Tour Dates: 29th Oct - 11th Nov 2026

Jaipur: Join your hosts, Jaideo and Devika, for a memorable evening, where you’ll share dinner with their family and explore their beautiful home, gaining an insider's view of life in Jaipur. Listen to personal stories and hear about India’s rich history directly from those who live it, all while savoring the incredible flavors of local cuisine. Indulge in traditional dishes like daal (lentil curry), laal maans (spicy meat curry), bati (baked bread with ghee), and phenni (crispy dessert), each prepared with authentic spices and love.

Taj Mahal: View the Taj Mahal, known as one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage.

HIGHLIGHTS

13 Breakfast (B) 7 Dinner (D) 3 Lunch (L) 1 Farewell Dinner (FD)

DAY 1 - 29 OCTOBER 2026 - Welcome to Kathmandu

Keep a keen eye out for the rainbow-colored prayer flags flapping in the wind as your transfer from Kathmandu Airport takes you to your hotel. Spirituality is the cornerstone of Nepalese culture, and this is revealed in the many shrines and temples that dot its capital, which you'll get to explore in the coming days. This evening, enjoy dinner at your hotel.

Welcome: Meet your Travel Director at 18:45
Meal(s): Dinner
Hotel(s): Hotel Crowne Imperial

DAY 2 - 30 OCTOBER 2026 - Stupas and Temples of Kathmandu and Patan

Your first stop today is the UNESCO-listed shrine of Swayambhunath. Uncover its history spanning millennia. Admire the galleries of prayer mills and gleaming white stupa, whose gilded spire provides the colorful eyes of Buddha a lofty vantage point from which to survey the surrounding valley.
Share the intricately carved stone façades with the resident monkeys and admire the artistry of Nepalese craftsmanship. You'll see all this as you walk through the remnants of Buddhist and Hindu iconography, said to be around 2000 years old. Proceed to the heart of the old town and Durbar Square, another UNESCO World Heritage site. Here, you will gain a deeper understanding of its role in the centuries of rule over this mountain kingdom. See the traditional pagoda-style architecture reflected in the temples and palaces that surround the square – the Hanuman Dhoka palace complex, the Mahadev Temple, the House of the Goddess Kumari and Taleju Temple.
After some free time for lunch, journey to nearby Patan, renowned for its collection of ancient temples, carvings and palaces, which you will see first-hand during a visit to Patan Durbar Square, a generic name given to plazas and areas located opposite Nepal's old royal palaces. Delve into the ancient Buddhist heritage of the City of Beauty and visit the Krishna Temple and Golden Temple.
Later, MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience during your visit to the Tibetan Refugee Camp, which features a handicraft center and provides shelter to the families of Tibetan refugees who fled the Chinese occupation of Tibet in 1959. Among these were gifted Tibetan carpet weavers whose talents remain on display today at the Jawalakhel Handicraft Center. You could choose to buy some of the traditional Tibetan handicrafts as a memento of your trip. Then it’s back to Kathmandu for a well-deserved evening at leisure.

Meal(s): Breakfast
Hotel(s): Hotel Crowne Imperial

DAY 5 - 02 NOVEMBER 2026 - Discover the Delights of Old Delhi, Dive Into Culture

Savor the scents of spice as you embark on an exhilarating rickshaw ride, navigating the busy streets of Old Delhi. See the Red Fort, a sandstone fortress which once housed the emperors of the Mughal dynasty for centuries. Next, Dive Into Culture as you ride through the colorful Chandni Chowk market and watch it come to life as the day's trading begins amidst the sounds of enthusiastic salesmen and endless traffic.
Visit Jama Masjid, one of the largest mosques in India. Admire its ornate façades before boarding a waiting vehicle to drive to Raj Ghat, a memorial dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi. Pay tribute to this beloved figurehead, who led the campaign for India’s independence from Britain. You’ll come face-to-face with the site where he was cremated following his assassination in 1948. Today, the simple square platform of black marble is surrounded by a tranquil park, befitting of its status as a place of contemplation.
Your next stop is Agrasen Ki Baoli, one of the most noteworthy stepwells in Delhi. Hidden amidst the cacophony of Delhi’s streets and business towers, this ancient water reservoir rises from the depths of the earth to stand atop 103 stone steps. Spend a few moments of serenity amidst its centuries-old ornate arches before returning to your hotel for an afternoon of leisure, or consider one of our Optional Experiences.

Meal(s): Breakfast
Hotel(s): Park Plaza CBD Shahdara

DAY 6 - 03 NOVEMBER, 2026 - See the Sights of Delhi, Make Travel Matter

This morning, embark on a guided walking tour to discover the work done by the Salaam Baalak Trust, a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. This non-profit organization aims to provide a caring environment for street children. Later, we'll walk through the bazaar of Paharganj, rubbing shoulders with the locals who flock to the market to shop every day.
Escape the noise and head to New Delhi, designed and built by the British in the 1920s. Your first stop here is a visit to the UNESCO-listed Humayun's Tomb, the earliest example of Mughal architecture in India. Recently renovated with the gardens restored to their former glory, you’ll see firsthand why it served as the inspiration for the design of the famous Taj Mahal.
Enjoy local flavors for lunch at a restaurant near India Gate, then head to the Qutub Minar complex, also a UNESCO-listed site. This fluted ‘Victory Tower’ is decorated with elaborate inscriptions, geometric carvings and elegant balconies. Returning to your hotel later, drive past Lutyens' Delhi to view the elegant colonial façades leading the British architect Edwin Lutyens left behind on the cityscape. You'll have the rest of the afternoon at leisure, or perhaps join one of our Optional Experiences.

Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch
Hotel(s): Park Plaza CBD Shahdara

DAY 7 - 04 NOVEMBER, 2026 Sunset at the Taj Mahal

It’s time to leave Delhi behind, bound for the Uttar Pradesh city of Agra. There are many reasons to love Agra and its own ‘monument to love’, the Taj Mahal, is perhaps the most captivating of all. Marvel at its elegant marble façades awash with the sunset's rose and golden hues. Admire this well-preserved landmark from all sides and take time to contemplate the magnificence of this manmade wonder before re-joining your fellow travelers.
This evening, you could choose to end a memorable day at an optional sound and light show prior to dinner.

Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel(s): Saura Hotel

DAY 8 - 05 NOVEMBER, 2026 - From the Taj to the Tigers

There’s more to Agra than the Taj Mahal, as you’ll come to discover this morning during your visit to the UNESCO-listed Agra Fort. Stroll through the chambers of a 17th-century royal residence, which served as the principal residence of the influential Mughal emperors until the capital was moved to Delhi. Continue to the long-deserted ‘Ghost Town’ of Fatehpur Sikri, built at great expense by Emperor Akbar in 1569, only to be abandoned soon afterwards due to a lack of water. The city remains beautifully preserved, albeit with an air of melancholy – a rusty-red sandstone masterpiece devoid of inhabitants.
Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant in Bharatpur. Then, appreciate first-hand a quintessential travel experience in India as you board a train bound for Ranthambore, where you’ll stay for the next two nights.

Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel(s): The Sher Garh

DAY 9 - 06 NOVEMBER, 2026 - Roam Ranthambore, in Search of Tigers

Start the day with an early morning visit to Ranthambore National Park, which was once the hunting ground of the Maharaja of Jaipur. Before the heat of the day sets in and the wilderness awakens, keep a keen eye out for the resident animals and birdlife that find sanctuary here. Have your camera ready in case the park’s tigers make a brief appearance.
Return to your hotel for a late breakfast, followed by some time to relax, or to join an Optional Experience. After lunch, there’s another opportunity to explore the park for a glimpse of the various species of birds and wildlife on your second game drive of the day. Dinner is served at your hotel.

Meal(s): Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel(s): The Sher Garh

DAY 10 - 07 NOVEMBER, 2026 - Onwards to Jaipur, Dive Into Culture

Continue your journey to Jaipur, the Pink City. After some free time for lunch, join a hand-block printing workshop, one of the most famous traditional art forms of Rajasthan. A Local Specialist will show you the tricks of the trade as you observe how the prints are handmade using small wooden blocks and hone your own block-printing skills.
Later, see the talents of local craftspeople on display during a visit to a local market. From beautifully embroidered textiles to exquisite blue pottery, you’ll find plenty of treasures to admire—and perhaps a special keepsake to bring home.
This evening, enjoy true Indian hospitality at Jaideo and Devika’s guesthouse in Jaipur for a Be My Guest experience. Your hosts, a family from the royal Rajpoot community, welcome you into their home, share stories of life in India and serve traditional dishes like daal and bati for a real taste of Jaipur’s culture.

Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel(s): Club Mahindra Resort

DAY 11 - 08 NOVEMBER, 2026 - Explore Colorful Jaipur

One of today's highlights is a visit to the UNESCO-listed Amber Fort. But first, stop to admire the red and pink façades of the Palace of Winds, whose latticed windows once revealed the outside world to the sheltered ladies of the royal household.
Continue with a visit to the ornate City Palace, an impressive complex of buildings from different eras and gardens in the heart of the Old City. Enjoy some time for lunch before visiting the UNESCO-listed Jantar Mantar Observatory, featuring the world's largest sundial. Later, perhaps join our optional Aarti ceremony, offering a blessing to one of the Hindu deities and hopefully receiving one in return.
This evening, we'll toast to shared memories over a delicious local Farewell Dinner with those guests ending their journey in Jaipur.

Meal(s): Breakfast, Farewell Dinner

Hotel(s): Club Mahindra Resort

DAY 12 - 09 NOVEMBER, 2026 - Venture to Varanasi, Dive Into Culture, Make Travel Matter

Depart Jaipur this morning and board your included flight to embark on a pilgrimage to the sacred city of Varanasi to explore the city's role as the center of the Hindu religion. There’s a palpable sense that life begins and ends on the shores of Ganga Mata (Mother Ganges), but local spirituality extends beyond the sacred waters of the river. The city is also renowned for its ancient temples and old ghats that lead down to the river. You’ll see all this and more, but first there’s free time for lunch before the sightseeing.
Next, experience a rural way of life during a walk around Weavers Village, where a Local Specialist reveals the centuries-old silk weaving tradition. Your visit during this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience will help the community’s efforts to keep this extraordinary tradition alive. You'll see firsthand how the talented weavers create beautiful silk fabrics. These are used to make the famous Banarasi silk saris, highly sought after for weddings and other special occasions.
Later this evening, feed your soul as you cruise down the River Ganges to witness the ritual of Aarti. Watch as the delicate diya, laden with candles and tiny flowers, floats down the river. After this poignant ritual, return to the hotel for dinner.

Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel(s): Madin

DAY 13 - 10 NOVEMBER, 2026 - Witness Local Life Along the Ganges

Admire the changing light as the sun rises over the Ganges, and the sights and sounds of Varanasi come to life along the banks of the river. Observe locals taking their morning bath in the holy water and worshipping the rising sun. Afterwards, explore the city on foot, the best way to immerse yourself in the day-to-day of the oldest living city in the world. You’ll have an opportunity to visit Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Varanasi's main temple. Demolished and rebuilt many times over its history, the temple is a sight to behold with its towering spire and domes made of pure gold. Return to your hotel for breakfast and some free time.
Perhaps choose to join our Optional Experience to watch a live performance of Indian classical dances known as Kathak.
This afternoon, visit Sarnath, one of the four holy Buddhist sites sanctioned by the Buddha himself for pilgrimage. Explore the spectacular collection of Buddhist artefacts dating back to the 3rd century BC and see the Lion Capital of Ashoka with its inverted lotus carving, adopted as the national emblem of India. Continue to your hotel for an evening at leisure.

Meal(s): Breakfast
Hotel(s): Madin