India

Amy Cochran in front of the Taj Mahal at dawn. A luxury experience arranged by our partners in India. Amy said experiencing this monument at sunrise, with no crowds at all, was surreal and magical.

India

India is a land steeped in opulence and historic grandeur. Every turn brings you face to face with majestic forts, exquisite temples, and vibrant bazaars.

From the regal splendor of Jaipur's palaces to the serene but stark landscapes of the Ranthambhore National Park where the Bengal tigers roam, India's diverse landscapes are nothing short of mesmerizing.

The country’s rich tapestry of cultures offers a feast for the senses, be it through the delicate fragrance of jasmine in the air or the intricate artistry of traditional dance performances.

One of our luxury travel experts, Amy Cochran, recently embarked on an unforgettable journey through India’s most lavish destinations. Part of her adventure included a stay at some of the world's best luxury hotels and a private guided tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Here are her reflections on experiencing the epitome of luxury travel in India.

The Gateway of India is one of Mumbai's most famous landmarks. The monument was erected to commemorate the landing of King George V and Queen Mary at Apollo Bunder on their visit to India in 1911. The structure is a fine example of Indo-Saracenic architecture, and it overlooks the Arabian Sea, making it a popular tourist attraction in the city.

Taking a rickshaw ride through Old Delhi is an immersive experience that transports you back in time to the heart of India's rich history and vibrant culture. Expect all five senses engaged.

India has been a dream destination for me for a long time—ask my husband, though he had no interest. Why? I couldn't pinpoint the exact reason. Perhaps it was because I read a lot and some of my favorite books were about India. I like Indian food. I'd never traveled this far before. The only reason I could think of for my fascination was curiosity. And my friends, curiosity is all you need to explore India. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I would have the opportunity. When it came up, I jumped at the chance because I love helping people navigate the world.

India turned out to not just be a country I visited, but an experience etched in my soul.

Our itinerary included the "Golden Triangle" cities of Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur. In addition, we explored luxury safari tented camps in the incredible Ranthambore National Park, home to Bengal Tigers. We also ventured deep into the desert of the Jawai Bandh region of Rajasthan, famous for its thriving leopard population. Finally, we visited Jodhpur, the Blue City renowned for its vivid blue-painted houses, and concluded our journey in Mumbai, formerly known as Bombay. Mumbai is the bustling financial capital of India and one of the most dynamic and cosmopolitan cities in the world.

With Shonali Datta at the Oberoi Amarvilas in Agra overlooking the Taj Mahal at sunset. This is a wow hotel.

Amy, tell me, how do I travel to India?

I am the first one to tell you that it is not WHAT we know; it is WHO we know. That is the secret sauce to making this huge world smaller. I used to think the travel industry was about the destinations. I was wrong. It is 100% about the people and the relationships. Thanks to our excellent travel partners, Banyan Tours and Hidden Doorways, India is easily accessible when you know the right people. We can make dreams come true.

Banyan Tours says it best: The imprint India makes on every one who visits is unique. It is why we take the planning of every journey very importantly – curating the perfectly bespoke journey.

We are with you every step and can guide you from initial planning to flights, visa applications, and VIP airport meet and greet assistance when you land and take off. You have friends in India who care about your journey. I saw firsthand the love and respect the hoteliers have for our partners at Banyan Tours and Shonali Datta, our lovely host. Relationships matter!

Every trip to India is tailored to your personal wishes and desires. My experience, for instance, was part of a 'familiarization' trip, which moves at a much faster pace for travel professionals. Ideally, you should allocate at least 14 full days in India not counting the travel time to get there, or more if possible, to truly immerse yourself in its rich diversity. Additionally, you can enhance your journey by exploring nearby regions such as the Himalayas or the Maldives.

It would take me pages and ages to talk about India. If you have an interest, reach out to us or see my India story highlights on my Instagram @plannedbyamy.

We did site visits at all our hotels in the places we visited and then some! This was a villa suite at the Oberoi Rajvilas in Jaipur- colorful and peacock-filled.

I started my journey in Delhi at the luxurious Leela Palace hotel. This was a great "landing" hotel and the rooftop pool after 14++ hours on a flight was a treat.

Let's talk about something important. The Food! YES, I ate all the food, drank water, had ice, cocktails, fruit etc with NO SICKNESS at all. If you stick with known eateries and luxury properties you will be fine. We were instructed to not eat any street food by our partners. This was at Indian Accent in Delhi which also has a restaurant in NYC that I love too.

The view of the Taj Mahal from my room at the Oberoi in Agra- STUNNING.

Best travel team- thank you Hidden Doorways, Banyan Tours and my friend in the teal Patrick Anderson.

Namaste from Agra.

On our way to see some Tigers with SUJAN Sher Bagh - a luxury wildlife safari camp located near the Ranthambhore National Park in Rajasthan.

The most incredible candle lit dinner at SUJAN Sher Bagh

Snake Charmer in Jaipur

Private party at the The City Palace in Jaipur. I've never been welcomed with a parade of elephants, horses, band, camels and dancers... and I never will be again.

Dancers at our private party at the City Palace in Jaipur

The Blue Room at the City Palace in Jaipur. Candles everywhere for our private dinner

On to the next place with my travel crew. All our domestic flights were a piece of cake with our logistics team.

This boutique hotel in Jodhpur was really cool - RAAS. This hotel is right in the centre of Jodhpur and has the most amazing view of the fort.

Namaste from the Blue City of Jodphur.

Our welcome at the luxury tented camp SUJAN Jawai. The leopard camp. One thing about India. The hospitality is extraordinary. You will never be greeted as beautifully as you are greeted in India. There is an art and drama to it that I will remember forever.

Thank you Patrick! We heart Hidden Doorways.

Truth be told- was scared here- lightening everywhere but it was by far the coolest, most beautiful sundowner experience I've had.

Yes please to a cosmo in a luxury safari camp in India.

The welcomes in India are incredible but saying goodbye was hard- the people you meet and learn about, they make the experience.

Look this up: The Dabbawalas of Mumbai or "tiffin carriers," a network of delivery personnel who specialize in transporting home-cooked meals from customers' homes to their workplaces and back again.

Coffee and cookies waiting on a Tiger spotting in our luxury jeeps with SUJAN Sher Bagh.

Why trust us to plan your trip to India?

Known and Vetted Hotels

We Luxe Travel works with only the best properties to ensure you get the experience you expect. India has amazing luxury hotels, some of the finest in the world. We have exclusive relationships through our partners in India that know the level of service we expect for our We Travel Luxe clients.

Getting Around

Leave the logistics to us. India is incredibly complex and you must employ trusted drivers and guides. You'll be in good, safe hands with our partners. India needs to be fully led by trusted sources. We would not advise "winging it" in India. However, you will never feel a lack of freedom to explore. Our English speaking guides are excellent at their jobs and take great pride in their country and helping visitors learn about the culture and regions in India.

Help Available 24/7

Our travel advisors make sure every detail is taken care of and can adjust on the fly 24/7 - all you have to do is call or text our partners on the ground when you are in India. You will have dedicated assistance the entire time in India when you use our trusted sources.

Exclusive Upgrades & Amenities through our Partnerships

Because of our affiliations with Travel Experts and Virtuoso, many times in certain properties we are able to offer you exclusive perks like upgrades (when available), daily breakfast, food and beverage or resort credit, early check in or late checkout. At booking, we will be able to share with you what value added benefit you receive by booking with us.

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We Travel Luxe, LLC

We Travel Luxe is a boutique travel agency affiliated with Travel Experts, a Virtuoso member, in Nashville, Tennessee. We help our clients see the world and help deliver unique experiences, adventures, and unforgettable moments that will last a lifetime! Please connect so we can start planning YOUR special experience!