Highlights
- See the sunrise over the Taj Mahal
- Take a rickshaw ride through the Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary
- Ride, feed, bathe, and paint elephants
- Cook and eat with a local Jaipur family
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Delhi | Delhi |
| Day 2 | Tour of New Delhi, National Rail Museum & Humayun's Tomb | Delhi |
| Day 3 | Transfer to Agra, Sloth Bear Rescue Center & Moonlight Garden | Agra |
| Day 4 | Taj Mahal, Chambal Reserve River Safari & Agra Fort | Agra |
| Day 5 | Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary, Transfer to Jaipur | Jaipur |
| Day 6 | Tour Jaipur, Block Printing, Elephant Experience & Cooking Class | Jaipur |
| Day 7 | Transfer to Delhi, Depart |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Delhi
Welcome to Delhi! Your driver will meet you and your family and take you to your accommodation, talking you through your itinerary along the way. Feel free to ask any questions, and then, once you've all settled into the hotel, it's time for your first adventure—a trip to the Qutub Minar. This UNESCO World Heritage Site was built in 1192 but is still one of the world's tallest minarets at 238 feet (72.5m). Let the kids scamper around in the surrounding gardens and stretch their legs after the flight.
Your next stop is a fun one for the whole family—the Kingdom of Dreams. Enjoy two theaters showing Bollywood musicals and mythological shows (the kids will love the spectacular lighting and special effects), then round off the fun by taking part in a Bollywood wedding! Afterward, be sure to head to Culture Gully, an on-site showcase of Indian craft, cuisine, and tradition from each region of the country. Later, transfer back to your hotel for dinner and prepare for tomorrow.
Day 2: Tour of New Delhi, National Rail Museum & Humayun's Tomb
Next, you and the kids will go on a whistle-stop tour of the last few hundred years of Delhi's history as you head to its historical monuments. Beginning with the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial, you'll drive past the colonial-era buildings lining the Rajpath, then on to the Presidential Palace and India Gate (a memorial to Indian soldiers who fell in World War I). Make sure to allow plenty of time for your next stop, Humayun's Tomb—this beautiful mausoleum and its gardens are worth lingering over.
Finally, it's on to Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, a Sikh place of worship. See the famous Sarovar (the temple's pool)—you and the kids will be amazed by the community kitchen, where over 20,000 people eat for free every day!
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 3: Transfer to Agra, Sloth Bear Rescue Center & Moonlight Garden
When you're ready, take the kids on a fun tuk-tuk (motorbike taxi) ride to the "Moonlight Garden" of Mehtab Bagh. Framed by a beautiful and ornamental layout, you'll be met with a picture-perfect view of the Taj Mahal. With plenty of space for the kids to run around and few crowds, feel free to linger among the fountains, ponds, and domes. Afterward, head to the lively Agra Bazaar, where you'll be introduced to some descendants of the 20,000 artisans who worked on the Taj Mahal. Many of them still carry on the traditional work of making beautiful inlays of precious stones and white marble.
Day 4: Taj Mahal, Chambal Reserve River Safari & Agra Fort
Start the day at sunrise with a tour of the Taj Mahal. Give the kids a quick snack beforehand (there is no food allowed in the complex), and then visit this epic marble monument at the ideal time of day, before the crowds. Savor the sight of the early sun's rays painting the marble gold—and take the perfect family photo—before heading inside to explore the ornate interior in a three-hour private tour. There are plenty of quiet garden spaces for you to take a break with the kids along the way. After your tour, grab some breakfast at one of the nearby rooftop restaurants.
Next up, experience another facet of India's beauty with a trip out of the busy city to the unspoiled peace of the Chambal Sanctuary. Spend the rest of the morning on a relaxing river safari as your little explorers keep their eyes peeled for over 316 species of birds, Ganges river dolphins, gharial, marsh crocodiles, turtles, otters, hyenas, jungle cats, jackals, wolves, foxes, and more! On the way back, stop at the 12th-century Bateshwar Temples dedicated to Lord Shiva—although only a few may now be visited, it is said that there were originally 101 in total!
Day 5: Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary, Transfer to Jaipur
Today you'll be heading to Rajasthan's "Pink City," Jaipur. Start after an early breakfast so you and the family can stop off at Bharatpur's famous Keoladeo Ghana Bird Sanctuary before the heat of the day. Take your time here—traveling by cycle rickshaw, little legs won't get tired, and there are countless species to spot. The kids will love the larger animals such as hyenas, gazelle, boar, wildcats, and antelope, but don't forget the 366 species of bird, 379 plant species, fish, lizards, frogs, and turtles!
After lunch, continue to Jaipur. Famous for its Hindu, Jain, and Mughal palaces, forts, and architecture, Jaipur is sure to provide you with plenty to see. Check into your accommodation, enjoy a leisurely dinner, and relax before a busy day tomorrow.
Day 6: Tour Jaipur, Block Printing, Elephant Experience & Cooking Class
Today's tour of Jaipur starts with a visit to the beautiful “Palace of the Winds," Hawa Mahal. A five-story sandstone facade with a honeycomb of 953 windows, this fascinating edifice was built to allow the royal ladies to watch street processions unseen. Next, you'll head to the Amer Fort, an ornate royal residence that the kids will love exploring—the elephant ride to the top is bound to be a highlight! From here, you'll go to the City Palace, where you'll also be able to view a traditional puppet show, before heading to the Jantar Mantar, a 17th-century solar observatory and home to the world's largest sundial.
Take a break for lunch and then explore your creative sides with a block printing lesson from the city's artisans. Create a beautiful handkerchief to take home with you—the perfect souvenir if your suitcases are already a little full! Next, head to Elephantastic and take your time learning about the magnificent residents of this sanctuary. You and the kids will love the extraordinary interaction of feeding, walking, and bathing the elephants—you will even learn the traditional methods of painting them!
Alternatively, if you're a family of foodies, explore Jaipur's famous cuisine. Take a guided tour of the city's markets, browsing the stalls at your leisure, with the option of a fun henna demonstration for women and a turban-tying class for men. Afterward, meet a local family for a cooking class to learn the basics of Rajasthani cooking. You and the kids will produce a meal of home-baked bread, vegetarian dishes, and a dessert before relaxing with your hosts to enjoy your creations. Spend your last evening with the locals, experiencing daily life in Japiur—the perfect way for you and the kids to round off your experience.
Day 7: Transfer to Delhi, Depart
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