Taj Mahal & the Treasures of India

On arrival in Delhi, you are met by an Abercrombie & Kent representative and transferred to your hotel.

This morning, set off on an exciting rickshaw ride through the carts and stalls of Chandni Chowk bazaar, one the oldest and busiest markets in Old Delhi. After lunch, tour New Delhi, including Humayun’s Tomb, the last resting place of an esteemed 16th-century Mughal emperor and an architectural precursor of the Taj Mahal. Tonight, enjoy a welcome dinner alongside fellow guests.

Fly to Varanasi this morning, a city sacred to Hindus and Buddhists alike. Enjoy a city tour and check in to your hotel. At dusk, head to the banks of the sacred Ganges River to witness the Aarti ceremony. Chanted prayers and rhythmic drumming fill the air as you watch lantern-bearing priests bid the gods and goddesses a restful slumber.

Rise early for a private sunrise cruise on the Ganges River to observe activity along the ghats (stone steps leading down to the river), where locals and pilgrims cleanse themselves, literally and spiritually. Spend the rest of the morning relaxing at your hotel. Then, fly to Khajuraho and explore the magnificent Hindu and Jain temples of Khajuraho, adorned with intricate stone carvings depicting all aspects of life.

Rise early this morning for a game drive in Panna National Park aboard a four-wheel-drive vehicle, spotting crocodiles or perhaps the elusive Bengal tiger. Learn how a successful conservation program has grown the park’s tiger population, increasing the odds of a sighting. Return to the hotel for lunch. Enjoy an afternoon game drive before returning to your hotel for dinner.

Today, travel through the countryside to Jhansi, where you board your express train to Agra. Check in to your luxury hotel and catch your first glimpse of the Taj Mahal through your window.

Few sights in the world are as breathtaking as the Taj Mahal. This elaborate mausoleum, created by the emperor Shah Jahan in memory of the most beloved of his wives, is the apex of Mughal architecture, its gem-encrusted marble skin giving it a shimmering, intangible quality. Pay a visit to the masterpiece this morning, when the rising sun lends a warm pink tint to its marble face. Proceed to Agra Fort, a 16th-century Mughal monument and UNESCO World Heritage Site where Sha Jahan was once held prisoner. Following afternoon leisure time, see the incomparable Taj Mahal at sunset, when it is awash in different hues.

After breakfast, check out of your hotel and drive to Jaipur and check in to your hotel, the former residence of the Maharajah of Jaipur. After lunch, discover the city of Jaipur, including the City Palace, as well as the Jantar Mantar Observatory with its precise astronomical instruments.

See the Palace of the Winds — built for the women of the royal household to observe street life without being seen. Proceed to explore the beautiful Mughal-style Amber Fort. This red sandstone and marble palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  This afternoon, enjoy one of these Design Your Day activities: Visit the Gyan Museum, exploring its private collection of antiques and art. Visit Digantar Vidyalay to interact with the students at an innovative school supported by A&K Philanthropy. Discover the Bazaars of Jaipur, taking in the vibe of local life and shopping for keepsakes from your journey. Return to your hotel for an evening at leisure.

Early this morning, drive to the otherwise quiet, secluded desert town of Pushkar, sharing the road with camels, trucks, cattle, water buffalo and rickshaws as you approach. Spend the next two days experiencing the bustling Pushkar Fair, a colorful whirl of activity drawing people from all around the globe. See painted and adorned camels and cattle being traded; peruse stalls selling camel tassels and woven gypsy dowry bags; and witness Hindu devotees as they throng the ghats around Pushkar Lake in order to bathe, cleanse their sins and attain a place in heaven.

Drive to Udaipur, stopping for lunch en route. Continue to Udaipur and check in to your romantic hotel. The next day, visit the City Palace, a marble complex of palaces and galleries overlooking the lake. See the Crystal Gallery in Fateh Prakesh Palace, and stroll through Sahelion Ki Bari (Garden of the Maids of Honor). Stop at a local miniature painting workshop as well as the Mayur Arts store. Later, take a private cruise to Jag Mandir, a palace on an island in placidly beautiful Lake Pichola. Enjoy dinner at your hotel.

Fly in the morning to the cosmopolitan city of Mumbai, India’s bustling, vibrant commercial capital. After checking in to your hotel, you may see the city at leisure or simply relax. In the evening, join fellow guests for a farewell dinner. The next morning, explore the city’s classic sites, beginning with the Gateway of India, an 85-foot-high arch with a design that reflects India’s Muslim and Hindu traditions. Visit the Prince of Wales Museum and Mani Bhawan, a museum dedicated to the life and works of Mahatma Gandhi. Next, see the Dhobi Ghat, the largest open-air laundry in the world and a wonderfully colorful spectacle to behold.

Transfer to the airport for your departure flight.