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2026

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Who is travelling?

Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

0

Essence of India (Small Groups, End Mumbai, With South India Extension)

16 days
From Delhi to Mumbai
5.0
1 traveler review

No departure dates available

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Plan your adventure:
Explorer
Curated to ignite your sense of adventure
Fully Guided
An experienced guide will be with you for the entire tour
Low Intensity
Travelers can expect some light physical activities
Guided in English
Group Size 20 - 40
All Ages Welcome
Image of a map showing the route of the tour

Itinerary

  1. Day 1

    Delhi

    Meals
    Dinner (Fine cuisine at your hotel as the sun sets over Delhi)
    Accommodation
    Hotel (The Leela Palace, Delhi.), Hotel (The Claridges New Delhi)
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2Itinerary Image 3
  2. Day 2

    Delhi

    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at Qutub Minar), Dinner
    Accommodation
    Hotel (The Leela Palace, Delhi.), Hotel (The Claridges New Delhi)

    Included Activities

    • Visit Red Fort and Jama Masjid
    • Rickshaw ride through Chandni Chowk
    • Visit Sikh temple and community kitchen
    • View President's Palace, India Gate, and Parliament House

    Optional Activities

    • Culinary walk in Old Delhi with renowned chef
    • Visit 12th-century Qutub Minar
    Landmarks
    Red Fort
    Jama Masjid
    Qutub Minar
    Chandni Chowk
    India Gate
    Parliament House
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2Itinerary Image 3
  3. Day 3

    Agra

    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Accommodation
    Hotel (Taj Hotel and Convention Centre, Agra.)

    Included Activities

    • Visit Agra Fort and Musamman Burj

    Optional Activities

    • Mughal Heritage Walk
    • High tea at private colonial bungalow with local family
    Landmarks
    Agra Fort
    Musamman Burj
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2Itinerary Image 3
  4. Day 4

    Agra - Bharatpur - Ranthambore

    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch in Bharatpur), Dinner
    Accommodation
    Hotel (Nahargarh Ranthambore.)

    Included Activities

    • Sunrise visit to Taj Mahal
    • Jan Shatabdi Express train to Ranthambore
    Landmarks
    Taj Mahal
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2Itinerary Image 3
  5. Day 5

    Ranthambore

    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Accommodation
    Hotel (Nahargarh Ranthambore.)

    Included Activities

    • Tiger safari at Ranthambore National Park with expert naturalist
    • Explore lakes, palace ruins, Chhatri pavilions, fortifications and 1,000-year-old fort
    Landmarks
    Ranthambore National Park
    Itinerary Image 1
  6. Day 6

    Ranthambore - Jaipur

    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
    Accommodation
    Hotel (Taj Devi Ratn, Jaipur.)
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2Itinerary Image 3
  7. Day 7

    Jaipur

    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Dinner in the elegant surroundings of 1135 AD, one of Jaipur's most revered local restaurants, offering fine Indian dining with opulent royal interiors and stunning sunset views with traditional music)
    Accommodation
    Hotel (Taj Devi Ratn, Jaipur.)

    Included Activities

    • Special blessing ceremony at Amber Fort

    Optional Activities

    • Visit workshop of highly skilled artisans
    • Workshop on block printing and blue pottery
    Landmarks
    Amber Fort
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2Itinerary Image 3
  8. Day 8

    Jaipur

    Meals
    Breakfast, Afternoon Tea (VIP Indian high tea at The City Palace on the regal terrace with views of the spectacular handcrafted crystal table by René Lalique), Dinner

    Included Activities

    • City tour of Jaipur
    • VIP Indian high tea at The City Palace

    Optional Activities

    • Pink rickshaw ride to spice market and flower market
    • Visit Birla Mandir to witness Aarti ceremony
    Landmarks
    City Palace
    Birla Mandir
  9. Day 9

    Kochi

    Meals
    Breakfast
    Accommodation
    Hotel (Crowne Plaza)
  10. Day 10

    Kochi

    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch (Colorful feast of traditional Kerala home cooking), Dinner
    Accommodation
    Hotel (Crowne Plaza)

    Included Activities

    • Visit Paradesi Synagogue
    • Visit Portuguese Mattancherry Palace
    • Traditional Kerala cooking class with local instructor
    • Kathakali dance performance
    Landmarks
    Paradesi Synagogue
    Mattancherry Palace
  11. Day 11

    Kumarakom - Alleppey

    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch (Gourmet lunch onboard houseboat), Dinner
    Accommodation
    Hotel (Coconut Lagoon - CGH Earth Resort)

    Included Activities

    • Private waterwheel houseboat cruise on Alleppey backwaters
    • Gourmet lunch onboard houseboat
    Itinerary Image 1
  12. Day 12

    Kumarakom

    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at a local's home in Vaikom Village), Dinner
    Accommodation
    Hotel (Coconut Lagoon - CGH Earth Resort)

    Included Activities

    • Bird-watching tour at Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary
    • Guided boat tour through Vaikom village canals
    • Weaving experience with pineapple leaves or coconut husks
    • Lunch with local resident in Vaikom village
    Landmarks
    Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary
    Vaikom Village
  13. Day 13

    Kumarakom

    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Fresh, local seafood)
    Accommodation
    Hotel (Coconut Lagoon - CGH Earth Resort)

    Optional Activities

    • Yoga class
    • 30-minute body massage
    • 15-minute foot massage
  14. Day 14

    Kochi - Mumbai

    Meals
    Breakfast
    Accommodation
    Hotel (The Oberoi, Mumbai.)
  15. Day 15

    Mumbai

    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Indian cuisine with toasts to your journey and shared memories)
    Accommodation
    Hotel (The Oberoi, Mumbai.)

    Included Activities

    • Dabbawalla lunchbox delivery service experience
    • Cruise to Elephanta Island
    • Visit cave temples at Elephanta Island
    Landmarks
    Elephanta Island
  16. Day 16

    Mumbai

    Meals
    Breakfast

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What's Included

Expand All
  • Accommodation
  • Guide
  • Meals
  • Additional Services
  • Transport

What's Not Included

  • Flights
  • Insurance
  • Optional
  • Additional Services

Where You'll Stay

All accommodations are subject to change

Operated by

Luxury Gold

Gold Operator
Rating
4.3(32 reviews)
Response time
4 hours
Response rate
100%
Cancellation policy

Traveler Reviews

5.0
Overall rating based on 1 Reviews

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  • Essence of India (Small Groups, End Mumbai, With South India Extension) reviewer 1
    March 7th, 2019
    India is a destination I would have not gone to on my own. I felt extremely comfortable with my group of like minded...
    Show more
    Traveled in December 2018
    Reply from: Luxury Gold
    We are delighted to learn that your experience on the Essence of India guided holiday exceeded all your expectations. We are very proud to hear about the professionalism shown by our staff throughout your time with us. Furthermore, we are very happy to have been given the opportunity to host you and we hope that you were able to take in all the wonderful sights of India.
    Show more

Dates & Availability

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2026

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2027

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2028

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
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Dec
1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

0
Upcoming departures
  • From Friday
    2 Oct, 2026
    To Saturday
    17 Oct, 2026
    This departure date is not available or sold out
    Sold out
    From:
    US $8,548 per person
    Additional Upfront
    $577
  • From Monday
    2 Nov, 2026
    To Tuesday
    17 Nov, 2026
    This departure date is not available or sold out
    Sold out
    From:
    US $8,773 per person
    Additional Upfront
    $577
  • From Friday
    27 Nov, 2026
    To Saturday
    12 Dec, 2026
    This departure date is not available or sold out
    Sold out
    From:
    US $8,548 per person
    Additional Upfront
    $577
  • From Friday
    11 Dec, 2026
    To Saturday
    26 Dec, 2026
    This departure date is not available or sold out
    Sold out
    From:
    US $8,718 per person
    Additional Upfront
    $577
  • From Saturday
    9 Jan, 2027
    To Sunday
    24 Jan, 2027
    This departure date is not available or sold out
    Sold out
    From:
    US $8,548 per person
    Additional Upfront
    $577
  • From Friday
    22 Jan, 2027
    To Saturday
    6 Feb, 2027
    This departure date is not available or sold out
    Sold out
    From:
    US $8,548 per person
    Additional Upfront
    $577
  • From Friday
    5 Feb, 2027
    To Saturday
    20 Feb, 2027
    This departure date is not available or sold out
    Sold out
    From:
    US $8,548 per person
    Additional Upfront
    $577
  • From Friday
    19 Feb, 2027
    To Saturday
    6 Mar, 2027
    This departure date is not available or sold out
    Sold out
    From:
    US $8,548 per person
    Additional Upfront
    $577
  • From Friday
    5 Mar, 2027
    To Saturday
    20 Mar, 2027
    This departure date is not available or sold out
    Sold out
    From:
    US $8,548 per person
    Additional Upfront
    $577
  • From Monday
    15 Mar, 2027
    To Tuesday
    30 Mar, 2027
    This departure date is not available or sold out
    Sold out
    From:
    US $8,773 per person
    Additional Upfront
    $577
  • From Saturday
    3 Apr, 2027
    To Sunday
    18 Apr, 2027
    This departure date is not available or sold out
    Sold out
    From:
    US $8,548 per person
    Additional Upfront
    $577
  • 10 Other Unavailable Departures

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Download this tour’s PDF brochure and start tour planning offline

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Can’t find the answer to your question?
Reach out to the experts at Luxury Gold with your enquiry, they usually respond within 4 hours.

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Good to Know

Tour ID: 265905

  • Currency
    Indian Rupee
    India
  • Plugs & Adapters

  • Vaccines
    • These are only indications, so please visit your doctor before you travel to be 100% sure.
    • Typhoid - Recommended for India. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
    • Hepatitis A - Recommended for India. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
    • Cholera - Recommended for India. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
    • Tuberculosis - Recommended for India. Ideally 3 months before travel.
    • Hepatitis B - Recommended for India. Ideally 2 months before travel.
    • Yellow fever - Certificate of vaccination required if arriving from an area with a risk of yellow fever transmission for India. Ideally 10 days before travel.
    • Japanese B encephalitis - Recommended for India. Ideally 1 month before travel.
  • Visa
    • Unfortunately we cannot offer you a visa application service. Whether you need a visa or not depends on your nationality and where you wish to travel. Assuming your home country does not have a visa agreement with the country you're planning to visit, you will need to apply for a visa in advance of your scheduled departure.
    • Here is an indication for which countries you might need a visa. Please contact the local embassy for help applying for visas to these places.
  • Payment information
    • For any tour departing before August 4th, 2026 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after August 4th, 2026, a minimum payment of $350 is required to confirm your booking with Luxury Gold. The final payment will be automatically charged to your credit card on the designated due date. The final payment of the remaining balance is required at least 95 days prior to the departure date of your tour. TourRadar never charges you a booking fee and will charge you in the stated currency.
    • Some departure dates and prices may vary and Luxury Gold will contact you with any discrepancies before your booking is confirmed.
    • The following cards are accepted for "Luxury Gold" tours: Visa, Maestro, Mastercard, American Express or PayPal. TourRadar does NOT charge you an extra fee for using any of these payment methods.
  • Cancellation Policy
  • Accessibility
    Some tours are not suitable for mobility-restricted traveler, however, some operators may be able to accommodate special requests. For any enquiries, you can contact our customer support team, who are ready and waiting to help you.

Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

0

Select departure month

2026

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2027

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2028

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec