Day 1

Flight to Delhi with major airline

United Kingdom

Day 2 - 3

Upon your arrival at Delhi International Airport, our team will be holding your name signage by “Cruise 1st and Perfect Travels” in the arrivals hall. You will be met and transferred to your Hotel for Check-in with welcome briefing. Our travel manager will then outline your wonderful itinerary ahead. Enjoy rest day at leisure. , Overnight stay in a hotel, Step-back in time and discover the glory of the great Mughal empire and British raj of India. Your own private guide will ensure you get an in-depth experience of these emblematic structures & traditions of the local culture. After Breakfast/Checkout you will be met by our expert Delhi Guide and our company Chauffeur, who will take you on a journey thru Old Delhi, founded as Shahjahanabad in 1639 as the capital Of the great Mughal Empire. Our first stop will be old walled-city of Delhi. We will visit the marvellous red-sandstoned Jama Masjid Mosque built by Mughal emperor and maker of taj mahal – Shah Jahan in 1644 AD showcasing finest indo-islamic architectures. Afterwards, we hop-on a traditional Rickshaw Ride tour exploring real life, tangy flavours and buzz of the old city thru maze-like streets of Asia’s oldest spice trading markets in Chandni Chowk. Our ride ends with a photo-stop outside the imperial residence of Mughal empire and UNESCO heritage site The Red Fort, built in 1638 and rumoured to have the decapitated bodies of prisoners built its foundations for luck. After tour we will drive (230 kms) to Agra aka the legacy city of Mughal-Empire and home of Taj Mahal (drive includes enroute stop for clean restrooms). Upon arrival our representative will meet you for Check-In at Hotel. Later, at the break of dusk special arrangements will be made for to visit the sacred Yamuna riverside – Mehtab Bagh Gardens for a picturesque Sunset Viewing of the Taj Mahal. Emperor Babur originally built it as the last in a series of 11 parks designed to protect the Taj from the erosive effects of the sand blown across the river and offers majestic sunset views of the great mausoleum as the gardens surrounding the Taj are perfectly aligned with the ones here. (BB)

Delhi

Day 3 - 5

Overnight stay in a hotel, At the break of dawn we will experience a sunrise grand tour of The Taj Mahal. You will be met by our expert Taj Mahal guide who will arrange eco-friendly pollution free vehicles for you to journey to the main gates of the Taj. Spanning an area of about 1,000 acres (400 hectares), this majestic architectural wonder offers incredible sights. Built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved third wife, Mumtaz Mahal, and combines Persian, Turkish and Indian architectural styles. On your guided tour, admire the structure’s magnificent construction, the intricate exterior and interior decor, the beautiful garden and the outlying red-sandstone buildings. Capture the changing faces of the Taj in different light conditions. Our expert guides will also help you find special vantage points for perfect photography moments of Taj. Afterward Taj tour we return back to hotel for Breakfast. Agra is the home to one of the Seven Wonders of the world - the Taj Mahal. The architectural splendour of the mausoleums, the fort and the palaces is vivid reminder of the opulence of the legendary Mughal empire, of which Agra was the capital in the 16th century. This heritage city is famed for world’s rarest artwork called Pietra-Dura aka marble inlay work using semi-precious stones. Today we will visit an authentic art-gallery to unfold this secret and see how it’s made. Later, we will journey through the old-cities traditional houses, British raj colonies and Mughal architectures to arrive at India’s finest Mughal fortress - The Red Fort of Agra. A UNESCO world heritage site and the imperial residence of 16th century rulers of ‘Mughal Dynasty’. This 34-hectare red sandstone fortress dates back to 1080 AD and has seen many battles and dynasties. Explore fusion of Hindu - Islamic influences on its construction as you walk inside the fort with your guide and learn about the different functions of the buildings including the Moti Masjid (Pearl Fort), Diwan-i-Khas (Hall of Private Audience), Diwan-i-Am (Hall of Public Audience), Sheesh Mahal (Mirror Palace) and much more. (BB), Today morning after Breakfast/Checkout you will be met and driven (240 km drive) by our company chauffeur to Jaipur, a historic pink washed city and gateway to India’s most flamboyant state - Rajasthan. (drive includes enroute stop for clean restrooms). Upon arrival you will be met by our travel manager for Check-in. Enjoy rest day at leisure (perhaps by the poolside or hotel spa treatments on your own). The picturesque capital of Rajasthan, Jaipur is awash in pink - the colour associated with hospitality in Rajput culture. Built in 1727 A.D. by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh JI, Jaipur displays a remarkable harmony and architectural splendour, most notably the renowned Palace of the Winds. The ancient heart of the Pink City still beats in its fairytale palaces, rugged fortresses perched on barren hills and broad avenues that dot the entire city. When it comes to antiques and traditional craft of India, locals head straight to Jaipur, being the best place to find rare gemstones, embroidered textiles, pure pashminas, silk carpets and more. Today - tomorrow we might get a chance to visit a govt licensed authentic art-gallery (visits by appointment only). (BB)

Agra

Day 5 - 7

Overnight stay in a hotel, Today join your guide for a heritage tour brief, then visit ancient & picturesque Amer, before enjoying a jeep safari to the walls of the Amber Fortress (16h Century), where magnificent hilltop views combine with UNESCO Heritage amid the many temples, halls and monuments. Afterwards drive to Jaipur centre and take a photo stop outside the Water Palace, Jal Mahal, en route to the Patrika Gates and Jantar Mantar, the ancient celestial observatory dating from 1728. From here we reach the City Palace & Museum of Jaipur before concluding your day with a Bazaar Walk and Tuk Tuk ride through the streets to the Palace of Winds, Hawa Mahal, After Breakfast/Checkout you will be met by our expert company chauffeur who will take you on a scenic journey to New Delhi (250 Km) (drive includes enroute stop for clean restrooms). Upon arrival you will be met by our travel manager for Check-in and briefed for your next day airport pick-up schedules. Later in the afternoon we will arrive at the Lutyens city called New Delhi, designed by British architect Sir Edwin Lutyens and set-up in 1931 by viceroy of India Lord Irwin as a political hub. This colonial city with its European influences was a power symbol of the British Empire. We will explore fine works of Sir Edwin Lutyen, that later became the fabric and features of modern India. We cover New Delhi’s most imposing sites such as Gandhi Smriti, the remembrance home - museum of Mahatma Gandhi; here on 30th Jan 1948 the father of India was assassinated. Ceremonial boulevard Raj Path designed by Lutyens in 1921 taking similarities from the Champs Elysee of France. Here we explore princely State Houses and architectures of North - South Block incl India Gate, a 42m-high stone memorial arch pays tribute to 70,000 soldiers of British Indian Army who died in the first world war. Presidents estate Rashtrapati Bhawan, former home to the British viceroy and today the largest residence of any head of state in the world. The House of Parliament, designed by Sir Herbert Baker in 1912 to construct a new administrative capital of British India. We will also cover the sacred Gurudwara Bangla Sahib that is one of the most prominent Sikh houses of worship in Delhi. Here we will experience a traditional Sikh Kitchen and its Langar Ceremony, where sacred meals are served regardless of caste, creed or religion. We will witness or if preferred we participate in the cooking ceremony to feed over 10,000 people a day. Imagine massive cooking pots stirred by strong- armed men with spoons the length of oars. (BB)

Jaipur

Day 7 - 8

Overnight stay in a hotel, Flight to Mumbai (Bombay) with major airline

New Delhi

Day 8

This Morning after breakfast transfer to Airport for onward flight to Mumbai - Check in for your 1 night Mumbai hotel stay

Delhi

Day 8

Overnight stay in a hotel

Mumbai (Bombay)

Day 9, Cruise Departure

Mumbai (Bombay)

Check out of hotel and board Sirena for your 20 Night Cruise

Day 10

Mormugao / Goa, India

Day 11

Mangalore, India