Treasures of India

Day 1 - 3 : Delhi

On arrival at New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport, you'll be greeted at the runway and escorted through Immigration and Customs formalities into the Arrival Hall, where you'll be met by your driver. Transfer privately to The Imperial, situated on Delhi's prestigious Queensway — recently renamed Janpath, the People's Boulevard — for a comfortable night's rest. Built in 1931 and designed by Bromfield, the hotel has a unique blend of Victorian, old colonial and playful, informal art deco style. The tradition of personalized service and congenial atmosphere is reminiscent of an English manor home in the heart of colonial Delhi.

This morning you're free to rest and relax after your long international flights and enjoy breakfast and the early afternoon on your own.

The city is lush with a plethora of temples, forts and mosques, as well as parks, gardens and beautiful colonial mansions. The strategic location of the city was one of the prime reasons why successive dynasties chose it as their seat of power. As befits a national capital, Delhi provides plenty of opportunities to learn about the rest of the country. The city may seem daunting to a first-time visitor, but as a national capital and the gateway to the north, it is a must-visit city on any traveler's itinerary.

A private afternoon tour of Delhi includes a visit to the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial. End the day with a sunset view over Humayun's Tomb. Built in 1570, it's a UNESCO World Heritage site and is of great historic and architectural significance.

Gather at the hotel for a welcome cocktail party at The Imperial's Patiala Peg bar, followed by dinner at the world-renowned Spice Route restaurant.

For those interested, there'll be an optional sunrise yoga session with a notable yogi guru before returning to the hotel for breakfast.

Following breakfast, depart on an exploration of Old Delhi, including Jama Masjid mosque and the Chandi Chowk market via rickshaws, an Old City walk with a historian, and a visit to the area of the Gurudwara Bangla Sahid, a Sikh temple.

Lunch at The Imperial's 1911 Restaurant and relax before embarking on an afternoon exploration based on your interests and the suggestions of your individual guides. The group will separate into parties of four to explore the city, accompanied by English-speaking guides.

Enjoy dinner at Maashra by Kotwara, owned by filmmaker and artist Muzaffar Ali — "the Raja of Kotwara" — and his architect wife. The restaurant is set within their home estate and presents traditional Awadhi cuisine.

Day 4 : Agra

Following breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Agra. On arrival, transfer to your luxury hotel, the best address in town, for lunch at The Oberoi Amarvilas's Bellevue restaurant, followed by check-in and a chance to settle in to your rooms.

This afternoon, a special cultural event is available for the ladies in the group, followed by your first visit to the Taj Mahal to coincide with sunset. Taking 22 years, 20,000 laborers and a fleet of 1,000 elephants to build, this monument to love is perhaps the most beautiful structure on earth. There is a quality about the Taj Mahal that is almost transcendent. With a sense of astonishment, one comprehends that the hands of man have achieved such heights of artistry. It is dazzling at first sight and marvelous upon close inspection. Construction of this monument started in 1631 by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. The Taj Mahal is truly one of the wonders of the world. Though the Taj appears to be amazingly perfect from almost any angle, it is the close-up, marble inlay work that is really astounding.

Returning to the hotel, there'll be a chance to enjoy the hotel's beautiful pool before reconvening for a special thali dinner on the Pool Terrace, accompanied by a private dance performance.

Day 5 - 6 : Ranthambore

This morning, those interested can revisit the Taj Mahal at sunrise before returning to the hotel to rejoin the group for breakfast.

Post-breakfast, depart on the three-hour drive to Ranthambore National Park, stopping en route to explore Fatehpur Sikri, an epic poem in red sandstone frozen in time. It was built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar as his capital and palace in the late 16th century and was larger than London in its day. It was abandoned 14 years after it was built because the wells went dry, and today it remains in much the same condition that it was in over 300 years ago. Complete with palaces and mosques, it is an extraordinary place to wander, with its buildings in near-perfect condition.

Following lunch in Bharatpur, continue to Ranthambore, arriving this afternoon. On arrival, check in at your award-winning luxury resort, followed by a cocktail gathering, dinner and a quiet evening on the outskirts of the national park.

Situated a 10-minute drive from Ranthambore National Park, The Oberoi Vanyavilas offers guests the opportunity to see royal Bengal tigers in the wild and enjoy the luxuries of an Oberoi experience.

Spread across 20 acres of lush, landscaped garden, The Oberoi Vanyavilas is rich with indigenous plants and birds. From the top of the observation tower, you can admire panoramic views of the bordering jungle, spot wildlife at the nearby watering hole and sip Champagne at sundown. Stroll along torch-lit pathways in the evening and delight in the melodious chorus of frogs singing in lily ponds.

The core of Ranthambore National Park, measuring about 155 square miles, presents the best opportunity for spotting tigers, leopards, jungle cats, caracal, hyenas and sloth bears. Chital and sambar deer, antelopes and gazelles also can be seen roaming the savanna, while the lakes and waterholes are home to the Indian marsh crocodile. Birdlife, both resident and migratory, is prolific, and over 350 species have been sighted within the park.

Early this morning, take your first safari into the park in search of Bengal tigers. Excursions last around three and a half hours and take place twice a day, once in the morning and once in late afternoon. Safaris are led by park-appointed naturalists who will take you on various routes.

Returning to the resort later this morning, enjoy a full breakfast and choose from various options, or just relax until your afternoon tiger safari.

For those interested, there'll be an opportunity to explore Ranthambore Fort — a UNESCO World Heritage site — or to seek the blessings of Lord Ganesha at the famed Ganesh temple. You may want to unwind at the spa with a romantic couples massage.

This afternoon, head out for your second safari of the day before returning to the resort. Gather in the Observation Tower over sundowners, followed by a memorable candlelit dinner accompanied by music played by Rajasthani folk musicians.

Day 7 - 9 : Jaipur

Early this morning, there'll be an opportunity for a last safari into the park.

After breakfast, depart on the four-hour drive to Jaipur, stopping en route to stretch your legs and explore based on the suggestions of your guides.

Arriving in the Pink City of Jaipur, check in at your luxury resort and settle into your room. This evening, enjoy a special artisans night market privately arranged for our group, featuring a selection of Jaipur's highest-quality handicrafts and souvenirs, including textiles, jewelry, wood carvings and metalwork.

The Oberoi Rajvilās is a royal resort set in a breathtaking 32-acre oasis of beautifully landscaped gardens and exotic birdlife. Built around an 18th-century Shiva temple that affords chanting with a Hindu priest, meditation and morning yoga, The Oberoi Rajvilās is a haven of mystical peace and natural serenity.

Traditional techniques have been used to replicate the famous pink lime plaster walls of Jaipur throughout the resort. Also adorned with Mughal arches, gold-leaf frescoes, high-domed ceilings and magnificent crystal chandeliers, The Oberoi Rajvilās epitomizes traditional Rajasthani charm and Oberoi luxury.

This evening, you're free to enjoy dinner on your own as you explore the city. Each couple will have a private car and driver at their disposal, as well as recommendations and reservations for dinner.

Following breakfast at the hotel, depart for Jaipur's Amber Fort. Jaipur was built according to a master plan, with the glittering City Palace at the center, surrounded by public buildings, residences of noblemen, and the living and trading quarters of merchants and artisans. The city was surrounded for defense purposes by a high wall with seven gates.

Enter through the main gate this morning and continue to the walled old city, making your way toward the Amber Fort built high atop a hillside overlooking Maota Lake. The Fort Palace was a frequent stopping point of Mughal Emperor Akbar on his annual pilgrimage to Ajmer, India's most holy shrine.

Make your way to the fort in comfortable vehicles with your guides, who will escort you through the gardens, halls of public and private audiences, and a labyrinth of hallways and passages leading to the royal apartments deep within the fort, which is a wonderful example of blended Hindu and Mughal architecture.

The afternoon is free for exploring the city on your own. Enjoy the services of your private vehicles and drivers to find your own culinary adventures for lunch, or recommendations and reservations can be made on your behalf. The group will separate into parties of four to explore, accompanied by English-speaking guides. You may prefer to return to The Oberoi Rajvilās and enjoy its award-winning spa.

Late this afternoon, enjoy a cooking demonstration and talk about Indian spices and cooking techniques by the chef at Rajmahal restaurant, followed by a specially prepared dinner.

It's said that India will speak to you long after you return home. India speaks to everyone, it seems, through centuries of innovation and creativity. From Indian ingenuity we received cotton cloth, the decimal system and the games of chess and dice.

With a local expert you'll visit Jantar Mantar, designed and used by one of India's most revered majarajas, Jai Singh II, who devoted his life to the study of astronomy and astrology. Developed between 1728 and 1734, the Jantar Mantar Observatory is based on the work of Mīrzā Ulugh Beg, the astronomer-king of Samarkand whose works were avidly followed by Jai Singh II. The observatory consists of 14 major geometric devices for measuring time, predicting eclipses, tracking stars in their orbits and tracking the movement of planets. Each instrument is a fixed and focused tool. Extraordinarily accurate, the observatory's instruments are still used today to forecast how hot the summer months will be; the expected date of arrival, duration and intensity of the monsoon; and the possibility of floods and famine. The 12-piece Rashivalaya Yantra structures are used by astrologers to draw up horoscopes, an important Indian ritual even today.

For lunch, enjoy a traditional "high tea," a cultural remnant from the British Raj and an institution in India, at Naila Bagh Palace. Dating from 1872, the palace fort still maintains its original attributes. This palace home of the former prime minister of Jaipur (Thakur Fateh Singh Ji) has played host to many dignitaries and famous people.

Returning to the hotel, enjoy cocktails followed by dinner in a beautifully appointed royal tent on the polo grounds, accompanied by local music and dancing.

Day 10 - 11 : Jodhpur

Following breakfast, transfer to the airport bound for Jodhpur, Rajasthan's second-largest city. Historically, Jodhpur was strategically located on the overland trade route and established itself as a flourishing trade center. Today, Jodhpur continues to be home to India's leading business enterprises.

Your destination today, Umaid Bhawan Palace, began its existence as one of the largest private residences in the world. Named for Maharaja Umaid Singh, grandfather of the present Maharaja of Jodhpur, this golden-yellow sandstone monument was conceived on the grandest possible scale in the fashionable art deco style of that time. After 15 years in construction, the 347-room palace was finally completed in 1943 and has served as the principal residence of the Jodhpur royal family ever since.

Designed by renowned Edwardian architect Henry Lanchester, the palace is a blend of Eastern and Western architectural influences. Its majestic 105-foot-high cupola is influenced by the Renaissance era, while the towers draw inspiration from Rajput tradition. The lavish interiors with gilt furniture and elegant artwork follow the art deco style, complemented by the exotic murals of the self-exiled Polish artist Stefan Norblin. Linger over lunch privately arranged on the terrace overlooking the gardens. View the Mehrangarh Fort in the distance, rising sharply from the surrounding countryside. Following lunch, tour the Umaid Bhawan Palace Museum, with treasures and family heirlooms of the Jodhpur royal family.

There is always a feeling of magic and graciousness pervading the air at Umaid Bhawan Palace. This special aura is augmented by the ever-present sense of the palace and the royal family's captivating nostalgia and history.

On arrival, transfer to the palace hotel for a royal welcome and a royal lunch at the Risala restaurant before checking in to your room, where you'll have the chance to get settled and some free time to explore the grounds of the hotel before departing for Merhangarh Fort and a curator's guided visit through the fort museum.

Returning to the palace, enjoy a fine dinner at the award-winning Pillars restaurant.

The morning is free for exploring or relaxing. Luxuriate in the palatial surroundings of your private quarters, or perhaps choose to enjoy the unique subterranean pool, marbled squash courts, tennis courts or the hotel's health club. Should you wish to explore, guides will be available to accompany you through the antiques bazaar located close to the palace or on a privately arranged shopping excursion. The old city market in Jodhpur is famous for textile works, including rugged embroidered slippers, tie-and-dye fabrics, elegant Nehru jackets, shimmering long skirts, ornate glass bangles, puppets and other folk art. Your guide will provide expert assistance in shopping for the items of your choice.

This afternoon, enjoy an in-depth guided visit to the spectacular Mehrangarh Fort, described by Rudyard Kipling as "the creation of angels, fairies and giants." Founded in 1459 by Rao Jodha, the Rathore ruler of the kingdom of Marwar, the sandstone fort was added to by subsequent rulers between the mid-17th and mid-19th centuries. Carved panels and porches, elaborately adorned walls and windows of the fort's interior palaces exemplify the fort's historic significance. The collection of musical instruments, palanquins, furniture and cannons on the fort's ramparts are well-preserved and provide an excellent basis for learning about the region's history.

Enter the fort through gates that bear the evocative handprints of the women of the royal harem who took their own lives when their men were defeated in battle. Continue through the fort's series of spectacular palaces, each decorated with exquisite engravings, lattice and mirror work. The museum exhibits a magnificent collection of royal memorabilia as well as a collection of photographs that bring perspective to royal life in recent times.

A special dinner is planned tonight to celebrate your journey through India. The celebration begins with a ride in the ubiquitous Ambassador cars, the typical mode of transportation in Rajasthan, to Mehrangarh Fort. You will be received by a full procession of decorated animals and traditional dancers. Ceremonial guards escort you to the ramparts to mingle with one another and with our guests of honor. The soulful music of the desert and traditional entertainment completes the experience and makes the evening memorable. From high atop the fort, enjoy dinner overlooking the glimmering lights of Jodhpur city on one side and the magnificent Mehrangarh Fort, awash in a golden glow of light, on the other.

Day 12 - 13 : Udaipur

Relax in the comfortable surroundings of the resort this morning. The spa offers a host of traditional Indian treatments, and a pool is available should a swim sound inviting.

Following breakfast and a morning at leisure, board your plane for Udaipur (flying time approximately 45 minutes). Transfer to your world-famous and iconic hotel. It’s hard to believe the floating vision in marble is real. Blink, and indeed there's a luminous palace emerging from the mist. Suddenly, you're in a boat, drifting ever closer, and the reality doesn’t disappoint. With the Aravalli Mountains and city palaces as backdrops, one gets an impending sense of enchantment.

The accommodations are as delightful as the exterior. Every one of the romantic rooms holds a story. The decorative gilt moldings, sculpted marble columns and fine fretwork screens impressed even the maharaja who held court in this very room in the 1930s.

There are countless unique experiences to be had. Sail into a purple sunset on a 150-year-old gangaur, complete with candlelight and resplendently dressed oarsmen. Indulge in a heritage walk with an escort, followed by a glass of sparkling wine at the bar. Soak in the sounds and sights of the city as your royal butler accompanies you on a shopping trip. In this royal dream, anything is possible.

After checking in, we'll enjoy a high-tea lunch accompanied by a lecture on Hinduism by an internationally recognized expert, followed by individual consultations with the hotel's famed astrologers.

This evening, we'll gather for cocktails on the palace's Mewar Terrace, accompanied by traditional folk dances. A farewell dinner will follow at Bhario, located on the rooftop of Taj Lake Palace. With only eight tables and an entirely open rooftop kitchen, this is perhaps the most romantic restaurant in India.

Early this morning, enjoy an optional sunrise yoga session at the hotel, followed by breakfast.

Tour the City Palace with your local guide, who is well-versed in the colorful history and unique artwork on the palace walls. The largest palace in Rajasthan, Udaipur's City Palace comprises a maze of royal apartments, reception halls and courtyards, all linked together by narrow passages and steep staircases. These features are typical of Rajput palaces, which were designed to confuse invaders. The palace museum houses a collection of intricate miniature paintings depicting scenes from the lives of the maharanas of Udaipur.

Later this morning, enjoy a guided accompaniment through the bazaars of Udaipur and a visit to the city's colorful and amazing Jagdish Temple.

Return to the hotel for lunch and continue your individual consultations with the astrologers before boarding the Royal Barge Gangaur for cocktails and canapés. Completed in 1754 by Maharana Jagat Singh II, a great patron of the arts, the Lake Palace (originally known as Jag Niwas) was his most notable achievement. As legend has it, the maharana was resentful of his father's refusal to allow him moonlight picnics with the ladies of his zenana (women's quarters) at the neighboring pleasure palace, Jagmandir. No sooner had he ascended the throne than the maharana commissioned the construction of the Lake Palace.

This evening, you're free to dine at the hotel.

Day 14 : Delhi

Following breakfast, we cross the city to the airport to board your awaiting private jet for the return to Delhi and your international departure back home.

For those departing late at night or the following morning, rooms and round-trip transfers have been confirmed at The Oberoi Gurgaon (Deluxe Rooms), one of Delhi's newest luxury hotels, located a short distance from Indira Gandhi International Airport. Here our travelers will enjoy VIP departure service to allow passengers to bypass normal customs and immigration formalities.

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