Private guided tour of Delhi with a sampling food tour in Delhi.  After breakfast, your guide will collect the group from the lobby of your hotel for a fascinating historical and cultural tour. Start by taking a step back in time as you enter the backstreets of the old town, where you can enjoy a fascinating walk through the alleyways of Shahjahanabad, with its old crumbling havelis and street food stalls, from the famous Jama Masjid mosque, and on to the vibrant spice market, considered to be the largest in Asia. After a break for lunch (not included and payable locally), continue to discover Humayun’s Tomb, architecturally considered the forerunner of the Taj Mahal, and then continue to your hotel with the rest of the day at leisure.

Hotel: Taj Palace New Delhi

1 Double, Superior Room 

Meal included: Breakfast

You will be collected from your hotel and transferred by private vehicle from Delhi to Agra. With the opening of the new highway between Delhi and Agra, the transfer time has been reduced to about four hours, although this is traffic dependent.

Agra 

Agra is the city that possesses the most photographed building in Asia, the sublime Taj Mahal. This most famous Mughal monument was constructed by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died in child birth. For twenty two years 20,000 men laboured day and night to build this masterpiece, described as the most extravagant monument ever built for love. The Taj Mahal is widely recognized as "the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage". Also in Agra you'll find the Red Fort, the Tomb of Itimad ud Daulah, often called the 'Baby Taj' and the Moghul gardens of Ram Bagh.

Agra Fort & Mughal Heritage Walk

Early lunch (pay directly for lunch) at Sheroes Cafe followed by an afternoon Mughal Heritage Walk & Agra Fort. Support the women of Sheroes Hangout Café, who have been victims of acid attacks and are fighting to stop acid attacks in India. The café is empowering the women to build up their confidence and skillset so they can improve their livelihoods and feel a sense of belonging again. Discover the women’s brave stories as you sit down for a meal or simply read a book. Only vegetarian food is served at the café 

This afternoon with your guide visit the magnificent Agra Fort followed by a Mughal heritage walk. The fort was built by the Mughal emperor Akbar, and this fortified citadel which overlooks the banks of the Yamuna River, served as the headquarters of the Mughal Empire when Agra was its capital. Take your time to enjoy a guided tour of the vast red sandstone fort and its grounds, encompassing the Jahangir Palace and the Khas Mahal, before taking a 90-minute Mughal heritage walk through the farming community of Kachhpura, led by a USAID-trained specialist guide. Highlights during the walk include the Humayun Mosque with its intriguing sandstone graves and the Gyarah Sidi (Eleven Steps), that is carved out of a single block of stone. The walk ends with some refreshments on the rooftop of a local home where you can enjoy watching the sunset and catch a glimpse of the beautiful Taj Mahal across the river in the far distance. USAID is an NGO striving to create sustainable livelihoods for women and lower-class youth in Agra, and this walk through Kachhpura village will give you a unique insight into this local community and culture.

Hotel: Trident Agra

1 Double, Deluxe Garden View Room 

Meal included: Breakfast

Early this morning you will be collected from your hotel and taken by your guide to the iconic Taj Mahal for sunrise. This is an extraordinary time of day to visit, as the soft sunlight hits the exquisite marble relief work and semi-precious stones, resulting in a stunning blend of light and colour. The Taj Mahal is considered one of the greatest achievements of Indo-Islamic architecture, and no matter how many times you have seen images of this spectacular edifice nothing can prepare you for its sheer magnificence. (During winter months please be prepared for some morning fog, in which case your tour will be amended as needed).

Agra - Fatehpur Sikri - Ranthambore National Park

Agra - Fatehpur Sikri - Ranthambore National Park. After breakfast checkout and the group will be collected from your hotel in Agra and driven to Ranthambore, a journey of approximately 6.5 hours (including stops), depending on traffic and road conditions. On the way, visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Fatehpur. Fatehpur Sikri is a truly amazing site - a simply enormous palace complex built by Emperor Akbar the Great, only to be deserted 10 years after it was finished.

Ranthambore 

Ranthambore National Park is one of the biggest and most renowned national parks in Northern India. The park is located in the Sawai Madhopur district of south-eastern Rajasthan, which is about 130 km from Jaipur. Originally one of the famous hunting grounds of the Maharajas of Jaipur, today Ranthambore National Park is a major wildlife tourist attraction. The park is spread over 1,334 sq km and it's primarily famous for the endangered Bengal Tiger and is one of the best locations in India to see these majestic predators in their natural habitat. Additionally there is a wealth of other flora and fauna to be seen such as deer, sloth bears, jackals, leopards and a plethora of birdlife.

Hotel: Narhargarh

1 Double, Deluxe 

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Today you will explore the wilderness of Ranthambore National Park in search of the Bengal Tiger. You will be taken on a morning and afternoon game drive, in a private jeep, accompanied by a naturalist. Ranthambore National Park is centred around the 10th century Ranthambore Fort, one of India’s most picturesque parks. With a variety of diverse habitat that includes, scrub forests, meadows, small hillocks and lakes, offering some of the most spectacular scenery in North India. The park is home to the elusive tiger, as well as many other species of wild animals including sloth bears, chital deer, wild boar, caracal, monkeys, leopards, crocodiles, jackals, jungle cats, Indian Fox, and numerous species of birds, providing fantastic wildlife viewing experiences. A typical day in the park begins at sunrise and lasts until late morning, providing time for wildlife spotting before returning to the lodge for lunch, usually around noon. Following lunch, there is time to rest for a few hours during the hottest time of the day. Later in the afternoon, return to the park for a second private game drive of the day. The afternoon safari provides a different perspective and the wildlife viewing lasts until sunset, a wonderful time to spot numerous species. At dusk, leave the park and return to your lodge, where you enjoy time by the bonfire with the in-house naturalists and other guests. *Note: Safari zones are strictly allocated on a random, daily basis by the government park authorities and cannot be pre-booked. Depending on the location of the hotel and allocated safari zone, your transfer time to park can be anywhere around half an hour to 1.5 hours, so please be flexible and respect park rules. Like spotting wildlife on a safari, the amount of time you will be able to spend in the park is simply down to luck.

Hotel: Narhargarh

1 Double, Deluxe 

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Today you will be transferred from your hotel in Ranthambore, through beautiful countryside, to the pink city of Jaipur. This journey usually takes 3.5 hours, depending on traffic. On arrival at Jaipur, you will be transferred to your hotel.

Jaipur 

The Pink City, founded by Maharaja Jai Singh II, is the capital of Rajasthan and is a major attraction for the first-time visitor. It's surrounded on all sides by rugged hills, crowned with forts and enclosed by medieval walls. Houses with latticed windows line the streets with their rose pink colour, lending enchantment to the scene, which is almost magical at sunset. The whole city was painted pink by Maharaja Man Singh II when the Prince of Wales, later Edward VII, visited Jaipur in 1876. Today, every home within the city is obliged by law to maintain its facade. The city offers an endless variety of crafts. jewellers still fashion beautiful enamel-on-gold pendants and Jaipur's lacquer bangles are famous all over the world. 

Car & Driver Available For The Day

Your car and driver with a local guide is available to take you around Jaipur this afternoon and evening for shopping. 

Hotel: Samode Haveli

1 Double, Deluxe 

Meal included: Breakfast

This morning have arranged a private yoga class for the group at Samode Haveli Jaipur.

Jaipur Day City Tour (Winds, Amber Jantar City Palace)

Jaipur Full Day City Tour (Winds, Amber Jantar City Palace). The day starts with a short drive into the old city and a stop at the Palace of Winds, the iconic building that represents most people’s image of this city. From here you’ll visit the imposing Amber Fort, the Rajput masterpiece perched on a hillside overlooking the city. This colossal fort was built by Raja Man Singh I in the 16th century and is known for its artistic style, blending both Hindu and Rajput elements with its large ramparts, series of gates, and cobbled paths. After exploring the fort and palace you’ll return to Jaipur and continue on to visit Jantar Mantar, the UNESCO-listed Royal Observatory at the fascinating and beautifully ornate City Palace Museum, built by the founder and namesake of the modern city Jai Singh II, after which you will be transferred to the hotel.

Hotel: Samode Haveli

1 Double, Deluxe 

Meal included: Breakfast

Rising with the sun this morning, you will be met by your trusted driver and her pink rickshaw at your hotel. 

Pink City Rickshaw Sunrise Tour

The Pink City Rickshaw Company is an amazing initiative aimed at providing innovative employment opportunities for women from low-income households in and around Jaipur. The goal of the company is to empower these local women, breaking the stereotype of a woman’s role in India, by providing them with the opportunity to develop a career in what would ordinarily be a very competitive and male-dominant industry, and drastically improving their livelihoods. And the added bonus is all the rickshaws are electric, taking a big and not inexpensive step to help fight India’s pollution problems. 

From here you will embark on a wonderful two-hour journey behind the scenes of every day Jaipur, making the most of the quieter hours as you are taken from flower markets to temples to tea stalls. This modest tour offers the perfect opportunity to respectfully observe daily life whilst also supporting a forward-thinking, eco-friendly form of tourism that also strives to empower women in the area. Please note the female drivers have very limited English language skills but will take very good care of you and allow you to play the part of the observer as well as immerse yourself in the daily routines of many Jaipur locals.

Jaipur Cooking Experience & Lunch

This is a true culinary highlight for anyone wanting to experience a hands-on cooking class with a passionate and highly skilled cook who will share her family recipes and host you in the setting of a stunning heritage home. Here you will learn about the traditions and flavours of Rajasthani cuisine, sampling and cooking a number of delicious dishes throughout the afternoon, ending with a sit-down lunch to enjoy your labour of love. 

After lunch this afternoon Heena & sari tying activity with tea coffee and snacks. For men in the group Rajasthani turban tying activity.

Final night dinner with live Rajasthani folk music at The Imperial Lancers restaurant at Narain Niwas Palace.

Hotel: Samode Haveli

1 Double, Deluxe 

Meal included: Lunch & Dinner

Our guide and driver will meet you at your hotel and transfer you to the airport for onward flights.