Touch down India. It’s a different world—just like that, you’re swept away in Micato’s India. Micato staff members are on hand to seamlessly whisk you to your awaiting vehicle. Our home in Delhi will be the ultra-modern Oberoi Hotel, an elegant bastion of world-class luxury.

Spend a day exploring India’s capital city. With its orderly, spacious, tree-lined avenues, New Delhi exhibits a unique blend of British and Indian styles. Explore the highlights including Humayun’s Tomb and the government buildings. After lunch, embark on a visit to old Delhi, with its twisting maze of streets lined with buildings that span the ages. Here, we take an exciting rickshaw ride through the narrow alleys and also visit India’s largest mosque, built by the Mughal Emperors.

Agra is our destination today. Beloved Agra was the capital of the Mughals in the 16th and 17th centuries, and most of the Mughals’ most famous monuments are here: including the magical Taj Mahal. The Oberoi Amarvilas takes you back to an era of Emperors and Princes. You’ll certainly feel like royalty in your gorgeous room, decorated in teak and sandstone, overlooking the Taj Mahal.
At sunset, feast your eyes on the Taj Mahal. Unique in the world, the Taj Mahal is a glorious monument that wasn’t built to honour battle or conquest—it’s a monument to something simpler and more beautiful: love.

Rise early to visit the majestic Taj Mahal and its grounds, the white marble tinged with the pink of dawn, the gentle opalescent sunrise shining up from the reflecting pools. After breakfast, we visit the Agra Fort, which lies on the bend of the River Yamuna, was built by Emperor Akbar as his citadel in the 16th century. Also visit the widely acclaimed ‘Kohinoor Jewellers’ for a viewing of their priceless collection of hand-woven tapestries.
Early this evening, proceed to Mehtab Bagh, a site across the river that affords a spectacular view of the Taj Mahal.

Continue the journey with a short flight into Jaipur. India’s famous ‘Pink City’ is so called because its walls were painted pink to honour visiting royalty, the Prince of Wales in the 1800’s. Your base in Jaipur is the former residence of Jaipur royalty, the breathtaking Rambagh Palace.
Visit the colourful bazaar area this afternoon. Jaipur is a shopper’s paradise, renowned for gems and jewelry: precious and semi-precious stones set in gold, ‘meenakari’ (enamel work) and antique and chunky silver jewelry.

Your first stop for the day is Amber Fort. On the crest of a rugged hilltop and overlooking Lake Moata, the fort lends a majestic strength that evokes thoughts of legends and fairy tales.
This afternoon, we visit the City Palace complex, which continues to evoke the splendour of a bygone era. In an unending series of delights, from its grand aged entrance to the play of ornamental fountains. You also have the opportunity for a hands-on lesson in ancient Indian astrology. The Jantar Mantar, literally translated as ‘calculation instrument,’ is an extravagant observatory, built in the 18th century by Maharaja Jai Singh, on a grand scale that was way before its time.

After breakfast, we proceed to the quaint nearby village of Samode. Once a rich town within the principality of Amber (for which the Fort is named), Samode’s Palace evokes these halcyon days of lavishness. We enjoy a jeep safari through the village followed by a lavish luncheon at the Palace, before returning to the city.

Following a leisurely morning, wing your way into Varanasi, India’s most sacred city. At over 2,500 years old, it is the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world. It is a rare place where an ancient yet still thriving religious tradition is so incredibly accessible. Thousands of pilgrims visit Varanasi daily to take a dip in the holy waters of the Ganges, which in the Hindu religion is believed to wash away sins. We will stay at the Taj Ganges, offering tranquil luxury.
Visit the ghats (river bank) in the evening, when the setting sun casts mystical shadows upon the darkening water, and the tiny sacred lamps that line the banks are ceremoniously lit.

Observe the holy rites on a boat ride at dawn on the river as devotees perform ritual sunrise baths and religious ceremonies, that have remained throughout the centuries, in the pink and gold light. Afterwards, return to the hotel for breakfast.
Stop by an interesting temple dedicated to the Hindu deity, Hanuman. Then, we will visit the temple complex to get a fascinating insight into local life, beliefs and customs. Afterwards, continue your exploration with a visit to Sarnath—the religious centre where Buddha delivered his first speech after gaining enlightenment—and the Dharmekh Stupa—where Buddha delivered his first sermon. We also stop by the museum, which has a small but renowned collection of Buddhist and Brahmanist antiquities.

Today you head north – into the Himalayas – as you take a short flight from Delhi to Dehradun. Arrive at the Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun and drive to Ananda, located close to the town of Rishikesh. Built on a mountain ridge, Ananda is located in the 100-acre palace and picturesque estate of the Maharaja of Tehri Garhwal. Surrounded by graceful Sal forests, it overlooks the Ganges, the holy river of the Hindus, as it runs swiftly through the southernmost ranges of the Shiwalik Mountains through the lush green valley of Rishikesh.

Spend your days participating in the holistic wellness programmes offered by Ananda.
Put life in perspective with the Rebalance programme. Stop feeling burnt out and start living again. The new Ananda Rebalance programme aims to create harmonious inner balance. OR
Effectively unlock your youthful fervour with the Renew programme. It cleanses your body from within and provides relief from muscle.

Continue on day 2 of your holistic healing and rejuvenation with the Ananda therapies.

Return to Dehradun today and fly back to Delhi. Upon arrival, you will be escorted to your hotel where room has been reserved for you. Later tonight your journey through this magical part of the world comes to an end as you proceed to the International Airport for your departure flight.