Enjoy a relaxing day at sea.

Welcome to Hambantota! As of the top biodiversity hotspots in the world, visiting this Sri Lankan destination is like stepping into a real-life Jungle Book. Admire the dazzling exotic blooms of Mirijawila Botanic Gardens or join a safari through Yala National Park, home to the world’s largest concentration of leopards and elephants.

Colombo is a terrific example of where old meets new in the countries capital. Stroll past colonial architecture and lush gardens in the Fort district, shop traditional marketplaces, step into modern times at Colombo’s countless restaurants, museums and galleries.

Welcome to Cochin, ‘Queen of the Arabian Sea’. Having attracted travellers, explorers and traders from across the globe for centuries, Cochin is home to a melting pot of cultures. Wander the vibrant streets of Fort Kochi, see the impressive Chinese Fishing Nets, explore Mattancherry Palace and watch a traditional Kathakali performance. Enjoy an overnight onboard stay to explore this exciting city.

Enjoy a relaxing day at sea.

Mumbai is the most populated city in the world, offering a collection of sights and cultural activities. This historical city is home to the famous Bollywood spectacle and is one of very few Indian cities to have a national park within its boundaries. A city tour is a must to ensure you see and do the most on your day here.

Disembark ship this morning and be transferred to your hotel and enjoy a free evening to relax.

This morning commences with an excursion to the Elephanta Caves, which are just an hour away from Mumbai. The cave temples here were excavated between the 5th and 8th centuries, famous for the magnificently sculpted panels.

Later in the afternoon enjoy a city tour of Mumbai, visiting the Gateway of India, Mumbai’s principal landmark. Visit the “Dhobi Ghat” an open laundry, famous for lines of dyed garments, a nice photography stop which is well worth a visit.

Fly from Mumbai to Jaipur today and enjoy an evening at your leisure before spending the night at your hotel.

Spend today exploring the ‘Pink City’ and its historical significance in the region. Start at magnificent Amber Fort, strategically positioned on a hilltop, home to vast halls and the famous entirely mirrored room ‘Sheesh mahal’.

In the afternoon visit the sprawling City Palace, a superb marriage of Rajput and Mughal architecture. The seven storied Chandra Mahal (Moon Palace) is a sprawling complex with multiple courtyards, public buildings, astronomical observatory and zenana mahals (harems).  From the City Palace you enter the extraordinary “Jantar Mantar”, an astronomical observatory built in 1827. Instruments resembling massive futuristic structures are actually highly sophisticated instruments which are accurate even today.

Finally, drive though the busy streets for a photography stop at Hawa Mahal, the ornate pink façade an icon of the city. The five storied high ‘screen’ composed of projected windows and balconies protected by fine latticed screens, was designed to enable the ladies of the harem to observe the lively street scenes of the city from a position of privacy.

Enjoy free time this evening.

This morning depart Jaipur and stop at Fatehpur Sikri as you make your way to Agra. Fatehpur Sikri was built by the Mughals in the 15th century and abandoned within 20 years due to a lack of the water. The ornate buildings and palaces are remarkably well preserved, they offer a somewhat eerie insight into the grandeur of the Mughal Empire at its peak.

On arrival in Agra visit mighty Agra Fort. Richly decorated with marble and mosaic, it was in part of this fort-palace that Shah Jahan, who built the Taj Mahal in homage to his wife, spent the last years of his life, imprisoned by his son. The quarters where he was confined have a magical view of the Taj Mahal across the river Yamuna. Enjoy free time to wander the intriguing streets and lane ways of Agra’s old city.

Start the day with a sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal. The stunning mausoleum immortalized the name of Shah Jahan’s last wife Mumtaz Mahal, “light of the palace”. Built by artisans from neighbouring Islamic countries as well as India, it is aptly described by the poet laureate Tagore as “A tear on the face of eternity”. Decorated with a mosaic of semi-precious stones and Persian calligraphy recreating verses from the Koran, the mausoleum is an important place of pilgrimage as the empress died in childbirth, making her a martyr. At dawn the marble structures glow and gently change colour as the sky brightens.

Your tour continues to Delhi where you will join your experienced local guide on an exciting half day tour. Experience the narrow winding lanes best traversed by cycle-rickshaw; they house some of the oldest trading establishments and inhabitants of the Old City, driving past historic Jama Masjid and the Red Fort.

Later, drive past the Rashtrapati Bhavan (Presidential Palace) and the secretariat buildings, the impressive Rajpath and World War I memorial arch; the India Gate. Later visit Delhi’s most beautiful monument; the Humayun’s Tomb. On the way back to the hotel, notice the contrasting architectural styles, introduced by colonial rulers, mirroring styles from across Europe and adapted to India.

After tour, check-in to your hotel.

This morning after breakfast, join your experienced local guide on an exciting full day tour of Delhi.