25 days from USD 2999


Delhi | Samode | Nawalgarh | Bikaner | Jaisalmer | Khuri | Osian | Jodhpur | Ranakpur | Udaipur | Deogarh | Shahpura Bagh | Kishangarh | Jaipur | Agra | Jhansi | Khajuraho | Varanasi | Delhi

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Delhi

Meet & assist on arrival. Transfer to hotel. Later full day sight-seeing tour of Old Delhi & New Delhi. Former centre of Mughal Power, Old Delhi offers ancient monuments, narrow streets and bustling bazaars. Visit the Jama Masjid, the greatest mosque in India and completed in 1658 by Shah Jahan who also built the Taj Mahal, and the Raj Ghat, the simple memorial to Mahatma Gandhi.

Later in the afternoon enjoy a tour of New Delhi, drive past the stately government buildings of the British Era designed by Lutyens, including the India Gate & the Presidential Palace.  Continue onward to the Qutab Minar the tower of victory erected by Qutub-ud-din – Aibak.Also visit Humayun's Tomb. Overnight Delhi.


Day 2: Delhi / Samode (5 hrs drive)

After breakfast drive to Samode. Check into hotel. Samode is a pictorial town located near Jaipur and is well-known for its rich culture and art. Samode is located at distance of 42 kms from Jaipur and is most popular for its grandiose havelis ( mansions ) and exquisite handicrafts. A tour to Samode will give you an opportunity to catch a glimpse of some of the finest landmarks and the most prominent being Samode Palace. This place remains one of the most sought-after among the tourist attractions in Samode. This architectural splendor has been converted into a heritage hotel that serves the tourists wishing to relive the past grandeur of the place. Evening view local artists performing in the palace courtyard. Overnight Samode.


Day 3: Samode / Nawalgarh (4 hrs drive)

Morning camel ride through the village & over sand dunes upto the royal orchards. After breakfast drive to Nawalgarh in the Sekhawati region. On arrival check into hotel. Known for its brilliantly painted and carved havelis, Nawalgarh is located right in the artistic region of Shekhawati. Perched on the Shivalik Hills, it took its name from Nawal Singh who founded it in the 18th Century.

Afternoon tour of Nawalgarh. Taste the artistic flavour of the Shekhawati region. Visit some of the exquisitely frescoed and carved havelis in the region. See the impressive fort. Stroll through the colorful bazaar and check out the architectural beauty of the region exuding the timeless charm. Overnight Nawalgarh.


Day 4: Nawalgarh / Bikaner (4 hrs drive)

After breakfast drive to Bikaner. Check into hotel. Evening free. Overnight Bikaner.


Day 5: Bikaner

After breakfast full day city tour. Visit Junagarh Fort-Built in 1593 A.D. by Raja Rai Singh, a general in the army of Emperor Akbar, the fort is a formidable structure encircled by a moat and has some beautiful palaces within, Ganga Golden Jubilee Museum- It is the best Rajasthan museum, having one of the richest collections of terra-cotta ware, weapons, miniature paintings of Bikaner school and coins and Lallgarh Palace- The architectural masterpiece in red sandstone, the palace was built by Maharaja Ganga Singh in the memory of his father Maharaja Lal Singh. The palace has beautiful latticework and filigree work. Overnight Bikaner.


Day 6: Bikaner / Jaisalmer (5 hrs drive)

After breakfast drive to Jaisalmer. Enroute visit Deshnok Temple 'temple of rats' and Camel Breeding Farm. Upon arrival check into hotel. Afternoon free to explore the fortress town, through narrow streets leading to Jain temples & havelis with most exquisite stone carvings in golden honey yellow stone. Overnight Jaisalmer.


Day 7: Jaisalmer / Khuri sand dunes (1 hr drive)

After breakfast proceed Khuri covering a distance of 45 kms. Khuri is renowned for its breathtaking sand dunes and camel safari. Check into Deluxe tents. After an exciting camel safari in the sandy desert return to your tented camp for dinner under a starlit sky in the backdrop of enchanting Rajasthani folk music and dance performed by local folk artists. Overnight camp.


Day 8: Khuri / Osian / Jodhpur (6 hrs drive)

After breakfast drive to Jodhpur via Osian. It is an ancient city in the Thar desert containing the largest group of 8th and 10th century Hindu & Jain temples. Proceed to Jodhpur. Check into hotel. Evening free to explore the local bazaars. Overnight Jodhpur.


Day 9: Jodhpur

After breakfast visit Mehrangarh Fort , perched atop a 150-foot high hill, the height of its ramparts further add to the grandeur of this fort. The structure justifies the name "Mehran – Majestic, garh – Fort". Also visit Jaswanth Thada & the majestic Umaid Bhawan Palace. Overnight Jodhpur.


Day 10: Jodhpur / Ranakpur (4 hrs drive)

After breakfast drive to Ranakpur. Nestled in the Aravali ranges Ranakpur is a complex of Jain temples situated in the middle of the forest, made of white marble the temple looks like a pearl displayed on green velvet. Built in the 16th Century these temples are a labour of love and devotion, the temple is perfectly symmetrical except for one pillar in the hall, which is deliberately misaligned in accordance to the Jain mythology where only god is perfect. Overnight Ranakpur.


Day 11: Ranakpur / Udaipur (2 hrs. drive)

After Breakfast drive to Ranakpur. Check into hotel. Later city tour of Udaipur . Visit the City Palace Museum, Saheliyon Ki Badi , the favorite gardens of the queen and her maidens and Jagdish Temple. Overnight Udaipur


Day 12: Udaipur

Day free at leisure to explore the Lake city. Overnight Udaipur.


Day 13: Udaipur / Deogarh (3 hrs drive)
After breakfast drive to Deogarh. Check into heritage hotel. Deogarh is situated about 135 kms north-east of Udaipur. Deogarh is famous as a school of miniature painting. Some Deogarh miniatures embellish the personal collection of the present Rawat Sahib. Frescoes of this art form can also be seen on the fort walls. The palace also has some interesting rooms to venture through - Sheesh Mahal - the colourful hall of mirrors, is one of them. Afternoon explore Deogarh Palace. This 17th century Palace is a commanding structure, standing atop a hill offering a panoramic view of the Aravalli mountain range and the numerous lakes, spread through out the countryside. With its greying battlements, domes, turrets, jharokhas and huge gateways, it is a picturesque sight from the town below. Overnight Deogarh.


Day 14: Deogarh / Shahpura Bagh (2-3 hrs drive)

After breakfast drive to Shahpura Bagh. Situated midway (4hrs drive, 220 Km from both) between Jaipur and Udaipur, Shahpura Bagh was the summer residence of the rulers of Shahpura. The 19th century Nahar Niwas, one of the two residencies on the estate, offers the wonderful experience of traditional personalised hospitality of being welcomed into the heart of an ancient lineage. Overnight Shahpura Bagh.


Day 15: Shahpura Bagh / Kishangarh (4-5 hrs drive)

After breakfast drive to Kishangarh. Check into heritage hotel. Afternoon visit Kishangarh fort. Situated at a distance of approximately 27 km from Ajmer city of Rajasthan. The fort, constructed by Maharaja Roop Singh of Rathore clan, dates back to the 1650's. The Kishangarh fort, has a number of palaces and monuments inside its walls and is encircled by a huge moat. A magnificent lake located near the fort plays host to numerous rare and exotic birds, making it a bird watcher's paradise. Kishangarh fort also served as one of the main centers of the Kishangarh School of miniature paintings. Even the famous Bani Thani style of painting that is quite popular in the field of miniature paintings originated here itself. It is one of the few forts in Rajasthan that have remained unconquered till date. The interiors of the fort are beautifully carved and reflect the taste and lavish lifestyle of the Rathore rulers. Majestic quarters, courtyards adorned with stone-carved water fountains and numerous other embellishments enhance the magnificence of the Kishangarh Fort. O vernight Kishangarh.


Day 16: Kishangarh / Jaipur (2 hrs drive)

Morning free. Afternoon drive to Jaipur. Check into hotel. Evening free to explore the bazaars of the Pink City. Overnight Jaipur.


Day 17: Jaipur

Morning tour of Amber fort, on elephant back.. The Fort, completed in the early 18th century, took over 100 years to build and now, although deserted, offers a fascinating insight into the lifestyle of the Mughal ruling families.

Later full day tour of the City - "The Pink City" is spectacularly set within surrounding rugged hills, dotted with ancient ruined fortresses. Your tour will include the imposing City Palace, still home to the Maharaja although several of the rooms are now open to the public. Many antiques and artifacts belonging to the ruling family are housed here, including a collection of weaponry. You will also visit the Hawa Mahal "Palace of the Winds", and the open-air Jantar Mantar Observatory to see the vast astronomical instruments. Overnight Jaipur.


Day 18: Jaipur

Day free at leisure to explore the pink city. Overnight Jaipur.


Day 19: Jaipur / Fatehpur Sikri / Agra (5 hrs drive)

Morning free. Afternoon drive to Agra via Fatehpur Sikri. Built between 1569 & 1585 by the great Mughal Emperor Akbar , it is a masterpiece in sandstone , glowing in subtly changing shades of pink & red as the day progresses & the light fades.Fatehpur Sikri was originally intended to be joint capital with Agra.It remains a testimony to Mughal grandeur. Upon arrival check into hotel. Evening free at leisure. Overnight Agra.


Day 20: Agra

Early morning sunrise tour of Taj Mahal one of the world's most beautiful monument, built as a memory to Mumtaz Mahal, the wife of Emperor Shah Jahan. Highlights include the Marble Screen, the Pietra Dura and the Tomb Chamber. Also visit Agra Fort where highlights include Jahangiri Mahal, Khas Mahal and Diwan-i-Khas. End the day by visiting the I'tmad-ud-Daulah's mausoleum, also known as the "Baby Taj", this tomb predates the Taj Mahal.Overnight Agra.


Day 21: Agra / Jhansi / Khajuraho

Transfer to station to board morning train to Jhansi (2002A Shatabdi Exp-0817 hrs/1048 hrs). Drive to Khajuraho via Orchha (4 hrs). Explore the Temples & Palaces on the river Betwa at Orchha. Upon arrival check into hotel at Khajuraho.
Afternoon tour of Eastern & Western group of temples built by Chandela's between 950 A.D. to 1050 A.D. Overnight Khajuraho.


Day 22: Khajuraho / Varanasi

Morning tour of Southern group of temples. Board afternoon flight to Varanasi (1325 hrs/1410 hrs).Transfer to hotel. Evening visit temples & ghats of Varanasi. Overnight Varanasi.


Day 23: Varanasi

After breakfast drive to Sarnath-scene of Buddha's first sermon.Visit the museum-one of the most important in India.See the many stupas,ruins and Mutagandhakuti Vihara,containing relics found during the early excavations of this buried city. Evening view Ganga aarti on the holy river Ganges. Overnight Varanasi.


Day 24: Varanasi / Delhi

Early morning boat ride in river Ganges passing through various ghats. Later transfer to airport to board flight to Delhi (1440 hrs/1600 hrs). Transfer to hotel near airport. Overnight Delhi.


Day 25: Depart Delhi

Transfer to International airport for onward flight.


Inclusions:

Accommodation + Room with Breakfast + A/C Car