Board flight for Delhi.

Morning arrival and transfer to The Imperial Hotel for the night. In the afternoon we visit the bustling city of Old Delhi. This includes the Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India, Rajghat, the samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi, and the bazaars of Chandni Chowk. A welcome dinner in a traditional setting has been arranged.

Morning orientation tour of New Delhi, including Lutyen’s buildings and India Gate, visit Humayun’s Tomb, a precursor to the Taj Mahal, and drive on to Agra for two nights at The Trident.

In the morning we visit the "poetry in marble", the Taj Mahal (closed on Friday), and the Agra Fort. Afternoon free.

A short drive to Fatehpur Sikri, the deserted capital of Emperor Akbar, before the longer drive to Jaipur. We will also visit the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary en route and have lunch in the manor house in a village, with the opportunity to observe village life from close quarters. Our stay in Jaipur for the next three nights is at the elegant Samode Haveli or The Trident Hotel.

In the morning we enjoy an excursion to the hilltop fort at Amber, possibly by decorated elephants, visiting a small factory for hand-printed fabrics on our return. The afternoon city visit includes the Hawa Mahal, City Palace, Jantar Mantar observatory, and the museum.

A free day to explore Jaipur and its colourful markets. We are invited this evening to a traditional meal with a local family at their residence.

Take a morning flight to Udaipur and transfer to The Trident Hotel for 2 nights (or the Lake Palace or Oberoi Udai Vilas, for a supplement). In the afternoon we visit the sights including the lakeside City Palace complex, Jagdish Temple and Sahelion-ki-Bari.

Today we enjoy an excursion to the intricately carved Jain temple complex at Ranakpur, in the Aravalli Hills.

Fly to Cochin in the morning (via Mumbai) and transfer to the Brunton Boatyard for two nights. The elegant hotel, built in colonial style, overlooks the harbour. After a relaxed day we enjoy a sunset cruise on the backwaters to see the Chinese fishing nets.

We visit the sights including the Dutch Palace, with its murals from the Ramayana, the Jewish Synagogue in Mattancherry, and St Francis’ Church in Fort Cochin. This evening we enjoy Kathakali, a traditional dance-drama form.

We drive along the Western Ghats through tea and spice plantations to Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, stopping en route at a plantation bungalow for a traditional meal with a local family. We stay at the exotic Spice Village, comprising cottages built with thatched roofs in the midst of spice plantations, for 2 nights.

A morning visit to the nearby spice plantations. In the afternoon a boat cruise on Lake Periyar has been arranged, a popular way of spotting herds of wild elephants and other wild animals on the banks of the lake.

Descend down the ghats to Kumarakom for the boat transfer to the ethnic Coconut Lagoon, overlooking the vast expanse of Vembanad Lake, where we stay the next two nights. The afternoon is free to relax by the pool, enjoy an Ayurvedic massage, or visit the nearby bird sanctuary (option of spending the afternoon cruising on a riceboat with overnight stay on the boat, for a supplement).

This morning we enjoy a backwaters cruise (for those not taking the riceboat option). Remainder of the day is at leisure.

A short drive in the morning to the elegant Marari Beach Resort, with cottages tucked away on a secluded beach in Alleppey, for overnight stay. At leisure in Marari.

Fly back from Cochin in the morning, arriving the same afternoon.

The varied accomodation includes a luxury period hotel in Delhi, a modern first class hotel in Agra, and a charming royal mansion in Jaipur and the CGH Earth group of hotels in Kerala, arguably the finest resorts in the region, known for their ethnic character, comfort, cuisine, luxury and environmental consciousness. All hotels have swimming pools and most have health spas.

Meal Plan: Bed & breakfast; traditional meals; riceboat on full board; welcome dinner;last night room only