India and the Maldives: luxury paradise holiday

Itinerary in brief: 

• 2 nights Delhi
• 1 night Agra
• 2 nights Ranthambore National Park 
• 3 nights Jaipur 
• 6 nights Maldives

Day 1: Depart UK

Depart the UK from your chosen airport.

Included: International flights 

Day 2: Arrive in Delhi

On arrival in Delhi, you’ll be met at the airport and driven to your hotel in Delhi, checking in for two nights. 

Included: Transfers, Oberoi Delhi  

Day 3: Delhi

After a light breakfast, this morning you’ll head out on a food tour of Delhi, with a chef to get an insider’s view of the city’s food culture, food joints and kitchens. Having a chef as your guide will give you a real insight into local cuisine – not only will you taste the food but you’ll learn about the ways of cooking, flavour profiles and ingredients.

Start the day with a rickshaw ride through the walled city of Old Delhi, past glimpses of the splendour and romance of Delhi’s erstwhile royalty. Explore the large spice market, Khari Baoli, where you can taste a variety of spices, nuts, and herbs, catching a glimpse of the famed Jama Masjid, India’s largest mosque. 

In the afternoon, you’ll head to New Delhi – designed and built by the British in the 1920s, it is a city of wide boulevards and impressive Government buildings. After King George V transferred the capital from Calcutta to Delhi, the royal architects designed palatial buildings and tree-lined avenues with fountains and pools. Your guide will show you the incredible buildings of Humayun’s Tomb and the Qutub Minar.

Included: Breakfast, guiding, Oberoi Delhi          

Day 4: Travel to Agra

After breakfast in Delhi, you’ll be driven to Agra where the Taj Mahal awaits. In the afternoon you’ll visit Agra Fort, where you’ll wander through the chambers of this ancient royal residence. The country was once governed from here, as well as containing the largest treasury and mint. Dignitaries and ambassadors from far off lands would be brought here, each one participating in the history of India. 

In the evening you’ll head off on a Mughal Heritage walk, followed by a visit to Mehtab Bagh. You’ll walk though the village and meet the locals who live in the shadow of the Taj Mahal. You’ll chat to one of the village boys, enjoying chai and a pakora on the rooftop of a nearby house overlooking in the monument and learn about how tourism has benefited the local community. The money from this tour all goes to the village, providing education for women, initiatives for children and sanitation for the whole community. 

Included: Breakfast, transfers, guiding, Oberoi Agra       

Day 5: Travel to Barwara 

An early start this morning will get you to the Taj Mahal for sunrise. Spend the morning exploring this mighty building. As you learnt a lot about the history of the mausoleum last night, today you’ll be free to wander through the complex alone and really soak up this awe-inspiring wonder of the world. Built by an emperor in memory of his beloved queen, it took 18 years to complete, with craftsmen working around the clock on the intricate and romantic design. 

With perfect proportions and distinct femininity, legend says that once the construction was completed, Shan Jehan ordered the architect’s hands cut off, and blinded, so he would never be able to duplicate the structure. 

Leaving Agra behind, you’ll be driven towards Ranthambore National Park, stopping to visit Fatehpur Sikri, an incredible imperial city built during the Mughal dynasty. The majestic building is made of red sandstone and is completely abandoned, but in amazing condition considering it’s age. After exploring, you’ll arrive in Barwara, the beautiful Six Senses Fort Barwara. Spend your time here soaking up the incredible views, the famous Indian hospitality and enjoying the Ayurvedic spa. 

Included: Breakfast, guiding, Six Senses Barwara             

Day 6: Barwara & Ranthambore National Park

This morning is yours to enjoy the Six Senses Fort Barwara, whether you want to head to the spa for a relaxing massage, swim in the indoor or outdoor pool or luxuriate over a long and peaceful breakfast.

In the afternoon you’ll be driven to Ranthambore National Park, to head out on a safari game drive. Ranthambore is famous for tigers and conservation efforts mean that the population here is stable if not increasing. If you’re lucky you’ll spot one of these magnificent creatures as well as the more common residents of the park like sambar deer, monkeys and peacocks. 

Included: Breakfast, safari game drive, Six Senses Barwara         

Day 7: Travel to Jaipur

After breakfast, you’ll be driven to Jaipur, ready to enjoy your three night stay in the ‘Pink City’, within the already colourful state of Rajasthan. You’ll be staying at the Villa Palladio Jaipur, a spectacularly designed hotel with scarlet and white décor, really highlighting the Indian architecture, furniture and material design. 

Included: Breakfast, transfers, Villa Palladio Jaipur         

Days 8 & 9: Jaipur

You’ll have two days to enjoy and explore beautiful Jaipur. On your first morning, you’ll have a very early start to enjoy a hot-air balloon over the city, soaking up the views of the forts and palaces below. You’ll see how the forts and walls were built along the hills and valleys to protect the city – it’s a magical way to start your time here. 

After breakfast at the hotel, you’ll head out to visit the Amber Fort, which you’ve just seen from the sky. This marvellous example of Rajput architecture is made up of terraces and ramparts, all a rich terracotta colour that is reflected beautifully in the lake below. Each room within the royal halls is decorated with intricate ivory artwork and exquisite murals, really showing off the pomp and grandeur of a kingdom that was never conquered.

In the afternoon you’ll take a tour of the city – starting at the City Palace Complex, you’ll learn about the local styles of paintings as well as the royal family that still lives in parts of the palace. In the Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum, you’ll find the Mubarak Mahal. Built in the nineteenth century, you’ll be able to view a huge range of textiles and costumes, including rare pashmina shawls, Benaras silk saris and folk embroidery. Across the road, you’ll look around the famous Jantar Mantar, one of the five observatories in India. Built to indulge the passionate hobby of astronomy by the king, they created complex astronomical instruments made of stone, which still provide accurate information on the heavens above, to this day. It’s a fascinating place to explore and learn about the twinkling skies above.

In the evening you’ll head to the spice market, exploring the narrow lanes and tiny shops, with colourful heaps of spices found round every corner. Stock up on spice mixes to make sure your curries at home are the best around. 

On your second day you’ll explore Jaipur at dawn on an early morning tour, meeting locals as they start their day in the flower and vegetable markets. You’ll taste chai by the roadside, feast on tasty street food and visit a temple to enjoy a morning prayer ceremony, with hundreds of devotees from all walks of life. After breakfast back at the hotel you’ll head off for a block printing experience before spending the rest of the day at your leisure. 

In the evening, you’ll be welcomed by a local family to learn the subtle art of Indian cooking, tasting some delicious specialties and experiencing famous Indian hospitality. 

Included: Breakfast, guiding, hot air balloon ride, dinner on Day 9, Villa Palladio Jaipur

Day 10: Fly to Delhi

Enjoy your final morning in Jaipur before taking a midday flight back to Delhi. You’ll be driven to your hotel near the airport, The Roseate. Spend your afternoon relaxing before heading to one of the restaurants for a delicious dinner, enjoying your final night in India before flying to the Maldives tomorrow. 

Included: Breakfast, internal flight, transfers, The Roseate Delhi            

Day 11: Fly to the Maldives

After breakfast, you’ll be the short distance to the airport in time for your flight to the Maldives. On arrival you’ll be taken by seaplane to Six Senses Laamu and check in for six nights. 

Included: Breakfast, transfer, international flights, seaplane, Six Senses Laamu  

Days 12 - 16: Maldives

Welcome to the Maldives, a lush nation made up of many tiny islands, with a big heart! You’ll be staying at the Six Senses Laamu, a spectacular and luxurious hotel on a paradise atoll in the Maldives. Spend your time relaxing in your Ocean Water Villa with your own private pool, snorkelling in the turquoise water and strolling along the pristine beaches. Away from your room you can indulge in a day at the peaceful spa, looking for dolphins on a cruise, kayaking along the reef or dining on fresh lobster under the stars. However you want to spend your time, your stay at this magical hotel will be a highlight of your trip. 

Included: Breakfast, Six Senses Laamu   

Day 17: Depart Maldives

After breakfast, you’ll return by seaplane to the international airport in time for your flight home. 

Included: Breakfast, seaplane transfer, international business class flights          

Day 18: Arrive UK