Classic Rajasthan
in Style
11 Nights/12 Days
Over 12 years of organising Travel Experience
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Trip highlights
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Agra
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The Taj Mahal
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Ranthambore (Safari)
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Jaipur (Amber Fort & City Palace)
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Jodhpur
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Sadar Bazaar
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Meherangarh Fort
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Udaipur
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Delhi
Day 1
Arrive (India)- transfer to Delhi
Welcome to India!
Transfer from airport to your hotel
In the late afternoon/evening visit the Gurudwara Bangla Sahib for an initial taste of the real India & perhaps helping out in the "poor kitchen".
Overnight in Delhi : The Claridges B&B
Details
Arrive (India)- transfer to Delhi
Welcome to India!
You shall be met as you exit the aircraft and you are assisted with immigration and custom formalities. In the arrival hall you are introduced to your
representative who will transfer you to your hotel.
Later in the evening we shall visit the Gurudwara Bangla Sahib (Sikh temple), which has one of the biggest (and cleanest) poor kitchen’s in Delhi and witness the hundreds of people that come to eat here each day for free - and if you are feeling like it you would be guided by your guide on how to help - perhaps rolling chappatis (indian flat bread) or stirring the huge pots of lentil stew or perhaps serving!
It is not the usual option for a sightseeing experience in Delhi but perhaps one of the most real!
Delhi reflects the legacy and heritage of Mughal Delhi which is popularly known as Old Delhi. Pulsing with energy and colour, Old Delhi is laced by a maze of narrow lanes where you get a glimpse of many contrasting flavours from wedding bazaars to expansive spice markets, to graceful architecture. In contrast to Old Delhi – the imperial city or New Delhi created by the British - have numerous fine colonial structures, magnificent buildings and wide boulevards laid according to the master plans of the great colonial architect Lutyens.
Overnight in Delhi : The Claridges B&B
Day 2
Delhi (Old and New)
Today experience a guided full day city tour exploring the sites and sounds where Old Delhi meets New Delhi.
Overnight in Delhi - The Claridges B&B
Details
Delhi (Old and New)
Enjoy a guided full day city tour of Old and New Delhi.
You will first visit the walled city of Old Delhi. In contrast to the newer city, the former Imperial capital is a maze of lanes crowded with shops, crumbling havelies (mansions), in the midst of which lies one of the country’s largest mosques. You will walk through the narrow lanes of the 300 year old Chandni Chowk market, Today it is a busy market selling an extraordinary variety of items – silver, jewelry, aromatic spices, leather, fruit and vegetables. This is an excellent introduction to the organized chaos which is quintessentially Indian. You will disembark at the Jama Masjid, believed to be the largest mosque in India and which was Shah Jahan’s last architectural legacy.
After lunch at a local restaurant (additional cost) you will proceed towards New Delhi, characterized by Sir Edwin Lutyens' architecture, we will visit two of the most important monuments of Delhi's past - Humayun's Tomb and the Qutab Minar.
We begin with Humayuns' tomb, a forerunner to the ornate Moghul style of architecture later perfected in the Taj Mahal. The tour then continues to the Qutab Minar, a 234 foot high fluted minaret that was built in the thirteenth century. The tour also includes a drive along Raj Path, past the imposing India Gate, the Parliament building and Rashtrapati Bhavan, the President's residence.
Return back to your hotel to freshen up and make your plans for dinner.
Overnight in Delhi - The Claridges B&B
Day 3
Delhi - Agra
Morning departure to Agra (approx 4 hrs)
Afternoon visit the Agra Fort
Early evening we take in the iconic Taj Mahal at sunset.
Overnight in Agra - ITC Mughal B&B
Details
Delhi - Agra
You will depart for Agra today, with the drive taking 4 hrs approx.
In the afternoon visit the red sandstone Agra Fort, which stands like a crescent on the banks of the Yamuna River, enclosed by forbidding 20-metre high walls, with a 12-metre moat between them? Three successive Mughal emperors - Akbar, Jehangir and Shah Jehan - helped create this massive structure which contains Hindu and Muslim architecture. The structure of Agra Fort at Agra and Red Fort at Delhi is moreover the same from inside.
Just before evening continue your tour to the Taj Mahal at sunset. Taj Mahal, the monument built by Shah Jahan for his wife Mumtaz Mahal. It took 12 years to build this sublime garden tomb, an image of the Islamic garden of paradise. It’s perfect proportions and exquisite craftsmanship was the work of artisans from both India and overseas. In every way, the Taj Mahal represents the wealth and luxury of Mughal art as seen in architecture.
**Taj Mahal remains closed on Friday
Overnight in Agra - ITC Mughal B&B
Day 4
Agra - Ranthambhore
Morning time for Taj Mahal sunrise.
After breakfast drive to Bharatpur with a stop at Fatehpur Sikri.
Take the train from Bharatpur station to Ranthambhore National Park
Met on arrival and transfered to your hotel
Overnight in Ranthambhore - Kehm Vilas Full Board
Details
Agra - Ranthambhore
This morning you have another opportunity to visit the Taj Mahal at Sunrise.
After breakfast you will drive to Bharatpur. On the way you will stop first at Fatehpur Sikri, considered by many to be one of the finest architectural creations of the Taj Mahal. This deserted city is built entirely of red sandstone and incorporates architectural features form Hindu, Persian and Islamic styles. He built three palaces for each of his three wives – one a Hindu, one a Christian and one a Muslim – and each palace incorporated elements of their religion.
Later you will drive to Bharatpur Station to take the Jan Shatabdi train to Ranthambhore National Park. The train departs at 3:50 PM and arrives at 6:05 PM (timings can change). You are met on arrival in Ranthambhore and transferred to your hotel.
Overnight in Ranthambhore - Kehm Vilas Full Board
Day 5
Ranthambhore
Once the hunting ground for the Maharaja of Jaipur, who led huge hunting parties into these forests, today the park is a protected forest area and is under the aegis of Project Tiger, a venture set up to protect the tiger from extinction.
The park with its Sal forest, grasslands and water bodies is home to large variety of wildlife and birds, and with the ramparts of the fort looming over the park, and the Vindhya and Aravalli hills bordering it, the park has a very attractive setting.
You will visit the park early morning and late afternoon for your safari and will be accompanied in Jeep (shared basis) by a naturalist.
Overnight in Ranthambhore - Kehm Vilas Full Board
Day 6
Ranthambore - Jaipur
Up early for a morning park visit.
After breakfast drive to Jaipur (Approx 4hrs)
Check into hotel to relax.
Evening - a visit to the Old City
Overnight in Jaipur - Samode Haveli B&B
Details
Ranthambore - Jaipur
You will visit the park early morning.
After breakfast you drive to Jaipur the drive taking four hours. The rest of the day is free.
On arrival check in to the hotel and spend rest of the day at leisure. Later in the evening you will explore the Old City, a wonderful blend of old and modern India. Camel carts and Toyotas share parking lots, and the latest mobile phone is sold next to a shop selling handmade camel leather shoes.
Jaipur is a labyrinth of fascinating bazaars, opulent palaces and a futuristic observatory, Jaipur was the inspiration of the ruler Sawai Jai Singh, who moved the capital from Amber in 1727. Jaipur was designed by a young architect from Bengal and together they planned a city along the ancient Hindu treatise of “Shilpa Shastra”, a science similar to the better known Feng Shui. Jaipur is laid out in a geometric grid of streets and squares making it one of the earliest planned cities in India. In honour of the visit of Prince Edward, then the Prince of Wales, the City was painted in rich terracotta, a tradition which has continued through the years. This is the reason why Jaipur is often called the “pink city”. Today it serves as the State capital for Rajasthan
Overnight in Jaipur - Samode Haveli B&B
Day 7
Jaipur
Full day city tour including; The Amber Fort and the City Palace.
Overnight in Jaipur - Samode Haveli B&B
Details
Jaipur
Enjoy a full day city tour of Jaipur
Visit the Amber fort - the Rajputs built their Forts on high hills and ridges giving them a 360 degree view of the surrounding area and protecting them from invading armies. Most of the forts they built were built as a defensive structure but included pleasure palaces, rich in art and architectural features. Amber is perhaps among the finest of all the fort palaces, and reflected the opulence and elegance of the nearby Mughal courts.
The sprawling City Palace which you visit today is a superb marriage of the Rajput and Mughal styles of architecture. Within the palace complex are several museums including an interesting textile gallery exhibiting a fine selection of textiles and costumes from the royal collection.
Overnight in Jaipur - Samode Haveli B&B
Day 8
Jaipur - Jodhpur
After breakfast long day drive to Jodhpur (approx 6hrs)
Check-in to your hotel on arrival.
In the late afternoon we take a visit to the Sadar Bazaar.
Overnight in Jodhpur - Raas B&B
Details
Jaipur - Jodhpur
After a leisurely breakfast you will drive to Jodhpur, drive taking approximately 6 hrs.
Late in the afternoon you start with browsing the Sadar Bazaar, entering the bazaar in “three wheelers”, the motorized three wheeled scooter rickshaws you would have seen throughout your travels. You can browse in the little shops of Sadr Bazaar in the old city where your hotel is located. At the Bazaar you can shop for Jodhpur’s famous glass bangles, rugged leather mojri slippers made usually from camel leather, and the vivid tie and dye fabric; beautiful mirror worked fabric; and embroidered bedcovers and cushion covers which have been sourced from the neighboring state of Gujarat.
Rao Jodha, chief of the Rathores, a Rajput clan, founded Jodhpur in 1459. Until recent times, Jodhpur was known as the ancient kingdom of Marwar, the largest kingdom in Rajputana. Standing at the edge of the Thar Desert, Jodhpur is the largest city in Rajasthan after Jaipur.
Overnight in Jodhpur - Raas B&B
Day 9
Jodhpur
Morning excursion - Meherangarh Fort
Afternoon and rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Jodhpur - Raas B&B
Details
Jodhpur
This morning you will visit the Meherangarh Fort, of all the many forts in Rajasthan, very few compare to majesty of the Meherangarh Fort. The fort is divided into three sections – the public areas, the Maharajas palaces, and the zenana, or queens’ palaces. The zenana is decorated with exquisite sandstone filigree work. Within the fort is the museum which among its varied exhibits has an excellent collection of royal palanquins and the howdah section which has perhaps the finest collection of old ornate elephant howdahs in the world.
Rest of the afternoon at leisure
Overnight in Jodhpur - Raas B&B
Day 10
Jodhpur - Udaipur
After breakfast depart towards Udaipur (approx 5hrs). On route stop to view the temples at Ranakpur.
Belonging to the Jain religious sect, who are best known for their skills at commerce and trading, the temple is unique in that each of its 1144 pillars are distinct in their design. The temple is a living one, with devotees visiting the many shrines to perform rituals, chant and meditate.
Continue your tour to Udaipur, on arrival transfer to your hotel.
Evening - enjoy a boat ride in the lake Pichola.
Overnight in Udaipur - Fateh Prakash B&B
Day 11
Udaipur
Morning - Visit to the City Palace
Afternoon - walk through the old city with your local guide.
Overnight in Udaipur - Fateh Prakash B&B
Details
Udaipur
Today you visit the City Palace. The detailed art and workmanship is a tribute to the skills of local artisans and craftspeople. Built as a stepped palace encompassing a hill, the four places illustrate various architectural styles, reflecting prevailing influences, mostly Mughal and Rajput. In keeping with the claim of the royal family that they are “Surya vansh” – descendents of the Sun, the whole structure faces east, and a stunning bejeweled image of the sun greets you at the entrance.
In the afternoon you take a walk in the old city with your escort. Sharing space with cows, elephants, people, and the walk through the winding lanes is an interesting insight into lifestyles in what is referred to as “small town India”. Shops selling a variety of items, unexpected folk art decorating the walls of houses and small architectural gems like a latticed work Haveli window.
Overnight in Udaipur - Fateh Prakash B&B
Day 12
Last day and transfer to airport
Morning at leisure - then transfer to catch your connecting flight (Additional cost) home.
Departure - We recommend that you arrive at the airport 3 hours prior to your departure flight (or 2 hours if travelling business class). Your departure time will be given to you by your chauffeur guide. It is recommended that you check in online for your departure flight so that you can avoid long queues at the airport check in counters. On line check in is available for most airlines 24 hours before your flight. Your hotel will be able to help you with this if necessary. We wish you a pleasant journey back home or to your next destination.
International flights home
Trip details
Price from £ 3295 Per person based on twin share basis, subject to exchange rates.
With all international and domestic flights prices from approx £3795 per person
Price includes
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Services of English speaking guide as per itinerary
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Private transfers and meet and greet services as shown
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Entrance fees at Monuments, road taxes, parking fees, fuel charges, interstate taxes.
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hotels shown are subject to availability & can change
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ATOL protection (When taking international flights)
Additional Extra's
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International & Domestic Flights
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Additional unscheduled excursions
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Still/video camera fees at monuments
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Immunisations
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Visa's
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Personal travel insurance
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local gratuaties