Explore Rajasthan

Tonight, arrive New Delhi, the capital city of India. Upon your arrival, you will be met by our representative at the Indira Gandhi International Airport. After a warm welcome, transfer to your hotel for 2 nights stay.

Today, enjoy the day discovering Delhi, pacing through the city which is as historic as modern, like 2 sides of the same coin! Enjoy a morning sightseeing tour of Old Delhi, which includes a visit to Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India; a rickshaw ride through narrow alleys and lanes in Chandni Chowk, one of the oldest and largest trading markets of the country; and drive past Red Fort, the place that marked the announcement of India’s freedom from the British Raj. Later in the afternoon, discover the modern city of New Delhi, visiting the Qutab Minar, a fine example of Indo-Islamic architecture and the world’s tallest brick minaret and Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, the largest Sikh temple of Delhi, with a gold dome, still in active worship. Drive past President's House, Parliament House and other Government Secretariat Buildings, the most imposing features of Lutyen’s Delhi and take a photo stop at the iconic war memorial arch, the India Gate.

After breakfast, embark on a leisurely drive to Agra, city of the world famous Taj Mahal. This afternoon visit the splendid Agra Fort, built in red sandstone, encapsulating magnificent palaces, halls of public and private audience and beautiful gardens. Then, witness the surreal views of the Taj Mahal. Step inside this eternal symbol of love and appreciate the intricate designs and symmetries that rhyme as a poem written in marble. Taj Mahal is an extravagant display of love, built by Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. You may choose to stay back to see the glistening white marble beauty at sunset.

This morning embark on a leisurely drive to Ranthambhore, acclaimed as one of the best places in the world to photograph tigers in the wild. En-route to Ranthambhore, you will make a brief stop to visit Fatehpur Sikri, the capital city of the Mughal Empire in the 16th century. Continue your drive to Ranthambore and upon arrival; check in at your hotel for 2 nights stay.

Today, enjoy an early morning and afternoon shared Canter safari (accompanied by a trained naturalist) into the national park. The Ranthambore National Park is one of the prime examples of India’s conservation program, Project Tiger. Once the hunting ground of Indian princes, this national park stands atop a 600m high hill range, and is covered with thorn trees, scrub and grasslands. Dotted with beautiful ponds, streams, lakes and old ruins, it is home to a large number of tigers, often spotted and photographed by visitors to the park.

After breakfast, embark on a leisurely drive to Jaipur - land of the Rajputs. Jaipur is an exuberance of colour, dance and traditional arts and crafts. Known, as the 'Pink City', Jaipur is home to ancient forts and palaces and is one of India's most well planned cities. Upon arrival check in at your hotel for 02 nights stay. This evening explore the many facets of Jaipuri crafts such as semi precious jewels, pottery, colourful embroidered fabrics with mirror work, woven carpets etc – watch artisans at work and enjoy souvenir shopping in this colourful city of Jaipur.

Rise early this morning to visit Jaipur’s famous Amber Fort. Enroute, take a guided walk through the flower market of Jaipur seeing the beautiful yellow and orange marigolds and other seasonal flowers, being traded. In close vicinity is also the wholesale vegetable market where farmers bring fresh produce to begin the day’s trading. Walking through the markets brings you to a junction where you will find the interesting and unusual milk traders of Jaipur, who bring their cattle’s fresh milk to be tested for quality, priced and traded on the spot. Be amazed at the primitive technique of testing quality of milk by dipping hands into large metal milk containers and evaluating the creaminess of milk supplied! After a brief walk through the local trading markets, drive onwards to visit Amber fort, built in the 16th century. The fort is a mesmerizing blend of Hindu and Mughal architecture. The Amber Fort was used by the Rajputs for the dual purpose of defense and private residence. The fort encompasses charming gardens and magnificent palaces made from marble and precious stones, richly decorated with intricate stonemason works and paintings, which represented royal splendor and luxury of the Rajput era. To ascend up the fort, you may choose to walk, drive or take an elephant ride. This afternoon take a photo stop at the Hawa Mahal, Palace of the Winds, with its unique layer-cake honeycomb windows designed to enable erstwhile women of the royal court to observe passing life without being seen; Jantar Mantar, the largest astronomical observatory built in stone, and the City Palace complex with its impressive gardens and museums.

This morning, drive to Udaipur, a serene city set in the scenic valley of Aravalli hills, surrounded by three lakes – Lake Pichola, Fateh Sagar and Udai Sagar. Upon arrival at Udaipur, check in at your hotel for 2 nights stay. * Flight option may be available to connect Jaipur – Udaipur. Please check operational status and price of flight at the time of reservation *

After breakfast, visit the 16th century City Palace, one of the largest palace complexes in Rajasthan comprising residence of the current Maharaja, heritage hotels, museums and galleries, courtyards and reception halls where royal events take place even today; Jagdish Temple, the 17th century Indo Aryan temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu (Laxmi Narayan), the preserver of the Universe; Saheliyon-Ki-Bari, garden of the maids of honour, with beautiful green lawns, flower beds, water pools, marble elephants and bird fountains. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure.

This morning, drive to Jodhpur, a city ringed by high stone walls with seven gates and several bastions. This second largest city of Rajasthan was founded by Rao Jodha in 1459 A.D. Owing to its unique pale blue architecture, Jodhpur is often referred as the ‘blue hued city’ of Rajasthan. En route visit the famous Jain Temples at Ranakpur. Built in the 15th century, Ranakpur temples are one of the largest Jain temples in India. The temples are known for their architecture, grand structures and exquisite sculptures. Upon arrival, check in at your hotel and freshen up.

Today, visit the rock-solid Mehrangarh Fort, and the grand palaces within the fort – Moti Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, Phool Mahal, Sileh Khanaand Daulat Khana, which are impressive examples of architectural excellence. Near the fort complex stands the Jaswant Thada, and a group of royal cenotaphs made of white marble. While in Jodhpur shop for the exquisite handcrafted articles such as embroidered shoes, metal curios, silverware, paintings and tie and dye fabrics.

After breakfast, drive to Jaisalmer, further west in the Thar Desert. This desert fortress is one of Rajasthan's most exotic and unusual towns. Upon arrival, check in at your hotel and enjoy an evening at leisure.

After breakfast, enjoy a tour of Jaisalmer, visiting the Jaisalmer fort and the havelis (mansions) in the old city and take a leisurely walk through the winding maze of streets within the fort. Also visit the Jain Temples within the fort and explore the colourful and bustling bazaars of Jaisalmer. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure.

After an early breakfast, embark on a drive to Bikaner, once a major trading post between Africa, West Asia and the Far East. The city is renowned for its arts and the best riding camels in the world. Upon arrival in Bikaner, check in at your hotel and freshen up. This afternoon, enjoy a horse-cart ride to the old town where you visit many beautiful buildings and the majestic Junagarh Fort, a formidable structure encircled by a moat.

After breakfast, drive to Alsisar, a quaint village in the heart of Shekhawati region. Alsisar has some of the finest frescos and painted havelis in the region, and is a perfect place to appreciate the art of bygone era. Spend the afternoon discovering Alsisar and visiting the unique havelis and mansions of the region.

After breakfast, embark on your return drive to New Delhi. Upon arrival in Delhi, you will be transferred to the airport to catch your flight back home.