Immerse Yourself in the Colour of India
Offer Expired
Waiting for operator update
Step back into a bygone era of emperors and princes in royal Rajasthan. Discover Delhi’s colonial grandeur and delectable cuisine. Be awestruck by the perfect symmetry and marbled elegance of the iconic Taj Mahal. Drink in the dusky magnificence of Jaipur’s City Palace and hillside Amber Fort. Savour a sunset across the exquisite lake palaces of Udaipur, India’s most romantic city. Live like a maharaja in India’s most regal hotels. This is an enchanting encounter with India at its most majestic.
This is an Abercrombie & Kent private journey and can be tailor-made to fit with your travel dates and built around your desires.
See All Abercrombie & Kent Tours of South Asia
Highlights
- See the resplendent Taj Mahal at sunset and sunrise
- Ride a cycle rickshaw through the colourful bazaars of Old Delhi
- Savour the sunset on a lake cruise in Udaipur, the ‘Venice of the East’
- Discover the lesser-known wonders of Jaipur, the ‘Pink City’
- Explore Udaipur's Taj Lake Palace after dark with a local historian
- Earn 1 Qantas Point* per $1 spent on this itinerary
Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive Delhi
Namaste and welcome to Delhi, India’s northern gateway. Nowhere are India’s rich cultural contrasts brought more sharply into focus than Delhi with its ruin-studded gardens, a growing contemporary art scene and world-class cuisine. On arrival enjoy a warm A&K welcome and private transfer to The Oberoi New Delhi. Settle into your iconic hotel inspired by Lutyens’ New Delhi design and catch the views of the Delhi Golf Course on one side and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Humayun’s Tomb on the other.
Accommodation: The Oberoi New Delhi (Luxury Room)
Day 2
Delhi
Take in the sights of Old and New Delhi today. Head out to see the cultural charms of Old Delhi. Join a local expert and navigate the narrow streets abuzz with daily life to the Turkman Gate and the towering minarets of India’s largest mosque, Jama Masjid. Weave through the colourful streets, alleyways and market stalls of Chandni Chowk on a cycle rickshaw to witness a mishmash of cultures. Take a photo stop at the Red Fort, the residence of the Mughal Emperors and the seat of the Mughal capital till 1857. Gaze at the ramparts, the stage for some of India’s most momentous cultural and historical events. Refuel with local cuisine at Veda restaurant designed by one of India’s top fashion designers Rohit Bal, before moving forward in time to New Delhi, where modern India’s seeds were first sown.
Drive down the tree-lined Rajpath (the royal path) to the 42-metre-high stone arch of India Gate, a majestic monument commemorating the contribution of Indian soldiers who laid down their lives for the British Empire in World War I. At the far end of the boulevard, glimpse the sprawling President’s Residence, Rashtrapati Bhavan. Finish your tour at the jaw-dropping Humayun’s Tomb. Built in 1570 for a Mughal emperor, this beautiful palatial tomb was the first garden-tomb on the Indian subcontinent.
Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch
Accommodation: The Oberoi New Delhi (Luxury Room)
Day 3
Delhi – Agra
Bid farewell to India’s resplendent capital and travel overland to Agra, home to the Taj Mahal. Standing proud in the heart of the city, the Taj Mahal was built by Emperor Shah Jahan for his wife Mumtaz and is now the world’s pre-eminent expression of passionate but restrained mourning. Check in to your hotel before heading to the former imperial city of the Mughal rulers, the Agra Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Venture within its red sandstone walls to discover a labyrinth of highly decorated palaces and ornate marble mosques built by the great Mughal emperor Akbar I. As sunset nears, the Taj Mahal beckons. Watch as the ivory-white marble glistens in dramatic contrast with the changing colours of the sky – it will take your breath away. Marvel at the uninterrupted views of the Taj from your room, as well as from the private dining terrace.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: The Oberoi Amarvilas (Premier Room)
Day 4
Agra – Jaipur
One visit to the Taj Mahal is never enough, so rise early to marvel at the breathtaking monument in dawn’s tranquillity. Return to your hotel for breakfast before embarking on your overland journey to Jaipur. Stop at the deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri, just west of Agra, to witness one of the region’s most scenic landmarks. Founded in the 16th century by a Mughal emperor, the fortified red sandstone city is regarded as Emperor Akbar’s crowning architectural legacy and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy lunch before a quick photo stop at the majestic Chand Baori stepwells, built over a thousand years ago and one of the largest in the world. A royal welcome awaits you at the Rambagh Palace, once a royal hunting lodge for the Maharajah of Jaipur.
Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch
Accommodation: Rambagh Palace (Palace Room)
Day 5
Jaipur
Leave the hustle and bustle far behind as you soar above Jaipur’s yawning horizons and rolling hills in an enchanting early-morning hot-air balloon flight (additional charge). After a sumptuous breakfast, embark on a tour of the Amber Fort, with its distinctive Mughal architecture. Then, immerse yourself in the wonderful artworks and block prints of Anokhi Museum of Hand Printing, housed in a beautifully restored haveli. Learn about the different methods and designs of block printing. Later this afternoon meander through the old city to discover the lesser-known wonders of the Pink City. Step inside lively temples to witness traditional customs. Take part in a Hindu prayer ceremony, if you wish, and sip tea with the locals. Visit the ancient Vishnu temple decorated with fine frescos and mythological paintings. Then, it’s time for a quick photo at Jaipur’s most famous building, Hawa Mahal (‘Palace of Winds’), with its distinctive red and pink facade. Spend the rest of your evening at leisure.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Rambagh Palace (Palace Room)
Day 6
Jaipur
Spend the day with the experience best suited to you (additional cost). Spend time in the home of a noble Rajput family for an intimate cooking demonstration. Gain private behind-the-scenes access to the City Palace of Jaipur to witness how the modern royals live. Step inside Clay Botik studio for a hands-on pottery lesson with a local artist. Enjoy a delicious afternoon High Tea on the terraces and manicured lawns of your luxury property whilst learning about heena painting and turban tying. Or hop into a cycle rickshaw and ride through the narrow streets of the old city before stopping at the Jantar Mantar Observatory filled with enormous astronomical instruments dating back to the 16th century.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Rambagh Palace (Palace Room)
Day 7
Jaipur – Udaipur
Transfer to the airport for your early flight to Udaipur, India’s most romantic city. Discover a place where cascading, whitewashed mansions sit alongside deep blue lakes and the undulating Aravalli Hills. Enjoy a regal welcome to the Taj Lake Palace, originally built on a man-made island in 1746 as the pleasure palace of Maharana Jagat Singh II. After a delicious brunch, and some time to relax, learn the extraordinary and ancient art of water painting in the old city in a hands-on workshop. As sunset calls take a private boat ride on the shimmering waters of Lake Pichola and see the city rising majestically above the lake in the middle of the Rajasthan desert.
Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch
Accommodation: Taj Lake Palace (Palace Room)
Day 8
Udaipur
Start your day with a tranquil breakfast overlooking the lake. Then set out on a morning discovery of Udaipur’s distinctive Rajput-era palaces and architecture. Your first stop is the enormous City Palace, a flamboyant fusion of Rajasthani and Mughal styles towering over the lake and featured in the James Bond movie Octopussy. Gleaming walls, marble balconies and the spectacular Peacock Courtyard will leave you mesmerised. Continue to Saheliyon-ki-Bari (‘The Garden of the Maids of Honour’) to see a lavish tribute to the 48 ladies in waiting who formed part of a royal dowry. Then study the beautifully carved pillars and painted walls of the three-storey Jagdish Temple. Spend your afternoon at leisure. This evening, let a local historian regale you with stories over a glass of wine in the Taj Lake Palace.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Taj Lake Palace (Palace Room)
Day 9
Depart Udaipur
Enjoy your final morning before transferring privately to the airport for your onwards journey.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Departures & Rates
Twin Share Per Person from: $6,665
Solo Traveller from: $10,785
This is an Abercrombie & Kent private journey and can be tailor-made to fit with your travel dates and built around your desires.
Earn 1 Qantas Point* per $1 spent on this itinerary
Ask one of our Travel Specialists about Packaging Flights with your Tour and Save
Important Terms
- Terms & Conditions apply
*Rates are subject to availability and seasonality and may change without notice. Rates are based on two adults sharing. For solo travellers or single person occupancy rates or further information on terms and conditions, please contact our Travel Specialists at time of booking.
Accommodation
The Oberoi New Delhi
Innovative and meticulous in its design, The Oberoi New Delhi is a contemporary hotel oozing style and luxury. Sitting within the prime business and shopping districts of the city, the newly refurbished hotel promises an oasis of calm, while the convenient location means a wonderful choice of bars and restaurants are just moments from the door.
The hotel’s 220 rooms and suits are inspired by Sir Edwin Lutyens’ New Delhi architecture, which is brought to life with authentic furnishings and handpicked artwork. All feature large picture windows which frame sweeping views of the Delhi Golf Course on one side and Humayun’s Tomb, a UNESCO World Heritage site, on the other. Luxury emanates throughout the guest room, from the teakwood floors to the Italian marble bathrooms and walk-in wardrobes. Other highlights include complimentary high-speed Internet, 24-hour in room dining and 24-hour butler service. Guests of the suites and Premier Plus Rooms enjoy complimentary access to the exclusive Resident’s Lounge.
When hunger calls, the restaurants at The Oberoi will not disappoint. In addition to the main restaurant, there is a specialty Indian restaurant, Omya, mentored by the internationally acclaimed Chef Alfred Prasad, and rooftop Chinese restaurant, Baoshuan, mentored by the world-renowned Chef Andrew Wong. Head to the sophisticated rooftop bar, Cirrus9, for cocktails or select from an array of wines and champagnes in the wine cellar, Enoteca. Then, finish the evening with a fine cigar in the Cigar Lounge.
The Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra
The Oberoi Amarvilas is recognised as the leading luxury hotel in Agra. Built in a style inspired by Moorish and Mughal architecture, the resort is a splendid display of richly detailed interiors, terraced lawns, fountains, reflection pools and pavilions with rich interiors that take you back to an era of emperors and princes.
The rooms and suites are beautifully appointed. Most feature Burma Teak flooring, teak armoires and spacious marble bathrooms with both a bathtub and a separate shower cubicle, along with a basket of Ayurvedic toiletries. Some have the added benefit of a private balcony.
The hotel’s Luxury Suites are a real treat. Located on the fifth floor, they have an entrance foyer, separate living and dining rooms and a spacious bedroom with a four-poster bed. Each suite has two private open-air terraces, both offering splendid views of the Taj Mahal.
Rambagh Palace
This sophisticated palace resort is the former residence of the Maharaja of Jaipur, spread over 47 acres of tranquil, landscaped gardens. It was converted to a hotel in 1957 but its grand architecture, and interiors, and beautifully manicured grounds hark back to the splendid Rajput era. Its 78 rooms and suites have high ceilings and magnificent interiors furnished with antiques, all centred around a beautiful courtyard. The hotel’s spa complex, comprising indoor and outdoor pools, steam rooms and saunas, offers a variety of enticing treatments.
Taj Lake Palace
Built in 1746, the extraordinarily beautiful Taj Lake Palace is one of the most recognisable residences in the world and appears like a bejewelled lotus afloat on the shimmering waters of Lake Pichola. This grand palace hotel preserves the heritage and traditions of the erstwhile rulers of Udaipur and offers guests a glimpse of a privileged royal lifestyle. Breathtaking, and atmospheric, there are just 83 rooms and suites boasting opulent fabrics, furnishings and art. There’s a beautiful marble swimming pool, the Jiva spa plus a fitness centre and complimentary daily yoga.
