Meet & greet, transfer to hotel: Welcome to India! You will be met on arrival in Amritsar by a local representative and introduced to your private driver. Together they will take you to your city hotel to check in.

For your comfort a guaranteed early check-in has been included today - you will be able to access your rooms immediately upon arrival. Breakfast at the hotel is also included today.

Afternoon visit to the Wagah Border Ceremony: Later in the afternoon, after time at leisure to recover from your flight, you will be taken outside the city to the Wagah border point between India and Pakistan. Here you will see the closing-of-the-border ceremony, performed nightly by soldiers of both countries. The experience is quite surreal, as each side takes turns to lower their flags in an increasingly elaborate fashion, accompanied by nationalist slogans shouted at high volume, and repeated en mass by the large crowds of spectators on both sides. In truth the effect is more fun than threatening, but a totally unique experience nonetheless!

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Ranjit's SVAASA (Luxury Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Morning tour of Amritsar: After breakfast today you will join a private guide and be taken for a half day city tour of the city. The first stop - where else - is at the majestic Golden Temple. Founded by the fourth Sikh Guru Ram Das, and completed by his successor Guru Arjan Dev, this spectacular place of worship is among the most striking in India. The Golden Temple itself is housed within a sprawling gurdwara complex, and surrounded by the Amrit Sarovar (Pool of Nectar). Like other Sikh religious sites in India, the temple stands in simple majesty, the gilded splendor of its paneling, dome and minarets shining in the morning light, silhouetted softly in the water. At the temple you will be taken to visit the community kitchen where food is prepared for thousands of pilgrims every day – you will have the opportunity to participate in preparing the food or even partake in the simple vegetarian meal. Note that before entering the compound you will be required to remove shoes and socks, wash your feet, and cover heads. Scarves can be borrowed or bought locally if required. 

Later, you will visit Jalianwala Bagh, a solemn, grim reminder of one of the bloodiest chapters of India's freedom movement. The park is a moving monument to the 1,500+ Indians killed or wounded at the hands of a rogue British officer, who ordered his troops to turn on a crowd of unarmed protesters. This 1919 event proved a pivotal event in Indian history, helping to fire the quest for independence, and as such few national monuments has as much significance or resonance than Jalianwala Bagh. 

The morning tour will be concluded at the Partition Museum where you will learn about the largest migration in human history, affecting an estimated 18 million people. The building in which this Museum is located was used as a jail during British rule and the prison cells still exist and are open to the public.

Afternoon street food walk: After your morning tour of the principal historical sites of the city, you will be taken on a walking tour which highlights the local food. Amritsar is known as the food capital of Punjabi cuisine and thus is the perfect place to sample local delicacies. Try such specialities as pooris chlole, kulchas, sooji halwa and wash it down with a majestic lassi. Or, you may prefer to head to a local restaurant to try such famous non-vegetarian items as Amritsari fish, butter chicken and tandoori chicken. After sampling some of the delicious street food, you will return to your hotel and enjoy the rest of the afternoon and early evening at leisure.

Evening ‘Palki ceremony’ at the Golden Temple: Reunite with your guide in the evening to be taken to Amritsar’s Golden Temple to see the ‘Palki ceremony’. The ceremony involves a procession of the holy book of the Sikhs from the main temple to its resting place for the night.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Ranjit's SVAASA (Luxury Room)

Meals: Breakfast & Street food Lunch

Private transfer from your hotel to the railway station: Early this morning, you will be transferred from your hotel to the railway station in time to board your onward train.

Train from Amritsar to Delhi: From Amritsar, you will take the Amritsar Shtbdi, which departs at 5.00am. You will alight the train at Delhi, scheduled to arrive at 11.00am. Your driver-guide can assist with buying light snacks and refreshments before you depart. You will be met at the other end by a new driver-guide who will transfer you to your hotel to check in.

Afternoon tour of Lodhi Gardens & Delhi Haat: After some time to freshen up at the hotel, you will be taken out for a gentle introduction to Delhi. Your first visit will be to Lodhi Gardens, found close to most of New Delhi's international hotels. This 80-acre park is peaceful, well-maintained, and a firm favourite of Delhi-ites. The parkland is dotted with garden areas and a string of impressive tombs, as well as an attractive central lake. Later you will be taken to nearby Delhi Haat, a treasure trove of Indian culture, handicrafts, and ethnic cuisine. The stalls selling handicrafts are allotted on a rotational basis to craftsmen who come from all corners of the vast & varied land of India for a period of 15 Days. This ensures that visitors get to buy authentic wares at prices that have not been inflated by high maintenance costs. You can also savour the varied flavours of the delightful regional foods from all over India. You will choose and pay for food locally.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Haveli Hauz Khas (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Guided tour of Old Delhi’s monuments & street food: This morning, meet up with your guide and set out to explore Old Delhi. Start at Jama Masjid which is the largest mosque in India, with a courtyard capable of holding 25,000 devotees. Its construction started in 1644 and it ended up the final act of architectural extravagance of legendary ruler Shah Jahan, the Mughal emperor who also built the Taj Mahal and the Red Fort. Head outside the mosque and into the surrounding bazaars (closed on Sundays), which can be explored on foot or by rickshaw. Here you can witness centuries-old arts and crafts, where present owners may be of the 6th or 7th generation to ply the family trade. There are many typical and fascinating businesses here, including a marvellous old-fashioned shop where you can test Indian perfume (attar) from cut-glass bottles. You may also saunter through the main bridal street of Old Delhi, Kinari Bazaar, with its dazzling display of embroidered silk wedding sarees, beautiful bangles, and colourful turbans for the bridegroom. Move on to the Khari Baoli, which is all about spices, and where dealers of rice, dal, dry fruits, nuts, and saffron have traded for more than 150 years. The smell of the spices will remain with you even after you have left the market. During your walk through the bazaar several stops will be made at traditional food stalls. Here, you will try the 'house specialities' and learn the history and tradition of some of Delhi's most delicious street food. 

Round out the day with a drive or walk through Lutyens’ New Delhi, taking in the India Gate, the Rashtrapati Bhawan (President's House), and Parliament House. After the sightseeing you will return to the hotel to enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Haveli Hauz Khas (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast & Street food Lunch

Private transfer from your hotel to the railway station: Early this morning, you will be transferred from your hotel to the railway station in time to board your onward train.

Train journey to Lucknow: Early this morning, you will be collected from the hotel by your driver and transferred to New Delhi station. Here you will board the 06.10am Shatabdi Express train, which arrives into Lucknow station at 12.45pm. You will be booked into a 1st Class AC seated carriage for this journey. A simple breakfast will be supplied on board. At the other end, you will be met by a new driver who will take you straight to your hotel to check in and enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure.

Evening culinary tour: Lucknow as a city has carved a niche by attracting gastronomes, seeking out its famous ‘Awadhi’ cuisine. Historically, Lucknowites spend most of their earnings and time on expanding their stomachs, and embellishing their kitchens. An enclave of Lucknow dining is known as ‘Bawarchi Tola’: a location, or street, where one can find the best of Lucknow’s very own traditional kitchens. This evening you will be taken on a culinary walk during which you will hop-in and hop-out of such eateries, enjoying the freshest and very best on each menu. Cutlery and basic dining essentials are provided: allowing you to experience these unpretentious eateries, without having to worry about how to eat without a fork or to wipe your hands clean after you are done! This will be a privately guided walk, lasting around 1.5 hours in duration.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Lebua Lucknow (Awadh Room)

Meals: Breakfast & Street food Dinner

Guided tour of Lucknow: Today, you will join a private guide for a thorough exploration of the city. Begin at Asfi Masjid, or the Bara Imambara, Lucknow’s premier architectural masterpiece. This huge enclosure encompasses an attached mosque, grand ornamental gate, and wide gardens. This dizzying monument has a great many highlights, with one in particular being its charming labyrinth, supporting the roof of the edifice, known locally as the ‘bhul-bhulaiya’. 

After the Mughals came the British, beginning a hugely significant chapter in the history of the city. You will next be taken to visit the Residency, built by the British to house their troops and officials. Most of the building was destroyed during the infamous 1857 Mutiny, however a little remains to explore, and all helps to enlighten the stories of this historic city. 

Conclude your tour at the Chota, or the small Imambara, built by Muhammad Ali Shah in 1837 to serve his own mausoleum. The large courtyard encloses a raised rectangular tank with small imitations of the Taj Mahal on each side. Return to your hotel and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Lebua Lucknow (Awadh Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Road journey to Agra: After a leisurely breakfast you will meet your driver and hit the road to Agra. This will be a journey of around 5 hours, including rest stops. Arrive at your hotel in the early afternoon.

Guided tour of the Taj Mahal: After checking in you will be taken for a tour of the Taj Mahal. The Taj Mahal (closed on Fridays) has been described as a 'tear on the face of eternity’ and is an enduring monument of love. The unique beauty of Taj Mahal is its blend of grandeur: a massive overall design, matched with immaculately intricate execution. Built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan in the memory of his beloved queen Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj Mahal complex took 22 years to be completed and is today counted among the Seven Wonders of the World. Coated in shimmering white marble, the Taj is a mirror of daylight conditions and in the late afternoon it is bathed in delicate hues of amber and cream, giving way to a rich golden red as the sun falls. After time to look around and take pictures you will return to the hotel.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Ekaa Villa (Queen Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Breakfast like a local & tour of Agra Fort: This morning, you have the option to head out with your guide and breakfast like a local. Your guide will show you the top eateries where the locals enjoy breakfast and you will have the opportunity to sample some of the breakfast dishes. 

Later in the morning, you will be taken for a tour of Agra Fort. Many of the events which led to the construction of the Taj Mahal took place in the famous Agra Fort. Construction of the Fort was begun by Emperor Akbar in 1565, with embellishments continually added until the time of his grandson Shah Jehan. The magnificent palaces, towers, bastions, ramparts, and gateways symbolise the power of the mighty Mughals, and with its red sandstone wash Agra Fort is a striking partner to the Red Fort in Delhi.

Afternoon walking tour of Agra: After visiting the fort, you will be brought to Agra Fort Rail Station for a walking tour of Agra which is seldom done by visiting foreigners. Start your walk with the historic rail station which is one of the oldest in the country. This memorable Raj building was constructed in 1891 as a stopping-off point for colonial tourists visiting Agra's monuments. Cross over the station into the heart of old town and straight away you will see the Jama Mosque, a magnificently proportioned building built in 1648 by Shah Jehan's favourite daughter, Jahanara Begum. Now you are in the heart of Old Agra - right in the thick of the hustle and bustle of the medieval town. You will pass through Vaidya Ramdutta Gali, an old lane dedicated to the memory of a traditional medicine practitioner; proceed to Chidiyawala Temple; walk through spice market to Patal Hanuman Temple, Mughal police station and jewellers market (kinari bazaar). At the end of the walking trip, you will be taken on a cycle rickshaw back to your car and return to your hotel to relax for the rest of the day.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Ekaa Villa (Queen Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Road journey to Jaipur: After breakfast, you will check out and then set off by road to Jaipur. This journey, crossing from Uttar Pradesh into Rajasthan, will take approximately 4-5 hours. On arrival, check into your hotel to freshen up and enjoy the afternoon at leisure.

Evening cooking demonstration and dinner with a local family: In the evening, you will be picked up from your hotel and taken to the home of a Jaipur, where you can learn how some of the best known local delicacies are prepared. You will be the personal guests of the family and can choose to be actively involved in meal preparation, or sit back and observe. Rajasthani cuisine was influenced by both the war-like lifestyles of its inhabitants and the availability of ingredients in this arid region. This cuisine is largely vegetarian, with emphasis on pulses, millets and milk products, however, since this community was also known for its royal hunting soirees, small game animals and lamb dishes are also a speciality. The experience will involve visiting the local market, buying ingredients, and eventually sitting down to enjoy a spread of excellent home-cooked cuisine.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Narain Niwas Palace (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Guided tour of Jaipur: After breakfast, head out with your guide on a tour of the city covering the major historical sites and a ariety of the city's delicious street food. Start with a visit to Jaipur’s intriguing milk market, where dairy farmers from across the region congregate to trade on a wholesale basis. Observe the intriguing ways by which the buyers judge the purity of milk, and take a front row seat as negotiations unfold. Afterwards continue to Amber Fort – a stunning fort which holds a hilltop position above the city. ‘Amer’ was the former capital of Jaipur state; construction of this key fort began in 16th century, with embellishments continually added by successive rulers. A comprehensive look around the Fort should include the Palace of Mirrors, inlaid with millions of tiny glistening mirrors, the hall of Public Audience, and the beautiful manicured gardens. 

In the afternoon, you will continue uncovering Jaipur’s highlights with visits to visit the City Palace, Jantar Mantar (a medieval observatory) and a drive past Hawa Mahal (palace of winds). The City Palace is situated in the heart of the city. The whole complex is wonderfully laid out with large courtyards, balconies, cupolas, arched entrances and gardens, which are a combination of Rajput and Mughal architecture. The museum here displays the rich heritage of the Jaipur family in miniature paintings, textiles, garments, books & manuscripts, carpets, palanquins and weapons dating back to the 15th century. Moving on to Jantar Mantar, this medieval observatory has a curious collection of sculptures which were used to calculate astronomical and astrological events. Each of these structures were built following relentless study of books, manuscripts and discussions with scholars from all over the world. Finally, you will take a quick look at Hawa Mahal. Constructing in 1799, the Palace of Winds is a landmark of Jaipur city, although it is little more than a façade. The five-storey structure, built to enable the women of the harem to observe of the comings and goings of the outside world, without being seen themselves. After the sightseeing, return to your hotel to relax.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Narain Niwas Palace (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast & Street food Lunch

Day at leisure in Jaipur: Today you have a full day at leisure to relax and enjoy the facilities of the hotel or explore the Pink City independently. We recommend a stroll around the bazaars of the walled city or to arrange further excursions in the city through your hotel.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Narain Niwas Palace (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast 

Road journey from Jaipur to Jodhpur: This morning, you will set out on the long drive to Jodhpur. The journey will take around 6 hours but will be punctuated with rest stops and a lunch break (payable locally). On arrival in Jodhpur, you will be transferred to your hotel to check in and relax for the afternoon.

Dinner at Chokelao: In the evening, you will be picked up by your private driver and taken to Mehrangarh Fort to enjoy dinner at Chokelao Terrace. The Chokelao serves excellent Indian dishes with the Mehrangarh Fort as a stunning backdrop. Dinner tonight will be a three-course set menu, any drinks will be on your own account.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Ratan Vilas (Superior Pool Facing Room)

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Guided tour of Jodhpur: This morning, you will join a private guide on a tour Jodhpur. Begin, where else, with a comprehensive tour of Mehrangarh: the icon of Jodhpur, among the largest forts in India, unsurpassed in beauty and grandeur. Within the walls of the fort are packed innumerable palaces, sprawling courtyards, look-outs, galleries, and intricate stonework. There are also well-kept collections of weapons, instruments, palanquins, costumes and furniture. After ample time to explore the Fort you will drop down to visit the 19th Century royal cenotaph Jaswant Thada, This intricate marble memorial sits on the shores of a pretty lake just north of Mehrangarh. It was built in 1899 in the memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II, and still serves as cremation grounds for the Marwar royal family. 

You then have the option of taking a fascinating walking tour through the Blue City – the oldest part of town, a maze of tight streets sprawling around the Eastern base of Mehrangarh - before heading on to the vibrant clock tower market. This is the commercial heart of Jodhpur, where one finds everyday items ferociously traded, along with more intricate treasures such as silver, textiles, and handicrafts. After your sightseeing you will return to the hotel to relax.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Ratan Vilas (Superior Pool Facing Room)

Meals: Breakfast

Private transfer to the airport: After a leisurely morning exploring more of Jodphur independently, you will be transferred to the airport in time to check-in for your flight back to Delhi.

Flight: AI476 Jodhpur -Delhi 14.55 - 16.15

Private transfer: You will be met on arrival in Delhi and taken to the nearby Aerocity complex to spend a final night at leisure.

Accommodation: Stay tonight at the Pullman New Delhi Aerocity (Deluxe Room)

Meals: Breakfast