Explore the best of the region on our Highlights of Rajasthan tour, soaking up splendid lake palaces, majestic forts, colorful markets, rich traditions and dreamy desert landscapes. Rajasthan is often portrayed as one vast open-air museum, with its relics so well preserved that it delights even the most skeptical traveler. Experience the fusion of twin cities of new & old Delhi, ride on a Rickshaw through the fascinating narrow lanes of Chandni Chowk in old Delhi, visit the awe inspiring Taj Mahal – an architectural marvel and one of the seven wonders of world, experience the once-in-a-lifetime thrill of riding an elephant as you make your way to the honey colored magnificent Amber Fort in Jaipur, have a meal with Royal family in Jaipur along with cooking demo, visit Mehrangarh Fort Jodhpur - one of the most beautiful Forts of India towers over the blue city of Jodhpur and is a magnificent spectacle and an architectural masterpiece from all angles, explore the home of the desert-dwelling Bishnoi community, a people who have been protecting the natural environment for ages, your last destination Udaipur is one of the most romantic cities of India situated on 5 lakes, fantastical palaces, temples, havelis, beautiful Pichola lake and countless narrow, crooked, timeless streets add the human counterpoint to the city's natural charms.

Day 01: Arrival Delhi (BY AN INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT)

Today you will arrive at New Delhi's International Airport. Following Customs/Immigration formalities and baggage collection, our Representative will meet you as you exit the arrivals terminal building after which you would be transferred to your hotel.

Upon arrival at the hotel, proceed for check-in at the hotel.

Perhaps there is no other capital city in the world so steeped in history and legend as the Indian capital Delhi. It was the magnet, which drew the Mongols, Turks, Persians, Afghans, Mughals and the British, all of whom contributed to its glorious but turbulent past. The fascination with Delhi was such that even though it was abandoned many times, its rulers returned to it again and again rebuilding it at least seven times. Today, the twin cities of Old and New Delhi still intrigue Indians and tourists alike as the cultural and political capital of the largest democracy in the world. Amidst the fast spiraling skyscrapers the remnants of a bygone time in the form of its many monuments stand as silent reminders to the region's ancient legacy. The first impressions for any visitor traveling in from the airport are of a specious, garden city, tree-lined with a number of beautiful parks.

Day 02: In Delhi

After Buffet Breakfast at the Hotel

Proceed for Full day combined city tour of Old and New Delhi.

Old Delhi had been the capital of Mughal India between the 12th and 19th centuries. See the 17th century Jama Masjid and walk through the narrow, winding lanes of colourful and bustling Chandni Chowk. Enjoy rickshaw ride through these bazaars. Also visit the Mughal Empire's most opulent fort, the Red Fort.

Afternoon proceed for New Delhi. Drive past Presidential Palace, the one-time imperial residence of the British viceroys; the India Gate, a memorial raised in honour of the Indian soldiers martyred during the Afghan war and a drive along the Rajpath past the Parliament House and secretarial buildings. Visit Qutab Minar, the 12th century tower of victory built by a slave king - what was intended to be the most glorious tower of victory in the world and was to be the prototype of all minars in India. Also visit the 16th century Humayun's tomb, a precursor to the Taj Mahal.

Day 03: Delhi - Agra [Surface - 204 Kms / 04 hrs drive]

After buffet breakfast at hotel; you will be driven from Delhi to Agra (Approx. 210 kms / 4 hours). Upon arrival, proceed for check-in at your hotel.

Agra came into limelight during the rule of Afghan King Sikandar Lodhi - who had made it the capital of his empire. Later in 1526 A.D., the Mughal Emperor Babar took upon himself the task for rendering Agra, a unique character and beauty of its own. The next few hundred years of Agra witnessed the rise of the pomp and pageantry of three great Mughal monarchs - Emperor Akbar, Jehangir and Shahjahan. In modern times, the city of Agra is a thriving carpet industry where you can also find leather workers; sandstone and marble sculptors, some of whom claim to be direct descendants of the craftsmen who had helped build the Taj Mahal. Agra in terms of ambiance is still associated with its Mughal period. The Mughals besides being great rulers were also great builders and they preserved their best architectural wonders for Agra & its neighborhoods.

In the afternoon you will be visiting Agra Fort, an outstanding example of Mughal architecture. Agra Fort - the seat and the stronghold of the Mughal Empire under successive generations. This was the seat of Mughal rule and administration and the present structure owes its origins to Akbar who erected the walls and gates and the first buildings on the eastern banks of Yamuna River. Its massive walls stretch for 2½ km and are surrounded by a moat over 10 metres wide. The fort is really a city within a city, which embraces the Moti Masjid, the Diwan-i-Am or the Hall of Public Audiences, the Diwan-i-Khas or the Hall of Private Audiences, the Octagonal Tower, Jehangir's Palace and many more monuments.

Later proceed for sunset visit to The Taj Mahal (closed on Fridays). Midway battery buses would be waiting for you and will drop you at the gates of the Taj Mahal. The Taj Mahal is everything that has been said about it and more. Taking 22 years and 20,000 men to build, the white marble was quarried 200 miles away and was transported to the site by a fleet of 1000 elephants. Taj Mahal - perhaps the most photographed monument in the world. However, no matter how many pictures you have seen or no matter how high your expectations are, the Taj never lets you down - the unparalleled glory and beauty of the building surpasses beyond all human imaginations. Spectacular monument built for love. Besides perfect symmetry in every aspect of its construction, the inlay work of semi precious stones into marble in pietra dura style is absolutely remarkable.

Day 04: Agra - Fatehpur Sikri - Jaipur [Surface - 240 Kms / 05 hrs drive]

After buffet breakfast, you will be driven from Agra to Jaipur (235 KMS / 5 hours) en-route visiting Fatehpur Sikri, the deserted red sandstone city, built by the Great Mughal Emperor Akbar as his capital and palace in the late 16th century. It was abandoned soon after it was built when the local wells went dry and it remains today in much the same condition that it was over 300 years ago. You will visit the graceful buildings within such as the Jami Masjid, the tomb of Salim Chisti, the Panch Mahal, Diwan I Khas and other palaces. It is a place where Islamic architecture fuses with Hindu and Jain decorative art.

After your visit, continue your drive to Jaipur and upon arrival, proceed for check-in at your hotel. Jaipur's past is never too far from hand. The city of victory, Jaipur presides over the fascinating desert state and its people: surrounded by rugged hills, each crowned by a formidable fort; and beautiful palaces, mansions and gardens dotted throughout its precincts. It is the only city in the world symbolizing the nine divisions of the Universe through nine rectangular sectors sub-dividing it. The architect who formalized the city's plans on the Shilpa Shastra, the epic Hindu treatise on architecture, mixed it with the sublimity of the Mughal and Jain influences of those times. The city was painted pink in 1853 in honour of the visit by Prince Albert. The dresses of the women and the turbans of the men add colour to this fascinating city.

Upon arrival, proceed for check-in at your hotel.

Evening enjoy cooking demo followed by dinner with Royal Family.

Day 05: In Jaipur

This morning proceed for guided visit of Amber Fort, en-route photo stop at Hawa Mahal (Wind Palace); built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh at a time when women of the royal family had to observe strict purdah. Continue your morning with Amber Fort excursion, the ancient capital of Rajasthan and the majestic palace complex to witness a unique system of air-conditioning of 17th century. The most enthralling experience of Amber Fort is the gaily elephant ride. A beautiful complex of Palaces, halls, pavilions, garden and temples, it still stands in magnificent state. The red sandstone and white Marble palace has some very interesting apartments- Diwan-I-Am, Ganesh Pol, Sheesh Mahal, Sukh Niwas, Jai Mandir, Man Singh Palace and Shila Devi Temple.

Afternoon, you will visit the City Palace, which is an overwhelming complex of exquisite palaces, gardens and courtyards, decorative art and carved doorways. The palace museum houses collections of rare manuscripts, armoury, costumes, carpets and miniature paintings. Thereafter visit Jantar Mantar, considered as the largest stone observatory in the world and is the most famous of five observatories built by Sawai Jai Singh in India. Jai Singh was a great admirer of progresses and research made in the fields of science and technology, but he was passionate about astronomy.

Later in the evening enjoy walking tour exploring the old markets which showcases the colorful lifestyle of Jaipur people.

Day 06: Jaipur - Jodhpur [Surface - 335 Kms / 06 hrs drive]

Today early morning around 0800 hrs, you will be driven from Jaipur to Jodhpur. Upon arrival, proceed for check-in at your hotel.

Jodhpur, the second largest city in Rajasthan, lies at the entrance to the Thar desert in a region called Marwar. The old city, founded in 1459, is surrounded by a 10 km long wall. From the fort you can clearly see where the old city ends and the new begins. The massive Meherangarh Fort overlooks the city and the red sandstone palaces within the fort form one of the most impressive complexes in Rajasthan. Jodhpur is also called 'blue city' because of the indigo-washed houses in the old town. The old city is fascinating jungle of winding streets of great interest to wander around. Eight gates lead out from the walled city.

This afternoon you will proceed to visit the Mehrangarh Fort (citadel of the Sun) that evokes the very spirit of the Rathore's, the ruling local Rajput clan. Visit its various palaces with their delicate friezes and respective museums, displaying treasures of the royal family. The Mehrangarh Fort is sprawled across a 125-meter high hill and is the most impressive and formidable fort in the fort- studded Rajasthan. On the wall adjacent to the Lahapol or “Iron Gate” are 15 handprints, the sati marks of the widows of Maharaja Man Singh who threw themselves upon his funeral pyre in 1843. Inside the fort, which is still run by the Maharaja of Jodhpur, there is a whole series of courtyards and palaces. North of Mehrangarh Fort, and connected to it by road, Jaswant Thada is a pillared marble memorial to the popular ruler Jaswant Singh II (1878-95), who purged Jodhpur of dacoits, initiated irrigation systems and boosted the economy. The cenotaphs of members of the royal family who have died since Jaswant are close by his memorial; those who preceded him are remembered by chhatris at Mandore.

Day 07: Jodhpur

This morning you will proceed to visit the Mehrangarh Fort (citadel of the Sun) that evokes the very spirit of the Rathore's, the ruling local Rajput clan. Visit its various palaces with their delicate friezes and respective museums, displaying treasures of the royal family. The Mehrangarh Fort is sprawled across a 125-meter high hill and is the most impressive and formidable fort in the fort-studded Rajasthan. On the wall adjacent to the Lahapol or “Iron Gate” are 15 handprints, the sati marks of the widows of Maharaja Man Singh who threw themselves upon his funeral pyre in 1843. Inside the fort, which is still run by the Maharaja of Jodhpur, there is a whole series of courtyards and palaces.

North of Mehrangarh Fort, and connected to it by road, Jaswant Thada is a pillared marble memorial to the popular ruler Jaswant Singh II (1878-95), who purged Jodhpur of dacoits, initiated irrigation systems and boosted the economy. The cenotaphs of members of the royal family who have died since Jaswant are close by his memorial; those who preceded him are remembered by chhatris at Mandore.

Afternoon enjoy 4 X 4 Jeep safari to Bishnoi Villages.

Away from the Royal palaces, heritage and colorful markets of the big cities and offering a glimpse into the Rural life is an expanse of dry yellow desert speckled with greenery, leading to a small village whish is as true to simplicity and tradition as the deserts are, to the land. Located approx 20 Kms from Jodhpur city, Bishnoi makes for a very picturesque setting of Village life on desert. Bishnois are one of the different group of people of Rajasthan who are popular for their rich cultural Rajasthani Life and their affection for animals and nature. They are well-known for their eco-friendly attitude and their efforts in preserving the Flora & Fauna of Rajasthan. You will see men in their bright white “Dhotis” and womens in their colorful “lehengas” and elaborate jewelry. Locals welcome tourists to visit their village, watch their daily routine and even share opium with the tourists.

Rest of the day at leisure to enjoy locally.

Day 08: Jodhpur - Ranakpur - Udaipur [Surface - 280 Kms / 06 Hrs drive]

Today morning you will be driven to Udaipur (290 kms / 7 hours) en-route visiting Ranakpur

Ranakpur Jain Temples, an exceptionally beautiful excursion through the rugged, wooded hills of Rajasthan to the Jain Temples of Ranakpur in the Aravalli Valley, to see one of the best complexes of Jain religion which is particularly noted for the grandiose scale of its architecture and the highly decorated ceilings, walls and 1444 different pillars. The priests of the temples did all the temple designing and their generations are still continuing the work.

Later continue your journey to Udaipur and upon arrival, check-in at your hotel.

Set amidst the Aravalli hills of south Rajasthan, Udaipur (City of Sunrise) is a beautiful city regarded as one of the most romantic city in India. Presenting an enchanting image of marble palaces, placid lakes, attractive gardens and green hills, it has been called “the Venice of the East”. It was founded by Maharana Udai Singh II in 1568 as a traditionally planned, fortified city full of palaces, temples and havelis. The city also became a center for the performing arts, painting and crafts. In Udaipur the past lives and breathes with the present.

Day 09: In Udaipur

Begin your half-day sightseeing tour of Udaipur with the City Palace - a well-fortified, majestic white monument and Museum. The largest palace complex in India, it is a blend of Mughal and Rajput influences.

Also see the 16 th century Jagdish temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, drive around the Fatehsagar Lake, and visit the Sahelion ki Bari (the Garden for the Maids of Honour), an ornamental pleasure garden with fountains and marble kiosks. The garden brings to the fore the unique lifestyle of the royal ladies, who once strolled through these gardens.

Later in the afternoon, take a boat cruise on Lake Pichola to visit Jag Mandir Palace by common boat, which covers almost four acres and is noted for its marble pavilion and an imposing dome. You'll see people doing their laundry on the shores of the lake against the backdrop of the massive City Palace and the old city.

Evening enjoy Puppet show & culture festivities at Bagore Ki Haveli.
Overnight stay at The Lotus Resort

Day 10: Departure Udaipur

Today you will be transferred to airport to board the flight for Mumbai or Delhi for your international connection.