By Rail and River

Royal India:

By Rail and River

Oct, Dec, Feb

From £13,690pp

Cruise & Land

21 Nights

Royal India by River and Rail Exclusive Expeditions

From the palaces of Rajasthan to the backwaters of Kerala, journey through royal India by legendary train and river cruise

This exceptional journey weaves together two of the world’s most romantic and storied ways to travel, combining the grandeur of The Maharajas’ Express with the serene beauty of a Kerala backwaters cruise aboard the RV Kochi Pandaw. Beginning in Delhi, where the scale and energy of India’s capital sets the tone, the journey boards one of the world’s finest luxury trains for six nights of unhurried travel through Rajasthan and beyond. Agra, Ranthambore, Jaipur, Bikaner, Jodhpur and Udaipur each reveal themselves in turn, a procession of forts, palaces, wildlife and colour that captures the very essence of royal India. Mumbai provides a vivid interlude before the journey transitions south to Kochi, where the pace slows entirely, and the backwaters of Kerala unfold across seven tranquil nights aboard the Pandaw. Winding through palm-fringed canals, remote villages and glassy lagoons, the river cruise offers a profound and unhurried counterpoint to the grandeur of the north. Accommodation throughout, from the Oberoi properties in Delhi and Mumbai to the Taj Malabar in Kochi, is carefully selected. This is India experienced in full, from its imperial heart to its serene southern waterways.

Itinerary highlights

Settle into the refined surroundings of The Oberoi, New Delhi before boarding one of the world's most celebrated luxury trains.

Board The Maharajas' Express and travel in exceptional style through the royal heartland of Rajasthan across six unforgettable nights.

Visit the Taj Mahal at Agra and track tigers in Ranthambore, combining two of India's most iconic wildlife and heritage experiences in a single day.

Explore the pink city of Jaipur, the desert landscapes of Bikaner, the blue ramparts of Jodhpur and the lake palaces of Udaipur as the train carries you through Rajasthan's most magnificent destinations.

Experience Mumbai with a full day to explore its colonial architecture, vibrant markets and legendary waterfront before flying south to Kerala.

Embark the RV Kochi Pandaw in Kochi and spend seven nights drifting through the legendary backwaters of Kerala, a serene world of palm-lined canals, quiet villages and abundant birdlife.

From the palaces of Rajasthan to the backwaters of Kerala, journey through royal India by legendary train and river cruise

Itinerary highlights

Settle into the refined surroundings of The Oberoi, New Delhi before boarding one of the world's most celebrated luxury trains.

Board The Maharajas' Express and travel in exceptional style through the royal heartland of Rajasthan across six unforgettable nights.

Visit the Taj Mahal at Agra and track tigers in Ranthambore, combining two of India's most iconic wildlife and heritage experiences in a single day.

Experience Mumbai with a full day to explore its colonial architecture, vibrant markets and legendary waterfront before flying south to Kerala.

Embark the RV Kochi Pandaw in Kochi and spend seven nights drifting through the legendary backwaters of Kerala, a serene world of palm-lined canals, quiet villages and abundant birdlife.

Day 1

Your journey begins

Your journey begins as you board your overnight flight from London Heathrow to Delhi. As the city lights fade below and the hours pass quietly, the extraordinary adventure ahead begins to take shape. India, in all its colour and complexity, is waiting.

Day 2-3

Arrive in Delhi

Touch down in Delhi and be met by your private transfer to The Oberoi, New Delhi, where a Premier Room offers a serene and elegant welcome after your overnight flight. Over two days, your expert local guide introduces you to one of the world's great capitals. From the Mughal grandeur of Humayun's Tomb and the soaring Qutub Minar to the sensory intensity of Old Delhi's markets and the wide colonial boulevards of New Delhi, the city reveals centuries of history at every turn. Return each evening to the calm of the Oberoi, resting well before the journey continues.

Day 4

Delhi to The Maharajas' Express

After breakfast, transfer to Delhi station and embark The Maharajas' Express, one of the world's most celebrated luxury trains. Your Deluxe Cabin is a beautifully appointed private retreat, and as the train glides out of the city and the landscape of northern India opens around you, the romance of rail travel asserts itself immediately. Lunch and dinner are served onboard as the train moves south, and the anticipation of the days ahead builds with every passing mile.

Day 5

Agra and Ranthambore

The train brings you first to Agra, where the Taj Mahal rises in its full and extraordinary beauty in the early morning light. Few sights in the world reward the moment of first encounter so completely. From Agra, the journey continues to Ranthambore, where an afternoon game drive into one of India's finest tiger reserves offers the thrilling possibility of encountering the Bengal tiger against a dramatic backdrop of ancient ruins and dry forest. Return to the train as the sun drops and the savanna turns gold.

Day 6

Jaipur

Arrive in the Pink City and spend the day exploring one of Rajasthan's most captivating destinations. The amber ramparts of Amer Fort, the elaborate facade of the Hawa Mahal and the bustling bazaars of the old city combine to create an experience of vivid colour and enduring grandeur. Your guide navigates the city with knowledge and care, drawing out stories and details that bring Jaipur's royal history to life. Return to the train in the evening, where dinner onboard marks another memorable day.

Day 7

Bikaner

The train carries you into the heart of the Thar Desert and the ancient city of Bikaner, where the imposing Junagarh Fort and the ornate havelis of the old quarter speak to centuries of Rajput power and refinement. The desert landscape that surrounds the city adds a sense of vastness and timelessness to the day, and the quality of the light here, sharp and golden, makes Bikaner particularly rewarding for those who appreciate photography and atmosphere in equal measure.

Day 8

Jodhpur

Arrive in the Blue City, where the great Mehrangarh Fort looms above a sea of cobalt-washed buildings with breathtaking authority. Explore the fort's intricately carved palaces and sweeping ramparts before descending into the narrow lanes below, where the scent of spices, the sound of bells and the colour of textiles create an atmosphere unlike anywhere else in India. Jodhpur is Rajasthan at its most dramatic, and a day here leaves a deep impression.

Day 9

Udaipur

The final destination on The Maharajas' Express is perhaps its most romantic. Udaipur, the City of Lakes, unfolds around shimmering waters and marble palaces with an elegance that has long captivated travellers. Take a boat across Lake Pichola to the Lake Palace, stroll the gardens of Saheliyon ki Bari and absorb the unhurried beauty of a city that seems designed for reflection. As evening falls and the palaces glow in the fading light, Udaipur offers a final and deeply memorable chapter aboard the train.

Day 10-11

Mumbai

Disembark The Maharajas' Express in Mumbai and transfer to The Oberoi, Mumbai, a landmark property overlooking the Arabian Sea. After the grandeur of Rajasthan, the energy of India's most dynamic city is a vivid and stimulating contrast. Spend a full day exploring with your local guide, from the iconic Gateway of India and the Victorian architecture of the city's grand boulevards to the vibrant Crawford Market and the elegant promenade of Marine Drive. An evening stroll along the waterfront, with the lights of the city reflecting on the sea, provides a perfect conclusion to your time in the north.

Day 12

Mumbai to Kochi

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your short domestic flight south to Kochi, the gateway to Kerala. On arrival, you are transferred to the Taj Malabar Resort and Spa, a graceful property set on Willingdon Island with views across the harbour. Spend the afternoon at leisure, allowing the warmth and greenery of Kerala to wash over you after the intensity of the north. Kochi's blend of colonial history, spice trading heritage and coastal beauty makes it a rewarding place to arrive, and the evening light on the water is a gentle and beautiful introduction to the south.

Day 13

Kochi

A full day to explore one of India's most characterful port cities with your expert local guide. Fort Kochi's colonial streets, the ancient Chinese fishing nets that line the shore, the Mattancherry Palace and the Jewish Quarter all speak to a history of trade, migration and cultural exchange that has shaped this remarkable place over centuries. In the late afternoon, stroll through the spice markets and waterfront lanes as the day cools, before returning to the Taj Malabar for a final dinner on land.

Day 14

Embark the RV Kochi Pandaw

Transfer to the port and embark the RV Kochi Pandaw, your intimate home for the next seven nights as you explore the legendary backwaters of Kerala. The ship is elegantly appointed and thoughtfully crewed, and as it slips away from the quay and the waterways of Kerala begin to unfold ahead, the pace of the journey shifts entirely. Lunch is served onboard as the first palms drift past, and by evening the river has drawn you into a world of extraordinary quietness and beauty.

Day 15-20

The Kerala Backwaters

Over six days of unhurried cruising, the RV Kochi Pandaw carries you through one of the world's most enchanting waterscapes. From Vaikom and Kumarakom to Nattakam, Kainakary, Kavalam, Alappuzha, Thottapally and Pallippuram, each stretch of water brings its own character, its own wildlife and its own rhythm of village life along the banks. Kingfishers flash across the surface, canoes glide between the reeds and the sounds of the backwaters, birdsong, water lapping at the hull and the distant bells of a shoreside temple fill the air with a sense of deep and abiding peace. Excursions into villages and local temples bring moments of warmth and cultural connection, while life onboard the Pandaw, with its attentive crew, excellent food and convivial atmosphere, is a pleasure in its own right. These days pass gently and leave a lasting impression.

Day 21

Disembark in Kochi

The final morning brings a last breakfast on the water before the ship returns to Kochi and you disembark for your transfer to the airport. Your overnight flight carries you back to London, and as the lights of Kerala fade below, the memories of royal trains, ancient forts, desert cities and palm-fringed waterways settle into something you will carry with you for a very long time.

Day 22

Arrive home

You touch down in London as the journey draws to a close, returning home with a richer and deeper understanding of India's extraordinary breadth, from its imperial north to its serene and beautiful south.

What's Included

International return flights from the UK (upgrade options available)
Domestic flights
Seamless ground transfers
Meals as indicated
Curated tours and experiences, including entrance fees
Expert English-speaking local guides
Complimentary house wine, beer, spirits, soft drinks, tea, and coffee onboard the ship and train
Onboard gratuities

What's Included

International return flights from the UK (upgrade options available)
Domestic flights
Seamless ground transfers
Meals as indicated
Curated tours and experiences, including entrance fees
Expert English-speaking local guides
Complimentary house wine, beer, spirits, soft drinks, tea, and coffee onboard the ship and train
Onboard gratuities

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Every journey I plan starts with a conversation. Tell me what excites you, what you've always dreamed of experiencing, and I'll craft something extraordinary. The best expeditions begin with a single question: What would make this unforgettable for you?

Ashley | Expedition Planner

By Rail and River

Royal India:

By Rail and River

From the palaces of Rajasthan to the backwaters of Kerala, journey through royal India by legendary train and river cruise

Itinerary highlights

From the palaces of Rajasthan to the backwaters of Kerala, journey through royal India by legendary train and river cruise

Itinerary highlights

What's Included

What's Included

Thank you

Curate your exclusive expedition

Speak to one of our team