Day 1London
This evening fly to Delhi.
You will be met on arrival in Delhi and be and taken to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure, if you would like to explore then why not head to Lodi Gardens, a relaxing place to enjoy Delhi`s green spaces and uncover Mughal tombs.
Your private guided tour of the capital today highlights the remarkable contrast between Old and New Delhi. Your excursion includes the Jama Masjid, the largest Friday mosque in India. From here we suggest a walk in the heart of Old Delhi - a great way to absorb the sights and sounds. You will also see the monumental buildings set along wide boulevards of Lutyens` New Delhi, including India Gate and the President`s residence.
This morning you will rise early and transfer to the train station to board your express train to Agra. Here you will enjoy a guided tour of the city, including a visit to the legendary Taj Mahal, built as a memorial to the wife of Shah Jehan. You will also see the Red Fort, where Shah Jehan spent the last few years of his life imprisoned here by his son, looking across the Yamuna River at his accomplished Taj Mahal, and I`tma-ud-daulah, sometimes known as the "Baby Taj".
After a leisurely morning - you might like to revisit the Taj Mahal for sunrise - you will drive from Agra to Jaipur stopping en route to visit Fatehpur Sikri, the enigmatic and beautiful deserted capital of Emperor Akbar which was abandoned when water supplies dried up.
Full day sightseeing in and around the `Pink City` of Jaipur. In the morning you will visit the magnificent Amber Palace with your guide. Capital of the Kachhawaha Rajputs until 1727, this fort complex can be ascended on elephant back and there are great views from the top. Later, back in Jaipur, you will discover the treasures of the City Palace which houses an important museum, the intricate facade of The Palace of the Winds and the fascinating observatory.
Today is at leisure for you to explore in Jaipur. If you are keen experience some of India's modern culture why not visit the Raj Mandir cinema at take in a bollywood film!
Head into rural Rajasthan to Barli. You can explore the small town, seeing small town life in India which is away from the usual tourist trail.
Today you can explore the small town and surrounding countryside, visiting the family cenotaphs is a wonderful experience.
Continue south by road travelling through the scenic Aravalli Hills to Udaipur.
This morning you have a tour of the vast City Palace, Udaipur's narrow and charming streets and the relaxing Sahelyon ki Bari gardens. The afternoon you have a cookery class and meal with a local family, a wonderful way to end a memorable journey through North India.
An early start, you will fly to Mumbai before connecting to your return flight arriving home the same day.