11-Day Classic India with Tiger Reserve Women-Only

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 the grand Jama Masjid, one of India’s largest mosques, and take in its imposing Mughal facade. Then, delve into the vibrant heart of Old Delhi aboard a traditional rickshaw, winding through the storied laneways of Chandni Chowk. Pass the imposing Red Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, before meeting a local female chef who will lead you on a guided food walk. Discover her favorite street food spots and hear her personal insights into the city’s culinary culture. Later, visit the serene Bangla Sahib Gurdwara and meet volunteers preparing over 10,000 meals daily as an act of seva. End your day at Humayun’s Tomb, set in peaceful gardens and renowned for its Persian-inspired design.

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.

Rise early to witness the Taj Mahal bathed in the soft glow of sunrise, its symmetry and inlaid artistry revealed in exquisite detail. Then step inside Agra Fort, a red sandstone masterpiece and former Mughal stronghold rich with imperial history. Over lunch, enjoy Rajasthani specialties served in a restored royal palace before continuing to Sariska Tiger Reserve. On arrival, meet Ms Priya Panwar, one of the region’s pioneering female naturalists, over tea and traditional treats. Hear her inspiring story, from village life to working in wildlife rescue and conservation. Later, settle into your hotel and savor regional cuisine before an evening performance of folk music and dance, celebrating the vibrant cultural traditions of the Aravalli 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 and featuring a museum of courtly artifacts. 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, an 18th-century astronomical observatory. Later, step into the historic Dera Mandawa haveli where Smt. Usha Kumari shares the secrets of Rajasthani cuisine during an engaging hands-on Cooking Demonstration.

Enjoy a Relaxed Start before traveling to Bijay Niwas Palace, a former royal estate surrounded by orchards and gardens. Here, you’ll savor a Farm-to-Table lunch of Rajasthani dishes, made with ingredients grown on the estate’s own organic farm. Continue to Deogarh, a town rich in noble heritage. Your home tonight is Deogarh Mahal, a 17th-century hilltop residence. In the afternoon, join the wife or daughter of the owning family for a guided walk through the palace’s audience halls, frescoed rooms and intimate courtyards. As you explore, learn how the family has preserved its architectural treasures and centuries-old Marwar stories for future generations.

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. Afterwards, visit the studio of Vijay Laxmi Ji, an internationally recognized folk dancer and puppeteer. Join her for a folk dance demonstration, try traditional Rajasthani steps and enjoy tea in her beautifully curated studio. Then stroll past the 17th-century Jagdish Temple 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. 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.