Journey Through India

(21 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Delhi, Varanasi, Agra, Ranthambore safari, Jaipur, Udaipur, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad

Explore the highlights of northern and southern India on this extraordinary private luxury tour. Great for first-time travelers to India who want to see a broad range of the best the entire country has to offer, this itinerary features spectacular cultural sites, breathtaking landscapes, dynamic cities, one of India’s most interesting game reserves and impossibly luxurious hotels.

Begin in Delhi, the vibrant capital of India. During private touring with your expert local guide, experience the best of Old and New Delhi: ride a rickshaw through bustling markets and bazaars overflowing with spices, bangles and saris; browse fashionable districts filled with galleries and boutiques selling beautiful Indian crafts and decorative items; tour historic attractions and UNESCO sites such as the Red Fort, Humayun’s Tomb, Qutb Minar and Jama Masjid; and visit the Gandhi Memorial Museum, Crafts Museum or other specialty museums. Other options include culinary touring, personalized shopping tours, visiting the Lodhi Gardens and more.

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. Enjoy a private boat ride on the Ganges River to see daily rituals along the ghats (stone steps), and watch a fascinating aarti religious ceremony involving fire, incense and chanting along the river. Also visit renowned silk shops in Varanasi’s old town, and take an excursion to Sarnath, where the faithful believe the Buddha gave his first sermon. Upon request, Artisans of Leisure can also arrange visits to master silk weavers.

Continue to Agra to visit the spellbinding Taj Mahal, the world’s greatest monument to love. During a private tour, learn about the history of the ornate marble mausoleum, and admire the incredible craftsmanship of inlaid stone decorations and carved marble screens. Also visit local marble studios, markets and Agra Fort. Stay at the beautiful Oberoi Amarvilas in a room with an open view of the Taj, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Next, visit Ranthambore National Park, a wildlife reserve famous for Bengal tigers. During private game drives among the open grasslands, forested hills and rugged canyons of the park, look for tigers, leopards, langurs and other resident animals, and see the UNESCO-listed ruins of Ranthambore Fort, a former royal hunting lodge in the hills. There will also be time to visit local villages or enjoy cultural activities at the resort.

Continue to Jaipur, the famed Pink City of Rajasthan. During private touring see the highlights of the vast City Palace, admire the beautiful carved sandstone facade of the Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Wind), and walk around the sculpture-like structures of the Jantar Mantar astronomical observatory, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. One day, visit Amber Fort, an impressive hilltop fortress and UNESCO site, and see its spectacular Sheesh Mahal, a room covered in dazzling mirror mosaics. Jaipur is also known for bazaars, shops and decorative arts, and there will be time to experience the top boutiques, woodblock print studios, jewelry stores, markets and museums. If desired, also experience the city’s beautiful cafes and other architectural highlights. Upon request, Artisans of Leisure can also arrange visits to local philanthropic projects. One evening, enjoy a fascinating aarti religious ceremony at a white marble Hindu temple.

Continue to Udaipur, a beautiful city built around lakes and hills. During private touring, enjoy a private cruise on Lake Pichola, tour the City Palace and Jagdish Temple, visit Saheliyon Ki Bari Garden, see decorative arts highlights, walk through whitewashed backstreets, browse local bazaars, and visit local studios specializing in miniature paintings and folk art. One day, Artisans of Leisure will arrange an insider culinary experience at the home of a prestigious local family. During leisure time, enjoy the luxurious facilities at the lavish Udaivilas resort.

Fly to exciting Mumbai (Bombay), the economic capital of India and the home of the Bollywood film industry. During private touring, explore the lively food and art scene, walk along the waterfront, visit the most interesting neighborhoods to browse boutiques or stop in cafes, visit Crawford Market, tour top cultural attractions such as Prince of Wales Museum and UNESCO-listed Victorian architecture, walk through bazaars dedicated to flowers and jewelry, tour contemporary art galleries or see Dhobi Ghat, a famous open-air laundry. Upon request, we can also arrange Jewish touring or in-depth culinary touring in Mumbai. One day, take a private boat ride to Elephant Island and the Elephanta Caves, a UNESCO-listed site of rock-cut Hindu cave temples. Artisans of Leisure can also make reservations at Mumbai’s top restaurants or tickets for Bollywood shows.

Next, visit Chennai (Madras), the seaside capital of Tamil Nadu. During a private excursion, visit two of the most important and impressive temple complexes in southern India: Kanchipuram, a major Hindu pilgrimage site with more than 100 active temples, and Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram), a UNESCO World Heritage Site of amazing rock-cut sculptures and temples created in the seventh and eighth centuries. Upon request, this tour can be extended to also include a full-day excursion (or overnight) by air to Madurai to see additional temples and palaces of note (supplement applies).

Conclude in bustling Hyderabad, and stay at the Taj Falaknuma Palace, an opulent palace-style hotel built in the19th century as a residence for the ruling family. During private touring, see the impressive Indo-Persian landmarks of the Qutab Shahi dynasty, such as the Charminar monument, Mecca Masjid mosque, Golconda Fort and royal tombs. Also visit the fascinating old city, walk through Laad Bazaar, and see other highlights such as the Chowmahalla Palace and Salar Jung Museum.

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