Taj, Tigers and Mumbai - 12 Days

Saturday. On arrival in Delhi you are met at the airport and transferred to our hotel. The rest of today is free to explore India’s capital at leisure before meeting the group and guide at the hotel at 18:00 for a Welcome meeting.

For those able to arrive very early today or the day prior, why not get off the beaten track and explore Old Delhi with us on our optional 'Backstreets of Delhi' add-on tour. You will get to relish the taste of various street foods, from savoury to sweet. Along the way, visit Khari Baoli, the largest spice market in India and the colourful Bazar Matia Mahal, located opposite the majestic Jama Masjid Mosque. The tour will combine a mixture of metro, electric rickshaw and walking to get around.

Delhi - Agra. This morning we enjoy a packed day of sightseeing in Old and New Delhi. Check out the UNESCO-listed Humayun’s Tomb and Jama Masjid - India’s oldest and largest mosque. Visit the iconic Sikh temple Gurudwara Bangla Sahib and its community kitchen feeding 25,000-30,000 people daily. We also enjoy a thrilling rickshaw ride around the Chandni Chowk bazaar and explore New Delhi. Walk down the Rajpath, formerly known as the ‘King’s Way’ and see the famous India Gate monument.

This afternoon, we will drive to Agra. After checking into the hotel, the remainder of the day is at leisure.

This morning, we'll visit the legendary Taj Mahal, India's most renowned monument. Constructed by Emperor Shah Jahan in the 17th century as a tribute to his beloved wife, this iconic white marble mausoleum is an unparalleled symbol of love and devotion, standing as one of the most extraordinary architectural masterpieces in the world. Be sure to capture this once-in-a-lifetime experience with plenty of photos!

Following our visit to the Taj Mahal, we’ll journey to the impressive Agra Fort. This massive red sandstone fortress houses some of India's most exquisite Mughal buildings, all safeguarded behind its towering fortified walls. It’s a site rich with history and grandeur, offering a fascinating glimpse into the Mughal era.

Agra - Karauli/Dholpur. This morning we journey to either Karauli or Dholpur stopping for lunch en route.

In Karauli, we will stay in the beautiful Palace Bhanwar Vilas. An eclectic melding of both Oriental and Art Deco architecture, the heritage-listed hotel was built in 1938 as a family home of the Maharaja of Jaipur. In Dholpur, we will stay at the magnificent Raj Niwas Palace, which is known for its red sandstone, traditional Rajisthani architecture, and European-style ceramics. It's said that this heritage-listed hotel was built by the Maharaja to welcome HRH Albert Edward, who visited in 1876.

Spend the afternoon at your leisure exploring the grounds, perhaps check out the vintage cars or take a dip in the swimming pools. This evening, you can also opt to attend the evening Aarti (prayer).

Karauli/Dholpur - Jaipur. This morning we hit the road towards the vibrant UNESCO listed Pink City of Jaipur. On arrival, we will spend the afternoon on a tour of the illustrious City Palace and the UNESCO-listed Jantar Mantar Space Observatory, which features 19 separate astrological instruments.

Jaipur. Early this morning why not experience an optional hot-air balloon ride (booked and paid locally, see trip notes for further information). Later, enjoy a jeep ride to Amber Fort for a guided tour and visit a cotton weaving house for an authentic demonstration of fabric dyeing.

Jaipur - Ranthambore. Today we take a 3-4 hour drive to Ranthambore National Park, one of the Project Tiger reserves since 1973. The park plays an important role in the conservation of the iconic Bengal Tiger. We spend two days in the park and enjoy two included game drives in search of the endangered tigers, which can sometimes be seen pacing along the paths or resting in the sun. With two visits into the reserve, we have a great chance of spotting these incredible animals. Other wildlife in the park includes leopards, sloth bears, sambar, hyenas and crocodiles.

Ranthambore - Mumbai. Today, we will make the 3-4 hour return drive to Jaipur Airport. Once in Jaipur, you will take your onwards flight to Mumbai, India's largest city. On arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Mumbai. Today, we will explore what Mumbai has to offer with a city tour covering some of its' most interesting and unique attractions.

First, we will visit Dadar Flower Market, one of the largest flower markets in India. Not only will you enjoy the beauty, colours and fragrance of the flowers, but you will also witness the hustle and bustle of the market and immerse yourself in local culture.

Afterwards, we will visit Dhobi Ghat, a massive open-air laundromat where thousands of dhobis (washermen) gather daily to wash clothes from all over the city.

We will then take a thrilling short local train ride to our next stop. This is an opportuntiy to see how locals travel in Mumbai and experience the mix of thrill and chaos of local trains. We will stop for lunch at a local restaurant before our final stop.

Our last stop on the city tour is a visit to the Dharavi Slums, one of the largest slums in Asia. This will be an eye-opening experience, as more than a million people live here, in cramped and unsanitary conditions. However, Dharavi is also a hub of entrepreneurship and creativity. Various industries, such as leather, pottery and recycling operate from this area. During our guided tour, you will learn about Dharavi's unique history, culture, challenges and opportunities.

Mumbai. Today is a day at leisure, for you to independently explore the vibrant and diverse city of Mumbai. Why not consider our half-day 'Mumbai City Tour' that covers the lively Colaba Area, visits the famous Gateway of India and introduces you to the Prince of Wales Museum and its rich collection of art, archeology and natural history.

Or you can opt to join our 'Elephanta Caves' tour, where you will take a boat ride to Elephanta Island and explore the ancient rock-cut architecture and sculptures depicting Hindu mythology and legends.

Consider ending your day with a 'Mumbai Bollywood Tour' where you'll learn about the evolution of Indian film, watch a Bollywood dance performance, watch live feature film being shot and end your evening with a Bollywood film screening at the famous Regal Theatre.

Wednesday. Our Indian adventure comes to an end today. A departure transfer can be booked for an additional supplement if required.