You’ll start your incredible holiday by flying to Singapore for a two-night hotel stay in the lead up to your spellbinding cruise. Singapore is a fascinating city to explore, full of exciting fusions and contrasts. A melting pot of Malay, European, and Chinese cultures, it has a world-class food scene where high-end restaurants sit alongside steaming street food stalls and offer a dizzying array of cuisines.

Today, you’ll step on board the resplendent Queen Anne, the latest addition to the Cunard fleet. Delight in signature Cunard experiences unrivalled at sea, from unforgettable Gala Evenings and fascinating Insights talks with notable experts, to sparkling entertainment.

Port Klang is the gateway to Kuala Lumpur - discover this effervescent city and its incredible shopping malls and street food. Amble to one of its many restaurants to try hokkien mee, a dish of noodles submerged in thick soy and mushroom sauce, cabbage, and tender pork belly pieces. After you’ve eaten, you could wander to Kuala Lumpur Bird Park and marvel at thousands of exotic birds flying above. A must-see attraction, be sure to head to the Batu Caves, a limestone hill with three caverns, said to be around 400 million years old. In the Cathedral Cave, you’ll see several Hindu shrines, holding colourful idols and statues.

Although the miles of golden sandy beaches lure visitors to Penang, take time to ride a trishaw to George Town where you could shop for exquisite batiks and visit the Khoo Wall, with its pillars and roof elaborately decorated with intricate carvings by expert artisans from China. Penang has plenty of brightly coloured temples, and one of the most beautiful is the Kek Lok Si Temple, which, at night, is lit up with the brilliance of multi-coloured lights.

From white-gloved waiter-service Afternoon Tea to the stylish Britannia Restaurant, for a true sense of occasion, Queen Anne is home to several elegant dining venues. Savour the delicate and fragrant flavours of the East at the Pan-Asian restaurant, pub classics at the Golden Lion, or opt for alfresco dining for a delectable meal under the sun or stars while the ocean breeze sweeps by.

Sri Lanka conjures up the exotic and the mysterious and here, in the colourful capital of Colombo, you can select from a diverse range of activities. Explore the enchanting temples of the Sinhalese Kingdom or take look at the Pettah Bazaar where you could buy almost anything and everything.

Head to the inviting Mareel® Wellness & Beauty spa and take your pick from a long menu of treatments, or simply sit back and relax in the hydrotherapy pool. Here, you’ll find a calming sanctuary to escape the stresses and strains of everyday life with experiences that revive, refresh, and transform.

Arrive in the impressive capital of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, and savour the architectural marvels dotted around this modern metropolis in the Persian Gulf. In the last two decades, it has become a major tourist destination with a host of attractions and an ever-expanding cultural district on Saadiyat Island, home to the Louvre Abu Dhabi. There are also sprawling, high-end shopping malls, souks, and the resplendent Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, a modern-day Taj Mahal.

Welcome to Dubai, where all that glitters truly is gold. Here, you’ll meet sparkling skyscrapers, glitzy shops, and sun-soaked beaches. Visit the Burj Khalifa that at 828m is the world’s tallest building, or head to one of many impressive shopping malls where you could shop ‘til you drop. Alongside the glamour, you’ll find a rich tradition and fascinating history; wander the narrow streets of the Bastakia Quarter, known as Dubai’s historic heart. 

Welcome to Delhi, India’s sprawling capital formed by several ancient cities melding together through the centuries. Here, you’ll find UNESCO World Heritage sites sitting comfortably alongside innovative modern architecture. Sample the Mughlai cuisine, from chaat to butter chicken - so delicious that it’s exported around the world - or soak up the atmosphere of the city in the evening, when some of its most prominent buildings including the India Gate are beautifully illuminated.

Following a train journey from Delhi to Kalka, you’ll begin your Shimla adventure by boarding the Kalka-Shimla Toy Train to ride along a UNESCO World Heritage site railway track. This iconic train takes you on an enchanting journey through the Himalayas, zooming through more than 100 tunnels, over 700 gothic bridges, and angling around tight twists. Upon arriving, you’ll be transferred to your hotel for your stay. Embrace stunning panoramic views of the magnificent Himalayas surrounded by towering conifers, cedars, and oaks; dotted with snow-dropped lakes and rushing rivers.

Today, you’ll experience a once-in-a-lifetime tour with a trail walk through the awe-inspiring Himalayas. Walking in the Himalayas is one of life’s greatest experiences. No mountains can match their beauty and majesty. In the Himachal Pradesh, a beautiful hill state in northern India framed by the western Himalayas, you’ll venture out on your incredible walking trail, pausing at picturesque hill stations for a rest and to admire the compelling views. Surrounded by the mesmerising skylines of the Himalayan range, the walking trail is inhabited by conifers, cedars, broadleaved oaks, and rhododendrons, and punctuated with apple orchards, hamlets, cultivated terraces, snow-fed lakes, and gushing rivers.

A treasured resort, this hillside city is a chocolate box of treats, ready to be discovered. Set in the foothills of the Himalayas, Shimla welcomes visitors to enjoy its cooler temperatures and wander uninterrupted along the Mall, a pretty paved walkway on which to experience this city up close. Unlike other cities, traffic is banned from the centre so you can absorb its calmer energy, scented by the nearby pine trees.

Returning to Delhi, you’ll relish a day at leisure before delighting in a captivating tour of Old Delhi. Here, you’ll explore the Jama Masjid Mosque, the largest mosque in India, the courtyard of which can accommodate 25,000 worshippers. Admire the well-preserved ramparts of the Red Fort and mingle with the throngs of locals at the colourful Khari Baoli street market.

Prepare yourself for one of the greatest love letters in the world – the Taj Mahal. Constructed by 20,000 artisans over a twenty-year period, this mausoleum was dedicated to Emperor Shah Jahan’s favourite wife, who died in childbirth. Made of polished white marble and inlaid with a king’s ransom of jewels, this is one of the world’s most recognisable buildings. Complementing this remarkable building is the symmetrical harmony of the garden that features fountains, marble benches, and stone-paved raised pathways.

At Ranthambore National Park, you’ll be gifted with one of the best opportunities in the world to spot a Bengal tiger thriving in its natural habitat. Declared a Project Tiger Reserve in 1973, the park is a favourite among wildlife photographers and tourists alike, as its reasonable tiger population means it is possible to spy one of these majestic creatures basking in the sun or sauntering through the wilderness. You’ll enjoy a talk by a naturalist at your hotel before your first game drive in an open-topped safari vehicle in search of Bengal tigers and other fascinating wildlife species*.  

Arriving in Jaipur, following a stop for lunch in the vibrant capital of Rajasthan, you’ll check into your hotel ahead of an incredible two-night stay. The ‘Pink City’ of Jaipur is sure to delight you with its colourful old quarters and beautiful surrounding countryside; today, you’ll be able to explore at your own pace before a fully escorted tour the following day, checking off its most popular sights. 

Enjoy a Jeep ride to the grand, fairy-tale Amber Fort, an extensive palace built from yellow and pink sandstone and white marble, before enjoying an afternoon sightseeing tour of Jaipur visiting the enchanting City Palace among other stellar works of architecture. The mountain-top Amber Fort is one of the architectural gems of Jaipur and looks out over the tranquil Maota Lake, while the City Palace boasts a beautiful blend of Mughal and Rajput architecture. Home to the current ruling Royal family, the City Palace is a sight to behold. 

Returning to Delhi, you’ll enjoy a further one-night hotel stay, concluding your holiday. Take a stroll to the Lotus Temple, an architectural marvel designed to look like a half-opened flower. Although a Baha’i place of worship, it’s open to everyone and its interior is as impressive as its exterior. If you are looking to shop for an original gift, head to Baba Kharak Singh Marg, where you could find a variety of traditional Indian artistry in one of its emporiums. 

Today marks the end of your fantastic cruise and touring holiday. You’ll now transfer to the airport where your flight home beckons.