Highlights of India + The Maldives
Date: February 26 - March 10, 2024
Price: Contact Valise
Discover the highlights of Northern India - the Taj Mahal, a Bengal Tiger Safari, the “Pink City” of Jaipur - then fly to the tropical paradise of the Maldives for a few days in an over-water bungalow.
Trip Highlights
Welcome dinner in Delhi at a 200-year old mansion that won the UNESCO Award for Cultural Heritage Conservation.
Discover the history of Delhi, the progressive capital city of India.
View the spectacular 17th century Taj Mahal at sunrise.
Game Drive in Ranthambore to search for the Royal Bengal tigers.
Visit the Gyan Museum, a private collection containing a treasure trove of textiles, Mughal rugs, and gemstones.
Meet a local designer to learn about contemporary textile design in India.
Visit a Tailor shop for custom clothing.
Tour a food and spice market then take a cooking class to learn how to prepare regional dishes.
Sunset boat cruise on Lake Pichola, Udaipur.
Admire the private and exquisite rooms at the Palace of the Royal Family of Jaipur
Relax and unwind in the spectacularly beautiful Maldives.
Sample Itinerary
Arrival to New Delhi
Arrive at Delhi International Airport (DEL).
VIP meet and greet at the aerobridge. After baggage collection, at the arrival lounge you will be introduced to your ‘Valise Travel Concierge’ representative who will escort you to your hotel - The Oberoi.
One of the world's oldest continually inhabited cities, Delhi has been built, invaded and colonized by global powers throughout history, including central Asian invaders, the Mughal dynasty and, lastly by the British Empire. Delhi is a city built and re-built seven times over several centuries. The capital city today marries the quaint and unique elements of different historical eras with the pace of the bustling, growing economy. At every turn of the road, the past and the present coexist.
Hotel check-in time is 14:00 hours.
You have the rest of the day at leisure to relax and unwind from your long flight.
Delhi
B/L
AM: Drive past the President’s Palace & India Gate, an arch of triumph that bears the names of 85,000 Indian Army soldiers who died in the campaigns of WW I.
Continue to Jama Masjid, one of the largest mosques in India. The main prayer hall has a seating capacity of more than 20,000 worshippers.
Later walk around the market followed by lunch at Haveli Dharampura – a 200-year-old mansion and a recipient of UNESCO Asia-Pacific award for Cultural Heritage Conservation.
PM: Visit to the imposing Qutab Minar, or victory tower, the world’s tallest freestanding minaret, which stands at a height of 237 feet (72 meters). The minaret stands within the Qutab Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Time permitting: Shopping tour
Delhi has long been famed for its heritage sites, but another reason to visit is the shopping it offers. Time available to explore some of India’s finest designer boutiques near Qutab Minar.
Overnight at the Oberoi
Delhi – Udaipur
B/L
AM: Transfer to Delhi airport in time to connect to scheduled flight to Udaipur – 08:10 / 09:25.
Drive to Eklingji Temple, believed to be the ruling deity of the once Princely State of Mewar. The beautifully sculpted temple complex includes 108 temples and the main temple dates to the 15th century.
Continue to Nagda, now in ruins, which was the scene of frequent Muslim invasions.
Lunch at Devi Garh, 18th century Palace. Post lunch continue to Udaipur.
Udaipur, has always delighted visitors with its glamorous setting and easy-going, small-town atmosphere. Its position is wonderfully romantic, set beside the blue waters of Pichola Lake, which glimmers against the green of the surrounding hills.
Lunch at Devi Garh, 18th century Palace. Post lunch continue to Udaipur.
The day is at leisure to enjoy the hotel pool, spa etc or to walk around the old city of Udaipur followed by a sunset boat cruise on Lake Pichola. The many lakes in the city have lent it the name of ‘Venice of the East’. And what better way to admire the regal beauty of this historic city dotted with palaces than a boat cruise.
Dinner own arrangements.
Taj Lake Palace, Palace Room
Udaipur
AM: Begin your tour at City Palace, home to impressive collection of artefacts, weapons, miniature paintings, etc. Continue to the Durbar Hall, one of the most gorgeous banquet halls in the country, dominated by brilliant crystal chandeliers. Above, the Crystal Gallery is the world’s largest privately owned collection of crystal objets d’art, housing a jewel- encrusted carpet and – the only crystal bed in the world!
PM: Rajasthani cooking and lunch with your host Jyoti Jasol at her beautiful home. One of the pioneers in the culinary spaces, Jyoti Jasol introduced this experience almost a decade ago to the discerning traveler looking for authentic cooking demos and interaction.
Dinner own arrangements.
Overnight at Taj Lake Palace, Palace Room
Udaipur – Jaipur
B
Transfer to Udaipur airport in time to connect schedule flight to Jaipur – 07:50 / 08:55.
Jaipur has long been called the "Pink City" due to the colour of its fine buildings. With commanding hilltop forts, chaotic bazaars and grand palaces, all of which have changed little in the intervening centuries, Jaipur evokes both the splendour of its Maharajas as well as the bygone days of the British Raj. Steeped in a potent mix of history and culture, Jaipur offers a multi- faceted, insightful glimpse into the complex civilization that is India. A UNESCO World Heritage City.
On arrival a representative will meet you at the airport. Continue to City Palace Museum which has a superb collection of Rajasthani costumes, the armory of Mughal and Rajput weaponry. Also visit the exquisite rooms of the Royal family on a curated tour.
We later check-in at hotel Villa Paladio.
The afternoon is at leisure, but we suggest a tour of the Private collection at the Gyan Museum. A beautiful space conceptualized by French designer Paul Mathieu, and housing over 2500 privately collected artifacts including textiles, Mughal rugs, silver hookahs, gemstones, and jewellery.
Lunch and Dinner own arrangements.
Overnight at Villa Paladio, Superior Room
Jaipur
AM: Begin your day with a photo-stop at Hawa Mahal, a beautiful façade built for the royal women. Continue to the 16th century Amber Fort known for its unique artistic style, blending both Hindu and Muslim elements, and its ornate and breath- taking artistic mastery.
Lunch at Johri – Vegetarian cuisine
After lunch, go on a bespoke shopping tour in Jaipur which is a delightful experience. The city is famous for its vibrant bazaars, traditional handicrafts, exquisite jewelery, textiles, and more. You can find a wide range of precious and semi-precious gemstones, silver and gold jewellery, and traditional Rajasthani designs. Tie dyed and hand-block printed textiles are extremely popular, and so is blue pottery, a traditional art form of Jaipur.
Meet two local female designers to learn about contemporary design in India and shop in their boutiques for readymade clothing that offers a modern take on traditional design.
Lunch and Dinner own arrangements.
Overnight at Villa Paladio, Superior Room
Jaipur - Ranthambore
B
Morning drive to Ranthambore – approx. 3h30m.
Located in the Sawai Madhopur district of Rajasthan, Ranthambore is one of the protected forests of India. It was the erstwhile hunting grounds of the Maharaja of Jaipur until 1955 when it was declared as a game sanctuary.
On arrival check-in at the exquisite Six Senses Fort Barwara.
You have the rest of the day at leisure to enjoy the hotel facilities. The Six Senses Spa is not to be missed!
Lunch and Dinner own arrangements.
Overnight at Six Senses Fort Barwara, Sanctuary Suite
Ranthambore
B/D
Morning Game drive at Ranthambore National Park to search for the elusive Royal Bengal Tiger and other wildlife.
Afternoon at leisure to enjoy the hotel pool, spa etc.
Dinner at the hotel.
Overnight at Six Senses Fort Barwara, Sanctuary Suite
Ranthambore – Agra
B
Morning drive to Agra – approx. 4h30m.
Two great Mughal monarchs, Akbar and Shah Jahan, transformed the little village of Agra into a befitting second capital of the Mughal Empire -giving it the name Dar-ul-Khilafat which means seat of the Emperor.
Today, a visitor in Agra is caught up in a world of contrasting architecture and the irresistible charm that this favorite city of the Mughal still retains.
On arrival check-in at The Oberoi Amarvilas.
PM: Travel in tuk-tuks to Mehtab Bagh
Situated across the Yamuna River and built at the same time as the Taj, Mehtab Bagh is a Persian-style quadrilateral garden whose design mirrors the approach to the Taj. Enjoy uninterrupted and breath-taking views of the 17th century Taj Mahal at sunset.
Lunch & Dinner own arrangements.
Overnight at The Oberoi Amarvilas, Premier Room
Agra – Delhi
B
Visit the majestic Taj Mahal at sunrise. The mausoleum is a love poem – created by Shah Jahan for his favourite wife Mumtaz Mahal. It took approximately 22 years and nearly 22,000 laborers to build what we see today.
Return to your hotel for breakfast.
Post breakfast drive to Delhi - approx. 4h.
On arrival check-in at JW Marriot Aerocity
Overnight at JW Marriot Aerocity, Deluxe Room
Delhi to Male
B
Transfer to Delhi airport in time to connect to scheduled flight to Male – 11:55 / 15:30.
On arrival a representative will meet you at the airport and you will be transferred to your hotel by shared speed boat.
On arrival, check-in at your hotel, Anantara Kihavah, Maldives
Overnight at Anantara in a Sunset Over Water Villa
Maldives
B
Independent activities
Overnight at Anantara in a Sunset Over Water Villa
Maldives
B
Independent activities
Overnight at Anantara in a Sunset Over Water Villa
Depart Maldives
B
Transfer from hotel to airport in a shared speed boat in time to connect home bound flight.