31/08/2020
Day 1: Arrive Delhi
Arrive into Delhi and stay for two nights at your pre-booked hotel. Delhi is India's capital and a city of two halves. Old Delhi – the heart of Muslim India between the 17th and 19th centuries – is an historic district of grand mosques, majestic forts and crumbling monuments. In contrast New Delhi, with its large government buildings, wide tree-lined avenues and pretty white-washed bungalows was purpose-built in the 1930s by the British as a colonial capital and remains the epicentre of Indian political power.
Day 2: Delhi
After breakfast commence a morning tour of Old Delhi with your guide to explore the area's dense network of bustling alleyways, homes, bazaars and mosques visiting famous Chandni Chowk market (closed on Sundays), the beautiful Jama Masjid, the Red Fort and Rajghat (Mahatma Gandhi's Memorial). In the afternoon continue to New Delhi which was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and is today home to Rashtrapati Bhawan, the official residence of the Indian President, Rajpath and the imposing India Gate.
Day 3: Delhi to Agra – by train
This morning travel by train from Delhi to Agra and stay overnight at your pre-booked hotel. Agra was once one of the world's majestic cities and later today visit the imposing Agra Fort, established by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1565, and the tomb of Itmad-ud-Daula. No stay in Agra is complete without a visit to the Taj Mahal, arguably the greatest monument to love, built by Shah Jahan as a memorial to his wife Mumtaz. The Taj Mahal is a building world renowned for its beauty and the craftsmanship is outstanding.
Day 4: Agra to Jaipur – 240kms via Fatehpur Sikri and Abhaneri
Leaving Agra, visit Fatehpur Sikri, once the capital of the Mughal Emperor Akbar and constructed of beautiful red sandstone. Afterwards visit Abhaneri which is famed for its 8th century Chand Baori – the deepest step-well in the world – then continue to Jaipur for a two night stay at your pre-booked hotel. Planned by Maharaja Jai Singh II in 1727, Jaipur is a vibrant city of bazaars, palaces, fine havelis and spectacular forts.
Day 5: Jaipur
This morning drive outside of Jaipur to the dramatically located Amber Fort set on a ridge above the rugged sounding hills. A Rajput capital for over 700 years, there is plenty to explore here from courtyard gardens and small temples to the private chambers of the Maharaja. In the afternoon return to Jaipur to visit the superb City Palace complex which is home to the beautiful Peacock Gate and famous Hawa Mahal, or 'Palace of the Winds' and the Jantar Mantar – the largest stone observatory in the world.
Day 6: Jaipur to Jodhpur – 340kms
After breakfast leave Jaipur and drive towards the great Thar Desert to the charming 'blue city' of Jodhpur. Rajasthan's second city, Jodhpur is an atmospheric, colourful and vibrant city defined by the mighty Meherangarh Fort – one of the finest in India – and charming old city of winding lanes and tumbledown buildings. Stay for two nights at your pre-booked heritage hotel in the heart of the old city.
Day 7: Jodhpur
Today explore Jodhpur with your guide and start the day with a morning visit to the Meherangarh Fort. Wonderfully well maintained, the fort offers a fascinating insight into the historic life of the city and contains many palaces and temples whilst the views from the ramparts are spectacular. Leaving the fort, visit Jaswant Thada, cenotaphs of members of the royal family before taking a walking tour through the lanes of the old city.
Day 8: Jodhpur to Deogarh – 175kms
Drive to the small market town of Deogarh and stay for two nights at a renowned heritage hotel.
Day 9: Deogarh
At leisure to enjoy Deogarh. Observe the huge array of migrant birds, walk the surrounding hills, picnic by the lake or ride the local train where the line and equipment date from 1923.
Day 10: Deogarh to Udaipur – 190kms via Ranakpur This morning it is a picturesque drive through mountain, village and farmland to the Jain temple complex at Ranakpur. The most famous of the temples here was built in 1439 and is particularly beautiful. Later continue through the Aravalli Hills to the city of Udaipur where you will stay for two nights at your pre-booked hotel. With its white marble palaces, languid deep blue lakes, well-tended gardens and a back-drop of endless green hills, Udaipur is one of Rajasthan's most attractive cities.
Day 11: Udaipur
After breakfast visit the City Palace, an impressive complex of several palaces which overlook Lake Pichola and are still owned by the Maharaja of Udaipur. Places of interest here include the Mor Chowk court, Manak Mahal, Chini ki Chitra Mahal and the Queen's Palace. Also visit the Fateh Prakash Palace and its unique Crystal Gallery and grand Durbar Hall. From the City Palace return on foot to the old town and the intricately carved Jagdish Mandir temple ending the day with a sunset cruise on Lake Pichola.
Day 12: Udaipur to Mumbai – by air
Today transfer to Udaipur Airport in good time to catch the afternoon flight to Mumbai where you will stay for two nights at your pre-booked hotel. One of the world's great cities, Mumbai has grown from a small group of islands to India's economic powerhouse and gateway to the world. Still growing fast, Mumbai is a combination of old and new, the chaotic and the peaceful, which draws visitors back time again to what is a most vibrant, bustling and human of cities.
Day 13: Mumbai
Today explore the city with your guide. Close to the hotel is the Gateway of India, one of the iconic images of the city, built to commemorate the visit of King George V in 1911 and the excellent Prince of Wales Museum. From here stroll through the historic Colaba district to admire the impressive Gothic and Victorian architecture before continuing to Malabar Hill for far-reaching views over the city. End the day at the colourful Dhobi ghats where traditional laundryman collect, wash and return the city's linen.
Day 14: Depart Mumbai
Today transfer back to Mumbai Airport to catch your flight back home.
*This itinerary is subject to change with any change in Community regulations as well as Governmental changes and natural circumstances beyond our control.