Beyong the Taj - Inside the Real India
From
£2,801pp
Beyond the Taj - Inside the Real India
Forge meaningful connections, partake in local initiatives, and support sustainability efforts through responsible excursions and interactions.
Overview
A deeply enriching journey through India’s major cities, where history, culture and women’s empowerment come to life, from stays in small, family-fun hotels, to engaging with local families and inspiring business owners.
Begin in Delhi, observing the majestic Qutub Minar and delving into the old town, covering the Jama Masjid Mosque, Humayun's Tomb, the Red Fort, and Agrasen-Ki Baoli. Gastronomic delights await as you embark on a walking tour, uncovering the city's culinary traditions and foodie hotspots before a visit to a non-profit organisation dedicated to women's empowerment and child education, offering a glimpse into their remarkable efforts. Continuing to Agra, you'll be captivated by the mesmerising Taj Mahal and the grandeur of Agra Fort. Lunch at Sheroes' Hangout, a café empowering resilient women who've conquered adversity, serves as another poignant stop.
Jaipur's architectural wonders, from the Chand Baori Stepwell to the ancient Harshat Mata Temple, showcase more of India’s architectural triumphs. A stop off at an organic farm and a look into a local family's daily life, a cooking class and home-cooked dinner bring you closer to the region's traditions. The tour then surveys Jaipur's City Palace, Jantar Mantar, and the Hawa Mahal. An electric eco-friendly rickshaw ride allows you to see the city from a different perspective and a tea break at the Marigold Hotel ensures a moment of reflection. In Udaipur, the ‘City of Lakes’, you’ll sail across Lake Pichola and participate in an enchanting evening aarti ceremony. An optional morning cycle tour means you can watch the city come to life as the sun rises. You'll explore more of Udaipur's treasures with calls at the City Palace, Jagdish Temple, and Saheliyon-ki-Bari, followed by an authentic Thali lunch and a vintage car museum tour.
A thought-provoking talk by Amdavad No Richshawala, an advocate of 'gifting forward,' is followed by time spent in Ahmedabad, meandering around its flower market, sipping tea in a local haveli, and seeing Sabarmati Ashram and the Self-Employed Women's Association (SEWA) Federation. Mumbai is the final destination with guided tours of Mani Bhavan, the Prince of Wales Museum, and the Dhobi Ghat, as well as an optional tour to discover the city at dawn.
Itinerary
✓ Day 1: Fly to Delhi
✓ Day 2: Arrive in Delhi and included visit to Qutub Minar
✓ Day 3: Tour of Old Delhi, culinary walking tour, visit to a local women's organisation and tea with retreat owner
✓ Day 4: Train journey to Agra, visit to the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort, and lunch at Sheroes' Hangout
✓ Day 5: Visit to Chand Baori Stepwell and local activities
✓ Day 6: Farm and friendly home visit on route to Jaipur
✓ Day 7: Visit to Amber Fort and Jaipur city tour
✓ Day 8: Visits to local markets and a cookery demonstration
✓ Day 9: Train journey to Udaiour and lake cruise
✓ Day 10: Optional morning cycle tour of Udaipur with included lunch
✓ Day 11: Travel to Ahmedabad
✓ Day 12: Excursion around Ahmedabad
✓ Day 13: Train journey to Mumbai
✓ Day 14: Optional Mumbai by dawn excursion and included city tour
✓ Day 15: Fly back to the UK
- Guests: 2 Adults
- Duration: 15 days
- Board: 30 meals included
- Departing: London Heathrow
- Offer Date: 9th November 2025
Contact us
Why book this Newmarket Tour?
Price includes:
✓ 13 nights' half board accommodation in a series of hotels in Delhi, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Udaipur, Abhaneri and Mumbai plus one night on the aircraft
✓ 13 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 13 dinners
✓ Tour of Old Delhi with visit to Qutub Minar and culinary walking tour
✓ Visit to a local women's organisation
✓ Train journey to Agra and visit to Taj Mahal and Agra Fort
✓ Visit to Ikaki Bagh and a family home
✓ Visit to Birla Mandir with an aarti ceremony
✓ Visit to Amber Fort and a tour of Jaipur
✓ Eco-friendly rickshaw ride and afternoon tea in Jaipur
✓ Visit to a local market and vegetable market with a cooking class and demonstration
✓ Train journey to Udaipur, boat ride across Lake Pichola and aarti ceremony at a local temple
✓ Thali lunch and visit to a vintage car museum
✓ Talk with a rickshaw driver, visit to a flower market and tea at a local haveli
✓ Visit to Sabarmati Ashram
✓ Tour of Mumbai
✓ Return flights to Delhi, returning from Mumbai
✓ Transfers throughout
✓ Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager
Tour Highlights
✓ Travel by train to Udaipur, set sail across Lake Pichola and catch an evening aarti ceremony at a local temple
✓ Journey around Udaipur on a guided tour, stopping at the City Palace, Jagdish Temple, and the pretty Saheliyon-ki-Bari.
✓ Set off on a tour of Old Delhi, where you'll witness its most famous landmarks
✓ Embark on a culinary walking tour, call at the local foodie spots and learn about the epicurean traditions
✓ Amble through Ahmedabad flower market, sip tea at a local haveli and call at Sabarmati Ashram and the Self-Employed Women's Association
✓ Ride a train to Mumbai and opt for an excursion to navigate the city’s streets at dawn
✓ Spend time at a non-profit organisation dedicated to women's empowerment and child education
✓ Enjoy talks with owners of a local retreat and hotels, learning about their entrepreneurial journeys
✓ Board a train to Agra and see the Taj Mahal, the famed ivory-white marble mausoleum
✓ Explore the royal pavilions, palaces, and courtyards of the majestic, red sandstone Agra Fort
✓ Discover Jaipur’s Chand Baori Stepwell (Abhaneri), one of the biggest stepwells in the world and the ancient Harshat Mata Temple
✓ Observe the eco-friendly practices of an organic farm and enjoy lunch with regional ingredients
✓ Take to the streets of Jaipur on an electric eco-friendly rickshaw visiting the City Palace, Jantar Mantar and Hawa Maha
✓ Walk through a vegetable market with a local resident, learn how to cook traditional dishes and watch a demonstration
✓ Join an optional early morning cycle tour of Udaipur, riding through the streets and countryside as the sun rises
Accommodation
✓ Colonel's Retreat, Delhi (nights 2-3)
✓ Dera Village, Abhaneri (nights 4-5)
✓ Ikaki Niwas, Jaipur (nights 6-8)
✓ Udaipur Mahendra Prakash, Udaipur (nights 9-10)
✓ The House of MG, Ahmedabad (nights 11-12)
✓ Trident Nariman Point, Mumbai (nights 13-14)
Come and Say Hello!
With 16 local branches, proud to call Wales home, we’re always here to offer you a travel experience that’s as easy and personal as a chat with an old friend. Pop into your local branch or give us a call today. We look forward to seeing you - Edrych ymlaen I'ch gweld chi!
