Namaste and welcome to Mumbai! This vibrant metropolis – India’s financial and cultural capital – is a mesmerizing blend of old and new. From the colonial-era Gateway of India overlooking the Arabian Sea, to the bustling bazaars of Colaba and the glitzy Bollywood studios, As the sun dips, the street lights along of Marine Drive reflect off the Arabian Sea in a glittering ‘Queens Necklace’ around the curve of the bay. Mumbai pulses with energy and this mesmerising city of dreams is chaotic and captivating, and utterly unforgettable! We’ll have our first taste of Indian Cuisine here and can recommend trying some vegetarian street food notable to this city.

We transfer to our hotel overlooking the Arabian Sea. The rest of the day at leisure.

Meals: Welcome dinner
Accommodation: We stay in a 5* sea view hotel close to fashionable boutiques and galleries

Morning: Elephanta Caves Excursion

We begin our day wearing comfortable footwear for exploring the remarkable UNECO World Heritage ancient temples of Elephanta Cave. It takes an hour on the ferry from Mumbai Harbour to Elephanta Island, where the stone caves and intricate sculptures carved out of solid basalt rock seem to defy possibility. Dating back to between the 5th to 8th centuries AD, they represent both Hindu and Buddhist spirituality, iconography and legends.

Afternoon: Mumbai Sightseeing Tour

We return to the city for a half-day tour of Mumbai’s iconic landmarks, landing near the 26-metre-high stone memorial arch known as the ‘Gateway of India’. Built in 1924, marking the earlier visit of King George V’s to Bombay in 1911, it remains a legacy of Britian’s colonial rule and served as a symbolic exit for the last British troops who left India for good in February 1948.

Our tour includes the Prince of Wales Museum, renamed in honour of Chhatrapati Shivaji, with its impressive 50,000 exhibits of art, architecture and natural history. We’ll take a scenic drive past Afghan Church, the Maharashtra Secretariat, and along Marine Drive, then continue to Chowpatty Beach and Mani Bhavan, where Mahatma Gandhi stayed during his visits to Mumbai.

We stop at the Dhobi Ghat – Mumbai’s famous open-air laundry – where hundreds of workers wash clothes in an incredible display of rhythm and precision. An excellent spot for photography. We finish with a visit to Crawford Market, a bustling hub of spices, fruits, and handicrafts, before heading to another heritage colonial landmark, Flora Fountain. In the middle of Mumbai, it’s where five streets meet, giving it the moniker ‘the Picadilly Circus of Mumbai’.

Meals: Breakfast, dinner

Transfer to airport for flight to Udaipur.

Welcome to Udaipur, the City of Lakes. This enchanting city is a tapestry of shimmering lakes, grand palaces, and rich Rajput heritage. Besides lakes, Udaipur is known for its historic forts and palaces, museums, galleries, gardens and architectural temples, as well as traditional fairs and festivals. Formerly the capital of the Mewar Kingdom dating from 1559, Udaipur is known for lavish royal residences. At its heart lies Lake Pichola, where the ethereal Lake Palace floats on an island like a mirage.

You have the rest of the day to acclimatise and explore Udaipur with other Adventurous Ewes and seek out some local snacks like sweet donut-style Ghevar and the traditional creamy, frothy yogurt-based drink called Lassi.

Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Accommodation: 5* resort hotel in lush grounds

Today we wander through the complex of 11 palaces, courtyards and gardens of City Palace famed for its intricate peacock mosaics, with wonderful views over Lake Pichola.

We might also fit in a visit the largest and the most beautiful temple of Udaipur, Jagdish Temple. It is always seething with constant activity and noted for its beautiful sculpted images and towering shikhara (spire). We’ll also have the chance to lose ourselves in the charm of the old city’s bustling bazaars and barter for a few purchases.

As the sun sets, we take a boat ride on the lake and watch Udaipur glow in golden hues. It’s one of the most serene experiences of our India trip, that you’ll remember forever.

Meals: Breakfast, dinner

We leave Udaipur for Jaipur by road (6hrs).

Welcome to Jaipur, the Pink City! A dazzling blend of history and vibrancy, known for centuries-old hill forts, ornate palaces and gardens and buildings painted pink. This colour, indicating hospitality, has endured ever since the town was painted pink to honour Queen Victoria’s son Edward who visited in 1876. Jaipur’s narrow streets are chaotic, with rickshaws, hooting scooters, bicycles and camel-driven carts avoiding the monkeys and sacred cows roaming the streets.

We’ll still have time after our journey here to stop at Narain Niwas Palace, to indulge in some soulful retail therapy at the best shopping arcade in Jaipur. And before dinner at our hotel, we’ll wander through Jaipur’s lively markets, where colourful textiles, sparkling jewels, and fragrant spices create an unforgettable sensory experience.

Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Accommodation: City Centre 5* hotel

We travel through Jaipur’s chaotic streets, with pedestrians, bicycles, rickshaws and scooters hooting and camel-driven carts, all trying to avoid the monkeys and sacred cows roaming the streets. We make it up to the top of the hill to enter Jaipur’s premier attraction – the Amber Fort. Over the centuries, the fort underwent expansions and renovations under its kings, each leaving their mark on its architecture and design, all with sweeping views.

We lunch at Dera Amer elephant sanctuary, whose vision is simple; to preserve an area of wilderness and natural beauty as a sanctuary for elephants and a place where humans can visit and interact with them.

Later, we visit the Jantar Mantar, one of the oldest astronomical observatories in the world dating to 1734, featuring the largest stone sundial. Situated in the heart of Jaipur near the gate of the city palace, the Observatory has 17 large instruments, many still in working condition.

Meals: Breakfast, dinner

We leave Jaipur towards Ranthambore National Park (4hrs), home to the Bengal tiger. Before reaching Ranthambore, we visit the artisanal hub of Sanganer. It’s renowned for its centuries-old hand-block printing tradition and handmade paper industry. This bustling yet charming town is a paradise for textile lovers, with intricate floral motifs and patterns dyed in vibrant natural hues on white fabrics, offering us a glimpse into Rajasthan’s rich heritage. Many beautiful pieces can be found filling the extra space we left in our travel bags for such moments.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: 5* Hotel Resort

Today we go in search of the Bengal tiger, in the former hunting grounds of the Maharajas of Jaipur. There are only just over 3,000 tigers left on earth, and this sanctuary in Ranthambore National Park is one of India’s principal reserves, where daytime sightings are frequent. We’ll do an early morning and late afternoon safari into the wilderness, where rugged landscapes, ancient ruins, and dense forests create a dramatic backdrop for one of India’s most iconic wildlife experiences,

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

It’s time to journey to Agra (7hrs), to place ourselves into the right vicinity for tomorrow’s first and most breathtaking glimpse of the Taj Mahal.

Our journey here was long, so we’ll relax this evening in the warm hospitality of an Indian family, who will give us a cooking demonstration followed by a delicious homemade meal rich in the flavours and traditions of Agra.

Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Accommodation: 5* Hotel

The Taj Mahal is best visited in the early morning, as the sun touches the white marble and makes it glow with a halo in the first light. Considered one of the most beautiful buildings ever created, the magnificence of this enormous marble mausoleum cannot be expressed in words. You’ll understand why, when the reverence of this place washes over you. Built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as the resting place of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal who died aged 38 in 1631, while giving birth to their 14th child. Started in 1632, it took 22 years to complete and stands as an enduring testament to his love and grief and testimony to the 20,000 craftsmen from Persia, Turkey, France, and Italy who built it. Almost 400 years later the Taj Mahal has lost none of its radiance.

With unforgettable visions of the Taj and photographic memories, we depart in the afternoon for a 4-hour air-conditioned journey to Deli.

Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Accommodation: 5* Hotel

We spend the day exploring Delhi, where ancient history meets colonial grandeur in a busy modern city. In New Delhi, marvel at Humayun’s Tomb that inspired the Taj Mahal, and gaze up at the Qutub Minar, India’s tallest stone tower at 72.5 meters. Drive past the stately Parliament House, the grand India Gate, and the ceremonial boulevard of Rajpath, where history and power converge.

We cross into Old Delhi, where the pulse of the past beats strongest and immerse ourselves in the rich stories woven into every corner of this captivating city. We’ll stand in awe at the magnificent Jama Masjid, one of India’s largest mosques and wander through the Chandni Chowk colourful bazaar of spices, textiles and street food. As well as visiting Raj Ghat, the solemn memorial to Mahatma Gandhi.

We end our day with high tea at the Imperial Hotel. Built in 1936, it’s a luxurious landmark creating an ambiance of refined opulence set amid lush gardens. The Imperial offers a serene escape from Delhi’s noisy streets, while its heritage-filled halls whisper tales of the Raj era and India’s road to independence.

Meals: Breakfast, dinner, high tea (for own account)
Accommodation: 5* Hotel

After a final morning at leisure, it’s time to check in for the flight home. While we bid fond farewells to fellow Adventurous Ewe travelling companions, we know that the next time we meet is as firm friends.

Until the next trip!

Meals: Breakfast

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