Grand India

Welcome to Delhi, a city with the perfect blend of history and colourful modern life. On arrival at Indira Gandhi International Airport, you will be greeted with a traditional floral garland and transferred to your hotel. At 19:00, join your Travelling Concierge and fellow travellers for your Welcome Dinner at the critically acclaimed The Spice Route restaurant.

In the morning you’ll be taken to Old Delhi, driving past the Red Fort, the main residence of the Mughal dynasty until 1856. View this magnificent building from outside, before heading on a guided tour of Jama Masjid, one of the largest mosques in India. Your Journey, Your Way. Choose to join a well-known chef for a foodie walk in Old Delhi and witness the creation of the famous local street food snacks. Alternatively, visit the 12th century Qutub Minar, and see the tallest brick minaret in the world before enjoying lunch. Later, explore the winding streets of lively Chandni Chowk in local fashion via an exhilarating rickshaw ride. Visit a Sikh temple and its community kitchen preparing and serving free vegetarian meals to those in need. In New Delhi see the impressive President Palace, the monumental India gate and the circular and colonnaded Parliament House.

In the morning journey to Agra, and visit its historical fort complex. Resembling a walled city, it is one of the finest Munghal forts in India. It is made up of a number of impressive buildings, including the Sheesh Mahal or “glass palace” and the The Muthamman Burj. Later, check into your hotel, the beautiful Mughal, with its elegantly landscaped gardens and contemporary décor. Your Journey, Your Way. Choose to go on the eye opening Mughal heritage walk, where you will meet the locals to learn about their lives in the shadow of the Taj Mahal. Through this initiative the community is supported from tourism to improve their living conditions. Alternatively, visit a private colonial bungalow for high tea, meet the host family and listen to their stories about the British Raj and today's Indian culture and society.

At sunrise, visit the illustrious phenomenon that is the Taj Mahal, a monument of love and flawless architectural creation, built by an emperor in memory of his beloved queen. After breakfast, you’ll begin your journey to Jaipur, more affectionately known as the “Pink City”, after the whole city was painted pink in 1876 for a visit from Queen Victoria. Along the way, lunch will be served in Bharatpur. You’ll continue your journey to Jaipur, where you will stay at the grand Hotel Fairmont. Dinner will be served at the hotel.

Ascend by jeep to hilltop Amber Fort and experience India’s spiritual majesty with a special blessing ceremony. Explore its royal halls decorated with ivory, mirrors, glass and exquisite paintings. Continue on a city tour of Jaipur and see the Hawa Mahal, or the Palace of the Winds, boasting a lace-like facade with its 953 windows, and visit Jantar Mantar, the royal observatory. Continue to the City Palace, where you’re in for a treat with a VIP experience of Indian inspired high tea, exclusive to Luxury Gold guests. Go behind the scenes and walk in the private rooms of the Maharajas of Jaipur before sitting down and indulging in some warm tea and traditional Indian snacks and sweets. Your Journey, Your Way. Choose to visit the colourful cavalcade of the fresh flower and spice market. Alternatively, visit the white marble Birla Mandir, a Hindu temple and witness aarti, a traditional prayer ceremony.

Journey to the city of Khimsar to have lunch before exploring the city. Enjoy time at leisure, or join a guided walk in Khimsar village.

This afternoon travel through the Great Thar Desert to the trade route town of Jaisalmer, crowned by its hilltop fortress.

Embark on a city exploration of Jaisalmer, visiting Gadisar Lake and the Fort, built in 1156, that is still in use today. Pass by the local market where you can witness desert life at its best. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure. No visit to Jaisalmer is complete without a trip to the rippling sand dunes. Savour a dinner accompanied by the gentle melodies of a local musician and worthy company, as you watch the sunset together.

Follow the ancient silk routes to the Blue City of Jodhpur, appropriately named after the blue walls of its buildings. On your way to Jodhpur stop for lunch at the luxurious Manvar Desert Resort. On arrival, head to your luxury hotel, the WelcomHotel Jodphur, set against the vast Thar Desert, where you can unwind by the pool or in its wellness centre before your evening activities begin. Visit Jodhpur market and enjoy a tuk-tuk ride through its bright and dynamic streets before sitting down to dinner back at your hotel.

Head to a local village by jeep to meet its residents and enjoy lunch there. Later, visit Jodphur city and take in the mighty Mehrangargh Fort. Burnished red sand stone, imposing, invincible and yet with a strange haunting beauty that beckons. Much has been written about the Citadel of the Sun, for truly, it is one of the most impressive in all of Rajasthan. This evening, dine at the niche Khaas Bagh restaurant, where vintage class and imperial flamboyance meet.

Travel to Ranakpur, the temple town of Rajasthan. Explore the elaborate carvings and classic architecture of the sprawling Jain temples, which are regarded as perhaps the best in the country. At lunch, you will dine at a boutique lodge in the Ranakpur wilderness. Continue through the undulating countryside to Udaipur, the beautiful City of Lakes, where you’ll stay at the esteemed Leela Palace. This five-star accommodation is situated on Lake Pichola and welcomes its guests with traditional music and a shower of rose petals.

On your city tour explore the City Palace complex, a wonderful blend of European and Chinese architecture. Visit the ornate Jagdish Temple, and continue to Garden of the Maids of Honour. This afternoon, perhaps take time out to unwind and find balance at your hotel’s renowned wellness spa, which offers ancient treatments such as reflexology, Indian head massages and hot-stone massages. Your Journey, Your Way. Choose to cruise the serene waters of Lake Pichola and relax as you take in the city views from the water. Alternatively, explore the colourful bazaar in the old city. Tonight, enjoy a special Highlight Dinner at your hotel overlooking the beautiful outer courtyard and lake.

In the morning, board your flight to Mumbai and onto Kochi. On arrival, transfer to your sophisticated hotel which offers panoramic backwater views or city views. This port city is a collection of tiny islands and peninsulas along the Arabian Sea. Kochi's culture and architecture has been shaped and nurtured for centuries by foreign powers such as the Dutch, British, Chinese and Portuguese.

Sightseeing of Kochi shows you the oldest Jewish synagogue in the commonwealth. Next, witness the renowned mythological murals of Mattancherry Palace, built in 1557 by the Portuguese. Stop by India’s oldest European-built Church of St. Francis to see the tombstone of Vasco de Gama, interred here before his remains were returned back to Lisbon. Meet a local cookery instructor as she demonstrates traditional Kerala home recipes. Then feast on some of the delicious treats during our included lunch. In the evening, you will attend a performance of traditional Kathakali dance.

Journey to Alleppey jetty for a full day cruising the tranquil backwaters. Enjoy lunch on-board as you drift past picturesque villages, lush green paddy fields and a coconut plantation. Enjoy enchanting Kumarakom and its tropical paradise of beautiful little islands on the Vembanad Lake. Disembark at Kumarakom Lake Resort and check in to your luxury hotel for an evening at leisure.

For those who want to rise early in the morning, there is an included bird-watching tour at Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary. Set within lush acres of woodland, become acquainted with the vast variety of migratory birds that flock to the Himalayas. Return to the hotel for breakfast. Guided by boat, explore the narrow canals of Vaikom village, one of the oldest townships in Kerala and with many spots untouched by modernity. Gain insight into the life at the village as you try your skills at weaving from wild pineapple leaves or coconut husks, before sharing lunch at a local’s home. This afternoon, why not treat yourself to an Ayurveda treatment at the hotel?

Your Journey, Your Way. Choose to harmonise your mind and body by taking part in a yoga class. Alternatively, indulge in a rejuvenating massage. In the evening, savour a delicious seafood dinner.

Journey to Kochi for your flight to the vibrant city of Mumbai. Transfer to your hotel for time at leisure. Perhaps relax and enjoy the comforts of your deluxe hotel. Originally a collection of seven islands, the modern city of Mumbai came into being during the mid-eighteenth century by reclaiming land from the sea. As well as being the financial capital of India, Mumbai is also home to Bollywood, one of the largest centres of film production in the world.

A day spent with the cool superheroes of the city; you get to live the life of a ‘Dabbawalla’ in Mumbai. Kick-starting the morning with an immersive talk, you get to know the intricate details of the magnificent tiffin service which has been in existence for nearly 130 years! After the talk, we head straight to the Headquarters of the association, located in Dadar, where you get an opportunity to sort each ‘Dabba’ or ‘Tiffin’ yourself. Once the sorting process is over, you’ll also brave the local trains, and not just that, you also get to interact with the tiffin men en route! In the afternoon, enjoy the view of the city skyline on your cruise to Elephanta Island, the glorious abode of Lord Shiva. Visit the complex of ancient cave temples listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The massive entrance hall, supported by large pillars, houses the Mahesamurti, an enormous three-faced statue of Shiva. In the evening, raise a glass to your adventures, with your newfound friends during a delightful Celebration Dinner.

Your luxurious journey comes to an end with transfers to Mumbai Airport for your onward flights.