India’s Royal Heritage 23 Day Tour

Asia Wildlife & Cultural Adventures

India’s Royal Heritage 23 Day Tour

Print Email

Gain a deeper understanding of the breadth and majesty of North India as you uncover the Royal Heritage of the region on this 5-star escorted tour.

Uncover North India’s royal heritage as you explore the ‘Blue City’ of Jodhpur, take in the view from the top of Mehrangarh Fort or have a true Rajasthani desert adventure atop a camel near the ‘Golden City’ of Jaisalmer. While in Udaipur, the city of lakes, stay in the extraordinary Taj Lake Palace Hotel. Venture deep into Rajasthan, possibly the most romantic and mythical state on the sub-continent and stay in characteristic forts and hunting lodges in the smaller towns of Nagaur and Narlai. Be at home in a palace in the ‘Pink City’ of Jaipur and the search for the elusive Bengal tiger in Ranthambore National Park. North India will capture your heart with its colour, splendour and brilliance.

5-star luxury inclusions:

The intimacy of small-group tour, with a maximum of 24 guests
5 exclusive Scenic Enrich experiences
1 Scenic Sundowners event
Your choice of 14 Scenic Freechoice activities and dining
3 memorable Scenic Special Stays
54 meals – 22 breakfasts (B), 18 lunches (L) and 14 dinners (D)
Expert Tour Director
All internal flights
Return airport transfers
All tipping and gratuities

ITINERARY Highlights

DAY 1 Delhi

We welcome you to North India before arriving at your hotel in Delhi for the next two nights.

DAY 2 Delhi

Explore Old Delhi and India’s largest mosque, Jama Masjid. Dazzle your senses on a rickshaw ride through Asia’s largest wholesale spice bazaar and Delhi’s oldest streets, finishing with a traditional lunch in Dharmpura haveli. Later, visit Humayan’s Tomb and drive past the India Gate and Presidential Avenue. Tonight, enjoy your special welcome dinner.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 3 Delhi > Varanasi

Fly to India’s holiest Hindu city, Varanasi for the next two nights. Enjoy a rickshaw ride down to the banks of the Ganges River. Cruise the holy river at dusk whilst listening to the sounds of traditional Indian music. Release sacred offerings into the river and witness the magical ceremony of the evening Aarti.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 4 - Varanasi

As the sun begins to rise, drift slowly down the Ganges River and watch the many ghats come to life. Afterwards, take a stroll along the ghats and laneways of the Old City. Later, journey to one of Buddhism’s most important sites in Sarnath.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 5 - Varanasi > Khajuraho

Fly to Khajuraho, famous for its magnificent World Heritage-listed temple architecture. Enjoy your two-night stay overlooking the iconic temples.

Undertake a yoga lesson or visit a Shiva Temple to experience Rudrabhishek.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 6 - Khajuraho

Visit the exquisitely sculpted sandstone temples depicting the exotic Karma Sutra carvings for which these temples are most famous for.

Watch a sound and light show at the temples or a traditional folk dance performance.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 7 - Khajuraho > Orchha > Jhansi > Agra

Drive to Orchha and enjoy a walking tour of the old town. Continue to Jhansi and board a train to Agra. Arrive in the early evening at your luxurious Special Stay hotel in Agra, only 600 metres from the magnificent Taj Mahal.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 8 - Agra

Marvel at the Taj Mahal at sunrise with its shimmering marble domes and towers reflected in the landscaped pools. Later discover the World Heritage-listed Mughal Red Fort of Agra. Enjoy a light lunch at Sheroes Hangout, a café which supports victims of domestic violence.

Sundowners: Gather for evening drinks to overlook and appreciate the architectural wonder of the Taj Mahal from the close proximity of your hotel.

Choose from Asian cuisine at C’est Chine, or a north Indian BBQ. Alternatively, enjoy the buffet at the Bellevue, located at your hotel.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 9 - Agra > Ranthambore National Park

Explore the World Heritage-listed site of Fatehpur Sikri en route to Bharatpur. Board a train to travel to Ranthambore National Park and settle into your luxury tent for a two night Special Stay.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 10 - Ranthambore National Park

Accompanied by an expert wildlife naturalist, search for the elusive Bengal Tiger during your private morning and afternoon game drives.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 11 - Ranthambore National Park > Jaipur
Drive to the Pink City, visiting Abhaneri village and its 1,000-year-old stepwell en route. Later, stop for lunch at Castle Kanota, the setting for the Viceroy Club in the film The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. Stay at your regal hotel for three nights.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 12 - Jaipur

Visit the City Palace, home to the rulers of Jaipur. Marvel at the magnificent Jantar Mantar, an observatory built in the 18th century and the magnificent Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds) with its honeycombed sandstone windows. Take a rickshaw ride into small chowkris of the city before returning to your hotel.

Learn about traditional Indian cooking with the Ikaki Niwas family or savour the views from high up in Amer Fort whilst dining at 1136 Restaurant. Alternatively, dine in house at the Giardino Italian restaurant.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 13 - Jaipur

Begin the day exploring the striking hilltop Amer Fort before enjoying the afternoon at leisure. Tonight, dine at the restored Samode Haveli.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 14 - Jaipur > Nagaur

Pass small villages and towns on the way to Nagaur and your magnificent hotel, located in the original fort.

Step back in time with an exclusive dinner within Bakht Singh courtyard Baradari in Ahhichatragarh Fort. Dine dressed in traditional turbans and saris, just as the former residents once did.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 15 - Nagaur > Jaisalmer

Continue west into the desert of Rajasthan to the Golden City of Jaisalmer for a two-night stay. Take an orientation walk visiting the well-known Patwon-ki Haveli and Salim Sing-ki-Havelis.

Dine on international fare at Nosh or try traditional Rajasthani Thali at the speciality restaurant Legends of Marwad.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 16 - Jaisalmer

Visit the 800-year-old Jaisalmer Fort and Gadsisar Sagar Tank.

Take a camel or camel cart sunset trek across the sand dunes before a torch-lit dinner with music on the dunes.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 17 - Jaisalmer > Jodhpur

Continue to the Blue City for the next two nights. Marvel at the close-up view of the Mehrangarh Fort from your room of your boutique hotel located inside the old walled city. Enjoy a Tuk Tuk ride around the surrounding streets locating the local market close by.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 18 - Jodhpur

Take a jeep adventure to nearby Bishnoi Villages and learn about their rural way of life.

Accompanied by the museum curator, enjoy a glass of champagne overlooking the city before continuing on an exclusive walking tour of Mehrangarh Fort. Dinner is at the fort providing an outstanding vantage point.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 19 - Jodhpur > Narlai

See the rural tribal hamlets whilst driving to the small village of Narlai. Settle into your hotel, a former hunting lodge. Later, set out on your first jeep safari to spot leopards and peacocks in the hills surrounding your hotel.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 20 - Narlai

Rise early to watch the sunrise over the lake on your jeep safari in hope to view a leopard on their morning prowl. Later, undertake a leisurely walk around town.

Enjoy a drink with a member of the local royal family and then take a bullock cart ride to tonight’s dinner venue and enjoy a delicious dinner by a candlelit 1,100-year-old well. Uniquely romantic.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 21 - Narlai > Ranakpur > Udaipur

Drive to the ‘City of Lakes’ via Ranakpur to visit the intricate Jain Temple. In Udaipur, live like royalty during your two night Special Stay.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 22 - Udaipur

Take a cultural walk through the markets or explore the City Palace, built entirely in granite and marble.

Cruise the serene waters of Lake Pichola before indulging in your sumptuous private Mewar Terrace farewell dinner. Overlooking the magical City Palace and Lake Pichola, this is a fitting end to your tour.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 23 - Udaipur

Bid farewell to India as you fly to Delhi (please book onward flights after 9.00pm). Alternatively, you can use your included flight to fly from Udaipur to Mumbai for a post-tour extension.

Meals Included: Breakfast