Once you arrive at Indira Gandhi International Airport, a representative will meet and greet you, followed by a transfer to your hotel. Delhi encapsulates two very different worlds, the ‘old’ and the ‘new’, each presenting deliciously different experiences. Rambunctious Old Delhi, the Muslim Indian capital between the 17th and 19th century, has many mosques, monuments, forts and bazaars with a distinctive mediaeval flavour. New Delhi, the imperial city created by the British, flaunts a surprising number of impressive monuments reflecting the glory of the Mughal, Turk, Persian and ultimately the British rulers. In the evening, enjoy a welcome briefing session with the tour manager.

After breakfast, go out on a sightseeing tour of Delhi visiting highlights of Old & New Delhi. Start the tour by visiting the largest monument of Old Delhi, the imposing Red Fort (Closed on Mondays). Very near the fort is the 17th-century Jama Masjid (‘Friday Mosque’), the largest mosque in India. Walk through the famous bazaars of Chandni Chowk to experience the hustle and bustle of a crowded oriental bazaar. Also visit Raj Ghat, the Mahatma Gandhi memorial, a simple black marble platform that marks the spot of his cremation. In New Delhi, visit the India Gate, the memorial of the First World War and the road that leads from there to the President House, flanked by the houses of Parliament, the Secretariat building followed by the Humayun’s Tomb, also known as the forerunner of the Taj Mahal. End your tour, before your return to the hotel, by visiting Qutub Minar, the tallest brick minaret of its kind in the world.

Wake up to breakfast at the hotel and proceed to Jaipur. Food fit for royalty, stunning historical monuments, a merry shopping scene and legendary Rajput hospitality: Jaipur offers all this and more. Jaipur is affectionately known as the ‘Pink City’ due to its numerous pink-coloured buildings; at sunset, the mellow golden rays bathe the pink façades in an indescribably beautiful way. Check in on arrival at your new hotel and enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure.

Breakfast at the hotel is followed by a morning tour of Amber Fort. Located on a spur overlooking a lake, Amber Fort’s robust, time-ravaged walls appear imposing from the outside but they hide an interior packed with beautifully decorated palaces and temples and landscaped gardens. Be dazzled by Sheesh Mahal, a room with all four walls and the ceiling completely embedded with glittering mirror pieces. Admire the frescoes of the Ganesh Pol gate and the colonnade of the Diwan-i-Aam. Return to the old city to visit the City Palace and the beautiful palaces within, such as the Chandra Mahal and Mubarak Mahal and the intricately decorated Peacock Gate. Also of interest is the Armoury Museum, which houses an impressive collection of antique weapons such as blunderbusses, flintlocks, swords, rifles and daggers, which belonged to the royals. Continue to Jantar Mantar, the astonishing largest stone astronomical observatory in the world. Consisting of 14 major geometric devices for measuring time, predicting eclipses, tracking stars in their orbits, ascertaining the declination of planets and determining the celestial altitudes, the observatory is a major attraction in Jaipur. End your tour by making a stop at the spellbinding Hawa Mahal or Palace of the Winds (photo stop) and the famous Johari bazaar famous for its jewels and saris, the Tripolia bazaar with bronzes, sculptures and lacquerware, the Bapu bazaar renowned for its perfumes and textiles, and Chandpol bazaar for pottery and bracelets.

After replenishing your energy with breakfast at the hotel, take to the road and drive to Agra on the banks of the River Yamuna. Agra rose to fame in the 17th century as the capital of the Mughal Empire and was beautified with gardens, waterfalls, bathhouses and canals. In modern times, the city houses a thriving crafts industry, including marble inlay work and carpets. On arrival check in at your new hotel.

Begin the day with one last breakfast at the hotel before a sightseeing tour of Agra, which includes the awe-inspiring Taj Mahal. Built in the mid-17th century by the heartbroken Shah Jahan following the death in childbirth of his queen, Mumtaz Mahal, this mausoleum is an eternal love poem written in stone. During the visit, admire the intricacy of the work of the 20,000 craftsmen who were brought from Persia, Turkey, France and Italy to build this astonishing monument. (Closed on Fridays). Continue the tour and visit the Agra Fort, whose forbidding red sandstone battlements hide a number of majestic Mughal palaces. Explore the delightful Diwan-i-Am (Hall of Public Audience) where the emperor once sat on his throne to address his people and the Diwan-i-Khas (Hall of Private Audience) where he hosted kings and foreign dignitaries. The white marble Mina Masjid (Heavenly Mosque) stands in contrast to the rest of the Red Fort. Afterwards, drive back to Delhi, and check in to your hotel.

An early morning start (packed breakfast may be provided) to Delhi airport to board a flight for Kochi. Upon arrival at Kochi Airport, meet and greet by our representative followed by a transfer to your hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel, proceed for a guided tour of the city. Visit the Mattancherry Palace, popularly known as the Dutch Palace. Continue to the adjacent Paradesi Synagogue, located at the end of a rustic lane in the historic Jew Town district. Next, visit two of the city’s most important Christian shrines. St Francis’s Church from the Portuguese period and Santa Cruz Basilica, whose cream-coloured neo-Gothic exterior contrasts with the frescoed arches and multi-coloured floor tiles of the interior. While driving along the coast, at the harbour’s mouth, you can observe the rare and still-functioning Chinese fishing nets. The tour ends in the heart of the well-preserved Fort Kochi area, where you can wander through the historic streets and alleys flanked by Dutch and Portuguese buildings such as David Hall, Thakur House and Bastion Bungalow. Bid farewell to Kochi and depart towards Periyar, a name synonymous with wildlife and rolling hills of spice-scented plantations. After a scenic drive, check in on arrival with the rest of the day at leisure. This district is a collection of communities, ranging from sleepy and picturesque Thekkady to bustling Kumily.

After breakfast at the hotel, explore Periyar and then proceed to Periyar National Park. The reserve’s range of flora and fauna is breathtaking and includes more than 100 orchid species and trees such as mangoes and banyans, as well as wildlife like elephants and Bengal tigers. The River Periyar, which is known as the ‘lifeline of Kerala’, originates in the park’s dense forests. Stroll around Lake Periyar, where, with a bit of luck, you can observe herds of wild elephants and bison drinking. The lake also attracts many species of local and migratory birds. Enjoy a boat ride on a shared basis (subject to operation). In the afternoon, visit a spice plantation garden to breathe in the fragrances of spices such as cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, nutmeg, pepper and vanilla as well as tea and coffee. Return to hotel with rest of the day at leisure.

Relax over breakfast at the hotel before departing by road for Kumarakom on the eastern shore of Lake Vembanad. On arrival, enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure to explore this backwaters town and its bird sanctuary on your own terms.

Bid farewell to Kumarakom after breakfast at the hotel and drive to Kochi. On arrival, transfer to Kochi airport to board your onward flight back home.