Day 1
Dehli
Arrive into the Indian capital to a warm A&K welcome and a transfer to your historic hotel.
Stay: The Imperial (Heritage Room)
Day 2 (Breakfast, Dinner)
Dehli
This morning you are joined by a local expert for a stroll through the alleyways of Old Delhi through Chandni Chowk market, past Jama Masjid, the biggest mosque in India, through the by-lanes of the walled city ending in the colourful spice market – a sensory experience. Tonight a treat is in store with an introduction by Claire to the literary feast ahead and then a superb Indian welcome dinner at the Imperial’s Daniell’s Tavern.
Stay: The Imperial (Heritage Room)
Day 3 (Breakfast, Lunch)
Dehli
Enjoy special literary experience with Claire where you will journey from past to present starting with a visit to Humayan’s Tomb brought to life in William Dalrymple’s The Last Mughal: The Fall of a Dynasty and his classic travel memoir City of Djinns. Learn about the Indian perspective of history through Mahmood Farooqi’s meticulously researched, Besieged: Voices from Delhi 1857 and the lives of Delhi’s middle class in Manju Kapur’s novels, continue to the beautiful Lodhi Gardens, a favourite haunt of the well-known Indian writer, Khushwant Singh, author of Delhi. Over lunch be regaled by tales from a local author then stop at the bookshops of Khan Market with time to browse the stores.
Stay: The Imperial (Heritage Room)
Day 4 (Breakfast)
Dehli/Agra
Leave Delhi and travel to Agra. A privately guided tour of the vast Agra Fort reveals breathtaking views over the Yamuna River towards the mighty Taj Mahal. Enjoy an introduction to Taj literature by Claire in the beautiful grounds of the Oberoi Amarvilas with the Taj Mahal as a backdrop, followed by a visit to this splendid monument at sunset.
Stay: The Oberoi Amarvilas (Premier Room with Taj Mahal View)
Day 5 (Breakfast, Lunch)
Agra/Jaipur
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast overlooking ‘the Taj’ before driving to the 16th century sandstone fortress of Fatehpur Sikri, a well preserved Moghul palace city. Stop for lunch and arrive into the pink city of Jaipur late this afternoon.
Stay: The Oberoi Rajvilas (Premier Room)
Day 6 & 7 (Breakfast, Lunch)
Jaipur
Two days to experience the Jaipur Literature Festival with your host. From Nobel laureates to local language writers, Man Booker prize winners to debut novelists, every January the most remarkable, witty, sensitive and brilliant collection of authors come together for five days of readings, debates and discussions at the beautiful Diggi Palace in the Rajasthani capital. Lunch is included daily at the festival with special access to the VIP delegate and author area.
Stay: The Oberoi Rajvilas (Premier Room)
Day 8 (Breakfast)
Jaipur
After breakfast Calire has arranged an exclusive literary experience with a special talk by a local Rajasthani author. Following this, visit the spectacular 500 year-old red sandstone and marble Amber Fort and discover Jaipur’s City Palace, Jantar Mantar and Hawa Mahal. This afternoon is at leisure to relax in the opulent grounds of your hotel or to explore the city further on your own.
Stay: The Oberoi Rajvilas (Premier Room)
Day 9 (Breakfast)
Jaipur/Udaipur
Fly to Udaipur this morning. Famous for its beautiful lakes, hills and marble palaces, spend the morning on a privately guided exploration of the streets and colourful markets by foot. This afternoon and evening is at leisure to explore the city further or relax at your hotel overlooking the lake.
Stay: The Oberoi Udaivilas (Premier Lake View Room)
Day 10 (Breakfast)
Udaipur
Today you visit Udaipur’s most important sites including the City Palace complex with its exquisite inlaid work, mirrored walls and marble balconies, the Sahelion-ki-Bari Gardens and the Crystal Gallery Museum. This afternoon enjoy an exclusive sunset cruise on Lake Pichola followed by a talk from Claire on Rajasthani literature as well as important works in preparation for your visit to Mumbai.
Stay: The Oberoi Udaivilas (Premier Lake View Room)
Day 11 (Breakfast)
Udaipur/Mumbai
Fly to Mumbai. This afternoon explore the colourful Crawford markets, the dhobi ghats (Mumbai’s unique outdoor laundry), pass the chawls (tenements) captured in Kiran Nagarkar’s Ravan and Eddie, and Malabar Hill, followed by a sunset stroll on Chowpatty beach brought to life in The Moor’s Last Sigh by Salman Rushdie and Murzban Shroff’s Breathless in Bombay.
Stay: The Oberoi Mumbai (Premier Ocean View Room)
Day 12 (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Mumbai
Start at the Gateway of India, captured vividly in Suketu Mehta’s Maximum City: Bombay Lost and Found. From there stop for a coffee at Leopold Café in Colaba, made famous in the best-selling novel Shantaram, before heading to Mani Bhawan Museum showcasing the life and works of Mahatma Gandhi. Continue to Churchgate Station and hear about stories from the other side of the tracks (Behind the Beautiful Forevers by Katherine Boo) and end with a drive along Marine Drive captured in Love and Longing in Bombay by Vikram Chandra. Over an intimate lunch, be entertained by a local guest author. Tonight a farewell dinner is arranged at Ziya, one of Mumbai’s finest restaurants headed by two-Michelin-star chef Vineet Bhatia.
Stay: The Oberoi Mumbai (Premier Ocean View Room)
Day 13 (Breakfast)
Depart Mumbai
This morning transfer to the airport where your journey ends.