Royal Rajasthan

Take the overnight flight from wherever you are to New Delhi.

On arrival in Delhi you’ll be met and transferred to your hotel where you’ll be staying for 2 nights. Your car and driver will be with you throughout the trip.

Head out on a full day city tour of Delhi, taking in the Jama Mosque, and the bustling markets of Old Delhi with their silks, perfumes and spices. To really get in the mood, part of this tour can be done by rickshaw. But you can walk if you prefer.

The afternoon is all about New Delhi, including the magnificent Humayun’s Tomb, the elaborately carved victory tower of Qutab Minar, and the fascinating buildings of Lutyens’ Delhi, such as India Gate and Rashtrapati Bhawan (President’s House).

After breakfast you’ll be driven to Agra (3.5 hours), famous for its beautiful monuments and a legacy of the Mughal Empire. Check in to your hotel for the night.

In the afternoon it’s time for a tour of Agra Fort and of course the magnificent Taj Mahal, which you’ll arrive at in a horse drawn carriage. With stunning palaces, towers, and iconic gateways the Taj symbolises the power of the mighty Mughals and took 22 years to build. Today it’s counted among the Seven Wonders of the world and remains an enduring monument of love, built by a Mughal Emperor in memory of his beloved queen.

This morning you’ll be driven to Ranthambore National Park (5 hours), one of the best places in the country to see tigers in the wild, and once the private hunting grounds of the Maharajas of Jaipur. On the way, stop to admire palaces, mosques and gardens in the deserted Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri, which was once the capital of the empire.

Arrive late afternoon at Ranthambore and check into your camp where you will stay for the next 2 nights.

Head out on morning and afternoon game drives to see if you can catch a glimpse of the elusive tigers, as well as other wildlife such as leopards, hyenas, jackals, sloth bears and marsh crocodiles. Admire the picturesque ruins that dot the park, including lake palaces, cenotaphs, and a majestic thousand-year-old fort on a hill overlooking the wilderness.

Drive to the ‘pink city’ of Jaipur (3.5 hours) and check into your hotel for the next 3 nights, before spending the afternoon at your leisure. Jaipur is steeped in history with magnificent forts and palaces to explore.

Today is a city tour of Jaipur, exploring the milk market and the City Palace with its wonderful courtyards, arched entrances and gardens, as well as Jantar Mantar (a medieval observatory) and the Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds). End the day with a walking tour of Old Jaipur, checking out the bazaars, the colourful labyrinthine alleys where artisans make puppets, and beautiful havelis (mansions).

After a leisurely morning you’ll be taken to visit the Amber Fort, one of the most fascinating in India, with the famous Palace of Mirrors, the hall of Public Audience and beautiful manicured gardens. Next drive a short distance to the wilderness behind the fort to Dera Amer Camp for an elephant safari and private dinner.

Drive to Jodhpur (about 6 hours), the second largest city in Rajasthan and one that has retained its medieval splendour. Jodhpur was once a major trade centre due to its location on the ancient silk route. Check into your hotel where you’ll be staying for 2 nights, and spend the rest of the afternoon at your leisure.

Your half day city tour of Jodhpur will begin with the Mehrangarh Fort, one of the largest in India, unsurpassed in beauty and grandeur with multiple palaces and sprawling courtyards. Next up is the Jaswant Thada, a 19th century royal cenotaph, as well as the clock tower with its colourful market area featuring textiles, silver and handicrafts.

Today you’ll be driven to Udaipur (5 hours), visiting the stunning 15th century Ranakpur Temples on the way. One of the biggest and most important Jain temples in India, it lies in a remote and peaceful valley and is one of the most holy places for Jain pilgrimage. Arrive in Upaipur early evening and check into your hotel where you’ll be spending the next 3 nights.

Spend the morning on a guided city tour of Udaipur. Check out the largest palace complex in Rajasthan, the beautiful Sahelion-Ki-Bari gardens with their lawns, lotus pools and marble pavilions with elephant-shaped fountains, and finally the Jagdish temple. End the tour with a relaxing lunch on board a boat whilst cruising across Lake Pichola.

Spend the day at leisure in Udaipur, either at the hotel or on your own with the car and driver at your disposal.

Today you’ll be collected from your hotel and transferred to the airport for your flight to Delhi, where you’ll be met and taken to the international airport in time for your connecting flight back home.