Royal Rajasthan Odyssey 14 Nights / 15 Days

New Delhi

India’s capital, New Delhi, lies on the Indo-Gangetic Plain, within the National Capital Territory of Delhi. Made up of the ancient walled city of Old Delhi and the more modern sector, New Delhi, the city encompasses a staggering array of beautiful buildings, including three UNESCO World Heritage Sites – the grand, sandstone Red Fort, striking Qutab Minar, and fascinating Humayun's Tomb. Architecture enthusiasts will delight in the iconic Lotus Temple. Hear ‘qawwalis’ (devotional music) at the dargah (tomb) of the Sufi saint Nizam-ud-din Auliya; or wander through the 17th century Chandni Chowk marketplace – still one of the city’s most popular retail centres today, famous for its traditional jewellery and saris. The gorgeous Sunder Nursery and Lodi Garden provide calm, flower-filled oases for picnicking.

Day Itinerary

Arrive Delhi, meet representative at the airport holding a placard of your name.

On arrival, transfer to the hotel & check in.

After Check-in free at leisure.

OPTIONAL Tour, you can take on this day…

Overnight at the hotel

Day Itinerary

Post breakfast proceed for the city tour of Old and New Delhi

Raj Ghat: Visit the Raj Ghat on the banks of the river Yamuna is Mahatma Gandhi's Memorial, where he was cremated following his assassination in January 1948. The memorial lies in the midst of landscaped gardens and is made of a simple square platform of black marble inscribed with his last words "Hey Ram". An eternal flame burns for 24 hours.

Red Fort (Remains closed on Monday), the 17th-century-imposing fortress built in red sandstone is surrounded by a huge 33m high boundary wall. Inside are exquisite palaces and beautiful gardens.

Jama Masjid: Jama Masjid (Friday Mosque) is made of red sandstone and white marble. It is India's largest mosque where more than 20.000 people can kneel in prayer at one time. The interior of the prayer hall is divided into aisles by arches. The walls and floors are of marble inlay panels.

India Gate: Also known as the Delhi Memorial or the All-India War Memorial, the India Gate was built in commemoration of the roughly 80 000 Indian soldiers who died representing their country in World War One and on various other battlefields, and whose names are inscribed on the structure. Unveiled in 1931, its distinctive arch is reminiscent of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris and the Gateway of India in Bombay and is one of the trademark sights of New Delhi.

Rashtrapati Bhavan (Photo stop): Located in New Delhi, India, Rashtrapati Bhavan is home to the president of the world’s largest democracy and epitomises India’s strength, democratic traditions and secular character. It was Sir Lutyens who conceptualised the H-shaped building, covering an area of about 5 acres on a 330-acre estate.

Drive past through Parliament House and Government buildings.

Qutub Minar: Built in the early 13th century a few kilometres south of Delhi, the red sandstone tower of Qutb Minar is 72.5 m high, tapering from 2.75 m in diameter at its peak to 14.32 m at its base, and alternating angular and rounded flutings. The surrounding archaeological area contains funerary buildings, notably the magnificent Alai-Darwaza Gate, the masterpiece of Indo-Muslim art (built in 1311), and two mosques, including the Quwwatu'l-Islam, the oldest in northern India, built of materials reused from some 20 Brahman temples.

Overnight stay at hotel.

Activities

Red FORT (closed on Monday ) , Jama Masjid

Rickshaw ride in Old Delhi Bazaar

India Gate

Qutab Minar

Pedal Rickshaw ride in Old Delhi Bazaar

Brace up for a fun-filled shopping and sinful, gastronomical food experience as you embark on this joyous pedal rickshaw ride, arranged especially for you by Hi! Tours. As you ride through the narrow by lanes of Old Delhi Bazaar, i.e., Chandni Chowk, you will get enticed by numerous colourful shops selling local handicrafts, gorgeous sarees and lehengas, and wedding knick-knacks. Not only this, the journey will incorporate a ride through the aromatic bylanes of this bazaar, offering the best of local Delhi cuisine.

This popular shopping hotspot has been here for more than three centuries and has seen merchants visiting from as far as China, Holland and Turkey. When we talk about Old Delhi Bazaar, its mention is incomplete without the vibrant Kinari Bazaar. A fashion lover’s paradise, this colourful by lane is dotted with shops selling zari and zardozi.

Chandni Chowk area encompasses another great place called Khari Baoli, famous for aromatic herbs and spices. Being Asia’s biggest spice market, this place offers rarest of the rare spices too. Besides, the bylane of Dariba Kalan is dotted with shops selling beautiful gold, silver and pearl jewellery. Another great buy here is the fragrant ittar. Ittar is basically a perfume, which was once quite popular with the royal families and now with the common people too.

Other markets worth mentioning are the cloth bazaar of Katra Neel (famous for fabrics such as silk, cotton, crepe and muslin) and Bhagirath Palace (Asia's largest hub for electrical goods and medical equipment).

Once you are done with exploring the shopping aspect, focus on savouring the best of Delhi cuisine. Begin with Parathe wali gali (offering myriad varieties of stuffed Indian breads) and then head to taste the world-famous chole bhature, and then sweetest daulat ki chaat as a dessert.

India Gate

Also known as the Delhi Memorial or the All India War Memorial, the India Gate was built in commemoration of the roughly 80 000 Indian soliders who died representing their country in World War One and on various other battlefields, and whose names are inscribed on the structure. Unveiled in 1931, its distinctive arch is reminiscent of the Arc de Triomphe in Paris and the Gateway of India in Bombay, and is one of the trademark sights of New Delhi.

Qutub Minar

The majestic Qutub Minar is a heritage building located in downtown Mehrauli in India. Standing tall at 73-metres, the tower consists of 5 storeys with a flight of spiral stairs leading to its top. The walls are adorned with decorative motifs and Quranic inscriptions. At the foot of the tower lie other monuments of historical significance, such as the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque and the Iron Pillar of Delhi. The Amazing race Australia used this site as a pitstop in the second series. Visitors can take advantage of stunning photo opportunities.

Basis

Bed and Breakfast

Agra

Set on the banks of the Yamuna River in Uttar Pradesh, Agra is a beautiful city famous for its incredible Taj Mahal building, one of the seven wonders of the world. Commissioned by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in the 15th century as a memorial to his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, this is an architectural masterpiece of exquisite craftsmanship and perfect proportions. The city boasts numerous other superb attractions, including the red-hued sandstone Agra Fort, built in the 16th century; the Shahi Jama Masjid mosque, a 17th-century congregational mosque located in the historic core of Agra, and Itmad-ud-Daulah’s tomb, with its white marble facade embellished with intricate inlaid designs, also called the' Baby Taj'.

Day Itinerary

Breakfast at hotel and transfer to Delhi railway station to board the train for Agra.

Later we will discover theAgra Fort, another UNESCO heritage site built and added to between the 16th and 17th centuries by successive rulers of the Mughal Dynasty. The fort was built primarily as a military structure, but Shah Jahan upgraded it to a palace and later it became his gilded prison for 8 years after his son Aurangzeb seized power. The elegant building inside reflects an interesting synthesis of Hindu and Central Asian architectural styles.

Check-in at the hotel.

Overnight at the hotel

Activities

Agra Fort

Known as the Red Fort of Agra, this walled imperial city was founded in 1565 by the Emperor Akbar (1556-1605) and is a well-deserving UNESCO World Heritage site, located just 2.5 kilometres from the famous Taj Mahal. Its palaces, grand mosques and elaborate public hall are crafted from pink-red sandstone and are testament to an era when Indo-Muslim art, strongly marked by influences from Persia, was at its height. Emperor Shah Jahan, who built the Taj Mahal for his deceased wife, was imprisoned by his son Aurangzeb in Agra Fort. He is said to have died in the Musamman Burj, a marble tower he himself built, with one of the most alluring views of the Taj Mahal.

Basis

Bed and Breakfast

Day Itinerary

Sunrise visits to theTaj Mahal (Remainsclosed on Fridays). Often considered the pinnacle of Mughal art in India, the Taj Mahal was built by Emperor Shah Jahan for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. When declaring it a world heritage site, UNESCO described it as “the jewel of Muslim art in India”. There are few words that can describe the magnificence of this monument. Marvel as light and colours transform this stunning monument in the beautiful dawn glow.

Overnight at the hotel

Activities

Taj Mahal

The iconic Taj Mahal is not only an architectural masterpiece, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the new Seven Wonders of the World – it’s also the enduring legacy of a royal love story. It was commissioned in the 15th century by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan after the death of his third and favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, to serve as her final resting place and a symbol of his eternal affection for her. Combining Islamic, Persian, Ottoman Turkish and Indian design elements, it’s an awe-inspiring structure of elegant domes and white marble, which changes colour along with the light – pink at sunrise, pearly white in the afternoon and silver-gold in the full moon.

Drive to Ranthambore.

Ranthambore National Park

Located in the Sawai Madhopur district, the Ranthambore National Park, in the western state of Rajasthan, is one of the most visited wildlife parks in India. Spanning over an impressive 1300-square-kilometer stretch of wilderness, the park’s outstanding natural beauty is characterized by its dense jungle, golden savanna, dramatic cliffs and lotus-filled lakes. Considered the best spot to catch a glimpse of tigers in the wild, the park offers visitors a spellbounding combination of mystical temples, wild beauty and crumbling ruins. While the main attraction is undoubtedly the elusive Bengal tiger, the park provides a sanctuary for other wildlife including, among others: sambar, gazelle, caracal, black buck, crocodile, chital, wild boars and a wide array of birds. Don’t miss the ancient Ranthambore Fort, perched high on the cliffs overlooking the vast expanse of this spectacular park.

Basis

Full Board - Dinner, Breakfast and Lunch

Day Itinerary

Morning & afternoon Safari.

Overnight at the hotel

Basis

Full Board - Dinner, Breakfast and Lunch

Jaipur

Fringed by the rugged Aravali Hills, Jaipur, nicknamed the ‘Pink City’ for its salmon-hued terracotta buildings, is the capital and largest city in the Rajasthan State. This metropolis combines tradition and modernity with its vibrant bazaars, lavish palaces, and ancient temples. Don’t miss the fairy-tale splendour of the Amber Fort, set against the backdrop of the arid landscape and hosting enthralling sound and light shows; the UNESCO-listed Jantar Mantar, a collection of 300-year-old astronomical tools which look like contemporary art; and the opulent City Palace, with its palatial structures, sprawling gardens, and atmospheric courtyards. Jaipur falls within the Golden Triangle, a popular tourist circuit, which includes Delhi, Jaipur, and Agra, and it also serves as a gateway to the neighbouring desert cities of Jaisalmer and Jodhpur.

Day Itinerary

MORNING Canter Sharing Ranthambore safari.

Breakfast at hotel.

After breakfast free time at the hotel.

Pm: Proceed to Jaipur.

Upon arrival,check-in at the hotel

After Check-in relax and free time.

Overnight at the hotel

Day Itinerary

After breakfast, enjoy sightseeing in Jaipur.

Visit Amer Fort. Surrounded by fortified battlements, situated on a ridge just outside Jaipur city. Maharaja Mansingh, Mughal Emperor Akbar’s most successful General, started the construction of Amber Fort in the 17th century. Ruins and remains are spread over the Aravalli hills and sprawling crenulated walls lattice the surrounding area. At the foot of the hill, you will be taken on the jeep up to the main gate. Tour the chambers and hallways of the palace, famous for the excellence of its design and decoration.

You can enjoya photo stop at theHawa Mahal(Palace of Winds) - a five-storied wonder with a spectacular pyramidal facade and overhanging windows with latticed screens, domes and spires.

City Palace Museum, which has a superb collection of Rajasthani costumes, and an armoury of Mughals and Rajputs including swords of different shapes and sizes with chiselled handles. Many antiques and artefacts belonging to the ruling family are housed here. It also has anart gallerywith an excellent collection of miniature paintings, carpets, royal paraphernalia and rare astronomical works in Arabic, Persian, Latin and Sanskrit.

Jantar Mantar (Observatory):It was built (1728-34) by king astrologer Jai Singh II. The instruments are built of stone with marble facing the important plains for measuring the harmony of the heavens. Each instrument serves a particular function and each gives an accurate reading.

Birla Temple:The Birla Temple, formerly referred to as Lakshmi Narayan Temple is a national landmark which was built in 1988 using pure white marble. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi, this modern temple features carvings of Hindu symbols as well as ancient quotes from the Geeta.

Overnight at the hotel

Activities

Amer Fort

Amer Fort is located in Amer, Rajasthan, India. The fort overlooks Maota Lake and features four levels, with a courtyard on each level. The main entrance of the fort features a temple dedicated to Shila Devi. The building is a fine example of Rajput architecture and is known for its artistic style elements.

Jaipur City Palace

City Palace forms one of the most famous tourist attractions and a major landmark in Jaipur. The beautiful palace was built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh during his reign. Among the various forts and palaces of Jaipur, City Palace stands apart, with its outstanding art and architecture.

Jantar Mantar Jaipur

In 1734, the year of its completion, the Jai Singh Observatory was the last outpost of medieval science. From the outside, the eighteen fixed observational instruments look more like playground apparatus than sighting devices, but they were used to measure the position of the sun, stars and planets. Built by Jai Singh, the first Maharaja of Jaipur who founded the city in 1727, the observatory is one of a handful. Jai Singh, fulfilling a lifelong interest in mathematics and astronomy, built observatories in Delhi, Jaipur, Ujjain, Mathura and Benares. The Jaipur observatory is the largest and best preserved of these.

Basis

Bed and Breakfast

Udaipur

Dubbed the ‘Venice of the East’, the city of Udaipur is built around three interconnected lakes – Lake Pichhola, Fateh Sagar Lake, and the smaller Swaroop Sagar Lake – and is encircled by the hills of the Aravalli mountain range. It is home to an array of ancient temples and fairy-tale-like palaces (several of the latter have been converted into luxury heritage hotels) and is known as one of Rajasthan’s most beautiful and romantic cities. Must-see attractions include the City Palace, the Lake Palace (set on a small island in the middle of Lake Pichola), and the Udaipur Solar Observatory – Asia’s premier solar-gazing site.

Day Itinerary

Breakfast at hotel

After breakfast free at Leisure.

Pm: drive to Jaipur airport to board the flight for Udaipur( 1730/ 1835 hrs )

(02 hours’ prior check-in at the airport)

Upon arrival check-in at hotel

Overnight at the hotel in Udaipur.

Day Itinerary

Today post breakfast, proceed for the city tour of Udaipur.

City Palace,situated above Lake Pichola, Udaipur City Palace has housed many royals over four centuries who have each added their own unique preferences to the establishment. The palace is a one of a kind in Rajasthan. Udaipur City Palace was constructed entirely out of marble and granite which makes it highly luxurious. The inside is even more so with its inlays of coloured glass, engravings, towers, and balconies.

Jagdish Temple, a 16th-century temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, it is the largest and most splendid temple in Udaipur. Drive past Fateh Sagar Lake and visit Sahelion-ki-Bari, the Garden of the Maids-of-Honor, which has numerous fountains in four pools, embellished with delicately chiselled kiosks and elephants.

Saheliyon-ki-bariis situated in the northern part of the bustling city. The garden is popular amongst locals and tourists offering lush green gardens and beautiful fountains. The garden was built by King Rana Sangram Singh for his wife and her 48 maids, to keep them far from political enticements. A small museum can be found on the property which was once a safe haven for the queen and her main servers.

Enjoy a CommonBoat ride at Lake Pichola(Sharing Basis, Subject to water level), sailing past picturesque Ghats and palaces, and stopping at the island of Jag Mandir, a 17th-century water palace.

Overnight at the hotel

Activities

City Palace Museum

City Palace Museum Udaipur is housed within the an iconic 450 year old Palace, the former abode of the rulers of Mewar. It was formally declared as a Museum open to the public in 1969. The museum features collections of armor and Mewar-style paintings and is filled with priceless regal memorabilia.

Saheliyon-ki-Bari

Located in Udaipur, India, Saheliyon-ki-Bari is situated in the northern part of the bustling city. The garden is popular amongst local and tourists offering lush green gardens and beautiful fountains. The garden was built by King Rana Sangram Singh for his wife and her 48 maids, to keep them far from political enticements. A small museum can be found on the property which was once a safe haven for the queen and her main servers.

Jagdish Temple

Completed in 1651, Jagdish Temple is situated just outside the royal palace. The temple can be seen as soon as visitors enter the city. Puja’s and prayer time are the best time to visit when melodious chants from devotees float through the small interior. Visitors should make a point of climbing the temple's many steps which invite them on a journey of discovery of the rich and vibrant history of Udaipur.

Boat Ride, Udaipur

Take a boat ride on the 4 km long and 3 km wide Lake Pichola, which is fringed with hills, palaces, havelis, ghats, embankments and temples and offers spectacular views of the city. Visit the Jag Mandir Island with its exquisite Gul Mahal Pavilion.

Basis

Bed and Breakfast

Jodhpur

Known as the gateway to the Thar Desert, Jodhpur is the second-largest city in the state of Rajasthan, India. It is a popular tourist destination featuring a variety of ornate palaces, age-old forts, and sacred temples. Dubbed ‘The Blue City’, the old city contains houses in a beautiful shade of indigo. While Jodhpur is largely a sprawling modern metropolis, enclosed within its old city walls is a labyrinth of winding, narrow medieval streets, and bazaars. The massive 15th-century Mehrangarh Fort, which towers over the city from its sandstone plinth, is one of the largest in the country. Other must-see attractions include the Umaid Bhawan Palace, one of the world's largest private residences; and the Jaswant Thada, an intricately carved white marble mausoleum.

Visit theMehrangarh Fort:This fort rises four hundred feet above the skyline of Jodhpur from its rock precipice on Bhaurcheeria hill. The foundation of Mehrangarh Fort was laid on May 12, 1459, by Rao Jodha, the fifteenth Rathore ruler who wanted to shift the capital from nearby Mandore to Jodhpur. In all its history, Mehrangarh Fort has never been taken in a siege. Mammoth and imposing from the outside, the interiors of the fort are light and detailed in contrast. Several palaces can be found inside the complex, boasting intricate carvings and sprawling courtyards.

Overnight at the hotel

Day Itinerary

After breakfast proceed for sightseeing of Jaswanat Thada.

Jaswant Thada:If you’re looking for a quiet place in Jodphur head to Jaswant Thada, popularly known as the ‘Taj Mahal of Marwar’. This architectural landmark was built in 1899 by Maharaja Sardar Singh of Jodhpur State, in memory of his father, Maharaja Jaswant Singh I. Built from intricately carved marble sheets and boasting some beautifully carved marble latticework, the impeccable design and architecture are symbolic of the fine craftsmanship of a bygone era. Beautiful sculptures, carved gazebos and frescos characterise the cenotaph, with the tiered garden offering superb views across to the fort and over the city.

Morning drive to Jaisalmer. Enroute mid-way stops for refreshment.

Jaisalmer

Situated amid the vast expanse of the Thar Desert on the far western border of India’s Rajasthan state, the city of Jaisalmer is home to the world's only inhabited medieval living fort. This 12th-century city served as a bustling trading post along the famous Silk Road and still to this day features markets selling silk, cashmere, silver jewellery, bronze statues and much more. The undeniable star attraction of this city is the spectacular Jaisalmer Fort, which rises from the desert floor like a gigantic sandcastle and encompasses winding streets filled with shops, temples, hotels and ancient mansions. Visitors can also look forward to taking jeep and camel safaris into the surrounding desert and exploring a variety of grand palaces, elaborate Jain temples and ornate havelis.

Upon arrival transfer to Exotic Luxury Camps.

Diner and Overnite at Camps.

Basis

Bed and Breakfast, Dinner

Overnight at the hotel

Day Itinerary

After breakfast, enjoy city tour of Jaisalmer.

Jaisalmer Fort-often referred to as the Golden Fort because of the color of the stone, encloses palaces decorated with delicate jali or lattice worked screens, carved doors and floral carvings and elaborately carved 12th to 16th century Jain temples.

The havelis in both the fort and the town are exceptional, similar in style to the homes of Venetian merchants; the havelis were the mansions of wealthy traders. The houses are decorated with beautifully carved facades, screens and windows. Each haveli has an inner courtyard surrounded by richly decorated apartments.

Walk through the narrow streets of the fort to see theNathmalji-ki-Haveli with its beautiful arched roof with carved brackets in the form of peacocks;Patwon-ki-Haveli the most elaborate and magnificent haveli and best known for its latticed façade andSalim Singh ki Haveli. Outside the walls of the fortified town is the small oasis of Gadi Sagar, which led Prince Jaisal to found his city.

See thesunset at Sam Dunesknown for its enormous stretch of sweeping dunes with little or no vegetation that make it a surrealistic landscape with ever changing patterns carved by winds on the sand.

Overnight at the Hotel Mandir Palace.

Basis

Bed and Breakfast basis.

After breakfast free at leisure.

Full day local running and sightseeing of Jaisalmer.

Free at leisure in the evening.

Overnight at the hotel

After breakfast, flight from Jaisalmer to Delhi.

Transfer to hotel, check-in. Day at leisure.

Rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight at the hotel

Day Itinerary

Breakfast at the hotel, in time transfer to Delhi International airport for your onward flight.

Basis

Bed and Breakfast