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Highlights: Old Delhi by rickshaw; Humayun’s tomb; Gandhi's eternal flame and India Gate
Arriving in India necessitates a soft entry. Check in at The Imperial to satisfy your yearnings for art and provide a dose of colonial history. Your Yonder driver and guide will be on hand to take you out exploring. Humayun’s tomb, Gandhi’s eternal flame and India Gate will all be on the agenda. If you’ve got the energy, get out onto the streets of Old Delhi and absorb your surroundings. It’s like nowhere else on earth.
While Old Delhi unravels the old charm and speaks volumes about India’s history, culture, and tradition, enchanting New Delhi exhibits the picture of modern India.
The tour will begin with a visit to the Jama Masjid, one of Asia’s largest mosques. It was built in red sandstone and marble by more than 5000 artisans. Later, visit Chandni Chowk, Asia’s largest wholesale market, a massive area packed with shops, bazaars, and people (most of the shops remain closed on Sundays). Drive past the Red Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in the 17th century. Also, visit the Raj Ghat, a simple memorial to Mahatma Gandhi.
Proceed towards New Delhi, which reflects the legacy the British left behind. The first stop will be a UNESCO World Heritage site – Qutub Minar, the second tallest minar in India. It is made of red stone and marble, covered with intricate carvings and verses from the Qur’an.
Later, visit the 16th-century Humayun’s Tomb, the first garden-tomb on the Indian subcontinent, an outstanding monument in the Indo-Persian style and a precursor to the Taj Mahal. The tour of Imperial Delhi will also include a drive past India Gate, the 42m high War Memorial Arch, the Parliament House, the Secretariat buildings, and the Vice Regal Palace, now the official residence of the President of India.
Highlights: Taj Mahal at sunrise; Agra Fort
Our favourite way to arrive in Agra is on the express train from Delhi. An early morning start means being part of the daily life in India… but from the comforts of a first-class carriage. In Agra, check into the Oberoi Amarvilas for your first glimpse of the Taj Mahal. Spend a couple of days at the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Chandni Bazar.
It is fitting to witness the extraordinary monument, the Taj Mahal (closed on Friday), during the first light of day, as its exemplary beauty is truly awe-inspiring and will leave an indelible memory. This early time of day is when the site is least crowded, providing a peaceful and serene experience of the world’s most romantic landmark.
Known as the Red Fort of Agra, this walled imperial city was founded in 1565 by the Emperor Akbar (1556-1605). It’s a well-deserving UNESCO World Heritage site located just 2.5 kilometres from the famous Taj Mahal. The palaces, grand mosques, and elaborate public halls within the fort are crafted from pink-red sandstone, bearing testament to an era when Indo-Muslim art, strongly influenced by Persia, flourished. Emperor Shah Jahan, known for constructing the Taj Mahal in memory of his deceased wife, was later imprisoned by his son Aurangzeb within the Agra Fort. Shah Jahan is said to have passed away in the Musamman Burj, a marble tower he himself had built, providing one of the most captivating views of the Taj Mahal.
Highlights: Amber Fort; Walking tour of the Pink City; Palace of the Winds, Jantar Mantar and City Palace
The pink city never fails to deliver. The sounds, sights and sounds of this royal capital are spellbinding. You’ll be bowled over by the architecture and the forward thinking of the maharajas who built the city, its palaces and observatory. And perhaps the crowning glory is the spectacular fairytale Ajmer Fort high on a hill a short drive from Jaipur. Your home from home, the Rambagh Palace, is befitting of the stature of the city. From Jaipur you’ll fly back to Delhi to connect with your international flight.
The City Palace is a captivating architectural marvel that seamlessly blends elements from various styles, such as Mughal, European, Rajput, and the Indian Shilpa Shastra. This exquisite design is evident in its array of palaces, pavilions, gardens, and temples. The palace complex now houses the Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum, a significant cultural repository. Among the many striking structures within the complex, the Chandra Mahal, Mubarak Mahal, Mukut Mahal, Maharani’s Palace, and Shri Govind Dev Temple stand out as prominent and frequently visited highlights.
The journey to the fort through Amber village is truly picturesque and offers a glimpse into the vibrant Rajasthani culture. Upon reaching the summit of Amer Fort, take a leisurely stroll through the expansive complex of courtyards and halls.
The Amer Fort, constructed by Raja Man Singh I in the 16th century and later completed by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh in the 18th century, boasts grand architecture. Its expansive ramparts, sequence of gates, and cobblestone pathways provide a commanding view over Maota Lake. Prominent structures within the fort include the Diwan-i-Aam (Hall of Public Audience), the Diwan-i-Khas (Hall of Private Audience), the Sheesh Mahal (Mirror Palace), Jai Mandir, and the Sukh Niwas (Hall of Pleasure).
Delhi
A unique blend of Victorian, Old Colonial and Art Deco style, the iconic and historic Imperial is seriously good. Beyond the turbaned, mustachioed doormen, elegant interiors are adorned with fine…
Agra & The Taj Mahal
A view with a room: the whole orientation of the Oberoi Amarvilas is towards the Taj Mahal, which is visible from much of the lobby and bar area. Rooms are…
Jaipur
This jewel in the Taj’s crown offers 78 stunning grand luxury rooms and suites, once the chambers of the Maharaja. The palace retains its splendour with vintage cars, guards on…
Duration: 8 Days | Price: From £3,250
Contact us now to customise this itinerary.
This itinerary would typically cost from £3,250 inclusive of international flights staying in the specified hotels and having the services of a private chauffeur and guide.
The costs vary based on season, flights, room type and board basis. All our holidays are tailor-made and can be created around your budget.
Every Yonder itinerary is uniquely created to suit our individual clients. Destinations, hotels, lengths of stay and even modes of transport are all decided by you, with the help of our local knowledge and expert guidance.
All Yonder holidays include flights, carefully curated hotels. private drivers, expert guides and local concierges alongside 24/7 support from Yonder should it ever be needed so you know you are in safe hands.
We are immensely proud of our unique and in-depth expertise of the destinations we offer. Unlike some travel companies, each hotel we feature is handpicked and personally experienced by us so we can give you the inside story. We also carefully choose our guides based on their their exhaustive knowledge and professionalism to ensure you have a perfect holiday.
We love to chat. Tell us about your Yonderlust, your travel tastes, your wishes and desires. The more we know the better and we will make a few suggestions based on extensive our first-hand experience.
Once we‘ve glimpsed your travel soul we will start crafting your unique itinerary. And then we will refine it until you’re as excited as we are.
When you are ready to go Yonder you can make your reservation. We usually take a 30% deposit (but this can vary depending on your holiday). The balance payable 90 days prior to departure. Best of all, booking with Yonder really is headache free. You have complete financial protection for all holidays which include flights through our ATOL licence (11237).
And once you’ve booked, you can be absolutely sure that you’ll have someone to turn to whenever you need to. We will be there for you 24/7.
Please get in touch by phone, by email or by filling in our simple enquiry form so that our travel experts can get in touch to discuss your perfect tailor-made holiday.
A unique blend of Victorian, Old Colonial and Art Deco style, the iconic and historic Imperial is seriously good. Beyond the turbaned, mustachioed doormen, elegant interiors are adorned with fine art. Great rooms compiled with delicious understated elegance.
A view with a room: the whole orientation of the Oberoi Amarvilas is towards the Taj Mahal, which is visible from much of the lobby and bar area. Rooms are exquisitely appointed. Superb pool area is a sunken step well. Two brilliant restaurants.
A dazzling reincarnation of a former Maharaja’s palace. Bespoke wallpapers, butlers pristine in white, scents of jasmine from the lush gardens, Art Deco pool, monogrammed linen, custom china… 14 suites, all unique but united by creative flair. And fabulous food to boot.
Super hip, refined, elegant and contemporary, The Lodhi oozes luxury. There’s an art gallery, a library and cigar room, a spectacular sunken pool, a vast gym and health club. The restaurants are truly superb and the rooms simply the best in Delhi.
This jewel in the Taj’s crown offers 78 stunning grand luxury rooms and suites, once the chambers of the Maharaja. The palace retains its splendour with vintage cars, guards on horseback and exquisitely uniformed staff. Mughal gardens and exceptional cuisine.
Classic in its decor, as well as in the quality and standards of attentive service, The Claridges Delhi, built in 1952, has a long-established reputation as one of the go-to quality hotels in Delhi.
Bursting with ornate, regal splendour, the Samode Haveli is a hidden treasure buried amongst the bustling streets of old Jaipur.
A little island of cleanliness and calm in the middle of the Taj Mahal mayhem. With this chain, you can be sure of excellent service, flawlessly clean rooms and a tickbox list of facilities. Lacking a little character, perhaps, but excellent value for money.
