Taj & Tigers Gold Tour

Board your overnight flight from the UK to Delhi Airport DEL.

Arrive at Delhi Airport.

Meet and greet at the airport followed by a private minivan transfer to your hotel.

ACCOMMODATION: Taj Palace, Delhi or similar

After breakfast set off on a sightseeing tour of Old Delhi.

Old Delhi: Former Mughal capital with remnants of Emperor Shah Jahan's grandeur, now centered around the bustling market of Chandni Chowk, offering a variety of goods.

Rickshaw Ride in Old Delhi and Jama Masjid: Enjoy a rickshaw tour through Chandni Chowk and visit Jama Masjid, one of India’s largest mosques, built from 1644 to 1658 with impressive gateways, towers, and minarets.

Raj Ghat: Visit the simple black marble platform marking Mahatma Gandhi’s cremation site, set in a park with trees planted by notable figures like Queen Elizabeth II and President Eisenhower.

MEMORABLE MOMENT: VISIT TO BANGLA SAHIB GURUDWARA

The Gurdwara includes a temple, kitchen, holy pond, school, and art gallery. Practicing 'langar' (free kitchen), it serves 10,000 meals daily. At Bangla Sahib Gurdwara in central Delhi, everyone is welcome to a meal. Fascinated by the busy 'langar', which serves 180 people every 15 minutes, visitors see people of all castes, religions, and ages sitting on mats. Volunteers distribute chapatti, spiced basmati rice, dal, a spicy potato dish, and turmeric-based sauce with onion pakora. The community includes those relying on the food, socializing, or helping serve.

Next, head off on a sightseeing tour of New Delhi.

Visit Humayun’s Tomb, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the earliest example of Mughal architecture in India, recently renovated with restored gardens and fountains. Architecturally inspired by Samarkand, it influenced the design of the Taj Mahal.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant near India Gate (at your own expense).

Then, visit the Qutub Minar complex, home to India's first mosque, Quwwat-ul-Islam, built from the stones of demolished temples, signifying the political victory of Islam in northern India. The Qutub Minar, started in 1199 by Qutub-ud-din Aibak, features elegant balconies and carvings.

Finally, drive past India Gate, the Presidential Palace, and Parliament House, admiring the colonial architecture by Edwin Lutyens.

ACCOMMODATION: Leela Ambience, Shahadra or Hotel Vivanta by Taj, Delhi or similar 

Meals included: Breakfast.

After breakfast, drive to Agra and check in to your hotel; once checked in, you'll visit the Taj Mahal (UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the 7 New Wonders of the World). 

Described by Rudyard Kipling as 'the embodiment of all things pure', the Taj was built by Shah Jahan in 1632 as a testament to lost love for his third wife Mumtaz Mahal, who died in childbirth. Heading inside the mausoleum you can walk around the tombs of both Jahan and Mumtaz, whilst exploring the complex you'll discover the perfect symmetry of the building and perhaps snap a photograph on the 'Diana seat'.

Accommodation: Tajview, Agra or similar.

Meals included: Breakfast.

Post breakfast, check out and visit Agra Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of India’s finest Mughal forts. Built in 1565, it was home to four generations of Mughal emperors until 1638. The fort features a maze of buildings, including the Jahangir Palace, Khas Mahal, Diwan-i-Khas, and two beautiful mosques. Many structures have been destroyed over time, but it remains a city within a city.

You'll then make your way to Fatehpur Sikri, a UNESCO Heritage site.

Emperor Akbar built Fatehpur Sikri in 1569 to honor Saint Sheikh Salim Chishti, who prophesized Akbar's heirs. The city served as Akbar's capital for 14 years before being abandoned due to water scarcity. Visit the well-preserved "Ghost City" with its Jama Masjid, Salim Chishti’s tomb, Panch Mahal, and other grand palaces.

Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and then transfer to Bharatpur Railway station to board your train to Ranthambore (Sawai Madhopur Station).

Train journeys in India are a truly memorable experience and offer wonderful insights into local life. Strike up a conversation with a local and you may even end up making some friends!

There will be meet and greet and assistance on arrival at the Railway station and then transfer to your resort

Accommodation: The Tigress, Ranthambore or similar

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Today you get the chance to go for early-morning and afternoon private game drives.

Dawn is ideal for spotting the elusive Bengal Tiger in Ranthambore National Park, home to leopards, wild boars, and various deer species. Game drives offer a chance to see tigers in their natural habitat, part of India’s Project Tiger conservation effort.

After the safari, return to the hotel for breakfast and relaxation by the pool; later, enjoy a second game drive. The park also features historical attractions, including the 10th-century Ranthambore Fort.

Accommodation: The Tigress, Ranthambore or similar

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner.

After breakfast you'll drive to Jaipur and check in at your hotel, with free time for lunch (at own expense).

Post lunch take part in a 'Block Printing and Textiles of Jaipur' demonstration.

Hand Block Printing is one of the most famous traditional arts of Rajasthan. See how the prints are hand made with small wooden blocks using different coloured dyes extracted from nature.

During this demonstration develop a fuller appreciation and outlook into a world filled with colour and seeped in tradition and old-world techniques. 

Later on visit the local market (Javeri bazaar) to see or buy some local handicrafts.

Accommodation: Hyatt Regency Jaipur or similar.

Meals included: Breakfast.

PAID OPTIONAL ACTIVITY: INDIAN COOKING DEMONSTRATION AND CULTURAL EVENING WITH LOCAL FAMILY

Immerse yourself in an unforgettable evening of Indian culture and cuisine. The men will participate in the traditional turban tying ceremony, while the women will receive a ceremonial scarf, symbolizing compassion.

Then, enjoy a hands-on Indian cooking demonstration, where you’ll discover the secrets of making the perfect curry, authentic Indian bread, and a mouthwatering local dessert. Learn about the ingredients and techniques that make Indian food so flavourful and unique. Finally, sit down with your hosts to savour the delicious meal you’ve helped prepare, creating not just food but shared memories in a warm, family setting.

After breakfast, visit the UNESCO-listed Amber Fort, ascending by Jeep. The rugged exterior conceals a beautiful interior with painted miniatures, precious stones, and mirrors embedded in plaster.

Stop briefly for photos at Hawa Mahal, the Palace of Winds.

Continue to the Maharaja’s City Palace, a former royal residence now partially a museum. Built by Sawai Jai Singh II, it includes Chandra Mahal and Mubarak Mahal.

After lunch (at your expense), visit Jantar Mantar, a UNESCO site with medieval geometric devices for tracking constellations, observing orbits, and measuring time. It's one of the largest astronomical observatories in the world.

Later drive back to hotel.

Accommodation: Hyatt Regency Jaipur or similar

Meals included: Breakfast.

COMPLIMENTARY OPTIONAL ACTIVITY: AARTI CEREMONY AT BIRLA TEMPLE IN JAIPUR (TIME PERMITTING)

In the evening, experience local culture as you witness the Aarti Ceremony at Birla Temple in Jaipur.

Dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi, the Birla Mandir is a fabulous architectural landmark of Jaipur. The temple offers the chance to see the enchanting Aarti (religious ceremony) from close quarters. The Aarti is performed by a holy man. The temple was originally known as Lakshmi Narayan Temple. It is situated below the Moti Dungri Fort in Jaipur. Made of pure white marble, the architecture is slightly different from those of the traditional ancient Hindu temples, as it was built with a modern approach.

The ceremony is a fundamental part of Hindu culture; representing the elements of fire, earth, water and air as well as the senses. The priest has a tray with a small bell, lamp (diya) and offerings of food, water, flowers and incense. The lamp is passed around the deity, accompanied by singing and the ceremony ends with everyone sharing the food, which has been offered to the Gods.

PAID OPTIONAL ACTIVITY: SHARED LEOPARD SAFARI

Start your day with an exciting drive to the Leopard Sanctuary, where you'll embark on a shared Jeep Safari in search of the elusive leopards. The sanctuary is home to over 40 leopards and 5 cubs! But that’s not all—you’ll also have the chance to spot a variety of other fascinating wildlife, including striped hyenas, Indian civets, desert cats, jungle cats, desert foxes, jackals, porcupines, jungle rats, monitor lizards, and mongooses.

In addition, the sanctuary is home to majestic herbivores like Sambar deer, spotted deer (chital), and the impressive Blue Bull (Nilgai), as well as a diverse array of snakes. Located in the heart of the leopard reserve, the sanctuary also features an animal-spotting platform, where you can enjoy breathtaking views of the wildlife and even catch the sunrise as it illuminates the natural beauty of the area.

(ADVANCE BOOKING OF AT LEAST 5 DAYS IS REQUIRED).

Accomodation: Hyatt Regency Delhi or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight home. 

Meals included: Breakfast