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See the Taj Mahal at sunrise, the River Ganges, Old and New Delhi and the ‘pink city’ of Jaipur and Agra on Saga’s new 15-night Mystical India tour where the thrilling exploration of northern India features four city-to-city train rides.

Cuisine is at the heart of the tour and during visits to Bhopal and to Varanasi, guests dine at a traditional Haveli residence.

The ancient city of Varanasi, holy to Hindus, has 88 riverside ghats where steps lead down to the Ganges for bathing and ceremonies, and guests can join an evening Aarti religious ceremony and typical cuisine comprising a Litti-Choka meal of choorma (made with wheat, ghee and sugar), daal and rice.

The religious and secular history of northern India is also represented by the mighty Amber Fort in Jaipur, the oldest surviving Buddhist sanctuary at Sanchi and the Mesolithic wall paintings at Bhimbetka’s 243 rock shelters, discovered less than 70 years ago.

Off the beaten track, there is a visit to the extraordinary stepwell of Chand Baori and a cruise on the waters of the Chambal River at Dholpur, watching for wildlife such as alligators, otters, tortoises, dolphins and boars in the National Chambal Sanctuary.

The four train journeys include the Mahamana Express from Bhopal to Khajuraho and the Gatimaan Express from Gwailor to Delhi. From Khajuraho the tour takes in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of 20 temples surviving from 950 to 1050 AD, representing Hinduism and Jainism, with carvings and statues of dancers, musicians and animals regarded as masterpieces of Indian Art.

Guests stay on a half-board basis in Saga-rated four and five-star hotels, including the Suryaa and the Pride Plaza in Delhi; the Radisson Blu in Varanasi and in Khajuraho; the Sarovar Premiere, Jaipur; the Taj Gateway, Agra; the 19th century Jehan Numa Palace in the Shamla hills at Bhopal, and the three-star Raj Niwas Palace, Dholpur.

For details call free on 0800 056 0464 or visit saga.co.uk/india

15 nights from £2,599 per person departing from Heathrow with departures on January 15, February 5, October 7 and November 18, 2020.

Price includes VIP door-to-door chauffeur service, tourist visa for full British Citizens resident in the UK, return flights, airport taxes, half board accommodation in there, four and five-star hotels, porterage, Saga tour manager, optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights, or a discount if passenger has own insurance.