Golden Age of Travel: India

On arrival in Delhi there is opportunity to rest and relax before meeting as a group for lunch. We ease ourselves into the bustle of India gently with an afternoon visit to the 16^th century Humayun’s Tomb, whose graceful, geometric form and symmetrical gardens supposedly inspired the Taj Mahal. Our base for exploring the city will be the glorious Imperial Hotel, and welcome cocktails will be served this evening.

Hotel: Hotel in Delhi

Delhi’s Red Fort was, like so many impressive monuments we visit on this tour, built by Shah Jahan. It became the centrepiece of the city-within-a-city known as Shahjahanabad and served as the seat of the Mughal emperors for 200 years. The nearby Jama Masjid, which was also commissioned by Shah Jahan, is the largest mosque in India, with a courtyard capable of accommodating 25,000 worshippers. At the heart of the old city since the days of Shah Jahan is the vibrant Chandni Chowk (‘moonlight square’) market, full of exotic sights, sounds and scents. After lunch we proceed to a different part of the old city to visit the archaeological remains comprising the Qutb complex, including the graceful, 73m-tall Qutb Minar tower, which demonstrate the sublime art and architecture of the Delhi Sultanate era of the 13^th and 14^th century.

Hotel: Hotel in Delhi

Whatever your views on the British Empire, no stay to the Indian capital would be complete without an exploration of the area of the new city known as Lutyens’ Delhi. Named after its principal architect, Sir Edwin Lutyens, this stately district was the centre of British colonial rule from the 1930s until independence. In a 10 square mile area and separated by broad avenues and green spaces, grand buildings such as the Rashtrapati Bhavan and Secretariat blend classical and Indian architectural styles. The district also encompasses the India Gate war memorial and the commercial hub of Connaught Place, and we also view the highlights of the National Museum. In the afternoon we fly to Udaipur and check in at the fairytale Taj Lake Palace Hotel. This marble masterpiece set on an island in Lake Pichola was built in the 18^th century as the winter palace of the ruler of the Mewar Dynasty. Today it is a hotel of rare distinction.

Hotel: Hotel in Udaipur

A morning’s exploration of Udaipur includes visits to the majestic City Palace, a complex of palaces, courtyards and gardens built over 400 years; Hindu Jagdish Temple, a continuous place of worship since 1651; and the lovely Saheliyon-ki-Bari gardens built by an 18^th century king for his queen and her ladies-in-waiting. An afternoon boat ride on Lake Pichola offers a different perspective on Udaipur’s architectural wonders.

Hotel: Hotel in Udaipur

We transfer to Jodhpur via Ranakpur Temple, a Jain place of worship noted for its elaborate carvings. Jodhpur gets its moniker ‘Blue City’ from the attractive houses of the old town painted blue in honour of Lord Shiva and to reflect the fierce desert heat of summer. It’s all very photogenic and, in the afternoon, we take a leisurely walk around some of the prettiest streets. Our hotel in Jodhpur will be the superlative Umaid Bhawan Palace.

Hotel: Hotel in Jodhpur

Towering above the Jodhpur skyline is the Mehrangarh Fort, a red sandstone edifice of such vastness that Rudyard Kipling was moved to call it ‘the work of giants’. Today the fort houses fine collections of arms and armour, paintings, textiles and other decorative arts. Following a visit, we head further into the Thar Desert on a journey to Jaisalmer, and the magnificent Hotel Lalgarh Fort & Palace.

Hotel: Hotel in Jaisalmer

Rising sheer above the desert sands, the remote city of Jaisalmer richly rewards visitors willing to make the journey. The massive 12^th century sentinel of Jaisalmer Fort differs from others in the state in that it has become a ‘living fort’, with a quarter of the city’s population residing within its walls. It makes for a different kind of visit, as havelis, bazaars and temples have sprung up amongst its palaces and bastions. Jaisalmer once stood on the silk route for trading caravans between the subcontinent, Europe and North Africa. Jain merchants grew wealthy on the trade and their residences – the exquisite havelis – still stand as testament both to their owner’s ostentatiousness and the extraordinary skill of the craftsmen who built and decorated them. We visit one of the best and most extravagant, Kothari’s Patwa Haveli, built in the early 19^th century.    

Hotel: Hotel in Jaisalmer

A visit to Bikaner’s Karna Mati Temple is not quickly forgotten. Its ornate marblework and gleaming shrines are engaging enough, but travellers will share the temple spaces with 20,000 rats, which are considered sacred. They skitter about, gather in great numbers at milk vats and share the food of local pilgrims. To have one run across your feet is considered good luck. We will also tour Bikaner’s 16^th century Junagarh Fort, an impressive complex of palaces, pavilions and courtyards, before settling in at the ultra-luxurious Laxmi Niwas Palace Hotel.

Hotel: Hotel in Bikaner

Having already visited the ‘Blue City’ of Jodhpur and the ‘Golden City’ of Jaisalmer, it is on to another colourful metropolis today – the ‘Pink City’ of Jaipur, and our magnificent retreat the Raj Palace Hotel.

Hotel: Hotel in Jaipur

Not far from Jaipur is the dramatic and opulent Amber Fort, one of Rajasthan’s most important and iconic fortified palaces, demonstrating an interesting mix of Rajput and Mughal styles. Back in Jaipur this afternoon, the city’s iconic attraction is the Hawa Mahal, or Palace of the Winds, a five-storey architectural masterpiece, with a pink-hued façade honeycombed with ornate window bays. A climb to the top is rewarded with excellent views over two other attractions we visit today. Jantar Mantar is a fascinating complex of monumental astronomical instruments built in the early 18^th century, attesting to the scholarly tradition of the late Mughal Empire. And the City Palace is the centrepiece of the old city, still used as a royal residence but open to visitors keen to appreciate the fine architecture, the treasures of the arts galleries and the elegance of the courtyards.    

Hotel: Hotel in Jaipur

We make two memorable stops en route to Agra, which, with Delhi and Jaipur, completes India’s world famous ‘Golden Triangle’. The Chand Baori, a step-well near the village of Abhaneri, is one of Rajasthan’s secret treasures. Built over 1,000 years ago, this is one of the deepest and most spectacular step-wells, a phenomenon unique to India. Fatehpur Sikri is often called the ‘ghost city’ of Rajasthan – a breathtaking red sandstone city which served as capital of the Mughal Empire for 10 years in the late 16^th century before it was completely abandoned, possibly as a result of failed water supply. Our hotel in Agra is the magical Oberoi Amarvilas.  

Hotel: Hotel in Agra

A fitting highlight for our final day of sightseeing is the sublime Taj Mahal, built by Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his favourite queen Mumtaz Mahal – a most extraordinary monument to love and arguably history’s greatest architectural achievement. We set out early to avoid the worst of the crowds and watch the ethereal marble change hue to ivory white as the sun rises in the sky. In the afternoon, we visit Agra Fort, another extraordinary red sandstone complex of palaces and mosques which served as the imperial city of the Mughal Empire until the capital was moved to Delhi, before enjoying farewell cocktails and dinner back at the hotel.   

Hotel: Hotel in Agra

We return to the Indian capital in time for our flight home.