Taj, Tigers, and Royalty

Welcome to India! Upon arrival, a private transfer will be provided to the hotel.

Delhi is a bustling metropolis that incorporates the ancient with the modern. Amidst the skyscrapers, the monuments stand as a silent reminder to India’s legacy. Driving from the airport, you will be impressed with Delhi’s spacious, tree-lined streets and garden parks. Evening at leisure and overnight.

Hotel: Oberoi New Delhi

Morning at leisure. In the afternoon, visit Mehrauli and the Qutub Minar complex. Originally an ancient Islamic monument, the Qutub Minar is the tallest tower in India. Built of red sandstone and marble, the minar is not without controversy. Some believe it was built as a tower of victory to signify Muslim rule in the country, while skeptics claim it was erected to call the devoted to prayer. The complex also houses the first mosque to be built in India and an iron pillar that mysteriously has a high resistance to corrosion, even after being exposed to the natural elements for centuries.

Your evening is reserved for a private dinner and cooking demo with a local family. Start with a visit to the market to procure the fresh produce and necessary spices. Then, join your hosts and learn about the culinary traditions of several regional specialties. It is a time to share food, stories, and joy!

Overnight in Delhi.

After breakfast, enjoy a rickshaw experience in Chandni Chowk. Join a friend of Sodha Travel and witness the architectural marvels, the multicolored facades, beautifully decorated shops, ethnically dressed locals, and the fragrances emanating from the potpourri of eateries that line the historical alleys.

Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan (1592-1666) built the walled city of Delhi on the banks of holy River Yamuna. It had a magnificent palace known as Red Fort, impressive mansions, enchanting bazaars, elegant shrines, royal gardens and fountains at every corner to romance ones' senses. The Emperor’s beloved daughter designed a major street called Chandni Chowk in front of Red Fort, with a canal running down the center and pools at major intersections reflecting the moonlight. During the British regime, the street underwent major changes and since then the area has witnessed some of the most important events in Indian history. Today these splendid ruins and tales of valor are a testimony of the evolution of the times. Chandni Chowk truly reflects the national unity, secularism and diversity of India.

In the afternoon, visit the Sikh Temple (Gurudwara Bangla Sahib). In addition to the ideals of equality, the tradition of langar expresses the ethics of sharing, inclusiveness, and oneness. It is one of the largest attended community kitchens in the world, all facilitated by volunteers called Sewadars. This practice of selfless service goes beyond the bound of religion and serves to nourish the soul, creating a sense of unity and oneness.

You will then drive past past the India Gate, Parliament House, the Secretariat Buildings, and the Vice Regal Palace, now the official residence of the President of India.

Evening at leisure and overnight.

In the morning, transfer to the rail station and board your express train to Agra. Departs 8:10 / Arrives 9:40. Upon arrival, meet your guide and visit the Agra Fort. Its walls and palaces are a silent witness to the rise and fall of the Imperial Mughal Empire and feature a variety of ingenious Islamic inspired devices (some decorative, some more practical) within the fabric of the buildings. It is a citadel with marble palaces, ornate alcoves, and terrace pavilions.

After time at leisure for lunch and rest, visit Sheroes Hangout. Sheroes is run and managed by survivors of acid attacks, a gender-related violence in India. The entrepreneurial project started to help the survivors become financially independent through education, training, and employment. The women can then support their families and  use their collective voice to advocate for societal change.

In the evening, visit Mehtab Bagh. The grounds of the park are surrounded by lush gardens and offer stunning views of the Taj Mahal and the Yamuna River. The complex features a riverfront terrace, fountains, pools, walkways and pavilions. It is a perfect spot to watch the sunset over the Taj Mahal.

Overnight in Agra.

Hotel: ITC Mughal 

Rise and shine for your sunrise visit to the majestic Taj Mahal. Built in the 17th century by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj took over 22 years and 20,000 men to build. The monument is truly a wonder of the world.

Return to your hotel for breakfast and then drive to Ranthambore National Park (5.5 hours). Ranthambore is one of the most filmed wildlife reserves in the world. Once the hunting ground of Rajput royalty, the park was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1955 and became a part of Project Tiger in 1973. As Ranthambore is relatively small, you have a higher probability of spotting leopards, Bengal tigers, and jungle cats.

Evening at leisure and overnight in a luxury tented camp.

Hotel: Khem Vilas

Your day is reserved for a morning (6 am) and afternoon (3 pm) private game drive with a naturalist. Each game drive is approximately three hours.

As part of Project Tiger, Ranthambore’s prized resident is the Bengal tiger. The densely forested area dotted with lakes and watering holes is ideal for big cats. Other residents include leopards, sloth bears, chital (spotted deer), marsh crocodile, palm civet, jackal, desert fox, serpent eagle, and waterfowl. The park is home to 40 species of mammals, 35 species of reptiles, and 320 species of birds. The park also features India's largest banyan trees.

Evening at leisure and overnight.

After breakfast, make your way to Jaipur (4 hours). 

Jaipur, Rajasthan’s capital, is a fusion of history and mystery; a quintessential and dazzling representation of India in all her glory. Founded by the great astronomer and warrior Maharaja Jai Singh II, Jaipur was India’s first planned city. It is fondly called the “Pink City” as the rose-hued buildings and avenues were once painted to welcome foreign guests. Historically a center of trade and commerce, Jaipur proudly maintains its reputation as one of the best shopping destinations in India.

In the evening, spend quality time with the elephants at a no-ride sanctuary that provides a critical foundation for breaking the cycle of elephant tourism. Guests can spend time feeding, bathing, and interacting with the rescued and rehabilitated elephants. The founder, Rahul, also supports the welfare and education of the caretakers and their families through the human-elephant interaction program.

Return to your hotel and overnight.

Hotel: Oberoi Rajvilas

Today is a full day of exploring Jaipur! Start with a visit to the Amber Fort. Perfectly picturesque, the 16th century hillside residence boasts grand pavilions and embossed silver doors that open to flourishing gardens and courtyards. Although Amber’s main construction started in 1592 by Maharaja Man Singh, successive rulers added to the fortress during their respective reigns.

Note: Guests may ascend the fort by elephant or jeep. We recommend reserving the jeep, as the elephants are often abused and overworked.

En-route, you will pass the Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds). Constructed in red and pink sandstone, the 5-story Hawa Mahal is an iconic image of Jaipur. The original lattice design served two purposes: allow cool air to pass through the 953 windows, and allow female royalty to observe festivals and daily life without being seen by the public.

After lunch, visit the City Palace, built in the late 1720’s by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. Located in the center of Old Jaipur, the palace is an amalgamation of three different styles - Rajput, Mughal, and European. The entire complex is structured in ‘Grid Style’ with four gates to enter and exit. The museum features antiques and belongings of the royal family and the royal residential area is accessible to the general public for an additional fee. Inside are smaller palaces, lush green gardens, courtyards, and open terraces.

Conclude your day with a visit to Jantar Mantar. The solar observatory built in the 18th century includes 20+ main fixed instruments. Designed for the observation of astronomical positions with the naked eye, they embody several architectural and instrumental innovations. Jantar Mantar is the most significant, most comprehensive, and the best preserved of India's historic observatories. It is an expression of the astronomical skills and cosmological concepts of the court of a scholarly prince at the end of the Mughal period.

Evening at leisure and overnight.

Morning at leisure or join our guide for shopping!

In the early afternoon, drive to Bishangarh (2 hours). As one of the only warrior forts converted to a heritage resort, Alila Fort is a 230-year-old historic landmark with an architectural fusion influenced by both the Mughals and the British. Meet local artisans, explore the countryside by horseback, or sit poolside while admiring the panoramic rural landscapes.

Overnight.

Hotel: Alila Fort

Morning at leisure.

In the afternoon, drive to Delhi (5 hours) and enjoy a farewell dinner. You will then have a private transfer to the airport for your onward flight.

Bon Voyage!