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• Experience the best of northern India on a fully tailored journey
• There are no set dates—the best times of the year to travel are October through March
• This itinerary can be customized to your interests, specifications and group
• Pricing is per person, based on double occupancy
In addition to being the capital of the nation, Delhi is also the cultural and historic heart of northern India, home to a fabulous collection of Mughal mosques and forts, vibrant bazaars and grand colonial-era monuments. Upon arrival at the airport, you will be personally escorted through customs and immigration and then taken by private transfer to your hotel, where your room will be ready no matter how early in the day.
As you explore New Delhi with your expert guide, see India Gate, Delhi's triumphal arch; Rashtrapati Bhavan, the official residence of India's President; vibrant Connaught Place; a local Sikh temple; and the excellent National Museum.
Sample a variety of flavors from all over the subcontinent as you indulge in the inventive chef’s tasting menu at the acclaimed Indian Accent, which is consistently ranked as the best restaurant in the country.
Explore the city’s oldest surviving Islamic monument, which workers began to construct in 1199. The magnificent mosque also boasts a tower of victory, which doubles as India’s largest minaret.
Learn how the design elements of this early Mughal tomb—a squat building highlighted by tall arched entrances topped by a protuberant dome and surrounded by formal gardens—were refined over the years to the grandeur of the Taj Mahal.
Discover the historic part of the city, including the imposing Red Fort and Jama Masjid, India’s largest mosque, built by Emperor Shah Jahan, who also constructed the Taj Mahal. Then take a rickshaw ride through Chandni Chowk, a bustling jumble of shops, temples, mosques and artisan workshops.
Learn about the variety of teas grown across India from Sanjay Kapur, a Master Tea Taster with four decades of experience in tea manufacturing, blending and marketing.
After a memorable trip with your guide on the high-speed train from Delhi, alight in Agra, which was turned by the Mughals into one of the great cities of South Asia in the 16th and 17th centuries. With its cosmopolitan bazaars and strategic location, Agra became a center of learning, art, commerce, and culture—not to mention the site of the world’s most famous monument to love, and a plethora of other historic forts and palaces that testify to the glory of the Mughal empire.
In Agra, visit one of history’s great masterpieces, the Taj Mahal. Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan commissioned this astoundingly beautiful monument in the 17th century as a tribute to the memory of his beloved second wife. We explore this enchanting work of art, which incorporates and expands on Persian, Hindu and Islamic styles.
Emperor Akbar built the double-walled Agra Fort between 1565 and 1573 using red sandstone and marble. The enormous complex includes an elegant marble hall where the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan was imprisoned by his own son to put an end to his rule. Explore the lavishly decorated main hall and the small Gem Mosque as well as an exquisite mini palace.
Visit the Tomb of I’timad-ud-Daulah, a charming mausoleum often referred to as the “Baby Taj.” This grand display of Mughal architecture was commissioned by Empress Nur Jahan for her beloved father, Mirza Ghiyas Beg, and predates the Taj Mahal by five years. Head to Kachhpura village to learn about local life and culture.
On our way to Jaipur, stop to explore Fatehpur Sikri—Emperor Akbar’s crowning architectural achievement. An exquisite red sandstone complex, this walled city served as the Mughal capital from 1572 to 1585. The royal site is a wonderful example of Islamic, Hindu and Jain architecture.
Revel in the beauty of Mughal-era Agra as you dine on a delectable four-course menu in the Oberoi Amarvilas’s courtyard, surrounded by fountains, pools, and landscaped gardens.
The crown jewel of Rajasthan, Jaipur served as a royal capital for the Rajput kings, who ruled northwest India for hundreds of years. Amid the opulent palaces and massive fortresses, discover the well-preserved artistic and cultural traditions unique to this region.
Explore the stunning Amber Fort, a 16th-century complex of well-preserved palaces, temples and gardens.
Admire the Hawa Mahal, or the Palace of Winds, a beautiful honeycombed structure crafted from pink and red sandstone, which allowed the ladies of the court to discreetly watch life on the streets below.
Visit the City Palace, which occupies the center of Jaipur and houses the royal family’s vast collection of textiles and costumes, an array of armory, miniature paintings and carpets. Stop by Jantar Mantar, an open-air royal observatory created by Maharaja Jai Singh.
Discover a 10th-century stepwell set in the ancient village of Abhaneri outside of Jaipur. A deep four-sided structure with a temple on one face and 13 stories of terraced steps, the ornate Chand Baori stepwell is an architectural jewel.
Explore the city’s oldest bazaar, where you’ll find Jaipur’s heritage of handicrafts on display—from iconic blue pottery to hand-printed textiles and stunning meenakari jewelry.
Pay a visit to Galtaji, also known as the Monkey Temple, which is dedicated to Hanuman, the monkey god. The temple—built in pink sandstone, amidst low hills with great views of the city—is a fascinating sight with large troupes of monkeys surrounding the shrine.
Dine with the Sankotra family in their 17th-century mansion, popularly referred to as Kanch-ka-Darwaza or Glass Door. It’s one of Jaipur’s oldest homes with more than twenty rooms, terraces and courtyards that have housed eight generations of the family.
Nestled between the rugged Aravalli Hills and the peaceful waters of Lake Pichola, Udaipur is the only kingdom in Rajasthan that retained its independence from both the Mughal Empire and the British. Today, the city enchants visitors with a mixture of grand, white marble palaces, royal treasures, traditional architecture and colorful bazaars. As you wander through the labyrinthine streets of the old city, you’ll come across countless surprises—from an art gallery specializing in the famed Mewar miniature paintings to an emporium of local handicrafts.
Explore the massive 16th-century City Palace with grand halls and residences built above the water—don’t miss the beautiful Peacock Court, which is adorned with sparkling glass mosaics. You’ll also see the extravagant Crystal Gallery of Maharana Sajjan Singh who ordered an extraordinary collection of crystal chairs, beds, couches, and tables from England in the 19th century.
Board a private boat to cruise the placid waters of Lake Pichola as the marble palaces and lakeside havelis (mansions with exquisite frescoes) take on the rosy glow of the setting sun.
Visit 108 sandstone and marble temples of the Eklingji complex, where Hindu pilgrims come to worship the god Shiva. Originally built in the 8th century, the main shrine features a pillared hall with a stunning black marble four-faced statue of Shiva.
Get a taste of delectable Rajasthani cuisine as you immerse yourself in the flavors of Vatsalya Vihar, a 10-acre resort where you learn how to make some local specialties and then enjoy the fruits of your labor at lunch.
Stop by a wonderful handicraft workshop that provides gainful employment to women from nearby rural areas. Search for treasures—and support the community—as you browse a wide variety of handicrafts that reflect the diverse cultural heritage of Rajasthan.
This trip is completely customizable and the itinerary can be modified in any way to create a one-of-a-kind journey just for you. The price quoted below is based on the accommodations and activities listed.
Contact us for applicable terms and conditions of the operator-participant contract.
Fill out this contact form, call us at 1-888-723-4480 or contact your Travel Advisor.
Business Hours: Monday through Friday,
8am – 5pm PT.
