Highlights of India

(13 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Delhi, Varanasi, Agra, Jaipur, Udaipur, Mumbai

This tour is an overview of India’s diverse regions and local cultures.

Begin in Delhi, the bustling capital of India. During private touring, experience highlights such as the UNESCO-listed Humayun’s Tomb and Qutb Minar, the Red Fort, Lodi Gardens, and a rickshaw ride through the colorful bazaars of Old Delhi, as well as upscale shopping districts.

Next, visit Varanasi (Benares), one of the oldest cities in the world and, as the spiritual center of the Hindu world, a major Indian pilgrimage site. Watch as believers congregate on the ghats (stone steps) along the banks of the holy Ganges River to perform ritual ablutions. Visit local villages and explore Varanasi’s old town, with its ancient universities and renowned silk shops. Also take an excursion to Sarnath, believed to be the site of the Buddha’s first sermon. If desired, visit master silk weavers and enjoy a private recital in the home of a local musician.

Continue to Agra for a spellbinding visit to the Taj Mahal, the world’s greatest monument to love. Also explore Agra Fort and local markets. Stay in the lavish Oberoi Amarvilas in a room with an uninterrupted view of the Taj.

Next, transfer to Jaipur, Rajasthan’s great “Pink City,” visiting the centuries-old ruins at Fatehpur Sikri en route. See the rich architectural legacy of Jaipur’s merchants and maharajas—hill forts, palaces, the observatory, gardens, temples and havelis (courtyard mansions)—surrounded by stark desert. Marvel at the luminous saris of indigenous tribal women and the bright turbans of Rajasthani men. Explore medieval backstreets and browse bazaars selling textiles, leatherwork, woodblock prints, perfume, jewelry and Jaipur’s traditional blue pottery.

Spend three nights in Udaipur, India's most romantic city, at the beautiful Oberoi Udaivilas. Cruise Lake Pichola and walk through picturesque backstreets, shop for local folk art, tour the City Palace, Jagdish Temple, the Saheliyon Ki Bari Garden, and browse the local bazaars. On a day excursion outside the city, perhaps tour the spectacular Jain temples of Ranakpur, where relief carvings cover every surface, including over 1,400 pillars.

The tour concludes with two nights in exciting Mumbai (Bombay), India’s economic capital and the home of the Bollywood film industry. Tour the city’s cultural attractions, bazaars and most interesting neighborhoods, and take a private boat ride to the Elephanta Island Caves—inside are extensive Hindu stone sculptures linked to the cult of Shiva. 

Booking Information >

All Artisans of Leisure tours are private and depart daily.

Please Contact Us for more information regarding the above tour, or to begin customizing your own itinerary.

The Artisans of Leisure Style of Travel:

• Private touring with your own personal guides and drivers
• Preferred rooms in the very best luxury hotels
• Firsthand, sophisticated destination knowledge and recommendations from our travel specialists
• Itineraries that are customized according to your interests and schedule
• Artisans of Leisure upgrades and amenities
• A seamless travel experience, including all logistics, skipping lines during touring whenever possible, restaurant and spa reservations, performance tickets, private airport transfers, internal transportation, VIP and fast-track airport assistance in many destinations
• Around-the-clock support in each destination during your trip
• Unique, insider travel experiences and access to the Artisans of Leisure network of experts around the world