Taj & Tigers with Diwali Celebration

Delhi • Jaipur • Ranthambore • Agra

Experience the magic of India during one of its most joyful and vibrant times of year — Diwali, the Festival of Lights. Symbolising the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil, Diwali is a time when homes glow with oil lamps, cities sparkle with fireworks, and the spirit of celebration is felt in every corner.

This special journey combines the cultural treasures of the Golden Triangle with rich local experiences and a touch of wilderness. Explore the royal city of Jaipur, go in search of wild Bengal tigers on safari in Ranthambore National Park, and witness the timeless beauty of the Taj Mahal at sunrise. The highlight? Celebrating Diwali with a noble Rajasthani family — a rare opportunity to take part in one of India’s most cherished traditions.

DINING EXPERIENCE AT AMER PALACE

Dine like royalty at the atmospheric 1135 AD restaurant, nestled within the historic walls of Amer Fort.

After breakfast, immerse yourself in Delhi’s layers of history. In Old Delhi, the vast courtyard of Jama Masjid towers over a maze of lanes where spice merchants trade and cycle-rickshaws weave through the bustle of Chandni Chowk. A pause at Raj Ghat brings a moment of quiet reflection at Gandhi’s memorial. Crossing into New Delhi, broad avenues and elegant gardens frame the city’s imperial legacy. You’ll admire the harmony of Humayun’s Tomb, stand beneath the soaring Qutub Minar, step into the serene halls of Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, and drive through Lutyens’ Delhi past India Gate and the stately government buildings. By day’s end you’ll have traced Delhi’s story from Mughal grandeur to contemporary capital.

Meals: B, D

Stay: Delhi – The Oberoi Masters or similar

Begin at the City Palace, a magnificent complex that showcases the artistry of Jaipur’s former rulers, then step into the Jantar Mantar observatory where 18th-century instruments still chart the movements of the sun and stars. A photo stop at the delicate façade of the Hawa Mahal frames the old city perfectly before a wander through Bapu Bazaar, where jewellers, textile sellers and artisans display their craft. In the afternoon, travel to Sanganer to experience block printing with master craftsmen. From preparing natural dyes to pressing carved wooden blocks onto fabric, you’ll create your own hand-printed piece to take home — a beautiful memento of Rajasthan’s living traditions.

Meals: B, D

Stay: Alsisar Haveli or similar

The day is yours to relax, browse Jaipur’s boutiques or enjoy the haveli’s calm courtyards. This evening, step into the heart of India’s most beloved festival during an exclusive Diwali celebration with a noble Rajasthani family. A traditional tikka welcome and cultural performances set the tone before you join the Diwali Puja, then share a festive buffet dinner as lamps glow and fireworks sparkle across the night sky — an intimate, unforgettable window into local life.

Meals: B, D

Stay: Alsisar Haveli or similar

At first light, head out by shared 4×4 jeep in search of Ranthambore’s famed wildlife. The park’s rocky ridges, lakes and ancient ruins provide dramatic backdrops for possible tiger sightings, while leopards, sloth bears, marsh crocodiles and abundant birdlife add to the thrill. Return to the lodge to relax before an afternoon drive offers another chance to encounter the jungle’s elusive residents.

Meals: B, L, D

Stay: Ranthambore Kothi

Greet the dawn at the Taj Mahal as soft light washes over its marble domes — a moving encounter with an eternal love story. After breakfast back at the hotel, explore Agra Fort, a vast red-sandstone citadel of royal apartments, audience halls and riverside views that frame the Taj across the Yamuna. This evening, savour dinner at your hotel’s rooftop restaurant.

Meals: B, D

Stay: Grand Mercure, Agra