Once you clear immigration and customs at Delhi International Airport (DEL), you'll be taken to the magnificent Taj Palace, New Delhi, for your five-star stay. You have the option to eat at your leisure tonight, although the hotel is home to some of the best restaurants in the area, such as Spicy Duck, which serves spicy Canton-Sichuan dishes, and the classy Orient Express, which is modeled after the famous train ride of the same name.

Recommended Accommodations: Taj Palace, New Delhi.

Visit the beautiful Jama Masjid first thing in the morning to find a peaceful haven amidst the bustling streets of Old Delhi. The city was already known as Shahjahanabad in honor of the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan when he gave the order for the mosque's construction in the middle of the 17th century. His final success in architecture was the "Friday Mosque," built of marble and red sandstone.

Later, take an e-rickshaw ride through some of the oldest streets in Delhi at Chandni Chowk, a historic marketplace that has been in operation since the reign of Shah Jahan. Spend a little time in Asia's largest spice market, Khari Baoli, and take in every remarkable sight and scent, from enormous glass jars loaded with pickles, chutneys, and tea to shining bronze pots full of lentils.

A walking tour of some of Delhi's most well-known street meals will introduce you to the regional flavors that make Old Delhi's cuisine so excellent. Enjoy delectable dishes such as jain fresh fruit sandwiches, aloo sabzi, Daulat ki chaat, kuremal's kulfi (Indian ice cream), and plenty of parantha, a Punjabi flatbread filled with flavorful lamb and paneer cheese, as well as fragrant mashed potato and herbs.

Lunch is served at Dharampura Haveli, a unique haveli, or traditional Indian home, that gained popularity during the Mughal era and is recognized by UNESCO for its immense historical value. This tour concludes here. Eating in this restaurant is like traveling back in time because of how everything, from the elaborate interior design to the breathtaking center courtyard, seems to have been taken from another era.

After a few hours of relaxation at the hotel, head to INJA for your welcome supper. This creative house of fusion opened its doors in 2023 and has since grown to become one of Delhi's most popular new dining establishments. INJA skillfully combines Japanese techniques with Indian heritage, creating dishes that are supercharged by reinvention. It is equal parts "irasshaimase" and "namaste."

Recommended Accommodations: Taj Palace, New Delhi.

The following guided experiences will be your ventures of the day.

Spirit of New Delhi Tour: Travel by coach bus to see some of the most famous sights in the city, such as Parliament House, President's House, and India Gate, before arriving at the Qutab Minar, one of Delhi's most enduring architectural wonders. The minaret, which is a magnificent example of medieval Persian architecture, was erected by Sultan Qutb-ud-din Aibak in the late 12th century to celebrate his victory over the Hindu Tomar Rajput dynasty. It is located high above Lal Kot, the oldest walled city in Delhi. Take some time to go about the ruins' surrounding 
gardens and take in the remarkable history of the location.

Saffron Palate Cooking Class: Discover how to prepare meals like a native. Travelers looking to learn more about Indian cuisine have long regarded Saffron Palate as a favorite because of its emphasis on authentic, home-cooked cooking. This 90-minute hands-on session, which takes place in the chef's family home, offers a relaxed and easy introduction to some of India's most popular dishes that you can easily make at home. Seasonal menus differ, but typical offerings include biryani, tikka masala, and butter chicken.

Lunch at Cafe Lota: Enjoy lunch at one of the real hidden jewels of Delhi, Cafe Lota, which is located inside the old National Crafts Museum. The menu at the restaurant showcases the immense variety of Indian cuisine, ranging from the lesser-known micro-cuisines of Himachal Pradesh in the far north covered in snow to the curries from Rajasthan that are famed for their palaces and yogurt. With a specially designed lunch buffet created just for this tour, you'll be well-positioned to sample your way through the subcontinent.

The Bangla Sahib Gurdwara Sikh Temple: Take a tour of New Delhi's stunning Gurdwara Bangla Sahib, one of the most well-known Sikh gurdwaras (houses of worship) in the nation. It is well-known for having a langar, or communal kitchen, where up to 40,000 pilgrims are fed for free each day. It's a remarkable sight, constructed of white marble and crowned with brilliant golden domes. See in awe as thousands of Sikh chefs toil diligently to prepare and serve the dishes within.

Tonight's meal is at LOYA, the renowned on-site restaurant in the Taj Palace in New Delhi. LOYA's regional-focused menu spans from the Himalayas to Kashmir in a wonderful celebration of the best that the area has to offer. It offers a real taste of North India's outstanding, fire-kissed cuisine, served with all the drama and gusto it deserves.

Recommended Accommodations: Taj Palace, New Delhi.

After a filling breakfast at the hotel, get ready to depart for a 4-hour drive to Agra. Check into your luxury accommodation upon arrival. 

Have free time in the afternoon, or take a sunset tour of Itmad-ud-Daulah, sometimes referred to as "The Baby Taj" locally, the first Mughal tomb made completely of marble, before continuing to the Taj Mahal viewpoint to witness the spectacular sun setting.

We're having dinner at PESHAWRI, a fine dining restaurant that features cuisine from India's untamed northwest. The proprietors of Delhi's renowned Bukhara restaurant, who also own this elegant yet cozy eatery, are the same chefs who are dedicated to preserving and honoring the tradition of tandoor cooking.

Recommended Accommodations: Taj Hotel and Convention Center, Agra.

Rise early and head to see the Taj Mahal before the sun rises. Contemplated by many as the pinnacle of romantic monuments worldwide, Shah Jahan erected this remarkable tomb as a tribute to his beloved queen, Mumtaz Mahal.

As the sun rises over the horizon, the Taj Mahal is bathed in a thousand hues of pink, orange, and gold. Watch in wonder. After breakfast, return to the hotel at around 9 a.m. and leave at about 11 a.m. to travel for about 5 hours west to reach Ranthambore National Park, stopping along the way for lunch.

Check into the Taj Sawai, a boutique hotel in Ranthambore, for your park accommodations. Situated in the wild heart of Ranthambore, the hotel offers intimate, hand-curated luxury in only 56 rooms and suites. It's the ideal opulent getaway after days spent taking in the park's breathtaking natural beauty. It's effortlessly stylish, with bold modern lines and references to the area's intriguing past.

Nestled between the Aravalli and Vindhya hill ranges, Ranthambore National Park was once the hunting area of the Maharajas. Today, it is a large wildlife reserve, well-known for its population of Royal Bengal tigers. Take note of the majestic Ranthambore Fort, perched on a hilltop and regarded as one of India's hardest fortifications due to its construction in the 10th century. Inside, there is a temple dedicated to Ganesha, the deity who removes obstacles, called Trinetra Ganesh Temple.

Recommended Accommodation: Taj Sawai, Ranthambore

Wake up early for a sunrise safari as mornings offer a better chance to sight the royal Bengal tiger along with other inhabitants of the jungle such as leopards, monkeys, and exclusive species of birds. Journey through the rough terrains and experience a thrilling jeep ride like none other and return to the hotel for breakfast and you have the rest of the morning and afternoon to yourself with various leisure facilities at your luxury accommodation. 

See a different side of Ranthambore as nightfall draws near and you go out on an exciting evening of exploration and a second game drive. Explore the wilderness with a knowledgeable naturalist guide in tow in pursuit of the magnificent Bengal tigers and an abundance of other amazing creatures, such as sloth bears, jackals, sambar deer, striped hyenas, and a bright variety of bird species that adorn the park's varied environment.

After experiencing Ranthambore’s evening, return to the hotel for dinner. 

Recommended Accommodation: Taj Sawai, Ranthambore

Take an optional hike to Ranthambore Fort after rising early. This hike offers the ideal opportunity to enjoy the national park's distinctive blend of natural grandeur and alluring history. The area is renowned for being home to innumerable ruins, each of which offers a fascinating view into life as it once was in the region.

Travel to Jaipur (about 4 hours) after lunch at the hotel. Due to its profusion of rose-colored buildings, Jaipur, the capital of the desert state of Rajasthan, is frequently referred to as the "Pink City." The reason for this is that, in 1876, Maharaja Ram Singh ordered that the majority of the buildings be painted pink, which has traditionally been associated with hospitality in India, to commemorate the arrival of Albert Edward, Prince of Wales. (He was happy to hear that!) Jaipur is renowned now for its expansive bazaars, which are among the best in the nation, and its remarkable Rajasthani architecture.

Recommended Accommodations: Taj Amer, Jaipur

After a hearty breakfast at the hotel begin your day which will be filled with the following activities.

Take a stroll around Jaipur's historic city and start your tour at the local vegetable, fruit, and flower market. This is the Soul of the Jaipur Walking Food Tour. You'll get to try some of the most renowned restaurants in the city, such as the original Lassiwala, which serves yogurt drinks filled with clay mugs of lassi, which is now popular throughout India. You'll also get to experience kota kachori, which are spicy and sweet deep-fried sweets. Let the morning naturally turn into a street food tour, making regular stops for vibrant paneer, street-poured chai, classic slow-cooked carrot halwa (a favorite North Indian dessert), and jalebi.

Lunch at Dera Mandawa: The heritage hotel Dera Mandawa, which was first constructed to accommodate royal emissaries visiting Jaipur for court, is the ideal location for a midday break. Join a hands-on cooking session and get a behind-the-scenes look at real family dishes made with ingredients and methods that are becoming increasingly uncommon in contemporary Rajasthan. Discover the origins of classic Indian masalas (spice mixtures), make underground baked bati, and savor a regional specialty called jungle means, a centuries-old mutton curry created to aid lost hunters.

Enjoy a rich French pastry high tea at Dzurt Pastry and Cafe, complete with an abundance of macarons and petit fours.

Head back to the hotel for some free time before Samode Haveli's dinner this evening. Set around several small, garden-filled courtyards, the traditional Indian home is a haven of peace in the middle of bustling Jaipur. Built centuries ago as the royal residence of Samode, a little village outside of Jaipur, its occupants are now the emperors' descendants, who have turned the former palace into a boutique luxury hotel.

Recommended Accommodations: Taj Amer, Jaipur

After indulging in a sumptuous breakfast at the hotel, embark on an exciting and informative day that begins with a tour of Jaipur's captivating Amber Fort, which is situated on a small hill just outside the city limits. With its vast complex of palaces constructed nearly entirely of marble and red sandstone, the stronghold is a remarkable example of the combined architectural talent of the Rajput and Mughal dynasties. It also provides stunning views of the glass-like waters of 
Maota Lake.

Proceed to Jal Mahal, also known as the Floating Palace, for a more conventional view of Rajput architecture. The palace, with its foundations extending well below the surface of Man Sagar Lake, is situated in the middle of a vast garden estate and has a prime location. Its strikingly exquisite symmetry is revealed when viewed from land.

Nestled amidst stone-setters, carvers, weaving houses, and skilled artisans, Jaipur's Johri Bazaar (Jeweller's Market) is a great spot to pause, relax, and relish the moment.

After lunch, make a brief stop for a picture at Hawa Mahal, also known as The Palace of Winds, which was constructed so that ladies of the royal court could watch processions covertly. Followed by the astonishing Jantar Mantar, an astronomical observatory constructed at the turn of the 18th century, is your last sightseeing destination of the day. It is a brilliant example of Mughal prince Jai Singh II's astronomical expertise. The observatory, which is essentially the largest sundial in the world, was used to precisely determine the time of day.

After a few hours of leisure upon returning to the hotel, get ready to experience The Maharani Thali, or queen's plate, which is served to you while seated in the stately Swapna Mahal—a dining room originally designed to resemble the opulent homes of French and English nobility—consists of real royal food from all around India. Traditionally made up of a variety of small dishes created by the top chef-doctors in the empire with training in Ayurveda, it's the ideal way to commemorate your journey across India's Golden Triangle.

Recommended Accommodations: Taj Amer, Jaipur

After enjoying your breakfast at the hotel, depart for your next venture according to your flight schedule and airport.