Day 01 - Arrive Delhi

Tonight, arrive New Delhi, the capital city of India. Upon arrival, you will be met by our representative at the Indira Gandhi International Airport. After a warm welcome, transfer to your hotel for 2 nights stay.

Day 02 - DRIVE Delhi – Jaipur [260 Kms / 6 Hrs]

This morning, take a tour of old Delhi, visiting Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India; take a rickshaw ride through narrow alleys and lanes in Chandni Chowk, one of the oldest and largest trading markets of the country; and drive past Red Fort, the place that marked the announcement of India’s freedom from the British Raj.

This afternoon embark on your drive to Jaipur - land of the Rajputs. Jaipur is an exuberance of colour, dance and traditional arts and crafts. Known, as the 'Pink City', Jaipur is home to ancient forts and palaces and is one of India's most well planned cities. Upon arrival check in at your hotel for 02 nights stay.

Day 03 - Day in Jaipur

Rise early this morning to visit Jaipur’s famous Amber Fort. Enroute, take a guided walk through the flower market of Jaipur seeing the beautiful yellow and orange marigolds and other seasonal flowers being traded. In close vicinity is also the wholesale vegetable market where farmers bring fresh produce to begin the days trading. Walking through the markets brings you to a junction where you will find the interesting and unusual milk traders of Jaipur, who bring their cattle’s fresh milk to be tested for quality, priced and traded on the spot. Be amazed at the primitive technique of testing quality of milk by dipping hands into large metal milk containers and evaluating the creaminess of milk supplied !

After a brief walk through the local trading markets, drive onwards to visit Amber fort, built in the 16th century. The fort is a mesmerizing blend of Hindu and Mughal architecture. The Amber Fort was used by the Rajputs for the dual purpose of defense and private residence. The fort encompasses charming gardens and magnificent palaces made from marble and precious stones, richly decorated with intricate stonemason works and paintings, which represented royal splendor and luxury of the Rajput era. To ascend up the fort, you may choose to walk, drive or take an elephant ride.

This afternoon take a photo stop at the Hawa Mahal, Palace of the Winds, with its unique layer-cake honeycomb windows designed to enable erstwhile women of the royal court to observe passing life without being seen; Jantar Mantar, the largest astronomical observatory built in stone, and the City Palace complex with its impressive gardens and museums.

Culture Connection: Option for Hot Air Balloon Flight: Enjoy a sunrise or sunset hot air balloon flight, floating over forts, palaces and villages, over the pink city of Jaipur, offering splendid views of the city and its surrounds. The balloons usually land in village areas, attracting hoards of villagers. Guests find this experience and connection with the local community fascinating and unique. Drive through rural villages back to base. (at extra charge and subject to operation).

Option for Elephant Safari with Breakfast or High Tea: Early morning or evening, embark on a short drive to a wilderness camp at the outskirts of Jaipur, for a fascinating elephant safari, followed by breakfast or high tea served at the garden camp (at extra charge).

Day 04 - DRIVE Jaipur - Agra [240 Kms / 5 Hrs]

Enjoy the morning at leisure in Jaipur.

Culture Connection: Option for guided heritage walk through old city of Jaipur : This afternoon, you have the option to take a guided heritage walk through the temples and havelis of the old city of Jaipur. This exciting two hours walking tour is a unique way to explore the living traditions, hidden riches and vibrant culture of Jaipur. Experience the warm Indian hospitality at a beautifully restored haveli (erstwhile mansion) where you get an opportunity to interact with the resident family over high tea. The walk offers an opportunity to meet and interact with artisans, shop owners, temple priests and local people of Jaipur, making the tour engaging and insightful (at extra charge).

Option to play Golf at Rambagh Golf course: Enjoy an opportunity to play golf at Rambagh Golf course, one of the oldest and most prestigious of Golf Clubs in India. Affiliated to the Indian Golf Union, this Golf Club is an 18 Hole challenging championship course with Par 70 Yardage-6303 (SSS 70). The Course is picturesquely located with views of the Rambagh Palace, Motta Doongri Fort, Nahargarh Fort and the Birla Planetarium. (at extra charge).

Before noon, embark on a leisurely drive to Agra, city of the world famous Taj Mahal. En route to Agra, visit Fatehpur Sikri, the capital city of the Mughal Empire in the 16th century.

Upon arrival, check in at your hotel for 02 nights stay.

Day 05 - Day in Agra

This morning witness the surreal views of the Taj Mahal. Step inside this eternal symbol of love and appreciate the intricate designs and symmetries that rhyme as a poem written in marble. Taj Mahal is an extravagant display of love, built by Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. You may choose to wake up early to witness the glistening white marble beauty at sunrise.

Later visit the splendid Agra fort, built in red sandstone, encapsulating magnificent palaces, halls of public and private audience and beautiful gardens.

Culture Connection: Option to watch a classic Theatre Performance: This evening, you have the option to watch a live theatre performance, introducing you to the story of the Taj Mahal. Watch the spectacular performance - “Mohabbat the Taj – The saga of love”, staging the largest replica of the Taj Mahal, and presenting the legend of love that created this magnificent mausoleum (at extra charge and subject to operation of show)

Day 06 - DRIVE Agra – Delhi (240 Kms / 4 Hrs)

After an early breakfast, embark on your return drive to Delhi.

Upon arrival in Delhi this afternoon, visit Qutab Minar, a fine example of Indo-Islamic architecture and the world’s tallest brick minaret. Then take an orientation tour of New Delhi, driving past President's House, Parliament House and other Government Secretariat Buildings, the most imposing features of Lutyen’s Delhi and take a photo stop at the iconic war memorial arch, the India Gate. This evening visit Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, the largest Sikh temple of Delhi, with a gold dome, still in active worship.

Culture Connection: Option for Home Hosted Dinner: This evening you have the option to learn more about local lifestyle and culture of India with dinner at an Indian home. Spend time talking to your hosts and learn about their way of life. You may also opt for a unique opportunity to step inside an Indian kitchen and learn the age old art of Indian culinary delights. Your hosts will be happy to share their secret recipes and give you some handy tips about Indian cooking (at extra charge).

Day 07 - FLY Delhi – Chandigarh; DRIVE Chandigarh - Shimla (130 Kms / 3 Hrs)

This morning, catch your flight to Chandigarh. Upon arrival in Chandigarh, drive to Shimla, the former summer capital of British India, set amidst the snow capped mountains, which offers stunning views of the Himalayas.

Upon arrival in Shimla, transfer to your hotel for 3 nights stay.

Day 08 - Day in Shimla

After breakfast, enjoy a tour of Shimla, visiting the famous Christ Church, the second oldest church in Northern India.

Also visit the Shimla State Museum, which houses a collection of miniature ‘Pahari’ paintings, sculptures, coins, woodcarvings and also costumes, textiles and jewellery of the region. Conclude the day with a visit to the Viceregal Lodge, also known as Rashtrapati Niwas, which is located on the Observatory Hill of Shimla. Built in 1888, this was formerly the residence of the British Viceroy of India. This historic building with its beautiful surrounds houses a collection of ancient articles and photographs dating back to the times of the British rule in India.

Day 09 - Day in Shimla

Enjoy the day at leisure.

You may opt for a leisurely walk in the hills, horse riding on mountain tracks, strolling down the mall road and mingling with the locals or just relaxing or pampering yourself at the spa at your hotel (supplement charge applies for activities and spa therapies).

Day 10 - Drive Shimla – Chandigarh (130 Kms / 3 Hrs); Fly Chandigarh - Delhi

After a leisurely breakfast, drive to Chandigarh airport, to catch your flight to Delhi. Upon arrival at Delhi, connect to your flight back home.