Northern India & Maldives
Best time to visit: December-February | March-May | June-August | September-November
Best for: Friends, Families, Solo Travelers, and Couples
Discover the highlights of Northern India - the Taj Mahal, a Bengal Tiger Safari, the “Pink City” of Jaipur - then fly to the tropical paradise of the Maldives for a few days in an over-water bungalow.
Trip Highlights
Welcome dinner in Delhi at a 200-year old mansion that won the UNESCO Award for Cultural Heritage Conservation.
Discover the history of Delhi, the progressive capital city of India.
View the spectacular 17th century Taj Mahal at sunrise.
Visit a luxury safari camp in Ranthambore to search for the Royal Bengal tigers.
Visit the Gyan Museum, a private collection containing a treasure trove of textiles, Mughal rugs, and gemstones.
Meet a local designer to learn about contemporary textile design in India.
Visit a Tailor shop for custom clothing.
Tour a food and spice market then take a cooking class to learn how to prepare regional dishes.
Relax and unwind in the spectacularly beautiful Maldives.
Sample Itinerary
Arrival to New Delhi
Arrive at Delhi International Airport (DEL).
Delhi is a city built and re-built seven times over several centuries. The capital city today marries the quaint and unique elements of different historical eras with the pace of the bustling, growing economy. At every turn of the road, the past and the present co-exist.
Late afternoon visit to Jama Masjid, one of the largest mosques in India. The main prayer hall has a seating capacity of more than 20,000 worshippers. Followed by a walk through the bustling market followed by dinner at Haveli Dharampura – a 200-year-old mansion and a recipient of UNESCO Asia-Pacific award for Cultural Heritage Conservation.
Delhi
AM: Visit Humayun’s Tomb, the first great example of Mughal architecture in India. Drive past President’s Palace & India Gate, an arch of triumph that bears the names of 85,000 Indian Army soldiers who died in the campaigns of WW I.
Optional: Lunch at The Spice Route – a pan-Asian cuisine and heralded as one of the top ten restaurants in India by Conde Nast Traveler.
PM: Visit Qutub Minar, world’s tallest brick minaret built in several phases between the 12th and 15th centuries.
Delhi to Agra
AM: Transfer to Hazarat Nizamudin railway station in time to connect Gatiman Express train to Agra
Agra is home to some of the most magnificent monuments built by the Mughals. On arrival a representative will meet you at the station, continue to Agra Fort, one of the most important strongholds of the Mughals.
Later check in at your hotel The Oberoi Amarvilas.
Agra to Ranthambore
AM: Visit the Taj Mahal at sunrise. The 17th century Taj Mahal is often called a poem in stone and is considered the world’s monument to love and one of the world’s most inspiriting sights. Return to hotel for breakfast.
PM: Drive to Bharatpur railway station in time to connect to scheduled train to Sawai Madhopur (also known as Ranthambore )
Located in the Sawai Madhopur district of Rajasthan, Ranthambore is one of the protected forests of India. It was the hunting grounds of the Maharaja of Jaipur until 1955 when it was declared as a game sanctuary.
AM & PM: Game drive at Ranthambore np to see elusive Royal Bengal Tiger and other wildlife in an exclusive modified jeep.
Ranthambore to Jaipur
AM: Game drive at Ranthambore np to see elusive Royal Bengal Tiger and other wildlife in an exclusive modified jeep. Return to your hotel for breakfast.
Post breakfast drive to Jaipur – approx. 3h30m drive. En route to Jaipur visit Gyan Museum, conceptualized by French designer Paul Mathieu. Over 2500 artifacts are displayed including textiles, Mughal rugs, silver hookahs, gemstones, and jewelry.
Modernity walks hand-in-hand with history in Jaipur. Beautiful palaces, forts and colorful bazaars speak of the pink city’s glorious regal past.
On arrival to Jaipur visit a shop where you can select fabric and have custom clothing made.
Later check in at Rajmahal Raas Jaipur.
AM: Begin your day with a photo-stop at Hawa Mahal, a beautiful façade built for the royal women. Continue to the 16th century Amber Fort known for its unique artistic style, blending both Hindu and Muslim elements, and its ornate and breath-taking artistic mastery.
Lunch at Johri – Vegetarian cuisine
PM: Continue to meet a local designer to learn about contemporary design in India and shop in her boutique for readymade clothing that offers a modern take on traditional design.
Jaipur
Optional: Visit City Palace Museum housing a superb collection of Rajasthani costumes, the armoury of Mughal and Rajput weaponry. Also visit the exquisite rooms of the Royal family on a specially curated tour.
PM: Continue to a spice market to learn about the spices and condiments used in an Indian meal. Later visit a vegetable market to see the produce available. Learn how the combinations are used in Rajasthani cooking. Meet your chef and cook a few dishes under his guidance followed by dinner at the same venue – Duration will be approx. 4 to 5 hrs.
Jaipur to Delhi
AM: Transfer to Jaipur airport in time to connect to scheduled flight to Delhi. On arrival a representative will meet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel JW Marriott Aerocity.
Delhi to Maldives
AM: Transfer to airport in time to connect to schedule flight to the Maldives .
On arrival a representative will meet you at the airport, and you will be transferred to your hotel by seaplane. On arrival check-in at Anantara Kivah.
Maldives
AM: Half day snorkeling.
Maldives
Independent activities.
Departure Maldives
Transfer to airport in time to connect to homebound flight.