Taj and Tigers Private India Tour

A la Carte Optional Extras

Deli - Street Photography

Street photography is where is get the real pulse of the place, and on this tour you would be accompanied by a photographer who is a master at capturing street life. You should expect to get close to your subjects.

This tour lasts 3 hours.

Price per person: From £155

A la Carte Optional Extras

Sky-deck Breakfast overlooking Taj Mahal

The Sky deck at the top of the Gateway Hotel offers a rare opportunity to witness the changing colours of the majestic Taj Mahal with every passing hour. You can marvel at the breathtaking view with a sumptuous breakfast. What a great way to start the day. As they say “Here the main course is the Taj Mahal, and everything else is a side dish”. Breakfast is available 7-9am.

Price Per Person: From £50

A la Carte Optional Extras

Private Jeep Tiger Safari

Upgrade to your own Jeep for the Tiger Safaris so you can go at your own pace and enjoy the peace of your own safari

Price per Person: From £255

A la Carte Optional Extras

Private Walking Tour: Evening Bazaar & Traditional Crafts of Jaipur

From its creation in 1727 the royal families and nobles of Jaipur patronised the craftsmen and artisans of the city. These traditions continue to this day and as a result Jaipur is considered by many as the craft capital of India. Traditional methods are still used to produce many valuable and highly prized items. Using skills passed down through generations, artisans and master craftsmen can be seen in the areas of Ghat Darwaza and Vishveshwar ji.

On this fascinating evening walk mingle and talk with the locals whilst sampling some of the regions culinary delights; try pakoras, aloo tiki, samosa and sweets from some of the city’s most popular street food vendors. Observe local artisans in their workshops; jewellers and silversmiths, gold and silver foil makers. This is a 2 1/2 hr walking tour.

Price per person: From £35

Private Walking Tour of Temples & Havelis of Old Jaipur

Join us on this walking tour of Jaipur; a unique way to explore the living traditions of the city. Experience the religious life of local communities by visiting colorful temples, interact with residents over tea and snacks in their home and discover some of the architectural wonders of this fascinating aspect of Jaipur.

This walk has been carefully designed to offer a rewarding and enriching experience for our guests. Uncovering some of the best kept secrets of the walled city of Jaipur we take pride in sharing a warm association with the resident artisans, shop owners, temple priests and local citizens, so that you have a genuinely interactive experience getting to meet the residents and as a result gain an insight into traditional ways of life. This walking tour lasts 2 1/2 hrs.

Price Per Person: From £35

A la Carte Optional Extras

Hot Air Ballooning over Jaipur

Proceed for Hot Air Ballooning Safari over the beautiful city of Jaipur (subject to weather condition). Arrive and welcome by the team with light refreshments whilst you witness the exhilarating sight of the Balloon being inflated.

After a small briefing session, you will guided to Balloon basket. Glide through the sky as your pilot varies the altitude during the flight to offer you a sneak peak into daily life and hidden treasures of Jaipur city.

The Balloon ride is at sunrise and lasts about an hour. There could be up to 20 people in the Hot Air Balloon, and the route will vairy according to the weather conditions.

Price per person: From £200

A la Carte Optional Extras

Extend to Stay in Romantic Udaipur

After the hustle and bustle of India a 2 night stay at Udaipur at the Taj Lake Palace in a Luxury room is a haven of peace and tranquillity for relaxation and indulgence.

Day 9

Take a direct flight from Jaipur to Udaipur to overnight in your luxury lake view room.

Day 10

Today you have a private sightseeing tour of Udaipur. The City Palace is an enormous building which stands on a ridge on the shores of Lake Pichola. Take the entrance through the Elephant Gate along the main street of the old city and past the Jagdish Temple. The City Palace has superb paintings, mosaics, intricately carved chhatries, (domed shaped pavilions), to make this visit truly memorable.

The Crystal Gallery houses a unique and intriguing collection of crystal items of fountains, vases, crockery, furniture and bed.

Finally on the tour the Garden of the Maids of Honour, constructed for 48 young ladies in waiting who were sent to the royal house as part of a dowry, has extensive lawns and shady walks which hug the shores of the second lake in Udaipur.

This evening enjoy a private 45 minute sunset romantic boat cruise on Lake Pichola noted for its marble pavilion and imposing dome. You will also likely see people doing their laundry on the shores with the backdrop of the massive City Palace and old city.

Day 11

Breakfast followed by time at leisure before your private transfer to the airport for your flight to Delhi. Private transfer to your airport hotel to overnight

Day 12

Private Transfer to airport for flight home

Price Per Person: From £1,595 (Assuming no change in international flight costs)

Extend to add a stay in Mumbai & Goa

Extend your stay to include Goa, the Pearl of the Orient, and Mumbai with its famed Elephanta Cave Temples as well as the Gateway of India and Gandhi memorial.

Goa is famed for its sun-kissed white beaches, serene blue seas and the lush meandering streets

Mumbai in contrast has so many cultural sights with the Gateway of India, the Jain Temples and the evocative Tower of Silence, as well as the dramatic Elephanta Cave Temples and a museum dedicated to the “Father of the Nation” Gandhi.

Day 9

Fly to Mumbai from Jaipur and private transfer to your hotel.

Day 10

At the Gateway of India you will board the motor launch (shared boat with locals) to visit the famous Elephanta Caves with your private guide. The beautifully sculpted rock-cut temples are thought to have been created between 450 and 750 AD when the island was known as Fortress cirt. The Portuguese renamed it Elephanta because of a large stone elephant near the shore. The caves are reached by climbing 100 steps.

In the afternoon your private tour will continue starting at the Gateway of India, which was before the advent of air travel, the only gateway into India. It was built to commemorate the visit of King George and Queen Mary in 1911. First up will be the Hain Temples built of marble and dedicated to the first Jain Tirthankara.

Next up is the Tower of Silence, where the Parsis place their dead to eaten by the vultures and the Hanging Gardens built over Bombay reservoir. This is a fascinating place but don’t worry this is seem from a distance so is not unpleasant or upsetting. From here you have a panoramic view of the Marine Drive, often known as the Queen’s Necklace- known as such as the streetlights of the U Shaped road light up. At the Dhobi Ghats you will visit a huge open-air laundry before continuing to the Gandhi Memorial, the houses where he stayed. It is reserved as it was during his visits and the scenes of his life in photographs and models are of special interest.

Day 11

Breakfast and private transfer to airport to fly to Goa. Upon arrival you will met and transferred to your hotel.

Goa known as the Pearl of the Orient has a wonderful atmosphere which stems from its unique history, rich culture and some of the prettiest natural scenery that India has to offer.

Day 12 and Day 13

Magnificent temples, churches, old houses are waiting for you to self explore, though most people choose to spend their time enjoying its famed beaches and sea.

Day 14

Private Transfer to airport for your flight back to Delhi (Connecting via Mumbai). On arrival private transfer to airport hotel.

Day 15

Private Transfer to airport for flight home

Price Per Person: From £1,245 (Assuming no difference in international flights)

Extend to Visit Varanasi

Varanasi is Hinduism’s holiest city and a sacred place for a pilgrimage. The Ganges runs through a plethora of ghats (terraced steps on the river bank) and thousands of pilgrims gather here chanting and burning pyres. It is the most extraordinary and spiritual sight and nothing can quite prepare you for the wonderful experience of Varanasi !

Day 9

Take a private transfer to the airport for a very early flight from Jaipur to Varanasi.

Take a private evening boat ride on the River Ganges and witness the evening Aarti ceremony. The Ganga Aarti is a spectacular illuminated sight where hundreds throng to participate. In this ceremony offerings of lamps and flowers are made to to the river and you can watch hundreds of miniature lamps float along the river.

Day 10

Early morning you will take a private boat ride followed by a visit to Kashi-Vishwanath Temple, the most sacred of shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva, the patron deity of Varanassi. You will also stop to see Bharat Mata Mandir inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi, a unique temple dedicated to mother India.

In the afternoon you will visit Sarnath which is a major Buddhist Centre, and 1 of the 4 sites to visit as a Buddhist follower. Here Buddha, the Awakened One, delivered his first sermon here in the 6th Century, and you will visit dramatic monastery & stupa ruins from pre 12th Century when Muslim invaders sacked the area.

Day 11

Breakfast and morning at leisure prior to your private transfer to the airport for your flight to Delhi to overnight in airport hotel

Day 12 

Private transfer to airport for flight home

Price per person: From £865 (Assuming no difference in international flights)

A la Carte Optional Extras

Extend to Visit Nepal and see Mt Everest

Having come so far it makes sense to extend for a private tour of Kathmandu, as well as enjoy a dramatic mountain flight around Everest.

Dotted by medieval city squares, monasteries and temples Kathmandu has numerous World Heritage Sites, centuries old stupas and monasteries to experience centuries old civilization and architecture. The people are known for their hospitality and warm nature. Traditionally guests are to be treated as a god with uttermost respect and kindness.

Day 10

Fly to Kathmandu and private transfer to the Dwarika hotel. Afternoon at leisure.

Day 11

Private visit of Bhaktapur. Bhaktapur translates as city of devotees, and is the best preserved of the 3 main medieval cities in the valley. Indeed it contains some of the most breath-taking religious architecture in the entire country. The 3 major squares are Durbar Square, Taumadhi Square and Dattatreya Square studded with pagoda and shikhara style temples. Narrow stone paved streets snake through red brick houses leading to hidden temples.

You will find in this buzzy area artisans who continue the traditional works of weaving, pottery, puppet and mask making and wooden crafts, as well as locals gathering to bathe, socialise and collect water. Main attractions that you will see are the Golden Gate, Lion’s Gate, Mini Pashupati Temple, Nyatapola Temple, Bhairav Nath Temple

In the afternoon your private tour will continue with a visit to Kathmandu Durbar Square and Swayambhunath. Durbar, meaning Palace, is  where the kings were once crowned and ruled from. Here the charm of the old town blends with traditional architecture and has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1979. The massive complex has three main squares, home to palaces, temples and courtyards. In this area you will find the former Royal elephant stable, and the Temple of the Living Goddess, Kumari. Kumaari is a young girl chosen through an ancient and mystical selection to become the human incarnation of the Hindu Goddess Taleju, and if you are lucky you may get a glimpse of her peeking out of an elaborately carved wooden window.

Three temples were destroyed in the 2015 earthquake but the Hanuman Dhoka, the main entrance to the old royal palace and the Taleju Bhawani temples, the oldest of all the temples is situated in this area. Restoration is underway in this square.

Continue your private tour to Swayambhunath. This holy shrine is perched on top of a hill and visible from all sides of the valley for many miles. The Stupa is over 2,500 years old and it is surrounded by a variety of shrines and temples. The stupa has Buddha’s eyes and eyebrows painted on. Here you will have the unique chance to see Tibetan pilgrimages and listen to monks chanting prayers in their traditional clothes which for many is the highlight of their trip to Nepal.

During this day you will see restoration after the 2016 earthquake but Nepal is very much open to tourism, with many beautiful and spectacular places to see.

Day 12

Enjoy an early morning hour long scenic flight capturing the breathtaking scenery of the Himalayas where you will view stunning snow capped peaks including the highlight the inspiring Mount Everest. Fly over glaciers, lakes, rivers and gorges but do remember that this flight is only operated when the weather is good and visibility satisfactory.

Return for breakfast and a morning at leisure, until your private transfer to the airport for your flight to Delhi to overnight.

Day 13

Private Transfer to airport for your daytime flight to the UK

Price Per Person: From £1,045 (Assuming no change to your international flight costs)

Extend to visit South Kerala

Day 10

Private transfer to fly to Cochin from Delhi. On arrival private transfer to your hotel.

Cochin is a cluster of islands on the vast expanse of the Vembanad Lake. The Lake opens out into the Arabian sea here to form one of the finest natural harbours in the world. It is this natural advantage that has made Cochin a fascinating blend of the cultures and influences of explorers and traders. The Arabs, Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch, and the British have all left their mark here. The Jewish synagogue, the Dutch Palace, the Chinese fishing nets, and other remnants of European and Asian architecture merge smoothly into the traditional fabric of the seaport city.

Day 11

This morning your private guided tour will take you to see the Dutch Palace built in 1555 AD. Its interiors are decorated with murals from the Ramayana and there are some lively displays of royal costumes and palanquins. Continue to visit Jewish Synagogue built in 1568 AD. The Great Scrolls of the Old Testament, the copper plates in which the grants of privilege made by the Cochin rulers were recorded and the exquisite Chinese hand-painted tiles are well worth seeing.

Continue to see the Chinese Fishing Nets that line the sea-front and used at high tide. Finally visit St. Francis Church –  believed to be the oldest church built by the Europeans in India, built by the Portuguese in 1510 AD. It is here the remains of Vasco da Gamma were initially buried before his remains were taken to Portugal.

Afternoon at Leisure

Day 12

This morning you will be driven from Cochin to Munnar (@ 4 hrs) for a quiet and restful stay in amongst nature.

Snuggling in the green and serene Kannan Devan hills you will have panoramic views of low-flying clouds and mist filled valleys. It was opened up out of virgin forests a century ago by pioneering planters, and with its remote churches – gracious, stone-structures with ancient chandeliers and rosewood pews this is a little stop in heaven.

Rests of the day is at leisure to stroll in the Tea Estates.

Day 13

Today you will be driven to Periyar (@ 3-4 hrs drive). Periyar is a small town with a beautiful landscape of chains of hills and spice-scented plantations and is famous for the Periyar Wildlife Reserve. This region is home to bison, sambar, wild boar, langur, about 1000 elephants and 35 to 40 hard-to-spot tigers.

This afternoon you have the choice of a guided Nature walk with a local ranger inside the reserve for @ 2 1/2-3 hrs. Alternatively there is a guided walk in the Spice Gardens in the park for 1/2-2 hrs. (This is a shared experience with a maximum of 15 people)

Day 14

Start the day with a shared boat ride on the lake looking to spot elephants, antelopes, monkeys, bears or bison. Afterwards you will be driven (@ 4 hrs) to Alleppey to the houseboat, and for many the highlight of this extension.

Houseboats are also known as the Rice Boat, and is likely to be the most romantic ride you can ever have with an overnight stay on the boat.  Lake Vembanad is a backwater of rivers, lakes, bays, lagoons and canals extending into the villages.

This backwater journey through the narrow canals crossing exquisite villages of Kerala, with lush green paddy fields, tall coconut grooves makes it a spellbinding journey.

The boat anchors at night at a jetty and lunch and dinner will be served on board.

Day 15

Disembark from house boat and check in at Kumarakom, a veritable paradise called the ‘Venice of the East’. Palm fringed narrow canals wind through the vast expanse of paddy fields, and the neat tiny hamlets lined up along either side of the canals are a sight not to be forgotten. Kumarakom is Kerala’s heartland with the typical low slung country boats that carry everything from fish, rice and coconuts to the milkman or priests to wedding parties. This is the perfect relaxing end to your stay in India. Lie in a hammock on this lakeshore, and allow your senses to possess you.

Day 16

Private Transfer (@ 1 1/2 hrs) to Cochin for your flight to Delhi. Private Transfer to the hotel.

Day 17

Private Transfer to the airport for your flight home

Price per person: From £1,295 Standard Accommodation (Assuming no difference in international flights costs)
Price per person: From £1,695 Deluxe Accommodation (Assuming no difference in international flights costs)