Taj, Temples and Tigers: What to expect on this incredible trip to India

From marble mausoleums to ancient riverbank rituals, Himalayan peaks to tropical backwaters, India is one of the most diverse countries on earth. Its sheer size, however, can be overwhelming – but if you’re planning a trip this year, consider travelling with Wendy Wu Tours. With over 25 years of touring experience, its friendly team take care of all the details, from all meals to virtually all sightseeing, with no hidden extras. Extraordinary guides bring everything to life, taking you to lesser-visited places where authentic experiences shine, and you’ll stay in high-quality accommodation throughout. Here’s what to expect on their Taj, Temples and Tigers tour…

It’s one of the most iconic structures in the world, taking 20,000 workers – aided by almost 1,000 elephants – over 20 years to build. A monument to enduring love, it was commissioned by Shah Jahan in memory of his favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died giving birth to their 14th child. Sculpted from luminous white marble, the Taj Mahal often appears to have an otherworldly glow, particularly at sunrise and sunset. It’s considered the world’s best example of Mughal architecture, combining elements of Ottoman, Indian, Persian and intricate Islamic decoration. Myriad precious and semi-precious gems are inlaid within its outer walls, some in delicate floral designs. During your visit with Wendy Wu, you will learn all about the Taj Mahal’s extraordinary history, and gain a deeper understanding from your expert guide.

The Taj Mahal is not the only example of extraordinary architecture you’ll see during your tour. In India’s colourful, chaotic capital, Delhi, an array of striking structures chart the city’s fascinating history.

Founded in the 17th century, Old Delhi reveals its past through dense neighbourhoods, bustling bazaars, beautiful mosques and narrow lanes. Its defining monument is the Red Fort, whose vast, terracotta-toned sandstone walls once enclosed an entire imperial city of opulent palaces, receiving halls and formal gardens. No less imposing is Jama Masjid, one of the biggest mosques in the country, whose three domes and towering minarets dominate Old Delhi’s skyline. Built from red sandstone and white marble, its vast courtyard can hold tens of thousands of worshippers.

New Delhi’s architecture reflects a very different era; shaped by British colonial planners, it’s defined by broad avenues and monumental buildings. Landmarks such as Rashtrapati Bhavan (formerly the Viceroy’s House), India Gate and Parliament House were designed in the early 20th century by Sir Edwin Lutyens and remain powerful symbols of the capital today.

Beyond Delhi, architectural riches continue. After visiting the Taj Mahal, explore Agra Fort, an imposing stronghold filled with richly decorated palaces, and Jaipur’s Amber Fort, whose dramatic hilltop position, mirrored halls and painted gateways make it one of India’s most visually arresting fort-palaces. On a Wendy Wu rail tour, you’ll also encounter the glittering, semi-golden Durgiana Temple in Amritsar and the fascinating colonial-era architecture of Shimla – including Victorian, Tudor and Gothic Revival styles – and, in Madhya Pradesh, on a Highlights of India tour, the richly and intricately carved temples of Khajuraho.

India is almost inextricably linked with the tiger; almost three-quarters of the world’s wild tigers live here, protected across a vast network of reserves which range from mangrove forests to dry teak jungles. Tigers have been historically woven into Indian mythology, royal iconography and folklore, symbolising power, protection and divine energy. One of the places you are most likely to spot this elusive animal is in Ranthambore National Park, home to around fifty royal Bengal tigers. They’re more likely to be seen during the dry season (October to June), when vegetation is sparse and they often frequent waterholes. The Highlights of India tour includes a tiger safari, and as well as tigers lurking within Ranthambore National Park, you might also see leopards – although being notoriously shy and nocturnal, they are less prevalent – and sloth bears, shaggy-furred bears from South Asia, so-named for their sloth-like long claws and slow movements. There are also over 300 species of wild bird living within the park, from kingfishers to storks, and parakeets to owls; look out for the less common ones, such as the Indian peafowl, the crested serpent eagle, and green bee-eater.