India – Tigers & The Taj Mahal With Shimla

Itinerary

Day 1

Overnight flight to India - Your Indian holiday begins with an overnight flight from the UK to Delhi.

Day 2

Arrival in Delhi with included Humayun’s Tomb visit - Arrive in Delhi, this morning, to be greeted by your Tour Manager, and transferred to your hotel. Later, after some time to freshen up, join your tour manager on a guided tour to the sixteenth century red sandstone and marble Humayun's tomb, an impressive example of Mughal architecture with lush Persian style gardens.

Day 3

Included tour of Delhi with Gurudwara Bagla Sahib visit and lunch - Today's guided tour will introduce Delhi's vibrant Old City. Drive by the historic Red Fort, Jama Masjid Mosque and Raj Ghat – Gandhi’s cremation site close to the Yamuna River – and enjoy an exhilarating rickshaw ride through the narrow lanes of Chandni Chowk. You’ll also experience the grandeur of New Delhi, built by the British Raj to reflect the glories of the Empire. Highlights will include the historic India Gate war memorial and the vast boulevard of the Rajpath. You’ll finish this morning’s sightseeing with a stop at the Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, one of India’s most significant Sikh temples. See the temple’s grand façade mirrored in its nearby sarovar (reflecting pool) and marvel at the impressive marble walls and golden domes of this remarkable landmark. Later, after an included lunch in Delhi, travel to Jaipur, the ‘Pink City’. After checking into your hotel, and taking dinner with your fellow travellers, enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure.

Day 4

Included tour of Amber Fort and sightseeing in Jaipur - After breakfast, visit Amber, the ancient capital of the Rajput Empire. Climb by jeep to the city's vast sixth-century hill-top fort to wander its Royal Halls and take in the magnificent views from the ramparts. After an included lunch, you'll tour Jaipur to see the City Palace complex, with its museums and ancient astronomical observatory, and drive past the innumerable windows and screened balconies of the 18th-century Palace of the Winds. This evening, enjoy dinner a special dinner at the Nokha House, hosted in traditional Rajasthani style by the Rathore family.

Day 5

Drive to Ranthambore - Depart Jaipur this morning, after enjoying breakfast at the hotel, and travel to Ranthambhore National Park, stopping en route for lunch at the sumptuous Umaid Lake Palace, a lovely heritage hotel and organic retreat that grows produce for its fine restaurant. Once the hunting ground of Indian princes, Ranthambhore is landscape of thorn trees, scrub and grasslands dotted with beautiful ponds, streams and lakes is a perfect habitat for the famous, elusive (and still endangered) Tigers of Ranthambhore, and other species. Relax for the afternoon, then enjoy an evening tiger talk with a local naturalist: the perfect preparation for tomorrow's adventures.

Day 6

Included morning and afternoon game drives - Wake early this morning and board your vehicle to explore the wilderness of Ranthambore National Park, an opportunity to explore the untamed landscapes alongside your knowledgeable naturalist guide. As the sun rises over the treetops, you’ll venture off to witness the park’s incredible biodiversity. Keep your eyes peeled for the Bengal tigers, leopards, sloth bears, jackals, wild dogs, and hyenas that call Ranthambore National Park home. Your naturalist guide will share their expertise, providing insights into the behaviour, habitats, and unique characteristics of the animals you encounter. Breakfast will then be served back at the resort followed by some time to relax, perhaps by the swimming pool before lunch. Later, gear up for an afternoon safari game drive – another chance to spot more animals on your wish-list and survey more of the prey-rich woodlands and bird species before dinner in the evening.

Day 7

Drive to Agra with included visits to the Agra Fort and Taj Mahal - Enjoy breakfast at the hotel this morning before setting off for Agra, India's City of Love. There’ll be a comfort break along the way, and you’ll be able to find lunch before continuing along the road. Upon arrival in Agra, take in the royal pavilions, palaces and courtyards of majestic Agra Fort, which has stood watch over the city for over 500 years and was once the royal residence of the city’s Mughal emperors. You’ll then head out under the evening light to the Taj Mahal, a monument to undying love, to see it in all its glory at sunset and enjoy a guided tour. This evening, check into your hotel and enjoy dinner at your leisure.

Day 8

Drive to Vanaashrya - Early this morning, you’ll be taken to Mehtab Bagh – a garden complex away from the bustle of the city and on the opposite side of the Yamuna River, showcasing a splendid view of the Taj Mahal in all its glory as the sun rises. You’ll then return for breakfast at the hotel and afterwards, drive to Chand Baori Stepwell in Abhaneri, which was built over 1,000 years ago and is one of the biggest stepwells in the world. With intricately geometrically designed staircases, this architectural wonder serves as a source of water and a place of respite in the desert heat. Also of interest will be the Harshat Mata Temple, an ancient place of worship dedicated to the goddess of happiness and joy, Harshat Mata. A stop for lunch will be enjoyed at Umaid Bhawan Palace, a hotel set in an opulent building that was once home to the Jodhpur royal family. You can enjoy your meal while looking out over the beautiful, manicured gardens. Following lunch, journey across the desert plain into the Aravali Hills to the jungle-resort of Vanaashrya, where you’ll spend the next two nights.

Day 9

Day at leisure in Vanaashrya - Enjoy a leisurely start to the day with breakfast at the hotel and the rest of the morning at you own pace, perhaps with a swim in the pool or time spent reflecting on your journey through India. This afternoon, take a camel cart to visit the local village and enjoy a pre-dinner cookery demonstration. You'll spend the night in a private cottage designed to give you a sense of the India of the past with the little luxuries of the present (like air conditioning). Return to the hotel this evening for dinner.

Day 10

Travel to Delhi - After breakfast, check out of your hotel before being driven from Vanaashrya to the next hotel in the town of Dwarka, located within suburban Delhi. Enjoy a relaxed evening and dinner.

Day 11

Included ‘Toy Train’ ride to Shimla - Leave Delhi behind this morning and board a train for rural Kalka. Upon arrival, stretch your legs and step aboard the iconic ‘Toy Train’ for an onward journey, climbing through stunning mountain scenery to Shimla. You’ll be given a packed lunch for your rail journey. Check into your hotel, overlooking the Himalayan mountains, before dinner.

Day 12

Included tour of Shimla - After breakfast, head out on a guided tour of Shimla. The Viceregal Lodge, in which the map of Indian Partition was drawn, is your first stop, and you’ll be free to admire its teak-panelled interiors. You’ll then pass the Gaiety Theatre, with its distinctly colonial architecture, and if time permits, have a look inside before taking a leisurely stroll along Mall Road, one of Shimla’s main retail areas. Spend time at Scandal Point, a traditional meeting place for locals, and take the chance to browse the area’s local markets at leisure before returning to the hotel for dinner.

Day 13

Day at leisure or optional backstreets tour of Shimla - Today, you can choose to enjoy a day of leisure, exploring at your own pace, or relaxing at the hotel. Alternatively, join an optional walking tour covering the backstreets of Shimla. Begin on Elysium Hill, one of Shimla’s legendary seven hills. Once home to European settlers and educational institutions, this area still reflects the quiet grandeur of the British Raj. From here, head towards the bustling Lakkar Bazaar, a market popular for its hand-carved wooden artefacts, walking sticks, and traditional jewellery. As you explore, your tour manager will point out notable landmarks connected to the architects and engineers who built the UNESCO-listed Kalka–Shimla Railway, one of the world’s most scenic mountain lines.

Day 14

Drive to Chandigarh and by rail to Delhi - Enjoy breakfast in your Shimla hotel ahead of a drive to bustling Chandigarh, the shared state capital of both the Punjab and Hariyana. From here, travel by rail to Delhi and check into your hotel in Dwarka.

Day 15

Return flight to the UK - Following your last breakfast, travel to Delhi airport for your day flight home. You’ll arrive back in the UK later this evening. Back to top

Further Information

Hotel transfer times

The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately one hour.

Luggage allowance

You are permitted to take one suitcase per person on the aircraft, which should not exceed 23kg.

Passports and visas

British citizens require passports when travelling overseas and this must be valid for six months beyond the date you return. If you are not a British citizen, you may need a visa for the country/countries you are visiting (please contact the respective embassies to check and to apply).

Special requirements

If you have notified us of any special requirements, please check that they have been noted and acknowledged. This is especially important with any dietary needs you may have.

Disabled access

The majority of our tours involve a certain amount of walking, including a short walk from the coach stop to the town, attraction or venue you're visiting. If you are bringing a wheelchair, please let us know at the time of booking so that appropriate arrangements can be made. In many developing countries access is sometimes not as easy as at home. Should you have walking difficulties, getting around monuments and attractions may be harder and, in some cases, impossible. Should you have any concerns whatsoever please do contact us prior to travel.

Itinerary changes

Occasionally, for operational reasons, we may have to change the order of the excursions on your holiday. The final day-by-day itinerary will be confirmed on your Final Travel Documents, which you will receive approximately three weeks prior to your departure.

Changes to your hotels

Should circumstances require, we reserve the right to accommodate you in alternative hotels, of a similar standard, nearby. Full details of your hotels will be sent with your Final Travel Documents.

Road conditions

In developing countries road networks are continually being improved and expanded, which can mean that, from time to time, roadworks and rough road surfaces can extend journey times. Some journeys are made on winding mountain roads and passes, which may also make for slow travelling - although the scenery is usually worth it! Many roads do not have separate pavements or safety barriers, and great care should be taken when crossing or walking alongside roads.

Mobile phone ban in national parks

A new ruling from the Indian Government means that all mobile phones are effectively banned from all National Parks, including Ranthambore. For photography purposes, only actual camera equipment is permitted.

Terms and conditions

Offer Terms & Conditions Save up to 10% offer applies to new bookings made between 14th March and 30th April 2026 and cannot be applied retrospectively to bookings already confirmed. This offer does not apply to child pricing. The offer does not apply to departure dates with late availability pricing. Maximum 10% discount applies to a selection of Long & Short Haul Tours and is not valid on Premier Collection, Festive, River Cruise, André Rieu events, Edinburgh Tattoo or Wimbledon. This offer cannot be combined or used in conjunction with any other discount, promotion or concession. When booking a holiday as described above, prices shown will automatically have the discount applied. The discount applies to the original tour price (excluding any discounts already applied, extras and holiday insurance) at the time of booking. This offer is subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time. Newmarket Holidays reserves the right to cancel, change or amend any tour. Holidays booked with Newmarket Holidays, are financially protected in accordance with ABTA, ATOL & ABTOT regulations. Newmarket Holidays Limited is a company registered in England and Wales. Registered number: 02238316. Back to top