Itinerary
- Day 1
Delhi
You'll arrive in Delhi and get settled at your hotel. If you make it by 4pm, meet your tour leader at 5pm for an orientation before heading to Hanuman's Temple to watch the evening prayers. From there, wander through Connaught Place checking out the shops and street food vendors, then sit down for a traditional Rajasthani welcome dinner. If you're arriving later, don't worry—your leader will fill you in tomorrow.
- Meals
- Dinner (Traditional Rajasthani welcome meal)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (The Metropolitan Hotel & Spa), Hotel (The Metropolitan Hotel & Spa (or similar))
Included Activities
- Walk to Hanuman's Temple for evening prayer rituals
- Explore Connaught Place colonial hub
- Traditional Rajasthani welcome meal
Optional Activities
- Airport transfer from New Delhi Indira Gandhi Airport (available for additional fee or complimentary with pre-tour accommodation through Explore)
Landmarks Hanuman's Temple Connaught Place New Delhi Indira Gandhi Airport 
- Day 2
Delhi
Start with a relaxed morning, then connect with guides from the Salaam Balak Trust, a nonprofit helping street and working children. You'll walk through Old Delhi and Chandni Chowk while they share their personal stories and local history, and you'll try vegetarian street food along the way. This afternoon, head to the quieter New Delhi area to see Humayun's Tomb with its intricate Mughal architecture, then drive past India Gate and the President's Palace.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (The Metropolitan Hotel & Spa), Hotel (The Metropolitan Hotel & Spa (or similar))
Included Activities
- Walking tour of Old Delhi and Chandni Chowk with Salaam Balak Trust guides
- Vegetarian street food sampling
- Visit Humayun's Tomb
- Drive past India Gate
- Drive past President's Palace
Landmarks Old Delhi Chandni Chowk Humayun's Tomb India Gate President's Palace - Day 3
Delhi to Agra
Head south from Delhi toward Agra, stopping at the Wildlife SOS Elephant Conservation and Care Centre just outside the city. You'll learn about their elephant rescue work through a short presentation, then watch staff and volunteers feeding, bathing, or walking the animals from a respectful distance. Continue to Agra and visit Itmad-ud-Daulah, called the 'Baby Taj', where you'll see detailed marble inlay work and precious stones throughout.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Clarks Shiraz), Hotel (Hotel Clarks Shiraz (or similar))
Included Activities
- Visit Wildlife SOS Elephant Conservation and Care Centre
- Presentation about elephant rehabilitation
- Observe elephants in habitat
- Visit Itmad-ud-Daulah (Baby Taj)
Landmarks Wildlife SOS Elephant Conservation and Care Centre Itmad-ud-Daulah - Day 4
Agra
Rise early to watch the Taj Mahal at sunrise as the marble changes color with the light. Emperor Shah Jahan built this for his wife Mumtaz using 20,000 workers and intricate marble inlay. After breakfast back at your hotel, explore Agra Fort on UNESCO's World Heritage List, built by Emperor Akbar and later enhanced by Shah Jahan. Then drive 1.5 hours to Dholpur for a 2-night stay, relaxing before high tea with a local speaker discussing the Chambal River and its famous Dacoits.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (High tea at heritage property with local speaker)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Raj Niwas Palace), Hotel (Raj Niwas Palace (or similar))
Included Activities
- Visit Taj Mahal at sunrise
- Return to hotel for breakfast
- Visit Agra Fort
- High tea at property with local speaker
Landmarks Taj Mahal Agra Fort Chambal Sanctuary - Day 5
Dholpur (Chambal Sanctuary)
Early morning boat safari on the Chambal River looking for gharials, mugger crocodiles, soft-shell turtles, and Gangetic river dolphins. Over 300 bird species live in this sanctuary. Back at the hotel for an afternoon rest, then a late afternoon jeep safari through the Chambal Ravines where the dramatic landscape once sheltered India's famous Dacoits.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Raj Niwas Palace), Hotel (Raj Niwas Palace (or similar))
Included Activities
- Motorboat safari on Chambal River
- Jeep safari through Chambal Ravines
Landmarks Chambal River Chambal Ravines - Day 6
Dholpur to Jaipur
Head west toward Jaipur, stopping at Chand Baori Stepwell in Abhaneri. This 1,000-year-old structure features geometric patterns and thousands of steps dropping 30 meters to the water—it once served as a year-round resource for locals. Stop for lunch along the way, then arrive in Jaipur early evening and check into a 1928 heritage hotel that was formerly a Maharaja's palace. The evening is yours to settle in and relax.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Narain Niwas Palace), Hotel (Hotel Narain Niwas Palace (or similar))
Included Activities
- Visit Chand Baori Stepwell
- Stop for lunch
Landmarks Chand Baori Stepwell 
- Day 7
Jaipur
After a leisurely breakfast, head up to Amber Fort perched on a hill with impressive views over Jaipur and glimpses into 18th-century Maharaja life. Return to the Old City for a heritage walk. The rest of the day is open—browse the bazaars, use the hotel facilities, or join an optional cooking class with a local family this afternoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hotel Narain Niwas Palace), Hotel (Hotel Narain Niwas Palace (or similar))
Included Activities
- Visit Amber Fort
- Heritage walk of Old City
Optional Activities
- Optional cooking demonstration with a local family
Landmarks Amber Fort Old City, Jaipur 
- Day 8
Jaipur to Shahpura
Spend the morning exploring more of Jaipur at City Palace with its collections of textiles, costumes, and historical armoury. Next, visit Jantar Mantri, the 1734 star-gazing observatory built by astronomer Maharajah Jai Singh, then see the iconic Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds). Travel 1-2 hours to Shahpura with an optional village walk to shop for pottery, leather goods, or bangles. Afternoon at the impressive 300-year-old heritage palace with Indian and Mughal architecture plus a swimming pool. Evening includes a group dinner with traditional folk dancers performing.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Group dinner with traditional folk dancers performing)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Shahpura Haveli), Hotel (Shahpura Haveli (or similar))
Included Activities
- Visit City Palace
- Visit Jantar Manta observatory
- View Hawa Mahal
- Evening group dinner with traditional folk dancers
Optional Activities
- Short walk around village of Shahpura to shop for pottery, leather goods, or traditional bangles
Landmarks City Palace Jantar Manta Hawa Mahal Shahpura 
- Day 9
Shahpura to Delhi
After a relaxed morning, head back to Delhi on a 4-5 hour drive, arriving by late afternoon. Check into your hotel near the airport and walking distance from the Metro. The rest of the afternoon is free—unwind by the pool or do some last-minute shopping in Delhi.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Pride Aerocity), Hotel (Pride Aerocity (or similar))
- Day 10
Delhi
Your tour ends at the Delhi hotel with no activities scheduled. You're free to depart whenever you'd like. If your flight leaves later in the day, the hotel can store your luggage.
Optional Activities
- Airport transfer to Delhi Airport (available for additional fee or complimentary with post-tour accommodation through Explore)
Landmarks Delhi Airport
