Regal India

Days 1 & 2. Delhi [B Day 2 only]

Depart London bound for Delhi. On arrival you will be met and transferred to the Imperial Hotel for a 2-night stay (including the night of arrival). Explore the bustling cities of Old and New Delhi.

Days 3 & 4. Agra [B]

This morning you take the train to Agra. On arrival, transfer to the 5-star AmarVilas where you spend two nights, only 600 metres from the Taj Mahal. During your stay here you may enjoy evening and sunrise visits to the Taj Mahal, an Agra City tour and a visit to the deserted Moghul city of Fatehpur Sikri.

The northern Indian city of Agra is home to one of the world's most iconic monuments - the Taj Mahal, a monument built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan for his Queen Mumtaz Mahal. For 22 years, 20,000 men laboured day and night to build this masterpiece in white marble which has held the world awe-struck ever since. A visit to northern India would be incomplete without a visit to this amazing building and the nearby Agra Fort, where Shah Jehan was imprisoned by his son. A short drive from the city you will find the wonderful palaces of the 'ghost city' of Fatehpur Sikri. Agra has good rail and road connections from Delhi some 253 kilometres to the north. (Please note that the Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays.)

The Oberoi Amarvilas is the most luxurious hotel in Agra, and the only one where you can enjoy the luxury of your own private terrace overlooking the Taj Mahal, just 600 metres away. All the 102 rooms and suites offer full en-suite facilities. Every room in the hotel offers breathtaking views of the monument, and three suites even have bathrooms with Taj views! This hotel is truly in a league of its own and stay at the Amarvilas will never be forgotten.

Days 5 to 8. Ranthambhore [B, L, D]

Continue by train to Sawai Madhopur where you will be met and transferred to Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve and the luxurious Vanya Vilas, for a 4-night stay. Accommodation is provided in 25 air-conditioned tents each with their own private walled garden.

Ranthambhore in Rajasthan is famous for its Tigers and stunning scenery. It evokes all the princely splendour of this famous Rajput State and comprises rolling hills, dry dhok forest and tranquil lakes, decorated with the crumbling ruins of numerous temples and a hilltop fort. The park offers good opportunities for seeing Tigers during the day, as well as many other mammals, including Leopard, Sloth Bear, Rhesus Macaque, Nilgai, Chinkara, Wild Boar, Sambar and Chital. The birdlife here is also excellent, particularly around the lakes where you will also have the opportunity to view Marsh Mugger Crocodiles. Upwards of 300 species of bird include parakeets, storks, egrets, flycatchers, eagles and partridges.

Whilst being one of India's most famous Tiger reserves Ranthambhore is not what it used to be. The current number of tigers is disputed and is generally thought to be under 20 - down from a high of 40 or so a few years back. The game-viewing here can be frustrating as the drivers are forced to keep to certain routes which are only allocated on the morning fo the drive. Also, it is difficult to secure private jeep hire in Ranthambhore with most game drives conducted in large government gameviewing trucks (canters). On the positive side the Tigers are well acclimatised to the vehicles and their excited passengers, and do not seem at all phased by them.

Whilst being one of India's most famous Tiger reserves Ranthambhore is not what it used to be. The current number of tigers is disputed and is generally thought to be under 20 - down from a high of 40 or so a few years back. The game-viewing here can be frustrating as the drivers are forced to keep to certain routes which are only allocated on the morning fo the drive. Also, it is difficult to secure private jeep hire in Ranthambhore with most game drives conducted in large government gameviewing trucks (canters). On the positive side the Tigers are well acclimatised to the vehicles and their excited passengers, and do not seem at all phased by them.

Days 9 & 10. Jaipur [B]

Today you transfer by road to Jaipur to the deluxe accommodation offered at RajVilas, where you spend two nights. Explore the forts, festivals, bazaars and palaces of the area.

Jaipur is known as the 'Pink City' due to the 'pinkwashed' buildings in the traditional Rajasthani colour of welcome. There is much to see here from the old and new royal palaces, to the intricate buildings and the vibrant colourful bazaars. The highlight is the 16th century fortified palace of Amber Fort. Jaipur has good road connections and is half a day's drive from Delhi or Ranthambhore or a whole day's drive from Agra. There are also a limited number of domestic air connections.

The Oberoi Rajvilas is a luxury resort which revives the gracious lifestyles of India's legendary Rajput princes in a romantic Rajasthani Fort setting. 54 deluxe rooms, fourteen luxury tents and two luxury villas with private pools are clustered around their own private courtyards, and surrounded by orchards, gardens, temples, decorative pools and fountains.

Days 11 & 12. Delhi [B (Day 11 only)]

Transfer by road to Delhi in time for your overnight flight to the UK.