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Call usRajasthan and Kerala in Style
Palaces, Crafts & Southern Backwaters
15 Day Itinerary
Uncover India’s contrasts on a journey that pairs Rajasthan’s regal heritage with Kerala’s coastal calm. Begin among Delhi’s layered histories, continue through Agra’s Mughal grandeur and Jaipur’s royal streets, then pause beside Udaipur’s shimmering lakes. Fly west to Mumbai for a snapshot of urban India at first light before drifting south to Kochi, Thekkady and Kumarakom, where spice gardens, traditional arts and quiet waterways set an unhurried pace.
This itinerary is designed for travellers who value thoughtful experiences and seamless logistics. Private touring brings Old Delhi’s artisan lanes into focus, reveals Jaipur’s living palaces and observatories, and opens workshops where centuries-old techniques are still practised. In the south, family kitchens, plantation walks and a gentle houseboat cruise show daily life along the backwaters. Elegant hotels anchor each stop, with generous time at leisure for the pool, spa or an unplanned wander.
Expect polished service, expert guides and carefully curated encounters throughout. Transfers are private, timings are sensible and days are balanced, so journeys feel effortless and days end well.
This 15 Day Itinerary Includes
- 2 nights – Delhi – The Oberoi – Premier Room – B & B
- 1 night – Agra – The Oberoi Amarvilas – Premier Room – B & B
- 3 nights – Jaipur – The Oberoi Rajvilas – Premier Room – B & B
- 2 nights – Udaipur – The Oberoi Udaivilas – Premier Room – B & B
- 1 night – Mumbai – Taj Mahal Palace – Luxury Grande Sea View Room – B & B
- 2 nights – Kochi – CGH Brunton Boatyard – Sea Facing Room – B & B
- 1 night – Thekkady – CGH Spice Village – Spice Garden Cottage – B & B
- 2 nights – Kumarakom – CGH Coconut Lagoon – Heritage Bungalow – B & B
- Private airport fast-track on arrival in Delhi
- All private transfers and touring with English-speaking local guides
- Curated experiences as per day-by-day and monument entrance fees
- Delhi–Agra–Jaipur sector by private charter (subject to clearances)
- All current applicable taxes.
- Domestic & international flights excluded – available on request
Prices from £12,075pp
Day 1 – 2
Day 1 – Arrive Delhi
VIP assistance on arrival and private transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure to settle in and enjoy the facilities.
Overnight – The Oberoi, Delhi – Premier Room – Bed & Breakfast
Day 2 – Old Delhi Crafts, Lodhi Art & New Delhi
Walk Old Delhi’s lanes to meet master artisans preserving metalwork, leather, jewellery and hand-printing traditions, with opportunities to purchase directly. Continue to Lodhi Gardens and the open-air street art of Lodhi Colony, then trace the making of New Delhi along its boulevards past India Gate and Rashtrapati Bhavan. End with time for private shopping.
Overnight – The Oberoi, Delhi – Premier Room – Bed & Breakfast
Day 3 – 4
Day 3 – Fly by Charter to Agra – Agra Fort & Kachhpura Walk
Board a private charter to Agra (operations subject to airport permissions). Visit the UNESCO-listed Agra Fort, then join a community-led Kachhpura village walk at sunset, ending at Mehtab Bagh for Taj Mahal views.
Overnight – The Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra – Premier Room – Bed & Breakfast
Day 4 – Sunrise Taj Mahal – Fly by Charter to Jaipur
Enter the Taj Mahal at dawn in traditional attire with a personal photographer. After breakfast, fly by private charter to Jaipur and transfer to your hotel. Afternoon at leisure.
Overnight – The Oberoi Rajvilas, Jaipur – Premier Room – Bed & Breakfast
Day 5 – 6
Day 5 – Amber Fort Blessing & Jaipur City Highlights
Ascend to Amber Fort for a blessing ceremony and explore mirrored halls and royal courtyards. In the afternoon visit the City Palace Museum and Jantar Mantar, with a photo stop at Hawa Mahal. Optional this evening: private access and Royal Gala Dinner at the City Palace.
Overnight – The Oberoi Rajvilas, Jaipur – Premier Room – Bed & Breakfast
Day 6 – Bagru Block Printing – Cooking Demo with a Family
Travel to Bagru to learn natural dyeing and hand block printing across several family workshops in the village, with a hands-on element. Evening cooking demonstration and dinner hosted by a local family.
Overnight – The Oberoi Rajvilas, Jaipur – Premier Room – Bed & Breakfast
Day 7 – 8
Day 7 – Jaipur to Udaipur (Flight)
Optional sunrise hot-air ballooning over Amber (seasonal, weather dependent). Late check-out, then fly to Udaipur and transfer to your lakeside hotel. Evening at leisure.
Overnight – The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur – Premier Room – Bed & Breakfast
Day 8 – Udaipur City Palace & Lake Pichola Cruise
Tour the City Palace complex, then return later for a shared or private boat ride on Lake Pichola for views of palaces and ghats (water levels permitting). Optional supper at a private rooftop club in the old city.
Overnight – The Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur – Premier Room – Bed & Breakfast
Day 9 – 10
Day 9 – Udaipur to Mumbai (Flight) – City Tour & Culinary Trail
Fly to Mumbai and check in. Explore the Prince of Wales Museum, Gateway of India, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, Crawford Market and Dhobi Ghat. In the evening, sample Mumbai’s street-food classics on a guided culinary walk.
Overnight – Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai – Luxury Grande Sea View Room – Bed & Breakfast
Day 10 – Mumbai by Dawn – Fly to Kochi
See the city wake on a guided early-morning tour through trading hubs and markets before breakfast. Fly to Kochi and transfer to your heritage hotel on the waterfront.
Overnight – CGH Brunton Boatyard, Kochi – Sea Facing Room – Bed & Breakfast
Day 11 – 12
Day 11 – Historic Kochi & Home-Style Cooking
Visit Mattancherry (Dutch) Palace, the Jewish Synagogue in Jew Town, St Francis Church and the Chinese fishing nets. Join a Kerala family for a hands-on cooking demonstration followed by lunch; later, enjoy a Kathakali performance.
Overnight – CGH Brunton Boatyard, Kochi – Sea Facing Room – Bed & Breakfast
Day 12 – Kochi to Thekkady – Spice Plantations & Kalaripayattu
Drive into the Western Ghats to Thekkady through tea, rubber and coffee estates. Visit spice gardens to see pepper, cardamom and more, and in the evening watch a Kalaripayattu martial arts performance.
Overnight – CGH Spice Village, Thekkady – Spice Garden Cottage – Bed & Breakfast
Day 13 – 15
Day 13 – Nature Walk – Drive to Kumarakom
Join a naturalist-led walk to learn about local flora and birdlife, then drive to Kumarakom on the Vembanad Lake backwaters. Evening village walk or temple visit by tuk-tuk.
Overnight – CGH Coconut Lagoon, Kumarakom – Heritage Bungalow – Bed & Breakfast
Day 14 – Backwaters Day Cruise
A relaxed day on the water aboard a traditional kettuvallom houseboat, passing paddy fields, canals and waterside villages in the Kuttanad region. Return to your resort in the evening.
Overnight – CGH Coconut Lagoon, Kumarakom – Heritage Bungalow – Bed & Breakfast
Day 15 – Depart Kochi
Private transfer to Kochi Airport for your onward flight.
Additional Inspiration
Browse our other destination itineraries and blog posts for insider tips, personalised recommendations, and advice on avoiding tourist traps – helping make every journey smoother, smarter, and more memorable.
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