Inspiration
India: The Journey of a Lifetime
From sacred rivers to palace hotels and spice-scented markets to mirror-lined forts, India stirs every sense. It’s a place of contrasts: ancient and modern, peaceful and chaotic, astonishing at every turn.
India in full colour
This extraordinary journey takes you through some of the country’s most iconic cities and landscapes, from the capital’s colonial grandeur to the deserts of Rajasthan and the beaches of Goa, with every stop offering new insight into India’s remarkable depth, spirit and style.
- New Delhi
- Agra
- Jaipur
- Jodhpur
- Jawai Bandh
- Udaipur
- Goa
- Mumbai
Pauline Duffin
Pauline specialises in designing highly-personalised adventures, guided by her decades of travel expertise. With a focus on India, South East Asia and South America and a deep love of African safaris, she's renowned for her finely-tuned ability to create experiences that reflect your unique interests.
New Delhi
Fly overnight from the UK and arrive in Delhi, India’s dynamic capital, where history combines with modern-day momentum in a swirl of culture, colour and chaos. Spend the rest of the day recovering from the journey, perhaps with a walk through the hotel’s peaceful gardens or a restorative treatment at the spa.
The next day is your introduction to Delhi’s two halves. Begin in Old Delhi, where you’ll visit the vast Jama Masjid, ride a rickshaw through Chandni Chowk’s winding alleyways and pass by the Red Fort, a former stronghold of Mughal power.
Later, cross into the colonial avenues of New Delhi to see the elegant Humayun’s Tomb, the towering Qutub Minar and the 1,500-year-old Iron Pillar – an impressive example of ancient metallurgy that remains rust-free to this day.
Agra
After breakfast, journey south to Agra: once the heart of the Mughal Empire and home to two of its greatest architectural achievements. Check in to your room, where your balcony could open to a direct view of the Taj Mahal.
Spend the afternoon exploring Agra Fort, a vast sandstone citadel overlooking the Yamuna River.
As evening falls, make your way to the Taj Mahal. Commissioned by Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz, this perfectly proportioned marble masterpiece is breathtaking in any light but sunset brings out its most romantic glow.
A Sunset Visit to the Taj Mahal
Few moments in travel compare to watching the sun set over the Taj Mahal. As the light softens and the crowds thin, this timeless symbol of love seems to glow from within, its white marble shifting through blush pinks and dusky golds. Your private guide will lead you through the formal gardens and along the reflecting pools, sharing the story of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal: a tale of devotion carved into every surface. Take your time to admire the intricate inlay work up close, then step back to take in the symmetry, the silence and the sheer wonder of it all.
Jaipur
Leave Agra behind and travel west to Jaipur, with a stop en route at Fatehpur Sikri. This once-thriving Mughal capital is now a beautifully preserved ghost city, filled with palaces, courtyards and the white marble tomb of Saint Salim Chishti. A city of rose-tinted buildings, intricate facades and buzzing bazaars, Jaipur is colourful, characterful and full of charm.
The following day, begin with a visit to Amber Fort, a fairy-tale palace rising from the hills. You’ll travel up by jeep and explore its mirror-tiled halls, mural-lined walls and peaceful courtyards with views over the surrounding countryside. Later, stop for a photo outside the Hawa Mahal – the famed Palace of Winds – before continuing to the City Palace and Jantar Mantar observatory.
Spend your final day here at your own pace. Shop for jewellery and textiles in the markets, try a cooking class or unwind at the hotel – Jaipur’s magic is just as easy to enjoy slowly.
Jodhpur
Take the early train west into the desert to reach Jodhpur, known as the Blue City for its sea of painted houses beneath the looming Mehrangarh Fort.
Spend the following day exploring the fort, perched high on a sandstone ridge. Inside its thick walls, you’ll find a maze of richly decorated rooms, ornate courtyards and sweeping views across the city.
Nearby, visit the white marble cenotaphs of Jaswant Thada before diving into the colourful chaos of the Clock Tower Market. There’s time to sample Jodhpur’s famous lassi or pick up some local spices and textiles.
Jawai Bandh
Leave the city behind as you drive south to the wild landscapes of Jawai. Surrounded by granite hills and scrub forest, this region is best known for its thriving leopard population and the rare chance to spot them in a truly off-the-beaten-track setting.
Over the next two days, head out on guided game drives in customised jeeps, led by expert trackers who know the land inside out.
Early mornings and late afternoons offer the best chances to spot leopards, as well as hyena, jackal and an incredible variety of birdlife. Between drives, relax at the camp with a long lunch, a swim or a sundowner by the fire.
Udaipur
After a final morning game drive, continue your journey to Udaipur. The road winds through the Aravalli Hills, offering glimpses of rural life before arriving in India’s most romantic city. Set on the shores of Lake Pichola and surrounded by mountains, Udaipur is all white-washed walls, ornate palaces and mirror-still water.
Spend your time here discovering the city’s highlights at a relaxed pace. Visit the City Palace, a maze of courtyards, balconies and stained-glass rooms with sweeping views of the lake. Step inside Jagdish Temple and wander through Sahelion Ki Bari – a garden built for royal women, filled with fountains and lotus pools.
In the evening, take a private boat ride on Lake Pichola as the sun begins to set and the city lights flicker to life.
Goa
Fly south to Goa, swapping palaces and desert landscapes for golden beaches and swaying palms. After the sensory richness of Rajasthan, this is your time to slow down, reset and soak up the sunshine.
Spend your days however you please – perhaps with a morning yoga session, a swim in the Arabian Sea or a seafood lunch on the sand.
If you feel like exploring, there are local spice plantations, colonial churches and colourful markets nearby. But really, this part of the trip is all about taking a deep breath and enjoying the stillness before your final stop.
Mumbai
Spend your time exploring this fast-paced, fascinating city. Highlights include the ornate Jain temples, the sea-linked Haji Ali shrine and the chaotic brilliance of Dhobi Ghat, where Mumbai’s laundry is scrubbed and hung in neat, rhythmic lines. There’s also time to wander Crawford Market, visit Gandhi’s former home and admire colonial architecture on Marine Drive.
Your final full day could include a visit to the city’s historic synagogues, the Sassoon Docks and the beautiful Bhau Daji Lad Museum.
Afterwards, return to the hotel for a last dinner with a view before your Club World flight back to London the next day.
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