RAJASTHAN

DAY 1: DELHI
For your added comfort, your English-speaking representative will be waiting for you outside the customs area with a sign with your name on it. Your representative will assist you to co-ordinate meeting up with your private driver and accompany you to your accommodation.

Relax and enjoy an airport transfer in a private vehicle, with driver, and English-speaking assistant.

Accommodation: Le Meridien (City Center) (5*)

Through the lenses of art, design, fashion, and cuisine, Le Méridien New DelhiDAY 1: DELHI
For your added comfort, your English-speaking representative will be waiting for you outside the customs area with a sign with your name on it. Your representative will assist you to co-ordinate meeting up with your private driver and accompany you to your accommodation.

Relax and enjoy an airport transfer in a private vehicle, with driver, and English-speaking assistant.

Accommodation: Le Meridien (City Center) (5*)

Through the lenses of art, design, fashion, and cuisine, Le Méridien New Delhi creates an ambience that encourages guests to embark on journeys of discovery. The hotel is situated two kilometers from Rashtrapati Bhawan, the home of the President of India; the Presidential Palace; Parliament House; and the commercial hub of Connaught Place. A great location, set amidst the most alluring shopping and entertainment districts in New Delhi. approximately 30 minutes away from the Indira Gandhi International Airport  and five minutes from the New Delhi railway station.

DAY 2: DELHI

Spend the day on a privately guided full day tour of Old and New Delhi which boasts spectacular monuments and holy sites. The city of New Delhi was designed in the typically British colonial style, with tree-lined avenues and colonial bungalows. This tour takes you to the Laxminarayan Temple, a modern Hindu temple, and the famous Gate of India, which is a 42-meter high War Memorial Arch. Visit the Red Fort which was the palace for Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan's new capital, Shahjahanabad, when he moved his capital from Agra to bring prestige to his reign. Its wall is 1.5 miles long, and varies in height from 60 to 110 feet. At 72.5 meters, the Qutab Minar is the tallest brick minaret in the world. Surrounding the building are many fine examples of Indian artwork dating back to 1193. Afterwards view the Humayun's tomb, which is a complex of buildings of Mughal architecture dating to the Slave Dynasty (1268-1287 AD). The complex is a World Heritage Site and the first example of this type of Mughal architecture in India. This style of mausoleum is similar to the Taj Mahal in Agra.

Accommodation: Le Meridien (City Center) (5*)

DAY 3: DELHI - UDAIPUR

Relax and enjoy an airport transfer in a private vehicle, with driver, and English-speaking assistant.

Enjoy your flight from Delhi to Udaipur. The flight duration is approximately 90 minutes.

Meet your driver for an airport transfer with English-speaking assistant.

Today visit the majestic white City Palace built in granite and marble. The palace complex is surrounded by crenellated fort walls, and overlooks Pichola Lake. The Garden of the Maids of Honor is well laid out with extensive lawns and shady walks. Constructed for forty eight young ladies-in-waiting sent to the royal house as part of the dowry, the garden has many fountains in its four delightful pools, chiseled kiosks and marble elephants. The Crystal Gallery in the Fateh Prakash Palace features a breath taking collection of crystals including tables, sofa sets, a dining table, dressers, fountains, beds, and an exquisite jewel studded carpet.

Accommodation: Fateh Prakash Palace (5*)

With distinctive turrets and majestic domes, Fateh Prakash Palace is a Grand Heritage Palace built along the shores of Lake Pichola. Named after one of Mewar dynasty's greatest rulers, Maharana Fateh Singh, the palace is a repository of exquisite chandeliers and rare paintings, unique crystal and crockery collections. Each suite at Fateh Prakash Palace Hotel Udaipur is decorated with original portraits and period furniture, which have been in the family for generations. Dine at one of the hotel's exquisite restaurants and take part in the various recreational activities throughout the resort.

DAY 4: UDAIPUR

Today travel to Eklingji, located about twelve miles north of Udaipur, featuring a complex of 108 ancient temples, carved from sandstone and marble. The main temple was built in 734 AD to propagate the blessings of Lord Shiva. Afterwards continue on to Nagda, known for its 10th century temples. The Jain temple of Adbudji is essentially ruined, but it still displays interesting architecture. Visit the Sas Bahu temple that has fine intricate carvings. There are also some small temples submerged in the nearby lake.

Enjoy a boat ride at Lake Pichola.

Accommodation: Fateh Prakash Palace (5*)

DAY 5: UDAIPUR - JODHPUR

This morning meet your driver for a private transfer to Jodhpur covering distance of 270 kilometers. Enroute visit Ranakpur Jain temple. Ranakpur boasts some of the most exquisite Jain temples in the country famous for their intricate friezes and sculptures. It is one of the holiest Jain sites in India. Nestled on the banks of the river Maghai and sequestered by mountains, Ranakpur's beauty is accentuated by its seclusion. The main Chaumukha (four faced) temple was built in 1439 and is dedicated to the first Enlightened One, Adinatha Rishabdeva. An inscription in it traces its origin to the reign of Rana Kumbha. Erected on a raised platform, it is surrounded by 66 subsidiary shrines. It has 1444 beautifully carved pillars, of which no two are alike.

Accommodation: Taj Vivanta Hari Mahal (5*)

Spread over six acres of lush, landscaped gardens, Taj Hari Mahal Hotel Jodhpur is placed close to the city markets. With its Marwar style architecture and Moghul-inspired domes, enameled murals, slender columns and grand interiors, Taj Hari Mahal truly exudes an exquisite ambience of a prosperous palace. Guests can experience the grandeur and luxurious comfort of a bygone era, as they immerse themselves in any of the 93 guest rooms including suites. You can dine at any of the two restaurants that serve a wide variety of Chinese, Rajasthani and continental cuisine in a warm and pleasant atmosphere. The extensive recreational facilities at the hotel include a swimming pool, fitness centre and tennis court.

DAY 6: JODHPUR

Let your guide take you on a tour of the most magnificent building in Jodhpur, Mehrangarh Fort, constructed in 1459. The fort is situated on a lofty height of 400 feet above the city and is enclosed by imposing thick walls. Inside its territorial boundaries, there are several palaces, which are known for their intricate carvings and sprawling courtyards. Jaswant Thada lies to the left of the Mehrangarh fort complex. It is a royal cenotaph made up of white marble. It was built to commemorate Maharaja Jaswant Singh. Umaid Bhawan Palace is built of marble and pink sandstone.

Travel by jeep to the Bishnoi community where you visit traditional villages to see the local handicrafts such as shoe making, durries, pottery and hand weaving. Take advantage of the opportunity to interact with the villagers - men in their traditional attire, and women in clad with ancestral jewelry. Enroute observe and photograph wildlife. You may be able to spot black buck, chinkaras, and peacocks as they freely move through the countryside.

Accommodation: Taj Vivanta Hari Mahal (5*)

DAY 7: JODHPUR - JAIPUR

Meet your driver for a private transfer to Jaipur. The drive takes approximately 5 hours.

From its creation in the year 1727, the royal families and nobles of Jaipur patronized the craftsmen and artisans of the city. These traditions continue to this day and as a result modern day Jaipur is considered by many as the craft capital of India. Traditional methods are still used to produce many valuable and highly prized items. Using skills passed down through generations, artisans and master craftsmen can be seen in the areas of Ghat Darwaza and Vishveshwar ji.  On this fascinating evening walk mingle and talk with the locals whilst sampling some of the region's culinary delights; try pakoras, aloo tiki, samosa and ladoo from some of the city’s most popular street food vendors. Observe local artisans in their workshops; jewelers and silversmiths, gold painters and tie dying experts. The iconic Hawa Mahal also called the Palace of the Winds is the meeting point at which this two and a half hour walk begins.

Accommodation: Jai Mahal Palace (5*)

The Jai Mahal Palace is set amidst 18 acres of beautifully landscaped Moghul gardens, and dates back to 1745 A.D. A masterpiece in the Indo Saracenic style of architecture, it blends spotlight-grabbing opulence with tantalizing comforts that transport guests to a world of Rajasthan magnificence. It is located downtown, close to the main shopping center and historical monuments.

DAY 8: JAIPUR

Spend the day today in the company of a knowledgeable English-speaking guide as you tour the Amber Fort and City Palace of Jaipur, the iconic Observatory and the Hawa Mahal.  The magnificent Amber Fort was established in 1592, and remained the citadel of the Kachhawaha rulers right until they moved their capital to Jaipur in 1727. Maharaja Man Singh I created this imposing monument on the remains of an ancient 11th century fort. Since the first half of the 18th century, the City Palace has been the abode to the rulers of Jaipur. The sprawling expanse of the breathtaking palace is a superb harmony of Rajput and Mughal architecture. Part of the palace has been converted into a museum, open to the public, while a section - Chandra Mahal - still remains the home of today’s maharaja.  The Observatory of Jaipur is inscribed on the World Heritage List as "an expression of the astronomical skills and cosmological concepts of the court of a scholarly prince at the end of the Mughal period". Within it, the Jantar Mantar is a collection of massive astronomical instruments, built of local stone and marble. Each instrument carries an astronomical scale marked on the marble inner lining, and bronze tablets were also employed.  Built in 1799, the whimsical Hawa Mahal - Palace of Winds - which adjoins the Palace has become quite the city icon, with its ornate façade in pale pink, tiered baroque like build, projecting ‘jharokha’ windows and balconies with perforated screens. These were designed so that the mysterious veiled ladies of the harem could look down upon the colourful and bustling bazaars below, remaining hidden themselves. Overlooking busy streets, it offers great views of the city.

Accommodation: Jai Mahal Palace (5*)

 DAY 9: JAIPUR - AGRA

Relax on your transfer from Jaipur to Agra in a private vehicle with driver. On the way, you will visit the ancient ghost city of Fatehpur Sikri. This area was built during the second half of the 16th century by the Emperor Akbar, and was known as the "City of Victory", and the capital of the Mughal Empire for 10 years. The complex of monuments and temples boasts uniform architectural style, which includes one of the largest mosques in India, the Jama Masjid.

Accommodation: ITC Mughal (5*)

Sprawled over 35 acres of luxurious gardens, and in close proximity to the Taj Mahal, ITC Mughal is a fitting tribute to the great Mughal builders of the past. The only Indian hotel to have won the prestigious Aga Khan Award for its excellent representation of Mughal architecture, the property boasts the 'Khwab Mahal' wing - Palace of Dreams. The opulent rooms and suites that resemble Miniature Palaces recreate a paradise for the contemporary Mogul - full of splendor and perfection which was the hallmark of the Mughal Dynasty.

DAY 10: AGRA

Today your guide will pick you up from your hotel for a private tour of the Taj Mahal, the most beautiful monument built by the Mughals.  Taj Mahal is built entirely of white marble. Its stunning architectural beauty is beyond adequate description, particularly at dawn and sunset. It was built by Emperor Shah Jahan in the memory of his dear wife and queen Mumtaz Mahal. You should also visit Agra Fort, which is built of red sandstone and marble. This great monument of red sandstone dominating a bend in the river Yamuna, two kilometers northwest of Taj Mahal was constructed by the Mughals during 1565-1571.

Accommodation: ITC Mughal (5*)

DAY 11: AGRA - DELHI

Meet your driver for a private transfer to Delhi. The drive takes approximately 4 hours.

Relax and enjoy an airport transfer in a private vehicle, with driver, and English-speaking assistant.

Accommodation: Holiday Inn New Delhi International Airport (4*)

The Holiday Inn New Delhi International Airport is located four kilometers from Delhi Airport and adjacent to the Aerocity metro station. The hotel is ideal for business, leisure and transit travelers. There is a variety of dining and leisure options to make guests stay comfortable, including dining outlets, 24-hour room service, free Internet access, contemporary rooms and leisure facilities. The guestrooms are quiet and peaceful for a sound sleep experience.

DAY 12: DELHI

Relax and enjoy an airport transfer in a private vehicle, with driver, and English-speaking assistant.

Accommodation: Depart (Int`l Airport) (standard)

Depart from International Airport. End of itinerary.