Northern India Family Holiday

Namaste! Welcome to India. Your adventure begins in the one of the oldest cities in the world and India’s capital – Delhi. You and the family will have a welcome meeting today at 1 pm to meet your local leader and fellow families. After, head out on a guided sightseeing tour to explore the contrasts of Old and New Delhi. Squeeze through the Old City’s fortified walls on the way to Jama Masjid – dominating the city’s skyline, this mosque is a social hub as much as a place of worship. If you’d like, why not catch a rickshaw to the brilliantly coloured Red Fort. Then, switch gears in contrasting New Delhi. Visit the main sights of Parliament House, President House and India Gate, before returning to the hotel.

Rise early this morning and hop aboard the train to Agra – a chance for you and the kids to be part of the local rail scene, as snack sellers move through the carriages and the countryside slips past. When you arrive, take some time to relax before heading out to explore – the city was the capital of the Mughul Empire and has heaps of things to see, like one of the Seven Wonders of the World! But Agra’s not just all about the Taj Mahal – it’s also home to one of the finest-looking forts in India. Sitting along the banks of the Yamuna River, Agra Fort is part stronghold, part palace and part prison. Enter the dark red sandstone fort by crossing the (now empty) crocodile-infested moat. Search through throne rooms and the tiny, decorated mosques, then climb to the top for some great views. Tonight, you’re free to relax, explore at your own pace or ask your leader for some recommendations on where to find some delicious local dinner.

Get up before the sun this morning to see it rise over the Taj Mahal – this Wonder of the World is a UNESCO World Heritage site and maybe India’s most iconic site. Best known as a monument to love and loss, the Taj is a beautiful example of Mughal architecture and is surrounded by trimmed English gardens. Watch the colours play across the marble in the early-morning light and soak it all in. After ticking something huge off the list, you’ll travel by private vehicle towards Ranthambhore, passing the Kos Minar medieval milestones that point the way to the abandoned city of Fatehpur Sikri. This well-preserved, 16th-century royal complex is full of courtyards, pavilions and gardens, and features the Jama Masjid Mosque and the intricately carved Rumi Sultana palace. This afternoon, continue to Ranthambhore National Park – the 'Jungle Book' in real life.

One of India’s premier natural reserves, where nature has reclaimed ancient fortresses and temples, Ranthambhore National Park teems with wildlife. Today, you’ll make a couple of safari drives to try and spot the elusive Bengal tigers that live among the ruins. Your drives will be early in the morning and in the late afternoon, as this is when the animals are most active. Even if the tigers are being too stealthy, the park is filled with other animals like gazelles, hyenas, sloth bears, crocodiles, jackals, three types of antelope (nilgai, sambar and chital) and leopards, so have that camera ready!

Travel by private vehicle northwest today to the 'Pink City’ of Jaipur – the capital of Rajasthan. When you arrive, grab the kids and head to the Jantar Mantar observatory, home to a cool collection of astronomical instruments built by the Rajput King Sawai Jai Singh II. Later, you’ll have some free time as a family to swim in the hotel pool or wander through the streets, busy with camels, motorbikes, rickshaws and traditionally dressed Rajput men. Maybe head to the Old Town for raj kachori chaat (a big, fluffy chaat served with chutney, yoghurt, chilli and potato) and cool off with a lassi (a mango yoghurt drink) from Lassiwala – Jaipur's oldest and most famous lassi shop.

Get a glimpse of the royal lifestyle today during a visit to the sprawling City Palace, once home to the Maharaja – an amazing complex home to colourful courtyard gates, museums displaying regal costumes and old weaponry. Then, it’s on to the five-storied Hawa Mahal, or Palace of Winds, where you’ll stop to snap some photos of its detailed honeycombed exterior filled with windows. The impressive structure makes it the most photographed building in the country, after the Taj Mahal! The rest of the day is free to explore with your family or to find a spot to relax.

Climb the twisting roads of the Aravalli Hills by private vehicle on your way to the massive Amber Fort today. This opulent palace is packed with rooms full of lavish murals, arches and delicate jali work. Don’t miss the sparkling Mirror Palace, covered floor-to-ceiling in thousands of reflective tiles, looking down over Moata Lake – the kids will love a photo here! Later, leave the city behind and travel to the village of Nawalgarh, Explore the village on foot, meeting some of the locals before continuing to your final stop for the day – the small town of Alsisar.

The semi-arid village of Alsisar is full of legends and stories, and this morning, you’ll join your leader on a walk around the village to discover some of the beautiful and ornately decorated buildings. Then, the rest of the afternoon is free to explore this peaceful town or enjoy your accommodation – you'll stay at the 17th-century Alsisar Mahal. With its grand courtyards, colourful dining arcades and heritage rooms, it will certainly be a highlight of your trip – and the kids are sure to love the pool!

After breakfast this morning, leave the countryside behind and get back into the beating rhythm of Delhi by mid-afternoon. When you arrive, you’re free to rest and recharge. LYou might like to get together with your group for a special dinner tonight to celebrate your adventure – your leader will have some great recommendations on where to eat.

There are no activities planned for the final day, and you can depart at any time. If your family would like to spend some more time in Delhi, why not book an Intrepid Day Trip? The Private Hidden Gems of Delhi tour takes you down a hidden alley, where you’ll find impressive street art, and into a sprawling archaeological park, as you get to know the city through the eyes of a local.