The Grand Subcontinent Odyssey: India, Sri Lanka & the Maldives

Arrive in Delhi and receive a warm welcome before transferring to your hotel, a calm sanctuary amid the capital’s vibrant energy. The remainder of the day is designed for gentle acclimatisation after your journey. Settle in, refresh and ease into the rhythm of the city at your own pace. As evening approaches, enjoy a short walk or light exploration nearby, perhaps observing daily life, local architecture or the changing colours of the sky over Delhi’s broad avenues. You may choose a relaxed dinner or quiet time at the hotel, allowing space to unwind while absorbing first impressions of India’s timeless capital.

Begin your day in Old Delhi, stepping into a world of narrow lanes, historic bazaars and centuries-old traditions. Travel by rickshaw through Chandni Chowk, weaving past spice merchants, jewellers and street vendors before visiting the grand Jama Masjid. The atmosphere is rich with sound, scent and movement, offering a vivid introduction to Delhi’s living heritage. In the afternoon, contrast this with New Delhi’s wide boulevards and elegant landmarks. Explore key sites reflecting India’s modern identity and spiritual diversity, such as Gurudwara Bangla Sahib or the Lotus Temple. Together, the day presents Delhi in its full, compelling complexity.

Depart Delhi this morning and travel by road to Agra, watching the landscape gradually shift as you leave the capital behind. On arrival, check in to your hotel and take time to settle in and refresh. The afternoon is kept relaxed, allowing you to ease into the rhythm of this historic Mughal city. As evening approaches, step out for a gentle walk through Agra’s local streets, observing everyday life unfold around you. You may also enjoy a guided street food experience, sampling regional flavours and specialities. This atmospheric introduction offers a grounded, authentic first connection to Agra before tomorrow’s early morning visit to the Taj Mahal.

Begin at dawn as the Taj Mahal glows softly, its marble shifting with the first light of morning. Your guide reveals the artistry, precision and enduring love story behind this masterpiece. Continue to Agra Fort, the powerful riverside citadel of Mughal emperors. Later, drive toward Jaipur, stopping at Fatehpur Sikri, Akbar’s evocative abandoned capital, where red sandstone palaces and courtyards remain remarkably intact. Its graceful architecture and haunting stillness offer a vivid glimpse into a visionary era. By evening you arrive in Jaipur, check in and settle into Rajasthan’s colourful rhythm, with tomorrow reserved for exploration. The journey feels unhurried.

Begin at Amber Fort, a hilltop masterpiece showcasing Rajput artistry through mirrored halls, sweeping courtyards and panoramic views across rugged hills. Continue into Jaipur’s historic core to admire landmarks such as the Hawa Mahal and Jantar Mantar observatory, where science and symbolism intersect. Wander bazaars alive with gemstones, textiles and blue pottery, meeting artisans who preserve intricate skills through generations. There is time to browse boutiques, pause for chai in a leafy café or simply watch daily life unfold. This full day blends grandeur and intimacy, offering a warm, personal encounter with Jaipur’s enduring charm. By evening Jaipur feels approachable.

After your drive from Jaipur, today in Udaipur is kept free for rest and gentle adjustment. Check-in to your lakeside hotel and enjoy an unhurried afternoon. You may stroll through manicured gardens, relax beside the pool, watch boats crossing the water or simply admire the surrounding Aravalli hills. Without a fixed schedule, the city’s softer rhythm begins to reveal itself naturally. This easy arrival allows you to recover from the road, settle into your room and quietly absorb the lakeside atmosphere before tomorrow’s focused exploration of Udaipur’s palaces, temples and artisan quarters. Light and birdsong create a soothing welcome.

Begin at the majestic City Palace, an architectural jewel overlooking Lake Pichola. Wander through mirrored chambers, colonnaded courtyards and galleries that illuminate the legacy of the Mewar dynasty. Later, explore the old city’s artisan lanes, where miniature painters and silversmiths preserve age-old crafts in tiny workshops. Enjoy some free time to browse boutiques or relax in a shaded café. As evening approaches, take a serene boat ride on Lake Pichola, watching palaces and island shrines glow in amber light. The day balances culture, elegance and Udaipur’s signature lakeside serenity in a beautifully measured way. Water, marble and sky linger.

Following your journey from Udaipur through changing rural landscapes and desert fringes, today in Jodhpur is reserved for rest. After checking in, take time to unwind in your hotel’s courtyards, gardens or rooftop spaces, enjoying first impressions of the Blue City from a comfortable distance. You might sip tea while watching Mehrangarh’s silhouette, browse a small on-site boutique or simply relax in your room. With no scheduled sightseeing, this arrival day keeps things gentle, ensuring you feel refreshed and ready for tomorrow’s immersive exploration of Jodhpur’s forts, markets and atmospheric old quarters. It is a day designed for exhaling.

Begin at Mehrangarh Fort, one of India’s most commanding citadels, where grand courtyards, intricate stonework and panoramic ramparts tell powerful stories of Rajput courage. Continue to Jaswant Thada, a serene marble memorial overlooking still lakes and rocky hills. Later, descend into the old city, wandering markets around the Clock Tower scented with spices and stacked with textiles, antiques and silverwork. Pause for chai in a bustling stall or quiet café as daily life unfolds. This full day captures Jodhpur’s essence, combining dramatic architecture, heartfelt craftsmanship and the relaxed rhythm of desert living. By nightfall, Jodhpur feels dramatic, welcoming and memorable.

After driving from Jodhpur through increasingly arid landscapes and scattered desert villages, arrive in Jaisalmer and settle into your hotel. Today carries no fixed sightseeing, allowing you to absorb the Golden City slowly. Enjoy views of the fort from a rooftop terrace, wander briefly through nearby streets or simply rest in the cool of your room. As evening falls, the sandstone facades deepen in colour and the city takes on a magical, lantern-lit glow. This relaxed arrival ensures you are rested and ready for tomorrow’s immersive exploration of Jaisalmer’s fort and desert surroundings. The atmosphere hints at quiet caravans.

Today reveals Jaisalmer’s layered character, from its living fort to the sweeping sands beyond. Begin inside Jaisalmer Fort, where homes, shrines and markets thrive within golden ramparts. Visit finely carved havelis such as Patwon-ki-Haveli, masterpieces of stone latticework and balconies. Later, travel into the Thar Desert for an experience defined by stillness and big skies. A gentle camel or jeep ride over the dunes brings you to sunset viewpoints where the landscape shifts through shades of gold and rose. It is a day of heritage, atmosphere and raw desert beauty. Stars emerge above dunes, framing a hushed silence.

Arrive in Bikaner after your desert journey and check in to your hotel, where the afternoon and evening are kept deliberately free. Take time to unwind, perhaps with a cool drink in a courtyard, a leisurely walk around the property or a sample of Bikaner’s famous savoury snacks. The slower pace offers welcome contrast to the road and allows you to adjust naturally to the city’s frontier atmosphere. Without scheduled visits, you are free to rest fully and gather energy for tomorrow’s deeper exploration of Bikaner’s forts, markets and surrounding desert communities. Cooking aromas and sounds offer an earthy welcome.

Begin at Junagarh Fort, an architectural surprise filled with richly carved halls, painted ceilings and mirrored rooms that reflect centuries of royal influence. Your guide shares stories of battles, diplomacy and Bikaner’s strategic position on desert trade routes. Later, wander through the old city’s lanes, visiting spice shops, sweet-makers and puppet stalls that showcase local traditions. Continue to the famed Karni Mata Temple & nearby rural settlements, where camel farms and mud-brick homes reveal everyday desert life. The day blends grandeur, folk culture and grounded authenticity in rewarding measure. Bikaner’s textures linger pleasantly into the evening.

Today you explore the artistic heart of Shekhawati, often called India’s open-air art gallery. Wander Mandawa’s narrow lanes are lined with spectacular havelis whose frescoes once advertised the wealth and imagination of trading families. Inside restored mansions and small museums, colourful scenes depict mythology, royal portraits, steam engines and everyday life. Your guide explains the symbolism, techniques and stories behind the paintings, bringing the walls vividly to life. Pausing in shaded courtyards or simple tea stalls, you experience a heritage that feels personal, intricate and quietly removed from more visited routes. The experience feels personal, thoughtful and quietly unforgettable overall.

Your morning begins with a relaxed transfer to the airport for your flight to Sri Lanka. Upon arrival in Colombo, you are greeted warmly before travelling north toward Wilpattu, one of the island’s most pristine and least crowded wildlife regions. The scenery shifts quickly from urban coastline to forested plains, lakes and open scrubland rich with birdlife. At your lodge, settle into the natural rhythm of the jungle, surrounded by evening calls and rustling leaves. This peaceful first night in Sri Lanka sets the stage for days shaped by wilderness, discovery and quiet immersion in nature. A new chapter begins.

Your Sri Lankan adventure begins with a warm welcome and the journey north with your private chauffeur-guide. After settling into your lodge, head out on your first Wilpattu safari, exploring spacious forests, open plains and shimmering “villus” where wildlife gathers to drink. With fewer visitors than other parks, sightings feel intimate and unhurried. Look for elephants, deer, sloth bears and the elusive leopard moving through the trees. Between drives, enjoy quiet time at the lodge, surrounded by the natural soundtrack of the forest. It’s a calm, immersive introduction to Sri Lanka’s wild north.

Today is devoted to a full-day private guided safari through deeper sections of Wilpattu, where silence, forest light and wide “villus” create an atmosphere found nowhere else in Sri Lanka. Morning drives reveal fresh tracks and soft movement in the undergrowth, while the afternoon offers unhurried wildlife viewing with your naturalist interpreting behaviours and habitats. Return to the lodge at dusk for dinner, with the option of a gentle night walk if you’re not too tired — a quiet immersion into Wilpattu’s nocturnal world. It’s a day of pure wilderness, depth and discovery.

Begin your morning in Wilpattu with a gentle nature walk followed by breakfast at the lodge. After checking out, travel with your chauffeur-guide toward Sigiriya, where the landscape shifts from forests to the Cultural Triangle’s ancient heart. Upon arrival, check in and unwind before setting out for a sunset ascent of Lion Rock. Climb past frescoes, boulder gardens and ancient terraces as the sky turns gold, revealing breathtaking views from the summit. It’s an unforgettable, atmospheric introduction to Sigiriya’s heritage and one of Sri Lanka’s most iconic sights..

Today begins with the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, once a thriving royal capital. Explore remarkably preserved temples, palaces, statues and monasteries as your guide brings to life stories of kings, monks and daily life during Sri Lanka’s medieval era. After your visit, return to your lodge in Sigiriya for a relaxed afternoon surrounded by forest and birdlife. Enjoy time to unwind, swim or simply take in the jungle views. It’s a calm, enriching day that balances cultural depth with restorative space before your journey continues into Kandy’s sacred hills.

Begin your day travelling from Sigiriya to Kandy, stopping en route to explore the magnificent Dambulla Cave Temple, filled with ancient murals and gilded statues. Continue into the cool highlands and check in to your hotel before visiting the sacred Temple of the Tooth Relic, one of Buddhism’s most revered sites. Later, wander through the Royal Botanical Gardens of Peradeniya or enjoy lakeside paths and artisan boutiques. Kandy’s gentle pace, spiritual depth and lush surroundings create a calming interlude before your journey continues into the hill country tomorrow.

Travel from Kandy to Nanu Oya by train, one of Sri Lanka’s most scenic rail journeys, with sweeping views of valleys, villages and tea slopes. After checking in, visit a working tea factory and plantation to learn the craft behind Ceylon tea. Later, explore Nuwara Eliya’s charming town — its colonial post office, flower-filled gardens and cool-climate marketplaces. This gentle day blends travel, culture and scenery, offering a beautiful introduction to the high country before tomorrow’s wilderness walk.

Begin early for a guided walk in Horton Plains National Park, where cloud forests open onto sweeping highland grasslands and the dramatic escarpment known as World’s End. Morning light, mist and rare flora give the landscape a dreamlike quality, making this one of Sri Lanka’s most memorable nature experiences. Return to your lodge for a relaxed afternoon — perhaps a warm drink, a quiet garden stroll or simply enjoying the cool mountain air. This day offers pure high-country wilderness before descending toward Ella tomorrow.

Travel from Nuwara Eliya to Ella this morning, descending through winding high-country roads lined with tea fields, waterfalls and sweeping valley views. On arrival, visit the iconic Nine Arches Bridge, where trains glide through lush forest and misty slopes. Continue to scenic viewpoints such as Little Adam’s Peak or enjoy relaxed walks through plantations and shaded trails. Ella’s charm lies in its simplicity — boutique cafés, friendly locals and panoramic lookouts at every turn. Spend the afternoon exploring the village or unwinding at your hotel before heading toward the coast tomorrow.

Travel from Ella to the south coast this morning, descending from misty highlands into warm, sunlit beaches and palm-fringed bays. On arrival in Galle, step inside the beautifully preserved Galle Fort, where Dutch-era streets blend architecture, culture and coastal life. Wander past colonial mansions, art galleries, spice boutiques and lighthouse viewpoints as your guide shares stories of traders and explorers. Visit the Dutch Reformed Church, walk the ramparts and pause for refreshments in a shaded courtyard café. Galle’s slow, graceful rhythm invites unhurried discovery at every turn.

After a relaxed morning in Galle, travel along the coastal road to Colombo for your flight to the Maldives. The journey transitions from Sri Lanka’s historic shores to the turquoise seascapes of the Indian Ocean. Upon arrival, take a scenic speedboat or seaplane to your island resort, where soft white sands and crystal-clear lagoons greet you instantly. Settle into your villa, unwind by the ocean and embrace the gentle rhythm of island life. This evening marks the beginning of your serene Maldivian finale — a luxurious exhale after weeks of vivid discovery.

Your first full day in the Maldives is all about unwinding. Wake to the sound of the ocean and enjoy a leisurely breakfast overlooking clear, glassy waters. Spend the day snorkelling above coral gardens, relaxing by the pool or indulging in a spa treatment inspired by island botanicals. With no agenda except ease and comfort, the hours drift gently between sunlit rest and warm ocean dips. As evening arrives, dine with your feet in the sand while the sky turns shades of pink and gold. It’s a day designed for pure serenity.

Another tranquil day invites you to connect with the ocean in whichever way you choose. Perhaps explore deeper reefs on a guided snorkelling session, glide across the lagoon by paddleboard or simply read on your terrace as reef fish move silently below. The Maldives encourages a slower pace and mindful presence — a calm that surrounds you in colour, light and water. As night falls, enjoy a candlelit dinner under the stars and savour the final evening of your Subcontinent odyssey, wrapped in luxury and quiet beauty.

Wake to one last sunrise over the Indian Ocean before bidding farewell to your island sanctuary. After a relaxed breakfast, transfer by speedboat or seaplane back to Malé for your onward flight. This final day holds a gentle stillness — a moment to reflect on the extraordinary tapestry of experiences behind you: royal cities, desert forts, tea mountains, jungles, coastlines and now, the peaceful blues of the Maldives. Your 28-day journey concludes today, but its stories, landscapes and encounters will continue to stay with you long after you return home.