Royal Rajasthan - Land of Kings

Day 1 - Delhi

Join your tour group at the hotel.

The Leela Ambience, Delhi (5-star)

Day 2 - Delhi

Steeped in history and tradition yet undeniably modern and cosmopolitan, Delhi pulsates to a rhythm that is impossible to ignore. This intriguing city charms its visitors and leaves an impression that won’t soon be forgotten. We’ll kick-start our journey with a sightseeing tour of Old and New Delhi. We start at Raj Ghat in OId Delhi, the tranquil memorial to Mahatma Gandhi and his cremation site, before moving onto Jama Masjid; the largest mosque in India. Continuing to New Delhi, marvel at all 234ft of the striking hand-carved Qutab Minar and Grand red and white Tomb of the Mughal Emperor Humayan, considered one of the architectural forerunners to the Taj Mahal. We finish with a drive past the Lutyens-designed India Gate and Presidential Palace.

The Leela Ambience, Delhi (5-star)

Day 3 - Agra

We wave goodbye to the sights and sounds of Delhi as we depart for Agra. Situated on the banks of the Yamuna River, Agra is a city celebrated for its rich concentration of magnificent Mughal-era buildings and its most recognised icon, the Taj Mahal. We arrive in the afternoon and check into our hotel. After some time to relax, we take a tour to what promises to be the most wondrously, breathtaking experience to be imagined. At sunset we view the architectural marvel and ‘love poem in marble’, the Taj Mahal. A staggering 20,000 craftsmen created this fitting memorial for Shah Jahan’s queen, Mumtaz Mahal - seeing it in person is a real highlight of our India tour.

Courtyard by Marriott Agra (5-star)

Day 4 - Jaipur

This morning we continue to Jaipur, visiting Fatehpur Sikri en route; a deserted city built in 1569. The assortment of well-preserved, graceful buildings within the ‘Ghost City’ were once the bustling political capital of the Mughal empire for a little over a decade, before the complex lay virtually unknown for hundreds of years. We arrive in Jaipur and check into our hotel for the next two nights.

ITC Rajputana, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Jaipur (5-star)

Day 5 - Jaipur

This morning we visit the vast Amber Fort, a classic, romantic Rajasthani Fort Palace with time-ravaged walls yet a virtual paradise inside. Later we visit the former royal residence of the City Palace and Jantar Mantar, home to the largest stone and marble crafted observatory in the world. We drive past the impressive façade of the Hawa Mahal ‘Palace of the Winds’, a five-storied example of Rajput architecture with 953 sandstone windows.

ITC Rajputana, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Jaipur (5-star)

Day 6 - Khimsar

Today we continue to Khimsar, where we will stay at the majestic 16th-century Khimsar Fort Hotel. Situated in the heart of rural India and perched on the edge of the Great Thar Desert, this historic fort is a real experience in itself. Enjoy tea on the terraces whilst surrounded by acres of lush green gardens and a vast assortment of birds, a true rarity of any desert in the world. Your evening here is free to explore the orchards and open courtyards among the sand dunes.

Khimsar Fort Hotel (4-star)

Day 7 - Khimsar

This morning we enjoy an early morning jeep safari to Black Buck Reservoir where we’ll be taken through the sanctuary to see Blackbuck, Chinkara and Bluebull, three species of antelope. The safari concludes with morning tea at the dunes and the rest of the day is yours to relax, before a late afternoon wander through the village.

Khimsar Fort Hotel (4-star)

Day 8 - Jodhpur

A morning drive takes us to Jodhpur where we check-in to our hotel. After lunch we make a visit to Mehrangarh Fort. Situated on a 125m-high hill, it is considered one of the most impressive and formidable structures in Rajasthan and envelops magnificent palaces. Later we visit the Jaswant Thada, a cluster of 19th-century royal cenotaphs in white marble.

Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels, Jodhpur (4-star)

Day 9 - Jodhpur

We speed off on a morning jeep safari through the dunes, taking in the desert landscape and visiting a Bishnoi village, famous for their rich cultural Rajasthani life and their true love for animals and nature.

Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels, Jodhpur (4-star)

Day 10 - Deogarh

We drive to Deogarh today where we spend tonight in an impressive palace converted into a hotel. Standing 2,100 feet above sea level, Deogarh is cooler than surrounding Rajasthan. Our palace is superbly positioned and towers over the town below, affording spectacular views of the Aravali Hills and the rugged, rock-strewn countryside also dotted with lakes that mirror the vibrant blue sky. Deogarh has plenty to offer for the rest of your day, such as village walks and bird watching.

Deogarh Mahal (4-star)

Day 11 - Deogarh - Udaipur

Today we have arranged a unique experience on board a rural train from Deogarh to Phulad - a great way to meet with the locals. Originally built by the British in the 1930s, to connect the regions of Marwar and Mewar, the metre-gauge train travels through tunnels and bridges and past quaint railway stations where the famous book and movie ‘The Man Who Would be King’ by Rudyard Kipling unfolds. Upon our return to Deogarh, we depart for Udaipur. En route we visit Ranakpur, renowned for its Jain temple - one of the largest and most important Jain temples in India, situated in a remote valley of the Aravalli range.

Chunda Haveli, Udaipur (4-star)

Day 12 - Udaipur

A morning tour of the ‘City of Lakes’ awaits us, beginning at the 18th-century City Palace, housing the Palace of Lord Krishna. Continue to the Jagdish Temple and the beautiful gardens of Sahelion Ki Bari, with fountains, pools and marble elephants creating a wondrous serene escape. This afternoon (if water levels permit) we take a boat ride on Lake Pichola where the dazzling island palace of Jag Niwas is beautifully located.

Chunda Haveli, Udaipur (4-star)

Day 13 - Udaipur

A day at leisure in Udaipur to explore its countless crooked streets, ancient bazaars and fantastic temples and palaces.

Chunda Haveli, Udaipur (4-star)

Day 14 - Udaipur - Delhi

This morning is at leisure, before we transfer to the airport to board our flight to Delhi.

Welcomhotel by ITC Hotels, Dwarka, New Delhi (4-star)

Day 15 - Delhi

Say goodbye to your tour group for your onward travel.

Delhi