India simply has some of the finest hotels in the world, former palaces that have been lovingly restored and turned into luxury hotels. Add to that some of the most impressive scenery and sights you could imagine, a chance to see tigers in the wild, and a culture that simply can’t be compared anywhere else. You find a destination that is utterly fascinating and never forgettable. India is at its best when you mimic the regal splendour of old, dipping into immersive experiences before retreating back to luxury each night. This luxury India tour will always be tailored to your particular interests, but this is our way of truly indulging in the destination.
Begin in Delhi at the Imperial, the city’s ‘Grand Dame’ and where we suggest a Deco Suite, perfect the leisure traveller, and not too large to be overwhelming. Next, set off into the city with an exclusive private guide, showing the hidden side to the city and opening closed doors that other tourists don’t get to see. We suggest driving to Agra (naturally we will provide a luxury vehicle and personal chauffeur) where you stay at Amarvilas which overlooks the Taj Mahal. We suggest a Luxury Suite, located at each end of the hotel and offers by far the best views of the Taj (you even get a bathtub with a view of the Taj!). Opt for a private dinner on tour terrace at sunset with the Taj as a backdrop, and explore this amazing monument with the best guide in Agra who will bring the amazing stories about its construction to life.
We then suggest heading down to Ranthambore National Paro for a spot of wildlife. As it’s a fairly long drive or train journey, we can offer up a private air charter to make the travel as painless as possible. Stay at the divine Aman-i-Khas, a luxury tented camp offering African safari style accommodation and a perfect base to head in on safari. It goes without saying, we will ensure private game-drives with a superb naturalist.
You’ll then maybe needing a little mid-tour R&R and suggest moving to Aman-i-Khas’ sister property, Amanbagh, about a three-hour drive away. Amanbagh is a luxury hotel, located far off-the-beaten-track in rural Rajasthan. This gives you a totally different way of seeing India, the charming villages with sari-clad women going about their daily lives and men in the fields, still working with bullocks. Back at the hotel, you have a villa with a private pool for added comfort, and the facilities include a spa, pool and superb food. We suggest opting for a private al fresco dinner in an old temple, coated with candles and being served up the most amazing cuisine. Three nights here will give you a chance to sit back and allow India’s rural charm to come to the fore before you head back into the bustling cities.
Jaipur is next, just a two-hour drive away, and one of India’s most interesting cities. Stay in the Rambagh Palace, built by the Maharajas of Jaipur and now one of India’s most exclusive hotels. Here we suggest staying in our favourite suite, the Princes Suite. Spend two nights in Jaipur (or longer if you want), where we will arrange private access to the Maharaja’s rooms at the City Palace and an immersive private tour of the city.
Fly to Udaipur, the most picturesque of all Indian cities, and a stay at India’s most well-known luxury hotel, The Lake Palace. Here, our favourite suite is the Khush Mahal that has the best views back over the City Palace and is said to be the most romantic hotel room in the world. We’ll arrange a private boat on the lake for dinner on the first night, and a visit to the impressive 18th century Devi Garh Fort Palace on the second night, to dine on the ramparts complete with accompanying sitar player. Needless to say, you can explore the city on a walking tour with your private guide, uncovering the hidden delights of Udaipur. You then fly to either Delhi or Mumbai for your onward flight home or opt to extend your time in India or beyond.
| £19955 |
|---|
| Days | Location | Hotel |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1-2 | Delhi | Imperial Hotel (Deco Suite) |
| Day 3-4 | Agra | The Oberoi Amarvilas (Luxury Suite) |
| Day 5-7 | Ranthambore National Park | Aman-i-Khas (Luxury Tent) |
| Day 8-10 | Amanbagh | Amanbagh (Pool Pavilion) |
| Day 11-12 | Jaipur | Rambagh Palace (Princes Suite) |
| Day 13-15 | Udaipur | Lake Palace Hotel (Khush Mahal Suite) |
| Day 16 | Mumbai Airport | Fly Home |
Fly to Delhi where our team will be waiting to whisk you to the Imperial in a private luxury vehicle. We suggest spending your first day with your feet up. Stay in our favourite suite, the Deco Suite.
We’ll tailor the final details of your experience in Delhi today, but suggest a gentle blend of Old and New Delhi. It all depends on how much you want to immerse yourself in the destination, and we can offer an amazing walking tour with a private guide of Old Delhi. Continue to New Delhi to see the remains of the British city, constructed after they moved the capital from Calcutta in 1911.
You have three choices in how you get to Agra, the first is by early morning train that takes just two hours, the second is to take a leisurely four hour drive, or we can charter a private Cessna to fly you there. You’ll stay in Amarvilas, which overlooks the Taj Mahal and stay in the Luxury Suite which simply has the best views and a private terrace where you can have your first dinner at sunset overlooking this amazing monument.
If you want to see the Taj Mahal at the best time of day, then rise early and meet your guide in the lobby and take one of the hotels buggies the 600 metres to the entrance. As you enter, the sun is starting to rise, reflecting off the white marble of Taj and changing its colour; it really is a remarkable sight. We suggest (depending on your interests) to then have breakfast on your terrace before setting out to see Agra Fort, where Shah Jehan who constructed the Taj for his late wife, Mumtaz Mahal, was imprisoned by his son only to spend his final years peering out of the window at his wife’s rather large tomb. See the Itmad-ud-Daulah (or Baby Taj), before walking through local villages on the other side of the Yumana River. See the Taj from the other direction at sunset.
It’s worth seeing Fatehpur Sikri, a 17th century Mughal capital that was left deserted shortly after it was built. You can then either take the 2.5 hour train to Ranthambore National Park, or opt for a private Cessna. Stay at the immaculate Aman-i-Khas, a luxury tented camp worthy of its Aman credentials. Take an afternoon game drive into the park.
You’ll have another day in the park, taking morning and afternoon game drives, hopefully being able to see tiger and the host of other wildlife that live within the park.
It takes about three hours to drive to Amanbagh, located in a completely untouched corner of rural Rajasthan to the north-east of Jaipur. It is so important to blend visits to the Indian cities with time simply away from it all, and Amanbagh is superb. Stay in a Pool Pavilion, their best room. That evening we suggest wandering out into the villages, seeing the men-folk bringing in their bullocks from the fields, and the children running around the sari-clad women stirring up a pot of spiced curry, letting off a cloud of aroma that could only make you feel you are in India.
You can do as little or as much as you want today. There are possible trips to remote temples that no other tourists tend to visit, but are absolutely magical. Amanbagh is one of those places that is perfect just to sit by the pool, read a book and then take a light cycle out through the villages and return to a spa treatment or two. That evening, we suggest having a private dinner in the local chattri, or Hindu shrine. It really is a remarkable experience.
Another just just to sit back and relax or explore the local surroundings. Amanbagh have a wonderful range of experiences on offer and tailor these to each guest.
Drive just two hours to Jaipur, and stay in the opulent Rambagh Palace in our favourite suite, the Princes Suite (we think the Presidential is just too big). We suggest heading off to the rural villages around Amber Fort for a walk in the countryside and experiencing the dramatic views. You’ll then visit the fort with your guide before taking an exclusive elephant safari through the countryside and ending for dinner at the camp.
Your guide will show you the hidden side to Jaipur today, the bustling markets, artisan quarters and wonderful traditional havelis (or merchant houses). See the City Palace and pass the Hawa Mahal, or Palace of the Winds, where aristocratic ladies peered down at the street. Jaipur is one of the best places to shop in India, and we’ll leave the afternoon free to do just that, and can provide you with a personal shopper if you are looking for a significant purchase (they will do the haggling!)
Fly to Udaipur on a local scheduled airline (we can of course use a Cessna). You will be met by one of the Maharaja’s personal vintage Rolls-Royce and driven to the banks of Lake Pichola where you will be taken by boat to the Lake Palace that seems to float above the water and is one of the most remarkable hotels in the world. Stay in the Khush Mahal, our favourite suite, which has the best views back over the city and is considered to be the most romantic hotel room in the world.
It’s worth taking an interesting walking tour with your private guide, seeing some of the interesting markets, and possibly visiting the City Palace if you have an interest (although you would have seen the one in Jaipur). Spend the afternoon at leisure. That evening, we suggest visiting the 18th century Devi Garh Fort Palace, where you can have a private dinner on ramparts, being entertained by a sitar player and being served the most delicious of Indian cuisine, simply making you feel like a Maharaja.
Today, either completely put your feet up, or head out exploring. You can visit the rural villages north of Udaipur, whether you want to see temples such as those at Ranakpur or old historic forts such as Kumbulgarh.
Drive back to Udaipur and take a flight to either Mumbai or Delhi for your connecting flight home. We can of course extend your stay in India or beyond and have a number of options up our sleeve.
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We arrange totally bespoke trips and design an itinerary that is designed around you. You may have seen a suggested itinerary that we can base your plans around, or we can start with a blank sheet and paper and design something from scratch. You can leave a phone number and suggest a time to call you back, and we can also arrange to do this during the evenings or at weekends if you are busy during the daytime. We can also meet up with you in you fancy a coffee and are based in and around London.