronging markets of Old Delhi. You’ll be entertained with stories of the Mughal era and enlightened with more personal accounts of life today within the walled city. Round off this experience with a rickshaw ride through the vibrant streets where the fragrance of local spices fills the air.
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Taj Mahal - We rise early to catch the sun rising over the Taj Mahal. In the soft morning light, as the mist rises from the Yamuna River behind it, the Taj Mahal seems to float, mirage-like, above the surrounding landscape.
A combination of extraordinary beauty, symmetry and history makes this wonder of the world one of the most amazing monuments on the planet and you will have plenty of time to admire it from all angles. Moving on, we continue our tour with a visit to the vast red sandstone Agra Fort. Completed in 1573, it was the headquarters of the Mughal Empire, boasting vast size and opulence, its buildings make it more of a walled palace than a fort.
In the evening you have the option of completing a wonderful day with another visit to the Taj Mahal, to witness the shrine at sunset.
Signature experience -
This afternoon step into the elegant gardens of Mehtab Bagh, also known as the Moonlight Garden and admire the Taj Mahal from across the Yamuna River – the alternative views from this exceptional location are a photographer’s dream.
Then discover the splendid marble tomb of I'timād-ud-Daulah, a dazzling white jewel box, also known as the ‘Baby Taj.' Later reflect on these architectural wonders over a dinner of typical Mughal cuisine at a local restaurant.
Personalise your holiday -
Moonlight Garden and Baby Taj - Classic tours only
Moonlight Garden lies north of the Taj Mahal complex on the opposite side of the Yamuna River and was built to align perfectly with the Taj Mahal. We will get the chance to explore the gardens which also offer some amazing views of the Taj Mahal.
After this we will visit “Itmad-ud-Daula Tomb” which is built completely in white marble and is often described as a "jewel box" and also called the "Baby Taj".
From £15pp
Please note this experience is included for Signature tours.
Please contact us for more information and to add the above experience to your booking.
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Fatehpur Sikri - 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 numerus 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.
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Ranthambore Tiger Safari - An early start this morning is worth the sacrifice as we head out to the park for our safari using specially built, 20-person, open-top four-wheel drive vehicles known as ‘canters’.
After many years of conservation, Ranthambore is now the best place to spot tigers in India, but the reserve is about more than tigers – over 300 bird species have been counted including impressive, crested eagles, painted stork and wild peacocks. The park’s residents also include large numbers of sambars, the largest Asian antelope, as well as marsh crocodiles, wild boar and rare sloth bears and leopards. Look out for the playful troop of black-faced langur monkeys near the main entrance gate.
We return to our hotel in the late morning, with time to relax before and after lunch. In the afternoon we take our second trip into the park for another chance to spot the elusive tigers. Dinner is included this evening.
Signature experience -
In the company of a knowledgeable naturalist learn more about the tiger and hear how these majestic creatures play a pivotal role in the natural health and diversity of the ecosystem. As tigers are at the apex of the food chain, discover how they ensure a balance between natural prey and vegetation as they roam the forests and grasslands of Ranthambore. The experience includes a 40-minute documentary.
7
Jaipur - Leaving Ranthambore after breakfast we head north to the ‘Pink City’ of Jaipur. Our afternoon tour will cover all the major highlights of this ancient city. The famous Hawa Mahal, known as the Palace of Winds, is one of our first stops before we continue to the Astronomical Observatory constructed in 1726 and on to the City Palace, still home to the present Maharajah of Jaipur, where we’ll view collections of costumes, carpets, paintings and the impressive armoury.
Our hotel for the next two nights is the new four-star Marriott Jaipur.
Personalise your holiday -
Jaipur at night by Rickshaw
The “Pink City Rickshaw Co.” is a unique innovative initiative of ACCESS Development Services, a not for profit organization and aims to provide a new aspirational employment opportunity to 200 women from low income households in Jaipur. Experience the medieval mystique of the Jaipur city by the eco-friendly auto rickshaws and enjoy this amazing and completely off-beat experience of Jaipur at night. The beautiful, iconic structures are gorgeously lit up after sunset and you will be treated to splendid views of the city.
From £19pp
Please contact us for more information and to add the above experience to your booking.
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Amber Fort - This morning another highlight, on a tour of highlights: you’ll visit the immense Amber Fort, located in the hills just a short drive out of Jaipur. Sampling all the most fascinating sights, our guided tour includes the sections reserved for the Maharajah’s wives and concubines as well as the remarkable hall of mirrors, with tiny delicate convex mirrors embedded like a mosaic in the walls and ceilings.
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Rajasthan - Heading north deeper into rural Rajasthan, we'll pass small villages and towns on our way to the Sekhawati region of the state and the village of Alsisar. Once part of India's Silk Road, over the years the merchants here grew very rich, building luxurious mansions known as ‘havelis’ to display their wealth with magnificent frescoed walls. Though most have been abandoned, the imposing and luxurious residence of the local kings has been lovingly restored as a Heritage hotel.
This afternoon we'll take a guided walk through the village to explore the best examples of the havelis and see the locals going about their day.
10
New Delhi - After breakfast we head back to Delhi and the last night of our tour, at the five-star Le Meridien hotel. Dinner is included this evening.
11
Train to Shimla - We take the morning express train from Delhi for our four-hour journey north to Kalka. Our train reservations are in ‘chair-class’ carriages, with comfortable seating, air-conditioning and large windows.
At Kalka we change trains onto the Shimla narrow-gauge ‘toy’ train for the last part of our journey. Although the carriages are smaller and not air-conditioned, the compensation is the increasingly spectacular scenery en-route. Inaugurated by Viceroy Lord Curzon back in 1903, this amazing railway encounters no less than 800 bridges and 102 tunnels on its 96-kilometre journey to Shimla. A packed lunch is included today.
We arrive in Shimla’s small station in the late afternoon from where we are transferred straight to the town’s haven of luxury, the five-star Oberoi Cecil Hotel, where we stay for three nights, bed and breakfast. With its Burmese teak floors, magnificent atrium lobby, its excellent restaurant, indoor pool and Asian Spa, this is one of India’s best-known hotels. All the spacious rooms are air-conditioned, beautifully furnished and have views of the surrounding teak forests.
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Shimla - Today we explore the many reminders of British colonial life in Shimla. The most fascinating by far is the immense Viceregal Lodge and its beautiful botanical gardens, built in Scottish baronial style to house the Viceroy and his staff for the six months they were based in the town. Although some of the interior of the building is closed to the public, the areas that are open give an incredible glimpse into the not-so-distant past. Particularly touching is the large collection of photographs from the late Victorian era and the last years of the Raj.
We also take a walk along the pedestrian-only Mall, from Scandal Point and Christ Church past the mock- Tudor Post Office, the Gaiety Theatre and the Town Hall. There are a huge number of shops and markets, and Shimla is particularly known for the quality of its locally made pashmina shawls.
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Free day in Shimla - 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.
Personalise your holiday -
Fagu Valley visit with light lunch
Fagu is one of the highest points in Shimla and from this vantage point we get views of the surrounding mountains and valleys, as well as views over Shimla. After our visit we will enjoy a light lunch in the afternoon at the Wood Ville Palace heritage hotel, which is the former summer residence of the Raja Rana of Jubbal, a pre-independence kingdom of the Shimla Hill States.
From £39pp
Please contact us for more information and to add the above experience to your booking.
14
Train to Delhi - Today we say goodbye to Shimla and the Oberoi Hotel as we start our return journey to Delhi. This time we descend by car to Chandigarh station from where we catch the train back to Delhi for the last night of our Indian adventure.
