Tigers, the Taj Mahal and Mumbai

Arrive at the airport today where your tour begins with a flight from London Heathrow to Delhi. Arriving early on Day 2, you are greeted by your local Indian Tour Manager who escorts you to your hotel, the 5* Crowne Plaza Okhla. You have the rest of the day to settle down, with dinner at the hotel this evening.

Discover the charms of Old and New Delhi today, on a full-day guided sightseeing tour. India's vibrant capital presents a heady blend of medieval, colonial and modern architecture and culture. Travel by rickshaw through the narrow streets of Old Delhi and admire Jama Masjid, the largest mosque of the country, before moving on to New Delhi, where the imposing India Gate, Mughal Emperor Humayun's tomb, and the towering Qutab Minar await you.

Today, you board India's first semi-high speed train, the Gatimaan Express, for a journey to Agra. Agra is famed worldwide for its fantastic ancient architecture, much of which enjoys UNESCO World Heritage status.

After settling in, take a tour of the city, visiting the imposing Agra Fort, followed by a true highlight of your tour - a visit to one of the new Seven Wonders of the World, the Taj Mahal. Constructed from pearlescent white marble and decorated with precious stones, the Taj Mahal is a mausoleum dedicated to Mumtaz Mahal, the beloved queen of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, and dates back to the 17th century. The walls of this structure are adorned with intricate calligraphy depicting poems and scripture from the Quran that you've time to admire.

Transfer to the short-lived medieval capital of India, Fatehpur Sikri, for a sightseeing tour this morning. It was abandoned after only 14 years due to dwindling water supplies. After lunch at Bharatpur, head off to Ranthambore on the Kota Jan Shatabdi Express train, checking in on arrival to the Abhyaran Ranthambore Resort.

Enjoy another highlight of your tour today, with 2 game drives in Ranthambore National Park. Considered to be the best park in India for spotting the Royal Bengal tiger, the sanctuary is also home to over 300 species of birds, as well as crocodiles, deer, and monkeys. Many other rare creatures can also be found here, including leopards, panthers, hyenas, and even sloth bears. Look out for the park's incredible range of wildlife as you explore on both morning and afternoon game drives, scheduled so as to increase your chance of a tiger sighting. In the evening, enjoy a talk by a naturalist who is an expert on this national park.

Transfer by coach to Jaipur, India's 'Pink City' today, checking in to your hotel on arrival. On Day 8, explore the city on a guided sightseeing tour. The capital of Rajasthan, Jaipur, was founded in 1727, and is famed for an array of striking sights such as the impressive Amber Fort, known for its City Palace, and the astronomical observatory. Drive past Palace of the Winds, whose ornate façade granted the courtly ladies a view of the streets without being seen.

Leaving Jaipur behind, you take an internal flight to Mumbai, on India's west coast. India's financial capital, Mumbai has been a gateway to India since 1869, when the Suez Canal was opened, kick-starting a burgeoning spice trade route with the Mediterranean. On arrival, you check in to the 5* Trident Nariman Point, a beautiful hotel overlooking the Arabian Sea. In the evening, enjoy a demonstration of how Indian dishes are prepared.

Discover Mumbai on an early morning walking tour, taking in Colaba Dock where fishermen throng after a night of fishing. Walk along the nearly-empty DN Road, admiring the colonial-era buildings, to Crawford Market and experience an authentic Indian bazaar. You also explore the localities of Byculla and Dadar before returning to the hotel for breakfast and some free time. Later, set out on a sightseeing tour by coach. Your tour includes the Gateway of India - an arch-monument from the colonial era, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus - a UNESCO-listed active railway station dating back to 1887 - and Mani Bhavan,  Gandhi's former home. You also see Mahalakshmi Dhobi Ghat, an open-air laundromat where hundreds of washers wash clothes and linens in concrete wash tubs.

Leave India behind today and transfer to Mumbai airport, for your scheduled flight to London Heathrow, arriving on the same day.