Essence of Rajasthan

Welcome to incredible India! Upon your arrival at the airport in Delhi, our representative will greet you and escort you to our hotel. After checking in, spend the rest of your day at your leisure exploring the local bazaars or relaxing in the hotel. In the evening we will meet for a welcome dinner at one of Delhi’s Indian restaurants.

After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll drive onwards to Agra, home of the majestic Taj Mahal. After checking in to our hotel, we’ll take a tour of the old Mughal city, where the direct descendants of the 20,000 artisans who built the Taj Mahal still live. We will also visit Agra Fort, where Shah Jahan was imprisoned by his son after the Taj Mahal was built.

In the morning we’ll visit the Taj Mahal for a spectacular sunrise. Built between 1632 and 1653 in memory of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan’s third wife, the Taj Mahal is world-renowned and widely admired. After the Taj, we’ll return to our hotel for breakfast and then travel onwards by car to Jaipur, the capital city of Rajasthan. After checking into our hotel, we’ll visit Hawa Mahal, also known as the Palace of the Winds.

On our second day in Jaipur, we’ll visit the magnificent Amber Fort. The Amber Fort was built in 1592; and it has seen renovations and improvements for over two centuries. Its name is said to derive from the many jewels that are used for decoration inside…come and see for yourself! After visiting the fort, we’ll head back to Jaipur to visit the City Palace Museum. The museum is filled with rich collections of Rajasthani costumes and medieval armoury.

In the morning we’ll rise early and visit the local Vishnu and Hanuman temples. Observe the morning prayers before visiting the wholesale flower, vegetable and milk markets where we’ll experience the city waking up and coming to life. We’ll then head back to the hotel for a late breakfast and some time to relax. Spend the afternoon exploring the sights and colours of the Jaipur markets, including the famous Johari Bazaar (jeweller’s market). In the evening we’ll visit Jaipur’s iconic cinema, Raj Mandir, for a taste of Bollywood’s magical brand of entertainment.

After an early breakfast, we’ll travel to Udaipur by train (approx. 6 hours). As we pass through the Thar Desert, you’ll see villagers dressed in colourful clothes herding animals against a backdrop of spectacular scenery. We’ll arrive by mid-afternoon and check into our hotel by Lake Pichola. Udaipur, also known as the City of Lakes, is one of India’s most picturesque cities. Palaces surround the city, the most famous being The Lake Palace, which covers an entire island and was featured in the James Bond film Octopussy. There’s no doubt you’ll enjoy this relaxing, seductive city. Relax in the evening with some traditional Rajasthani cuisine.

In the early morning we’ll visit Fateh Sagar Lake to watch the sun rise over the Aravalli Hills. You’ll have the option of walking or cycling around the lake. We’ll return to the hotel for a late breakfast, followed by a visit to the massive treasure-filled City Palace and a boat ride on Lake Pichola. In the afternoon we’ll visit Bagore Ki Haveli, a beautiful mansion housing an art gallery with traditional and contemporary dance performances. Dinner tonight is at a roof top restaurant overlooking Lake Pichola and the City Palace, where we can sit back and enjoy the sweeping views.

After breakfast we’ll leave for our flight to Delhi. Upon arrival in Delhi we’ll transfer to our hotel. The rest of the day is yours to shop for souvenirs, or visit famous sites such as India Gate, Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk, Rajpath and Raj Ghat (the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi). For dinner we will share a special farewell dinner.

After breakfast, the tour will come to an end. We will transfer you to the airport for your onward international or domestic flight.