Taj Palace Tour... The Ultimate Indian Indulgence
16 days from £11,100 for 2024 per person
A combination of what we do best, this tour blends opulent luxury with the best of Indian culture. India has some of the most palatial and impressive hotels in the world, and the Taj Palace collection is as good as it gets. A selection of historical palaces that have been sensitively restored into sensational hotels, the Taj Palaces truly take the breath away and leave a lasting imprint on the soul.
Start your trip in Mumbai, India’s most cosmopolitan city, with three nights at the iconic Taj Mahal Palace. Located in the city’s heritage district, this Grand Dame is the perfect base for a boat trip to the spectacular Elephanta Caves or a walking tour of heritage Mumbai. Next, travel to Udaipur, a tranquil lake city and the perfect contrast to bustling Mumbai. Spend your time floating on the Lake Palace’s spa boat, visiting the grand City Palace and exploring nearby temples before ending your stay with a magical meal at Bhairo, the Lake Palace’s rooftop restaurant. A drive through the scenic Aravelli hills takes you to Jodhpur, Rajasthan’s fabled Blue City and home to Umaid Bhawan Palace, an unforgettable blend of Art Deco and Neo Gothic architecture. Go zip lining around the famous Mehrangarh Fort, spend a day visiting local villages and admiring wildlife in the surrounding desert or simply sit back and relax at the hotel’s swimming pool, with its English-style country gardens.
Cross Rajasthan and journey on to Jaipur, home to the elegant Rambagh Palace, formerly the official residence of the Maharaja and Maharana of Jaipur. Jaipur, the pink city, is both a historic site and a contemporary city. From your palatial base shop for gems, take a tour of Jaipur observatory or visit the impressive Amber Fort, built by the founder of Jaipur. On your final day enjoy a game of camel polo followed by a private al fresco dinner at Dera Amer elephant stables. End the trip on an absolute high with a stay at Taj Falaknuma Palace – the former home of the Nizams of Hyderabad, Hyderabad’s ruling family. Lovingly restored by Taj over a ten year period, this ‘Mirror of the Sky’ is arguably India’s best hotel. Looking over the city of Hyderabad, which is a city of many cities, old and new, Falaknuma is the ideal base for exploring Golkonda Fort, the British Cantonment city of Secunderabad and even the region’s hi-tech district. Highlights of your stay include a champagne history tour with the in-house historian, an atmospheric Sufi music performance at the Gol Bungalow and dinner at Adaa, the hotel’s Hyderabadi fine dining restaurant.
This luxury holiday is purely a suggested itinerary; it can be booked as it is or used as a starting point for creating your very own tailor-made tour of India. If you would like to see similar trips, take a look at our collection of Epic Journeys and Honeymoons, as well as our favourite Celebratory, Ultimate Luxury and Spa & Wellness itineraries.
Itinerary details
16 days from £11,100 for 2024 per person
- Day 1 - Taj Mahal Palace - Mumbai
On arrival in Mumbai, transfer to the hotel. Afternoon at leisure. This evening enjoy the hotel’s history walk and tour. - Day 2 - Taj Mahal Palace - Mumbai
Morning walk through the city’s heritage district. Afternoon city tour with car and driver. On your return to the hotel take Afternoon Tea and Bombay ‘chaats’ at the Sea Lounge. - Day 3 - Taj Mahal Palace - Mumbai
Mumbai at dawn tour. Afternoon visit to Elephanta Caves by private speedboat. - Day 4 - Taj Lake Palace - Udaipur
Fly to Udaipur. Afternoon at leisure. This evening dine at Bhairo, the Lake Palace’s rooftop restaurant. - Day 5 - Taj Lake Palace - Udaipur
Morning Udaipur city tour. Sunset boat ride on Lake Pichola. Alternatively, spend the afternoon on the hotel’s Spa Boat. - Day 6 - Taj Lake Palace - Udaipur
Morning excursion to Nagda Temples followed by lunch at Devi Garh. Afternoon at leisure for shopping or relaxation. - Day 7 - Umaid Bhawan Palace - Jodhpur
Drive to Jodpur via the Jain temples of Ranakpur. On arrival take the rest of the day at leisure. This evening enjoy sundowners at Pillar’s Bar. - Day 8 - Umaid Bhawan Palace - Jodhpur
Morning Jodhpur city tour, including ziplining around Mehrangarh Fort. Afternoon at leisure for shopping in Jodhpur’s old town and bazaar. - Day 9 - Umaid Bhawan Palace - Jodhpur
Full day private rural excursion done by 4 x 4. Stop at local villages, eat lunch in a local home, look out for wildlife and enjoy rural Rajasthan at its best. - Day 10 - Rambagh Palace - Jaipur
Drive to Jaipur. On arrival take the rest of the day at leisure. - Day 11 - Rambagh Palace - Jaipur
Hot air balloon ride at sunrise followed by morning City Tour. Afternoon with your car and driver for shopping or additional sightseeing. - Day 12 - Rambagh Palace - Jaipur
Morning at leisure. Afternoon excursion to Amber Fort followed by a game of camel polo at Dera Amer elephant stables. This evening a private al fresco dinner is served nearby. - Day 13 - Taj Falaknuma Palace - Hyderabad
Fly to Hyderabad. On arrival take the rest of the day at leisure to enjoy the magnificent Falaknuma Palace. - Day 14 - Taj Falaknuma Palace - Hyderabad
Full day Hyderabad city tour. On your return to Falaknuma Palace enjoy the evening history walk with the in-house historian. - Day 15 - Taj Falaknuma Palace - Hyderabad
Golconda Fort sightseeing. Afternoon at leisure. Enjoy sunset on the Gol Bungalow with a traditional Sufi performance. - Day 16 - In transit.
Transfer to the airport for your flight home.
My favourite thing is to go where I've never been.
Diane Arbus