This unique trip intertwines visits to some of India’s most compelling sights and monuments with game viewing at one of India’s finest wildlife parks. (Pre-embarkation notes: Our group size is considerably smaller than that of other companies’ ostensibly similar trips, we stay in absolutely top-notch hotels throughout, and our leaders are the toppest-notch in India or anywhere.)

After a good look at Delhi, we fly to Varanasi, Hinduism’s most important pilgrimage site, for a stirring, misty, early-morning look into the soul of India from a boat on the sacred Ganges. Then on to the exquisite 10th-century Chandela temples at Khajuraho, which, a Victorian guidebook warned, are “a little warmer than necessary.”

Next, to Agra and a look at the inexpressible Taj, “the gem of man’s handiworks,” Lord Curzon called it, “without flaw or blemish, exquisite, irresistible, impossible to criticize, incapable of improvement, the most perfect structure in the world.” We’ll also spend a day or so wandering in Jaipur—“bustling, monkey-filled, oleander pink toytown capital of Rajasthan,” in the words of Louise Nicholson—but not before stopping at Ranthambore National Park, home to a quickly multiplying number of Royal Bengal tigers, among other elegant creatures.

Finally, we go deeper into Rajasthan, first to Kumbhalgarh, amid the stunning Aravalli Hills, where we’ll walk up to the old, massive fort and then hike (mostly downhill) through the Kumbhalgarh Sanctuary to Narlai, an ancient village dominated by a 300-foot rock dotted with marble temples and shrines. From here we explore the grand Jain temples of Ranakpur before moving on to Udaipur, the City of Sunrise, a fine place to unwind before returning to Delhi.

Day 1: arrive in Delhi • Day 2: Delhi • Day 3: fly to Varanasi • Day 4: Varanasi • Day 5: Varanasi to Khajuraho • Day 6: Khajuraho to Agra via Orchha • Day 7: Agra • Day 8: Agra to Ranthambore • Day 9: game viewing at Ranthambore • Day 10: Ranthambore to Jaipur • Day 11: Jaipur • Day 12: Jaipur to Narlai via Kumbhalgarh • Day 13: Narlai • Day 14: Narlai to Udaipur • Day 15: Udaipur • Day 16: Udaipur to Delhi, depart Delhi.

Ajanta & Ellora Caves Extension is available for this trip

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