DAY 1 Delhi

Pick up at the airport and transfer to your hotel. Rest or relax with an optional Ayurvedic massage/spa. Welcome refreshments with your guide and driver in the evening.  Overnight Delhi.

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DAY 2 Delhi

Breakfast and then start your city tour including Jama Masjid, Qtub Minar, Red Fort and Humayan's Tomb. Tea break and lunch at your leisure. Afternoon free time browsing the bazaars.

Dinner at your leisure. Overnight Delhi.

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DAY 3 Agra

Leave Delhi after breakfast and travel to Agra - approx. 3.5 hours. On the outskirts of Agra, is Sikandra and the Tomb of Akbar the Great. Also called Akbar's Mausoleum, this masterpiece of architecture was constructed in the 1600's. It's noteworthy for the beautiful sandstone buildings inlaid with marble and slate and the surrounding grounds. One of the greatest Mughal rulers, Akbar's tomb is a fitting monument to his life and accomplishments. Covering over 119 acres, it hosts a wildlife park, expansive gardens and several tall minarets.

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Break for lunch before we travel to the lesser known, but still impressive, tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah, called the “Baby Taj”. The buildings are smaller but wonderfully decorated with inlaid, painted and raised plaster designs.

Dinner at Pinch of Spice. Overnight Agra.​​

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DAY 4 Agra

In the early morning we'll watch the sunrise across the Jumana River illuminate the beautiful Taj Mahal. We'll take in the view from the Moon Garden or Mehtab Bagh at the riverfront. Then back to your hotel for breakfast before we see more of Agra. We return to Taj Mahal by midday - the stunning monument to Mumtaz Mahal, Shah Jahan’s beloved wife. Designed and built over 22 years by Persian architect Ustad Isa, it stands forever as a testament to the heart-broken Shah’s undying love.

Afternoon at your leisure. Set dinner at a favourite restaurant. Overnight Agra.

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DAY 5 Agra

BreakfastThe next famous monument we’ll see today is the Agra Fort. This was built as the summer palace of Shan Jahan and from the high terrace you can view the Taj Mahal in the distance. Built of intricately embellished red sandstone it provides a distinct contrast to the marble palaces within. Later have a walk through Shah Jahan Gardens.. Afternoon at your leisure. 

DAY 6 Agra to Bharatpur

Today we leave early for Bharatpur - approx. 2 hours from Agra. On our way, we will stop at Fatehpur Sikri, the city Akbar built in 1570 and abandoned 10 years later. This Unesco site has been well preserved with the palaces, gates and sandstone exteriors lying undisturbed over the centuries. Check-in to your Bharatpur hotel and lunch. After lunch we'll visit the Deeg Palace and Fort before heading back for a rest before dinner. Overnight Bharatpur.​

DAY 7 Jaipur

Keoladeo National Park in Bharatpur is first today. The former duck hunting preserve of the Maharajas is an important overwintering area for thousands of migrating water birds as well as home to over 300 endemic species. Quiet trails surround man-made lakes and wetlands interrupted by grassy savannah and dry tropical forests.

This Unesco World Heritage site spreads over 29 square kms and we will enjoy a naturalist guided hike and rickshaw ride for approx. 1.5 hrs. Leave late morning to Jaipur - approx. 3 hours. We'll stop on the way for lunch and to visit Ahbnaheri Step Well - the deepest in the world at over 100 feet.  Check-in Dera Rawatsar - free time.

DAY 8 Jaipur

The grand Amer or Amber Fort, built by Raja Man Singh in the 1600’s, awaits our morning arrival. Walk the scenic route to the Sun Gate overlooking Maota lake.​​​

The huge enclosure holds the stunning Palace of Mirrors (Sheesh Mahal), Hall of Public Audience (Diwan-e-Aam), the Hall of Private Audience (Diwan-e-Khas) and the innovative Sukh Niwas. This enclosure created early air conditioning using the wind that blew over water soaked reeds within the palace!

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Nearby is the Tiger, or Nahargarh Fort, standing on the edge of the 

Aravalli Hills overlooking sprawling Jaipur below. Although smaller, the palace has wonderful views and impressive frescoes throughout.

We'll have a light lunch enroute to "The Pink City" where we will visit the iconic Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds). On our way we can view the Jal Mahal - the lovely Water Palace set it Man Sagar Lake.

Now abandoned, it floats like a mirage surrounded by the lake and mountains. Our afternoon finishes with a walk through the beautiful palace and gardens of Sisodia Rani ka Bagh a romantic 18th-century palace with formal gardens, fountains, temples & pavilions.

Set rooftop dinner at the Peacock Restaurant.

Overnight Dera Rawatsar Heritage Hotel.

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DAY 9 Jaipur

Today we explore the City Palace built by Raja Man Singh during 1729-1732. The complex includes the Chandra Mahal and Mubarak Mahal palaces as well as a colourful bazaar. There is a wonderful museum and opulent palace rooms decorated with antique carpets and furniture. Parts are still inhabited by the royal family members today!

Free time to explore the bazaars and shops before we travel to the Textile museum  mid-afternoon. Dinner at your leisure. Overnight Dera Rawatsar Heritage Hotel.

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DAY 10 Alsisar

After breakfast we leave for Mandawa/Alsisar - in the Shekhawati region of India. Mandawa lies in North Rajasthan and is architecturally important for its wealth of beautifully painted Havelis.

Arrive mid-afternoon in time to walk through town and admire the beautiful frescoes decorating the walls and doorways of the mansions. Tonight we stay at a fabulous haveli located in Alsisar.

Set dinner at our hotel. Overnight Alsisar.

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DAY 11 Mandawa/Churu

Spend the day starting with a walking tour of Mandawa. Later we'll visit Churu and stop for lunch. Afternoon at your leisure. Overnight Mandawa.

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DAY 12 Bikaner

Leave after breakfast for our next stop - the desert town of Bikaner, lying amid the golden dunes of north-west Rajasthan. This vibrant city is home to camel centres, temples and the impressive Junagarh Fort. The fort, built by Raja Rai Singh in the 1590’s, is the centrepiece of this dust swept area. Later Maharajah’s added halls and private suites beautifully embellished with gold, sandalwood, ivory and murals.

The stunning Anup Mahal has wonderful lacquered walls while the Cloud Palace is painted with blue cloud images – illuminated with red and gold lighting. We'll tour the Lal Garh Palace as well before checking in to the Gajner Palace Hotel, former hunting lodge of the Maharaja of Bikaner. Dinner at your leisure at the hotel. Overnight Gajner Lake.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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