India – Tigers, the Taj Mahal & Goa Beach

Board your overnight flight to India. 

After your overnight flight, arrive in Delhi, and be welcomed by your friendly, local tour manager. A transfer will take you to the first hotel in a quiet neighbourhood of the city. 

In the afternoon, after lunch at the hotel, your Indian exploration will begin with a visit to one of Delhi’s most famous and historical monuments, Qutub Minar. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a five-story tower built from red sandstone and marble and adorned with intricating carvings. Forming part of the Qutub Minar complex, it was believed to have been constructed as a victory tower or a minaret attached to a mosque.  

Dinner will be enjoyed back at the hotel.  

Following breakfast, set off on a morning sightseeing excursion of Old Delhi, where you’ll witness its vibrant culture and rich history. This enlightening tour encompasses all the city’s major historical landmarks, including the Jama Masjid Mosque, one of the largest in India, and Raj Ghat, Mahatma Gandhi’s cremation site. An exhilarating rickshaw ride around Chandni Chowk, known for its markets and street food, will serve as another memorable highlight.

You’ll travel on to Agra, taking in the Indian countryside as you go. Once you’ve arrived, your tour of the city will begin with visits to two of its most famed landmarks.  

The first stop will be the royal pavilions, palaces, and courtyards of the majestic, red sandstone Agra Fort. From this 16th-century fortress set on the Yamuna River, experience your first view of the incomparable Taj Mahal and its gardens. Explore the intricate maze of structures within the fort as you learn about how it served as the residence of Mughal emperors for over three centuries. This UNESCO World Heritage Site was constructed in the 16th century by Emperor Akbar and later expanded by his successors.  

Next, visit the Taj Mahal for a guided tour, and get to see the famed monument of love up close, glistening in the sunshine. This ivory-white marble mausoleum and UNESCO World Heritage Site, encircled by expansive Mughal gardens, is one of the greatest architectural achievements and a wish-list spectacle. Completed in 1648 and built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife, it’s renowned for its Mughal design and elements, including a central dome, minarets, and a reflecting pool.  

This evening, dinner will be served at the hotel in Agra.

Early this morning, you’ll be taken to Mehtab Bagh – a garden complex away from the bustle of the city and on the opposite side of the Yamuna River, showcasing a splendid view of the Taj Mahal in all its glory as the sun rises.  

You’ll then return for breakfast at the hotel and afterwards, drive to Chand Baori Stepwell in Abhaneri, which was built over 1,000 years ago and is one of the biggest stepwells in the world. With intricately geometrically designed staircases, this architectural wonder serves as a source of water and a place of respite in the desert heat.  

A stop for lunch will be enjoyed at Umaid Bhawan Palace, a hotel set in an opulent building that was once home to the Jodhpur royal family. You can enjoy your meal while looking out over the beautiful, manicured gardens.

Following lunch, travel to a resort set within the jungle landscape of Ranthambore. Check in and get settled, perhaps enjoying a drink on the terrace. In the evening, a local naturalist will give a fascinating ‘tiger talk’. This briefing will introduce you to the ecosystem of the park, shedding light on the diverse flora and fauna and its conservation efforts

Dinner will then be served before you fall asleep to the sounds of the surrounding nocturnal animals.

Wake early this morning and board your vehicle to explore the wilderness of Ranthambore National Park, an opportunity to explore the untamed landscapes alongside your knowledgeable naturalist guide.

As the sun rises over the treetops, you’ll venture off to witness the park’s incredible biodiversity. Keep your eyes peeled for the Bengal tigers, leopards, sloth bears, jackals, wild dogs, and hyenas that call Ranthambore National Park home. Your naturalist will share their expertise, providing insights into the behaviour, habitats, and unique characteristics of the animals you encounter.

Breakfast will then be served back at the resort followed by some time to relax, perhaps by the swimming pool before lunch.

In the afternoon, gear up for a safari, another chance to spot more animals on your wish-list and survey more of the prey-rich woodlands and bird species.

This evening, dinner will be enjoyed again at the resort’s restaurant.

You’ll be free to take the morning at your own pace today ahead of this afternoon's journey to Jaipur, the ‘Pink City’, known for its magnificent palaces and forts. This evening, you can check into the next hotel and have dinner.

Today, after an early breakfast, you’ll be taken to the Amber Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was once the stronghold of the Kachwaha clan. As you ascend to the vast sixth-century fort in a Jeep, you'll be struck by the sheer size and beauty of the construction.

At the top, you can amble around the many halls, gardens, and temples within the fort, and feel transported back to a time of grandeur and glory. You'll then drive past the Hawa Mahal, or the ‘Palace of the Winds’, a stunning palace with intricate lattice work that allowed royal women to watch street processions without being seen.  

This afternoon will be at your leisure to take advantage of the hotel’s amenities, including the outdoor swimming pool and spa.

For dinner, you’ll visit the home of a local family and enjoy a traditional meal while listening to their stories.

Following breakfast, head off on a morning visit to the City Palace, a magnificent complex of temples, museums, and courtyards. Next up is Jantar Mantar, an astronomical observatory, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site built in the 18th century. You'll then drive past the Hawa Mahal, or the ‘Palace of the Winds’, a stunning palace with a striking red exterior and many windows.

For those looking for further exploration, an optional afternoon walking tour is available, which is bookable locally. During this, you’ll be guided through the narrow lanes of the city, where you can witness local life up close. 

You’ll return in the evening for dinner back at the hotel.

Rise early this morning and check out of the hotel before transferring to the airport for the flight to Goa.

At the airport, you’ll be met by your tour manager and transferred to the beach resort, your home for the next three nights.

On the way, a few sights will be visited, like the Sé Catedral de Santa Catarina, also known as Sé Cathedral. This UNESCO-listed building is one of the oldest and most revered churches in Goa with Portuguese-style architecture. There will be time to walk up to its sprawling patio and view the five massive bells.

Another UNESCO World Heritage Site that you’ll get to see is the Basilica of Bom Jesus, which houses the body of Saint Francis Xavier, a Roman Catholic European missionary who died more than 450 years ago. With an ornate Baroque design, this towering Roman church is built of black granite.

The next stop is Panaji, also known as Panjim, and the state capital of Goa. Built around a peninsula and looking out over the Mandovi River, this city is awash with colonial and Portuguese architecture. Fontainhas, the old Latin Quarter, will also be explored during a guided walk, showcasing its snaking streets lined with colourful, Portuguese-style houses.

In the afternoon, check into the five-star beach resort with a free evening to cool off in the swimming pool and maybe enjoy your first sunset over the Arabian Sea.

Over the next two days, once you’ve had breakfast, you’re free to take advantage of the resort’s world-class amenities and enjoy the nearby sandy stretch of Varca Beach.

There are six restaurants and bars to choose from, offering a range of settings and international and local cuisines. A luxury, adult-only spa serves as an appealing retreat and there is a fitness centre with a hot tub and sauna, a casino, badminton courts, and cycling trails ensuring ample entertainment.

Sip on cocktails in the swim-up pool bar, taste local delicacies at the beach restaurant, take part in yoga classes, and enjoy daily live music.

Continue to take advantage of the resort’s world-class amenities and enjoy the nearby sandy stretch of Varca Beach.

There are six restaurants and bars to choose from, offering a range of settings and international and local cuisines. A luxury, adult-only spa serves as an appealing retreat and there is a fitness centre with a hot tub and sauna, a casino, badminton courts, and cycling trails ensuring ample entertainment.

Sip on cocktails in the swim-up pool bar, taste local delicacies at the beach restaurant, take part in yoga classes, and enjoy daily live music.

Once you’ve had breakfast, the morning will be at leisure to relax on the beach or by the swimming pool. In the afternoon, travel to the airport for a flight to Delhi.

Back in Delhi, meet your tour manager and travel to the hotel for your final night and dinner.

Enjoy your last breakfast before travelling to Delhi airport for your flight back to the UK, arriving in the afternoon.