Namasté and welcome to India!

The Leela Palace Trail 3 breathtaking destinations – 3 magical palaces and a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

“Atithi Devo Bhava – Guest is God”, this ancient Indian credo permeates the magical palaces of The Leela in Delhi, Jaipur and Udaipur.

Each palace will not only surprise you with its unique architecture and exquisite surroundings, it will present you with India at its most luxurious.

Welcome to the Leela Palace Trail at the world’s best brand, Travel + Leisure United States 2020, 2021, with the flexibility to create your own itinerary.

Upon arrival at Delhi International Airport, look out for the friendly face of your driver waiting for you in the arrivals hall.

After making do with your luggage, your private transfer will take you to your hotel for check-in in the heart of Delhi, which will be your base for the night. Don’t forget to look out the window and be amazed by this bustling yet charming city, a gem in the heart of India.

Enjoy your cocktail hour from 17:00 to 18:00, organized by the hotel for Dewi Tours – Individual Travel customers.

 Overnight: The Leela Palace New Delhi            

Located in the heart of the capital’s renowned diplomatic enclave, Leela Palace New Delhi showcases the magnificent architecture, grace, and elegance of Lutyens Delhi.

The hotel has a total of 254 luxurious guest rooms and suites, which are awarded the largest rooms in the capital.

The palace is known for its unparalleled gastronomic wonders and par excellence service.

Culinary offerings include two international fine dining institutions from New York City, MEGU and Le Cirque, The Qube, Jamavar, and a sophisticated bar, The Library.

Located on the 9th floor, the Royal Club is a hotel within the hotel that pampers its guests with its personalized service and exclusive amenities and is one of the most sought-after luxury experiences in the world.

With a bouquet of 8 meeting rooms and an elite ballroom, the palace is also an iconic address in Delhi.

The hotel also features a temperature-controlled rooftop pool with panoramic views of the capital and an ESPA London spa.

Accomodation: The Leela Palace New Delhi, breakfast included

Experience the morning yoga session and later a healthy breakfast.

On your first day in India, you will take a special cycle rickshaw tour in Chandni Chowk, Old Delhi, followed by some tastings.

You’ll be transported back 400 years in time as you ride a cycle rickshaw through the narrow streets of Chandni Chowk, known as the Moonlit Square of India. Experience the architectural marvels, the colorful facades, beautifully decorated shops, ethnically dressed men and women as you are bombarded by the screams of the hawkers and scents pouring from the potpourri of restaurants that line these historic alleys.

The Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan (1592-1666) built the walled city of Delhi on the banks of the holy Yamuna River.

It had a magnificent palace known as the Red Fort, impressive mansions, charming bazaars, elegant shrines, royal gardens, and fountains on every corner to indulge the senses.

The emperor’s beloved daughter, Jahanara, designed a main street called Chandni Chowk.

It is located in front of the Red Fort and has a canal that runs down the middle and pools of water at important intersections that reflect the moonlight.

During the British regime, the road underwent major changes and since then this area has witnessed some of the most important events in Indian history.

Today, these magnificent ruins and heroic stories are a living testimony to the development of New Delhi.

Chandni Chowk truly reflects the national unity, secularism and diversity of India.

The tour this morning lasts 3 hours – 3 hours 30 minutes. It’s an extensive and detailed tour that covers 20 main attractions, including palaces, mansions, elegant shrines, and colorful bazaars.

The tour ends at an old haveli (mansion) dating back to 1860 with a photo gallery depicting the Mughal lifestyle and a small lounge where you can relax and enjoy local snacks.

Then, visit Gurdwara Bangla Sahib, the main temple of the Sikhs in Delhi, instantly recognizable by its golden dome.

You’ll then pass by the Presidential Palace, Parliament Buildings, and the impressive India Gate with its eternal flame, before ending the day with a visit to Laxmi Narayan Temple, a temple that spans 7.5 hectares and is adorned with many shrines, fountains, and a large garden.

On your return to the hotel, you will be invited to a complimentary cocktail (from 17:00 to 18:00) as a special gift for Dewi Tours – Individual Travel customers.

Accomodation: The Leela Palace New Delhi, breakfast included

Enjoy a complimentary early morning yoga class at your hotel before breakfast.

After breakfast, you will have the opportunity to explore the contrasts of New Delhi, where you will visit the UNESCO site of Qutab Minar and then visit the tomb of Humayun.

The tour to Imperial Delhi also includes a drive past India Gate, the 42-metre-high War Memorial Arch, Parliament House, the Secretariat Building and Vice Regal Palace, now the official residence of the President of India.

On your return to the hotel, you will be invited to a complimentary cocktail (from 17:00 to 18:00) as a special gift for Dewi Tours – Individual Travel customers.

Qutub Minar

The majestic Qutub Minar is a heritage building located in downtown Mehrauli in India.

The 73 m high tower consists of 5 floors with a spiral staircase leading to its top. The walls are decorated with decorative motifs and Koranic inscriptions. At the foot of the tower are other monuments of historical significance, such as the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque and the Iron Pillar of Delhi.

The Amazing Race Australia used this side as a pit stop in the second series. Visitors can take advantage of the impressive photo opportunities.

Humayun’s Tomb

The mausoleum complex of Humayun, India’s second Mughal emperor, was commissioned by his widow in 1565 and was the first garden tomb built in India. Humayun had traveled widely throughout Persia and Central Asia during his lifetime, and many of the architectural principles he brought back from those travels were incorporated into the building at the direction of his wife.

With its twin domes, decorative inlaid marble, and an expansive garden with baths connected by canals, this 16th-century building set the stage for the style that culminated in the Taj Mahal nearly 100 years later.

Accomodation: The Leela Palace New Delhi, breakfast included

Breakfast at the hotel.

Then, you will be transferred to the New Delhi Railway Station to board the Gatimaan Express (08:10 – 09:50) and visit the famous Taj Mahal.

After lunch (with direct payment), board the train to Jaipur on the Agra-Ajmer Super-Fast Express.

On arrival in Jaipur – The Pink City and check-in for 03 nights at The Leela Palace with overnight stay in a Grande Villa with terrace.

You will be invited by your host for a guided tour of the castle, followed by a glass of wine.

Taj Mahal

The iconic Taj Mahal is not only an architectural masterpiece, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the new Seven Wonders of the World — it’s also the enduring legacy of a royal love story.

It was commissioned by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in the 15th century after the death of his third and dearest wife, Mumtaz Mahal, to serve as her final resting place and symbol of his eternal affection.

The combination of Islamic, Persian, Ottoman, Turkish, and Indian design elements is an impressive structure of elegant domes and white marble that change color and light — pink at sunrise, pearl white in the afternoon, and silver-gold in the full moon.

Jaipur

Burned by the rugged Aravali Hills, Jaipur is the capital and largest city in the northern state of Rajasthan in India.

This city is famous for being India’s first planned city with a variety of pink terracotta buildings within the walled historic center, earning it the nickname “The Pink City.”

Jaipur is located in the Golden Triangle, a popular tourist route that includes Delhi, Jaipur, and Agra, and serves as a gateway to the neighboring desert cities of Jaisalmer and Jodhpur.

A combination of tradition and modernity, this colorful city offers visitors vibrant bazaars, lavish palaces, and ancient temples.

The salmon-soaked Old Town is home to the opulent City Palace, which includes an impressive array of palatial structures, sprawling gardens, courtyards, and buildings.

Don’t miss the fairytale splendor of the Amber Fort against the backdrop of the arid landscape.

Overnight: The Leela Palace Jaipur      

Inspired by Rajasthan’s royal heritage, The Leela Palace Jaipur is an elegant reflection of modern palatial grandeur and the epitome of true Indian luxury. Situated in tranquil surroundings near the Amber Fort on the Delhi-Jaipur highway, the hotel is set in over 8 acres of landscaped gardens with the majestic backdrop of the Aravalli mountain range.

In close proximity to Delhi, it is a serene and serene view for the discerning traveler to discover the Pink City in all its glory.

The accommodation consists of 200 generously appointed guest rooms, suites and villas, each equipped with air conditioning, tea and coffee making facilities, a television, a minibar and an en-suite bathroom.

Guests can dine at one of the hotel’s restaurants, relax with a refreshing drink at the bar or take advantage of room service.

Other amenities include an indoor and outdoor event space, a spa, a gym, a salon and an outdoor pool. Laundry and dry cleaning services are also available.

Accomodation: The Leela Palace Jaipur, breakfast included

Start your day again with a complimentary early morning yoga class before breakfast.

After a delicious breakfast, enjoy a guided excursion to the Amber Fort.

Along the way, stop for a photo stop at the “Palace of the Winds,” also known as the Hawa Mahal.

Relax by the pool in the afternoon and in the evening you will be invited to a complimentary cocktail (from 17:00 to 18:00) as a special gift for Dewi Tours – Individual Travel customers.

Activities:

Amber Fort Jaipur

The Amer Fort is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Amber Fort was built in the 16th century by Raja Man Singh I and completed in the 18th century by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh.

With its large ramparts and a series of gates and paved paths, the fort overlooks Lake Maota at its top.

The popular buildings in the fort consist of: Diwan-i-Aam, the Diwan-i-Khas, the Sheesh Mahal (Palace of Mirrors), Jai Mandir, and the Sukh Niwas.

Accomodation: The Leela Palace Jaipur, breakfast included

Today’s itinerary includes visiting many local attractions.

The vibrant mix of old and new continues to be a fascinating narrative of this bustling city of palaces and pavilions, crumbling havelis and ancient bazaars, prized museums and traditional handicrafts… Oh yes… and the shopping malls and the posh cafes and almost-flowing traffic!

But what captivates us on this tour is a side of Jaipur that only locals know!

Have an authentic experience by wandering through a neighborhood full of historic gems, and hear plenty of stories from your local insider.

Stroll through the streets full of character.

Explore the nooks and crannies of the exquisite Pink City… immerse yourself in the glorious, ancient stories of the ancient walled city, filled with the sound of morning temple prayers and bells.

Why you’ll love it:

Walk in tune with local life to follow the morning routines and rhythms of the Pink City

To follow Rickshaw ride through the old town

Breakfast, followed by a visit to local life and the city’s street vendors

Then, visit Jaipur’s historic sites, including the palace with a red and pink sandstone façade, built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh.

Stop at the nearby UNESCO World Heritage Site of Jantar Mantar, a collection of architectural astronomical instruments completed in 1734 AD.

In the evening, you’ll be invited to take part in an experiential cooking class, followed by dinner at a local family’s home.

Accomodation: The Leela Palace Jaipur, breakfast included

Start your day a little earlier and head south to Udaipur (about 6-7 hours drive), known as the “City of Lakes” and tucked away in the heart of the forested Aravalli hills.

A majestic and romantic city, it has always stood out from the other desert cities of Rajasthan due to its intricate network of artificial lakes.

Early evening cocktails are still available every evening (from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.) as a special gift for Dewi Tours – Individual Travel customers.

Overnight: The Leela Palace Udaipur  

Leela Palace, Udaipur possesses breathtaking splendor and opulence. Guests feel the feeling of luxury even before they arrive, as they are brought here by boat, allowing them to admire the majestic Lake Pichola in front of them even before they discover the palace itself.

Everything in this magnificent hotel is made of marble, silver, bronze and mother-of-pearl, which is the work of the multi-talented Indian craftsmen who created this unique, extravagant and unforgettable place, fit for a king or rather a maharaja.

All units overlook the lake and offer beautiful views.

The outside world seems to disappear as you enter the courtyard, especially in the evening when, lit by candles, the nightly performance of the traditional Rajasthan dances begins, and guests succumb to the intoxicating and exciting rhythms.

The hotel’s wellness area consists of several treatment tents surrounded by a well-kept garden and a carefully manicured garden.

Udaipur

Dubbed the ‘Venice of the East’, the city of Udaipur is built around three interconnected lakes – Pichhola Lake, Fateh Sagar Lake, and the smaller Swaroop Sagar Lake – and is surrounded by the hills of the Aravalli Mountains.

It is home to a number of ancient temples and fairytale palaces (some of the latter have been converted into luxury hotels) and is known as one of Rajasthan’s most beautiful and romantic cities.

Attractions include the City Palace, Lake Palace (on a small island in the middle of Lake Pichola), and the Udaipur Solar Observatory – Asia’s premier solar observation site.

Accomodation: The Leela Palace Udaipur, including breakfast

Today you will spend a full day exploring Udaipur. Discover the 16th-century City Palace, an extravagant and towering structure that is one of the largest palaces in the state.

It offers spectacular views of the city and a fascinating museum to explore. Discover the 17th-century Jagdish Temple, dedicated to the Hindu god Krishna. Stroll through Saheliyon ki Bari, the “Garden of the Handmaids”.

Stroll through the lush lawns and discover stunning lotus pools, marble pavilions, and even elephant-shaped fountains.

Enjoy evening sailing on Lake Pichola. The beautiful expanse of water surrounds two wonderful structures, Jag Niwas and Jag Mandi.

On your return to the hotel, you will be invited to a complimentary cocktail (from 17:00 to 18:00) as a special gift for Dewi Tours – Individual Travel customers.

Accomodation: The Leela Palace Udaipur, including breakfast

You will have the whole day at leisure with a complimentary yoga session, followed by a day of relaxation by your elegant pool, or you can delight in the optional activities.

For Dewi Tours – Individual Travel customers, you are again invited to a free cocktail (from 17:00 to 18:00).

Accomodation: The Leela Palace Udaipur, including breakfast

Today you fly to Mumbai (included)

Upon arrival, you will be met by a tour guide who will accompany you on a “landmarking tour” where you will be guided through the “must-see” places of the city – landmarks, so to speak.

Gateway of India, Victoria Terminus, the Taj Mahal Hotel, the oval Maidan, flanked by the Gothic view, consisting of the Rajabai Tower, the High Court and the University on one side and Art Deco buildings on the other, the London-style fenced Horniman Circle, the imposing structure of The City Hall, the Flora Fountain, the Kala Ghoda Art District,  the Times of India Building, Churchgate Station, Crawford Market, Marine Drive, Chowpatty, Babulnath Temple, Haji Ali and Mount Mary Church are considered landmarks of the city.

After the visit, check-in at the hotel for one night.

Overnight: The Leela Mumbai 

Leela Palace, Mumbai is close to the airport and numerous shopping venues.

The hotel was designed to accommodate a business clientele, although over the years more and more tourists have come to appreciate this elegant, timeless place, made entirely of marble and with plenty of natural light.

Located in the heart of lush vegetation that isolates it from the hustle and bustle of the city and makes it a true oasis of peace and serenity.

Mumbai

Formerly known as Bombay, the bustling city of Mumbai stretches along India’s west coast and is the largest city in the country.

This thriving metropolis is a destination for travelers curious about a modern Indian city.

It serves as the heart of India’s world-renowned film industry, the incomparable “Bollywood”, offering a kaleidoscope of culture, colour and flavours.

Lapped off the Arabian Sea, this urban peninsula is a melting pot of old and new India. Towering office blocks and gleaming apartment buildings bear crumbling granddame of architecture.

People play cricket in the leafy central parks, taxis navigate the packed streets, and families stroll along the promenades by the Mumbai seafront.

Visitors can look forward to seeing the iconic Gateway of India stone arch on the shores of Mumbai Harbour, visiting the ancient cave temples on nearby Elephant Iceland, or jumping on a tuk-tuk tour to experience the magic and madness of this incredible city.

Accomodation: The Leela Mumbai, breakfast included

After breakfast, depending on when your flight leaves, you may need to head straight to Mumbai International Airport to fly home.

We will be happy to adapt our travel example to your individual wishes and ideas ….