Day 1 UK to Delhi

Depart on your overnight flight to Delhi

Day 2 Delhi

Upon arrival travel to the locally rated 5-star Hyatt Regency Delhi, your base for the next two nights. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure and a welcome reception with tea and cookies this evening. D

Day 3 Delhi

Discover the colourful street life, beautiful parks and varied architectural styles of this ancient city on an included sightseeing tour. In Old Delhi, you'll visit the Raj Ghat, where Mahatma Gandhi’s mortal remains were cremated, the Jama Masjid – India’s largest mosque – and the commercial area of Chandni Chowk. In New Delhi you'll see the India Gate war memorial, visit the Mausoleum of Emperor Humayun and the Sikh temple, Bangla Sahib Gurudwara. D

Day 4 Delhi-Jaipur

Visit the 12th-century Qutub Minar minaret, at 71-metres high, the tallest brick-built minaret in the world. Afterwards, see your first glimpses of rural India today as you make the drive to Jaipur, which may take in excess of six hours, dependent upon traffic.

Stay three nights at the locally rated 5-star LaLit Jaipur. B, D

Day 5 Jaipur

Enjoy a full day of sightseeing starting at Amber Fort, a classic, romantic Rajasthani Fort Palace. Inside the Amber Fort you can contrast stark early palaces with those built after the Rajput court adopted Mughal influences, resulting in the lavishly ornamental later palaces, especially the palace of mirrors. This afternoon visit the Maharaja's City Palace, some of which is still used by Jaipur's Royal family. Later visit the Jantar Mantar – the largest stone and marble crafted observatory in the world. You'll drive past Hawa Mahal – the Palace of the Winds. This five-storey building has 953 sandstone windows from which the royal ladies could watch life going on outside without being seen. B, D

Day 6 Jaipur

Today is at leisure. Alternatively, join an optional morning visit to Jaigarh Fort. One of the most spectacular and intact forts in India, it sits on top of the hill above Amber Fort to which it is connected by 'secret' passages. This evening there's the option to see the Aarti ceremony at the modern, white marble Birla Temple, where brilliantly costumed and ornamented idols of Lord Ram and Sita are presented and greeted with holy chanting. B, D

Day 7 Jaipur-Ranthambore

This morning, you'll be driven to Ranthambore where you'll stay at the locally rated 4-star Ranthambore Regency Hotel for two nights. B, D

Please note: Departures in 2021 will stay at the locally rated 4-star Jungle Vilas instead.

Day 8 Ranthambore

This morning visit Ranthambore National Park – Rajasthan's first tiger reserve – for a safari by canter, a large open-topped bus. The park is home to stately sambar, the largest species of Asiatic deer, along with a wealth of birds, crocodiles and, of course, tigers. This afternoon there's another included safari. Relax at your hotel tonight. B, D

Day 9 Ranthambore-Agra

Early this morning travel to Sawai Madhopur railway station to board the train for Bharatpur. On arrival you'll visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Fatehpur Sikri. Built in 1571, it was the Mughal capital for just 14 years, before being abandoned. Made of red sandstone, it combines influences from both Hindu and Mughal architecture.

Your journey continues to Agra and the locally rated 5-star Taj Hotel & Convention Centre, where you stay for the next two nights. B, D

Please note: departures on the 27 January 2020 will stay instead at the locally rated 5-star Taj View Hotel. Departures in 2021 will stay at the locally rated 5-star Mansion Grand Agra.

Day 10 Agra

The Taj Mahal in Agra is celebrated for its architectural magnificence and aesthetic beauty. Built by Shah Jahan in 1560 in memory of his queen Mumtaz Mahal it's constructed in white marble and took 22 years and over 20,000 workers and craftsmen to complete. Join an included excursion this morning to see this fabulous building in the early morning sun. After breakfast at the hotel you'll visit the 16th-century Agra Fort, near the gardens of the Taj Mahal. This powerful fortress of red sandstone encompasses many fairy-tale palaces and two very beautiful mosques. The afternoon is at leisure. B, D

Day 11 Agra-Delhi-UK

Return to Delhi for your daytime flight, arriving in the afternoon for your included UK door-to-door travel service home. B