India: See & Experience it all in 17 days, Luxury Tour

Begin your India tour in Amritsar, home to one of the world’s most visited pilgrimage sites. This northern city is the spiritual center of the Sikh religion and is best known for the colorful Golden Temple. Amritsar’s proximity to the Indian-Pakistani border adds unique cultural and historic significance.

In the evening, visit the Golden Temple, whose complex is surrounded by a sacred pool and features a golden facade beautifully lit at night. Watch the religious rituals and experience the spiritual atmosphere.

Spend a free morning in Amritsar before returning to the Golden Temple in the afternoon. Witness the preparation of meals that feed an estimated 100,000 pilgrims each day, touring the kitchen, cleaning, and dining areas.

Next, visit the Indian-Pakistani border to see the “Beating the Retreat” ceremony, an energetic display of military showmanship. Watch soldiers from India and Pakistan lower their flags in a dramatic and patriotic spectacle, accompanied by enthusiastic crowds.

Start the day with a flight to Varanasi, India’s holiest city, located on the banks of the Ganges River. In the afternoon, walk along the ghats, where open-air cremation ceremonies often take place. As the sun sets, witness the Aarti ritual, a Hindu ceremony of fire, chanting, and prayer performed by spiritual leaders.

Spend the day exploring Varanasi before flying to Delhi in the evening. Start the morning with a private boat ride along the Ganges River, likely passing by cremation ceremonies. Next, visit Kashi Vishwanath Temple, one of Hinduism’s most important shrines.

In the afternoon, travel to Sarnath, where Buddha gave his first sermon after enlightenment. Explore a stupa, the ruins of ancient monasteries, an archaeological museum, and an 80-foot-tall Buddha statue.

Begin the day at Jama Masjid, one of Asia’s largest mosques. Ride rickshaws through the narrow lanes of Chandni Chowk, famous for its spice markets and street food stalls. Next, tour the Red Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that once housed Mughal emperors.

Continue to Akshardham Temple, a vast modern complex with intricate carvings, then visit the historic stepwell Ugrasen ki Baoli. End the day at Gurdwara Bangla Sahib, one of Delhi’s most important Sikh temples.

Fly from Delhi to Kochi, then drive into the lush mountains to the town of Munnar. Along the way, stop at a chocolate factory to sample its offerings. After checking in at the hotel, visit Goproad viewpoint to watch the sunset over the rolling mountains.

Before dawn, set out on a 4x4 safari to Kolukkumalai, the world’s highest tea plantation, and witness a dramatic sunrise above the clouds. The likelihood of seeing this majestic cloud formation is highest in August and September. Next, visit Eravikulam National Park, home to the endangered Nilgiri tahr.

Continue with a tour of the Lockhart Tea Factory, including samples of its popular teas, followed by a stroll through the surrounding tea estates and the Lockhart Estate fields. End the day at the Government Botanical Garden, watching the sun set over manicured landscapes.

Spend the morning exploring Fort Kochi, once a hub for Portuguese, Dutch, and British traders. Walk along Princess Street, lined with colonial houses, and visit Saint Francis Church, the oldest European church in India. See the iconic Chinese fishing nets, a centuries-old method of catching fish still in use today, and visit Santa Cruz Basilica to admire its vibrant murals.

In the evening, fly back to Delhi and travel by land to the city of Agra.

At sunrise, tour the Taj Mahal, India’s most iconic monument, built by Emperor Shah Jahan for his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Next, visit the Red Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, followed by Itmad-ud-Daula, also known as the “Baby Taj” for its detailed marble inlay.

Take photos of the Taj Mahal from across the river at Mehtab Bagh. In the evening, attend a theater show at the Kalakriti Cultural Center, which recounts the love story that inspired the Taj Mahal.

Travel by road from Agra to Ranthambore National Park, once a royal hunting ground and now famous for Bengal tigers, deer, monkeys, and marsh crocodiles. After a 4x4 safari, continue to the city of Jaipur, also known as the Pink City.

Begin the morning with a photo stop at Hawa Mahal. Next, tour Amber Fort and see its grand courtyards and hilltop views. Stop to take photos of Jal Mahal, a palace floating on water. Continue to the City Palace for an in-depth guided tour.

Next and nearby, visit the astronomical instruments at Jantar Mantar, an 18th-century astronomical observatory. Then visit the Albert Hall Museum, whose Indo-Saracenic architecture makes it one of Jaipur’s most striking landmarks. End the day watching the sunset from Nahargarh Fort. Its views over Jaipur are quite nice.

Check out in the morning and fly from Jaipur to Jaisalmer, known as the Golden City for its yellow sandstone that glows at sunset. Begin a walking tour at Chandraprabhu Jain Temple, decorated with detailed carvings. Explore the lavish Nathmal and Patwa Havelis, once mansions of wealthy merchants and now historic homes.

Next, stop for sweeping views over the city. In the evening, drive out of town for a camel ride in the desert, watching the sunset before returning to Jaisalmer.

Travel by road from Jaipur to Jodhpur, known as the Blue City. Upon arrival, tour Mehrangarh Fort, which rises 400 feet above the city and contains ornate palaces and galleries. It is one of the largest forts in India. Next, visit the white marble cenotaph at Jaswant Thada, a historic museum.

Continue to Umaid Bhawan Palace, part residence and part museum. Finish the day by visiting the stepwell Toorji Ka Jhalra and exploring the nearby clock tower market area.

Leave Jodhpur and first visit Chandraprabhu Jain Temple, known for its incredibly ornate carvings. Continue to the city of Udaipur, often called the City of Lakes. In the evening, stop at Fateh Sagar Lake to take photos of the scenery.

Take a cable car up to Karni Mata Temple. End the day watching the sunset across Udaipur’s palaces and lakes.

Start the morning with a boat ride on Lake Pichola, where palaces rise directly from the water, including Jagmandir Island Palace. After the boat tour, visit the City Palace, one of India’s finest.

Later in the afternoon, enjoy a traditional massage at a local spa before flying back to Delhi.

Start the day with a visit to Humayun’s Tomb, a 16th-century masterpiece that inspired the design of the Taj Mahal. Next, visit Qutub Minar, the world’s tallest brick minaret, set among medieval ruins and intricately carved stone pillars. Both monuments offer a glimpse into the grandeur of India’s imperial past.

The tour ends today. Transportation is arranged to take you to the airport in Delhi.