Royal Rajasthan Diwali Tour

You’ll be met by one of our representatives at the airport and transferred to the hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure to relax or soak up the sights of this bustling city. In the evening we’ll share a welcome dinner at an Indian restaurant.

In the morning we’ll drive to Agra, arriving with plenty of free time to explore this Mughal city. We’ll visit the impressive Agra Fort before touring the Taj Mahal. Built by Emperor Shah Jahan in fond memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz, the Taj Mahal has been described as the most extravagant monument to love ever built and remains one of India’s most enduring symbols. However, not all love stories have happy endings, and Shah Jahan was imprisoned in Agra Fort by his son during his final years.

Rise early and pay a sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal. The Taj Mahal is India’s most-photographed monument, and today you’ll see why. After the Taj, we’ll return to our hotel for breakfast and then travel onwards by car to Jaipur, the ‘Pink City’ of India. We will reach the capital of Rajasthan in the afternoon, and you’ll have the rest of the day free to spend at your leisure. You may wish to explore the sights and colours of the Jaipur markets including the famous Johari Bazaar (jeweller’s market), or pay a visit to Jaipur’s iconic cinema, Raj Mandir, for a taste of Bollywood’s magical brand of entertainment.

On our second day in Jaipur, we’ll visit the magnificent Amber Fort. The Amber Fort was built in 1592, and has seen renovations and improvements for over two centuries. The 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 Hawa Mahal and the City Palace Museum. The museum is filled with rich collections of Rajasthani costumes and medieval armoury.

After breakfast we’ll travel to Jodhpur by car, arriving in the early afternoon (approx. 5 hours). Jodhpur is known as the ‘Blue City’ as many of the houses are painted in shades of blue. With the towering backdrop of Mehrangarh Fort, one of the largest forts in India, the city is quintessential Rajasthan. In the afternoon we’ll head to Sardar Bazaar, one of the oldest markets in India, for handicrafts and antiques. The diversity of what’s on offer is impressive.

Start the day off right with a delicious omelette and a famous Makhaniya lassi, one of many Indian delicacies that originated in Jodhpur. We’ll then head up to Mehrangarh Fort and take in the sweeping view of the city. You can either have the late afternoon free or attend a Rajasthani cooking class at a local family’s house. In the evening we’ll join locals as they celebrate Diwali before making our way to the city for a special Diwali feast. During Diwali, temples, houses and gardens surrounding the city are lit up with colourful lights and decorated in flower garlands, and locals flock to give offerings to deities. It is a truly magical time to be in India.

After breakfast, we will travel to Udaipur by private vehicle. Udaipur, also known as the ‘Venice of the East’, is one of India’s most picturesque cities. The city was founded in 1559 and was the capital of the Mewar kingdom. 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 beautiful and seductive city. In the afternoon we’ll take an orientation walk through the narrow streets so that you can get your bearings. The rest of the day is at your leisure to relax and explore the city.

After breakfast, we’ll visit the massive City Palace before enjoying a boat ride on Lake Pichola. In the afternoon we’ll visit Bagore Ki Haveli, a beautiful mansion housing an art gallery of contemporary and folk art. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to relax or to enjoy one of our bespoke experiences. We’ll meet in the evening for dinner at the Udaigarh Hotel, which overlooks Lake Pichola and the City Palace.

After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll fly back to Delhi. After checking into our hotel, the rest of the day is free to either shop or visit the sights of Delhi. We’ll meet in the evening for our 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.