India's Palace on Wheels

Arrive in Delhi and transfer to our hotel, well-located close to diplomatic missions, shops and historical landmarks. This evening, we get acquainted with our Tour Manager and fellow travelers during a welcome dinner at the hotel.

Overnight Delhi.

• Dinner

Today is devoted to a fascinating sightseeing tour. We start with an engaging rickshaw ride through the streets of Old Delhi, an explosion of sights, sounds, and activity, and visit the Jama Masjib Mosque. We then go on to New Delhi, passing by President House and Parliament House. We visit Gandhi's Smriti, a museum dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi, before discovering Connaught Square on a walking tour.

Overnight Delhi.

• Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast at our hotel, we transfer to the train station to board the Shatabdi Express to Kalka. On arrival, we embark on a scenic journey on the UNESCO listed narrow-gauge Toy Train to Shimla. Our route travels through the Shivalik foothills and through more than 100 tunnels, across more than 800 bridges, and around more than 900 curves. Alternatively, guests may elect to make the journey by road. The mountain town of Shimla was 'discovered' by the British in 1817 and was later used as a fashionable retreat from the summer heat thanks to its lovely temperate climate.

Overnight Shimla.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today you're at leisure to explore Shimla. You could join an optional tour to Kufri to admire the views over the Himalayas, followed by a high-tea lunch at Wildflower Hall. Alternatively, you might like to hike around the surrounding pine forests or up Summer Hill for fantastic views. Once the sun sets maybe visit Lakkar Bazaar, a stretch of open-air stalls selling traditional crafts and souvenirs.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Our day begins with an exclusive talk from guest speaker Raaja Bhasin, a published author and historian. After, we explore Shimla by car. Highlights include the Viceregal Lodge, a 19th century Elizabethan-style mansion that was the summer seat of the viceroys of India until the 1940's, and the Sankat Mochan temple.

After lunch, we take a leisurely stroll along the Mall to the town's Gaiety Theater, the Victorian-Gothic Christ Church, and Scandal Point - so called because it was where townspeople would traditionally meet to gossip.

Overnight Shim

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We depart Shimla this morning and travel to Chandigarh by car. Here, we transfer to the airport for a flight to Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan. Founded in 1727 by Maharaja Sawai Singh II, this lovely city is often referred to as 'the Pink City' after the buildings were painted pink in the 19th century to celebrate a visit by Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert.

Overnight Jaipur.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Today we embark on a guided tour of Jaipur. Highlights include the magnificent Amber Fort, one of three hilltop forts that dominate the hills above Jaipur, the imposing Palace of the Winds, whose ornate façade once enabled the ladies of the royal court to observe life in the street below while remaining in 'purdah,' and the ancient City Palace.

This afternoon, we transfer to the Jaipur railway station and board our hotel-train, the Palace on Wheels. The rail cars are decorated in traditional Rajasthani style. The train's carpeted floors and patterned walls are a complement to the grand architecture that awaits us in cities along our route. We settle into our comfortable cabins ahead of dinner onboard the train this evening.

Overnight train.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Our first stop today is Ranthambore National Park, where we embark on a morning game drive to spot the majestic Bengal Tiger, leopards, and other native wildlife. We re-board the train and head to Chittorgarh. Here, we see the majestic hilltop fort - the largest in India, the Tower of Victory, and the intricate Tower of Fame. We also enjoy an evening light and sound performance at Chittor Fort, which depicts the royal history of the fort.

Overnight train.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We arrive in Udaipur this morning. On arrival, we embark on a city orientation tour, including Saheliyon- ki-Bari gardens and the City Palace. After lunch at a local hotel, we cruise across Lake Pichola, navigating its small islands and admiring the elegant buildings that line the shore. Back on land, we re-join the train for our continued journey.

Overnight train.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We arrive in Jaisalmer this morning, a fairytale walled town in the Thar Desert. We explore the narrow, twisting streets of the town center and see beautiful merchants' houses with intricately carved sandstone façades during a coach tour of the city. This afternoon, we enjoy a traditional drive in 4x4's, traversing the sandy desert before stopping to admire the sun setting over the sand dunes. Dinner tonight is accompanied by a cultural performance at a local hotel before we re-board the Palace on Wheels, traveling to Jodhpur.

Overnight train.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Jodhpur is known as the 'Blue City' due to the hue of the houses within the old walls. During a morning tour we see the impenetrable walls of the Mehrangarh Fort and Palace with fine sandstone carvings and visit Jaswant Thada, a white marble cenotaph. We enjoy lunch at a local hotel before we rejoin the train and journey towards Bharatpur.

Overnight train.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The Palace on Wheels stops in Bharatpur this morning at the Keoladeo National Park, where we visit the town's famous bird sanctuary. After, the train continues to Agra, where we disembark and bid farewell to the train.

Our journey continues by coach to Agra Fort, the majestic red sandstone citadel, and the captivating Taj Mahal, the iconic masterpiece in white marble. Built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1653, for his favorite wife Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj Mahal is the world's finest example of Mughal and Persian architecture. We end the day with a farewell dinner at our hotel.

Overnight Delhi.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We bid farewell to India today, as you transfer to the airport for your return flight home.

• Breakfast