A luxury India cruise Tour of palaces, Remote Villages & wildlife – golden triangle, Brahmaputra River, Mumbai

Day 1: Delhi
Arrive in Delhi and transfer to your hotel for your next 2 nights’ accommodations.

Day 2: Delhi 
Enjoy a morning tour of Old Delhi starting with the Red Fort, the 300-year-old walled city built of red sandstone that dates back to the very peak of the Mughal power.  Opposite the fort are the black and white onion dome and minarets of the Jama Masjid, the largest and most elegant mosque in India. Drive past Kotla Firoze Shah, ruins of an old fort of the 14th century with the 13 meter high Ashoka Pillar, dating back to the 3rd century BC. Visit Raj Ghat, where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated in 1948. Next, enjoy a stroll or rickshaw ride around Chandni Chowk, one of the oldest and busiest markets in Old Delhi lined with stalls of spices, dried fruit, silver jewelry and vivid saris. 

In the afternoon, proceed to New Delhi. Drive past the Presidential Palace, the Rashtrapati Bhavan and the secretariat buildings, the impressive Rajpath to the World War I memorial arch, the India Gate, the High Court Building and the Old Fort. Visit Humayun’s Tomb, ruins of Quwat-ul-Eslam (Light of Islam) Mosque and Iron Pillar, which dates back to the 4th century AD. Finish the day with a visit to Qutab Minar – the 72 meter high ruins of Quwat-ul-Islam Mosque dating back to the 4th century that still stands today. (B) 

Day 3: Delhi / Agra
After breakfast, travel overland to Agra by private car (approx. 4 hours). Agra was the capital of the Mughal court during the 16th and 17th centuries and its sublime monuments date from that era. The emperors Akbar, Jahangir and Shah Jehan governed their vast empires from here and as prolific builders; artisans of Persia, Central Asia and other parts of India were attracted by their patronage. The resulting luxurious palaces, tombs, forts and gardens dot the picturesque riverside region along the Yamuna River; three of which, the Taj Mahal, the Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri have been declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Upon arriving in Agra, visit the magnificent Taj Mahal (Closed on Friday), built by Emperor Shahjahan in white marble in the early 1600’s for his beloved Queen Mumtaz Mahal. With its incredible lacy white grandeur, the Taj Mahal is perhaps the most perfect architectural monument in the world. Time permitting, proceed to Agra Fort. Situated on the banks of the River Yamuna, Agra Fort is comprised of palaces, mosques and audience halls, all contained within its massive wall of red sandstone. It is a perfect example of blending Islamic and Hindu traditions. Check-in at your hotel and enjoy the balance of the afternoon at leisure. (B) 

Day 4: Agra / Jaipur
After breakfast, travel overland to Jaipur by private car (approx. 5 hours) visiting Fatehpur Sikri en-route. Fatehpur Sikri, is an abandoned red sandstone city built in the 16th century with an architecture that combines Hindu and Muslim styles. Continue your overland jouney to Jaipur, popularly known as the Pink City built by Raja Jai Singh in the 18th century. It is surrounded by hills topped with rugged fortresses, dotted with fairy-tale palaces. Ambling camels and brightly-dressed peasants, reflect Jaipur’s desert heritage. Check-in to your hotel in Jaipur and enjoy the balance of the afternoon at leisure. (B)

Day 5: Jaipur
Today, enjoy a full-day tour of Jaipur by Jeep. The day begins with a visit to the Amber Fort, where you’ll wander around the beautiful palace and see the Shiladevi temple. Next, visit Hawa Mahal, a prominent landmark of Jaipur affectionately known as the “Palace of Winds.” It is a five-story structure of plastered pink sandstone, encrusted with fine trelliswork and elaborate balconies. In the afternoon proceed to City Palace, which boasts a delightful blend of Mughal and traditional Rajasthani architecture and houses the Chandra Mahal, Shri Govind Dev Temple and the City Palace Museum. We end the day with a visit to Jantar Mantar, the largest and the best preserved of the five observatories consisting of outsized astronomical instruments that are still in use today. Return to your hotel for a brief rest and relaxation. This evening, enjoy a visit to a middle-class family’s home. Here, you’ll have a chance to mingle with the local people and learn about their customs and traditions.  Enjoy a cooking demonstration followed by dinner together with the local family. (B,D)

Day 6: Jaipur / Guwahati / Brahmaputra River Cruise 
Transfer to Jaipur airport for your early morning flight to Guwahati. Upon arrival, be met by an Assam Bengal Navigation (ABN) representative and transfer to your Brahmaputra River Cruise. Begin cruising downstream to Sualkuchi, a bustling little town that is the centre of Assamese silk production. Visit a local weaving workshop and witness the whole process of silk manufacturing – from cocoon and spinning to dyeing and hand-weaving into exquisite mekhela chadars (a two-piece sari, the traditional attire of an Assamese woman). Return to your cruise for dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)

Day 7: Brahmaputra River Cruise (Nilachal – Kurua) 
Today’s morning excursion features a drive up Nilachal Hill to see the holy Kamakhya temple. With its tantric rites and animal sacrifice, the more squeamish among us may prefer to content themselves with the exteriors. Visit the poignant Commonwealth War Graves cemetery before embarking on your cruise vessel at Uzan Bazaar. We set sail and cruise past Kurua on the north bank. (B,L,D)

Day 8: Brahmaputra River Cruise (Jotibari) 
Morning visit to a riverside village. Then continue upstream with jungle-covered hills rising on either side, often battling against strong currents to reach Jotiabari. Enjoy an Indian cooking demonstration onboard. (B,L,D) 

Day 9: Brahmaputra River Cruise (Tezpur) 
This morning, cruise on to reach Tezpur where, after lunch, we will visit the 6th century Da Parbatia temple ruins with its beautifully carved portal. Later, explore the town by rickshaw, stopping at Cole Park with its medieval stone carvings saved from sites all over the region. Enjoy free time in local market before returning to your ship. (B,L,D) 

Day 10: Brahmaputra River Cruise (Nameri National Park) 
After an early breakfast, disembark the cruise for an overland drive (2 hrs) to Nameri National Park. Here, take a float trip of around two hours down the Jia-Bhoreli River through the park. There are excellent bird-watching opportunities here (look out for the great Hornbills) and, perhaps, the chance of sighting wild elephants. After lunch, take a village walk before returning to the ship. Continue upstream, passing below a seemingly endless new bridge across the vast width of the riverbed, to moor at Steemer Ghat. (B,L,D)

Day 11: Brahmaputra River Cruise (Kaziranga National Park) 
Today’s highlight features a jeep safari to Kaziranga National Park. Covering an area of approximately 430 sq kms, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kaziranga National Park is home to the world’s largest population of the Indian One-Horned Rhinoceros as well as the Indian Wild Water Buffalo. It has also earned the distinction of having the highest density of Royal Bengal Tigers (one every five sq. km.) making this park an incredibly rich biodiversity hotspot. With its marshy swamps and thickets of elephant grass, this park supports large populations of Indian elephants, Indian bison, swamp deer, and Capped Langurs. Besides wildlife, Kaziranga National Park is also a birding paradise. Kaziranga National Park also frequently draws comparisons to the Serengeti in Africa due to the park’s abundance of wildlife and birds. Today’s safari includes visits to Kaziranga’s Central and Burapahar Range. Return to your ship in the afternoon for dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)

Day 12: Brahmaputra River Cruise (Kaziranga National Park) 
This morning, go on a visit to a local tea garden and weekly market of Uloni. In the afternoon, drive to Kaziranga’s Western range (Bagori Range) for another jeep safari in search of more wildlife. (B,L,D)

Day 13: Brahmaputra River Cruise / Guwahati / Mumbai
Today’s a travel day. Early morning disembarkation for a 4-hour drive to Guwahati airport for your flight to Mumbai.  Upon arrival, be met and transferred to your hotel for your next 2 nights’ accommodations. (B) 

Day 14: Mumbai
This morning, enjoy an excursion to the Elephanta Caves (closed on Mondays) with a one-hour boat ride through the forested island of Elephanta, one of the most atmospheric places in Mumbai. Populated only by a small fishing community, it makes a wonderful contrast to the city’s hustle-and-bustle. Afterward, enjoy a driving tour of the city followed by a visit to the Hanging Gardens. (B) 

Day 15: Return home 
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight home. (B) 

**Note: normal hotel checkout required. Additional hotel or ground arrangements can be made at an additional cost. 

• Prices are per person, based on double occupancy
• *Taj Mahal closed on Fridays.
• Price excludes international airfares, meals not specified, personal expenses, gratuities to guides and drivers
• Visas are required to enter India(India eVisa can be applied for here). NOT included in package.
• Full board included during cruise but excludes beverages
• Hotels and cruise are subject to availability at time of reservation