Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Delhi 

Arrive in Delhi. Met at the airport and transfer to hotel for the night.

 Day 2: Delhi 

After breakfast, go for a drive-by of New Delhi – the Rashtrapati Bhawan (official resident of the President of India, Parliament House and India Gate complex.  Continue your drive by tour of the Old Delhi areas, Red Fort, Chandni Chowk and the narrow by lanes of Jama Masjid. 

Later visit Qutab Minar and Humayun’s Tomb complex for a guided visit.  Built in 1192 and towering 75metres above the ground, Qutab Minar is a World Heritage Site and an impressive monument to visit for its grand architecture. Surrounded by lush green gardens the complex has various tombs, a magnificent mosque and the incredulous Iron Pillar which never rusts.

Drive back to hotel for an early evening in.  Overnight at hotel.

 Day 3: Delhi-Agra

Checkout and transfer to railway station for express train to Agra.  Met on arrival in Agra and transfer to hotel for check-in.  After freshening up leave with your guide to visit the famous Agra Fort which is made of red sandstone and is a symbol of power, strength and resilience of the Mughal empire.  Numerous impressive structures like the Jahangir Mahal, Khas Mahal, Diwan-i-Khass, Diwan-i-Am, Machchhi Bhawan and Moti Masjid are part of this UNESCO World Heritage site. The view of the Taj Mahal from the palace where Jehangir was imprisoned by his son stunning.

After this visit the fabulous Taj Mahal which is the world-re-knowned symbol of love of an Emperor for his Queen.  Built in the 16th century, this monument is said to be the epitome of Indo-Islamic architecture.  The relief work on the marble, intricate inlay work  with precious stones and uniquely balanced aesthetic qualities make it a site to behold.  It is believed that the Taj Mahal at sunset is breathtaking, so do linger on to capture the gorgeous hues against this fabled monument.

Return to your hotel for a relaxed evening and overnight.

 Day 4: Agra-SawaiMadhopur ( Ranthambore National Park)

After breakfast checkout from hotel and drive to SawaiMadhopur (approx driving time 5.5 hours). Stop at world heritage monument of Fateh Pur Sikri, built in red sandstone built by the great Mughal king Akbar to be near to his spiritual saint.  Carry onwards to  SawaiMadhopur -  a quaint little city which has something for all – be it a wildlife enthusiast, nature lover or a history buff. 

Arrive and check into a resort with luxury tented accommodation.  Relax after the long drive in your luxurious tent which is inspired by the opulent caravans of the royal families.

In the late afternoon head out for a jeep safari with a trained guide to track the elusive Tiger. It is one of the original tiger reserves and known as the best place in India to view the tiger. The Park has a spectacular landscape filled with leafy forests, plateaus, lakes and rivers dotted with the ruins of forts including the 16th century Ranthambore Fort perched on a rocky outcrop.  The park has a rich population of leopards, sloth bears, several deer species like chital (spotted deer), marsh crocodile, palm civet, jackal, desert fox, serpent eagle, waterfowl, desert monitor lizards, andover 320 species of birds!!   This is definitely a must-do on any wildlife enthusiasts list.

Return to the resort for being pampered and treated to a lavish Rajasthani spread.

Day 5: SawaiMadhopur

You could go for another safari in the early morning to enjoy seeing the animals one more time.  Go on further to explore the ruins of the fort and the abandoned temples scattered all over the park area.

Go for a visit to Shilpgram – The Craft Village.  The craft village showcases the Rajasthani culture and heritage through arts and handicrafts. If you have a keen eye for arts and crafts this is surely worth visiting.

Return to the resort.  Rest of the day at leisure to enjoy the various experiences the resort has to offer.

Day 6: SawaiMadhopur-Jaipur

After a leisurely breakfast checkout and leave for Jaipur (approx driving time 3 hours). 

Check in at your hotel and relax for a while.

Jaipur combines the allure of its ancient history with all the advantages of a bustling modern city.  Visit the colourful bazaars ( walking tour) of the bustling city in the evening to get a feel of the local handicrafts and delicacies the Pink City has to offer.  Return to hotel for overnight.

Day 7: Jaipur

After an early breakfast leave for a day of sightseeing with a guide. Start with a stop to see the Hawa Mahal façade outside the city palace. The Hawa Mahal which literally translates into the “Palace of the Winds” is a five-storey building with numerous windows and arches with inlay filigree work which makes for the amazing ventilation.  The main purpose of this palace was to allow the ladies of the royal family and the court to observe the busy streets of the Johari Bazaar from the palace, without being seen themselves.

Arrive at the Amber Fort (also known as Amer Fort). Enjoy an elephant ride upto this fabulous 14th century fort. But in case you are not so keen on the elephant you can take a jeep ride to the gate of the fort. The complex which is a perfect example of Rajasthani architecture,has been built with pale yellow and pink sandstone, and white marble. The fort is divided into four main sections that are graced with their own courtyards.    There are a lot of attractions including the Diwan-I-Aam, Sheesh Mahal and the temple.   Once you have visited the fort, walk downhill to where you are parked.   

On the way back from the fort stop for a photograph at Jal Mahal (The Water Palace), which stands in the middle of the Man Sagar Lake.The light pink colour of the sandstone walls creates a sharp contrast with the deep blue of the glimmering lakemaking it one of the most photographed spots in Jaipur. So make sure you have yours!

Return to the city for lunch at a local restaurant or to the hotel to relax.

Afternoon is free for shopping. Jaipur is equally famous for what all it offers to the keen shopper. From textiles to jewellery, to carpets to silverware the choice is simply endless. 

In the evening leave for a special  thali style Rajasthani dinner at a restaurant which has local dance and music performances to complete your Rajasthani experience.  Alternatively you could choose to have a leisurely cocktail on the terrace while watching the sun go down on this fabulous city.

Day 8: Jaipur

After breakfast leave with your guide to visit City Palace & Museum and the Jantar Mantar(Observatory). 

The City Palace is a beautiful fusion of Mughal and Rajput architecture.  The Palace Complex has a private section – where the last ruling royal family resides and several other smaller palaces.  One of these palaces house the Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum where you can see a unique collection of royal costumes, delicate Pashmina shawls, and other dresses with Sanganeri prints and folk embroidery, alongwith the clothes of the current Maharaja.  It also displays a range of Rajput weaponry, some dating back to the 15thcentury.

Another UNESCO World Heritage site, Jantar Mantar is one of the oldest astronomical observatories.  Although it is not a working science centre, it is maintained as a monument and apart from guided tours, there are a lot of education sessions organized here.  It has the world’s largest stone sundial and other remarkable stone assemblies that help to interpret the position of celestial bodies and calculate local time. These instruments allow the observation of  astronomical positions with the naked eye – which is amazing in itself as these were built on ideas from different religious and social beliefs in the 18th century.  Definitely a fascinating place to visit.

Rest of the afternoonis free for any shopping or relaxing by the pool.  Jaipur is famous for its vibrant and colourful precious stones, exquisite silver jewellery, handblock textiles and linen, as well as the best quality hand-made carpets and rugs.  The variety and colours available makes it so difficult to choose what all you want.  If you are interested, a visit to the actual workshops can be organized where you can see the hand-block process and also try your hand at it if you so desire. 

Return to the hotel for overnight.

 Day 9: Jaipur-Chhatrasagar

After breakfast, checkout from hotel and drive to Chhatrasagar dam (approx driving time 4 hours).  Arrive at the boutique camp which has the unique and stunning location on top of a dam overlooking a lake which is teeming with birds. 

The tents are decorated in understated luxury and have all the modern comforts you can ask for. Savour the unspoiled landscape, birdlife and big skies from the privacy of your private sit-out area.  The stay here is a lovely way to take a break from your tour experience rural Rajasthan albeit in the lap of luxury. 

A bar and restaurant cater to delicious cuisines – both Indian and international – made from fresh ingredients sourced from the camp’s organic garden by the pool or in your tent. 

Go for a bird watching tour to see some beautiful migratory birds in the unspoiled landscape. Can you imagine yourself having a sun-downer in this gorgeous place with just birdsong as the only sound?  Or sitting around the campfire under a canopy of stars, listening to regional music.

Day 10: Chhatrasagar-Jodhpur

Check out from this unforgettable camp experience and drive to Jodhpur (approx driving time 2.5 hours).Jodhpur is a fascinating historical city built in 1459 AD with most of its architecture – the stunning palaces, temples and houses built in vivid shades of blue – giving it the name of the Blue City. 

Check into the hotel and relax for a while before heading out in the afternoon to visit the UmaidBhawan Palace museum.  The only palace to have been built in the 20th century, the spectacular Umaid Bhawan Palace is made with sandstone and marble in an architectural blend of  the old Indian and modern Western deco styles, with a lush garden outside. 

Apart from a part of the palace still being used as the residence of the royal family, another part has been transformed into a luxurious heritage hotel.  Many celebrities have chosen this exotic location for their nuptials and special occasions.   A third part of the palace is home to a museum which has a rich collection of artefacts, photographs, arms clocks, stuffed leopards, porcelain ware and other memorabilia of the royal family.  The garden in front of the museum also has the Maharajas' classic cars on display.

After visiting the Museum drive to the landmark Clock Tower in the centre of the city.  Explore the bustling marketplace in this area to get a feel of the culture and people of Jodhpur. You can get anything from snuff to incense, from saris to trumpets in these winding streets. Jodhpur is also known as the Blue city as the old city houses are painted in Blue and gives a very nice effect. 

While in Jodhpur if you have a sense of déjà vu, it would be because you would have seen the backdrop of this incredible city in the movie – The Dark Knight rises.

Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 11: Jodhpur

After breakfast leave for the historic Mehrangarh Fort, which sits 400 feet above the plains on the top of a hill.  This sprawling fort and its palaces were built in the 15th century with additions over a period of 500 years with varied building styles and history of each period.

It is famous for its exquisite latticed windows and carved panels, priceless relics in the

intricately decorated rooms of  the museums of Moti Mahal (Pearl Hall) and Sheesh Mahal (Mirror Hall).There are many other notable monuments within the fort complex including the famous Chamunda Mata Temple. This fort is a definite must-see for history buffs and culture aficionados. 

If you are feeling adventurous take an exhilarating zipline tour of the gardens within the fort complex!

Return to the hotel for a relaxing afternoon. 

Day 12: Jodhpur-Jawai  

After breakfast, head out to Jawai (approx driving time 3 hours) - a small village which is more popularly known for the dam built on it’s namesake river.  Jawai is known for its sanctuaries for leopards, birds, and crocodiles. It is also home to a number of other animals like panthers, hyenas, chinkaras, bears and wolves. 

Arrive at your uber-luxurious camp which is right in the middle of this wilderness.  Check in and explore this camp which combines the great outdoors with subtle opulence.  The décor, amazing food, courteous service, knowledgeable rangers – all add upto giving you the best luxurious wildlife experience – as would have been of the royals of the past.

In the afternoon leave for a jeep safari to track the leopards who roam wild and free on

The granite hills and rocks which are all over the place.  The Jawai leopards and locals are familiar with each other and coexist peacefully.  So it is quite an experience to watch the leopards roam around freely.   Go to the dam to get splendid views of the cranes, crocodiles, peacocks, pink flamingos and other gorgeous birds.

Return to the camp for some mesmerizing star-gazing.

Day 13: Jawai

Get an early morning start with another wilderness drive to discover new areas and observe more animals in their spectacular natural habitat.   Drive to the Jawai dam to see the birds which flock from all over the world. If you are lucky you can also catch a few   crocodiles basking in the sun.Return to the camp for a delicious spread for breakfast. 

Later you could go for a walk in the wilderness with an expert guide and tracker and  explore the magnificent landscape.  You could also visit a temple and the local villages for a feel of what rural India is like.

Return to the camp for a relaxed evening and more pampering.

Day 14: Jawai-Udaipur

After breakfast, leave the beautiful surrounding of Jawai to go to Udaipur (approx driving time 2.5 hours). 

Ranakpur Temples are acclaimed world-wide for their intricate and superb architectural style. These temples form one of the five major pilgrimages of the Jains. The marvel here is the network of 1,444 pillars through the hall. No two pillars are similar in carving and the stone used is such that it changes colours with each passing sunlight hour. Without a doubt it is a masterpiece and a must visit.

Surrounded by craggy hills of the Aravalis, dense forests and shimmering blue lakes, Udaipur is also known as City of the Lakes.  This romantic city is a wonderful sight offairytale palaces, temples, stately havelis, narrow whitewashed streets, and seven beautiful lakes earning it the name of the Venice of the East.  Apart from the picturesque locations, the city also boasts of a lively arts scene, authentic cultural shows, colourful bazaars and a more relaxed vibe.

Head out in the afternoon with a visit to the famous Hathi Pol Bazaar to shop for beautiful traditional handicrafts and artwork like miniature paintings at bargain prices. If you are interested in picking up some camel leather bags, footwear, silver and camel bone jewellery or even some traditional Rajasthani material, Bada Bazaar is the place to go. 

Take these goodies back home as souvenirs for friends or even as a token of your memorable visit to Udaipur.

In the evening enjoy boating on Lake Pichola, the largest of Udaipur's lakes.  It is truly mesmerizing to watch the sunset from the lake with the large expanse of sky with twinkling stars above and rippling water below shimmering with lights.  Located in the middle of this lake is one of the most beautiful sights of Udaipur – the famous Lake Palace.The walls of this palace are made of black and white marbleadorned with semi-precious stones. The Lake Palace is now converted into a hotel.

Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

It is also home to Jaisamand Lake, claimed to be the second largest man-made sweet water lake in Asia.

 Day 15: Udaipur

After breakfast head out for a guided tour starting with the beautiful City Palace.  This palace, the largest in Rajasthan, is an architectural marvel and represents an exquisite blend of Rajasthani, Mughal, European and oriental architecture styles. Built in granite and marble, it has several stunning, unique palaces (and squares within the sprawling complex. Explore the ornate rooms with the incredible works of art in mosaic, drool over the beautiful courtyards, mirrored walls and stain glass windows.

Be sure to visit the Crystal Gallery which has the most exclusive and alluring private collection of crystals.  Over 600 customised items have been brought in from various parts of the world.  They range from mirrored tabletops to lamps, crystal bed to crockery sets, fountains to perfume bottles and even dresses!  The most striking being a crystal embedded carpet, woven with gold and silver threads. Be sure to feast your eyes on these beauties as photography is prohibited in this gallery.

Next visit is to a garden with lush green lawns and stunning elephant-shaped marble fountains located on the banks of yet another fabulous lake – FatehSagar Lake. This garden was built by an 18th century king for his queen so she could visit it with her friends to give them some pleasurable moments away from the political turmoils of the court.  Enjoy waking through the lawns and admire the beautifully carved pavilion which gives a romantic ambience to the park.

Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 16: Udaipur-Delhi-Flight back home

After breakfast, checkout and board a flight to Delhi airport in time to connect to your flight back home.