How To Experience India Like A Really Regal Royal

With A Banyan Tour Journey Of Palaces, Tigers & Timeless Rituals, Oh My…

By Andra Millian     Photography courtesy of Andra Millian

India first twinkled on my nine-year-old radar after catching Disney’s original animated classic, Jungle Book. Spellbound by Mowgli’s antics and a posse of critters straight out of my Houston-bred comfort zone, I decided then and there: India wasn’t just a place but a multi-layered daydream, stitched with silk, scented with jasmine, and packed with friendly faces and a few wild cobras, bears, and tigers. It’s been topping my bucket list since 1967.

Ever since, I’ve heard the refrain, “India. You’ll either adore it or abhor it.” I aimed for adoration, yearning to uncover the India of inspired Mughal royals who sculpted Rajasthan’s pink, blue, and white cities, dating back to the 12th century.

To truly savor India like royalty, I knew I needed guides as savvy as they were intuitive. So, I waited…and waited until…

Enter Banyan Tours, India’s premier purveyors of luxury travel, where discerning explorers score deeply curated journeys with local sages unlocking India’s city secrets, palatial gems, temples, and wilderness wonders. Here’s what I unearthed.

NEW DELHI: WHERE ROYALTY MEETS REIMAGINED LUXE

Kick off in India’s modern heart at The Leela Palace New Delhi, where Mughal marvels blend with art deco flair. Imagine a rooftop infinity pool offering a bird’s eye view of the capital’s grandeur, while your suite cocoons you in silk, sweet treats, and understated opulence—a godsend after 24 hours on the move.

In Delhi, surprise your taste buds at Indian Accent Restaurant, where chef Manish Mehrotra conjures culinary magic: think blue cheese naan, morel mushroom galouti, and a decadent smoked Duck Kulcha. It’s classic India with a modern twist, just like Delhi herself.

BANDHAVGARH: TIGERS & TEMPLES IN THE MIST

From city bustle to jungle tranquility, Banyan’s seamless travel whisks you to Bandhavgarh National Park—India’s most intimate tiger haven. Once the royal hunting grounds of the Maharajas of Rewa, Bandhavgarh boasts one of the highest densities of Bengal tigers in the wild. What sets it apart? The vast terrain: room for tigers to roam sans prying eyes, plus rugged ridges, ancient caves, and sentinel-guarded temples.

Here, Bengal tigers reign supreme alongside chital deer, wild boar, monkeys, and peacocks. Tracking these elusive cats at dawn, our guide reminds us, “They may hide, but they’re always watching you.” And with Bandhavgarh’s spacious serenity, three wild Bengals graced us with their presence in a single day—jaw-dropping.

Oberoi Vanyavilas serves as your luxe tented retreat, where colonial safari chic meets Ayurvedic bliss. Picture a private pool at your tented bungalow and a gourmet forest picnic in teak chests—just a taste of their signature surprises.

KHAJURAHO: STONE POETRY IN MOTION

Next stop: Khajuraho, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where millennium-old temples are adorned with sensual sandstone carvings. Erotic? Absolutely. Sacred? Without a doubt. These temples celebrate life in all its divine complexity, whispering tales of love, gods, and cosmic harmony.

A little birdie tells me Oberoi is restoring the stunning 350-year-old Rajgarh Palace in Khajuraho, adding their signature luxe touch. Picture a private rain-fed lake, sumptuous villas with hillside views, and, of course, Oberoi’s unparalleled TLC for guests. My bet? Rajgarh Palace, near Panna Tiger Reserve and Khajuraho’s UNESCO temples, is set to dazzle as one of the world’s top hotels upon its imminent opening. Be among the first to experience it.

VARANASI: WHERE TIME DRIFTS

Known as Kashi and Benares, Varanasi is regarded as the world’s oldest continuously inhabited city. Gliding along the Ganges at dawn in my chiffon-draped pontoon, I wondered if Venice’s 16th-century canal rush felt like this? Yet, passing cremation ghats and morning prayers, I realized Varanasi isn’t like Venice, or anywhere else. It’s India in its purest form: visceral, incense-laden, and ablaze with saffron hues.

Catch an evening Aarti ceremony at Ganga Ghat—an epic of synchronized fire-twirling, chants, and cymbals led by fit Hindu priests, lulling the mother river to sleep with thirty thousand devotees in tow. Imagine a Super Bowl halftime show meets Texas megachurch devotion, set against every type of boat and floating vessel. Nearby, ash-covered holy sadhus serenely guard women’s belongings—a surreal blend of asceticism and concierge service.

Retreat to Taj Nadesar Palace, built in 1782 and once home to British nobles steeped in centuries of British-India trade history. At Varuna Restaurant, savor Awadhi cuisine—slow-cooked kebabs and fragrant biryanis served on banana leaves beneath gilded ceilings.

Don’t skip Sarnath, where Buddha delivered his first sermon, and if possible, visit Muslim silk weavers crafting luminous brocades for Tibetan Buddhist temples. Buying silk in Varanasi isn’t just shopping—it’s preserving a sacred craft.

JAIPUR: THE PINK CITY IN FULL BLOOM

In Jaipur, Rajasthan’s regal capital blends elegance with creative flair. Stay at Oberoi Rajvilas, where peacocks strut through Mughal gardens inspired by 32 acres of royal splendor. Marble sunken baths evoke the grandeur of a Rajput palace, a sanctuary of peace.

Indulge in bespoke saris and turbans or explore Jaipur’s best boutiques for block-printed linens, Kundan jewelry, and artisan homewares. Anokhi’s hand-blocked tableware and bed linens impressed me, while Tokree, Hot Pink, and Aashka – a luxury lifestyle boutique by Princess Bhargavi Kumari Mewar, offered unique finds for my Christmas list, tucked away in a leafy enclave far from bustling bazaars.

For jewelry aficionados, the Amrapali Museum enlightens with vintage Indian jewelry history. Take a glittering break at Gem Palace, a festive haven to bedazzle yourself in luxury jewels.

After shopping, lunch at The Johri is a must—a gorgeously restored haveli turned boutique hotel serving delicate local flavors and refreshing drinks.

Decked in today’s treasures, dine at City Palace amid chandeliers, fire-lit courtyards, elephants, and live sitar music—a scene from a Maharaja’s dreams. Don’t miss Amber Fort, where mirrored halls and marble terraces reflect Jaipur’s warrior-kings’ power.

UDAIPUR: LIQUID LIGHT IN THE WHITE CITY

Udaipur spells romance as the “City of Lakes,” once dubbed “Venice of the East,”—but here, palaces float. Stay at The Leela Palace Udaipur, where private villas open to lake breezes and candlelit dinners unfold on floating platforms.

Taj Lake Palace, a royal summer retreat, now offers exquisite views and tales, such as how the James Bond film, Octopussy, was shot there, and Jackie Kennedy suggested it would make a lovely hotel to her royal hosts when she visited as First Lady in the early 60s. Its patina is cool, like a scene from a Wes Anderson flick.

Visit a local Tikri artisan studio, where hand-cut mirror glass mosaics are crafted into sparkly murals before your eyes. They come in all sizes and ship too!

Explore City Palace—an ivory labyrinth of balconies and Tikri mirrors, a masterclass in Mewar history. An enchanting highlight in old Udaipur: a holy man painting with natural pigments on a water table—a spiritual, mystical art form.

At Oberoi Udaivilas, gardens bloom like Mughal miniatures, while royal Rajasthani and global cuisine is served with peacock-feather grace.

AGRA: A LOVE STORY AT SUNRISE

Our final chapter unfolds in Agra, where Banyan Tours grants access to few: a skip-the-crowd tour of the Taj Mahal, allowing you to have it for yourself for a brief moment before the throngs arrive, as the marble monument blushes under the rose-gold light. It’s not just sightseeing; it’s reverence.

Stay at Oberoi Amarvilas, the only hotel with direct Taj views from every room. Sip chai on your suite balcony as the world’s greatest love story rises from morning mist.

With local savvy, seamless logistics, and unmatched insider access, every moment becomes a memory—and every day, a dream woven in silk, scent, and splendor. India captured my heart, and I’m already dreaming of my next journey. Pondicherry in the South? Ladakh in the Himalayas?

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