Tigers & Taj: India Highlights

Day 1 Fly to Delhi

Depart and fly to Delhi.

DAY 2 Delhi

On arrival you’ll be picked up by your driver who will be with you till your transfer back to the airport for your flight to Goa. The car is private and gives a huge amount of freedom and flexibility whilst ‘touring’. Your hotel is the heart of New Delhi and after a few hours to freshen up you’ll be taken on an exploration of Lutyens’ New Delhi.

DAY 3 Delhi

This morning you’ll head towards Old Delhi to make sense of this often chaotic, sprawling and disorientating part of town. This is Delhi as you would imagine it. You’ll walk around with a guide who will focus this walk on your interests. After a few hours you’ll end with a lunch in one of the few remaining Havelis (traditional Moghul mansions). The afternoon is yours to enjoy at your leisure.

DAY 4 Agra and Taj Mahal

After breakfast, your chauffeur will drive you down the excellent new highway to Agra.

After lunch and checking in at your hotel you will be able to visit the Taj Mahal, the premier iconic site in the whole of India and deservedly so. 

DAY 5 Train to Ranthambore

A great way to experience how locals travel is to take a train ride. After driving one hour to Bharatpur station, you’ll board the Kota Jan Shatabdi express for the 3 hour train ride to Sawai Madhopur. Trains are integral to India life and we highly recommend going on at least one in any trip. You’ll be picked up by your guide and driven one hour to your hotel near the park.

In the late afternoon you’ll have your first safari drive in Ranthambore National Park. Although most famous for tigers, you’ll probably spot deer, chital, langurs and jackals! 

DAY 6 morning safari and Ramathra

Rise (very) early to have the most chances of seeing a tiger before dawn. Wrap up as it could be chilly. Return to your hotel for breakfast and then your chaffeur will take you to the stunning fort town of Ramathra where you’ll spend the next 2 nights staying in the fort – now converted into a fantastic hotel. This is an experience you could only get in India and is a real ‘one in a lifetime’. Great fun.

DAY 7 RamathRA

Today you’ll have the chance to explore rural Rajasthan at your leisure and see a completely different side to what you might imagine India is like. Extremely peaceful and some of the friendliest people you’ll meet, take time to walk around the village, go on a boat cruise on the nearby lake and take a jeep safari to observe the distinctive local farming methods and the unchanged rural way of life in this part of India.

DAY 8 drive to Jaipur

A scenic 3 hour drive will bring you to one of the most famous cities in India and the principle city of Rajasthan; Jaipur. You’ll be staying in a lovely restored Haveli (mansion) for the next 2 nights (if you have time we’d recommend 3 nights!) right in the heart of the old quarter where buildings must be painted pink – hence the name; the ‘Pink City’. Explore at leisure or take some time to relax by the lovely pool.

DAY 9 Jaipur

Jaipur is a riot of colour and as the capital of Rajasthan, it's a very busy place with buzzing spice markets and streets filled with multi-coloured saris and  rampaging rickshaw drivers. Today you’ll spend the day with a local guide exploring the city's Hindu and Mughul heritage and the many palaces and forts, home to intricate and exquisite Indian art and architecture, including the extraordinary Palace of the Winds. If you have time to squeeze in an extra day in Jaipur, we have some fantastic off the beaten track experiences here, which really enable you to get a feel for how this extraordinary city operates. Talk to our consultants for suggestions suitable for you.

DAY 10 – 15 Goa

Early this morning you’ll start your journey to Goa. Although it takes two flights changing in Mumbai (you can always break up the journey with a stop here) it will be worth the time with the next 6 nights spent enjoying time to recoup on the beach. You’ll be staying at the magnificent Ahilya Fort which is a true gem on a quiet location, which stunning sunset views. It feels a home from home, but extremeley comfortable. 

DAY 16 Fly home (or Stay!)

You’ll drive the one hour journey to the airport and fly back home. You’ll most like have to change in Mumbai or Delhi if return to the UK.