Rajasthan Highlights

Arrival at Delhi

Your heritage tour of Rajasthan starts with arrival at Delhi airport, where our representatives will be waiting to transfer to the hotel. Delhi is the capital city of India and was once the capital of several kingdoms and empires. It is now a metropolis that offers the perfect blend of past and present. Delhi is the eclectic soul of India.

After check-in, you are free to explore the city or relax in your room at your leisure. Overnight will be spent here.

Exploring Delhi

Today, you do a thorough exploration of Old Delhi and New Delhi after a quick breakfast.

Your first stop of the day is Raj Ghat, a modest memorial for Mahatma Gandhi. You will then drive past the Red Fort, built during the peak years of the Mughal Empire, and the Jama Masjid, one of the largest mosques in Asia, where people stream in and out regularly. You will also see the Qutub Minar, India's tallest stone tower. Perhaps the highlight of Old Delhi is the rickshaw ride through the ribbony lanes of Chandni Chowk.

After a delicious lunch at one of the local restaurants, it is time to explore New Delhi, a reflection of the British legacy. The division between the Old and New Delhi is one between the capitals of the Mughals and the British, respectively. Where tradition and history bloom with all its colors, facets, and spells in the walls, is Old Delhi; Modernity and 21st-century norms burst through New Delhi's seams.

You will also drive past the impressive India Gate, the Rastrapathi Bhawan, the President's residence, and the Parliament building. If time permits, you will head to the Lotus temple in south Delhi, which is a lotus-shaped structure open to all faiths and an ideal place for peace, tranquility, and meditation.

Today evening is the time to visit the Akshardham Temples. Overnight stay in Delhi.

Visiting Taj Mahal

You can spend today morning at your leisure.

Later, you will drive down to Agra. What was once a small village was transformed into a worthy second capital of the Mughal Empire through its red sandstone and white marble edifices by monarchs Akbar and Shah Jahan. Even today, the city exudes its unique Mughal charm and heritage with its buggies and narrow alleys.

Later today afternoon, you will visit the Taj Mahal, the primary reason for any tourist's visit to Agra. The white marble memorial to Mumtaz Mahal was built by her husband Shah Jahan and took 22 years for completion. Its design, balance, and symmetry along with the inlay work, elegant domes, and intricate screen are some of its attractive features.

Later in the evening, learn the history of Taj through a performance at Kalakriti. Overnight stay at Agra.

Agra Fort and Baby Taj

Post a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, head to Agra Fort, a red sandstone structure surrounded by a four-square formal garden, Chahar Bagh, with imposing gates, red sandstone walls, and a moat. Built by Mughal emperor Akbar as his citadel, the fort has a stunning Pearl Mosque within, attracting several guests.

The next stop for the day is Baby Taj or Itmad-Ud-Ullah Tomb, the interior of which is considered to triumph over the Taj Mahal. It was built by Nur Jahan, Jahangir's empress, for her father, known as Itmad-Ud-Daulah (the pillar of the state) within Mughal court, after his death. As you explore the tomb, you will learn how a poor merchant became a powerful court personality.

Relax at the hotel after lunch.

Early evening, you will head for a heritage walk to the other side of Yamuna, where you will find edicts of stones depicting the Mughal history. Have evening tea with the local villagers on the Tea Terrace. After a delicious dinner, retire for the night stay at Agra.

Entering Rajasthan

As you progress in your heritage tour of Rajasthan, today we will enter Rajasthan by driving down to Alwar. En route, you will visit the Fatehpur Sikri.

Located at west of Agra, Fatehpur Sikri is home to a great mosque built by Mughal emperor Akbar under his supervision as a mark of respect to saint Salim Chisti, who granted him three sons.

Continue towards Alwar and check in to Amanbagh. The countryside around Amanbagh has evidence of a lost empire with great ambitions. However, the resort is also near to several important buildings like Ajabgarh Fort and Temple, Baba Kapoor Shah Mosque, and Bhangarh, a village comprising bazaars, palaces, gardens, temples, and bathing pools.

Overnight stay at Amanbagh.

Exploring Alwar

Today you will explore Alwar, thus starting your heritage tour of Rajasthan in the truest of sense. Following breakfast, you will visit Ajabgarh, a village, fort, and a temple named the grandson of Bhangarh's founding ruler, Ajab Singh. The fort is said to have entertained Mughal emperors Akbar and Shah Jahan.

The next stop for the day is Bhangarh, an uninhabited city and a medieval site of great archaeological importance located 15 km from Amanbagh. Built in 1600 by Diwan Madho Singh of the Jaipur royal family, the township is believed to have been abandoned overnight after a court magician cursed it.

Not unlike Pushka or Ramdeora, Narayani Mata temple is sacred to Rajasthanis. This temple with a fascinating legend of Narayani (the first Sati in the state), who immolated herself on her poisoned husband's pyre while blessing the locals with a spring that flows even today, is your next stop before heading back to the hotel for lunch.

Overnight stay at Amanbagh.

Reaching the Pink City

Today you will drive to Jaipur after breakfast. Known as the Pink City for the array of distinctively colored palaces and fortresses, Jaipur is Rajasthan's capital city and gets its name from the city's founder Jai Singh II.

Later, in the evening, you will visit the Birla Temple, a marble structure with the idols of Goddess Lakshmi and Narayan along with intricate carvings of the Hindu pantheon, Jesus, Virgin Mary, and St. Francis of Assisi. Here, you will attend the aarti ceremony, a Hindu ritual to awake and invoke the deity.

With the experience imprinted in your mind, return to the hotel for an overnight stay.

Exploring Jaipur

On day 8 of your heritage tour of Rajasthan, you will explore Jaipur city and outskirts, starting with a visit to the Amber Fort. The fort is the classic Rajasthan fort palace that showcases the beautiful blend of Hindu and Mughal styles.

Next in line is City Palace, yet another delightful blend of Mughal and traditional Rajasthani architecture and home to Chandra Mahal, a museum, and Shri Govind Temple.

This is followed by a visit to Jantar Mantar, the best-preserved and largest of five observatories built by Jai Singh II. The outsized astronomical instruments are still in use today.

You will also visit the five-storied sandstone structure Hawa Mahal, whose ornamental facade remains a landmark of the city. It was built as a royal grandstand for the palace women by Pratap Singh in 1799.

In the evening, you will be accompanied by a local expert on a walking tour of Old Bazaar of Jaipur, home to some of the best craftsmen in the country and regional culinary delights. Observe the artisans at work, mingle with locals, and try delicious street food as you walk through the bazaar.

Overnight stay at Jaipur.

Driving to Pushkar

After breakfast at the hotel, drive down to Pushkar.

Being a sacred town for the Hindus, Pushkar is a lakeside settlement whose charm lies in the miraculous lake with a natural water supply and surrounded by a desert. With references in Indian epics Ramayana and Mahabharata, evidence points to its existence in the 4th century BC and is the stage for India's most colorful folk festival-- the Pushkar Fair.

Enjoy the city sightseeing, a camel ride, and visits to temples along the Pushkar Lake. Spend the evening visiting the local market and Ghats. You will spend the night in Pushkar.

Heading to Jodhpur

Spend time at the Pushkar fair after breakfast at the hotel. Later, drive down to Jodhpur, the Blue City.

The imperial city of Jodhpur is at the edge of the Thar Desert and was once the capital of the Marwar state. Founded in 1459 AD by Rao Jodha, chief of Rathore clan of Rajputs, the city is surrounded by a 10 km-high wall with 8 gates and several bastions.

Spend the evening at your leisure. Overnight stay at Jodhpur.

Exploring Jodhpur

After breakfast at the hotel, proceed for morning sightseeing of the city, the first stop of which is the grand Mehrangarh Fort. Atop a steep hill, the fort is home to Moti Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, and Phool Mahal, each screaming grandeur with its intricately adorned and latticed windows. Spreading over 5 km over the hill, Mehrangarh Fort presents a grand view of the city horizon.

The next stop is Jaswant Thada, a white marble 19-century royal cenotaph built to commemorate Maharaja Jaswant Singh. Situated nearby are three other cenotaphs.

The beautiful Umaid Bhavan Palace is the final stop before lunch. Built to give employment to Jodhpur people during the famine, the palace houses a museum displaying antiques, clocks, weapons, crockeries, and trophies belonging to the Maharaja and the royal family. The royal family continues to live in a part of the palace.

After lunch, you will head for a jeep safari in the Kakani village, where you will get the ultimate rural Rajasthan experience. During your exploration, you will drive by the countryside, mingle with the locals to learn more about their lifestyle, and spot the varied wildlife of the area. Thus giving you a complete heritage tour of Rajasthan's rural side.

Spend the evening either relaxing or exploring the city on your own. Overnight stay at Jodhpur.

Heading to Udaipur

After breakfast at the hotel, drive towards Udaipur, visiting Ranakpur en-route.

Ranakpur Temples in a temple complex consisting of two Jain temples, a Sun Temple, along with the main temple of 29 halls supported by 200 pillars.

Continue towards Udaipur, the city of Dawn. With an array of fairy-tale palaces, lakes, temples, gardens, and narrow lanes, the city is a fascinating blend of experience and inspiration, hemmed in by lush hills of Aravallis. Udaipur is the jewel of the Mewar Kingdom with Lake Pichola one of its highlights.

Overnight stay at Udaipur.

Exploring Udaipur

Today after breakfast at the hotel, you will proceed for a sightseeing tour of Udaipur, starting with City Palace.

Set on Lake Pichola's east bank, the City Palace is an extensive series of palaces with a triple-arched-gate as its main entrance. Inside the palace are Suraj Gokhda, where Mewar maharanas addressed the people, the vivid mosaic decorating glass walls of Mor-chowk, the chini chitrashala, and wall paintings of Krishna in Bhim Vilas.

Saheliyon ki Bari, built by Maharana Sangram Singh, is a discreet appearing garden. There are beautiful flowerbeds, four pools with kiosks, lawns, and fountains along with a series of walls and shady trees here. Enjoy the gardens' lush aura with its glass mosaic and painting decorated sitting area and a lotus pool.

Next in line is Bagore ki Haveli with its location on the waterfront of Lake Pichola at Gangaur Ghat. Built by the prime minister of Mewar kingdom, the palace has over a hundred rooms and an interior that is decorated with mirrors and glasswork. After the death of the prime minister, the palace became a property of the Mewar state, eventually occupied by Maharana Shakti Singh of Bagore, hence earning its name.

Jagdish temple, situated in the middle of the city, is the next stop. The structure is as tenacious as its builders and the art tradition it represents. It was built by Maharana Jagat Singh 1st in 1651 AD.

Afterward, proceed for the evening motor launch cruise at Lake Pichola. From the boat, you will get the panoramic view of Udaipur, as you head to the palace in the middle of the lake-- Jag Mandir Palace.

Overnight stay at Udaipur.

Sunset at Monsoon Palace

The day is free for you to spend it as you please.

Early in the evening head to the Monsoon Palace. It is also known as Sajjan Garh Palace after Maharana Sajjan Singh, who constructed it to overlook his hometown, Chittorgarh. Located on top of a hill, the Palace offers a splendid view of Udaipur, which had become prominent during the Maharana Sajjan Singh's rule. Here, you will experience a marvelous sunset while checking the historical cities.

Overnight stay at Udaipur

Back to Delhi

Today morning, enjoy some free time until your flight to Delhi in the afternoon. After reaching the national capital city, feel free to spend your time at your leisure, maybe for some last-minute shopping.

Overnight it will be in Delhi.

Departure From Delhi

Day 16 marks the end of your heritage tour of Rajasthan. Depending on your flight schedule, our representative will drop you at the international airport for your flight back home.