This very special tour of RAJASTHAN has been designed so that you can experience this amazing region of India, it's culture, history and local way of life. We have chosen to stay in 4* or 5* hotels with the very highest standards of care and service. We are sure you will enjoy relaxing and taking advantage of their superb facilities.
Our fascinating tour of RAJASTHAN visits some of the magnificent palaces, temples and forts built for the Maharajas and includes Udaipur and the magnificent City Palace; the remarkable Jain Temples at Ranekpur, Jodhpur, Jaipur with its superb Amber Fortress; and Ranthambore Tiger Reserve. On the way to Agra we explore the amazing red stone palaces and buildings of Fatephur Sikri, and finally, no tour would be complete without a visit to the spectacular and breathtakingly beautiful, TAJ MAHAL.
DELHI, the capital of India is the perfect place to start and finish your tour. You will stay for 2 nights at the SHERATON NEW DELHI. A tour of the bustling metropolis of New Delhi and Old Delhi with its magnificent RED FORT and India’s largest mosque, JAMA MASJID is included.
You will then fly to UDAIPUR, the charming city of palaces and lakes, situated in the rugged mountainous terrain of the Aravalli hills. The grand setting combined with palatial architecture and a beautiful spa offers a truly luxurious experience at THE LALIT LAXMI NIWAS PALACE where you will stay for 3 nights. A city tour and boat trip on LAKE PICHOLA and a visit to the stunningly beautiful CITY PALACE are also included. From Udaipur you will start your journey by road through the wonderful landscapes of Rajasthan. Along the roadside and through local villages you will be able to observe the daily life of the Indian people.
En route Udaipur to Jodhpur, you will stop at ranekpur to see the magnificent JAIN TEMPLES, the largest iin India, covering nearly 4,500 square yards. Built over 500 years ago, these temples have exquisitely detailed and intricate carving in marble resembling delicate lacework rather than sculpture. Architecturally, the temples are magnificent with great emphasis on light and shadow, so that as the sun’s rays alight on different features of the buildings, the hues and colours of the marble merge from gold to pale blue.
In JODHPUR you will stay for 3 nights at the AJIT BHAWAN. In the heart of the old city there will be a chance to visit the fascinating and vibrant Sardar Bazaar and an optional jeep safari to a 450 year old tribal Bishnoi Village can be arranged.
From Jodhpur your journey continues to SAMODE, where you will stay for 3 nights at the SAMODE PALACE HOTEL. The palace is about 400 years old and after much restoration has been converted into a Heritage Hotel offering a quiet, elegant and luxurious atmosphere. The hotel is renowned for its high standards of modern hospitality, accommodation, cuisine and amenities. This is an ideal retreat where you can enjoy India's natural beauty and rich history.
Whilst staying in Samode a full day city tour to JAIPUR is included. You will visit the famous
AMBER FORTRESS PALACE, ‘the Sleeping Beauty of Rajasthan’, which nestles on a hilltop above the city. Jaipur is also known as 'the rose-pink city' because of the rose-coloured sandstone used in its remarkable architecture.
Leaving Samode our tour continues to RANTHAMBORE, one of the finest tiger reserves where you will stay for 2 nights at the NAHARGARH FORT. Two jungle safaris are included and hopefully you may be lucky enough to spot the majestic tigers. In the park Sambar deer, crocodile, sloth bear, leopard and many species of birds can also be seen.
You will depart early morning from Ranthambore by train to BHARATPUR where you will visit Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary. In the afternoon, en rout to Agra, you will visit the amazing red sandstone palaces and buildings of the deserted city of FATEHPUR SIKRI, its glorious courtyards and palaces conjuring up dreams of a mysterious past.
AGRA, is one of the world's outstanding cities in the world and a tour of the city is included, as well as visits to the AGRA FORT and palaces, and of course, the spectacular TAJ MAHAL. Built in the 15th Century by the Mughal Emporer Shah Jahan, in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, with whom he fell in love at first sight, this manificent monument stands majestically on the banks of the River Yamuna. Constructed predominantly in white marble, Islamic, Persian and Indian influences can be seen in the exquisite ornamentation of carving, pierce-work, inlay, screens, tiles and even calligraphy. Seen in the glow of dawn, or the softness of dusk, it it not hard to imagine the love-story behind this vision of timeless beauty.
In Agra you will stay for 3 nights stay at the ITC MUGHAL SHERATON situated in a lovely setting of 35 acres of grounds close to the city centre. In addition to the planned excursions there will be a full day at leisure where you can relax and enjoy the facilities of the hotel, or perhaps explore the city of Agra to do some last-minute shopping. Or, of course, you may like to take one last, lingering look at the iconic Taj Mahal.
Finally, your fascinating journey through Rajasthan concludes with a last night at the SHERATON NEW DELHI, where you can spend the evening at leisure before departure for home the next day.
OPTIONAL ADD ON
3 NIGHTS IN SHIMLA
Our add-on in Shimla will give you the opportunity to see this beautiful city in the north western ranges of the Himalayas. Shimla, known as the 'Queen of Hills', is situated at an altitude of 2,000 metres, surrounded by forests of pine, rhododendrons and oak. From Delhi the Shatabdi Express train and a drive through the beautiful scenery of thickly forested hills will take you to Shimla, gateway to the majestic Himalayas.
Declared the summer capital of the British Raj in 1864, this attractive hill station has retained much of its colonial charm and is in a spectacular location. The Mall and The Ridge in Shimla are the main promenades flanked with half-timbered colonial-style buildings and a profusion of restaurants, bars and shops.
An interesting visit will be made to the Viceregal Lodge, built by the British Viceroy Lord Dufferin in 1888. You will also take a short train ride on the narrow gauge 'Toy Train'. You will stay at the oberoi cecil hotel for 3 nights, before your internal flight back to Delhi and your last night at the Sheraton Hotel, before returning to the UK.
TRANSPORT/GUIDE
You will travel in an air-conditioned coach throughout, except whilst staying in Ranthambore when you will be in safari vehicles. An English-speaking guide will accompany you throughout your tour.
For all airport transfers our Agent's representative will accompany you. The distance between each hotel is approximately 5-7 hours touring with stops en-route.
