Today you arrive at Delhi International Airport. After clearing customs and immigration and collecting your baggage, a Lumle Holidays representative will meet you as you exit the arrivals terminal and escort you to your private transfer to the hotel.

Few capitals carry history quite like Delhi. Over centuries, it drew Mongols, Turks, Persians, Afghans, Mughals and the British—each leaving layers of architecture, culture and legend. The city has been rebuilt time and again, and today Old Delhi and New Delhi sit side by side, forming the cultural and political heart of the world’s largest democracy.

En route to your hotel, enjoy a first glimpse of the capital as you drive past India Gate and the grand government boulevard leading to Parliament House—an atmospheric introduction to the city’s scale and significance.

This evening, enjoy dinner at the hotel and settle in—tomorrow begins your first deeper exploration of the capital.

Overnight stay in Delhi.

Early this morning, set out on a combined sightseeing tour that reveals Delhi’s striking contrasts—where the grandeur of empire sits alongside the timeless rhythm of everyday life. From the bustling lanes of Old Delhi to the elegant avenues of New Delhi, today is a deep dive into the capital’s heritage, stories, and signature sights.

Begin in Old Delhi with a visit to Jama Masjid, one of Asia’s most iconic mosques, where sandstone courtyards and sweeping domes set the scene for the day. From here, hop into a cycle rickshaw for a wonderfully atmospheric ride through the narrow lanes of Chandni Chowk—past spice markets, silver streets, and shopfronts bursting with colour, fragrance, and energy. You’ll also pass the mighty Red Fort for a photo stop, its monumental walls hinting at the power once held within.

Later, step into a quieter, more refined world as you visit Humayun’s Tomb—a masterpiece of Mughal design built in 1570 and celebrated as the first great garden-tomb of the Indian subcontinent. Its perfectly balanced courtyards, elegant arches, and serene symmetry shaped the architectural language that would later culminate in the Taj Mahal, making this one of Delhi’s most meaningful heritage experiences.

Continue to the fascinating National Rail Museum, a tribute to India’s railway legacy and the romance of travel. Explore an impressive collection of full-size locomotives and vintage carriages, including celebrated highlights such as the Fairy Queen, the Patiala State Monorail, the Saloon of the Prince of Wales, and historic engines that once powered journeys across the subcontinent. (Please note: the Rail Museum is closed on Mondays.)

Return to your hotel later with the evening at leisure to unwind after a day rich in history and sensory discoveries.

Meals included: breakfast and dinner.

Overnight stay in Delhi.

An early start sets the tone for one of the most memorable travel days of the tour—today you swap city streets for the romance of the rails as you journey from the plains of Delhi towards the cool hill air of Shimla. After check-out, you will be transferred to Delhi Railway Station in time to board your train to Kalka.

On arrival in Kalka, the journey becomes truly iconic as you board the charming Himalayan Queen—the famous narrow-gauge “toy train” that winds its way up into the hills. Watch the landscape transform as the train climbs steadily through pine-scented slopes, passing tunnels, bridges, tiny stations, and postcard views that feel increasingly alpine with every turn.

Arrive in Shimla, once the summer capital of British India, where crisp mountain breezes and colonial-era charm welcome you. You will be transferred to your hotel for check-in. The remainder of the day is for settling in and relaxing—perfect after a full and scenic travel day.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Overnight stay in Shimla.

Wake up to cool mountain air and the gentle pace of Shimla. After breakfast, step into the city’s elegant colonial-era story with a visit to the Vice Regal Lodge (closed on Mondays), a grand landmark that once hosted some of British India’s most important meetings. From here, continue to Shimla’s most iconic promenade—the Mall Road—where shopfronts, bakeries and hillside viewpoints invite a slow wander. Your morning also includes a stop at Christ Church, a beautiful ridge-top symbol of the town, known for its striking architecture and calm atmosphere.

Next, enjoy a wonderfully scenic local train ride to Taradevi, where rolling hills, pine-lined slopes and small hillside stations make the short journey feel like a true Himalayan postcard. On arrival, visit the revered Sankat Mochan Temple, a peaceful hilltop shrine with a devotional atmosphere and lovely valley views—an ideal contrast to the bustle of the Ridge.

Return to your hotel with time to relax and enjoy Shimla’s calm evening ambience.

Meals included: breakfast and dinner.

Overnight stay in Shimla.

Today is yours to enjoy Shimla at an unhurried pace—perfect for resting, taking in the fresh Himalayan air, and letting the hill station’s easy rhythm sink in. You may choose to stay back and relax at the hotel, or head out for a gentle exploration of the local market areas, where small boutiques, warm cafés and colourful stalls offer a lovely window into everyday life in the hills.

As evening falls, return to the hotel for a relaxed dinner and a restful night in the cool mountain air.

Meals included: breakfast and dinner.

Overnight stay in Shimla.

After breakfast, check out from your hotel and begin your journey from the cool Himalayan hills to the vibrant royal heartland of Rajasthan. Travel by road to Chandigarh Airport (approx. 3 hours), where you will check in for your onward flight to Jaipur.

On arrival in Jaipur, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Settle in and enjoy time to relax after your travel day—perhaps with a quiet drink, a swim (hotel permitting), or simply a slow evening to prepare for the sightseeing ahead.

Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan, is celebrated for its rich traditions of arts and crafts, dazzling jewellery, hand-painted textiles, and intricate stonework. Designed as one of India’s earliest planned cities, it blends Rajput grandeur with elegant Mughal influences, creating a setting that feels both regal and wonderfully alive—from its wide avenues to its timeless bazaars.

Meals included: breakfast and dinner.

Overnight stay in Jaipur.

After breakfast, set out to explore the royal highlights of Jaipur—a city where pink-hued façades, grand courtyards, and intricate craftsmanship reveal the legacy of Rajasthan’s powerful dynasties.

Your first stop is the magnificent Amber Fort, dramatically positioned high above the surrounding landscape. With its commanding ramparts and storybook towers, the fort feels like it has been lifted from a legend. Step inside the vast complex of halls, gardens, and pavilions, where ornate archways and carved details reflect the splendour of Rajput rule. Don’t miss the iconic Hall of Mirrors (Sheesh Mahal)—a dazzling chamber where countless tiny inlays catch the light, creating a shimmer that has captivated visitors for generations.

Later, continue to the City Palace Museum, an impressive blend of traditional Rajasthani design and elegant Mughal influences. As you explore its courtyards and galleries, you’ll encounter a rich collection of royal costumes, carpets, weaponry and miniature paintings—many depicting court life, ceremonial processions and historic battles, offering a vivid glimpse into Jaipur’s regal past.

Your day also includes a visit to the remarkable Jantar Mantar, an accurate astronomical observatory built in 1726. Here, monumental stone instruments—both beautiful and scientific—stand under open skies, designed to measure time, track celestial movements, and map the heavens with astonishing precision.

To round off the day, enjoy a photo stop at the instantly recognisable Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds). This five-storey architectural marvel is famous for its honeycomb-like façade, delicate latticework windows, domes and spires—once designed so royal women could observe street life unseen, while cool breezes drifted through the intricate screens.

Meals included: breakfast and dinner.

Overnight stay in Jaipur.

After breakfast, leave the royal grandeur of Jaipur behind and travel by road to Ranthambore (approximately 4 hours). The landscape gradually shifts from city life to open countryside—an exciting transition as you head towards one of India’s most iconic wildlife regions.

Arriving in Ranthambore National Park feels like stepping into a living wilderness story. Celebrated worldwide for its dramatic scenery and wildlife encounters, Ranthambore is famed for its Royal Bengal tigers—and it remains one of the best places in India to see these majestic predators in their natural habitat. What makes Ranthambore especially unforgettable is the way nature and history blend together: ancient fort ruins, crumbling watchtowers, and weathered stone temples appear between forests and lakes, creating a striking backdrop for photography and wildlife sightings.

Beyond tigers, keep your eyes open for a wonderful variety of wildlife—herds of spotted deer, sambar, langurs, wild boar, and an impressive range of birdlife that brings the forest to life. Even before your first safari, the atmosphere here is special: the earthy scent of the jungle, the calls of birds overhead, and the sense of anticipation that comes with being in true tiger territory.

On arrival, check in to your hotel and take time to settle in—ready for the wildlife experiences ahead.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Overnight stay in Ranthambore.

Today is dedicated to what Ranthambore does best—wildlife viewing in one of India’s most celebrated tiger reserves. You will enjoy both a morning and afternoon shared canter safari, giving you two different chances to experience the forest in changing light and temperatures, when animals may behave very differently.

As you venture into the park, keep watch not only for the famous Royal Bengal tiger, but also for herds of chital and sambar deer, langurs calling from the trees, marsh crocodiles near the waterholes, and the rich birdlife that thrives around Ranthambore’s lakes. With each safari, the landscape reveals new details—ancient ruins, dramatic forest tracks, and the quiet thrill of scanning the jungle for movement.

Between safaris, enjoy a slower pace back at your hotel—time to rest, freshen up, and relive the day’s sightings.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Overnight stay in Ranthambore.

After an early start, you will be transferred to Sawai Madhopur Railway Station to board your train towards Bharatpur—a comfortable shift from the wilderness of Ranthambore to the grand Mughal heritage of Agra.

On arrival in Bharatpur, continue by road to Agra (approximately 1.5 hours). As the Yamuna River plains open up, the scenery changes once again—setting the stage for a day of powerful stories, royal ambition, and exquisite craftsmanship.

On reaching Agra, your sightseeing begins with the formidable Agra Fort, once the seat of Mughal power for generations. Behind its towering red sandstone walls lies a fascinating world of palaces, pavilions and audience halls—where politics, poetry and empire-building unfolded. As you explore, notice how the fort’s architecture reflects a blend of influences, with styles evolving from emperor to emperor across time.

Next, visit the elegant tomb of Itmad-ud-Daulah, affectionately known as the “Baby Taj”. Set within a peaceful garden, this jewel-like mausoleum is celebrated for its delicate proportions and refined detail—often seen as a graceful precursor to the Taj Mahal itself. Look closely and you’ll spot the Indo-Islamic design language expressed through arched entrances, carved screens and octagonal towers, all coming together in a monument that feels intimate, artistic and quietly magnificent.

Meals included: breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Overnight stay in Agra.

Rise early for one of the most iconic moments of your journey—an unforgettable sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal (closed on Fridays). Timing is subject to the day’s weather conditions, but when the light is right, the experience is extraordinary: soft dawn hues wash over the marble, and the monument seems to change colour as the sun climbs.

Built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved queen, the Taj is more than a masterpiece—it is a story carved in stone. Construction began in 1631 and is believed to have taken around 18 years, with thousands of craftsmen working to perfect its symmetry, balance and fine ornamentation. What makes it feel so special is not only the scale, but the delicacy: graceful proportions, intricate detailing, and a sense of calm that feels almost unreal.

As you walk through the formal gardens, notice how the entire setting has been designed as part of the experience. In Islamic tradition, paradise is imagined as a lush garden with flowing water—here, reflecting pools and geometric pathways draw your eyes towards the mausoleum, creating one of the most striking approaches in world architecture.

After your visit, return to the hotel to enjoy a well-earned breakfast. The remainder of the day is at leisure—ideal for resting after an early start, enjoying the hotel facilities, or taking time to unwind before the next stage of your journey.

Meals included: breakfast and dinner.

Overnight stay in Agra.

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Agra Railway Station to board your train to Delhi. Settle into your seat and enjoy a smooth, comfortable journey as the landscapes of northern India roll past your window—an easy, efficient way to return to the capital without a long road transfer.

On arrival in Delhi, you will be met and transferred to your hotel for check-in. The remainder of the day is at leisure—perfect for a gentle evening, a final stroll (if you wish), or simply relaxing after your train journey.

Meals included: breakfast and dinner.

Overnight stay in Delhi.

Today it’s time to bid farewell to India. At the scheduled time, you will be met by our representative in your hotel lobby and transferred to Delhi International Airport to board your homebound international flight.

Tour ends.