Signature India | The Realm of Royals

Welcome to Delhi, a city where empires rose, poets dreamed, and the rhythm of modern India beats through ancient walls. Complimentary arrival transfers are provided today, with VIP assistance ready to greet you in the arrival hall and guide you to your vehicle. Those arriving early can take an optional guided tour revealing the gardens, hidden stairways, and painted ceilings of Safdarjung's Tomb, the mausoleum of the Mughal viceroy of Awadh or visit the World Heritage site of Qutb Minar, an architectural marvel of the Delhi Sultanate and the tallest brick minaret globally.

Alternatively, join the Salaam Baalak Walk, an inspiring initiative by an Indian non-profit that creates a nurturing environment for children who live and work on the streets. These activities are available to prebook on request. As evening falls, join your Signature Guide for a welcome reception at Nisaba, one of Delhi's most exciting contemporary dining destinations, conceptualised by Chef Manish Mehrotra, a pioneering figure in modern Indian cuisine.

Navigate Old Delhi's labyrinthine lanes by rickshaw, where the air hums with temple bells and cardamom-laced spice. Pause at Gurudwara Bangla Sahib to witness the quiet devotion of seva, before a light lunch. Step through Humayun's Tomb and its museum, an elegant prelude to the Taj Mahal, its red sandstone and symmetry echoing Mughal grace. In Nizamuddin, meet the women of Insha-e-Noor, preserving heritage crafts through delicate embroidery and block printing. As evening falls, gather in a Delhi home for a private cooking demonstration and dinner — a warm exchange of flavour and family.

Board a morning train to Agra, gliding past fields and villages as the rhythm of the rails reveals rural India in motion.

On arrival, settle into a city once ruled by Mughal emperors, before joining a historian for a private tour of Agra Fort, where power and poetry meet in stone. You have some time at leisure to enjoy lunch or simply explore the local area before heading to your next hotel to check in As day fades, cross the Yamuna River to Mehtab Bagh (the Moonlight Garden) where the Taj Mahal is reflected in the still water. Dinner follows at the award-winning Peshwari restaurant, where the smoky aromas and robust spices of north-west India unfold in an evening of refined flavour.

Signature Experience: See daybreak at the Taj Mahal, as your personal historian unravels its enduring love story. Commissioned by Emperor Shah Jahan for his beloved Mumtaz, this 17th-century masterpiece glows with devotion, a monument where light, loss, and love endure in perfect symmetry. Return to your hotel for breakfast, then continue by road and rail via Bharatpur to Sawai Madhopur. Settle into our Signature Stay at The Maharajas Lodge, a heritage property originally built for the Jaipur royal family and your gateway to the Ranthambhore National Park, one of the great tiger-watching destinations. Dinner is an unhurried affair before settling underneath the Ranthambhore stars.

Signature Experience: Set out at dawn for an exclusive game drive through Ranthambore National Park alongside a professional wildlife photographer. As the park awakens, search for Bengal tigers, leopards and an array of birdlife while exploring one of India's most dramatic wilderness landscapes. Return to your lodge for a leisurely breakfast and time to relax before lunch. Keen photographers can make the most of the downtime with constructive image reviews and expert tips from your wildlife photographer, helping refine your technique before the afternoon safari.

This afternoon, head back into the park for another game drive, venturing deeper into Ranthambore's rugged wilderness in search of its remarkable wildlife.

This evening, join your wildlife photographer for an inspiring presentation showcasing images and stories from the day, bringing the magic of the park vividly to life.

Begin at Dastkar, an NGO where local artisans transform recycled materials into vibrant crafts that sustain households and preserve heritage. Signature Experience: Return to the lodge for a leisurely breakfast and after, join the Wildlife Director of Nalla's Ark Foundation for an illuminating conservation talk. Discover how storytelling drives conservation awareness, helping showcase India's extraordinary biodiversity and lesser-known species to audiences around the world.

Following lunch, we continue by road to Jaipur, the famed Pink City.

Later, follow your Signature Guide through lively bazaars, where spice mounds, block-printed textiles, and polished brass glint beneath fading light. Settle into the elegant Jai Mahal Palace. Dinner is at your leisure this evening: relax in the hotel or ask your Signature Guide for their recommendations.

Today is your Signature Day, where you can choose from a selection of authentic, curated experiences, available at an additional cost, to connect deeply with Indian culture. You could: Venture into the first leopard reserve in India to spot elusive leopards and desert wildlife amid the Aravalli hills, a wild contrast to Jaipur's palaces (approximately 5. 30am-8am – seasonal timings vary, your Signature Guide will confirm locally) Trace Jaipur's floral traditions on a guided walk through temple courtyards and flower markets, finishing with crafting edible-flower sweets (8. 30am-11. 30am) Walk the sacred foothills of Amer, from Ambikeshwar Mahadev Temple to the stepwell of Panna Meena ka Kund, ending with serene lake views of the fort (9am-1pm)

Delve into Jaipur's famed blue pottery craft in a hands-on session with a master artisan, creating your own glazed keepsake to take home (2. 30pm-4pm) Join artisans at Nila House to learn natural indigo-dyeing techniques and the legacy of Jaipur's textiles (2. 30pm-5pm) Dinner this evening is at the Polo Palladio, within the prestigious Rajasthan Polo Club. Renowned for its graceful setting and sophisticated ambience, the restaurant offers a distinctive dining experience, where refined Indian and international flavours are complemented by an atmosphere of timeless elegance.

Begin at Amber Fort, its golden ramparts crowning the Aravalli hills, where you'll join a blessing at the Shila Mata Temple. Lunch is enjoyed at Samode Haveli, a former royal residence where traditional Rajasthani flavours are served in a tranquil courtyard setting. Signature Experience: Step inside Jaipur's royal and scientific past with a knowledgeable historian. At the City Palace, view ceremonial garments, miniature paintings, and treasures from the maharajas' court.

Then continue to Jantar Mantar, where monumental 18th-century instruments reveal the precision, curiosity, and vision of Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. For your farewell evening, immerse yourself in Indian culture by experiencing traditional attire – a graceful saree for women or a classic kurta for men are be provided at your hotel. Elegantly dressed, you then transfer in a pink tuk tuk to the historic City Palace complex, adding a vibrant and memorable touch to the evening. The Pink City Rickshaw Co.

is a unique, inspiring initiative by the non-profit organisation created to offer employment opportunities to women from low-income households in Jaipur. The journey culminates at Sarvato, a fine-dining restaurant within Jaipur's historic City Palace where a six-course tasting menu awaits. It's a fitting finale to the regal spirit of Rajasthan.

Enjoy a final breakfast at Jai Mahal Palace before your complimentary transfer to Jaipur airport. As your journey draws to a close, the colours, flavours and stories of India's Golden Triangle and more linger long after departure. Alternatively, extend your stay and continue your journey of discovery. Speak with your Signature travel expert to explore the possibilities.