India's most-loved itinerary, refined over thirty years. The classic seven-night triangle of Mughal capitals — Delhi, Agra and Jaipur — with elegant optional extensions for travellers who want more time.
Delhi for the Old & New, Agra for the Taj at dawn, Jaipur for the Pink City and Amber Fort — with proper time at each, not the rushed three-day version.
A traditional welcome at Indira Gandhi International — fresh marigold garlands, chilled water, a private air-conditioned car to your boutique heritage hotel in central Delhi.
Atithi devo bhava — the guest is an incarnation of God.
Morning at Humayun's Tomb — the Mughal mausoleum that quietly inspired the Taj — and Jama Masjid, India's largest mosque. A cycle-rickshaw through the spice lanes of Chandni Chowk.
Afternoon along Rajpath — India Gate, Rashtrapati Bhawan, Lutyens' broad colonial sweep — before Qutub Minar at golden hour.
The Yamuna Expressway south to Agra. Afternoon at Agra Fort — the red-sandstone seat from which Shah Jahan watched the Taj being built — and Itmad-ud-Daula, the so-called "Baby Taj."
Sunset from Mehtab Bagh, across the river — the Taj from the other side, the way Shah Jahan first imagined it.
The west gate opens at first light. Two hours with the Taj before the crowds — the marble shifting from blush to white as the sun rises over the Yamuna. Breakfast back at the hotel.
Onward to Jaipur via the abandoned Mughal capital of Fatehpur Sikri — Akbar's red sandstone city, deserted within fifteen years of its completion. Arrive Jaipur for dinner.
Morning at Amber Fort — the elephants, the Sheesh Mahal of mirrors, the views across Maota Lake. Afternoon at the City Palace, Jantar Mantar's stone astronomical instruments, and a photo stop at Hawa Mahal.
A blue-pottery workshop and a Rajasthani thali for supper — five vegetables, two breads, three sweets.
A free day. Bargain in the bazaars of Johari and Bapu, take a block-printing lesson at Sanganer, or simply linger over coffee at Bar Palladio. Optional add-ons: a hot-air balloon at dawn, a cooking class with a Rajput family, a private dinner at the 1135 AD restaurant inside Amber Fort.
A relaxed morning, then the drive back to Delhi via the Vande Bharat or the new expressway, your choice. Hotel for showers, supper, and a final goodbye.
Or — extend. See below.
The marigold farewell to T3 for your onward flight, or a connection on to one of the extensions on the next page.
Six elegant extensions, designed to slot before or after the core triangle. Add as many as your time allows; up to 21 nights total.
2 nights · the ghats, the aarti, dawn on the Ganga
The afternoon Ganga aarti by boat — bells, cymbals, synchronised flames against the river dark. A dawn boat downriver past the bathers, the laundry, the silent rituals. An afternoon at Sarnath, where the Buddha gave his first sermon.
2 nights · the lake city of Mewar
The marble courtyards of the City Palace, Jagdish Temple at dawn, a sunset boat across Lake Pichola. The white palaces, the herons, the sky pinking — easily the most romantic two nights in India.
2 nights · the cliff-top fort & tiger country
A cliff-top fort, ruined chhatris swallowed by jungle, and four jeep safaris in search of the Royal Bengal Tiger. Resorts hidden among the dhok trees; naturalist-led walks at dusk.
2 nights · the Chandela temples
The Chandela kings' carved sandstone temples — UNESCO World Heritage, a thousand years old, breathtaking and uninhibited. A stop at Orchha en route — the riverside cenotaphs and the Bundela palaces.
3 nights · the Himalayan summer capital
The Shatabdi to Kalka, then the UNESCO narrow-gauge climb into the British Raj's Himalayan summer capital. The Mall, Christ Church, Viceregal Lodge, and three nights of pine-forest air at 7,200 feet.
3 nights · houseboat on the backwaters
Fly south to Cochin — Portuguese churches, Chinese fishing nets, a Kathakali performance at dusk. Then a kettuvallam houseboat through the green Kerala backwaters, mooring at a different village every evening.
Mix and match. Common combinations include Triangle + Varanasi + Udaipur (12N), or the full sweep of Triangle + Ranthambore + Udaipur + Varanasi (15N).
A guaranteed weekly departure throughout the cool season. Choose the date that suits you; we run with two confirmed travellers or more.
7 nights · Delhi, Agra, Jaipur · boutique heritage stays
Extensions priced individually — see the section above. All prices in USD; based on a minimum of two travellers.
Two travellers minimum, sixteen maximum. The seven-night core is the same every week — extensions are added around your dates. A $500 booking fee secures your seat; balance due 60 days before departure.