2-Week Luxury Tour of Northern India — from Delhi to the Himalayas

This was a must-see for me and it was everything I’d hoped for. I opted for a professional photographer, which was well worth the $30. You also do not need to stay in Agra. You can easily do a day-trip from Delhi, which is what I did with a private guide.

While there are so many sights to see, top picks I would recommend:

Old Delhi

Spend half a day on a hosted tour to shop local and take in the sights & sounds.

Humayun’s Tomb is so beautiful. It is considered the first garden tomb to be built in India in 1570, and is the tomb of Mughal emperor Humayun. Humayun's tomb was declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1993.

Gurudwara Bangla Sahib is one of the most prominent Sikh houses of worship in Delhi. We toured the house of worship and the community kitchen, which is open to everyone.

It was quite an experience. We took a walking tour of the Old City, where the sidewalks are shared with cows, people and motorbikes. It was a feast for the senses. We visited two different craftsmen to watch them work - Aina (mirror) craftspeople and Koftkari, the delicate art of decorating metal using silver thread. After a very sensory experience, we took our private boat back to our luxury hotel on Lake Pichola.

Jawai is set among spellbinding, billion-year-old granite rock formations where leopards roam wild and free, coexisting with the charismatic communities of Rebari herdsmen. We stayed for two wonderful nights at Sujan Luxury Camp, and I honestly didn’t want to leave. This luxury camp is self-sustaining, with a huge vegetable garden. They employ sustainable practices and give back to the local community in a very big way. You will go on twice-daily Leopard safaris followed by relaxation at the Camp (including a wonderful Spa) and delicious cuisine. Sujan was my favorite part of the trip!

I loved Jaipur. We spent two incredible days taking in the sites. Shopping in the old city: Jaipur shops have been there since 1727. They are handed down from generation to generation and the shops stay the same. I have a wonderful Wholesale Textile resource!

Amber Fort Located high on a hill, it is the principal tourist attraction in Jaipur. It is known for its artistic style elements and overlooks Maota Lake.

City Palace is a royal residence and former administrative headquarters of the rulers of the Jaipur State in Jaipur, Rajasthan. I recommend a private tour, which takes you to the most beautiful areas of the palace.

Eat at the best Vegan restaurant “Johri”. Johri is also a 5-room boutique hotel in the heart of Jaipur.

Ananda in the Himalayas is the world’s most renowned holistic wellness retreat set amid the majestic Himalayan foothills of North India. Residing in the former Palace Estate of the Maharaja of Tehri-Garhwal, it sprawls across 100 acres of gardens, surrounding forests and boasts world-class wellness facilities. This spiritual location, the birthplace of Ayurveda, Yoga and meditation, has attracted wellness seekers from around the world. We stayed for three blissful nights, where I experienced the BEST spa and wellness treatments I’ve ever had. On our last evening, we went into Rishikesh on the Ganges River to take part in the nightly “Aarti ceremony”. It was indeed unforgettable.