Discover enthralling India with renowned rosarians Michael Marriott and Paul Zimmerman. Over 12 days, we visit the celebrated rose gardens of New Delhi and Chandigarh. Attend the annual Rose Festival in Chandigarh, conveniently situated near to our hotel. Take in the majesty of Mughal architecture and its elaborate garden design. In Jaipur, we marvel at the ornate Hawa Mahal and see the artefacts of Jaipur’s City Palace. And soak up thousands of years of culture as we traverse the historic cities of north-western India.
This journey departs:
23 February 2026
Join Michael Marriott and Paul Zimmerman, whose knowledge of everything rose-related adds an extra dimension to the tour.
Attend the acclaimed Rose Festival of Chandigarh at Zakir Hussain Rose Garden.
See the imposing facade and majestic gardens of Rashtrapati Bhavan, the presidential home.
You will be met at Delhi International Airport and transferred to your hotel. A vibrant blend of history, culture and modernity, Delhi is known for its rich, centuries-old heritage. The city offers a glimpse into the country’s past, with its many iconic landmarks, and also serves as a cultural melting pot, owing to its various languages and cuisines. We check into our hotel, The Imperial, early this afternoon. This evening, meet your Botanical Guide in the hotel lobby for a welcome briefing and drink.
Wander the grounds of the National Rose Garden, which offers a peaceful retreat from the bustling environs of the city. The garden features a rich assortment of roses, reflected in their many colours, sizes and scents. Today’s lunch takes place at Haveli Dharampura, the renowned 200-year-old mansion and recipient of the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Award for Cultural Heritage Conservation. This afternoon, visit the 17th-century Jama Masjid mosque. Built by the Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan, the structure is adorned with intricate marble domes, towering minarets, and expansive courtyards. Later this afternoon, take the opportunity to join a cycle rickshaw ride through lively bazaars and narrow lanes buzzing with activity. As you weave through these labyrinthine streets, enjoy your immersion into a sensory feast of sights, sounds, and smells. Then take a stroll through Asia's largest spice market, Khari Baoli, whose many aisles are infused with an array of intoxicating aromas. Enjoy a Welcome Dinner at the hotel this evening.
Discover the nation's most renowned Mughal garden, within the Rashtrapati Bhavan presidential estate. Designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, this expansive garden seamlessly combines formal and informal styles, with terraced lawns, vibrant flower beds and cascading fountains. Visitors are treated to a spectacle of seasonal blooms including tulips, daffodils, Asiatic lily, Oriental lily, and an array of other rare flowers. The garden's pièce de résistance is its collection of more than 100 varieties of roses; each adds to the garden's charm and allure. Enjoy Indian cuisine for lunch at Chor Bizarre. This afternoon, we drive past India Gate, a grand landmark modelled on Paris’ Arc de Triomphe. The arch bears the names of 85,000 Indian Army soldiers who died during the campaigns of World War I. Our tour culminates with a visit to Humayun’s Tomb, final resting place of the second Mughal emperor and a direct architectural predecessor to the Taj Mahal. Tonight, we dine at the Indian Accent restaurant, within The Lodhi hotel.
Arrive today at the imposing Qutab Minar, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Continue to the Garden of Five Senses, designed to engage each of our sensory faculties. Explore several themed areas, each possessing a distinct ambience. Stop for lunch at the award-winning Olive Bar & Kitchen, which serves a range of Mediterranean-inspired cuisine. Following lunch, we head to the private residence of Rahul Kumar at Tagore Garden. This private garden features around 200 roses. Tonight, enjoy the flavours of coastal India at ‘Sana-di-ge’ for dinner.
Early this afternoon, we board a scheduled domestic flight to the city of Chandigarh. Renowned for its green spaces and commitment to environmental sustainability, Chandigarh boasts Asia’s largest rose garden. We check into our hotel, the Taj Chandigarh, which is opposite the Zakir Hussain Rose Garden, designed in 1967 with the vision of creating a haven in which roses from around the world could thrive harmoniously. Dinner will be at our hotel this evening.
Begin today at the Capitol Complex, a masterpiece of modernist architecture and a symbol of democratic governance. Continue to the iconic Rock Garden, a sprawling labyrinth of sculptures, pathways and architectural marvels, crafted from discarded industrial and urban waste. The Rock Garden serves as a powerful symbol of environmental conservation and sustainable living. Return to the hotel for lunch before heading to the nearby Zakir Hussain Rose Garden. The garden boasts an impressive collection of more than 1,600 different varieties of roses, each meticulously cultivated. Its annual Rose Festival sees participants showcasing their finest blooms. A short drive away, the 17th-century Pinjore Gardens exemplify classic Mughal garden design with their symmetrical layout, terraced levels, and elaborate water features. Enjoy dinner at Dhaba 7 restaurant this evening.
Transfer to Chandigarh airport early this morning for our flight to Udaipur, via Mumbai. Arriving early in the afternoon, we find a city steeped in history and romance, whose legacy dates back centuries. Referred to as the "City of Lakes", Udaipur is a region of tranquil waterways, majestic palaces, and vibrant gardens. We head straight to our luxurious hotel, Raffles. Enjoy Rajasthani cuisine this evening at Sawai Kitchen, within our hotel.
Our exploration of Udaipur begins with a visit to the City Palace, a symbol of the city's architectural grandeur. Within the palace’s Durbar Hall, we find glittering chandeliers, mirrored walls, and colourful glass windows. Nearby, we take in the splendour of the Crystal Gallery, featuring the world’s largest privately owned collection of crystal. Continue to the 18th century Saheliyon-ki-Bari, renowned for its elegant fountains, marble pavilions, and lush lawns. According to legend, the garden was designed as a retreat for the royal ladies and their entourage. An optional Rajasthani cooking class is available this afternoon with the residence of culinary trailblazer, Jyoti Jasol. Later, take a stroll through our hotel’s lush garden, full of colourful flowers, aromatic herbs and tall shady trees. As the sun begins to set, embark on a boat ride across Lake Pichola. Glide gracefully along its tranquil waters, with breathtaking views of iconic landmarks, majestic palaces, and verdant hillsides. This evening, we dine at Rajasthani restaurant, 1559 AD.
From Udaipur’s airport, we fly north to the city of Jaipur, long known as the "Pink City", owing to its collection of colourful buildings. Upon arrival, we drive to the City Palace, whose museum features a superb collection of Rajasthani costumes, armoury from the Mughal dynasty and Rajput weaponry. We also see the exquisitely furnished rooms once enjoyed by India’s royalty. Continue to Jantar Mantar, which houses a collection of precise astronomical instruments built during the 18th century. From here, we head to our hotel, Jai Mahal Palace. The hotel’s Italian restaurant hosts us for lunch, with the remainder of the day at leisure. Perhaps take a stroll through the hotel’s grounds, which include a sprawling Mughal-style Charbagh, a quadrilateral garden comprising a mesmerising display of symmetry and order. Dinner tonight is at Cinnamon restaurant, within our hotel.
Our day begins at Hawa Mahal, whose exquisite facade is a mesmerising display of symmetry. Also known as the “Palace of the Winds”, the intricately designed sandstone monument was created to enable the royal ladies to discreetly observe life as it took place beyond the structure’s many windows. Continue to the 16th-century Amber Fort, known for its unique artistic style that blends Hindu and Muslim elements. In the afternoon, join a bespoke shopping tour of the city’s vibrant bazaars. Browse their many traditional handicrafts, jewellery, textiles, and semi-precious gemstones. This evening, we dine at our hotel’s restaurant, Marble Arch.
We spend the morning driving to Agra. Along the way, stop for a photo opportunity at the Abhaneri stepwell, before continuing to Agra. On arrival, we check into our hotel, The Oberoi Amarvilas, located just 600 metres from the Taj Mahal. We’re able to admire this architectural masterpiece from the comfort of our rooms. The hotel's terrace and gardens offer further memorable panoramas. As the sun begins to set, we visit the Taj Mahal before enjoying a Farewell Dinner at our hotel.
Travel in tuk-tuks to Mehtab Bagh, situated across the Yamuna River. Built at the same time as the Taj Mahal, Mehtab Bagh is a Persian-style quadrilateral garden whose design mirrors the approach to the revered monument. Enjoy uninterrupted, breathtaking views of the Taj Mahal from here before returning to the hotel for breakfast. We then drive to Delhi, checking into the hotel Andaz Aerocity, where day use rooms have been booked for you to occupy until your departure. B
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