Duration: 10 Nights / 11 Days
Destinations: Delhi - Agra - Jaipur - Alsisar - Kalka - Shimla - Delhi

Day 1 - Delhi
Welcome to India and the start of your holiday! Arrive Delhi, included transfer to hotel. Overnight - Delhi

Day 2: Delhi - breakfast
This morning, our Welcome Meeting takes place. An orientation tour takes in highlights such as the Red Fort - a ghostly vestige of Mughal splendour, India Gate, Raj Path, Qutab Minar, Humayun’s Tomb, Raj Ghat - site of Mahatma Gandhi’s cremation and a visit to a carpet emporium. Tonight, we enjoy a Namaste Dinner. Namaste Dinner and overnight - Delhi

Day 3: Delhi - Agra - breakfast
Today, we journey to Agra, once capital of India under the Mughals. Travelling by horsecart, we visit the breathtaking Taj Mahal. Crafted entirely of white marble, it represents Shah Jahan’s unique vision of a fitting mausoleum for his beloved wife, Mumtaz, who died during childbirth. We also visit Agra Fort and a marble craftshop. Overnight - Agra

Day 4: Agra - Jaipur - breakfast
En route to Jaipur we visit the stunning former Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri - Emperor Akbar’s vision in red sandstone. We also stop for a traditional Indian lunch at Chandra Mahal Haveli, located in Peharsar. In Jaipur, we visit a cotton trading/tailor shop where you can get clothing tailored for delivery to your hotel before we leave Jaipur! Lunch and overnight - Jaipur

Day 5: Jaipur - breakfast
This morning, we drive just beyond Jaipur to the 16th century Amber Fort. An exotic elephant ride* transports us to the lofty fortress, where we will enjoy a tour. Back in Jaipur, we visit the City Palace, which has an interesting museum of regal attire and Jantar Mantar, an ancient astronomical observatory. Overnight - Jaipur

Day 6: Jaipur - Alsisar (Shekhawati region) - breakfast
Striking north we drive to the Alsisar, famed for its beautiful painted havelis (mansions). Afternoon village walk and havali tour. Dinner and overnight - Alsisar

Day 7: Alsisar (Shekhawati region) - Kalka (via Delhi) - breakfast
Returning to Delhi, we have a chance to freshen up before our later onward train to Kalka in the north. Overnight - train

Day 8: Kalka - Shimla
From Kalka, we travel onwards to Shimla, arriving later this morning, for our two night stay in Shimla. Former ‘summer capital’ of British India, Shimla sprawls along a crescent-shaped ridge at an altitude of over 2100m. The famous main street, ‘The Mall’, lined with stately English homes and the fortress-like former Viceregal Lodge, reinforces Shimla’s quintessential English look. Overnight - Shimla

Days 9 & 10: Shimla - Kalka - Delhi - breakfast
Today we enjoy a guided sightseeing tour, venturing into the narrow streets, which fall steeply away from the ridge giving way to colourful bazaars and fine views of the surrounding valley and snow-capped peaks. On day 10, we return to Kalka by train for our onward overnight train south to Delhi. Overnight (1) - Shimla, (1) - train

Day: 11: Delhi
Completing a wonderful holiday our arrival in Delhi marks the end of our tour. Onward departure transfer is provided to the airport.