The Very Best of India Tour

Very Best of India itinerary

On our Very Best of India tour, you will discover millennia of history, from the forts, palaces and temples of Rajasthan, to the Art Deco architecture of Mumbai. You will explore the country’s bustling cities and be rewarded with glimpses into India’s diverse cultures and religions.

Join Distant Journeys on our brand new 26-day tour, to experience The Very Best of India.

26-day Very Best of India, from £4,795

If you would like more information about a particular hotel or destination, please click on the orange text.

Day 1: Depart UK

Depart with Emirates from the UK airport most convenient for you. Choose from London Heathrow, London Gatwick, London Stansted, Manchester, Birmingham or Glasgow. No matter which airport you choose, there will be no additional cost.
In-flight meals and drinks included

Shimla Extension

The opportunity to extend your tour by travelling on the classic Toy Train to Shimla, the diverse capital of India’s Northern State, Himachal Pradesh, is available to you with a four-day pre-tour extension. Once the summer capital of the British Raj, Shimla is famed for its artistic edge; bazaars, markets, specialist wooden handicrafts, and spectacular views at the foothills of the Himalayas. Please see the end of this itinerary section for further details.

Day 2: Delhi, 3 nights

All flights with Emirates to Delhi travel via Dubai. On arrival into Delhi transfer to the five star Hyatt Regency hotel. This evening, enjoy a welcome drink with your Tour Manager and fellow travellers, to become acquainted and learn more about our adventure ahead.
In-flight meals and drinks included

Day 3: Delhi

A city that combines both the ancient and modern, Delhi is a wonderful introduction to India. Our day begins with an enjoyable rickshaw ride through Old Delhi. We travel via the Red Fort, the most opulent fort and palace of the Mughal Empire, visit Jama Masjid, India’s largest mosque and experience Chandni Chowk, the bustling and colourful market of the old city. See the imposing India Gate and Parliament House in New Delhi, before lunch at the delightful Veda Restaurant. Later, we further explore New Delhi, including Humayun’s Tomb and the 13th century Qutub Minar, a red sandstone and white marble minaret, measuring over 75 metres tall.
Breakfast and lunch included

Day 4: Delhi Freedom Day

Our first Freedom Day allows us to spend the day as we please. Our Distant Journeys Tour Manager will be on hand to provide advice on things to do, where to eat, make any arrangements and book excursions for you to further explore the area. Perhaps visit two of India’s most architecturally impressive wonders, Akshardham Temple and Lotus Temple, or take a tour introducing you to India’s melting pot of different cultures, languages and religions. Alternatively, take a walking tour of Delhi’s schools and markets, guided by street children who are supported by the Salaam Baalak Trust. Breakfast included

Day 5: Jaipur, 3 nights

This morning we begin our journey to the ‘Pink City’ of Jaipur. En route we visit the Heritage Transport Museum for an interesting journey through the evolution of India’s motor industry on a self-guided tour. Later, we continue to Jaipur, the colourful capital of Rajasthan, and to the Trident Hotel Jaipur, offering stunning views of Mansagar Lake and Jal Mahal.
Breakfast and lunch included

Day 6: Jaipur

After breakfast, we travel a short distance to meet our waiting Jeeps, which will take us to the majestic Amber Fort. Set amidst the hills and overlooking the Maota Lake, this UNESCO World Heritage site is a fabulous example of Rajput architecture. Later, we stop for a photo opportunity at the beautiful façade of the Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds). This afternoon visit the City Palace Museum with its blend of Rajasthani and Mughal Art, and the awe-inspiring Jantar Mantar, an observatory built in 1726 which still provides accurate information to this day. This evening, should you wish, there is the option to enjoy a dinner served at 1135AD, a beautiful restaurant set within the historic ramparts of Amber Fort.  Breakfast included

Day 7: Jaipur Freedom Day

Take advantage of a Jaipur Freedom Day, so you can choose to relax or explore as you please. Perhaps join a heritage walking tour through the heart of the old city, learning about the local trades and crafts. Alternatively, discover the ancient art of hand block printing and how the region’s famous Blue Pottery is created, or explore a local organic farm and enjoy a live cooking demonstration.
Breakfast included

Day 8: Ranthambore, 2 nights

Leaving Jaipur behind, we journey on to Ranthambore National Park. Once the private hunting ground of the Maharaja, the park is now celebrated for its wildlife conservation, and in particular its majestic tigers. After lunch, we board our open canter vehicle for our first safari. Whilst the elusive tiger is the park’s most famous inhabitant, keep an eye out for sambar deer, marsh crocodiles, sloth bears, monkeys, leopards and more than 250 species of birdlife. Our accommodation for the next two nights is the delightful Nahargarh, built in the style of a traditional Rajput hunting palace. Dinner this evening is at our hotel.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Day 9: Ranthambore safari

An early start this morning as we embark on our second safari into the National Park. Exploring a different area of the park, we continue our search for Ranthambore’s varied wildlife. We return to our hotel for breakfast, and the remainder of the day is free to spend as we please.
The hotel has a wonderful pool area, which is a perfect place to unwind for a few hours with a good book. This evening we enjoy a barbecue dinner within the hotel’s picturesque grounds.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Day 10: Agra, 2 nights

After breakfast, we make our way to Bharatpur, where we enjoy lunch in the tranquil and peaceful Laxmi Niwas Palace. We continue our journey to Agra where we discover Fatehpur Sikri, an imperial city of the Mughal dynasty. Built in the 16th century by Emperor Akbar, Fatehpur Sikri was deserted after only 14 years of rule. The abandoned city is now a UNESCO World Heritage site, providing a wonderful insight into life in the time of the Mughal dynasty. We continue on to Agra and our hotel, the Trident Agra.
Breakfast and lunch included

Day 11: Agra’s Taj Mahal

Tour Highlight

Agra is home to India’s most iconic attraction, the Taj Mahal, and our morning begins with a visit to this magnificent monument. The Mughals were at the peak of their power and wealth during Shah Jahan’s reign and it is said that over 20,000 stone carvers, masons, and artists from across India, Turkey and Iraq were employed to build this monument to love on the banks of Agra’s Yamuna River. Afterwards, we visit the impressive red sandstone Agra Fort which was the imperial city of the Mughal rulers. Embracing grand halls and palaces, the country was governed from here for many years. Our afternoon has been left free to spend as we please. This evening, there is an opportunity to experience Mohabbat The Taj show, depicting the romantic story of the Emperor Shah Jahan and his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal.
Breakfast included

Day 12: Amritsar, 2 nights

Tour Highlight

An early breakfast is followed by a journey to Delhi Airport, where we board our flight to Amritsar. On arrival, we will be transferred to the fabulous Hyatt Regency Amritsar. Amritsar was founded in 1577 by the fourth Sikh guru, Guru Ram Das, and is home to the legendary Golden Temple, Sikhism’s holiest shrine and one of India’s most breath-taking sights. After freshening up at the hotel, we make an evening visit to the Golden Temple. At night, the temple is at its most spectacular, beautifully illuminated with its remarkable architecture reflected in the surrounding waters. Here we enjoy the Palki Ceremony, where the Sikh Holy Book is paraded through a crowd of worshippers from the main shrine in Hari Mandir to Darshani Deorhi, with the accompaniment of drums and hymns that fill the air.
Breakfast included

Day 13: Amritsar

The Golden Temple is just a small part of this huge gurdwara complex, known to Sikhs as Harmandir Sahib. This morning we further explore the complex including Akal Takhat, where a collection of sacred Sikh weapons is found, and the incredible community kitchens which produce 20,000 meals per day. Later, we visit the fascinating museum before heading to Jallianwala Bagh, a public garden that houses a memorial of national importance, established in 1951 to commemorate the massacre by British occupying forces. In the afternoon, we journey to the Wagah Border on the Indian and Pakistan border to witness its daily ceremonial closing of the gates and flag lowering.
Breakfast included

Day 14: Varanasi, 2 nights

Following breakfast in the hotel, we embark on a journey to Varanasi, flying from Amritsar to Delhi and then taking our onward flight to Varanasi. Varanasi is situated on the banks of the sacred River Ganges, and is one of the oldest and holiest cities in the world. For the Hindu religion in particular, Varanasi is considered as the place that provides the ultimate pilgrimage, where pilgrims come to the ghats lining the Ganges to wash away their sins in the sacred waters or to cremate their loved ones. The city shows India at its most authentic, with a kaleidoscope of sights, sounds and smells around every corner. The next two nights are at the Taj Gateway Hotel. In the evening, there is an optional dinner in the incredible Brijrama Palace, one of the oldest landmarks of Varanasi.
Breakfast and lunch included

Day 15: Varanasi and the River Ganges

Varanasi comes alive in the morning as pilgrims flock to the river banks to bathe in the holy water and worship the rising sun. We rise early to experience sunrise during a boat ride on the Ganges – a truly spectacular sight. Following our spiritual start to the day, we explore the old city and Bharat Mata Temple, then return to our hotel for breakfast. Later in the morning, we visit Sarnath, where Buddha delivered his first sermon after attaining enlightenment, and explore the important treasures contained within Sarnath’s archaeological museum. In the evening we return to the ghats on the Ganges to experience the Aarti ceremony, amongst hundreds of lighted candles and flower offerings.
Breakfast included

Day 16: Mumbai, 3 nights

After breakfast, we transfer to the airport for our flight to Mumbai. On arrival, we meet our awaiting coach and transfer to our hotel, the conveniently located Trident Nariman Point. No visit to Mumbai is complete without spending a couple of hours browsing the sights, sounds, and wares in one of the city’s markets and bazaars. In the evening, we stroll through one of these markets – Colaba Causeway, which is widely known as Fashion Street and is home to some of Mumbai’s finest cafés and restaurants.
Breakfast included

Day 17: Mumbai and Elephanta Island

This morning, we board our motorboat and sail across the Bay of Mumbai to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Elephanta Island. Dating back to around the sixth century, this is one of Mumbai’s most significant historical sites, and we will have plenty of time to explore its impressive caves, boasting fascinating carvings and sculptures. Returning to the mainland, we explore the key sights of Mumbai, home to an estimated 22 million people and the most affluent and industrialised of all of India’s cities. Our tour of the city begins with a visit to the 140-year-old dhobi ghat. It’s a unique place where thousands of kilos of clothes and linen are washed daily by hundreds of traditional dhobis and their families, who thrash the dirt out on flogging stones, then toss them into boiling starch before hanging them out to dry. We continue with a journey along Marine Drive, before visiting Mani Bhawan – a museum and memorial dedicated to the freedom fighter Mahatma Gandhi. Our tour finishes with a drive by the spectacular Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and Mumbai’s principal landmark, The Gateway of India.
Breakfast included

Day 18: Mumbai Freedom Day

On your Freedom Day in Mumbai, early risers may wish to explore Mumbai at Dawn – a fascinating insight into how life unfolds in this incredible city. Enjoy the bustling bazaar, teeming with traders selling vegetables, milk, fish, newspapers and other daily supplies. Experience the green market, where thousands of vendors trade various leafy vegetables, and visit a local cricket ground to learn how cricket has captured the heart of the Indian population. Later, why not take a truly immersive experience of India, during a Five Senses tour or join a local guide on a tour of the ‘Spices and Thieves Market’?
Breakfast included

Day 19: Kumarakom, 3 nights

Departing Mumbai, we fly to Kochi (also known as Cochin), and begin our scenic journey to Kumarakom. Later, we arrive at the delightful Coconut Lagoon Resort in Kumarakom, on the shores of vast, beautiful Vembanad Lake, Kerala’s largest lake and our home for the next three nights. Breakfast included

Day 20: Keralan backwater cruise

Tour Highlight

Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary is an ornithologist’s paradise and a favourite haunt of migratory birds like the Siberian stork, egret, darter, heron, teal and native kingfishers, ablaze in a myriad of colour. We explore the sanctuary and discover just a small part of the immense network of beautiful Keralan backwaters in the best way possible – by traditional houseboat. Enjoy a relaxing lunch on board as we take in the passing scenery of coconut palms, paddy fields and colourful villages, and see how the locals spend their days.
Breakfast and lunch included

Day 21: Kumarakom Freedom Day

Although today has been left free for you to relax in your beautiful surroundings, you may wish to take advantage of a herbal massage or therapy in the hotel’s Ayuverda centre. Alternatively, you may like to immerse yourself in the local way of life, with a visit to the charming Philipkutty’s Farm. Owned and run by a local Kuttanadan family, visitors get a taste of the region’s cultural heritage, and have the chance to experience what life is like on a working Keralan farm. Lunch at the farm is a highlight, with a blend of exotic Keralan, Syrian and Christian cuisine, centred around traditional fish, meats, rice, farm fruits and vegetables.
Breakfast included

Day 22: Thekkady, 2 nights

Tour Highlight

We leave Kumarakon and begin our scenic journey to Thekkady. As we travel through the tranquil mountainous countryside of thick jungle and vast carpets of tea bushes, the aroma of spices fills the air. We arrive at Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary in time for lunch, and later enjoy a lake cruise to take in the sights and sounds of this beautiful reserve. Though designated a Tiger Reserve in 1978, Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is best known for its elephants. We keep our eyes peeled for its elephants as well as sambars, lion-tailed macaque, nilgiri langur monkeys, and the 260 recorded species of colourful birdlife. We arrive late in the afternoon at the Spice Village, for the next two nights. Our hotel is perfectly located in a spice garden within the cool highlands of Periyar.
Breakfast and lunch included

Day 23: Thekkady

Enjoy a morning guided walking tour around a local spice plantation where our expert guide will explain the culinary and medicinal uses of the many spices grown here, including cloves, cardamom, vanilla, turmeric and cinnamon. The remainder of the day is at leisure to relax and soak up the beautiful surrounding scenery.
Breakfast included

Day 24: Kochi, 2 nights

Following breakfast we leave the hills of Periyar behind us as we descend towards the coast. En-route, we enjoy a fascinating tour to one of the region’s tea plantations where we learn the history and importance of the tea industry to the region, and enjoy the stunning views over the vast expanses of lush green valleys. Later, we arrive into Kochi, the Malabar Coast’s most historic port, and traditionally the place from where India’s invaluable spices were shipped to Europe. We arrive at the five-star Le Meridien Hotel, where we spend our final two nights.  In the evening, there is an opportunity to enjoy an optional cookery demonstration in the home of a local chef and food journalist. The chef will show us how to use the region’s aromatic herbs and spices in our cooking and after the demonstration, we will enjoy the dishes that have been cooked.
Breakfast included

Day 25: Kochi

This morning we tour the spice-scented streets and alleyways of Kochi during our tour of this laid back city. We see the famed fishing nets, vast cantilevered contraptions that still work to this day. Visit the subcontinent’s oldest synagogue, Mattancherry Palace and St Francis Church, the oldest European built church in India. Our afternoon has been left at leisure to relax, further explore the city or perhaps visit Kumbalangi Fishing Village, a unique programme which transformed a tiny island into a model fishing village, where you can learn about local crafts. In the evening we experience a dance performance with a 2,000-year-old history, during the colourful Kathakali show.
Breakfast included

Day 26: Depart India – arrive UK

We depart Kochi with Emirates and fly via Dubai to our chosen airport, bringing an end to our incredible Indian adventure.
Breakfast and in-flight meals and drinks included

SPECIAL LAUNCH OFFER: Please call our team for details.

Shimla Extension

Why not extend your tour by travelling to Shimla, the eclectic capital of India’s Northern State, Himachal Pradesh?

Four nights from only £695 per person

Shimla was known as the ‘Queen of the Hills’ and was the summer capital during British rule in India (when it was known as Simla). In the 19th-century, the British colonial government retreated from the heat of the Indian summer and found this idyllic tiny hamlet with a temperate climate in the Himalayan foothills.

Strung out along a crescent-shaped ridge, surrounded by steep forested hills falling away on all sides, and with snow-covered mountains as a backdrop, it is little wonder Shimla exerted such a magnetic influence and blossomed into a thriving British hill station. Today, the town still exudes a colonial charm and it retains a certain romance for British visitors.

The Shimla Extension may be added to the beginning of any of our tours to India. Guests choosing to take the Shimla Extension will leave the UK four days earlier than the departure dates featured in the brochure.

Day 1: Depart UK

Depart with Emirates from the UK airport most convenient for you. Choose from London Heathrow, London Gatwick, London Stansted, Manchester, Birmingham or Glasgow. If you are travelling on the Highlights of India or Journey Through India itineraries, you also have the option to fly direct to Delhi with Virgin Atlantic from London Heathrow. No matter which airline or UK airport you choose, there will be no additional cost. In-flight meals and drinks included

Day 2: Delhi, overnight

All flights with Emirates to Delhi travel via Dubai. On arrival into Delhi, we meet our Tour Manager and transfer to the five-star Hyatt Regency Hotel.
In-flight meals and drinks included

Day 3: Shimla, 3 nights

Tour Highlight

An early start as we take the morning Shatabdi Express train for our wonderful journey north to Kalka. Our comfortable ‘chair-class’ seats are in air-conditioned carriages with large viewing windows. On arrival in Kalka, we board the Himalayan ‘Toy Train’. As you would expect from an historic rail journey on a narrow-gauge railway, carriages are smaller and are not air-conditioned, but this is more than compensated by the increasingly spectacular views across the lower Himalayas. Our rail adventure ends in Dharampur, where we stop for lunch, and the remainder of the journey to Shimla is by road. Shimla was the summer capital of British India, and nicknamed the ‘Queen of Hill Stations’. Shimla sits in a stunning location at an altitude of 7,267 feet, sprawling across a crescent-shaped ridge deep in the Himalayan foothills. We spend our three fabulous nights in Shimla at the deluxe Radisson Jass Hotel.
Breakfast and lunch included

Day 4: Shimla

The best way to explore Shimla’s most important sights and landmarks is on foot, and this morning we discover the many reminders of British colonial life. During the 19th-century, a stream of British officials and their families travelled to Shimla and created a home away from home, which can be seen in the Georgian, Victorian, mock-Tudor and baronial-style architecture throughout the town. We begin at the buttermilk-yellow Christ Church, overlooking the town, and meander through the pedestrianised streets seeing Scandal Point, Gaiety Theatre and the half-timbered Town Hall.

Arguably the most impressive building is Viceregal Lodge and its beautiful botanical gardens. Built in Scottish baronial style, it was the summer residence of the Viceroy of India, and is now an institute of advanced studies, with some rooms open to the public. In the afternoon, we drive to Shimla’s highest hilltop to visit the vermillion-pink statue of monkey-god Hanuman, and enjoy incredible views of the surrounding area. On the walk back to Shimla, there is an opportunity to stop at the Book Café, a government-funded project to rehabilitate the prisoners of Shimla. Breakfast included

Day 5: Shimla Freedom Day

A Freedom Day in Shimla to relax or further explore this wonderful town at your leisure. Alternatively, you may wish to make the short journey to the Himalayan village of Dhami. Enjoy a walk through the village and its nearby forests, teeming with birdlife, in the company of Kunwar Dushyant Singh, a descendant of the last formal ruler of Dhami. Later, enjoy the wonderful flavours of local Dhami dishes, prepared by Kunwar Dushyant’s family. Please note, this experience is subject to the family’s availability during your visit.
Breakfast included

Day 6: Delhi, 3 nights

Following breakfast, we transfer by road to Chandigarh Airport, where we board our flight to Delhi. We return to the Hyatt Regency Hotel, for the next three nights. This evening, enjoy a welcome drink with your fellow travellers to become acquainted and learn more about our adventure ahead.
Breakfast included

From this point, please follow day 3 of your preferred itinerary