Glimpses of Taj & Tiger

Fasten your seatbelts and prepare for the mayhem of Delhi, one of the most vibrant cities on earth. Witness the contrast between the Mughal monuments of the Old Town and the glossy modern malls of the New Town on your city tour, taking in the sandstone ramparts of the imposing Red Fort, a relic from the Mughal Empire. Visit Ghandi’s memorial at Raj Ghat, the soaring tower of the 13^th-century Qutub Minar and the Persian-style mausoleum of Humayun’s Tomb. You’ll also enjoy a Three Religion tour, getting to learn about India’s melting pot of cultures, languages and religions and the way in which they harmoniously coexist, as well as a morning street food tour with a local chef. Sample an array of delicacies from local food establishments, some of which are over 120 years old!

Proceed to Agra, former Mughal capital and now home to two outstanding sights. Over the next two days, you’ll get the opportunity to tour the royal apartments of the Agra Fort complex and gaze in wonder at the majesty of the Taj Mahal, the most exquisite building on the planet. At sunset, take a front-row seat in the pretty flower gardens of the Mehtab Bagh for a fabulous view of the Taj’s changing colours. Spend an evening watching the lively musical ‘Mohabbat the Taj’, which tells the story of the monument and the passionate romance that inspired it.

Continue on to Ranthambore, stopping along the way for lunch in Bharatpur, before boarding your train to Ranthambore. Have a relaxed evening meal before bed, as the next day it’s time for wildlife watching at Ranthambore National Park. Head deep into the forests of this rugged park and seek out the most regal of the big cats, the Bengal tiger. If you are not lucky enough to glimpse this elusive creature, then fear not because leopards, jaguars, jungle cats, crocodiles, antelope and a wide variety of birds can also be spotted here.

This morning, visit Ranthambore Fort, followed by Dastakar Place before continuing on to Jaipur. Later, invigorate the senses with a guided evening spice market walk, and be sure to restock for home cooking. The next day, soak up the views from the lofty terraces and mirrored halls of the awe-inspiring Amber Fort, dramatically located atop a thin rocky plateau. In the afternoon, Explore the colourful Rajasthani capital Jaipur, crammed with Mughal artefacts, ornate palaces and pink mansions. Take a look around the sumptuous City Palace, former residence of the Maharajas and now a fascinating museum filled with historical treasures. Learn about the influence of astrology and astronomy in Indian culture at the remarkable Jantar Mantar, a life-sized observatory stuffed full of 18^th-century geometric instruments.

Return to Delhi to enjoy one last evening in this enigmatic city.