Tour Type: Luxury Gold
Brochure Type: Luxury Gold 2024 v2

Get a true taste of India's majesty and scale as you travel in style between Mumbai, Kumarakom, and the Taj Mahal in old Rajasthan. In Udaipur-the City of the Lakes, step out from your luxury accommodations at the esteemed Leela Palace and join a Local Expert for an exploration of the Jagdish Temple and the Garden of the Maids of the Honour. Meet the Dabbawalla in Mumbai and learn how this army of delivery men have kept the city going for over 130-years using the fabulously intricate tiffin service. Explore India's capital your way with the choice to tour the UNESCO world Heritage Site at Qutub Minar or treat your taste buds to the Delhi Street Food Tour, joining a well-known local chef for a sojourn through the famous street snacks of the old city. Rise early in Kerala for birdwatching at the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, explore the canals of Vaikom Village and try your hand at a truly unique Kochi Cooking Lesson-learning the traditional recipes of the region and how to prepare them.

Dining Summary

• 13 Dinner (D)
• 20 Breakfast (B)
• 11 Lunch (L)
• 1 Afternoon Tea (AT)

Choice Highlights

• Choose between two carefully selected activities
• Delhi: Join a well-known chef for a culinary exploration of Delhi streets where you will tantalise your taste buds. Experience a wide variety of foods and learn the effect that mixing different flavours has on the palate as you sample Indian delicacies from local stallholders.
• Delhi: Visit the 12th century Qutub Minar, and see the tallest brick minaret in the world before enjoying lunch.
• Choose between two carefully selected activities
• Agra: Meet the community living in the shadow of the Taj Mahal when you take a Mughal Heritage Walk. Discover hidden gems of the area and learn about daily life in the ancient village with impressive vistas of India's most famous monument. Through this initiative the community is supported from tourism to improve their living conditions.
• Agra: 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.
• Choose between two carefully selected activities
• Jaipur: Visit the colourful cavalcade of the fresh flower and spice market.
• Jaipur: Visit the white marble Birla Mandir, a Hindu temple and witness aarti, a traditional prayer ceremony.
• Choose between two carefully selected activities
• Lake Pichola: Cruise the serene waters of Lake Pichola and relax as you take in the city views from the water.
• Udaipur: Explore the colourful bazaar in the old city.
• Choose between two carefully selected activities
• Kumarakom: Indulge in a rejuvenating massage.
• Kumarakom: Harmonise your mind and body by taking part in a yoga class.

Additional Included Highlights

• : You will be escorted by one of our fine Travel Concierges, handpicked to serve as your expert guide, consummate organiser, and friend overseas. See booking conditions for exemptions.
• : Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary, available on departures with 15 or more guests.
• : Complimentary airport transfers are included on start and end dates and when additional accommodation has been booked through Luxury Gold. Guests will be transferred with fellow Luxury Gold Travellers that arrive on the same flight. Complimentary, private train station transfers are included when train travel is included within the itinerary. Transfers to train stations or alternate hotels, in the same start or end city of the itinerary, may be requested but are not guaranteed.
• : At every hotel, you'll be treated to seamless baggage handling, with prompt delivery inside your room.
• : Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
• : Stay connected with friends and family with hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
• : Complimentary airport transfers are included on start and end dates, when flights are included within the itinerary and when additional accommodation has been booked through Luxury Gold. Guests will be transferred with fellow Luxury Gold Travellers that arrive on the same flight.

Exceptional Dining

• Delhi: Regularly rated as one of India's very finest restaurants, The Spice Route is a feast for all your senses, from the elegant design to the aromatic journey that each dish brings. Admire the incredible artwork from across Southeast Asia as you dine.
• Jaisalmer: Experience a truly unique dinner as the sun sets over the Sand Dunes. A sumptuous nomadic banquet is served under the desert stars as local musicians play traditional tunes into the gentle breeze of the night.
• Udaipur: Sit down to your indulgent Celebration Dinner in the stunning restaurant of your hotel, which overlooks the beautiful outer courtyard and lake. Dine on a delicious banquet of Indian cuisine as you reflect on your unforgettable time in India.
• Kochi: Learn the art of home cooking, Kerala style, as you meet a local cooking instructor who will demonstrate the techniques of preparing traditional recipes of the region.
• Vaikom Village: Have lunch with a local in Viakom Village. You will be introduced to village life and given the opportunity to try your hand at weaving with pineapple leaves or coconut husks before you are invited to share lunch in their home.
• Mumbai: Say goodbye to Mumbai in style with a showcase of Indian cuisine at your Celebration Dinner. Enjoy your final feast as you share tales and make toasts to the experiences you've had and memories you've made along your amazing journey.

Founder's Collection

• Delhi: If you are travelling on a Founder's Collection departure, on Day 2 historian Rana Safvi invites you to an intimate dinner at Sana-Di-Ge to learn about her studies of Indian culture and how they relate to present day life in India.

Journey Highlights

• : Truly experience India by travelling during one of its famed festivals. On select departures, in the fall you can experience Diwali, which means 'row of lights' and is honored by all Indians, regardless of faith.
• : Truly experience India by travelling during one of its famed festivals. On select departures in spring, experience the ancient Hindu celebration of Holi, known for its colorful parades.
• Delhi: View the monuments of Old and New Delhi when you drive out to Red Fort, the former home of the Mughal emperors. Cruise down the Rajpath to see India Gate and Parliament House.
• Delhi: Take a tour of Jama Masjid with your Travel Concierge. Feel the majesty of the largest mosque in India with its three great gates, 40-metre-high minarets, and a courtyard large enough for 25,000 devotees.
• Delhi: Jump into the hustle and bustle of Old Delhi by taking an exhilarating rickshaw ride through the busy streets of Chandni Chowk. Let the city's sights and sounds swirl around you as you're transported in traditional style.
• Delhi: Visit a Sikh temple and community kitchen, where meals are given out to locals and travellers. Those of the Sikh faith regularly open their place of worship to those in greater need.
• Delhi: View the monuments of Old and New Delhi when you drive out to Red Fort, the former home of the Mughal emperors. Cruise down the Rajpath to see India Gate and Parliament House.
• Delhi: Take a tour of Jama Masjid with your Travel Concierge. Feel the majesty of the largest mosque in India with its three great gates, 40-metre-high minarets, and a courtyard large enough for 25,000 devotees.
• Delhi: Jump into the hustle and bustle of Old Delhi by taking an exhilarating rickshaw ride through the busy streets of Chandni Chowk. Let the city's sights and sounds swirl around you as you're transported in traditional style.
• Delhi: Visit a Sikh temple and community kitchen, where meals are given out to locals and travellers. Those of the Sikh faith regularly open their place of worship to those in greater need.
• Agra: Visit the impressive fortress in Agra and delve into the history of the Mughal Dynasty, who ruled their empire for over 300 years. See the glorious mosques and fairytale palaces such as the Sheesh Mahal within its protected walls.
• Agra: Rise in the morning light to view one of the greatest monuments in the world, the grand Taj Mahal. With the light of dawn and fewer visitors, you can fully appreciate its grandeur in peace, accompanied by only the birds and monkeys.
• Jaipur: Ascend by jeep to stroll through the intricately designed complex of courtyards and halls of Amber Fort. Enjoy the shimmering walls and ceilings and wonderful views of the surrounding countryside and receive a special blessing at this 16th-century residence.
• Jaipur: Enter the towering gates to the City Palace Museum for a look back through time at chandeliers, cannons, chariots and incredible murals. Built between 1729 -1732, this glorious complex is still home to the Jaipur royal family and young king.
• Jaisalmer: Set off to explore the sights of Jaisalmer, in particular the serene Gardisar Lake, built by the founding Rajput ruler of the city over 600 years ago. Visit the historic fort, where a quarter of the city's population still resides.
• Jaisalmer: Wander through the local markets of the Golden City of Jaisalmer and uncover the heartbeat of life in the desert. Peruse the fine silks and intricate silver jewellery in the bazaars of this medieval trading city.
• Jodhpur: Zip through the ancient streets of Jodphur on an invigorating tuk-tuk ride and visit Sadar Market to browse the traditional craft and food stalls which sprawl through the narrow city lanes in the shadow of the famous clock tower.
• Jodhpur: Follow the winding road to Mehrangarh Fort, the imposing sandstone structure which dominates the skyline above Jodphur. The building, so colossal it was described by Rudyard Kipling as 'the work of giants,' houses one of the best-stocked museums of Rajasthan.
• Ranakpur: Explore the intricately carved Jain temples of Ranakpur. Built in the 15th century by Seth Dharna Sah, the vast structure comprises almost 1500 white marble pillars across its twenty-nine halls and is considered the most spectacular of its kind in India.
• Udaipur: Visit the architectural marvel of the City Palace complex that towers over the banks of Lake Pichola. This amazing blend of styles is a wonder to explore, with unique paintings and magnificent antiques, a testimony to the Rajput passion for art.
• Udaipur: Climb the stairs to visit the magnificent Jagdish Temple in the center of Udaipur Old Town and explore the many statues and carvings before stepping into the peaceful surroundings of the Garden of the Maids of Honour at the edge of town.
• Kochi: Discover the city of Kochi with an orientation tour which takes in Paradesi Synagogue, the largest in the Commonwealth, before visiting the 16th century Portuguese Mattancherry Palace, renowned for its beautiful murals of Hindu mythology and legends.
• Kochi: Delve deeper into the cultural heritage of Kochi by attending a Kathakali performance. This colorful show is one of the world's oldest forms of theater and the vibrant costumes, transformative make up, amazing dancing and vocal acrobatics make it unmissable.
• Alappuzha: Cruise the backwaters of Alleppey on a waterwheel houseboat to get an inside view of life on its shores. Journey past lush rice paddies and coconut plantations where people work daily, and enjoy a wonderful lunch onboard as you make your way to your luxury resort.
• Backwater Ripples: Start the day early with a bird-watching tour at Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary where you will be given the chance to view some of the fantastic migratory birds which flock to the Himalayas and find home in the acres of woodland.
• Vaikom Village: Guided by boat, explore the narrow canals of one of the oldest townships in Kerala and with many spots untouched by modernity.
• Mumbai: Visit the UNESCO World Heritage protected ancient cave temples with depictions of Lord Shiva hewn from basalt rock. These extraordinary carvings date back as far as the 5th century and were recently restored. Human settlements from 2 BC have been recovered here.
• Mumbai: Take a cruise from Mumbai to Elephanta Island to see the six metre statue of Sadhashiva and the warren of carved cave temples which date back to AD 450, earning the island UNESCO World Heritage status.
• Mumbai: Meet the Dabbawalla in Mumbai to learn more about the intricate details of the magnificent tiffin service that keeps the city going! Without any technology, these delivery men have been providing home cooked food to the masses for over 130 years.

Luxury Hotels

• Udaipur: Built in the style of a grand Maharaja's palace, The Leela Palace evokes the mystique of a bygone age where refined service and regal majesty meet to present an unparalleled experience.

Personalize your day

• Delhi: Join a well-known chef for a culinary exploration of Delhi streets where you will tantalise your taste buds. Experience a wide variety of foods and learn the effect that mixing different flavours has on the palate as you sample Indian delicacies from local stallholders.
• Delhi: Visit the 12th century Qutub Minar, and see the tallest brick minaret in the world before enjoying lunch.
• Delhi: Join a well-known chef for a culinary exploration of Delhi streets where you will tantalise your taste buds. Experience a wide variety of foods and learn the effect that mixing different flavours has on the palate as you sample Indian delicacies from local stallholders.
• Delhi: Visit the 12th century Qutub Minar, and see the tallest brick minaret in the world before enjoying lunch.
• Agra: Meet the community living in the shadow of the Taj Mahal when you take a Mughal Heritage Walk. Discover hidden gems of the area and learn about daily life in the ancient village with impressive vistas of India's most famous monument. Through this initiative the community is supported from tourism to improve their living conditions.
• Agra: 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.
• Jaipur: Visit the colourful cavalcade of the fresh flower and spice market.
• Jaipur: Visit the white marble Birla Mandir, a Hindu temple and witness aarti, a traditional prayer ceremony.
• Lake Pichola: Cruise the serene waters of Lake Pichola and relax as you take in the city views from the water.
• Udaipur: Explore the colourful bazaar in the old city.
• Kumarakom: Indulge in a rejuvenating massage.
• Kumarakom: Harmonise your mind and body by taking part in a yoga class.

VIP Experiences

• Jaipur: Enjoy a private access tour around Jaipur City Palace including the maharajah's personal living room, normally off limits to visitors. Savour an Indian inspired high tea on the regal terrace after viewing the spectacular handcrafted crystal table by Rene Lalique.

Well-being

• : Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.
• : Experience enhanced hygiene protocols to align with the latest guidance following COVID-19. All Travel Concierges, Well-Being Directors and Drivers have completed training in enhanced well-being and hygiene protocols.
• : We only work with establishments we are confident will consistently adhere to our high well-being standards, which include hotels, restaurants and sight-seeing venues.
• : Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.