Luxury Rajasthan

Day at leisure to relax at hotel

This morning after breakfast, visit old Delhi, the capital built by emperor Shahjahan. In Old Delhi visit the Raj Ghat (memorial to Mahatma Gandhi). Drive past Red fort and once an imperial avenue of Mughal Royalty which today is the busiest commercial area of the city. Later visit Jama Masjid, - The largest mosque in India. Later take an intriguing rickshaw ride through the lanes of Chandni Chowk market to savour the ambience of a crowded oriental bazaar. Later visit Judah Hyam Hall, which is a centre for Jewish and inter faith studies.

Today morning after breakfast proceed for the sightseeing of New Delhi. Drive past the Rashtrapati Bhavan (Presidential Palace) and the secretariat buildings, the impressive Rajpath and the World War I memorial arch, the India Gate. Drive past the India Gate (war memorial dedicated to the lives of laid down by the Indian soldiers), the president's residence - formerly the Viceroy's Palace, parliament House and the Secretariat buildings, - an interesting blend of the Victorian and 20th century architecture. Visit the mausoleum of emperor Humanyu - a forerunner of the Mughal style of architecture. Later visit the 12th century Qutub Minar, gracefully hand-carved for its entire height of 234ft, and the iron pillar, which has withstood the ravages of time and not rusted even after 1500 years.

Afternoon at leisure

This morning after breakfast leave Delhi and drive to Agra,

upon arrival check in at hotel.

Later visit Taj Mahal.

Taj Mahal was built by Shah Jahan in 1560 in memory of his queen Mumtaz Mahal to enshrine her mortal remains. This architectural marvel is a perfectly proportioned masterpiece fashioned from white marble that stands testimony to the skill of 20,000 craftsmen brought together from Persia, Turkey, France and Italy and who took 17 year to complete this ' Love Poem in Marble'. (Friday closed).

Later in afternoon visit Agra Fort. In Fort visit Diwan-E-Am (House of Commons), mosques within Fort and royal pavilions like Macchi Bhavan, Shah Jahani Mahal & others. Several of the buildings are made of pure marble with beautiful carvings. To cool off the rooms, the walls were hollow and filled with running water. The balconies of these pavilions give clear view of Taj Mahal & Yamuna River flowing next to it.

This morning after breakfast leave from Agra to Jaipur by surface en-route visit Fatehpur Sikri.

Located 40 Km from Agra, the deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri was built by Emperor Akbar in 1569, in honour of the great Saint Sheikh Salim Chisti who blessed Akbar and prophesized the birth of three sons to the heirless Emperor. Akbar used Fatehpur Sikri as his capital and the city was fully occupied for 14 years but slowly became deserted and ruined after Akbar left the city. Scarcity of water was the prime factor for the abandonment of this beautiful city. Visit the reparably well-preserved, graceful buildings within the 'Ghost City' including the Jama Masjid, tomb of Salim Chisti, Panch Mahal Palace and other palaces that speak of the grandeur and splendour of the Mughal empire at the height of its power.

This morning after breakfast enjoy an excursion to Amber fort with elephant ride. Amber is a classic, romantic Rajasthani Fort Palace. The rugged, time-ravaged walls of the Fort may not look beautiful from the outside, but the interior is a virtual paradise. Miniatures painted on the walls depict hunting and war scenes, apart from festivals. Precious stones and mirrors are embedded into the plaster. Inside the Jag Mandir is the famed Sheesh Mahal - a room with all the four walls and ceiling completely embedded with glittering mirror pieces, which were specially imported from Belgium during that period. En route to Amber Fort, you will have a brief photography stop at Hawa Mahal - the Palace of Winds.

Afternoon sightseeing tour of city visiting Maharaja's City Palace, the former Royal residence, part of it converted into a museum. A small portion is still used by the Royal family of Jaipur. Built in the style of a fortified campus, the palace covers almost one-seventh in area of the city. One of the major attractions in the museum is the portion known as Armoury Museum housing an impressive array of weaponry -pistols, blunderbusses, flintlocks, swords, rifles and daggers. The royal families of Jaipur once used most of these weapons. Later visit the Jantar Mantar, which is the largest stone and marble crafted observatory in the world. Situated near the gate of the city palace, the observatory has 17 large instruments, many of them still in working condition.

day at leisure

After breakfast drive to Jodphur - 330 kms and approximately a 5 hour drive.

On arrival check-in to Hotel

rest of the day at leisure

This morning after breakfast enjoy a sightseeing tour of Jodhpur visiting the 5-km long Mehrangarh Fort situated on a 125-mt high hill. This is one of the most impressive and formidable structures in Rajasthan. Within the fort are some magnificent palaces with meticulously carved panels, latticed windows or "Jarokhas" with evocative names. The chambers of Moti Mahal, Phool Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, the Sileh Khana and the Daulat Khana are noteworthy for the splendour and glamour of a bygone era. Later visit the Jaswant Thada - a cluster of royal cenotaphs in the white marble built in 1899 AD in memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh-II.

Day at leisure - no transport envisaged

After breakfast drive to Narlai - 139 kms and approximately a 3 hour drive.

Check-in at the hotel rest of the day at leisure

an afternoon excursion can be booked at the hotel

Early morning before breakfast you will have the opportunity to climb the rock that towers over the village – please allow about 90 minutes – Watch the sunrise over the surrounding area.

After breakfast depart for Udaipur visiting Ranakpur en-route.

Ranakpur- The exceptionally beautiful Ranakpur complex is one of the largest and most important Jain temples in India. 90 Kms north of Udaipur. It lies in a remote valley of the Aravali range and is an important destination for Jains and tourists alike.

Afterwards continue on to Udaipur and stay at The Fateh Prakash Palace in a dovecote room.

Rest of the day at leisure.

Morning city tour visiting City Palace, built in 1725, which houses the Dilkhush Mahal, Sheesh Mahal studded with glittering Belgian mirrors, Moti Mahal and the Palace of Lord Krishna all of which are ornately decorated. Later visit the Jagdish Temple. This temple built in 1651 is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the preserver in the Hindu Trinity of Gods. Also visit the Sahelion Ki Bari -Garden of the Maidens. It was built by Maharajas for their ladies. The fountains here operate on water pressure with no pump being used.

Evening shared boat ride on Lake Pichola (Boat ride is subject to water level in lake)

Day at leisure to relax at hotel

Day at leisure to relax at hotel

At the appropriate time you will be transferred to the hotel for your internal flight to Delhi. On arrival you will be met and transferred to the airport hotel for your last night.

transfer to the hotel on time for your return flight to London