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GRAND TOUR OF INCREDIBLE INDIA
Tour Overview
One country. A thousand worlds. The journey of a lifetime.
From ancient Mughal capitals to majestic Rajput forts, from sacred Ganges ghats to Portuguese churches in Goa, this exceptional Grand Tour reveals India in its full diversity. Travel from North to South through royal cities, historic temples, lush tropical backwaters and sun-kissed beaches. A curated luxury journey blending culture, spirituality, wildlife, gastronomy and heritage.
Tour Highlights
• The ultimate India odyssey: 29 days crossing 12 iconic states
• Rajasthan’s greatest jewels — Jaisalmer, Udaipur, Jaipur & majestic Mehrangarh Fort
• Taj Mahal at sunrise & UNESCO-listed Fatehpur Sikri
• Erotic & artistic marvels of Khajuraho Temples
• Spiritual immersion: Ganges boat ritual at Dawn in Varanasi
• The cultural capitals Kolkata & Chennai
• Odisha’s masterpieces: Konark Sun Temple & Puri
• Kerala backwaters, tea country & Kathakali performances
• Royal Mysore, lush Western Ghats & colonial Bangalore
• Relaxing finale on tropical beaches of Goa
• Expert local guides, curated heritage hotels & private chauffeured travel
What's included
Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival Delhi
Arrival at New Delhi International Airport. Traditional welcome and assistance, followed by a private transfer to your hotel. Delhi, a city layered with more than 2,000 years of history, immediately reveals its contrasts — ancient monuments standing beside modern boulevards. Time to rest and acclimatise. Overnight in Delhi.
Day 02: Delhi – Mandawa (260km)
A full-day exploration of Old and New Delhi, revealing the many faces of India’s capital. Visit the soaring Qutub Minar, a masterpiece of early Indo-Islamic architecture, and the refined Mughal elegance of Humayun’s Tomb. Drive past the ceremonial India Gate and government buildings before entering Old Delhi to discover Jama Masjid, one of India’s largest mosques.
Enjoy a rickshaw ride through Chandni Chowk, a vibrant maze of spice markets, jewellery shops and street life unchanged for centuries.
In the afternoon, drive to Mandawa, in the semi-arid Shekhawati region, once enriched by caravan trade. Overnight in a heritage haveli or fort.
Day 03: Mandawa – Bikaner (180km)
Morning walk through Mandawa to admire its famed frescoed havelis, painted with mythological scenes, European influences and merchant pride — a unique open-air museum of Rajasthan’s trading past.
Continue to Bikaner, an oasis city on the edge of the Thar Desert. Visit Junagarh Fort, an imposing citadel never conquered in battle, followed by Lalgarh Palace, blending Rajput, Mughal and European styles. Discover the Camel Breeding Farm, reflecting Bikaner’s deep desert heritage. Evening free to explore local bazaars.
Day 04: Bikaner – Pokhran – Jaisalmer (330km)
Drive through the vast, windswept landscapes of the Thar Desert, punctuated by remote villages and camel caravans. Stop at Pokhran Fort, a former desert stronghold guarding ancient trade routes.
Arrive in Jaisalmer, rising from the sands like a mirage. At sunset, witness the Golden Fort glow in warm honey-coloured stone — a truly unforgettable sight. Overnight in Jaisalmer.
Day 05: Jaisalmer
Explore the living Golden Fort, still inhabited today, with its exquisitely carved Jain temples, palaces and narrow lanes. Visit Patwon-ki-Haveli, one of Rajasthan’s finest merchant mansions, followed by the peaceful Gadisar Lake.
In the afternoon, venture into the dunes for a camel safari in the Sam Desert, culminating in sunset over rolling sands, traditional music, folk dances and dinner under a starlit sky.
Day 06: Jaisalmer – Jodhpur – Luni (280km)
Drive to Jodhpur, the Blue City, dominated by the colossal Mehrangarh Fort perched dramatically on a cliff. Visit its palaces, museums and courtyards, followed by Jaswant Thada’s marble cenotaphs and the Umaid Bhawan Palace, still partly royal residence.
Continue to Luni, where you experience the charm of rural Rajasthan, village walks and interactions with local communities. Overnight in a heritage property.
Day 07: Luni – Mount Abu (250km)
Journey into the Aravalli Hills to Mount Abu, Rajasthan’s only hill station and a refreshing change of climate. Visit the stunning Dilwara Jain Temples, renowned for their marble carvings of astonishing delicacy. Enjoy Nakki Lake and panoramic views from Sunset Point.
Day 08: Mount Abu – Ranakpur – Udaipur (260km)
Drive through forested hills to Ranakpur, home to one of India’s most extraordinary Jain temple complexes, celebrated for its 1,444 uniquely carved pillars.
Arrive in Udaipur, the City of Lakes, once capital of the proud Mewar kingdom. Evening at leisure to soak in the romantic atmosphere.
Day 09: Udaipur
Explore the vast City Palace, a fusion of Rajput and Mughal styles overlooking Lake Pichola. Visit Jagdish Temple before enjoying a boat cruise on Lake Pichola, gliding past Jag Mandir and the iconic Lake Palace at sunset.
Day 10: Udaipur – Ajmer – Pushkar – Jaipur (360km)
Travel to Ajmer to visit the revered Dargah Sharif, pilgrimage site of Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti. Continue to Pushkar, a sacred town centred around its holy lake and the rare Brahma Temple.
Proceed to Jaipur, the vibrant Pink City.
Day 11: Jaipur
Ascend the hilltop Amber Fort, passing through ornate gateways and mirror-lined halls. Continue with Jaipur’s architectural highlights: Hawa Mahal, City Palace and Jantar Mantar Observatory. Time to explore colourful bazaars famed for gemstones, block-printed textiles and handicrafts.
Day 12: Jaipur – Fatehpur Sikri – Agra (230km)
Drive to Agra with a stop at Fatehpur Sikri, the perfectly preserved Mughal ghost city built by Emperor Akbar. Continue to Agra
Day 13: Agra
Sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal, when its marble shifts from soft pink to luminous white. Explore Agra Fort, the elegant Baby Taj and Akbar’s tomb at Sikandra.
Day 14: Agra – Gwalior (119km)
Drive to Gwalior, crowned by one of India’s most dramatic hilltop forts. Explore palaces, temples and enjoy an evening sound & light show narrating centuries of history.
Day 15: Gwalior – Datia – Orchha – Khajuraho (272km)
Visit the Datia Palace before discovering Orchha, a medieval town of palaces and cenotaphs set along the Betwa River. Continue to Khajuraho.
Day 16: Khajuraho – Varanasi (By flight)
Explore the UNESCO-listed Khajuraho temples, masterpieces of sculpture and sacred symbolism. Fly to Varanasi, one of the world’s oldest living cities.
Day 17: Varanasi – Kolkata (By overnight train)
Early-morning boat ride on the Ganges, witnessing sunrise rituals and daily life along the ghats. City tour and temple visits. Evening transfer to board the overnight train to Kolkata.
Day 18: Kolkata
Discover Kolkata, former British capital and cultural heart of Bengal. Visit Victoria Memorial, Indian Museum, Missionaries of Charity, and stroll through colonial quarters and vibrant markets.
Day 19: Kolkata – Bhubaneswar
Train journey to Bhubaneswar, known as the City of Temples. Visit major shrines reflecting ancient Kalinga architecture.
Day 20: Bhubaneswar – Puri – Konark – Bhubaneswar
Full-day excursion to Puri, one of Hinduism’s four sacred pilgrimage sites, and the UNESCO-listed Konark Sun Temple, shaped like a colossal stone chariot.
Day 21: Bhubaneswar – Chennai
Flight to Chennai, gateway to South India. Evening at leisure.
Day 22: Chennai – Cochin
Fly to Cochin, Kerala’s historic trading port. Explore Fort Kochi by boat, Chinese fishing nets and colonial landmarks.
Day 23: Cochin – Allepey – Cochin
Visit Mattancherry Palace and Jewish Quarter. Excursion into the serene backwaters of Alleppey, followed by a traditional Kathakali dance performance.
Day 24: Cochin – Mysore (via Bangalore)
Fly to Bangalore, then drive to Mysore. Evening visit to the illuminated Brindavan Gardens.
Day 25: Mysore – Bangalore
Visit Mysore Palace and Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace at Srirangapatna. Continue sightseeing in Bangalore.
Day 26: Bangalore – Goa (By flight)
Flight to Goa. Time to relax on golden beaches
Day 27: Goa
Explore Old Goa’s churches, spice plantations and laid-back coastal villages.
Day 28: Goa – Mumbai
Fly to Mumbai, India’s financial capital. Discover Gateway of India, Marine Drive and art districts.
Day 29 – Mumbai ? Departure
Transfer to the airport for your onward international flight.
