Journey Through India

(23 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Delhi, Varanasi, Agra, Ranthambore National Park, Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Mumbai, Bekal (Kerala), Chennai

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 game reserves and 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: tour historic attractions and UNESCO sites such as the Red Fort, Humayun’s Tomb, Qutb Minar and Jama Masjid; 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; and visit the Gandhi Memorial Museum, Crafts Museum or other specialty museums. Other options include culinary touring, personalized shopping tours, visiting the Lodhi Gardens, philanthropic activities and more.

Fly to 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.

Continue to Agra to visit the spellbinding Taj Mahal, the world’s greatest monument to love and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 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 Mahal.

Next, visit Fatehpur Sikri, a former capital of the Mughal Empire and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Continue to 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. One evening, enjoy a fascinating aarti religious ceremony at a white marble Hindu temple.

Fly 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. Also enjoy an insider culinary experience at the home of a prestigious local family. One day, take a private excursion to see interesting local temples and enjoy a memorable lunch in an 18th-century palace with amazing views.

Next, visit Jodhpur, the fabled Blue City. Stay at the legendary Umaid Bhawan Palace, an enormous sandstone royal residence and resort surrounded by acres of gardens. Tour Mehrangarh Fort, an impressive hill fort, and take in views of the blue houses of Jodhpur’s old quarter far below. There will also be ample time to enjoy the spectacular hotel.

Continue 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 Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya (CSMVS) (formerly known as the 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 Elephanta 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 arrange tickets for Bollywood shows.

Fly to Mangalore, an ancient port city on the Arabian Sea, and enjoy private city touring of temples such as Kudroli Gokarnath Temple and Kadri Manjunatha Temple and other highlights before transferring into Kerala to a luxury resort in Bekal, the perfect base for exploring the region’s backwaters, a vast network of lagoons, canals and lakes. Visit Bekal Fort and take a leisurely private cruise on a kettuvallam (a wood boat shaded by an arched wood canopy) along the waterways past palms and farms. Also enjoy ample time to relax at your resort, and perhaps indulge in Ayurvedic treatments, a specialty of southern India.

Conclude in Chennai (Madras), the seaside capital of Tamil Nadu. During private cultural touring, learn about the history of Chennai, and see beautiful colonial architecture. One day, take a private excursion to 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, 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).

Itinerary Overview

Day 1 Arrive Delhi VIP arrival assistance. Private arrival transfer to hotel for 2 nights Day 2 Delhi Full-day private tour Day 3 Delhi – Varanasi Private transfer to airport for flight to Varanasi. Private city touring and visit to Sarnath on arrival. Overnight stay at hotel Day 4 Varanasi – Delhi – Agra Morning private tour, including boat ride on the Ganges. Afternoon private transfer to airport for flight to Delhi. Private arrival transfer to Agra and hotel for 2 nights Day 5 Agra Full-day private tour, including optional sunrise Taj Mahal visit Day 6 Agra – Ranthambore National Park Private transfer to luxury tented camp for 2 nights, with optional tour of Fatehpur Sikri en route Day 7 Ranthambore National Park Morning and afternoon private wildlife safaris Day 8 Ranthambore National Park – Jaipur Morning private wildlife safari. Private transfer to hotel for 2 nights Day 9 Jaipur Full-day private tour Day 10 Jaipur – Udaipur Private transfer to airport for flight to Udaipur. Private arrival transfer to hotel for 3 nights. Afternoon private cruise on Lake Pichola Day 11 Udaipur Full-day private city tour, including lunch at private home Day 12 Udaipur Continue private city touring and time at leisure Day 13 Udaipur – Jodhpur Private transfer to hotel for 3 nights, with tour of Jain Temples at Ranakpur en route Day 14 Jodhpur Full-day private tour, including excursion to local village. Evening private tour of spice market Day 15 Jodhpur Continue private city touring and time at leisure Day 16 Jodhpur – Mumbai Private transfer to airport for flight to Mumbai. Private arrival transfer to hotel for 2 nights. Afternoon private tour Day 17 Mumbai Full-day private tour, including boat ride to Elephanta Island. Optional evening Bollywood movie Day 18 Mumbai – Mangalore – Bekal (Kerala) Private transfer to airport for flight to Mangalore. Private city touring on arrival before private transfer to resort for 3 nights Day 19 Bekal (Kerala) Full-day private tour, including private kettuvallam cruise on the backwaters Day 20 Bekal (Kerala) Day at leisure to enjoy resort Day 21 Bekal (Kerala) – Mangalore – Chennai Private airport transfer for flight to Chennai. Private arrival transfer to hotel for 2 nights. Afternoon private city tour Day 22 Chennai, Kanchipuram & Mahabalipuram Full day private excursion Day 23 Depart Chennai Private airport transfer. VIP departure assistance

Hotels

Delhi: The Oberoi New Delhi, The Leela Palace, New Delhi or The Imperial New Delhi Varanasi: Taj Nadesar Palace Agra: The Oberoi Amarvilas Ranthambore: SUJAN Sher Bagh, Aman-i-Khas or The Oberoi Vanyavilas Jaipur: Rambagh Palace or The Oberoi Rajvilas Udaipur: The Oberoi Udaivilas Jodhpur: Umaid Bhawan Palace Mumbai: Taj Mahal Palace or The Oberoi Mumbai Bekal (Kerala): Taj Bekal Resort & Spa, Kerala Chennai: The Leela Palace Chennai

Cost

From $44,535 Per person (double occupancy)