Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival - DelhiWhen you arrive in Delhi, you'll be collected by your private driver and taken to your hotel. You can choose from either a hotel situated about half an hour's drive from the airport or a charming hotel in Central Delhi, and ideal base to explore both the spice markets of Chandi Chowk and the modern bars of Connaught Place. Here, you can catch your breath and rest after your flight. In both hotels, you'll have a comfortable room with a private en-suite bathroom.

Day 2

Delhi - Jaipur - City tourOn the morning of Day 2, you'll be transferred to Jaipur by air-conditioned car, a trip which takes around 5 hours. The Pink City is a fantastic place to kick off a trip in India and during your two nights here you can relax, acclimatise, and explore. There is so much to see in this elegant and astonishing city that you could spend weeks here without getting bored. Jaipur centre is a lively mass of saris, saddhus, holy cows, spice markets, street vendors, camel carts, elephants, beggars, rickshaws, temples, forts and palaces.In Jaipur, you'll stay in a cosy family hotel for a firsthand experience of typical Indian hospitality. Breakfast is served in the romantic English tea garden and the family will go out of their way to make your stay as enjoyable as possible. The rooms here are tastefully furnished in traditional Indian-style and several have four-poster beds.

Day 3

JaipurOn Day 3, you'll take a guided tour of this remarkable city, visiting the City Palace, the Observatory and the fairy-tale Palace of the Winds (Hawa Mahal). In the afternoon, you'll visit the imposing Amber Fort that lies just outside the city limits. From the battlements of the Amber Fort, you'll have a wonderful view of the rocky hills and the smaller walls and forts constructed by the Rajputs and the Mughals in the area.The City Palace and the Palace of the Winds both stand in the ancient quarter of the city. The City Palace has several beautiful museums with fascinating collections. If you see the flag flying, it means that the Maharaja is in residence. The Palace of the Winds is a world-famous, pyramid-shaped building with dozens of windows. This is where the women of the royal harem could watch the processions in the street below, unseen by the masses.

Day 4

Jaipur - Galta - Bharatpur - Fatehpur Sikri - AgraThis morning, you'll leave Jaipur and head east towards Galta, a secluded mystical spot that will leave a lasting impression on you. The Monkey Temple here is a pilgrimage site that attracts flocks of brightly-robed devotees every day. The stream that trickles out of the rocks here is reputed to be water from the holy River Ganges, although this is geographically impossible. People bathe and sing on the steps (ghats) that lead down into the pools. Their voices echo through the rocky gorge, which opens into a wider valley dotted with temples that have been overrun with monkeys. This is an exhilarating sight. After Galta, you'll drive for another three hours before arriving in Bharatpur. This is a fascinating waterworld, criss-crossed by all sorts of dykes. Maharajas of the historic Singh family used this region as their hunting grounds, and the scenery is breathtaking. If you like, you can pedal through Bharatpur on a ‘sturdy' Indian bike (cycle hire costs arouond £1.50).There are hundreds of rare birds in the Bharatpur wetlands, such as the rare Siberian crane. Currently, there are several tigers here, originally from Ranthambore National Park, which pounce on the waterfowl as they doze. It's unlikely that you'll see this in action, but keep your eyes peeled all the same.A few kilometres further on, you'll come to stunning Fatehpur Sikri. The great ruler Akbar set up his capital here, and built a grand city, but after only 40 years the water supply became too difficult to maintain in this dry area, so all of the inhabitants packed up and moved on. They left behind a phenomenal collection of grand temples and palaces, with the ruins of old houses standing between them. Now it is an atmospheric ghost city, full of green parrots and monkeys.We'll arrange for a guide to lead you through the forgotten city, and tell you the stories behind the monuments.After visiting Fatehpur Sikri, you'll drive on to Agra, where you'll arrive at the Lamba family home. Here, you can experience the warmth of a true Indian family, who will go out their way to make you feel at home. Mr Lamba is a retired army officer with plenty of incredible tales to tell. Of course, if you would prefer to stay in a hotel rather than a family home, we can book a hotel for a small extra charge.

Day 5

Agra - Taj MahalYou'll have breakfast this morning in the garden at the Lamba family home. Afterwards, you'll set off to visit another two breathtaking sites. First, you'll be taken to the Taj Mahal, a highlight of any trip to India. Standing serenely in the first light of the morning, we are sure that this stunning building will surpass all your expectations. It is one of the few buildings in the world that has the ability to move people. It was built by Shah Jahan as a token of his love for his deceased wife, and is undoubtedly the most romantic burial site in the world. After visiting the Taj Mahal, you'll head for Agra Fort. This huge but restrained structure seems to be immersed in a dreamy atmosphere when it's bathed in the golden light of late afternoon, which slants through the pillars and galleries. From its majestic walls and through its arches, you can see the Taj Mahal, just as Shah Jahan would have done centuries ago, when he was imprisoned here by his son.

Day 6

Agra - OrchhaThis morning, your train leaves Agra Central Station at about 8am on its way to Jhansi. We'll arrange your transfer to the railway station. After about 2½ hours (give or take a little in India), you'll arrive in Jhansi. You'll be collected at the station by a your driver, who will take you to Orchha (about 16 km away). Orchha is a charming small town of only 9000 residents and it is one of the few places in India that you can easily wander about without being approached by beggars or touts. The town is renowned for its breathtaking Ram Raja Temple, Chaturbhuj Temple and Lakshmi Narayan Temple. In the afternoon, you'll have free time to explore the town at your own pace. At the end of the day, you'll tumble into bed in your hotel and drift off to sleep, tired but contented.

Day 7

Orchha - KhajurahoThis morning, you'll drive on to the tranquil town of Khajuraho. In the afternoon, you'll visit the western temples of Khajuraho, principally known for their erotic images from the Kama Sutra. The temples are about 1000 years old and they are still in incredibly good condition, even though there are only 22 of the original 85 temples still left. You'll stay in a very comfortable hotel, set in four acres of quiet grounds.

Day 8

Khajuraho - VaranasiToday you'll be taken to the little town of Satna to catch the train to the city of Varanasi on the River Ganges. The train leaves about 8.15am, so it's a pretty early start, but you'll arrive in Varanasi a little after 4pm. The journey takes about 8 hours. When you arrive in Varanasi, you'll be greeted and transferred to a charming hotel that lies right on the banks of the river. The Ganges is flanked by a series of ‘ghats' – broad stone staircases leading down to the water – that stretch into the horizon. Each ghat has its own significance. The hotel stands close to the Assi Ghat, towards the south of the town, which is used by pilgrims during a special pilgrimage route called 'Panchatirthi Yatra'.

Day 9

VaranasiThis morning, you'll make a very early start to take a boat trip on the Ganges at dawn. This is an extremely special experience and you cannot help but soak up the intensely spiritual atmosphere. You'll drift past pilgrims of all ages and classes as they perform their ritual bathing just before sunrise. After the boat trip, there's a guided walk through the old centre of Varanasi. Watch out for the holy cows in the narrow alleyways.In the afternoon you'll head for the small town of Sarnath, which is not far from Varanasi. Sarnath is another place of pilgrimage, this time for the Buddhists. It was here that Buddha gave his first lecture. After his enlightenment in Bodhgaya, Buddha came to Sarnath to preach about the Middle Way of reaching Nirvana. After this, the religious ruler Ashoka built an enormous stupa (temple) and several Buddhist monasteries to commemorate the teaching. Each Buddhist country in the world now has its own temple, which often makes the place seems like a World Expo is being held. In contrast, the village itself is small, with a feeling of tranquillity. After you've spent a while exploring Sarnath, you'll be taken back to Varanasi, where you'll have the rest of the evening to wander through the city. You'll spend another night in the hotel overlooking the Ganges.

Day 10

Varanasi - Overnight train to KolkataThe day is free for you to explore. Life and death rubs shoulders here like nowhere else on earth, and the experience is very inspiring. Seeing a cremation take place on the ‘burning ghats' is something that you will remember forever. Next to the cremation ghat, you'll find kids playing cricket, cows nosing through rubbish, and women beating laundry on rocks. Then, in the evening, you'll head for the train station for your overnight journey to Kolkata.

Day 11

Kolkata (Calcutta)After a comfortable overnight train journey, you'll arrive in the early morning in Kolkata. Situated on the banks of the holy Ganges (known as the Hooghly in Kolkata), this city has expanded to become one of the most important and upcoming cities in the world. During the Raj era, Kolkata, then Calcutta, was the main headquarters of the British East Indian Company. You can still see the remnants of colonial days in the impressive churches, Victorian Gothic buildings and wide avenues. This charming city is also packed with impressive Bengali art and culture.You'll be collected from the railway station in Kolkata and transferred to a hotel steeped in grand old English ambience. Time seems to have stood still here, as the walls are decked with colonial paintings and antique fans spin above your head. Your room is comfortable and tastefully decorated, and you'll very quickly feel at home here.

Day 12

After breakfast in your hotel you are free to explore Kolkata at your own leisure, enjoying the warm temperatures and delicious food of West Bengal.

Day 13

Kolkata - DarjeelingToday you'll fly from Kolkata to Bagdogra, in the North East foothills of the Himalayas. When you arrive in Bagdogra, you'll be collected from the airport and transferred to your hotel in Darjeeling. During the 3-hour drive you'll travel across Indian plains with mountain slopes in the background. Darjeeling radiates serenity and calm - it is an island city surrounded by fresh green tea fields. Lying at the foot of the Kanchenjunga range, the temperature in Darjeeling is very pleasant and Indians have been escaping the suffocating heat of Kolkata summers here for years. The town straddles a slope with a height difference of up to 600 metres. From almost every hotel you have sweeping views of the surrounding countryside. The streets are narrow, steep and typically busy as usual in India, with dozens of ramshackle stalls selling anything and everything. In the market square, at the very top of the hill, you'll find yourself encircled by snow-capped mountains, some reaching heights exceeding 8000metres (over 26,000 feet).You're free to explore on your own for the rest of the day, ambling through the tea plantations where you'll see the Indian pickers carrying large baskets on their backs. Darjeeling is renowned for its tea, which is still produced by hand here in small factories. You'll stay in a peaceful, comfortable hotel with spacious rooms.

Day 14

DarjeelingYou'll have an early start this morning to make it to the top of Tiger Hill before sunrise. From here, you'll have a fantastic view of the first beams of sunshine appearing between the snow-capped Himalayas. As the morning mist disappears from the valley, the view will become even more amazing. It can be pretty cold and windy up here, so make sure you are warmly dressed with camera firmly in hand. As soon as the sun rises higher and the valley begins to warm up, you'll drive to the oldest Buddhist monastery in Darjeeling. This monastery dates from 1875 and is home to many well-preserved books. An english-speaking guide will accompany you through the grounds and explain the history of the building.In the afternoon, you can enjoy a typical Nepalese or Tibetan lunch in the centre of Darjeeling. Have something hearty because you have a busy afternoon ahead. You'll visit a museum about the history of climbing in the Himalayas, accompanied again by a guide. Then, you'll take a trip to the famous zoo with its rare red panda and snow leopard. You'll finish off the day in the Tibetan refugee centre, where exiled Tibetans make clothes and carpets from local wool. You'll spend another evening in the cosy hotel, drifting happily off to sleep after an action-packed day.

Day 15

Darjeeling - GangtokThe day begins early with a 7 hour drive to Gangtok in the mountains of Sikkim. From the tea hills around Darjeeling, you'll travel north over twisting roads. Mount Kanchenjunga, the third highest mountain in the world, towers over all of the scenery, making everything else seem very small. The contrast between the snow-capped background and the gentle green foreground is stunning. The driver will be happy to stop on the way whenever you need an extra few moments to admire the spectacular views and take a few snapshots. This is a big advantage of individual travel.At the end of the day, you'll arrive in Gangtok, the capital of Sikkim. This beguiling city, perched high on a mountain ridge, is home to a large population of Buddhist Indians. Your comfortable family hotel is a place of rest and harmony, where only the chirping of the birds in the lush garden can be heard. The centre of Gangtok is about 2km away and easy to reach on foot.

Day 16

Gangtok - Monastery tourThe monasteries close to Gangtok are not often visited by tourists and still retain their original, authentic character. You'll travel along a bumpy road to Phodang and Labrang. These are brightly decorated monasteries full of rainbow swirls and curling dragons - far more flamboyant than anything you'll find in Ladakh or Tibet. Each monastery will give you sweeping views over snow-tipped Mount Kanchenjunga, looming powerfully above you.At the end of the afternoon, you'll head back to your hotel in Gangtok and your evening is free to do as you wish.

Day 17

Gangtok - KalimpongToday you'll head to Rumtek monastery, perhaps the most wonderful of all the monasteries in the area. Every last inch of its interior is covered with brightly coloured murals and fine wood carvings. You are welcome to sit in on a session with the monks and listen to their mystical choral chanting whilst enjoying (or trying to keep down) a cup of Po Cha- salt butter yak tea.In the afternoon, your driver will take you to the market town of Kalimpong. Here, you can wander through the local market searching for souvenirs or take a walk through the woods that surround the town. Kalimpong was conquered and colonised by Bhutan for over 100 years, and there is still a typical Bhutanese monastery in the town. It is also the oldest monastery where traditional ceremonies are still held. Monks can be seen seated opposite each other at long tables alternating between chanting and making music. In Kalimpong, you'll stay in small, cosy huts in the middle of a green oak wood.

Day 18

Kalimpong - Bagdogra - KolkataYour itinerary finishes this morning, and after breakfast, you'll be transferred back to Bagdogra, where you catch a flight back to Kolkata to connect with your international flight home or to continue your adventure in India.

Extra Information

Inclusions -

Accommodation with breakfast, transport and excursions with guides.

Exclusions -

International flights and local entry fees.

Extras -

This tour is based on 2 people sharing (no groups)a private trip. It departs every day from Delhi apart from Mondays and in the more remote areas includes simple accommodation that is comfortable with local character.