Witness breathtaking Himalayan views from scenic passes like Dochula and trek to Tiger’s Nest Monastery.
Amar Mahal
Highlights
Heritage setting,
Rooftop views
Best for
Couples
With pleasant views of the surrounding monuments, Amar Mahal is a relaxing and rejuvenating hotel set in the quiet town of Orchha.
You will be greeted with a grand yellow and white exterior complete with beautiful archways and well-kept gardens.
Orchha, in the town of Madhya Pradesh, meaning ‘hidden’ ancient medieval town, was founded in the 16th century and is home to Mughal influenced Rajput architecture such as the Jahangir Mahal, Raj Mahal and other stunning ancient temples and gardens.
A central pool area with sun loungers sits in one half of the hotel, while the other is a pleasant garden space with seating areas in archways on the rooftop above.
Guests can even dine on the rooftop while soaking in the lovely surrounding views of temples and greenery. A spread of local and Continental cuisines are on offer while local Bundeli musicians entertain guests in the evening. A small organic farm with fruit, vegetables and herbs is used by chefs daily.
The Rooms
There is a variety of rooms and suites available, with regal traditional interiors such as wooden furniture and traditional textiles.
They are spacious, with marble floorings, while some have lounge areas and pretty views of the surrounding architectural wonders.
What You’ll Find:
- Rooftop dining with temple views
- Traditional interiors with carved wood furniture and local textiles
- Courtyard pool with sun loungers
Why You'll Love It:
- Soak in rooftop views of Mughal-Rajput monuments at sunset
- Explore the medieval town of Orchha just moments from your room
- Unwind in a poolside lounger after a day of sightseeing
Explore ETG's Sample Itineraries in India
A few of our favourite routes, hand-picked by the team and ripe for tweaking.
Think of them as conversation starters. Curiosity sparkers. Not fixed plans, just ideas for what your holiday could look like, shaped by years of local know-how and the kind of immersive experiences that live long in the memory.
Explore Full Itinerary
India
Regal Residences of Rajasthan
This is a far cry from the tired old route that almost everyone takes through India’s Golden Triangle. We know that you’re not everyone. Veer off the tourist trail into the heartlands of Rajasthan to feel the true essence of timeless and, yes, incredible India.
You’ll still be able to experience the manic magic of Delhi, the warm pink hues of Japiur and the magnificence of the Taj Mahal. But you’ll also experience so much more by staying in some of the country’s best heritage properties, brought to life by charismatic hosts. You’ll get the best of both worlds – and be amazed that the rest of the world doesn’t seem to be in on the secret. Shhh!
Highlights
Chambal River
Explore magnificent and lesser-visited sites on the banks of the Chambal River
Heritage properties
Experience a flavour of rural and royal Rajasthan in two contrasting rural palaces
Taj Mahal
Admire the marble magnificence of the Taj Mahal
Gallery
Explore Full Itinerary
India
Kerala Encompassed
Gain a great insight into the variety Kerala has to offer as you travel south to north over three weeks. You’ll have the opportunity to stay in different types and styles of accommodation, ranging from tea bungalows to a plantation mansion, houseboat, treehouse and tents, to name a few.
Spend your days among tea and spice plantations, relaxing in rural settings, spotting wildlife, cruising along the Alleppey backwaters, visiting local markets and getting to know the towns that make Kerala tick. Relax on a remote beach to round off your holiday through ‘God’s Own Country’.
Highlights
Cruise the backwaters
Explore the canals on a houseboat for two nights, watching local life pass by
Birdwatching
Wake up on the banks of the Periyar River, where you’ll have the chance to spot over 120 species of birds
Safaris
Track elephants and tigers in Nagarhole National Park
Gallery
Explore Full Itinerary
India
Highlights of East India
Little visited and often overlooked, East India is an incredible place: from the spellbinding contrasts of Kolkata to the sleepy waterways of the Sundarbans, the Buddhist culture of Sikkim and the mighty Himalayas.
This journey will enable you to explore Kolkata in depth, before heading south for a lovely tranquil experience in the Sundarbans National Park. While you’re unlikely to spot one of the park’s many tigers, there is a plethora of wildlife here, and it’s a lovely place to spend a few days.
Then it’s back up to Kolkata for an overnight train deep in the Himalayas. East India is an incredible region: the heart of Buddhist culture in India, a land of monasteries, sleepy hill towns, friendly people and breathtaking views.
Highlights
Kolkata
Explore Kolkata, the former capital of British India and a riot of colour, a hub of Bengali culture and an incredibly vibrant place.
Incredible culture
Discover timeless Buddhist monasteries and a highly distinct Sikkim culture.
Khangchendzonga Mountain
Being inspired by the view of the mighty Khangchendzonga Mountain, the third-highest in the world, soaring above the horizon
Gallery
Explore Full Itinerary
India
Gujarat In Depth
Go beyond the usual India routes on this 17-day adventure through Gujarat, a region where ancient civilisations, wildlife sanctuaries and traditional crafts still thrive. From the heritage streets of Ahmedabad to the stark beauty of the Rann of Kutch, this itinerary blends history, wildlife and cultural immersion. You’ll meet master artisans in Bhuj, witness blackbuck deer leaping through the grasslands of Velavadar, and step back in time at World Heritage sites like Patan and Modhera.
Highlights
Ahmedabad
Explore an array of astounding world heritage sights in Ahmedabad and beyond
Wildlife spotting
Spot impressive birds and wildlife like the Asiatic lion and blackbuck deer in Velavadar, Sasan Gir Park and the otherworldly Rann of Kutch
Artisan heritage
Contribute towards the preservation of an array of special traditional arts and crafts by visiting the artisan villages around Bhuj
Gallery
Explore Full Itinerary
India
The Golden Triangle & The Himalayas
This is a proper adventure, taking in the riches of Rajasthan before venturing deep into the Himalayas to explore the off-the-beaten-track Kumaon region of Uttarakhand. After tiger-spotting in Corbett, escape to the unspoiled Kumaon region in Uttarakhand. Here, colonial-era hill stations and quiet Himalayan villages offer a slower pace and extraordinary views, far from the tourist trail.
Highlights
Iconic sights
Seeing the best of Rajasthan (think the Taj, tigers and terrific forts, palaces and handicrafts)
Unique accommodation
Staying in haveli hotels and warm and welcoming luxury homestays with fascinating histories
Himalayan views
Ending the holiday on a (literal) high in the Himalayas, venturing into the Kumaon region that most tourists miss
Gallery
Explore Full Itinerary
India
East to West: Highlights of the Gangetic Plain
This holiday is for travellers with an adventurous spirit who like to get away from the tourist trail; people who have a desire to explore eclectic, busy and ever-evolving Indian cities, but who also want to contrast immersive city life with some unique, rural experiences.
Take time to delve into Kolkata and Varanasi with our signature experiences in each. You’ll journey by car, train and minimal internal flights so that you can experience the beautiful rural life and landscape of the Gangetic Plain as you move around. You’ll spend four days exploring northern Madhya Pradesh and three days in a remote valley of Uttar Pradesh; allowing completely different rural and wildlife experiences in each.
Highlights
Lunch with an art collector
Taking lunch with an art collector in his home in Kolkata
Sunrise at the River Ganges
Watching the sunrise from your private boat on the River Ganges
Chambal Valley
Experiencing life in remote hamlets of the Chambal Valley
Gallery
Explore Full Itinerary
India
Birds of South India
Discover lesser-visited but beautiful areas of Southern India during this two week holiday. There is a particular focus on the region’s abundant birdlife, exceptional for casual and serious aficionados. Visit several sanctuaries and travel through the lush western ghats, known as a treasure house of endemic species, as well as the strictly protected wildlife of Bandipur National Park.
Highlights
Rangananthittu Bird Sanctuary
End your journey with a visit to the Rangananthittu Bird Sanctuary, home to some 170 exquisite bird species
Valparai
Explore Valparai’s remote landscapes through forest treks in an area full of wildlife, including some of the most endangered varieties of hornbills
Bandipur National Park
Spot elusive big game on sunrise and sunset safaris in Bandipur National Park
Gallery
Explore Full Itinerary
India
The Birdlife of North India
This two-week itinerary takes you around North India to see for yourself the wide variety of bird species and animals that call these rugged, scenic landscapes home. Keen birders and the more intrepid travellers will particularly enjoy this holiday, with plenty of opportunities for birdwatching, hiking and safaris through national parks, along rivers and in sanctuaries.
Highlights
Corbett National Park
Staying deep in the heart of Corbett National Park in a forest lodge, an incredible setting for wildlife sightings
Chambal River
Cruising along the Chambal river on safari with a naturalist guide, providing expert information about the birds and animals you spot
Birding throughout
Plenty of birding opportunities in varying locations, from national parks to bird sanctuaries and a conservation reserve
Explore Full Itinerary
India
A Journey through Madhya Pradesh
Prepare to be wowed by incredible history, architecture, and wildlife, before finishing the holiday on the sacred Narmada river at Maheshwar.
Highlights
Alternative Delhi
Explore alternative Delhi with a walk of the old town led by a former street kid turned expert guide
Satpura National Park
Get up close and personal to the wildlife in Satpura National Park on foot, by jeep and even on a boat
Maheshwar
Relax in one India’s most beautiful and most off-the-beaten-track fort hotels in Maheshwar, one of the most magical towns in India
Gallery
Explore Full Itinerary
India
Classic Rajasthan with the Taj Mahal
Our ‘Classic Rajasthan with the Taj’ itinerary idea takes in all the must-see sites of India’s Golden Triangle and beyond, such as Jaipur, Jodhpur and Udaipur. You’ll also experience a change of pace and a glimpse at an older, more rural Rajasthan with its impossibly romantic desert forts, dramatic scenery and wildlife.
We’ve suggested mixing opulent city hotels, perfect for escaping the clamour outside, with peacefully charming but quirky heritage properties in converted Rajput residences, used for entertaining visitors from time immemorial.
Highlights
Iconic sights
Marvel at the timeless magnificence of the Taj Mahal, the disorderliness of Delhi and colourful Jaipur
Fort Barli
Escape the madness into the gorgeous surrounds of Fort Barli and the Rajasthani countryside
Lake Pichola
Stay on the banks of Lake Pichola in romantic and laid-back Udaipur
Gallery
Explore Full Itinerary
Bhutan
India's Golden Triangle & Bhutan’s Natural Beauty
Over two weeks, you will venture from the bustling, colourful cities and historical sights of India’s Rajasthan to the peaceful towns and scenic valleys of Bhutan. You’ll really get a feel for the contrasting cultures, pace of life and varied landscapes as your local guides take you off the beaten track and reveal the stories and secrets of each location to you.
In India’s Golden Triangle, you will enjoy the must-see highlights, both cultural and architectural, before flying to Bhutan to immerse yourself in the well-preserved culture and pristine natural beauty across the country. Along the way, we have suggested some charming and comfortable accommodation options in great locations and you’ll have time each day to relax at your hotel.
Highlights
Iconic India
Explore India’s Golden Triangle, including the Taj Mahal, Jaipur’s palaces, and the vibrant streets of Delhi.
Magical Bhutan
Immerse yourself in Bhutan’s serene landscapes, from Punakha’s dzongs to the iconic Tiger’s Nest Monastery.
Cracking views
Gallery
Amar Mahal on the map
In Our Travellers’ Words
The Curious Traveller’s Expert Guide to India
Want to know more? With its vast size, rich diversity, and countless possibilities, planning a holiday to India can feel overwhelming – so we’ve created our Curious Traveller’s Guide to India to help make sense of it all.
It’s our experts’ pick of standout experiences and places to stay, with honest advice on the best regions and tips for both first-time visitors and those returning for more.