The Best Places in India
Activities & Experiences are Flexible at Each Destination
Day 1: Delhi Arrival Greeting & Transfer to Hotel
Fast Track Arrival Services. Most flights arrive either in the evening or at night. Meet your assigned representative from Fast Track Arrival Services as you exit the jet bridge from your plane at Delhi Airport. You are privately escorted through the complete arrival process, including immigration, baggage claim, and customs.
You are driven through New Delhi’s (mostly) broad avenues to your hotel and assisted with your check-in if it is 3 pm or later. The Lodhi is set beside a vast protected green belt anchored by the Delhi Golf Club. Unlike the city’s top business hotels such as the Oberoi, the Lodhi is designed as a spacious retreat with a combination of a hotel and residential character, and a strong focus on privacy and leisure. You will be staying in a garden terrace suite, offering significantly more space and comfort and a layout that emphasizes openness and seclusion within the hotel’s tranquil setting.
The next day’s plans are briefly discussed and you are at leisure until we pick you up in the morning of the next day. Tomorrow you can choose to stop for a secure ATM withdrawal, and/or have your guide assist during a shopping stop to pick up essentials. Welcome to India, home to incredible historical monuments, a plethora of natural wonders, and the world’s most unique and colorful culture.
(Overnight – The Lodhi Delhi)
Day 2: Delhi. New Delhi - 100,000 Years in A Day
Morning: Qutab Minar (UWHS) Your day begins with a drive to the medieval world and the Qutab Minar, the 12th-century towering victory column that rises over 240 feet. The incredible sandstone tower was completed in 1199 and is not merely a monumental tower—it is a statement of power, the proclamation of a new era following centuries of Hindu rule. Your guide will help you decode the stunning Arabic inscriptions and Indo-Islamic motifs on the Minar’s facade.
Surrounding the Minar are remnants of Quwwat-ul-Islam, the first mosque built in India after Islamic conquests. Constructed partly from reassembled elements of earlier Hindu and Jain temples—an architectural smorgasbord that somehow evocatively symbolizes transition and continuity. Visit the Ashokan Iron Pillar that was brought here centuries before the Minar, standing rust-free after 2300 years.
Mangar Bani – Echoes of Prehistory (100,000 Years Ago) Leaving the 12th Century behind, you drive on to Mangar Bani, an extraordinary archaeological treasure just discovered on the outskirts of Delhi. This forested valley is the largest Neolithic tool-making site in the Indian subcontinent, with artifacts dating back over 100,000 years — a staggering glimpse into the earliest chapters of human history.
Your guide will lead you through areas accessible under the regulations of state and federal archaeological authorities, as the access situation is dynamic and the archaeological work has not really begun as of summer 2025. Within the rugged terrain of the Aravalli Hills, prehistoric caves have revealed paintings dating back 20,000–40,000 years, offering a rare and profound window into early human imagination. The landscape itself is part of the story: Mangar Bani is surrounded by a sacred grove and borders a 700-year-old village.
Lotus Temple Your next stop in Delhi is the serene and iconic Lotus Temple, built in 1986. Shaped like a blooming lotus flower and set amidst 26 acres of manicured gardens, this Bahá’í House of Worship welcomes all faiths and beliefs—symbolizing the oneness of humanity and spiritual truth.
Constructed from gleaming white marble imported from Greece, the temple comprises 27 petal-like structures arranged in clusters of three to form nine entrances. Inside, the vast prayer hall is silent—no rituals, no sermons, only personal contemplation. The contrast with Delhi’s older, more ornamented structures is striking, underscoring a spiritual modernism rooted in simplicity and inclusivity.
Optional Break: Lunch at a Local Eatery - Depending on your preferences, your guide can escort you to regional North Indian cuisine or international fare.
Humayun’s Tomb (UWHS) Post lunch, you continue to Humayun’s Tomb, a masterpiece of Mughal architecture and the inspiration for the Taj Mahal. Commissioned in 1565 by the Empress for her husband, Emperor Humayun, the structure is the first major garden-tomb on the Indian subcontinent and marks a revolutionary shift in architectural design.
Crafted from red sandstone and white marble, the monument rises symmetrically from a Persian-style Charbagh garden. Your guide will explain how this was not merely a mausoleum but a symbolic paradise, echoing Quranic visions of eternal life. The interplay of scale, geometry, and light creates a space that is both regal and serene—reflecting the Mughal empire’s blend of Persian aesthetics and Indian craftsmanship.
Lodhi Art District – Delhi’s Open-Air Contemporary Canvas Your journey through time concludes in Lodhi Art District, India’s first public art district, where 21st-century creativity now colors the walls of a residential neighborhood built in the 1940s. Under the aegis of the St+art India Foundation, over 50 artists from around the world have transformed these buildings into a vibrant canvas of murals—blending Indian themes with global styles.
From evocative portraits of Indian women to abstract geometries, from social messages to surrealist scenes, this is where ancient heritage meets contemporary voice. Your guide will interpret key works and discuss how the area reflects Delhi’s evolving cultural identity.
As you return to your hotel, consider the arc of 100,000 years you’ve just traversed—from prehistoric hunters carving tools in Mangar Bani, to medieval emperors shaping dynasties, to modern artists redefining public spaces. No city on Earth offers such a journey across time in a single day.
(Overnight – The Lodhi
Day 3: Delhi. Shahjahanabad (Old Delhi)
Your day begins with a short drive to Shahjahanabad, named for its founder and Mughal India’s greatest builder, Shah Jahan. He was Humayun’s great-grandson and, unlike New Delhi, here the skyline is suddenly punctuated by domes, minarets, and weathered havelis. This is true Old Delhi, founded in 1639 as the Mughal Empire’s final great imperial capital. Unlike other ruins of past dynasties, Shahjahanabad remains a dense, vibrant urban world — layered with centuries of faith, food, trade, and memory.
The legendary Mughal Empire was our planet’s greatest ruling dynasty during the 16th and 17th centuries. Yes, in India, not in Europe or China! Their control stretched over a vast region well beyond India, and you will experience many of their awe-inspiring creations. The Taj Mahal, Red Fort, and Agra Fort (these three are the creations of the dynasty’s greatest builder, Shah Jahan) are just a few of their UNESCO World Heritage sites that you will experience.
North India, its cuisines, racial identity, and a lot more, is heavily influenced by the Mughals’ long rule. The result is an incredible fusion of cultures and styles in the cuisine, fine arts, architecture, social taboos, and a lot more.
Red Fort (UWHS) You begin your exploration at the imposing Red Fort, known in Shah Jahan’s time as Qila-e-Mubarak—the Blessed Fort. Built between 1639 and 1648 from deep red sandstone, this sprawling complex was once the seat of the most powerful empire in the world.
Your guide will lead you through the ceremonial halls and private quarters of the Mughal emperors: the Diwan-i-Am, where emperors addressed their subjects; the Diwan-i-Khas, where ambassadors and nobility gathered under a ceiling once inlaid with silver and gold; and the once-thriving Rang Mahal or “Palace of Colors.” The layout reflects the emperor’s attempt to recreate paradise on earth, using Persian-inspired garden and water features.
Note: On Mondays, when the Red Fort is closed, your guide will instead drive you along its perimeter for exterior views and an overview of its architectural and historical significance.
Jama Masjid A very short distance away rises the colossal Jama Masjid, also built by Shah Jahan and completed in 1656. Climb the shallow stone steps to enter a vast courtyard that can hold over 25,000 worshippers. The mosque’s red sandstone and white marble minarets dominate the skyline—a commanding expression of the emperor’s desire to blend faith with beauty.
Your guide will explain the mosque’s architectural innovations and religious symbolism. Unlike the formality of European cathedrals, the mosque pulses with daily life, prayer, and the soft hum of devotion.
E-Rickshaw Ride in Chandni Chowk From the mosque’s gates you’ll board an e-rickshaw and your guide will accompany you on a ride through the storied lanes of Chandni Chowk, the moonlit market built by Shah Jahan’s daughter, Jahanara Begum. This street, once bisected by a canal reflecting moonlight, was the commercial heart of Mughal India. The narrow lanes still bustle with life. Street vendors, spice sellers, jewelers, and bookbinders—all coexist in tightly packed shopfronts that have changed little in centuries.
Parathe Wali Gali You disembark at Parathe Wali Gali, a narrow alleyway (Gali) legendary for its stuffed, pan-fried breads (parathas) served with chutneys and pickles - some shops here have been run by the same families for over a century.
Your guide will point out the most iconic establishments, explain the regional variations of this beloved snack, but we strongly recommend against dining in this environment. Your hotel serves all sorts of parathas.
Naughara Lane Just steps away lies Naughara Gali, a quiet oasis hidden behind the commotion. This short, serene lane is lined with beautifully preserved 18th-century Jain havelis—each painted in pastel shades, with ornate doorways and decorative arches.
Khari Baoli – World’s Largest Spice Market
Your exploration concludes with a guided exploration of Khari Baoli, the largest spice market on our planet, active since the 17th century. Not a place for quiet here, porters race up staircases with sacks of turmeric, masala, and dried fruit; wholesalers shout orders over ringing phones; and the air is thick with the pungent perfume of cardamom, fennel, cinnamon, and red chili.
Your guide can take you inside traditional spice shops, explain the origins and uses of key Indian spices, and help you understand how trade in these aromatic treasures once linked Delhi to distant corners of the world. This is more than a market—it’s a living museum of commerce, cuisine, and empire.
After the final exhilarating walk through Old Delhi’s labyrinth, your guide and driver will return you to your hotel. Though only a few hours have passed, you’ve touched the lifeblood of a city where the past is not distant—it is spoken, tasted, inhaled, and walked upon.
(Overnight – The Leela Palace New Delhi)
Day 4: Delhi - Varanasi.
Flight to Varanasi, a Journey to the Sacred. Your day begins with an assisted checkout from your hotel in Delhi in the morning. You are escorted to Delhi Airport for your early afternoon flight to Varanasi, the spiritual heart of India and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Upon arrival at Varanasi Airport, depending on your preference, there is the option to pause for a lunch break at a local restaurant.
Sarnath – Where the Wheel of Dharma First Turned A small detour on the way to your lodging brings you to the serene site of Sarnath, where Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, delivered his first sermon over 2,500 years ago—setting in motion the Wheel of Dharma and laying the foundations of Buddhism.
You will take a short walk through the main archaeological park, where ruins of ancient monasteries and temples stand in quiet reverence. The centerpiece is the towering Dhamek Stupa, originally built 2300 years ago by India’s greatest emperor, Ashoka. Parts of the stupa were rebuilt in the 5th–6th century CE.
It marks the exact spot where the Buddha is said to have taught his first five disciples. Your guide will interpret the layers of history around you—Mauryan brickwork, Gupta-style carvings, and other attributes that continue to draw pilgrims from across the world.
Sarnath Museum (Optional) If you’re interested, a visit to the small Sarnath Archaeological Museum, home of India’s National Emblem takes a very short while. Its modest size belies the significance of its collection. Here you will find the exquisitely carved Ashokan Lion Capital, a 3rd-century BCE sculpture featuring four back-to-back lions—now immortalized as the national emblem of India. Your guide will explain the symbolism behind the lions, wheels, and base figures, and how Emperor Ashoka used such imagery to spread both imperial authority and Buddhist ideals. The Lion Capital is part of a small collection of invaluable artifacts from the region.
Hotel Check-in. As the sun begins to lower, you are driven into Varanasi and escorted to your palace accommodations set amidst landscaped gardens on the edge of the city’s historic core. Originally built in the 19th century for the Maharaja of Varanasi, the palace is steeped in history and charm. Surrounded by 28 acres of lush gardens and mango orchards, the palace retains an atmosphere of quiet privilege that feels worlds away from the intensity around it. You are assisted with check-in and shown to your spacious historical suite, where high ceilings, period details, and a sense of old-world residence define the experience.
You are provided with an overview of the early morning plans. A very special experience awaits at dawn—your Ganga cruise and exploration of Varanasi’s sacred riverbanks and timeless rituals.
(Overnight – Taj Nadesar Palace)
Day 5: Varanasi.
Morning: Sunrise on the Ganga, a Millennia-Old Ritual Along the Sacred River. Your day begins well before dawn with a hot beverage and light snack, followed by a drive to the Ganga. You’ll arrive at the Ghats just before sunrise, one of the most powerful and timeless experiences in all of India.
Boarding your private boat, you begin a slow cruise along the holiest stretch of the Ganga, observing morning rituals that have taken place here for thousands of years. As the sun rises over the river, the Ghats come to life:
- Devout Hindus greet the dawn, immersing themselves in the sacred river as an act of purification
- Women in sarees step modestly into the water to perform ablutions
- Sadhus and priests, waist-deep in the Ganga, pour holy water over themselves in prayer
- Others sit in silent meditation or practice yoga, facing the rising sun
You will also pass Manikarnika Ghat, the main cremation ghat of Kashi (the original ancient Holy City). Here, open-air cremations take place around the clock. Though solemn, it is a site of spiritual liberation—many Hindus believe that being cremated here breaks the cycle of rebirth and grants the soul salvation (moksha). Those interested can choose to visit the Ghat.
Your guide will provide respectful interpretation throughout the cruise, offering insight into the meaning and context of what you see—rituals that are both personal and universal, unchanged across millennia. After disembarkation, you are driven back to your hotel for a relaxed breakfast. The rest of the morning is at leisure—time to freshen up, rest, or enjoy the hotel’s facilities.
Afternoon: Drive to Ramnagar Fort via Banaras Hindu University - A Look at Varanasi’s Royal Past and an Immersive Walk Along the Sacred River
Following a break and lunch at your hotel, your exploration begins with a drive through Varanasi’s southern neighborhoods enroute to the far bank of the Ganga. On the way, you pass through the grounds of Banaras Hindu University (BHU)—India’s most respected Hindu academic institution, established in 1916.
Your guide will briefly point out notable landmarks of the expansive campus, and there is the option to stop for a short walk if you're interested. The tree-lined roads and university buildings offer a contrasting atmosphere to the riverfront’s dense spiritual landscape.
You then cross the Ganga on a fairly recently built bridge, heading to the opposite bank and leaving behind the intensity of Varanasi’s core.
Ramnagar Fort – your destination is the 18th-century Ramnagar Fort, built from creamy Chunar sandstone as the official residence of the Kashi Naresh (King) of Varanasi. A modest palace, it is notable for its position directly on the river and for still housing the current royal family.
Inside, a small museum contains an eclectic mix of royal memorabilia—vintage cars, weaponry, costumes, and ornate palanquins. The layout includes open courtyards, carved balconies, and a Durbar Hall used for ceremonial events. Sections such as the Hanuman temple and Veda Vyasa shrine add cultural context.
Your guide provides background on the former role of the Kashi Naresh and explains how this aging residence still features in local ceremonies. From the fort’s upper levels, there are excellent views across the Ganga toward Varanasi’s central ghats.
Walk Along the Ghats After returning across the Ganga by vehicle, you will disembark near the western bank, from where your guide escorts you on foot through a crowded bazaar that serves pilgrims visiting the river. The narrow lanes are filled with shops selling ritual items, sweets, flowers, brassware, and religious souvenirs.
Emerging from the bazaar, you begin a guided walk along the Ghats, where a broad range of Hindu rituals and ceremonies unfold in real time. While you will have seen the cremation ghats during your morning experience, this walk offers the chance to witness other personal and communal rituals up close:
- Sons shaving their heads to honor a recently deceased parent
- Newly married couples praying with a priest for blessings
- Infant naming ceremonies, conducted by Brahmin priests
- Pilgrims bathing in the Ganga for various purposes
Your guide provides interpretation of these events, helping you engage meaningfully with what might otherwise seem distant or unfamiliar.
Sunset Cruise and Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat Your riverside walk concludes at a ghat where you are assisted in boarding your private boat for a sunset cruise along the Ganga. The cruise offers excellent views of evening activity along the river and floats past several well-known ghats.
The crowds are now gathering for the nightly Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat, your boat approaches the area but does not remain among the hundreds of vessels now crowding the water. What was once a few dozen boats has grown to well over two hundred, all jockeying for a partial glimpse of the ceremony.
To give our guests a far superior experience, your boat anchors a short distance away. You are then assisted in disembarking at a quieter ghat, from where your guide leads you on a brief walk to premium reserved seats located directly beside the ceremony platform. From here, you witness the Ganga Aarti up close — the chanting, drums, conch shells, and the synchronized movements of priests lifting large brass lamps in sweeping arcs of fire.
After the ceremony concludes, your guide escorts you through atmospheric bazaars and narrow alleys to your waiting vehicle. You are then driven back to your hotel for the evening.
(Overnight – Taj Nadesar Palace)
Day 6: Varanasi – Khajuraho/Panna.
Mid-Morning Transfer to Varanasi Airport.
After a relaxed breakfast and assisted checkout, you are driven to Varanasi Airport in the mid-morning for your early afternoon flight to Khajuraho.
Arrival at Khajuraho – Lunch Break.
Upon arrival at Khajuraho Airport, you are greeted by your Guide and driven to a quality local restaurant for a relaxed lunch before beginning your exploration. The countryside around Khajuraho is peaceful and scenic, offering a welcome change of pace after Varanasi’s intensity.
Khajuraho Western Group of Temples (UWHS).
After lunch, you proceed to the Western Group of Temples, the finest and best-preserved of Khajuraho’s UNESCO World Heritage monuments. Built between the 10th and 11th centuries by the Chandela dynasty, these temples represent a pinnacle of North Indian temple architecture—harmonious proportions, deeply expressive carvings, and extraordinary craftsmanship.
Your guided exploration includes:
- Lakshmana Temple – one of the earliest and most complete temples in Khajuraho, dedicated to Vishnu; its base friezes depict warriors, hunters, elephants, palace scenes, and everyday life in astonishing detail.
- Kandariya Mahadeva Temple – the tallest and most celebrated of the temples, with more than 800 sculptures carved with breathtaking precision; it represents the Chandela style at full maturity.
- Devi Jagadambi Temple – known for its refined carvings and serene inner sanctum dedicated to the Goddess.
Your guide will explain Khajuraho’s famed sculptural program—celestial beings, musicians, dancers, mythic protectors, and narrative panels illustrating the rhythms of life, devotion, and human experience. A small portion of this artwork—about five percent—is composed of extremely explicit depictions of sexual practices. These are presented within the wider context of medieval Indian philosophy, where erotic imagery symbolized fertility, cosmic creation, and the integration of worldly and spiritual life.
Drive to Panna & Check-In at Taj Pashan Garh Lodge.
After the temples, you will drive to the nearby hills surrounding Panna National Park, arriving for check-in at Taj Pashan Garh—a secluded luxury safari lodge set within a pristine wilderness landscape.
Arrival here feels like a complete shift in atmosphere: the road winds through forested terrain before opening into a quiet lodge setting where stone cottages are thoughtfully spaced across the hillside, blending into the natural surroundings. The experience here is centered on nature, tranquility, and understated luxury, with warm Taj hospitality throughout.
You are assisted with check-in and escorted to your private stone cottage, designed with high ceilings, large windows, and outdoor sit-outs that allow you to fully absorb the sights and sounds of the forest. It is an ideal setting to unwind after the day’s touring—whether relaxing on your veranda, enjoying a shower, or simply taking in the peaceful environment before the evening.
(Overnight – Taj Pashan Garh Lodge)
Day 7: Panna National Park.
Morning Jeep Safari.
After an early tea or coffee, you are escorted to your waiting jeep for your morning safari in Panna National Park. One of central India’s most beautiful reserves, Panna is known for its dramatic gorges, teak forests, and the Ken River, which supports a remarkable range of wildlife.
Tiger sightings in Panna are really good due to the healthy and growing population, and your chances are very high as our guests experience three safaris during their stay here. Many guests get multiple sightings. But a safari into the park is a fascinating experience even when you don't come across tigers. Other sightings commonly include nilgai antelope, sambar and chital deer, wild boar, langur monkeys, jackals, and a wide variety of birdlife, including both native and migratory species such as bar-headed geese, painted storks, crested serpent eagles, Indian vultures, kingfishers, and several magnificent species of hornbill.
Your safari will be accompanied by a Forest Department–assigned naturalist, and we maneuver to secure the better naturalists. After the safari concludes, you return to the lodge for a late breakfast and time at leisure to enjoy the peaceful forest setting.
Lunch & Afternoon Jeep Safari.
A fresh lunch is served at the lodge, and after lunch you will be heading for your second safari of the day. The early afternoon timing often brings a different pattern of wildlife activity, and predators begin to stir as the heat starts to ease. You will explore a different zone of the park, taking in new landscapes, riverine stretches, and vantage points, with your naturalist interpreting animal behavior, movement, and calls.
After the safari, you return to your lodge as the day winds down. Dinner is served, followed by another tranquil night in the forest.
(Overnight – Taj Pashan Garh Lodge)
Day 8: Panna – Khajuraho – Agra.
Morning Safari or Guided Ken River Cruise.
After an early tea or coffee, you will enjoy a safari into the park this morning, or, at the time of journey reservation, you have the option to substitute the safari with a private guided cruise on the Ken River. The cruise offers excellent opportunities for birdlife viewing and the chance to spot wildlife along the riverbanks, including the endangered Gharial. Both experiences provide a rewarding and peaceful conclusion to your stay in this remarkable wilderness.
Return to the lodge for breakfast, followed by time to freshen up and complete your checkout.
Lunch at the Lodge. Lunch is served before your departure.
Transfer to Khajuraho Railway Station – Vande Bharat Express to Agra.
After lunch you are driven to Khajuraho Railway Station, where you are assisted in boarding Indian Railways' pride and joy, the Vande Bharat Express. This modern, comfortable train operates between Khajuraho and Agra six days a week, except Mondays. (If your travel date falls on a Monday, an alternative routing will be arranged.)
Train through Indian Countryside. The train departs Khajuraho at 2:50 pm and arrives at Agra at 8:55 pm. Traveling on the Vande Bharat Express is comfortable and relaxing as the coaches feature wide, cushioned seats with good legroom and recline options. Large panoramic windows line both sides of the coach, giving you clear views of the countryside as the train moves through farmlands, small towns, rivers, and stretches of open landscape. It is a pleasant way to watch daily life unfold beyond the cities.
You are escorted to your premium seats and your baggage is ported and stored appropriately. Each wide seat has a tray table and conveniences like charging outlets, and refreshments are served - we recommend just the packaged water/drinks and snacks. The smooth motion of the train encourages you to relax and take in the scenery.
Arrival in Agra.
Upon arrival at Agra Railway Station, porters will collect your luggage and direct you to follow them to the exit. Your luggage is ported for the drive to The Oberoi Amarvilas—one of the world's most iconic luxury hotels, set just moments from the Taj Mahal. You are assisted with check-in and escorted to your room, where the design is intentionally calm and understated so the focus stays where it belongs: on the Taj.
From your room’s expansive windows, the view opens directly to the monument, luminous in the evening light—an unforgettable first look that is worlds away from the bustle of the station and the city.
(Overnight – Oberoi Amarvilas)
Day 9: Agra.
Please note: This day cannot be a Friday, as the Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays.
Sunrise at the Taj Mahal (UWHS)
Begin your day with a guided sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal, when the monument is bathed in soft golden light and the grounds are quiet. For most first-time visitors, walking through the red sandstone gateway and seeing the Taj framed in the early morning stillness is unforgettable.
Your Easy Tours guide will explain the symbolism and engineering that was completed in 1653 by more than twenty thousand artisans working over years. The structure uses white Makrana marble inlaid with semi-precious stones—including lapis lazuli, carnelian, malachite, jasper, and turquoise—using the pietra dura technique that reached its zenith under the Mughals.
The monument's perfect symmetry is intentional: four identical facades, minarets angled outward to protect the main tomb during an earthquake, and a carefully calibrated central dome that rises 240 feet. Your guide will point out the optical illusions used by the builders—Arabic calligraphy that appears uniform due to increasing text size at higher levels, and the slightly taller outer arches that frame the central iwan to enhance its proportions.
The long reflecting pools were designed to mirror the marble structure at key times of day, and sunrise is among the most striking moments to see this effect. After this remarkable experience, you return to your hotel for breakfast and time to freshen up.
Agra Fort (UWHS)
Late in the morning you will proceed for your exploration of the Agra Fort, a sprawling complex of palaces, halls, and courtyards built by the Mughal emperors. Your guide will walk you through the Diwan-i-Am, the Diwan-i-Khas, royal living quarters, and the pathways connecting these areas, sharing dramatic stories of royal life and succession. From one of the secluded terraces, you will take in a memorable view of the Taj Mahal from the very chambers where Shah Jahan spent his final years.
Itmad-ud-Daulah (The Baby Taj)
You then continue to Itmad-ud-Daulah, located across the Yamuna River. This exquisite white marble tomb is often seen as an architectural precursor to the Taj Mahal. Its delicate inlay work, refined lattice screens, and meticulously carved surfaces make it one of Agra's most beautiful monuments. Your guide will point out design elements here that later matured into the grand aesthetic of the Taj.
Sunset at the Taj Mahal (UWHS)
In the late afternoon, you proceed again to the Taj Mahal for your sunset visit. As the sun descends, the monument takes on warm golden and pink hues, shifting subtly as the light softens. You will have time to view these changing colors from different vantage points—across the reflecting pools, near the marble terraces, and through intricately carved jali screens.
Inside the mausoleum, you'll view the finely carved cenotaphs and the actual tomb chamber below, while your guide shares the story of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal, whose love and loss gave rise to this masterpiece.
(Overnight – Oberoi Amarvilas)
Day 10: Agra – Jaipur.
After breakfast and assisted checkout, you begin your journey toward Jaipur.
Visit Chand Baori Stepwell. En route to Jaipur, stop at the stunning Chand Baori Stepwell in the village of Abhaneri. This architectural marvel from the 10th century drops nearly 100 feet into the earth with more than 3,000 precisely aligned steps descending in symmetrical layers. Although access to the lower levels is now restricted, the sheer scale and intricacy of the structure remain mesmerizing.
Continue your journey toward Jaipur, a UNESCO World Heritage City known for its architecture, urban planning, and historic character. Upon arrival, you are assisted with your check-in at iconic palace-style resort set within an expansive walled estate, the Oberoi Rajvilas. Rajvilas unfolds across acres of beautifully landscaped gardens, where traditional Rajasthani architecture, reflection pools, and quiet pathways create a strong sense of space and privacy.
You are assisted with check-in and escorted to your room. The resort's views across vast manicured gardens make for a magical arrival. Beyond the accommodations, the estate includes extensive facilities—lush lawns, walking paths, tennis courts, and serene open spaces—inviting you to slow down and enjoy the surroundings after the journey.
The Rajputs of Rajasthan – Pride, Valor, and Enduring Legacy
You are now in the heartland of the Rajputs, a people whose tales of chivalry, honor, and grandeur rival those of any European court. Derived from the Sanskrit Rajaputra or "Son of a King," the Rajputs were the warrior aristocracy of North India, renowned for their fierce independence, code of honor, and battlefield heroics.
The Jaipur region was ruled for centuries by the Kachwaha Rajputs, who rose to prominence by founding Amer in the 10th century and later Jaipur in the 18th century. Rajput kingdoms often stood as bulwarks against invasions, resisting the advance of Islamic empires with valor and tenacity.
While many fell in heroic last stands—immortalized in stories of jauhar (ritual mass sacrifice by women of the royal family) and saka (final battle)—others, like the Kachwahas, chose strategic alliances with the Mughals. This allowed them to retain their dominions, expand their influence, and foster an extraordinary fusion of Rajput and Mughal art, architecture, and culture—a blend that defines much of Jaipur's visual and spiritual identity.
Though the power of the Rajput states eventually waned under colonial rule and post-independence reforms, their cultural influence remains immense. Rajput palaces, forts, and temples still command awe, and the people of Rajasthan continue to celebrate a vibrant heritage of color, music, dance, and craftsmanship. From the glittering mirrorwork of Amer Fort to the ceremonial grandeur of City Palace and the artistry preserved in textile and jewelry traditions, you'll encounter echoes of Rajput pride in every corner of Rajasthan.
(Overnight – Oberoi Rajvilas)
Day 11: Jaipur. (UWHS)
Into the Heart of the Pink City You begin your day with a drive into the walled pink city of Jaipur, a UNESCO World Heritage City renowned for its 18th-century urban planning and vibrant Indo-Mughal architecture. Your first stop is the Swargasuli Tower, built in 1749 to commemorate a military victory. You have the option to climb the internal ramp of this seven-story minaret to the level of your choice for sweeping panoramic views of the Pink City, offering a preview of the palaces, temples, and bazaars you'll soon explore.
From the tower, you begin a stroll through history into the heart of Jaipur. Your walk will encompass three incredible attractions, located a few steps from each other.
Jantar Mantar (UWHS) Your walk leads you to the Jantar Mantar, a remarkable 18th-century astronomical observatory. This open-air complex features massive instruments designed to measure celestial phenomena with startling precision. The highlight is a massive stone sundial accurate to within two seconds, along with several other geometric tools used for tracking stars and planetary movements.
City Palace Immediately adjacent is the City Palace, an expansive complex blending Mughal and Rajput architecture. Though part of the palace remains the residence of Jaipur's royal family, much of it is open to the public and contains several museums. Your guide will lead you through galleries showcasing ancient royal garments, armory, miniature paintings, and ceremonial objects. Lavish courtyards, intricately carved gateways, and preserved royal chambers offer a glimpse into Jaipur's regal past.
Hawa Mahal From the palace, it is a short walk to the Hawa Mahal, or Palace of the Winds, perhaps Jaipur's most photographed monument. Built in 1799, the five-story honeycomb-like façade allowed royal women to observe street life and processions unseen. You'll enter the structure and explore its interior ramps and balconies, which offer unique views of the bazaars below and the surrounding cityscape.
Lunch and Flexible Midafternoon Break for lunch at one of the many nearby restaurants. The nearby bazaars are among the most atmospheric in India—lively lanes where residents shop for spices, vegetables, textiles, jewelry, and religious items. The streets are a mix of permanent storefronts, curbside vendors, and narrow alleys leading to inner courtyards where generations of artisans still work. Afterward, you can explore the bazaars and absorb the amazing environment you're in, the shoppers bargaining, the wares that include anything that one could possibly need or want.
Galtaji Temple (Monkey Temple) Later in the afternoon, you drive out toward the Aravalli Hills to visit Galtaji, a revered Hindu pilgrimage site nestled in a rocky ravine. You are here for the fascinating cultural experience and locale. The 15th-century pink sandstone temple complex includes sacred kunds (water tanks) fed by natural springs and is surrounded by temples carved into the hills.
Known to tourists as the Monkey Temple, Galtaji is home to a large tribe of monkeys who freely roam the grounds and bathe in the ponds. You'll observe both pilgrims and monkeys interacting in this unusual and photogenic setting. Many monkeys bathe and swim in the central tank, leaping into the water from ledges and walls. They can be seen grooming one another, squabbling over food, or simply lounging on temple rooftops and terraces—exhibiting highly social and entertaining behaviors. Some climb the temple facades and perch on balconies, while younger monkeys play near the water's edge.
You can choose to visit a few of the key shrines within the complex, including the Balaji Temple, and observe pilgrims offering prayers, lighting lamps, and collecting spring water. The setting—blending religious devotion, natural beauty, and daily monkey activity—makes Galtaji one of the most unique and atmospheric temple sites in Rajasthan.
Albert Hall Museum On your way back to your hotel, you stop at the stunning structure of the Albert Hall Museum, built in 1887 in the Indo-Saracenic style. Surrounded by pigeons and civic activity, it is Jaipur's oldest museum and houses an impressive collection of regional crafts, metalwork, miniature paintings, and textiles.
You may choose to go inside, or simply walk around the spectacular structure and picturesque locale to admire its design and setting. Rudyard Kipling, upon visiting, called it "a rebuke to all other museums in India from Calcutta downwards."
(Overnight – Oberoi Rajvilas)
Day 12: Jaipur.
Morning: Visit to a Meena Village in the hilly Amer Region - Your day begins with a short drive into the scenic outskirts north of Jaipur, where you will explore a traditional Meena village nestled in the Aravalli foothills. The Meenas are one of Rajasthan's oldest and most culturally distinct tribal groups, with a legacy that predates the Rajput kingdoms. Before the 11th century, much of this region was ruled by Meena chieftains, and their cultural imprint remains woven into the region's fabric.
Today, the Meena community lives a life that bridges past and present. Villages display a blend of traditional mud homes decorated with floral and geometric motifs and more modern structures, reflecting both heritage and adaptation. During your cultural walk, you'll observe the rhythms of everyday life—women drawing water, elders working with grain, and children headed to school.
The Meenas maintain distinctive customs, including matriarchal inheritance traditions, vibrant attire, and tribal jewelry and tattoos, many of which have deep ritual meaning. Your guide will offer context and cultural insight throughout the walk, making this an authentic window into rural life just beyond Jaipur's rapidly growing edge.
Late Morning: Anokhi Museum of Hand Printing. A short drive brings you to the Anokhi Museum, located in a beautifully restored haveli in the historic Amer Region. Dedicated to preserving Rajasthan's famed art of hand-block-printing, the museum offers a curated yet hands-on exploration of this heritage craft.
Stroll through exhibits showing traditional motifs, tools, and dyeing techniques. Watch live demonstrations by master block printers and carvers in the open courtyard. With your guide's interpretation, this becomes not just a museum visit, but an immersive look at the enduring creativity and skill of Rajasthani artisans.
We recommend lunch at the Anokhi Café, which serves fresh, locally sourced fare in a tranquil garden setting. 
Amer Fort & Palace Complex. After lunch, you are driven nearby to the legendary Amer Fort. Built in 1592, Amer Fort served as the royal residence for the Kachwaha Rajputs. The sprawling complex blends Rajput military architecture with Mughal-inspired elegance, set dramatically above Maota Lake and the surrounding hills.
You will stop at the base of the hills for a view of the spectacular walled complex, before being driven up to the rear entrance. Easy Tours does not offer elephant-back rides (available at 9 am) and we recommend visiting in the afternoon, when the fort complex is quieter and the play of light on its ochre façades and inlaid marble halls is particularly beautiful.
Your guided exploration includes: • Jaleb Chowk and Ganesh Pol, where armies gathered and royalty passed through intricately painted gates • The Diwan-i-Aam, a public audience hall framed by scalloped arches and columns • The magical Sheesh Mahal (Mirror Palace), inlaid with thousands of tiny mirrored tiles that once glittered in candlelight • The Sukh Niwas, cooled by marble channels and perfumed breezes in summers past • And the Zenana Quarters, where the royal women lived in cloistered splendor behind latticed screens
As you walk the fort's shaded corridors and open terraces, your guide will explain the historical, artistic, and political narratives behind its creation. The views from the ramparts—of the curling battlements, Maota Lake below, and the rugged Aravallis beyond—are equally spectacular.
Late Afternoon: Optional Specialty Shopping
On the way back to your hotel, you may choose to stop and explore Jaipur's renowned artisan traditions. Jaipur is famed for fine jewelry, block-printed textiles, hand-knotted carpets, blue pottery, and more. Your guide can tailor the shopping to your interests, or you may simply take in the bustle of the pink city's bazaars as the day winds down.
(Overnight – Oberoi Rajvilas)
Day 13: Jaipur – Jaisalmer.
Morning Flight to Jaisalmer. You are assisted with your checkout with a packed breakfast and driven to the airport for your direct flight to the legendary Thar Desert and Jaisalmer.
Gadisar Lake. Upon your arrival at Jaisalmer Airport, you are driven through the ochre desert to Gadisar Lake. Here, you’ll find a broad expanse of placid water framed by sandstone ghats and carved pavilions. Without boats to disturb the surface, the lake becomes a mirror for the sky, while flocks of egrets, herons, and kingfishers perch along the edges and atop the stone structures, lending life and movement to the scene against the vast desert horizon.
The Havelis of Jaisalmer. You are driven to the foot of the legendary forted city where you will enjoy a walking tour of the ancient spice route town of Jaisalmer. You will walk through residential communities and small bazaars as you visit the historic havelis of Jaisalmer. Wealthy spice route merchants built their exquisite homes with profusely carved stone facades. The most famous ones are the Patwon Ki Haveli, Salim Singh Ki Haveli and Nathmal Ki Haveli.
Break for lunch before proceeding to your wonderful desert lodge for check-in. Designed as a palace-inspired retreat, Suryagarh immediately sets a distinctly Rajasthani tone—arched corridors, carved details, and an atmosphere that feels intentionally “palatial” without being overdone. The interiors are richly visual: hand-made paintings and murals by local artists appear throughout the hotel. You are assisted with check-in to their namesake suite, the Suryagarh Suite.
(Overnight – Suryagarh)
Day 14: Jaisalmer.
The Jaisalmer Fort. Often called the “Golden Citadel,” it rises directly from the sands of the Thar Desert and crowns 262 ft high Trikuta hill. It was both a formidable stronghold and a living quarter. Founded in 1156, its honey-colored sandstone walls once protected this part of the Silk Road caravan routes.
Living in History. Even today, its ramparts—sixteen bastions in all—stand guard over the old city, their crenellations glowing warmly at dawn and dusk. Within these walls lies a maze of narrow lanes flanked by private homes, small temples, and family-run shops. Many of the fort’s roughly 3,000 residents are direct descendants of the original families, and continue traditional crafts—stone carving, lacquer work, embroidered textiles. Visitors glimpse daily life in doorways hung with drying chilies, storefronts displaying mirrorwork textiles, and the gentle shuffle of elderly residents sipping chai in the fading light.
Key attractions include the Royal Palace complex, five exquisitely carved Jain temples dating from the 15th century, and the ornate Raj Mahal, all of which remain in active use, or are open to the public. Their facades, intricately sculpted with floral and geometric motifs, speak of medieval grandeur; inside, you’ll find quiet courtyards where light filters through jali screens and local families pause between chores. At sunset, the entire fort seems to shimmer, each windowpane catching the last of the sun.
Yet the stone walls bear the marks of time. Rising damp and salt crystallization threaten some structures, and heavy monsoon rains can erode foundations laid nearly a millennium ago. Conservation efforts, led by the Archaeological Survey of India in partnership with UNESCO, aim to balance preservation with the needs of residents. Restoration work replaces weakened stones and improves drainage, while small-scale tourism enterprises inside the fort generate income that helps families maintain their homes.
Sam Sand Dunes. Enjoy an excursion to Sam, a little over an hour from Jaisalmer. The city’s sandstone ramparts give way to an endless sea of golden dunes. At the desert’s edge, you’ll choose between two modes of exploration: a leisurely camelback trek or a spirited ride in an open-air 4×4 jeep. The camel’s steady gait carries you up gentle slopes, lending a timeless rhythm to the journey.
Sand Dunes Sunset - Camel or Jeep. As you ascend each dune, the landscape unfolds in shifting patterns of light and shadow. When you reach the highest vantage point, the sun will be sinking in a haze of amber and rose. Here you pause—seated on your camel’s back or perched on the jeep’s tailgate—to watch the sky deepen through shades of coral and violet, the dunes beneath you glowing like molten gold. With the last light fading you’ll wind your way down the dunes to the waiting vehicle. A comfortable transfer then carries you back to your lodge in Jaisalmer, arriving under a canopy of desert stars and ready to unwind after an unforgettable evening among the sands.
(Overnight – Suryagarh)
Day 15: Jaisalmer – Jodhpur. (Breakfast)
Drive to Jodhpur.
Check-out from your desert lodge and proceed on the scenic 4.5 hour drive to Jodhpur. Arrive at Jodhpur in the early afternoon and, after a break for lunch, you are assisted with your check-in to India’s most opulent palace hotel. Even before you step inside, the scale is unmistakable—an immense sandstone landmark set high above the city, with long ceremonial approaches, grand stairways, and a sense of arrival that feels genuinely rare.
You are assisted with check-in and ushered into an environment defined by pure old-world lavishness: soaring interiors, polished stone and marble, art and antiques that feel collected rather than staged, and the quiet, unhurried service that belongs to a place built for royalty. The palace is not “styled” to feel historic—it simply is, and the experience carries that weight in every detail.
Sadar Bazaar
This afternoon you will have an opportunity to walk with your guide through the bustling Sadar Bazaar, often referred to as the Clock Tower Market. Here the bustle of everyday life converges in a charming riot of color and sound. Your guide will lead you down narrow lanes flanked by low wooden stalls, each one shaded by the patchwork of cloth awnings overhead. The midday sun filters through the fabric, casting warm, dappled light on stacks of hand-woven textiles: block-printed dupattas in indigo and marigold, thick woolen shawls flecked with silver thread, and bolts of cotton so soft they seem almost to glow.
As you move deeper into the market, the air grows rich with the scent of street food. Earthenware bowls hold glossy red chilies and turmeric so bright it seems to hum with energy. Nearby, an artisan deftly hammers brass into elegant bowls, the rhythmic clink of metal underscoring the lively chatter of haggling customers. Toward the bazaar’s heart, you’ll find a small square shaded by neem trees, where the local women congregate to survey the day’s finds.
(Overnight – Taj Umaid Bhawan Palace)
Day 16: Jodhpur.
Mehrangarh Fort (UWHS). After breakfast, proceed on a city tour of Jodhpur. The tour begins from the fifteenth century Mehrangarh Fort. This formidable hilltop fort is arguably the most awe-inspiring in Rajasthan, a land of impressive hilltop forts and palaces. Entry to the massive fort is through a series of seven great gates, with the main entrance being the huge Lohapol that literally means Iron Gate. Next to this gate there are 15 handprints in the wall, the Sati marks of Maharaja Man Singh’s widows. These handprints were etched into the wall by the queens just prior to them throwing themselves upon his funeral pyre in 1843, as the besieged fort was about to be conquered.
Inside the fort is a collection of some gorgeous palaces and galleries, including Moti Mahal (Pearl Palace), Sukh Mahal (Pleasure Palace), Phool Mahal (Flower Palace), Elephant Howdah Gallery, Palanquin Gallery, the Armory, the Turban Gallery, and the Folk Music Gallery. The Daulat Khana (Treasury Museum) houses one of the world’s finest collections of Mughal Art.
Jaswant Thada. On your way down from the fort you will stop for a tour of Jaswant Thada, a marble cenotaph built in 1899 as a memorial to Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. You can elect to break for lunch after this, or later.
Mid-afternoon:
Option A – Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park. After a break for lunch, you will visit Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park, located at the base of Mehrangarh Fort. This reclaimed rocky landscape showcases native plants of the Thar Desert and offers gently graded walking paths with excellent views of the fort’s ramparts and the blue-washed old city. As you walk with your guide along the stone trails, you will learn how the park’s conservation work has restored local ecology and how the desert environment has shaped life and architecture in this region.
Option B – Toorji Ka Jhalra Stepwell & Old City Lanes. Alternatively, you may choose to visit Toorji Ka Jhalra, an 18th-century stepwell in the old city. From the edge of the deep, geometrically stepped well, your guide will explain how such structures once stored water and served as social gathering places. The surrounding lanes now hold restored havelis, small boutiques, and cafés, and your walk here offers one more glimpse of daily life and Jodhpur’s blend of heritage and modernity.
(Overnight – Taj Umaid Bhawan Palace)
Day 17: Jodhpur – Narlai.
Scenic Drive. Join your guide and chauffeur and you are now driven to the middle of the scenic Aravalli Range, where you’ll arrive at one of India’s lesser-known architectural marvels, the 15th Century Ranakpur Jain Temple, which is an active place of worship.
Ranakpur Jain Temple. The main temple’s 29 halls are supported by 1444 massive yet intricately carved marble pillars, in which no two are of the same design. There is an abundance of intricate sculptures and friezes and the enormous scale and exquisite detail have to be experienced to be believed. There is a break for an included lunch after the temple.
Rawla Narlai.
A short scenic drive will bring you to historic Rawla Narlai, a 17th century Royal Hunting Lodge located right in the middle of a charming Rajasthani Village. Most of so-called rural tourism sites receive a constant stream of visitors and available experiences are at least partially staged. With almost 6000 colorfully attired residents, 16th Century Narlai is the genuine article, a large and fairly prosperous Rajasthani village inhabited by friendly villagers.
The ancient royal lodge has been meticulously restored, and calling it boutique would be a vast understatement. The lodge itself is widely praised for its outstanding hospitality, attentive service, and delightful cuisine. There are two wings – the original 17th Century hunting lodge and a more modern wing that was built about 25 years ago, where you will stay. You are in the best suite of the lodge, occupying the whole top floor of the new wing with a massive balcony and spectacular Elephant Hill and village views. The common areas of the hotel are primarily in the historic structure.
Near the lodge and visible from various vantage points is a massive granite boulder called Elephant Hill. This ancient volcanic hill has many caves carved into its facade and a historic small Hindu Temple at its peak.
After settling into your suite, you will have time to relax and enjoy the tranquil surroundings of the lodge. The property is set amidst quiet countryside, and the atmosphere here is markedly different from the larger cities you have experienced so far.
The countryside around Narlai is also alive with birdlife. In the quiet early mornings and late afternoons, the trees and fields around the village are filled with birdsong. Peacocks are frequently seen roaming through the farmland and village lanes, and the surrounding fields and rocky hills support a rich variety of resident bird species.
Ancient Stepwell Dinner Experience: After sunset you will be assisted in climbing aboard a traditional bullock cart (you can choose to be driven instead) and transported through the dark countryside to a charming 16th Century stepwell. The short journey itself becomes part of the experience as lanterns illuminate the rural lanes and the quiet village settles into the evening.
Your magical dinner will be at the stepwell, accompanied by live local folk music and accented by hundreds of oil lamps adorning the steps of the stepwell. You will enjoy a multi-course dinner with the oil lamps and countless stars creating a magical setting - this dinner is among our guests' most treasured memories in India.
(Overnight – Rawla Narlai)
Day 18: Narlai.
Morning Leopard Safari. Early this morning you will board one of the lodge's jeeps with their naturalist, accompanied by your guide, and head into the surrounding countryside in search of leopards. Although this is not a national park, leopard sightings have been fairly common in the rocky hills and scrub forests around Narlai in recent years. The terrain here is rugged and beautiful, and the safari itself is an adventure as you traverse narrow tracks and remote landscapes. Besides leopards, the region is also home to hyenas, jackals, and antelope that inhabit the scrub forests and rocky outcrops surrounding the village.
The early morning hours are especially atmospheric. As the sun rises over the granite hills, the countryside comes alive with birdsong. Rajasthan supports a rich variety of native bird species, and in winter the region lies along a major migratory route. Many birds traveling south from far northern regions, including Northern Russia, pass through this landscape before returning north again in the spring.
After the safari you will return to the lodge to have a late breakfast.
Guided Village Walk. Later in the morning you will enjoy an extended walk through the large village to get an introduction to the lives of the simple but proud Rajasthani villagers. There will be young boys and girls herding goats, sheep, and cows around the area, and many other experiences that are only found in rural Rajasthan. There will also be multiple opportunities to view various indigenous activities.
As you walk through the village with your guide, you may observe artisans practicing traditional crafts, farmers working their fields, and families going about their daily routines. If it is a weekday and school is in session, there may also be an opportunity to briefly visit the local school and observe village children during their classes. Your guide will facilitate conversations and interactions with villagers, offering insights into their traditions, livelihoods, and daily life.
After the village walk, you may return to the lodge with your guide to relax and enjoy its peaceful surroundings, or after a short break you can head back into the village with your guide to continue observing daily life.
The late afternoon and early evening are particularly charming times in Narlai. As the sun begins to set, shepherds and herders return with their goats, sheep, cows, and camels, moving through the village lanes in a lively procession that has taken place for generations. Families gather outside their homes, children play in the streets, and the village takes on a warm communal atmosphere as the day comes to a close.
Your guide will remain with you and can continue facilitating visits, conversations, and observations of village life before you return to the lodge for the evening. Guests who prefer a quieter pace may also choose to remain at the lodge and simply enjoy its tranquil setting and renowned hospitality.
(Overnight – Rawla Narlai)
Day 19: Narlai – Udaipur.
Climb Elephant Hill. You have the option this morning to accompany a lodge steward on their daily climb up the 756 ancient hand-carved steps that lead to the peak of Elephant Hill. At the top of the boulder, you will enjoy spectacular views and can visit the small Hindu Temple. A lodge steward leads this activity every morning and carries light refreshments for you. Your guide is available from 9 am on for village excursions.
Gorgeous Drive. After this you will continue on with your journey to Udaipur. This is one of the most picturesque drives in all of India and as you go through the Aravalli hills there will be photo opportunities of village life and livestock, including camels. The rolling landscape and the charm of the rural countryside may make you ask for frequent stops during this 2 to 2.5-hour journey.
Arrive at magical Udaipur and you are driven to your spectacular lakefront resort where you are assisted with your check-in. In the last two decades the Oberoi Udaivilas has twice won 'best hotel in the world' award in the annual Travel & Leisure magazine's U.S. based readers survey for very good reasons. The architecture, gardens and other facilities and services are the best among all of the highly vaunted Oberoi Hotels.
Udaipur is a great place to take a break.
The Kingdom of Mewar claims to be the oldest surviving dynasty in the world, tracing its origins back to the 6th century. Over the centuries, Mewar became synonymous with Rajput honor, valor, and an unbroken lineage of rulers who resisted foreign domination. Udaipur was founded as the kingdom's new capital in 1559, and the House of Mewar's heritage lives on in countless tales of bravery and sacrifice. More than just a kingdom, Mewar is remembered as the spiritual heart of Rajput identity, where honor, courage, and resistance defined history.
Sunset Cruise. In the late afternoon you head to your resort jetty where you're assisted in boarding an Oberoi boat for a private cruise on captivating Lake Pichola. As the boat leaves the jetty, the views open up to reveal the City Palace rising grandly above the shoreline — its white and golden façades glowing in the warm evening light.
Further out, you pass the Lake Palace and Jag Mandir Island, and as the sun dips behind the Aravalli Hills, the lake transforms into a canvas of soft pinks, oranges, and purples. The silhouettes of Udaipur's palaces and ghats glow against the twilight, offering magical photo opportunities.
(Overnight – Oberoi Udaivilas)
Day 20: Udaipur.
Enjoy a slightly early breakfast this morning. The reason for this is that the City Palace Complex has an hour at the beginning of every morning where they charge a little more and thus get significantly fewer visitors. Your exploration of the vast complex will almost certainly take longer than an hour, but you will have done most parts that the later visitors will flock to. There are amazing views to be had from the entrance ramparts, especially of Lake Pichola, the Lake Palace, and Jag Mandir Island.
Udaipur’s fabled City Palace Complex contains multiple old palaces and other structures. You will explore beautifully decorated rooms, massive ivory doors (a dark reminder of Indian royalty’s passion for hunting), brightly colored stained-glass windows, expansive inlaid marble balconies, and the unique peacock courtyard.
Crystal Gallery. A highlight of the palace complex, you will enjoy a tour of the amazing Crystal Gallery which houses the world’s largest collection of priceless crystal. Marvel at pieces like the complete bedroom furniture set in crystal and the gorgeous crystal fountains in the courtyards.
Old Town Udaipur. With its small-town atmosphere, laid back Udaipur is one of India’s best places to explore on foot, and next up is an easy and delightful walk in the picturesque ancient part of the small city. Udaipur is world famous for its miniature paintings, and you have the option to stop at a gallery or two where accomplished local artists create Udaipur’s incredible miniature paintings. Break for lunch at a time of your choice.
3-Wheeler Scooter Ride. In the mid-afternoon you will enjoy a slightly bumpy (there are no shock absorbers) three-wheeler scooter ride to your hotel. The late afternoon is flexible with your guide and vehicle, but you'll stay in your hotel.
(Overnight – Oberoi Udaivilas)
Day 21: Udaipur – Aurangabad.
Connecting Flight to Aurangabad. You are driven to the airport and assisted in boarding your late morning one-stop flight to Aurangabad. You will transfer to a different plane during the 2.5 to 3-hour layover at Hyderabad or Bangalore – your bags will have been checked through at Udaipur. Arrive at Aurangabad and you are greeted at the airport and driven to Aurangabad’s best upscale hotel and assisted with check-in to their top suite with a balcony overlooking the gardens.
The Ajanta and Ellora Sites are both individually UNESCO World Heritage Sites near Aurangabad for excellent reasons. They are widely recognized as among the world’s most incredible achievements of ancient man.
Ajanta. Comparing the paintings at Ajanta (began in 200 BCE) with slightly later murals in Europe and the Mediterranean, such as Roman frescoes like those in Pompeii (1st century CE) you’ll see that they also depicted vivid life scenes, as did Buddhist art in China (4th century CE). But none of these compare in the stylistic innovations used at more ancient Ajanta - the use of shading, perspective, and subtle expressions conveyed a sophisticated understanding of human psychology. The figures show movement, grace, and attention to detail in textiles, jewelry, and nature.
Ellora: Ellora’s sculpted wonders (began 500 CE) also outshine the rest of the world. In Europe, early medieval Christian sculpture was more symbolic and less naturalistic. Ellora’s realism and dynamism contrast sharply with the stiffness of contemporary Western art. In East Asia, Tang dynasty China (7th–10th century CE) produced highly refined Buddhist sculpture, but Ellora’s monolithic scale and integration of architecture and sculpture is unmatched. The Kailash Temple, in particular, is one of the greatest architectural creations of the ancient world, on par with the Pyramids or the Parthenon.
(Overnight – Taj IHCL Gateway)
Day 22: Aurangabad.
Ajanta Caves. After breakfast you will enjoy an excursion to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ajanta. A choice of sandwiches and accompaniments that will be edible for a few hours is included from your hotel for this excursion. Buddhist monks and local craftsmen began excavating, sculpting, and painting at Ajanta in the 2nd century B.C. The incredible variety of paintings and sculptures were created using primitive yet ingenious lighting, tools and materials to carve hard rock into perfection.
Vertical Excavation. Of particular interest is the concept of Vertical Excavation. Our guests are always in awe by the achievements of the craftsmen when their guide illustrates how the creators hung upside down and chiseled away hundreds of thousands of tons of hard rock. These 28 caves are a testimony to the devotion of the Buddhists, as well as the talents of their skilled craftsmen. As you walk from one to the next, gorgeously sculpted cave interiors feature the Buddha in various poses signifying his status.
Unmatched 2000+ year old paintings. Although the caves themselves are very impressive in their design, the incredible sculptures, and the massive volume of excavation, it is the art inside the caves that will take your breath away. The incredible artistry and colors of the paintings and sculptures are unique – such art has not been seen anywhere else in the world. Ajanta's incredible paintings are even more impressive considering that the color and texture you're admiring today were created by artists over two thousand years ago.
(Overnight – Taj IHCL Gateway)
Day 23: Aurangabad – Mumbai.
You are assisted with your checkout from your hotel after breakfast and you will leave your baggage with the bell desk. Proceed for an excursion to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ellora. Again, a choice of sandwiches and accompaniments that will be edible for a few hours is included from your hotel for this excursion.
Ellora Caves. Explore the magnificently sculptured cave temples and monasteries of Ellora. There are 34 Caves here, and they were built between 600 - 1000 A.D. and are devoted to Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism. Seventeen of these caves illustrate a resurgence of Hinduism in this area, as reflected by their Hindu themes, sculpture and art. Again, the large Buddha and other deities’ sculptures are awe-inspiring, but what takes your breath away is the scale and precision of the sculpting through the massive site.
Kailash Temple. The epitome of this is Cave 16, the unmatched Kailash Temple. It was finished during the 8th century and evokes one of the abodes of Lord Shiv, Mount Kailash in the Himalayas. The Kailash Temple is notable for its immense scale and detail; it is the most awe-inspiring of all of the amazing monuments at Ajanta/Ellora. More than 200,000 tons of rock were excavated and six generations of craftsmen worked for a hundred and twenty years to create this masterpiece. By itself, the Kailash Temple makes Aurangabad well worth visiting, as nothing like it exists on our planet.
Flight to Mumbai. Return to your hotel to pick up your baggage and use the facilities to freshen up. We recommend that you consider eating at one of the hotel food outlets before heading to the airport to board your evening flight to Mumbai. Upon your arrival in Mumbai, you will be driven to your oceanfront hotel and assisted with your check-in to your upgraded room with a great ocean view.
Mumbai Bay & Ocean Views. Your hotel has one of the best locations in Mumbai and your room's views of the massive bay and the city of Mumbai are spectacular. The area around your hotel is where locals visit in the evenings to enjoy the ocean breeze and socialize. It is a great place to walk on your own – people walk around and sit on the seaside promenade and street vendors hawk their wares to them, from street food to toys to foot massages! You can safely and comfortably explore the surroundings of your Mumbai lodging until the late evening.
(Overnight – Oberoi Mumbai)
Day 24: Mumbai.
The booming metropolis of Mumbai is a fairly new city by India’s standards. Its current attractions weren’t built until well after the British East India Company’s takeover in 1668, and Mumbai’s growth exploded after India’s independence in 1947. It is India’s 2nd largest city after Delhi and the financial and business capital of the nation. It is obviously home to Bollywood, where more motion pictures are made than any place else!
Heart of Mumbai Tour. The tour begins at the nearby Gateway of India, situated overlooking Mumbai’s harbor. This structure was built to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to Mumbai and India in 1905. After this a short drive takes you to the impressive Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, previously known as Victoria Terminus. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is India’s finest example of Gothic architecture and one of the world’s busiest railway stations.
Mumbai City Walk. From here you will enjoy a walk (or drive if you prefer) in some of Mumbai’s most interesting areas, stopping every few minutes to admire historic attractions while being surrounded by local residents going about their daily activities. The next 3 hours or so will be a fascinating experience during which you will end up traversing just under 2 miles, with frequent stops at the multitude of attractions. You will stroll through busy street bazaars and public parks where cricket is being played on most days, stopping to take in the incredible architectural details of century plus old Gothic and Victorian buildings that were constructed during the British Raj.
Walk by historic Flora Fountain to Horniman’s Circle, and then on to Mumbai’s Town Hall. Another short walk will bring you to the Chhatrapati Shivaji Museum, once known as the Prince of Wales Museum. Entry is included and optional - this is Mumbai’s premier museum, with beautiful Indo-Saracenic architecture, and includes sections of paintings, archeology, and natural history.
Leopold Café. A 5-minute walk will bring you to our recommended lunch stop, the iconic Leopold Café. This popular establishment that has been serving food to Mumbai’s residents since 1871 and was one of the targets during the 2008 Mumbai terrorism attack. An a la carte menu and the ability to watch a hive of activity in the heart of Mumbai’s high end commercial district.
Dhobi Ghat. After lunch you will drive to Mumbai’s main Dhobi Ghat where you will observe the Dhobis doing Mumbai’s laundry by flogging the clothes on stone in the same manner that they have for more than a century. Over 100,000 pieces are laundered every day and hung to dry on seemingly unending clotheslines, then ironed, and delivered to far reaching areas of Mumbai. The profession is passed on from generation to generation.
Hanging Gardens. Continue your exploration by driving further on Marine Drive and go up Malabar Hill where the Hanging Gardens provide a panoramic view of the city and bay. In the middle of the afternoon, avoiding the infamous Mumbai rush hour traffic, you are driven back to your hotel to enjoy its surroundings, views, and extensive facilities. Please select your choice of packed breakfast with the hotel staff this evening.
(Overnight – Oberoi Mumbai)
Day 25: Mumbai – Hubli - Hampi.
You are assisted with your checkout from your oceanfront hotel and driven to Mumbai Airport, where you are assisted with check-in for your early afternoon flight to Hubli. You are greeted on arrival and escorted to your private vehicle for the drive to your beautiful resort that is set in a striking landscape. Arrive in about 3 hours and you are assisted with your check-in to your gorgeous suite. Dinner is included every night at your resort. For architecture, history, and scenery buffs we recommend adding an additional day in Hampi.
The Great Vijayanagar Empire: Traces of a two millennia old civilization have been found at Hampi, but the UNESCO World Heritage Group of Monuments at Hampi are a mere five to seven centuries old. Hampi was the last Capital of the Great Vijayanagar Empire, and the incredible monuments here are definitely matched by the amazing scenic landscape that is strewn with massive boulders. The landscape is surreal and breathtaking. Amidst hundreds of square kilometers of granite hills and boulders are the remains of a civilization that was unmatched in its heyday.
It is our opinion that Hampi, along with the Taj Mahal and the caves at Ajanta & Ellora, make up the most impressive attractions in a country that is overflowing with magnificent achievements of ancient and medieval civilizations. Two days of exploration at Hampi are a must to be able to really savor the amazing city and its granite monuments. Although there is evidence of a civilized society in this region from about 2000 years ago, what you will primarily experience are the remnants of the Vijayanagar Empire that thrived here from the 14th – 17th centuries, and the spectacular otherworldly landscapes.
The estimates of the local population during that period range from over 500,000 to almost a million residents, and the city was said to have been surrounded by an army of about a million soldiers. The streets and bazaars (remnants of which are spread all over the 30 square kilometers of the Site) were so safe that traders sold precious stones in the open. The incredible stone aqueducts dot part of the landscape, as do various tanks and stepwells. Through this other worldly environment flows the picturesque Tungabhadra River, creating an image that a visitor will never forget.
(Overnight – Evolve Back Hampi)
Day 26: Hampi.
Today focuses on the central zones that define Hampi as a functioning imperial city: its living sacred core and the administrative/ceremonial precincts that supported court life.
Begin in the area around the Hampi Bazaar, once one of the city’s main arteries. The scale of the street itself is part of the experience—long sightlines, pavilion-like ruins, and the sense of a planned urban spine rather than a “market lane.” As you walk, your guide will point out how processions moved through this corridor, where trading and public life concentrated, and how the architecture was designed to handle crowds and ceremony as much as commerce.
At the end of the bazaar, enter the Virupaksha Temple complex, the spiritual heart of Hampi and an active place of worship. Beyond the headline height of the gateway tower, the visit is about the living layout of the temple: successive gateways, courtyards, pillared halls, and shrines arranged to guide movement inward. You’ll notice how the temple is integrated with the surrounding town and bazaar, and how the scale of the built environment changes as you move from public space to sacred space.
From here, continue into the Royal Enclosure, where Hampi’s imperial character becomes tangible. This zone is not a single monument but a network of spaces—broad enclosures, foundations of former halls, ceremonial platforms, and water structures—laid out with a deliberate logic. Visit the Elephant Stables, notable not only for their symmetry but for how they sit within a larger service-and-court landscape. Nearby, see the House of Victory, associated with royal ceremony and state display.
Continue to key water and ritual structures within the royal precinct: the stepped Pushkarini Tank, where the geometry and craftsmanship of the stonework is as striking as the function, and the King’s Balance, a small but memorable structure tied to court ritual and donation ceremonies. Throughout this section, the experience is as much about the spaces between the monuments—walls, gateways, sightlines, and the way the city’s design frames what you see—as it is about any single building.
Return to the resort at any time during the above sightseeing for lunch and/or time at leisure.
(Overnight – Evolve Back Hampi)
Day 27: Hampi.
Today balances Hampi’s most celebrated monument complex with the natural landscape that makes the site so distinctive.
Visit the Vitthala Temple complex, often considered the architectural high point of Hampi. This is a large ensemble rather than a standalone temple, and the visit includes multiple courtyards, halls, and surrounding structures that show the sophistication of Vijayanagara planning. The celebrated Hall of Musical Pillars is part of a broader experience of craftsmanship—proportions, carvings, and the way sound and space work together in the mandapas. The iconic stone chariot is another focal point, but guests usually remember how much there is around it: subsidiary shrines, platforms, and the overall sense of a carefully composed sacred precinct.
After the monument visit, shift to the river side of Hampi for a different perspective. Spend time along the Tungabhadra River, where the landscape becomes the story: granite boulders smoothed by time, palms and cultivated edges, and the calm movement of water through the ruins. When conditions allow, take a coracle ride—a simple but distinctive experience that gives a fresh angle on Hampi’s terrain. From the water, the boulder hills and temple silhouettes feel less like “sites” and more like elements of a single continuous landscape.
Continue to Anegundi, a heritage village on the opposite bank, where the pace is slower and the focus shifts to continuity and daily life. Walk through lanes lined with traditional homes and small shrines, with occasional openings to river views and the surrounding hills. This is not about grand monuments; it’s about seeing the region as a lived-in cultural landscape, not only an archaeological one.
Return to the resort for lunch and a break.
In the later afternoon, head out for Hampi viewpoints, reached via walking paths across the granite terrain. These viewpoints are valuable because they reveal the city’s true scale—boulder fields stretching outward, the river cutting through the valley, and pockets of cultivated green that show how settlement has always been shaped by water and stone.
End with sunset, when the low angle of light sharpens the forms of the landscape and makes the entire valley feel more dimensional before returning to the resort. Hampi. Today focuses on the central zones that define Hampi as a functioning imperial city: its living sacred core and the administrative/ceremonial precincts that supported court life.
(Overnight – Evolve Back Hampi)
Day 28: Hampi – Bengaluru – Fort Kochi.
You are assisted with your checkout this morning and driven to Bengaluru (Bangalore) in your private vehicle, an interesting and scenic drive through changing Deccan landscapes, small towns, and farming countryside. Upon arrival in the area, you will break for a late lunch near the airport.
Flight to Cochin. You are then escorted to Bengaluru Airport where you will check-in for your early evening flight to Cochin (Kochi). Upon arrival at Cochin Airport, you are greeted at the arrivals area and driven about 1.5 to 2 hours to historic Fort Kochi.
Brunton Boatyard is housed in a beautifully restored Victorian-era building, with architecture that has a harmonious blend of British, Dutch, and Portuguese influences. With its sloping tiled roofs, grand verandas, and vintage-styled interiors, the hotel overlooks the scenic harbor, where guests can watch the daily rhythm of fishing boats, ferries, and ships as they move along the water. They serve amazing coastal Keralan cuisine, which is completely different from usual Indian cuisine as it blends coastal flavors and incredible spices with the many foreign cultures that have influenced the ancient town.
Fort Kochi. With its cobblestone streets and colonial-era architecture, the small town tells the many millennia story of the spice trade flourishing, and the unique convergence of diverse cultures over centuries. In the early 16th century, the Portuguese arrived on these shores, establishing Fort Emmanuel, from which Fort Kochi derives its name. The Dutch followed the Portuguese, and constructed numerous buildings and added more diversity to the cuisine and culture. In the 18th century, the British took control.
Spice Trade & Tourism. Today, Fort Kochi is a charming amalgamation of its historical spice trade roots and contemporary vibrancy. The town’s narrow streets are lined with quaint cafes, art galleries, and boutique hotels that cater to a global clientele. Walking through Fort Kochi, the blend of architectural styles with colonial buildings coexisting with traditional Kerala homes, create a picturesque and harmonious streetscape.
Some guests can spend a lot more time in Ft. Kochi just absorbing the patterns of life – from the mornings when little children in crisp uniforms are all over, until the bucolic evenings that transport you back in time.
(Overnight – Brunton Boatyard)
Day 29: Ft. Kochi.
You’ll experience Genuine Dravidian culture on this journey through India’s southernmost states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Mainly undisturbed by the North’s migrations and evolution over many millennia, South Indian society had been eco-centric, grounding human life in the rhythms of the land. Hinduism crept in around 600 CE, resulting in an incredibly colorful fusion of culture, architecture, rituals, and traditions.
This day will start with a short walk to the most photogenic of Cochin’s attractions, the Chinese fishing nets. Local fishermen manipulate these massive nets with an ease that comes from centuries of accumulated experience. Ownership of the net and its prized location is handed down from generation to generation. The lowering and raising of the nets, with the fishermen deftly walking up and down the angled wooden poles and manipulating them in and out of the water with thick, well-worn ropes, has a synchronicity and rhythm that is fascinating to observe.
Continue exploring more with an 8-to-10-minute walk or drive through historic Fort Kochi’s charming streets and alleys that are surrounded by Portuguese, Dutch and British architecture, and full of chic small cafes, boutique stores, art galleries, and a lot more.
Arrive at Santa Cruz Cathedral Basilica and experience its impressive collection of colorful artworks. A 5 minute walk from here will bring you to the St. Francis Church, which was established by the Portuguese Franciscan Friars in 1503. This is the first European church built in India, and the famous Portuguese explorer, Vasco Da Gama, the first European to reach India by sea, was buried in its courtyard for a few years before his remains were returned to Portugal.
A 2-minute walk will bring you to David Hall, a 17th century historic building that has been painstakingly restored and houses a rotating selection of art exhibits, often highlighting young artists. We recommend the excellent and popular small café in the building as your stop for lunch, if you are hungry, but there are other alternatives that you can discuss with your Guide. Here the focus is on casual Indian and western cuisine and drinks, including woodfired thin crust pizzas prepared in a tandoor.
After lunch you will proceed on a 10-minute drive through Fort Kochi, arriving at the Dutch Palace which was actually built by the Portuguese in 1555 and is famous for its detailed carved wooden murals depicting scenes from the Ramayana and the Puranic legends. Despite being called a Palace, this is a squat building that bears no similarity to the opulence of other palaces, or even mansions, in India.
Jewish Synagogue. Very near the palace is the Jewish Synagogue which was built in 1568 and is still an active house of worship for the few remaining Jewish residents in the area. To get to the synagogue you will walk on Jew Street which runs through Jew Town – ancient street signs still identify these names! Fort Kochi’s ancient and colorful Jew Street now has antique stores and souvenir and art outlets. There was a Jewish presence in Kochi from 70 A.D. and the charming synagogue you will visit once was a busy house of worship for the locals.
Optional: In the evening you are driven to an experience that is extremely highly rated by many of our guests. You will be hosted by a famous Keralan Chef and her family at their home. A Keralan cuisine cooking lesson will be followed by a delicious dinner, along with an interesting conversation about life in historic Fort Kochi. You will be asked about this option soon after reserving your tour.
(Overnight – Brunton Boatyard)
Day 30: Ft Kochi – Backwaters.
Check-out from your resort at any time before noon and you will enjoy a fascinating hour and a half drive to Alleppey where you will be assisted in boarding your private houseboat. With advance notice, your guide is available to accompany you on the full day cruise, until you disembark at your resort before sunset. You may carry a bag to refresh yourselves while the rest of your luggage is delivered to your resort.
Most descriptions and photographs of Kerala’s backwaters capture the incredible lushness of the vegetation surrounding the freshwater canals, rivulets, and lakes. The charming waterways, framed by coconut palms and other exotic plants, create a subtropical environment unlike anywhere else on the planet.
But, for many of our guests, the most enchanting aspect of the cruise is the chance to step into a way of life that has remained largely unchanged for centuries. Here, you are quite literally witnessing life as the locals have lived it for generations. Although small dirt tracks and paved roads now connect many homes and hamlets, the waterways have always been the lifelines of this region, and they remain so today. What might appear to you as streams are, in fact, the locals’ streets and alleys — and much of the time you are gliding right past their backyards. As you take in this vibrant tapestry of daily life, your onboard crew ensures your comfort and care, serving a freshly prepared lunch when you’re ready.
During the cruise you will see men, women, and teenagers rowing themselves to their destinations; small children in crisp uniforms being ferried home from school; women washing clothes and dishes in the streams; fishermen and produce sellers paddling up to back doors to sell their wares; farmers tending their fields; pier stations where commuters wait for longboats; and children swimming and playing in the shallower waters.
Kumarakom Lake Resort. As sunset approaches and all houseboats anchor at the shores of the lake, you will disembark directly at the jetty of your gorgeous lakefront resort. The resort is set on expansive, lush grounds dotted with coconut palms and tropical gardens. The architecture has traditional intricately carved wooden exteriors, and you are invited to learn about their culture through culinary offerings and wellness services, and opportunities to witness local village life and the region's rich biodiversity. You are staying in their top villa located next to the tranquil lake.
(Overnight – Kumarakom Lake Resort)
Day 31: Backwaters - Thekkady (Periyar).
Drive to the Western Ghats (UWHS). You are assisted with your check-out and driven 4 hours to Thekkady. All drives in Kerala are scenic, but the second part of this drive is through the magical Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of our planet’s biodiversity hotspots. During the drive you will have photo opportunities at pastoral hamlets and various lush plantations that grow tea and other crops.
Tea Plantation Tour. About 20 minutes before you arrive at your lodge, you will stop at Vandiperiyar for a guided tour of one of South India’s premier tea estates, The Connemara Tea Factory, which has a century plus legacy of making fine tea. Your guided tour begins with a walk through lush green plantations, where the expert guide explains the art of cultivation and the region’s rich tea-growing heritage.
Tea Factory Walk. Inside the factory, you’ll witness each stage of production—withering, rolling, fermenting, drying, and grading—as age-old machines bring the story of tea to life. This is followed by a tea-tasting session, where you can savor freshly brewed varieties and pick up insider tips on brewing the perfect cup.
Arrive at Thekkady and check-in to your wonderful nature resort. This is the heart of spice country and the pleasant, mild aroma from the surrounding plantations will fascinate you when you arrive.
Spice Plantation Naturalist Tour. In the midafternoon you will visit a nearby spice plantation, a lush, shaded world where the air itself seems infused with the fragrance of cardamom, pepper, cinnamon, and clove. An experienced naturalist will guide you along winding paths, introducing you to your choice of different spice plants and explaining how each is grown, harvested, and used. You’ll learn about their medicinal properties, their role in Ayurveda, and their importance in local cooking traditions.
As you walk, you’ll see pepper vines climbing high into shade trees, cardamom pods hidden among leafy undergrowth, nutmeg trees with their precious mace, and groves of cocoa, vanilla, and coffee. The naturalist’s explanations bring to life the centuries-old spice trade that once drew traders from Rome, Arabia, and beyond to these very hills. The mingling aromas of fresh spices, the feel of crushed leaves between your fingers, and the chance to taste or smell raw spices straight from the plant make it a uniquely immersive experience.
(Overnight – Spice Village)
Day 32: Thekkady (Periyar).
Periyar National Park is centered around a tranquil artificial lake, created in 1895 when a dam was built on the Periyar River. The lake winds through the valleys of thickly forested hills, with elevations rising from just a few hundred feet to nearly 6,000 feet. What makes the scene surreal are the dead tree stumps jutting out of the water, set against the backdrop of lush, curving hills draped in mist, making for a landscape of haunting beauty.
Periyar Lake Cruise. Start your day with a drive up to Lake Periyar and embark on a join-up cruise, along with your guide, on the spectacular lake. Visitors can only enter the park on shared, government-run boat cruises across the lake, or on regular ranger led treks and rafting trips into the jungle. The cruise is included; treks and rafting are upon request. Although Lake Periyar is officially a Tiger Reserve, chances of you seeing a big cat here are almost non-existent.
What is fairly common is to see elephant herds as they come to the lake to drink, or as they traverse the terraced hills surrounding the lake. Wild boar and Gaur (world’s largest bovine) are also fairly common. Yet most travelers agree it is the scenery itself, with its dreamlike mix of still waters, forested ridges, drifting mist, and submerged trees, that makes Periyar unforgettable.
The remainder of the day is flexible – you can explore the charming rural town and region with your Guide and chauffeur driven vehicle, or visit nearby plantations. Your eco-resort and its grounds are a mini-plantation themselves, and the resort staff is proud to give you a guided tour. Cooking lessons with the expert chefs will give you insights of how they use the fresh local spices in food preparation, and the delightful local cuisine.
(Overnight – Spice Village)
Day 33: Thekkady – Madurai.
Another Scenic Drive. You are assisted with your check-out and then you head towards Madurai, a city that is the ultimate expression of the Dravidian culture. Leaving Thekkady, the drive winds gently through verdant cardamom and pepper plantations, with the Western Ghats framing the horizon in rolling green. As you descend, the landscape slowly transforms: tea and spice gardens give way to fertile plains dotted with banana groves, coconut palms, and small village hamlets.
Arrive in Madurai. Then you cross into Tamil Nadu, where the scenery shifts dramatically—drier fields, temple towns, and bustling roadside markets add a new cultural flavor. After the tranquility of Thekkady and the 3.25-hour drive, Madurai greets you with the majestic towers of the Meenakshi Amman Temple, vibrant streets alive with history, and the energy of a timeless cultural capital. You are assisted with check-in to your Colonial Suite in your historic hilltop lodge. The views of Madurai and the legendary temple are excellent from the hilltop location.
More than 2,500 years old, Madurai is the second largest city of Tamil Nadu and an important cultural and commercial hub. It was once the seat of Tamil learning; it is still the area where the Tamil language is spoken in its purest form. The ancient city was built in the shape of a lotus. In contrast with its ancient roots, surrounding modern Madurai is a burgeoning industrial center, surrounded by vast stretches of paddy fields, dusty roads and crowded bazaars.
Evening - Attend the iconic and impressive evening Palli Arai ceremony at the mammoth Sree Meenakshi Temple Complex with your guide. This elaborate and ritualistic ceremony has been written up in many international publications. You will be amazed by the incredible scale and colors that you are about to witness.
(Overnight - Taj Gateway Pasumalai)
Day 34: Madurai.
Meenakshi Temple. The obvious main attraction of Madurai is the great Sree Meenakshi Temple. Built mainly in granite, the complex is a city within a city, spread over nearly 15 acres in the heart of Madurai. Inside, the temple unfolds into a labyrinth of pillared halls, courtyards, corridors, and mandapams. The Golden Lotus Tank at the center adds serenity, reflecting the grandeur of the surrounding halls.
Of note is the Hall of a Thousand Pillars, where every stone pillar is meticulously carved and painted with deities as well as other creatures from Hindu religious annals, and appears perfectly aligned from every angle. Every surface of the temple seems alive with sculpture and color, arguably making it the world’s premier masterpiece of Dravidian architecture.
The massive complex includes 14 magnificent Gopurams (up to 170 feet high) that pierce the sky from different areas of the temple complex. These Gopurams have thousands of elaborate sculptures depicting gods, goddesses, demons, and mythical figures carved into their façade, and each of these has been colorfully painted. The magical visual spectacle of the temple just cannot be described and has to be experienced.
The temple’s vast interior is always a beehive of activity as pilgrims come to seek blessings. You will witness Hindu priests performing various ceremonies in different parts of the temple complex as you explore this huge structure, including religious aspects of traditional weddings.
Your stay in Madurai has time for other local experiences, and highly recommended are guided walks through the city’s colorful streets and bazaars. Other attractions include -
Thirumalai Nayakkar Mahal Palace. The Palace was completed by an Italian architect in 1636 AD and was built for the wealthy rulers of the prosperous Madurai Kingdom. The unique Italian Dravidian Palace was once one of South India’s grandest palaces, but today only about a quarter of it remains. However, much of what remains has been restored and the unique grand design is impressive, making this a good stop for architecture enthusiasts.
Gandhi Memorial Museum Madurai. You can also choose to visit the Gandhi Memorial Museum, located in the restored and beautiful Spring Palace of the great 17th century queen, Rani Mangammal. One of the five Gandhi Museums in the country, it is home to a simple but evocative narrative of his life, including items he used, original and reproduced images and letters, and a number of other similar displays.
(Overnight - Taj Gateway Pasumalai)
Day 35: Madurai – Chettinad (Karaikudi).
Drive to Chettinad Region. You are assisted with your check-out and driven a little over two hours to Karaikudi in the famous Chettinad Region. Once you exit Madurai you are in Tamil Nadu’s sun-drenched plains and you’ll pass stretches of paddy fields, tamarind groves, and small farming villages, where rural life unfolds along the roadside. Bright temple towers and roadside shrines often appear, adding a splash of color to the earthy landscape.
Arrival and Lunch. As you approach Karaikudi, the scenery shifts slightly with hints of its unique heritage: Chettinad mansions begin to appear, distinguished by their grand courtyards, wide verandas, and intricate woodwork. Arrive at Karaikudi and break for (included) lunch, which today will be a multi-course Chettinad cuisine (alternatives with prior notice) meal served on a large banana leaf. The incredible flavors that are a combination of multiple Indian and Southeast Asian influences delight those that experience them.
Karaikudi is the capital of the Chettinad region, a fascinating rural area made up of 76 villages and small towns. After lunch you are assisted with check-in at your Chettinad Mansion, an Art Deco boutique gem by CGH Earth hotel with their usual great service and cuisine.
A Chettinad mansion is almost impossible to capture in words. The exquisite carvings, the opulence of imported materials, and the remarkable architectural design come together to create testaments to the artistry, wealth, and cultural vision of the owners — blending Dravidian courtyard planning with Italian marble, Burmese teak, and Belgian glass to create homes unlike any others. The Chettinad region once held over 22,000 mansions. Today, most have fallen into disrepair as families migrated abroad or to big Indian cities.
Chettinad Cuisine. Equally celebrated and created by unique freshly ground spice blends, sesame-oil cooking in special earthen and copper/brass pots, and tangy tamarind gravies, all refined by centuries of South and Southeast Asian trade. The famous banana-leaf lunch, served with a dazzling variety of courses, is an unforgettable experience that delights every visitor.
Ancient Traders. The grandeur of the mansions and the richness of the cuisine are best understood when you learn the history of the Chettiars. As pioneering traders who settled across South and Southeast Asia, they prospered as prominent businessmen and brought back both wealth and diverse influences. They enjoyed an affluent lifestyle on India’s east coast for many centuries, and only migrated to this inland region after a devastating tsunami in the 17th century.
Athangudi Palace. After lunch, you will proceed for an exploration of Chettinad with a short drive through quiet village lanes to the small palace. Here, you’ll explore richly decorated halls where Italian marble, Belgian stained glass, carved Burma teak, and the region’s signature Athangudi tiles blend to create a dazzling example of Chettinad opulence. The guide will walk you through airy courtyards, long pillared verandahs, and grand reception rooms, all the while illustrating the deceptive simplicity of the lifestyles of the wealthy traders.
Athangudi tile workshop. From the palace, a short drive brings you to a traditional Athangudi tile workshop. These workshops still follow the same methods perfected over a century ago: mixing local sand and cement, pouring vivid designs into glass molds, and leaving the tiles to cure under the sun. Watching the craftsmen at work is a fascinating experience—you’ll see how each tile becomes a piece of living heritage. You have the option to try your hand at the process, before heading back to your lodge.
(Overnight – CGH Visalam)
Day 36: Chettinad – Tanjore - Kumbakonam.
Drive to Tanjore. An interesting two-hour drive through the countryside will bring you to the ancient city of Tanjore.
Brihadishwara (UWHS). The Great Living Chola Temples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offer an experience entirely different from the temples of Madurai. The original UNESCO selection (before 2 others were added later) is the most awe-inspiring of them all: the Brihadishwara Temple in Thanjavur. This thousand-year-old masterpiece, built entirely of granite, remains one of India’s most treasured architectural achievements. Even today, with all our modern technology, none would attempt to carve such intricate detail or raise such massive stones with the precision achieved by the Chola artisans.
The temple’s crowning marvel is a colossal granite cupola, made up of ten monolithic pieces weighing a combined 82 tons. This cupola was lifted nearly 200 feet to rest atop the 216-foot-high main tower, a feat accomplished over a millennium ago. Every part of the temple radiates grandeur. An immense Nandi (sacred bull) measuring 16 feet long and 13 feet high and hewn from a single block of granite, guards the main shrine. Inside, delicate frescoes still retain their vibrancy after a thousand years, their colors created not with pigments but by grinding naturally tinted stones into fine paste.
Thanjavur Art Gallery. After a break for lunch, your afternoon begins with a visit to the Thanjavur Art Gallery, housed within the historic Nayak palace complex. Whether you are an art enthusiast or simply curious, the experience is deeply rewarding. The highlight here is the gallery’s extraordinary collection of Chola bronzes, masterpieces of the ancient lost-wax process. Gathered from temples across the region, these sculptures are celebrated for their elegance, expressive detail, and timeless spiritual presence. Alongside them, the gallery also showcases stone idols, carved temple panels, and vivid murals, offering a vivid glimpse into Tamil Nadu’s artistic legacy.
Drive to Kumbakonam. In the late afternoon, you’ll set out on the 1-hour drive to Kumbakonam, passing through the lush Cauvery delta with its endless paddy fields, coconut groves, and bustling village scenes.
On arrival at Mantra Koodam, your retreat in the heart of Chola country, you’ll check-in and settle into your upgraded heritage-style cottage with private garden. The retreat is designed to echo the charm of a traditional Tamil agraharam (village street). Besides its service and cuisine, the charming CGH Lodge offers Athangudi tile floors, high wooden ceilings, wide verandahs, and courtyards shaded by trees. The grounds are dotted with temple-inspired structures, serene pathways, and a lotus pond, and, as evening falls, you can relax in the gardens and listen to the sounds of village life around you.
(Overnight – Mantra Koodam)
Day 37. Kumbakonam.
Airavateswara temple (UWHS). The Airavateswara Temple near your lodge is one of the three celebrated Great Living Chola Temples. Although smaller in scale compared to the majestic Brihadishwara, it stands out for its exquisite artistry and attention to detail. Often described as a “sculptor’s dream in stone,” the temple is renowned for the intricacy of its carvings, remarkable both for their refinement and for the fact that they were chiseled out of exceptionally hard stone. Among its most famous features are:
Musical Pillars – finely carved stone pillars that produce musical notes when gently tapped.
Chariot-shaped Mandapam – a grand hall built to resemble a stone chariot drawn by horses, showcasing both architectural creativity and symbolic design.
Paintings and Sculptures – delicate murals and sculptures depicting mythological themes, celestial beings, and daily life, offering an artistic as well as spiritual experience.
There are various other activities available with prior notice for this day, including –
- Kalamkari. Step into artist Rajmohan’s home in Kumbakonam and see how he keeps the ancient art of Kalamkari alive. Using plant-based dyes made from flowers, bark, and roots — and brushes crafted from coconut shells and bamboo — he and his team hand-paint intricate designs on cotton fabric. Each piece is then washed and dried along the river, giving it its signature texture.
- Pattu Silk Weaving. In the backstreets of Kumbakonam, watch master weavers transform silk threads into dazzling saris. Using traditional wooden looms and real gold thread, they create intricate patterns with a skill passed down through generations.
- Lost Wax Casting. At Swamimalai, visit the famed Sthapathi artisans, who have practiced the lost-wax method of bronze casting for over a thousand years. Watch as molten metal is poured into clay molds shaped from wax, resulting in exquisite temple sculptures admired worldwide.
- Bullock Cart Ride. Enjoy a scenic bullock cart ride through the countryside. Pass paddy fields and village lanes, wave to locals, and soak in the charm of rural Tamil life at a slow, peaceful pace.(Overnight – Mantra Koodam)
Day 38: Kumbakonam – Mahabalipuram (UWHS)
Drive to Mahabalipuram. Check-out from your hotel in the morning and proceed on another fascinating drive that will bring you to Mahabalipuram on the east coast in 5 hours – photo opportunities abound and you are encouraged to stop. Initially, the landscape is a lush patchwork of emerald-green paddy fields, groves of coconut palms, and meandering irrigation canals that have sustained the region for centuries.
As the drive continues, the road is dotted with ancient temples—their towering gopurams (gateway towers) rising unexpectedly above the palm trees—reminders of the region’s deep spiritual heritage. Closer to Mahabalipuram and the ocean, the terrain becomes slightly rockier, with low granite outcrops appearing near the road.
Mahabalipuram. You’ll break for a late lunch upon arrival, after which you are assisted with your check-in to your sea view villa at your oceanfront resort in Mahabalipuram. Mahabalipuram, though best known as a UNESCO City, is first and foremost a small coastal town. The fishing community gives Mahabalipuram much of its daily life. Your lodging is near the ancient sites of Mahabalipuram, and your hotel’s beach has a great view of the 8th Century UNESCO WHS Shore Temple.
Fishing Community. In the late afternoon you’ll enjoy a walk on the beach as this brings you to the local fishing community and their colorful wooden boats. You will see a variety of activities going on – fishermen are going through various processes of pulling their boats up on the beach and the wives are helping in repairing and organizing their nets and other gear. Although most of the trading occurs in the early morning, there are usually some fishermen still bartering with buyers on the beach.
(Overnight - Radisson Blu Temple Bay)
Day 39: Mahabalipuram.
Dravidian Creators. The Pallava Dynasty reigned over most of Tamil Nadu and surrounding regions from the 3rd through the 9th Century, and they reached their zenith between 500 and 700 CE. Their capital was at Kanchipuram (City of a Thousand Temples), about an hour and 45 minutes inland from today’s Mahabalipuram.
Mahabalipuram was their major port, but today it is a visitor’s paradise as it combines a very charming Tamil coastal town with massive rock sculptures carved into softly sloping hills, monolithic temples, ancient manmade caverns with incredible sculptures, and the world’s largest bas-relief in stone, just to name a few. In parts of town, descendants of the original artisans still chip away at blocks of granite with hammer and chisel.
The Seven Pagodas. Begin your exploration at the edge of the Bay of Bengal with the weathered Shore Temple (700 CE Approx.). The lone survivor of a line of seven legendary temples that once stood along the ancient shoreline, their golden tops visible to sailors far out at sea - the other 6 are now submerged in the bay. Perched alone among seated granite Nandis (bulls) with the waves breaking just beyond, it has a unique charm. This was the beginning of Dravidian stone structural building, until now stone temples had only been chiseled out of one rock.
Descent of the Ganga (650 CE Approx). Moving inland, the terrain itself becomes the canvas. Ancient creators carved an even more ancient tale into a natural granite cliff about 90 feet long and 40 feet high. The central theme is the descent of the sacred river Ganga from the heavens to the earth, a story from Hindu mythology. Also known as Arjuna’s Penance, here the creators turned a natural rock face into an unfolding drama. The world’s largest bas-relief in stone is adorned by gods, sages, elephants, nagas, and ordinary men and women, carved with an energy and detail that makes the stone feel animated.
Cave Temples (600 – 700 CE). Scattered nearby on the massive granite hill are cave temples, cut into granite outcrops. Creating these sanctuaries taught the Pallavas enough to construct temples such as the Shore Temple. Famous caves you can visit include:
Varaha Mandapa. Dedicated to Vishnu in his boar (Varaha) incarnation. The relief shows Vishnu lifting the earth goddess Bhudevi from the cosmic ocean.
Mahishasuramardini Cave. Contains two famous panels: one of Durga slaying the buffalo demon Mahisha, and another of Vishnu reclining on the serpent Ananta.
Krishna Mandapa. Known for the large relief of Krishna lifting Mount Govardhan to shelter villagers and cattle from torrential rain.
Trimurti Cave. Houses sanctums for Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, representing the Hindu trinity.
Panchapandava Cave (unfinished). One of the largest caves at the site, left incomplete. Its sheer size suggests an ambitious project that may have been abandoned when attention shifted to structural temples such as the Panch Rathas.
The Panch Rathas. (650 CE Approx.) A short drive will bring you to The Panch Rathas (Five Chariots), which are a magnificent site. The entire site was carved out of a single granite ridge, and the structures are as large as 36 feet high and 40 feet long! This is not construction but subtraction: the sculptors cut away everything around and between the Rathas, leaving the structures standing free.
The Rathas are adorned with sculpted reliefs of deities, guardians, lions, and elephants. One stone elephant in particular is one of the ancient world’s most lifelike sculptures. Even more unique is the fact that each Ratha explores a different architectural idea — square, apsidal, barrel-vaulted, pyramidal.
But what boggles the mind is that this monumental creation was just practice! None of the Rathas were consecrated or used as functioning temples. Instead, these were prototypes — experiments in different temple forms, presumably later used in full-scale Dravidian temple architecture!
Return to your resort for lunch at any time during this touring, or you can opt for a restaurant slightly closer to the attractions – your guide will make suggestions based on your preferences.
(Overnight - Radisson Blu Temple Bay)
Day 40: Mahabalipuram - Goa.
You are assisted with your check-out from your oceanfront resort in Mahabalipuram anytime before noon and begin the drive (about 1.5 hours) to Chennai. As you enter the city, your guide will give you a brief orientation to Chennai’s coastal layout and historic core before you begin a compact tour of a few key highlights.
Kapaleeshwarar Temple
Your first major stop is Kapaleeshwarar Temple in Mylapore, one of Chennai’s most important Shiva temples. The shrine traces its origins to the Pallava period in the 7th century CE. The soaring, color-saturated gopuram (gateway tower) is covered in an intricate profusion of carved and painted deities, demons, and mythical creatures. Inside, your guide will walk you through a few of the main mandapams (pillared halls), explaining how ritual, sound, and sculpture work together in an active South Indian temple, as you observe worshippers offering prayers and moving between shrines.
San Thome Basilica
From here you continue to San Thome Basilica, originally established by the Portuguese in the 16th century on the traditional burial site of St. Thomas the Apostle. The present neo-Gothic church has a tall white spire rising above the Bay of Bengal. Inside, your guide will briefly outline how this site reflects successive layers of Christian presence on India’s east coast—from early traditions associated with St. Thomas to later Portuguese and British phases.
Optional: Government Museum, Egmore.
Depending on what time you choose to leave Mahabalipuram, you may be able to add a visit to the Government Museum in Egmore, founded in 1851. Your visit here can be tailored to your preferences, but we put emphasis on the Numismatics Collection, where coins spanning almost 3 millennia trace changing dynasties, trade routes, and symbols of authority. The numismatics galleries hold a remarkably wide range of pieces, starting with early punch-marked “Puranas” from as early as the 6th century BCE.
There are also massive numbers of Roman gold and silver coins, East India Company issues, and modern commemorative pieces, part of what is considered the largest collection of Roman antiquities outside Europe. Walking these cases with your guide gives you a very fast visual history of trade, power, and cultural exchange across peninsular India, all distilled into a metal piece the size of a thumbnail.
Nearby, a compact outdoor display area holds temple sculptures, carved architectural fragments, and stone panels arranged in quiet courtyards, allowing you to see South Indian sculptural work at close range outside an active temple environment. Your guide will advise on whether there is enough time to include this stop before heading to the airport.
Evening Flight to Goa
At the appropriate time, you are driven to Chennai Airport and assisted with check-in for your early evening flight to Goa. On arrival, you are greeted in the arrivals area and escorted to your vehicle for the drive to your South Goa beach resort. You are assisted with your check-in and are then at leisure for the evening to unwind and enjoy the coastal setting. You are at leisure on the next day, before exploring Goa for a day.
(Overnight – Taj Exotica Goa)
Day 41: Goa
You are at leisure on this day to enjoy the ocean and your resort. We include only lodging and breakfast.
South Goa’s Beaches
The beaches in this part of South Goa are unusually wide, with a long stretch of pale sand between the first dunes and the waterline — far broader than most coasts. The atmosphere is quiet and unhurried; beach hawkers are rare, leaving a lot of space for beach activities, walks, as well as boarding vessels for water activities. For most of the day the sand is almost empty, with only a few fishermen moving in and out with their boats and nets, giving the coastline a calm, working-waterfront character rather than a commercial one. Sunsets of course are usually spectacular.
(Overnight – Taj Exotica Goa)
Day 42: Goa.
The day begins with a drive inland from South Goa toward the spice-growing belt. The road passes small villages, paddy fields, and clusters of coconut palms; wayside shrines and local tea stalls dot the route and give a clear sense of daily life beyond the beaches.
Spice Plantation with Naturalist Walk
On arrival at the plantation, access is via a gently swaying suspension bridge over a broad, still pond. Trees and foliage encircle the water, and the main plantation buildings sit just beyond the far bank. The short crossing is part of the experience: reflections of palms, flowering shrubs, and the wooden walkway itself shimmer on the surface below.
A resident naturalist then leads a walking tour through the estate. Pepper vines climb host trees, cardamom plants grow in the shade, and nutmeg, cinnamon, clove, cacao, and other crops are identified in situ. Along the way, there is clear explanation of cultivation methods, harvesting, drying, and how these spices and herbs are used in regional kitchens and traditional remedies. Questions are encouraged, and it is easy to connect what is seen growing with familiar aromas and flavors from meals elsewhere on the journey.
A buffet lunch is served at the plantation.
Old Goa – Convents and Churches (UWHS)
From the plantation, the drive continues to Old Goa, once the capital of Portuguese India and still marked by its dense cluster of churches and convents. The focus is on the UNESCO-listed ensemble:
- Basilica of Bom Jesus, where the baroque interior, side chapels, and relics illustrate the reach of Iberian Catholicism in Asia.
- Se Cathedral, with its broad façade, long nave, and chapels that show the gradual layering of history and patronage.
Depending on time and interest, additional nearby churches or convent buildings can be included. The guide provides context on how this small area functioned as the ecclesiastical center of a vast colonial network, and how the remaining structures reveal that past in their stones, artworks, and layout.
Fontainhas Heritage Quarter
Driving back toward Panjim, the final stop is Fontainhas, the old Latin Quarter. Here the streets narrow and climb gently, flanked by tightly packed houses with tiled roofs, wooden shutters, and balconies edged with wrought iron. Exteriors are painted in ochre, indigo, white, and soft pastels; small roadside shrines, corner chapels, and occasional wall niches add to the sense of a lived-in historic neighborhood.
The walk is unhurried and tailored to interest, with pauses at notable homes, local cafés, or small galleries if desired. Signage, street names, and architectural details reflect layers of Portuguese-era influence and contemporary Goan life existing side by side.
Return to South Goa
After the Fontainhas walk, the vehicle and chauffeur are waiting nearby for the drive back to the South Goa beach resort. Arrival is in the late afternoon or early evening, depending on the pace of touring.
(Overnight – Taj Exotica Goa)
Day 43: Goa - Goa Airport – Delhi.
You are at leisure this morning to enjoy your oceanfront resort, and its many activities and experiences. Additional days at the resort can be added upon request.
Please note that the vast majority of international flights depart from Indian airports either very late at night, or early in the morning. You are assisted with your check-out from your resort by noon and driven to the Goa Airport (about 2 hours), and assisted with your flight check-in.
Flight to Delhi. Upon arrival at Delhi Airport, you are greeted by the Oberoi Gurgaon staff and driven in a luxury car to your gorgeous hotel and assisted with your check-in.
(Overnight – Oberoi Gurgaon)
Day 44: Oberoi Gurgaon – International Flight.
Fast Track Departure. Check-out at the appropriate time (your room is available until noon) and an Oberoi vehicle will transfer you to the airport. At the airport you will be introduced to your Airport Fast Track Services Representative who will escort you through check-in, customs and immigration.
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