Marion Miller's 14 Days in India

Marion Miller is a member of Travel + Leisure’s A-List, a collection of the top travel advisors in the world, and can help plan your perfect getaway. Below is an example of the type of itineraries she creates. To work with Marion, contact her at [email protected].

Day 1: Arrive in Delhi

Arrive in Delhi and meet your Micato representative after deplaning. They will accompany you to your luxury vehicle, where cool refreshments await. You will drive through the city to your hotel, The Imperial Hotel, where the manicured lawns, sweeping staircases, and exquisitely carved stone-work will take you back to the glamorous days of the Raj.

Day 2: Delhi

Grab a leisurely breakfast before meeting Micato's tour director, Hem Singh. His charm and intense love for his country and its people make him the person to have by your side as you embark on your adventure. Continue to Humayun's Tomb, where Emperor Humayun, the father of Emperor Akbar, lies buried.

Next, visit a Gurudwara or Sikh Temple, where you will meet community leaders and help make the day’s meal. You'll learn how to roll chipatti dough. After lunch, continue your exploration of the city as you embark on a visit to the Old Delhi. Deep within the labyrinthine alleys, meet Michael Haidar Ali, who will take you on a fascinating food walk to discover the many treats available.

Later, dine at the home of our Indian hosts.

Day 3: Delhi to Agra

Proceed to Agra and check into the Oberoi Amarvilas, located right across from the Taj Mahal. In the evening, visit Mehtab Bagh, a site across the river that affords a spectacular view of the Taj Mahal. Back at the hotel, we have arranged for you to enjoy the expert ministrations of a traditional Ayurvedic therapist. For dinner, head to the Pool Pavilion, where a sitarist provides the live background music while you dine.

Day 4: Agra

Rise early to visit the Taj Mahal. As is customary with Micato, we are the first to enter the gates. Accompanying you is your dedicated photographer to capture these memorable moments. You will also visit the widely acclaimed House of Kohinoor for a private viewing of their priceless collection of hand woven tapestries as well as jewels, some of which date back to the Mughal era.

In the afternoon, get up close and personal with the sloth bears living at the world’s largest sloth bear rescue facility. If of interest, sponsor one of the adorable resident bear cubs and receive its biography and periodic updates on his welfare.

Day 5: Agra to Ranthambore

After breakfast, take a private charter to Sawai Madhopur, home to the Ranthambore National Park. Upon arrival in Ranthambore, proceed to your luxury resort bordering the park, the Oberoi Vanyavilas. Later in the evening, meet the Head Warden of the park for cocktails and dinner. Ranthambore is indisputably one of Indian wildlife conservation’s success stories where the tiger population has increased over the years. A meeting with him is a perfect way to understand the tireless conservation efforts which have gone into this.

Day 6: Ranthambore

Awake just before dawn to hot coffee or a pot of tea, accompanied by a few pieces of shortbread to fortify you for the morning’s a sunrise game drive. The rolling landscape is simply crawling with wildlife, but it is the tigers that everyone comes to see. Ranthambore is one of the best locations to get a close view. They are sighted almost daily somewhere in the park – especially early in the morning.

Between game drives, embark on an excursion to Dastkar – a craft conservation project aimed at sustaining local artisans and their trade. Visit the workshop where you will see and even try your hand at different crafts like block printing, patchwork, rug-weaving and shoe-making.

Day 7: Ranthambore to Jaipur

Depart Ranthambore for Jaipur. Arrive at Rambagh Palace, your accommodations for the next few nights. In the afternoon, visit the City Palace complex. Here you'll take the insider’s tour — your guide knows all the legends that make the Palace such a memorable place to visit. At night, you are invited for a special family dinner.

Day 8: Holi

Watch and join in as people of all ages gather and douse each other with brightly colored powder (gulal) and water. Your guide will provide the traditional garb for the day – a white kurta-pyjama and your arsenal of colors. Early this evening, maybe you’ll want to fly a kite? During your travels through India you will often see children on rooftops engrossed in the age-old sport of kite-flying. The children can also enjoy a rangoli session at the hotel, where they will be taught to recreate a beautiful Indian design using flower petals/dried rice.

Day 9: Jaipur

Wake up early to enjoy a balloon adventure over Jaipur. Later, we visit the Amber Fort before heading to a private elephant sanctuary. You'll get up close and personal with the Asian elephants by bathing and painting them with traditional Indian designs. As the sun sets, enjoy cocktails at the members-only Jaipur Polo Club where you will be joined by members of the legendary Jaipur Polo team. This elite game, once the sole preserve of kings and princes, is a way of life in Jaipur and a favourite with the city’s smart set.

Day 10: Jaipur to Udaipur

Once again, awake to a delightful breakfast before departing for Udaipur. Upon arrival, you'll visit the City Palace, the largest palace complex in Rajasthan. Afterwards, we continue to your hotel, Taj Lake Palace, in time for lunch. The perfect way to enhance your stay at the Lake Palace Hotel is to take a cruise on the Gangaur boat around the serene Lake Pichola. The Gangaur is an antique royal barge belonging to the House of Mewar, and was used in the James Bond film Octopussy. Cocktails and a delectable dinner will be served.

Day 11: Udaipur

Join your guide for a tour of the nearby temples of Eklingji. You also visit Nagda, the site of two fourth-century temples, both embellished with intricately carved royal edits, recalling the harsh rulers of centuries past. After lunch, you'll take a camel cart ride through the nearby village, where you’ll meet a village elder. He will take you on a walk through the village, introducing you to his family and perhaps inviting you for a cup of tea at his home.

Day 12: Udaipur to Jodhpur

This morning, after breakfast, you will depart Udaipur and drive to Ranakpur to visit the magnificent Ranakpur Jain temple complex. You'll stop for lunch at the charming Maharani Bagh Orchards, originally gifted by the Maharaja to his queen and used as a royal retreat. Afterwards, continue your journey and drive on to Jodhpur. Check into the Umaid Bhawan Palace, where you will receive the royal treatment as you settle into your gorgeous room. Once you’ve settled in, you’re off to explore the older part of Jodhpur city on auto-rickshaw, the best way to navigate the narrow lanes. Spend some time soaking in the sights and sounds of the bustling alleyways of the old-world bazaar. Roam the narrow lanes dotted with tiny shops selling exquisite Rajasthani textiles, handicrafts, pottery, curios and exquisite Rajasthani silver jewellery. Afterwards, you will return once more to your beautiful palace.

Day 13: Jodhpur

Your day begins with a visit to the Meherangarh Fort. Later, you will set off to visit the nearby Bishnoi Villages like Guda Bishnoiyan, Kakani, and Khejarli. Afterwards, explore the surrounding countryside on an open jeep safari, stopping en-route for a picnic lunch. You will return to your hotel in the late afternoon.

Day 14: Depart (Jodhpur to Delhi)

This morning your journey draws to a close as you fly to Delhi. Upon arrival, you will be escorted to a hotel where a room has been reserved for you. Later that night, proceed to the international airport for your flight home.