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Arrival in New Delhi - We will transfer to the five-star Le Meridien Hotel for an overnight stay. After time to freshen up, we begin our solo tour with a visit to New Delhi, where we see the Parliament building and the India Gate, as well as some of the more ancient sites of Qutub.
This evening we enjoy a pleasant and informal welcome dinner, where you’ll have the opportunity to get to know your tour manager and other like-minded travellers exploring the world on their own.
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Old Delhi - After breakfast, we continue our exploration of the city to Old Delhi, where we visit Mahatma Gandhi’s modest memorial, and the Gurudwara Bangla Sahib Temple, one of the most prominent Sikh gurdwaras - or Sikh house of worship - in Delhi.
Next, we embark on an immersive walking tour guided by the inspiring young people of the Salaam Baalak Trust, a non-profit organization that provides education and support to Delhi’s street children. As we navigate the bustling lanes and vibrant markets of Old Delhi, these remarkable guides share captivating tales of the Mughal era alongside personal stories of life in the city today.
To complete the experience, we hop aboard a traditional rickshaw, weaving through colourful bazaars where the air is rich with the aroma of exotic spices and sizzling street food.
We continue to Agra where we stay at the four-star hotel – the Oberoi Trident.
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Taj Mahal - 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 Mughal Empire for many years.
In the afternoon, we step into the serene Mehtab Bagh, or Moonlight Garden, a beautifully landscaped retreat offering stunning, alternative perspectives of the Taj Mahal from across the Yamuna River. Photographers will delight in capturing its reflection in the water and the changing hues of its pristine marble.
As the day winds, we indulge in traditional Mughal cuisine at a local restaurant, savouring flavours as rich as the history we’ve explored.
Later this evening, you’ll have the option to return to the Taj Mahal to enjoy the sunset.
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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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Tiger safari - 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.
Later, the adventure continues in the afternoon as we embark on a second game drive, seizing another opportunity to witness Ranthambore’s remarkable wildlife in its natural habitat. Once we return to our hotel, we have a talk from a local naturalist where we gain deeper insight into the ecological importance of the tiger, learning how this apex predator plays a vital role in maintaining the delicate balance between prey and vegetation. The experience also includes a fascinating wildlife documentary, offering a closer look at conservation efforts and the ongoing challenges of protecting India’s big cats.
As the sun sets over the jungle, we return for a well-earned included dinner, reflecting on the day’s memorable encounters.
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Jaipur - 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 Marriott Jaipur for two nights.
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 - 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.
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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.
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New Delhi - 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.
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Train to Shimla - 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.
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Shimla - 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.
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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.
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Train to Delhi - This morning after breakfast, we drive to Chandigarh station and then return by express train to New Delhi for our last night at the Taj by Vivanta.
