Old Delhi - New Discoveries

After breakfast, the tour starts with a visit to the Qutub Minar. The Minar is part of the ancient Qutab complex, a UNESCO world heritage site. We’ll climb the 379 steps to the top of the stunning, soaring tower and enjoy an incredible view over Delhi.

Bordering the popular Qutab complex, but actually overlooked by the usual tourist hordes, the Mehrauli Archaeological Park preserves some of the most beautiful historic relics in 1000-year-old Delhi. You’ll get the chance to pick your way through the crumbling, ancient ruins and shady medieval tombs, stumbling across gems all the way.

Next, you’ll head on over to Old Delhi…

We’ll start by heading to the UNESCO heritage site, the Red Fort. The compound plays host to a veritable treasure trove of buildings and museums, as well as the majestic palace and lush, emerald green gardens.

You’ll visit the impossibly vast Jama Masjid, India’s largest mosque, where 25,000 people can kneel and pray at one time. A shrine here houses several relics of huge Islamic historical importance including the sandals, and red beard-hair of the Holy Prophet, Mohammad.

You’ll then visit Raj Ghat, and here lies a memorial to Mahatma Ghandi, where he was cremated following his assassination in 1948.

You’ll then jump on a fairly intense rickshaw ride through the heaving city, and we will drop you off, breathless and white-knuckled, at the Old Delhi Bazaar. Now, you will take part in a food walk with Old Delhi aficionados Masterji Kee Haveli. 

They offer a truly authentic and unique experience of Old Delhi with traditional, and seriously delicious, snacks along the way.  After the walk, you’ll be taken to a Hindu home for a demonstration and tasting of traditional home-style Indian cooking.

By the end of this tour, you will have seen a slice of the real India. How people shop, how they eat at street stalls, and how they cook at home. And to top it all off, you’ll have tried some seriously delicious local food, so you are prepped for ordering next time you hit a restaurant.

Accommodation

The Imperial Hotel – Delhi – B&B

Majestic Agra and Authentic Communities

Up early the next morning we’ll set off early for Agra, and your first stop will be Agra Fort. Agra Fort was the main residence of the emperors of the Mughal Dynasty until 1638, and is one of the most significant Mughal buildings in India.

Decadent palaces, imposing towers, beautiful courtyards and lush gardens make up the complex, as it squats, glowing a soft red in the arid landscape.

Later, you’ll travel to the ancient village of Kachhpura. Here, you’ll take part in a heritage tour of the village, where you get the chance to interact with, and witness the traditions of, the indigenous people and learn about their lives at the base of the Taj-Mahal.

Of course, it goes without saying that at this point you’ll have been spending a fair amount of time gazing in awe at the Taj Mahal, a building that needs no introduction, and no description.

The walk is conducted by a community-based enterprise, where a local youth shows you around the village, providing you with an authentic, first-hand experience of life in the shadow of this world-famous landmark.

All proceeds go back into the community to help sustain livelihoods, and you’ll have seen a side to the Taj Mahal not experienced by most sightseers.

It’s now time to head to your hotel, the stunning The Oberoi Amarvilas, for another beautiful, relaxed evening in complete luxury.

Accommodation

The Oberoi Amarvilas – Agra

Sunrise Over a Wonder of the World

Day 4 kicks off with an early sunrise visit and a closer look at the world-renowned, simply breathtaking, Taj Mahal. It’s considered the jewel of Muslim art in India and is one of the most universally admired masterpieces in the world. It can’t be missed. 

After breakfast you will travel to your third and final destination, the ‘pink city’ Jaipur, capital of Rajasthan.

Once there, you’ll check in to your hotel (The Taj Jai Mahal Palace) and, after a little relaxation, begin your first tour, heading to the bustling bazaars of the city.

You’ll then visit the house of a Rajput noble. These people are descendants of previous Indian royalty. They’ll teach you ancient cooking secrets and you’ll taste some very unique yet delightful foods that you simply won’t find in any regular restaurant.

You’ll be welcomed into their home and spend your evening with a local family. After a tour of their house, you’ll get an understanding of how local people live day-to-day. You’ll then get the chance to take part in a cooking class, learning from the locals the ways of the ancient Rajasthani culinary tradition.

Overnight at the hotel.

The Taj Jai Mahal Palace

Explore Jaipur's Incredible Palaces

After breakfast, you’ll travel to the ‘Palace of Winds”, Hawa Mahal. This is undoubtedly one of the most stunning monuments in India, as the honeycomb structure of a sea of palace windows and alcoves soar above the dusty city streets.

After your visit to the ‘Palace of Winds’, you’ll be led to the outskirts of town to the Amber Fort and Palace.  This beautifully preserved site contains stunning buildings imposing towers and idyllic courtyards in the arid hillside setting.

In particular, the Sheesh Mahal (Mirror Palace), with its walls and ceilings carved with flowers and paintings, almost entirely made out of glass, is a highlight. It’s said, if two candles are lit in the palace, it would look like thousands of stars glittering on the ceiling.

We’ll continue to the City Palace Museum, which features a priceless collection of antiques, costumes, weapons and armoury of Mughals and Rajputs. You’ll also get access to the gallery, displaying beautiful paintings, exquisite royal items and rare astronomical pieces.

You’ll then visit the Jantar Mantar Observatory, a stone astrological complex with an actual ‘stairway to heaven’. In the evening, you’ll experience the traditional aarti ceremony, with locals at Birla Temple. The aarti is a fundamental part of Hindu Culture.

Accommodation

The Taj Jai Mahal Palace

Jaipur from Land and Air

For the last morning of your journey through India, you have a choice between two optional activities. The first is a chance to explore the city on two wheels on a guided bike tour of Jaipur City.

You’ll head out and get the opportunity to experience the city as it stirs into life, the early morning sun gently warming the peaceful city streets ad locals start to go about their days.

Your guide will also take you along some of the alleyways and streets that are of the beaten track and hidden from the tourists, where you’ll visit local markets and taste the native delicacies.

The second activity gives you the chance to see Jaipur from a completely different perspective on a hot air balloon tour above the city.

Here, you’ll fly over many of Jaipur’s top sites for a truly mesmerising experience. There’s nothing quite like seeing panoramic views of this wonderful city basked in the warm sunrise, with the sounds of the city gently floating up towards you.