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India and Maldives Tour
India Heritage & Maldives Luxury: A 10-Day Private Holiday
Duration
10 Days
Meals
- 9 Breakfast
- 3 Lunch
- 4 Dinner
Accommodation
- The Taj Mahal Hotel
- Trident Agra
- Jai Mahal Palace
- Sun Siyam Olhuveli
Activities
- Cultural Sightseeing
- Taj Mahal & Heritage Tours
- Snorkeling & Island Activities
Overview of India and Maldives Tour
Ten days, two countries, and two very different ways to travel. You spend the first five nights on India’s Golden Triangle, walking through Mughal tombs, Rajput forts, and the lanes of Old Delhi with a private guide. You spend the last four nights on a multi-island resort in the Maldives. There, the hardest choice is whether to swim from the beach or the villa steps.
Trip Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Duration | 10 days, 9 nights |
| Countries | India and the Maldives |
| Starts | New Delhi (Indira Gandhi International Airport) |
| Ends | Malé (Velana International Airport) |
| Trip style | Fully private, with your own vehicle, chauffeur, and guide in India |
| Pace | Easy to moderate. Expect 2–4 hours of walking on sightseeing days, often on uneven stone. |
| Accommodation | Five-star and heritage hotels in India, beach and overwater villas in the Maldives |
| Meals | Daily breakfast in India (except Day 1). Premium All-Inclusive Dine-Around plan in the Maldives. |
| Transport | Private air-conditioned vehicle, two IndiGo flights, and resort speedboat |
| Best season | November to April |
| Departures | Any date you choose, subject to hotel and flight availability |
| Price | On request. Contact us with your dates and room preferences for a tailored quote. |
The India and Maldives Tour joins the most visited cultural circuit in India with one of the easiest island escapes in the Indian Ocean. The logic is simple. You do the walking, the history, and the early starts first. You rest afterward, when you have earned it.
The India section follows the classic Golden Triangle of Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur. In Delhi, you ride a cycle rickshaw through Chandni Chowk and stand inside Jama Masjid, one of the largest mosques in India. In New Delhi, you visit Humayun’s Tomb and Qutub Minar, two UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Together, they show how Delhi’s architecture developed over three centuries.
In Agra, you tour the red sandstone walls of Agra Fort, then return before dawn the next morning for sunrise at the Taj Mahal. On the road to Jaipur, you stop at Fatehpur Sikri, the ghost capital that Emperor Akbar built and then left behind. Jaipur gives you two full days of Rajput palaces, including Amber Fort, the City Palace, Hawa Mahal, and the Jantar Mantar observatory.
Your India hotels carry real names and real reputations. You stay at The Taj Mahal Hotel in New Delhi and Trident Agra from the Oberoi Group. In Jaipur, you sleep in Jai Mahal Palace, an 18th-century palace managed by Taj. Each night is private and pre-booked, and each transfer is handled by your own chauffeur.
On Day 6, you fly from Jaipur to Malé via Mumbai. A Peregrine representative meets you at the Mumbai terminal change, and a resort speedboat meets you in Malé. By sunset, you reach Sun Siyam Olhuveli in South Malé Atoll. You spend two nights in a Grand Beach Villa, then two nights in a Grand Water Villa.
The Maldives section operates on a Premium All-Inclusive Dine-Around plan, which includes meals and a selection of drinks. A guided manta ray night snorkel and a spa credit are also included. Everything beyond that, from a dolphin cruise to a sandbank dinner, is optional and yours to add.
Peregrine Treks & Tours has operated as a government-licensed tour company since 2002. We plan the India and Maldives Tour as a single connected trip with a single point of contact. Our 24/7 support runs from your Delhi landing to your final speedboat.
Trip Highlights
- A complete Golden Triangle circuit of Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur with private, government-licensed English-speaking guides.
- Sunrise at the Taj Mahal, with your guide timing entry for the first light on the white marble dome.
- Seven UNESCO-listed sites in India, from Humayun’s Tomb and the Taj Mahal to Amber Fort and Jantar Mantar in Jaipur.
- A cycle rickshaw ride through the 17th-century lanes of Chandni Chowk in Old Delhi.
- A private jeep ride up to the gates of Amber Fort and its Sheesh Mahal, the Mirror Palace.
- Two nights in Jai Mahal Palace, an 18th-century Taj-managed palace set in Mughal gardens.
- Four nights at Sun Siyam Olhuveli, split between a Grand Beach Villa and a Grand Water Villa.
- A Premium All-Inclusive Dine-Around meal plan across the Maldives stay.
- A guided manta ray night snorkel from the resort jetty is included in the package.
- A spa credit toward one treatment at the resort’s overwater Ocean Spa.
- Optional add-ons include a sunset dolphin cruise, a private sandbank dinner, and a floating breakfast.
Who the India and Maldives Tour Suits
The trip works best for travelers who want a strong cultural core and a real rest at the end, without having to organize two separate holidays. Couples use it as a honeymoon or anniversary trip. Friends and families use it as a first visit to India with a gentler finish.
- First-time visitors to India who want the main Mughal and Rajput sites covered properly, with private guides and no group schedules.
- Honeymooners and couples who want overwater villas, a candlelit sandbank dinner option, and a slower final four days.
- Families with older children who can handle early starts, heat, and walking on the monument grounds.
- Travelers short on time who want to visit both countries in 10 days, with all flights, transfers, and hotels arranged in advance.
The trip may not suit you if you want slow, deep travel within a single Indian region or prefer a single-destination beach holiday. Talk to us about longer Rajasthan circuits or extended stays in the Maldives instead.
Detail Itinerary of India and Maldives Tour
Day 1: Arrival in New Delhi and Private Airport Transfer
Welcome to India. As you exit the arrivals hall at Indira Gandhi International Airport, a Peregrine representative and your private chauffeur meet you with a name board. Your bags go straight into a premium air-conditioned vehicle, and you leave the airport crowds behind within minutes.
The drive to central Delhi takes 45 to 75 minutes, depending on traffic and your arrival time. You check into a Luxury Room at The Taj Mahal Hotel on Mansingh Road, in the tree-lined Lutyens’ Delhi district. The hotel has been one of the city’s best-known addresses since the late 1970s, and it sits close to India Gate and Khan Market.
The rest of the day is free. Long-haul flights into Delhi often land late at night or early in the morning, so we leave Day 1 open for sleep and recovery. Meals are not included, which gives you full freedom to eat at the hotel or head out to a local restaurant.
Peregrine Tip
If you land in the morning, ask the front desk about early check-in when you book. We request it for every guest, but hotels confirm only on the day. A short walk around Lodhi Garden in the late afternoon is an easy way to stay awake until evening and beat jet lag.
Accommodation: The Taj Mahal Hotel, New Delhi, Luxury Room
Meals: Not included
Transfer: Airport to hotel, about 45–75 minutes
Day 2: Private Guided Exploration of Old and New Delhi
After breakfast at the hotel, your private guide meets you in the lobby for a full day across two very different cities. Delhi has been rebuilt many times over the past thousand years, and your route today passes through several of those layers.
You start in Old Delhi, the walled city that Emperor Shah Jahan founded in the 1640s. A cycle rickshaw has carried you through Chandni Chowk, the main market street, since the 17th century. The lanes around it are split by trade: silver in one alley, spices in another, wedding cards and saris in a third. Your guide points out the details you would miss on your own, from carved havelis to century-old sweet shops.
Next comes Jama Masjid, completed in 1656 and still one of the largest mosques in India. Its courtyard holds around 25,000 worshippers. You remove your shoes at the gate and cross the red sandstone courtyard to the prayer hall. The views reach back over the rooftops of Old Delhi.
After lunch at a restaurant of your choice, you drive south to New Delhi. Humayun’s Tomb, finished in 1570, was the first garden tomb on the Indian subcontinent. Its red sandstone and white marble design, set inside a four-part Persian garden, later shaped the plan of the Taj Mahal. Seeing it before Agra helps you read the Taj with fresh eyes.
Your last major stop is Qutub Minar, a 73-meter tower of fluted sandstone begun in 1199. The surrounding complex includes the Iron Pillar, which has resisted rust for around 1,600 years. On the way back to the hotel, you pass India Gate, the war memorial arch at the end of Kartavya Path.
Peregrine Tip
Jama Masjid closes to visitors during prayer times, and your guide plans the Old Delhi route around them. Women receive a robe at the entrance if needed. Photography inside the mosque grounds carries a small camera fee, payable at the gate.
Accommodation: The Taj Mahal Hotel, New Delhi, Luxury Room
Meals: Breakfast
Walking: About 3–4 hours across the day, mostly flat
Day 3: Private Drive to Agra and Agra Fort
After breakfast, your chauffeur drives you south to Agra on the Yamuna Expressway. The trip covers roughly 230 km and takes 3.5 to 4 hours, including a rest stop. The expressway is one of the smoothest roads in North India, so the drive is comfortable in the back seat of your private vehicle.
You check into a Deluxe Pool View Room at Trident Agra, an Oberoi Group hotel built around low-rise courtyards and gardens. The hotel sits a short drive from the Taj Mahal’s eastern gate, which matters when you leave before dawn tomorrow.
In the afternoon, your Agra guide takes you to Agra Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the bank of the Yamuna River. Emperor Akbar began the fort in 1565, and his grandson, Shah Jahan, later added white marble palaces within the red sandstone walls. You walk through the Diwan-i-Am, the hall of public audience, and the Diwan-i-Khas, where the emperor met his court.
The most moving stop is the Musamman Burj, an octagonal marble tower. Shah Jahan spent his last eight years confined here by his son Aurangzeb. From the tower, he looked across the river at his wife’s tomb. On a clear afternoon, you see the Taj Mahal from the same balcony. You return to Trident Agra for a quiet evening.
Peregrine Tip
Late afternoon light at Agra Fort is warm and low, and the crowds thin out after 16:00. Bring a hat and water for the open courtyards. Your guide will also brief you on tomorrow’s sunrise plan before you head back to the hotel.
Accommodation: Trident Agra, Deluxe Pool View Room
Meals: Breakfast
Drive: Delhi to Agra, about 230 km, 3.5–4 hours
Day 4: Sunrise at the Taj Mahal and the Road to Jaipur
Your day starts in the dark. Your guide meets you at the hotel and takes you to the Taj Mahal gate, where you can enter before it opens, roughly 30 minutes before sunrise. Arriving early puts you near the front of the security line and inside the gardens while the light is still soft.
The Taj Mahal took more than 20 years to build, from 1632 to around 1653, as Shah Jahan’s tomb for his wife Mumtaz Mahal. At sunrise, the white Makrana marble shifts from grey to pale pink to gold. Your guide leads you to the best photo positions, explains the calligraphy and inlaid stonework, and takes you inside the main mausoleum.
You return to Trident Agra for breakfast and check out, then drive west toward Jaipur. About an hour out of Agra, you stop at Fatehpur Sikri, the red sandstone capital that Emperor Akbar built between 1571 and 1585. The court left after only 14 years, most likely because of water shortages. What remains is one of the best-preserved Mughal cities in India, from Jodha Bai’s palace to the Panch Mahal and the Buland Darwaza gateway.
From Fatehpur Sikri, the drive to Jaipur takes around four hours. You arrive at Jai Mahal Palace in the late afternoon. Built in 1745 and now managed by Taj, the palace sits in 18 acres of Mughal gardens. You check into a Heritage Room and spend the evening at leisure on the lawns or by the pool.
Peregrine Tip
The Taj Mahal closes every Friday, so we never schedule Day 4 on a Friday. Leave tripods, drones, food, and large bags at the hotel, as security will not allow them inside. A light jacket helps on winter mornings, when Agra can be close to 7°C at dawn.
Accommodation: Jai Mahal Palace, Jaipur, Heritage Room
Meals: Breakfast
Drive: Agra to Jaipur via Fatehpur Sikri, about 240 km, 5–6 hours with a stop
Day 5: Grand Palaces and Forts of the Pink City
Jaipur was founded in 1727 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II as one of India’s first planned cities. Its old quarter was painted terracotta pink in 1876 to welcome the Prince of Wales, and the color stuck. Today you spend a full day with your guide among the city’s royal sites.
You start at Amber Fort, on a ridge about 11 km north of the city. Instead of the elephant rides some visitors take, you ride up to the palace gates in a private jeep. Inside, the highlight is the Sheesh Mahal, the Mirror Palace, where thousands of small mirror pieces cover the walls and ceiling. Your guide explains how a single candle once lit the whole room.
On the way back into the city, you stop for photographs at Hawa Mahal, the Palace of Winds. Its five-story facade holds 953 small windows, built so royal women could watch street life without being seen. The best view is from across the road, where the full pink honeycomb fits into one frame.
After lunch, you visit the City Palace, where part of the complex is still home to Jaipur’s former royal family. The museum rooms display royal textiles, weapons, and two enormous silver urns that once carried Ganges water to England. Next door is Jantar Mantar, an 18th-century observatory of giant stone instruments. Its Samrat Yantra sundial stands about 27 meters tall and tells local time to within two seconds.
You return to Jai Mahal Palace for your second night. The evening is free to walk the gardens, try the hotel restaurants, or rest before tomorrow’s travel day.
Peregrine Tip
Amber Fort is busiest from mid-morning onward, so your guide aims to arrive close to opening time. Wear shoes with a good grip, as the palace floors and ramps are polished stone. Want to shop for textiles or blue pottery? Tell your guide in the morning, and they will plan a stop at a trusted workshop.
Accommodation: Jai Mahal Palace, Jaipur, Heritage Room
Meals: Breakfast
Walking: About 4 hours across the day, including slopes and steps at Amber Fort
Day 6: Fly Jaipur to Malé via Mumbai
After breakfast, your chauffeur drives you to Jaipur International Airport for your IndiGo flight to Mumbai, which takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes. In Mumbai, you move from the domestic terminal to the international terminal for your onward IndiGo flight to Malé, around 2 hours and 50 minutes.
Peregrine builds a generous connection window into the Mumbai transfer. A ground representative meets you on arrival, helps you move between terminals, and stays with you through international check-in. You travel on two separate tickets, which is why we plan the timing with extra room.
At Velana International Airport in Malé, the Sun Siyam Olhuveli team meets you after immigration. The resort speedboat takes about 45 minutes to reach South Malé Atoll. Near the lagoon, the water turns from deep blue to bright turquoise.
You check into your Grand Beach Villa, with direct access to the sand. Walk the beach at sunset, then join dinner at the resort. From here on, the Premium All-Inclusive Dine-Around plan covers your meals and a selection of drinks.
Peregrine Tip
Resort speedboats do not run late at night, so we match your flights to a daylight or early-evening arrival in Malé. Complete the IMUGA traveler declaration online within 96 hours before landing. Keep swimwear and sunscreen in your hand luggage, so you can use the beach before your checked bags reach the villa.
Accommodation: Sun Siyam Olhuveli, Grand Beach Villa
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Travel: Jaipur to Mumbai, about 1 hour 45 minutes. Mumbai to Malé, about 2 hours 50 minutes. Speedboat, about 45 minutes.
Day 7: Beach Villa Leisure and House Reef Snorkeling
Day 7 has no schedule. After five days of early starts and monuments, you wake to the sound of water instead of traffic. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all covered, and you choose where and when to eat within the resort’s dine-around options.
Spend the morning on the beach or by the pool, then take snorkel gear to the house reef. Olhuveli’s lagoon is shallow and calm near the shore, which suits first-time snorkelers. Farther out, the reef edge drops away, and you can expect reef fish, parrotfish, and, on good days, turtles or reef sharks.
In the evening, you join the resort’s guided manta ray night snorkel at the jetty. The resort lights attract plankton after dark, and plankton attract manta rays. A naturalist briefs you first, then leads the group into the water. Sessions run during an evening window, typically between 19:00 and midnight, so you choose a time that suits you.
Peregrine Tip
Manta sightings depend on season, moon, and plankton, so the resort cannot guarantee them. If conditions are poor on Day 7, ask the team about trying again on Day 8 or 9. Wear a rash guard for snorkeling, as the equatorial sun burns quickly even through clouds.
Accommodation: Sun Siyam Olhuveli, Grand Beach Villa
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included activity: Guided manta ray night snorkel
Day 8: Move to Your Grand Water Villa and Optional Dolphin Cruise
Today you move from the beach to the lagoon. After breakfast, the resort team transfers your luggage to your Grand Water Villa, an overwater villa with steps leading straight down into the sea. The move is part of your accommodation plan, so there is nothing extra to arrange.
Most guests spend the day at the villa, swimming off the deck and reading in the shade. Villa changes usually follow the resort’s standard check-out and check-in times, so plan a slow lunch or pool session in between. The resort team will store your bags if the water villa is not ready.
In the late afternoon, you can add an optional sunset dolphin cruise. A traditional dhoni boat heads out into the atoll channels, where spinner dolphins often gather as the light drops. Book it through the resort’s guest services team. The cruise depends on availability and carries an extra cost.
Peregrine Tip
Water villas sit higher off the lagoon than you might expect, so non-swimmers should use the ladder with care. Keep a pair of reef shoes near the steps. Evening breezes over the water are stronger than on the beach, so pack a light layer for dinner.
Accommodation: Sun Siyam Olhuveli, Grand Water Villa
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional: Sunset dolphin cruise, extra cost
Day 9: Spa Time and Optional Sandbank Dinner
Your final full day starts at Ocean Spa, the resort’s overwater spa. Your all-inclusive plan includes a spa credit toward one treatment per person. You can use it for a massage, a facial, or a body treatment. Glass floor panels in some treatment rooms let you watch fish below while you lie on the table.
The rest of the day is yours. You might snorkel the house reef one last time, try a paddleboard in the lagoon, or simply stay at the villa. All meals remain included throughout the day.
For your final evening, you can book a private sandbank dinner through the resort. A short boat ride takes you to a small uninhabited sandbank, where the staff set a candlelit table on the sand. You eat under the stars with only the sound of the water around you. The dinner is optional and carries an extra cost. If you prefer to stay on the island, the standard all-inclusive dinner is waiting at the resort restaurants.
Peregrine Tip
Sandbank dinners depend on tide and weather, and the resort may move them to a beach setting on rough nights. Book on arrival rather than on the day, as private setups have limited slots. Pack your bags tonight, so tomorrow morning stays calm.
Accommodation: Sun Siyam Olhuveli, Grand Water Villa
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included: Spa credit at Ocean Spa
Optional: Private sandbank dinner, extra cost
Day 10: Final Morning and Departure from Malé
Enjoy a last breakfast at your own pace. For a final photo moment, ask the resort about a floating breakfast in the lagoon. The breakfast carries an extra cost
At your scheduled time, the resort speedboat returns you to Velana International Airport in Malé, about 45 minutes away. The resort times your transfer to your flight, and you check in for your onward international flight home.
If your flight leaves in the afternoon or evening, lunch may be included before departure, depending on the resort’s arrangements. Tell us your flight time when you book, and we will confirm the exact plan.
Peregrine Tip
Allow at least three hours between your speedboat arrival and your international departure from Malé. Settle any extras on your resort bill the evening before, so check-out is quick. If you have a late flight, ask about late check-out or a day room when you book.
Meals: Breakfast (lunch depending on flight time)
Transfer: Speedboat to Velana International Airport, about 45 minutes
Customize this trip with help from our local travel specialist that matches your interests.
Includes & Excludes
What is included?
- All airport transfers and inter-city ground transport in India are in a private air-conditioned vehicle with a professional chauffeur.
- One-way IndiGo domestic flight from Jaipur (JAI) to Mumbai (BOM) in economy class.
- One-way IndiGo international flight from Mumbai (BOM) to Malé (MLE) in economy class.
- Peregrine ground assistance at the Mumbai terminal connection.
- Return speedboat transfer between Velana International Airport and Sun Siyam Olhuveli, about 45 minutes each way.
- 2 nights at The Taj Mahal Hotel, New Delhi, in a Luxury Room with daily breakfast.
- 1 night at Trident Agra in a Deluxe Pool View Room with breakfast.
- 2 nights at Jai Mahal Palace, Jaipur, in a Heritage Room with daily breakfast.
- 2 nights in a Grand Beach Villa and 2 nights in a Grand Water Villa at Sun Siyam Olhuveli.
- Premium All-Inclusive Dine-Around meal plan in the Maldives, covering breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a selection of beverages.
- Private guided sightseeing with government-licensed English-speaking guides in Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur.
- Cycle rickshaw ride through Chandni Chowk in Old Delhi.
- Private jeep ride up to the gates of Amber Fort.
- All monument entrance fees on the itinerary, including Taj Mahal entry with access to the main mausoleum.
- Guided manta ray night snorkel at Sun Siyam Olhuveli.
- Spa credit toward one treatment per person at Ocean Spa.
- Applicable Indian hotel taxes, Maldives GST, and service charge are included in the quoted price.
- 24/7 in-destination support from Peregrine throughout the trip.
What is excluded?
- International flights into Delhi and out of Malé.
- India tourist e-Visa fee. You apply online before travel.
- Maldives Green Tax, payable at the resort. The rate is currently USD 12 per person per night.
- Lunches and dinners in India. Breakfast is included from Day 2 to Day 6.
- Meals and drinks on board the IndiGo flights are buy-on-board services.
- Excess baggage fees and paid seat selection on the IndiGo flights.
- Drinks outside the Maldives are all-inclusive, including premium spirits and wines.
- Optional experiences such as the dolphin cruise, sandbank dinner, and floating breakfast.
- Spa treatments beyond the included credit.
- Camera fees at monuments are charged.
- Laundry, room service, telephone calls, and other personal expenses.
- Travel insurance, which we strongly recommend.
- Tips for guides, chauffeurs, and resort staff.
We also operate Private Trips.
Trip Information
Accommodation Plan
We chose each property for its setting, service, and history, not just its star rating. If a hotel is unavailable for your dates, we offer a property of the same standard and will tell you before we book.
| Location | Hotel | Room Category | Nights | Style |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Delhi | The Taj Mahal Hotel, New Delhi | Luxury Room | 2 (Days 1–2) | Five-star, Lutyens’ Delhi |
| Agra | Trident Agra | Deluxe Pool View Room | 1 (Day 3) | Oberoi Group, courtyard hotel |
| Jaipur | Jai Mahal Palace | Heritage Room | 2 (Days 4–5) | Taj-managed 18th-century palace |
| Maldives | Sun Siyam Olhuveli | Grand Beach Villa | 2 (Days 6–7) | Beachfront villa |
| Maldives | Sun Siyam Olhuveli | Grand Water Villa | 2 (Days 8–9) | Overwater villa |
For the best accommodation, you can book the Maldives Luxury Tour
The Taj Mahal Hotel, New Delhi
The Taj Mahal Hotel sits on Mansingh Road in Lutyens’ Delhi, a few minutes from India Gate and Khan Market. The hotel is a long-standing favorite of diplomats and business travelers, with well-regarded restaurants and a quiet pool. Its central location cuts driving time on your Delhi sightseeing day.
Trident Agra
Trident Agra is an Oberoi Group hotel built around low-rise courtyards, fountains, and gardens. The Deluxe Pool View Room opens toward the central pool. The hotel is close to the Taj Mahal’s eastern gate, which shortens your pre-dawn drive on Day 4.
Jai Mahal Palace, Jaipur
Jai Mahal Palace dates to 1745 and once served as the residence of the prime minister of Jaipur. Taj manages the property today. Heritage Rooms carry Rajput decor, and the 18 acres of Mughal gardens make evenings on the lawn one of the quieter pleasures of the trip.
Sun Siyam Olhuveli, South Malé Atoll
Sun Siyam Olhuveli is a multi-island resort about 45 minutes by speedboat from Malé. The resort has a long beach, a large lagoon, a house reef, several restaurants, and an overwater spa. You spend two nights in a Grand Beach Villa on the sand. Then you move to a Grand Water Villa with steps into the lagoon.
The Maldives Meal Plan Explained
Your Maldives stay runs on the resort’s Premium All-Inclusive Dine-Around plan. The plan covers breakfast, lunch, and dinner at participating restaurants, plus a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Dine-around means you are not tied to one buffet, and you can rotate between restaurants over the four nights.
Some à la carte restaurants may need a reservation or charge a supplement. Premium wines, top-shelf spirits, and in-villa dining usually sit outside the plan. Ask the resort for the current list of included venues and drinks on arrival.
Optional Experiences
The package covers the core experiences, and these extras let you shape your stay in the Maldives around your interests. Prices vary by season and group size, so we provide quotes upon request.
| Experience | Day | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|
| Sunset dolphin cruise | Day 8 | A dhoni boat trip through the atoll channels to look for spinner dolphins at dusk. |
| Private sandbank dinner | Day 9 | A candlelit dinner on a small uninhabited sandbank, reached by boat. |
| Floating breakfast | Day 10 | Breakfast is served on a floating tray in the lagoon. |
| Additional spa treatments | Any day | Further treatments at Ocean Spa beyond the included credit. |
| Scuba diving | Any day | Guided dives or a Discover Scuba session with the resort dive center. |
| Snorkel excursions | Any day | Boat trips to reefs beyond the house reef, with a guide. |
Best Time for the India and Maldives Tour
The best time for the India and Maldives Tour is November to April. North India is dry and cool, which suits long days at monuments. The Maldives sits in its dry northeast monsoon season, with calm seas, clear water, and high sunshine hours.
| Months | North India (Delhi, Agra, Jaipur) | Maldives |
|---|---|---|
| November to February | Dry and cool. Daytime 20–27°C. Cold mornings and fog in December and January. | Dry season. Calm seas, clear water, peak prices over Christmas and New Year. |
| March to April | Warming quickly. Daytime 30–38°C in April. Early starts help. | Hottest and calmest months. Excellent visibility for snorkeling. |
| May to June | Very hot, often above 40°C. Sightseeing is limited to early morning. | Southwest monsoon begins—more rain, rougher seas, lower rates. |
| July to September | Monsoon rain and high humidity. Sites stay open. | Wet season with showers and wind. Good value. |
| October | Rain ends, temperatures ease—a good shoulder month. | Transition month. Mixed weather, improving late in the month. |
December and January bring fog to Delhi and Agra, which can delay early flights and trains. We plan road transfers in India, so fog rarely disrupts the circuit. If you travel in these months, allow extra time on Day 1 in case your international flight is delayed.
Visa and Entry Requirements
India
- Most nationalities need an Indian e-Tourist Visa, which you apply for online through the official Indian government portal.
- Apply at least four days before arrival. We recommend applying a week or more in advance as a safety buffer.
- Your passport needs to be valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date and have 2 blank pages.
- Print or save your electronic travel authorization and carry it with your passport.
Maldives
- Most nationalities receive a free 30-day tourist visa on arrival.
- You need a confirmed return or onward ticket and a confirmed resort booking. We provide both documents.
- Complete the free IMUGA traveler declaration online within 96 hours before arrival. The form is mandatory.
- The Maldives does not currently admit travelers with Israeli passports.
- Your passport must be valid for at least one month beyond your stay. The India section already requires six months, so most travelers are covered.
Flights and Connections
The India and Maldives Tour includes two IndiGo flights on Day 6: Jaipur to Mumbai, and Mumbai to Malé. IndiGo is India’s largest airline and runs a low-cost model. You should know three things before you fly.
- Separate tickets. The two flights are booked as separate tickets, not a single protected itinerary. We built a long connection window into our Mumbai itinerary and recommend travel insurance that covers missed connections.
- Baggage limits. Economy allows around 15–20 kg checked baggage and 7 kg cabin baggage, depending on the fare. Pack for both climates within the limit, or ask us to add extra baggage in advance.
- Onboard service. Meals and drinks are available to buy on board. Seat selection and lounge access are paid extras, which we can arrange on request.
If you prefer full-service airlines or business class, we can re-route the Maldives flight through Delhi or another hub. Ask us for options when you enquire.
What to Pack
You pack for two climates and two dress codes on the India and Maldives Tour. North India calls for modest, layered clothing. The Maldives calls for swimwear and sun protection.
For India
- Light, breathable clothing that covers shoulders and knees for mosques, tombs, and temples.
- A scarf or shawl is useful for sun, dust, and covering your head at religious sites.
- A warm layer for December to February mornings, when temperatures can drop to 5–8°C.
- Comfortable walking shoes that slip on and off easily, as you remove them at many sites.
- Sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen.
- Hand sanitizer and a small pack of tissues.
For the Maldives
- Swimwear, a rash guard, and a cover-up for walking around the resort.
- Reef-safe sunscreen with high SPF.
- Reef shoes or water sandals.
- Smart-casual clothing for dinner at à la carte restaurants.
- A light layer for breezy evenings on the water.
- A waterproof phone pouch is a must if you plan to take photos while snorkeling.
Health and Safety
- No vaccinations are mandatory for most travelers. A Yellow Fever certificate is required only if you arrive from a country where Yellow Fever is present.
- Talk to your doctor or a travel clinic about routine vaccines and food and water precautions for India.
- Drink bottled or filtered water in India. Your vehicle carries bottled water throughout the circuit.
- Heat is the main risk on sightseeing days. Drink often, wear a hat, and rest in shade between sites.
- Peregrine uses licensed vehicles, chauffeurs, and guides in India. Resort water activities in the Maldives are led by trained staff, with safety gear and a briefing before each activity.
- Carry travel insurance that covers medical treatment, evacuation, trip cancellation, missed connections, and water sports.
Money, Tipping, and Connectivity
Currency
India uses the Indian Rupee (INR). Cards work at hotels, restaurants, and larger shops, but you will want cash for markets, small vendors, and tips. ATMs are common in all three cities. The Maldives uses the Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR), but resorts price everything in US dollars, and cards are accepted at the resort.
Tipping
Tipping is customary but never required. In India, guests usually tip guides and chauffeurs at the end of each stay, in rupees. At the resort, you can tip individual staff or leave a general gratuity at check-out. Your Peregrine trip notes include current guideline amounts.
Electricity and Connectivity
India uses Type C, D, and M plugs at 230V. The Maldives mainly uses Type G plugs, the same as those in the UK, at 230V. Pack an adapter for each country—all hotels and the resort offer Wi-Fi. You can buy a local SIM or eSIM in either country for mobile data on the road.
Local Customs
- Remove your shoes at mosques and temples in India. Your guide will tell you where.
- Ask before photographing people, especially women, and before photographing religious ceremonies.
- Use your right hand to give and receive items in India.
- Alcohol laws in India vary by state. Your hotels serve alcohol, but some public areas and religious sites do not allow it.
- In the Maldives, alcohol is available only on resort islands. Local inhabited islands follow Islamic law and are dry.
- Swimwear is fine at the resort, but dress modestly if you visit a local island or Malé.
Tailor the India and Maldives Tour
The ten-day plan is a well-tested base, and most guests adjust it in some way. We build every departure privately, so changes are straightforward.
- Add more India. Extend with Udaipur, Jodhpur, or Varanasi, or add a tiger safari at Ranthambore National Park between Agra and Jaipur.
- Add more Maldives. Extra nights in a water villa, or a split stay with a second resort.
- Upgrade your rooms. Move to suites in India, or to overwater villas with private plunge pools in the Maldives.
- Change the flights. Fly full-service or business class, or route the Maldives flight through Delhi.
- Add Nepal. Start with three or four days in Kathmandu before flying to Delhi. Peregrine is ba so that we can run both legs under one plan.
Booking and Payments
We confirm hotels, flights, and the resort only after you approve your final itinerary and quote. A deposit secures your booking, and the balance is due before travel. Maldives resorts have strict cancellation policies, especially during peak season, and we pass these terms on to you in writing before you pay.
Travel insurance protects you if plans change. We strongly recommend buying it when you pay your deposit.
Why Book with Peregrine
- Operating since 2002. Peregrine Treks & Tours is a government-licensed tour operator based in Kathmandu, registered with TAAN, NMA, and NTB.
- One plan across two countries. One team manages your hotels, guides, flights, and resort, so nothing falls through the cracks between separate suppliers.
- Fully private. Your own vehicle, chauffeur, and guide in India, with no group schedules.
- Honest inclusions. We list what is included, what costs extra, and what we cannot confirm before you book.
- 24/7 support. You can reach our team at any hour during the trip by phone or WhatsApp.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ten days is a comfortable minimum. Five nights covers the Golden Triangle of Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur at a steady pace, and four nights gives you real rest in the Maldives. With more time, add Udaipur or Ranthambore in India, or extra nights at the resort.
The tour is fully private. You have your own vehicle, chauffeur, and guide in India, and you set the pace each day. Departures run on any date you choose, subject to hotel and flight availability.
Jaipur has no direct flights to Malé, so a connection is needed. The Mumbai route keeps travel on Day 6 to a single day with a manageable total flight time. We can also route through Delhi if you prefer a different airline or schedule.
The flights are on separate tickets, so we build a long connection window and have a representative meet you in Mumbai. If a delay still causes a missed flight, our team rebooks you on the next available service. Travel insurance that covers missed connections protects you from the extra cost.
The Taj Mahal is closed every Friday. We plan the itinerary so your sunrise visit never falls on a Friday. If your arrival date would push Day 4 onto a Friday, we adjust the order of the India days.
Yes, as long as you are comfortable in the water. The snorkel starts from the resort jetty, and a naturalist briefs you before you swim. Life jackets are available. Manta sightings depend on natural conditions and are not guaranteed.
Most travelers need an Indian e-Tourist Visa, which you apply for online before departure. The Maldives issues a free 30-day visa on arrival to most nationalities. You also need to complete the IMUGA declaration online before landing in Malé.
Yes. Many couples book it as a honeymoon. You get palace stays in India, overwater villa nights, and options like a private sandbank dinner and floating breakfast. Tell us it is a honeymoon when you enquire, and we will let the hotels know.
Yes. The India days involve early starts, heat, and walking, so the trip suits children who are comfortable with a full sightseeing day. We can adjust room types for families and slow the pace where needed. Ask us about child policies at each hotel.
The Premium All-Inclusive Dine-Around plan covers breakfast, lunch, and dinner at participating restaurants, plus a selection of drinks. Premium wines, top-shelf spirits, and some à la carte venues may cost extra. The resort gives you the current list on arrival.
Expect 2 to 4 hours of walking on each sightseeing day, often on uneven stone, ramps, and steps. Amber Fort and Fatehpur Sikri involve the most climbing. Your guide can shorten any visit or add rest stops if needed.
Yes. Every departure is private, so you can add nights, change hotels, upgrade rooms, or add destinations such as Udaipur, Varanasi, or Kathmandu. Send us your ideas, and we will build a revised plan and quote.
The price depends on your travel dates, room categories, and group size. Maldives rates rise sharply over Christmas, New Year, and Easter. Contact us with your dates for a detailed quote.
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