11-Day Classic India with Tiger Reserve

Welcome to the vibrant heart of India. Meet your Travel Director and fellow guests this evening for a warm welcome over a traditional Indian dinner at a local restaurant.

Begin your day at Jama Masjid, one of India’s largest mosques, before weaving through the historic lanes of Chandni Chowk on a traditional rickshaw ride. Glimpse the imposing Red Fort as you pass by, then visit Raj Ghat, the memorial marking the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi. At Bangla Sahib Gurdwara, explore the serene temple complex and meet the volunteers who prepare and serve over 10,000 meals each day as part of seva, the Sikh principle of selfless service. Conclude with a visit to Humayun’s Tomb, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and architectural precursor to the Taj Mahal, blending Persian and Mughal elements in a tranquil garden setting.

Start your morning exploring Agrasen ki Baoli, a 14th-century stepwell believed to have been reconstructed during the Lodi dynasty. With its precise geometric structure and historic function as a water reservoir, it offers a rare glimpse into Delhi’s medieval engineering. Depart the city and travel to Agra, once the seat of the Mughal Empire, where you’ll check in and enjoy free time for lunch. Later, take a guided walk through Kachhpura, a riverside village known for its community art and cultural initiatives. See murals inspired by the Ramayana and gain insight into local projects supporting sustainable farming and water conservation. The day concludes at Mehtab Bagh, a Mughal garden perfectly aligned with the Taj Mahal—an iconic highlight of any India trip itinerary—where you’ll relax with tea and pakoras while taking in the view.

Visit the Taj Mahal at sunrise, when the early light reveals the monument’s architectural symmetry and refined detail. Explore Agra Fort, a UNESCO-listed 16th-century Mughal stronghold that served as both a military base and imperial residence. Enjoy a traditional Indian lunch in a former royal palace, with Rajasthani specialties served in a heritage setting. Travel onward to Sariska Tiger Reserve, a protected landscape once used as a royal hunting ground. Settle into your hotel and dine on regional cuisine, followed by a cultural performance that brings to life the music and dance traditions of the surrounding region.

Set out on a pre-breakfast game drive through Sariska Tiger Reserve, where cooler conditions encourage movement among species such as sambar deer, leopards and Bengal tigers. Once devoid of its tiger population, the park has seen successful reintroduction efforts and is now home to a growing number of Bengal tigers. With fewer visitors than India’s larger reserves, Sariska offers a quieter, more authentic safari experience through dry deciduous forest. Back at the resort, relax in peaceful surroundings before returning to the reserve for a second drive after lunch. Later, enjoy a cooking demonstration led by a local chef, offering a closer look at regional techniques and the ingredients that define Rajasthani cuisine.

Travel to Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan and famed for its distinctive pink-hued architecture. Discover the walled city on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience with The Pink City Rickshaw Co, an innovative social enterprise empowering local women as trained drivers and equity holders. Ride through historic quarters and past the intricate facade of the Palace of the Winds in a custom-designed e-rickshaw. This evening, dine under the stars at a private estate in the Aravalli Hills, where traditional dishes are served in a setting once favored by Jaipur’s nobility for their countryside retreats.

Begin at Amber Fort, the 16th-century UNESCO-listed stronghold of the Kachhwaha Rajputs, reached by Jeep. Explore mirrored halls and painted chambers and take part in a special blessing rooted in local tradition. Visit the City Palace, a living complex still home to the royal family. After free time for lunch, enjoy your pick of Insight Choice: either visit the Albert Hall Museum, Rajasthan’s oldest public museum, or Jantar Mantar, a UNESCO-listed 18th-century astronomical observatory. Later, visit Dera Mandawa, a family haveli, for Indian high tea and a hands-on introduction to patangbaazi—Jaipur’s traditional kite-flying sport. In the evening, an Optional Experience offers the chance to witness the Aarti ceremony at Birla Temple, a ritual of light and prayer.

Enjoy a Relaxed Start morning before traveling to Bijay Niwas Palace, a former royal estate where you’ll savor a Farm-to-Table lunch of traditional Rajasthani dishes made with produce from the on-site organic farm. Continue to Deogarh, a historic town known for its palaces and frescoed mansions. Your stay is at Deogarh Mahal, a 17th-century hilltop residence built by Rawat Dwarka Dasji. Join a Local Expert for a guided tour through courtyards, audience halls and painted rooms. Learn how the present-day Thakur family have restored their ancestral home, preserving its Rajput and Mughal architecture along with the stories of their Marwar heritage.

Start the day with an Optional Experience of yoga at Deogarh Mahal, guided by a trained instructor in a calm and atmospheric setting. Travel to Udaipur, a city founded in the 16th-century by Maharana Udai Singh II and known for its palaces and lakeside views. On arrival, take to the waters of Lake Pichola, a freshwater reservoir created in 1362 and later shaped by the Mewar dynasty. The boat cruise offers views of the City Palace, Jag Mandir and shoreline mansions, set against the dramatic backdrop of the Aravalli Hills.

Take a closer look at Udaipur’s royal and cultural landmarks with a visit to the City Palace, home to generations of the royal family and a remarkable fusion of Rajput and Mughal architecture. Stroll past the 17th-century Jagdish Temple, known for its intricate carvings, and continue to Saheliyon-ki-Bari, the Garden of the Maidens, designed as a leisure space for royal women. End the morning in the bustling local bazaar, surrounded by textiles, jewelry and artisan crafts. The afternoon is at leisure to relax at the hotel or return to the market for a final souvenir. In the evening, join your Travel Director and fellow guests for dinner overlooking Lake Pichola and raise a toast to your journey through Rajasthan.

Enjoy a Relaxed Start with the morning free to soak up the final moments of your time in Rajasthan. Later, board your flight to Delhi, where your journey concludes and your onward travel begins. Please ensure your onward flights from Delhi are scheduled for departure after 20:00.