DAY 1 Arrive in DelhiUpon arrival our staff will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel in Delhi for the start of your trip. After check-in our local reps will then go through the itinerary with you and introduce you to the local area.
OVERNIGHTDelhi - Sarovar Portico hotel or similar
EXTRASSingle Room Supplement
DAY 2 Sightseeing tour of Old and New DelhiA full day to explore the sights of India’s capital. Enjoy a cycle rickshaw ride through the intricate and chaotic streets around Old Delhi and visit the Jama Masjid mosque before moving on to the Lutyens inspired wide avenues of New Delhi. After a visit to Mahatma Gandhi’s cremation ground at Rajghat take time to stroll around the Indian parliament buildings as well as India Gate and Humayun’s Tomb. This evening enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.
OVERNIGHTDelhi - Sarovar Portico hotel or similar
MEALSBreakfast, Dinner
DAY 3 Delhi to Agra. Visit to Taj MahalThis morning we depart Delhi for the drive to Agra, arriving in time for lunch. After another taste of local Indian food, this afternoon we visit the UNESCO world heritage site at Agra Fort. This is a huge complex with some fascinating history. Later in the afternoon we enjoy a full sightseeing tour of the beautiful Taj Mahal at sunset. Truly one of the wonders of the world this elaborate monument to love was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan and took over twenty two years to complete. Sunset is a great time to visit as the light changes gradually with the colours of the Taj changing too.
OVERNIGHTAgra - The Retreat Hotel or similar
MEALSBreakfast
DAY 4 Agra to Jaipur. Fatehpur Sikri visitWe break today’s drive to Jaipur to visit the strange and well preserved abandoned city of Fatehpur Sikri. The mystical abandoned city of Fatehpur Sikri, constructed by Emperor Akbar, served as the Mughal Empire's capital from 1571 until 1585. We also stop at Keoladeo National Park where we take a cycle rickshaw ride through the park to see the resident and migrant wildlife. The park is particularly famous for its birdlife, though you may also see snakes, lizards and turtles around the ponds. After lunch we continue driving through rural India, arriving into Jaipur late in the afternoon. This evening, why not take in a fun Bollywood movie.
OVERNIGHTJaipur - Heritage Hotel
MEALSBreakfast
DAY 5 Amber Palace, Jaipur tourThis morning we visit the Amber Palace which is a well preserved fort on a hillside around 10km outside Jaipur. Here we enjoy a guided tour through the site. Elephant rides up to the fort are available though we no longer include these on this tour due to concerns about elephant welfare. We then tour Jaipur itself, taking in the Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds), Jantar Mantar (Observatory), City Palace and some local temples and street life. You then have some more free time and tour options including a chance to visit the Chowki Dhani village in the evening to learn more about traditional Rajasthani culture and crafts, and taste some delicious regional cuisine.
OVERNIGHTJaipur - Heritage Hotel
MEALSBreakfast
DAY 6 Jaipur. Shekhawati HavellisYou have a little free time in Jaipur this morning when you can try some optional tours including kite flying, craft markets and food shopping and tasting. Late in the morning we head into the rural semi-desert Shekhawati region whose colourfully painted Havellis with frescoes showing animals and mythology, together with more modern interpretations, led to its reputation as the ‘open art gallery of Rajasthan’. We spend the night in another heritage hotel, full of character, faded grandeur and history. These hotels are a real highlight of this tour and travelling through Rajasthan.
OVERNIGHTShekhawati - Heritage Hotel
MEALSBreakfast, Dinner
DAY 7 Shekhawati. Drive to Bikaner & City tourToday we get to enjoy the desert landscape as we make the drive to Bikaner. The dusty Thar desert is home to some of India’s most impressive forts and of course, the ubiquitous camel. Today we get to see both as we visit the 16th century Junagarh Fort before taking a trip to the Camel breeding farm. As well as breeding Jaisalmer’s finest camels this unique enterprise conducts research into the animals and offers numerous ‘camel’ products such as ice cream and coffee!
OVERNIGHTBikaner - Hotel Lallgarh Palace or similar
MEALSBreakfast
DAY 8 Bikaner. Drive to JaisalmerAfter breakfast we depart Bikaner for the drive to Jaisalmer. We have the option of visiting the infamous ‘Rat’ temple on the outskirts of Bikaner if enough people wish to do so. Upon arrival into Jaisalmer we check-in to the hotel and the rest of the day is free.
OVERNIGHTJaisalmer - Fort Rajwada Hotel or similar
MEALSBreakfast
DAY 9 Sightseeing tour of JaisalmerToday begins with a sightseeing tour of Rajasthan’s Golden City. The town itself stands on a sandstone ridge with Jaisalmer Fort dominating the local landscape. Although Jaisalmer is smaller than most other towns in Rajasthan the Fort is one of the largest in the entire world. Built in 1156 with 99 bastions and climbing to a height of 100m it sits beautifully in the afternoon sun. In the evening we have the chance to ride our camels into the Thar desert and watch the setting sun from the desert dunes before heading back to the hotel.
OVERNIGHTJaisalmer - Fort Rajwada Hotel or similar
MEALSBreakfast, Dinner
DAY 10 Jaisalmer. Drive to Jodhpur & City tourTempting as it may be to continue the journey on camels today we are back on the road for the trip to Jodhpur.
Known as the 'Blue City' Jodhpur is a maze of medieval streets and intricate alleyways perfect for exploring on foot. Wherever one stands in the city it’s impossible to miss the huge Mehrangarh Fort ringed by its huge protective walls and overlooking Jodhpur. Inside the fort are several palaces each with exquisite panels and latticed windows. The extensive museum is home to unique Rajasthan artworks, bejewelled thrones and rare carriages as well as ancient weaponry used throughout the ages.
OVERNIGHTJodhpur - Hotel Ranbanka or similar
MEALSBreakfast
DAY 11 Jodhpur. Drive to UdaipurThis morning we depart Jodhpur for the drive to Udaipur visiting the Ranakpur Jain temple complex en-route. Built almost entirely from white marble in 1439 the temple is believed to have been inspired by a dream. There are over 1400 marble pillars in place with no two pillars the same. This afternoon we arrive in Udaipur.
OVERNIGHTUdaipur - Chunda Palace or similar
MEALSBreakfast
DAY 12 Sightseeing tour of UdaipurBeautifully located beside the blue waters of Lake Pichola, Udaipur remains one of India’s most enduring romantic locations. Today we enjoy a tour of the town which includes the impressive City Palace. Built in 1725, the Palace grounds are actually full of numerous smaller palaces, each one more ornately decorated than the last. Udaipur’s relaxed atmosphere lends itself well to exploring the city on foot or even enjoying a sunset boat ride on Lake Pichola.
OVERNIGHTUdaipur - Chunda Palace or similar
MEALSBreakfast
DAY 13 Udaipur. Drive to BarliAfter breakfast we drive from Udaipur to Barli Fort to enjoy a night in this heritage hotel. Set within luscious grounds this beautifully renovated fort was built in 1675 and can be traced back to the warriors of Marwar. Feel free to visit the local village and learn more about the area.
OVERNIGHTBarli - Hotel Barli Fort or similar
MEALSBreakfast
DAY 14 Barli. Drive to PushkarThis morning we depart Barli and travel to Pushkar. Believed to be one of the oldest towns in India and one of Hinduism’s five sacred sites, Pushkar itself is home to many temples built in and around Pushkar Lake. A trip to the lake to watch the many pilgrims at the ghats is recommended. Pushkar is also the home of the world’s largest cattle fair. Held every November the festival has become increasingly popular with tourist over the last few years. This afternoon we transfer to Ajmer station for the train back to Delhi. Upon arrival late back into Delhi, we transfer you directly to your hotel.
OVERNIGHTDelhi - Sarovar Portico hotel or similar
MEALSBreakfast, Lunch
DAY 15 Delhi. Departure transfer to airportFree day. Local staff will be on hand to advise on travel arrangements before transferring to the airport to catch your flight home.
OVERNIGHTN/A
MEALSBreakfast