Majesty flows through northern India: in the marble glow of the Taj Mahal, in the proud stride of the Bengal tiger, in the swirling steam of freshly poured chai. Led by your Signature Guide, journey through a land where rhythm meets royalty, tracing the Golden Triangle of Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur, and answering the call of the wild in Ranthambhore. This is a voyage of moments and connection, where every encounter reveals another facet of northern India’s enduring soul.
Venture to the very heart of each destination on our Signature Collection, where every journey is shaped by our unrivalled local connections and insider expertise. Step beyond the ordinary with private invitations, rare encounters, and experiences few will ever share. So when someone says, “I’ve been there,” you’ll simply smile, knowing you’ve experienced it differently.
Signature Experiences: Greet dawn at the Taj Mahal, watching marble shift from blush to gold as your historian reveals its enduring love story Join an expert conservationist for an insightful talk, then game drive through Ranthambhore’s tiger lands, guided by a wildlife photographer Trace Jaipur’s royal legacy on a private exploration of the City Palace and Jantar Mantar, led by an expert historian
Signature Day: Experience our distinctive Signature Day, choosing between a flower tour in Jaipur, an indigo workshop, a guided heritage walk through Amer’s foothills, or a leopard safari
Signature Stay: Enjoy the rare chance to stay in The Maharajas Lodge, a 1930s royal retreat reimagined with contemporary elegance, part of this trip’s refined accommodation portfolio
Signature Guide: Let your hand-picked Signature guide lead you to the country’s soul – sharing their home, heritage, and heart
There’s immersing yourself in the secretive kingdom of Bhutan, then there’s timing your visit to take in the extraordinary Black-Necked Crane Festival. This annual one-day celebration, held at Gangtey Monastery, marks the winter return of the birds with masked dances, drumming and food stalls. It’s colourful, joyous, and spiritual. Beyond the festival, you’ll discover the best of the kingdom: cliff-perched Buddhist monasteries, still-alive ancient traditions and pristine landscapes fiercely protected by local laws.
This itinerary is valid for the Black Crane Festival only. For alternative festival departures in Bhutan, please have a look at Paro Festival, Thimphu Festival or Trongsa Festival.
In Sanskrit, Sri Lanka was nicknamed Ratna-Dweepa, the Gem Island, for its abundance of precious stones and sparkling jewels. But our expert tour leaders want to share its true treasures with you. Join them on this highlight-packed adventure to enjoy priceless experiences: climbing the ancient Sigiriya rock fortress in the early morning, spotting elephants on safari, cycling through rural villages as the people wave to you, and tucking into the flavoursome cuisine. The adventure ends in seaside Negombo – the perfect opportunity to extend your stay and enjoy a few days relaxing on the beach.
Hidden in a corner of the Himalaya, the secretive kingdom of Bhutan is an unforgettable destination with ancient traditions, spectacular mountain scenery and vibrant festivals. At these, hundreds gather to see monks in brightly coloured robes perform ritual dances. For several days there are masked dances and prayer meetings, and a general carnival atmosphere prevails. This extra-special departure takes in the Trongsa Festival, the oldest festival in Bhutan, which pays tribute to Guru Rinpoche through sacred performances and dances.
This itinerary is valid for Trongsa Festival only. For alternative festival departures in Bhutan, please have a look at Paro Festival, Thimphu Festival or the Black Crane Festival
This tour takes you on an enriching journey through India's most iconic destinations, blending history, culture, and spirituality. Starting in Delhi, you'll explore its diverse landmarks, including Raj Ghat, Red Fort, Jama Masjid, India Gate, and the Lotus Temple. In Jodhpur, known as the "Blue City," you'll discover the majestic Mehrangarh Fort and vibrant markets. The journey continues to Udaipur, the "City of Lakes," where you'll visit the Udaipur City Palace, Jagdish Temple, and enjoy the tranquil beauty of Fateh Sagar Lake and Sahelion-ki-Bari. Next, immerse yourself in the sacred atmosphere of Pushkar, famous for its holy lake and Brahma Temple. In Jaipur, Rajasthan’s capital, you'll explore the impressive Amer Fort, Hawa Mahal, and Birla Temple. In Agra, witness the breathtaking beauty of the Taj Mahal at sunrise, a masterpiece of Mughal art. The tour then moves to Lucknow, known for its rich cultural heritage, where you'll visit Bara Imambara, Lucknow Residency, and optionally the Chhota Imambara and La Martinière School. Continuing to Varanasi, one of India’s holiest cities, experience the captivating Ganges River prayer ceremony, a boat ride, and a visit to Sarnath. Finally, you’ll return to Delhi, concluding your exploration of India’s rich cultural, historical, and spiritual tapestry with one of our best India travel packages.
The trip was absolutely incredible and we fell in love with Bhutan; its landscape,people and beauty. This was largely due to our magnificent guide Wangchuki. He was kind, patient and knowledgeable. His friendliness and humour made every single moment of the trip one to be cherished. The tour group we were with ,was perfect and we enjoyed getting to know people from different countries and of varying ages.
The hotels we stayed in were unique and comfortable and everything ran seamlessly. We were lucky enough to enjoy a local festival ,as well as watching monks create their beautiful butter sculptures.
In the course of our trip, we had two drivers ,Pala and Gelsen. Both were extremely careful and skilled drivers , ensuring we felt safe and comfortable at all times. No mean feat on the winding ,narrow, mountain roads ! Thank you for everything Wangchuk, you and your stunning country will always have a very special place in our hearts.
India was INCREDIBLE! The safari, markets, forts, temples & food were all outstanding (especially the Taj Mahal). Ethan & Yoni were great leaders and looked after us so much the whole way! Our local guide was also outstanding and had so much cultural knowledge for us. 10/10 tour and cannot wait to do another!
As described the tour is full on but its so worth it to see so much. This tour really throws you into Indian history and witnessing day-to-day life was fascinating. You cover a lot of ground with some very long travel days but the sites around Rajasthan make up for it with stops always providing interest.
The hotels were great with a good mix between heritage properties and the modern facilities. Gajner Palace hotel was a particular highlight and the setting is incredible.
This was my first trip as a single person and I had a fabulous time. The group of 12 (four couples and four singles) really gelled and were very friendly, supportive and fun. The itinerary was very good, with at least one specific thing to do, see or visit each day. The high points were the tea plantation, the spice farm, the cookery evening, the wonderful scenery and the houseboat . The accommodation was generally very good, but the homestay was too basic to be an enjoyable experience. It didn't feel as though we were guests in someone's home, it felt more like a commercial exercise (eg the host talked of building a hotel next year to accommodate more guests). The food was excellent in most places with some well-chosen restaurants/snack bars, and plenty of choice for vegetarians, but I was a little disappointment at the street food experience, which was just selecting one cold, precooked snack (such as samosa, vada or fritter.) I was anticipating some freshly cooked food (while we looked on) such as rice and dahl or pani puri. Also, I thought that the purpose of visiting the market was to select spices and vegetables to use later in our cookery evening, but there wasn't an obvious link. Our guide, Sree, was flexible, knowledgeable and very accommodating of all our needs.
Overall a really great experience with a great group of people. Will definitely use Explore again for another adventurous trip.
Immerse yourself in Rajasthan, known as the Land of Kings for its countless palaces, forts and monuments to warriors past. On this culture-packed adventure, we visit the imposing forts of Jodhpur and Jaipur, visit the Taj Mahal at sunrise, and search Ranthambore National Park for the elusive Bengal tiger.
But what makes this departure extra special is the inclusion of the annual Pushkar Festival, one of the biggest cattle fairs in the world. In addition to the buying and selling of livestock, it hosts activities such as the ‘bridal competition’ and ‘longest moustache’, plus religious ceremonies around Pushkar Lake and dance displays to name a few.
Alternatively, join our Colours of Rajasthan (2025) trip, our Colours of Rajasthan (2026) trip, or our Colours of Rajasthan - Pushkar Festival (2025).
Old and new, color and chaos, sticky cities and luscious mountain ranges… India is a wonderful cacophony that blazes a trail in your memory long after you get home. Ready to have your senses awakened, your imagination brought to life and your perception of the world changed forever? This is officially the trip for you.
Avoid the classic tourist route to discover the tribal cultures and serene landscapes of South India. Guided by one of our much-loved Indian tour leaders, we head inland to explore forested hills, cruise tranquil backwaters, and tour fragrant coffee, tea and spice plantations. Also experience the best of India’s welcoming hospitality, feasting on delicious local dishes and staying in a range of Premium accommodations, including an unforgettable night on a houseboat.
PRIVATE TOUR: See the best of the Indian Ocean. Discover grand temples, intricate ruins and a rich, intriguing culture combined with beautiful gardens and leafy wildlife parks in spectacular Sri Lanka. Then, breathtaking beaches and idyllic pleasures are waiting to be experienced in stunning Maldives.