Home > Destinations > Northern India & Rajasthan > Historic Rajasthan
HISTORIC RAJASTHAN
Day 1 London Heathrow to Delhi
Fly with British Airways non-stop to Mumbai.
Day 2 Delhi
Arrive into Delhi in the early hours and transfer by car to the Taj Palace
Hotel or upgrade to the Taj Mahal Hotel. Later today tour Old and New Delhi
with your local guide. Explore Old Delhi’s dense network of homes, markets,
mosques and alleyways visiting Chandni Chowk by rickshaw, the Jama Masjid,
Red Fort and Rajghat. Later visit Sir Edwin Lutyen’s New Delhi, inaugurated
in 1931 and home to Rashtrapati Bhawan, the official residence of the Indian
President, Rajpath and the imposing India Gate. (N)
Day 3 Delhi to Ajmer – by train
Ajmer to Khimsar – 210kms
Early this morning transfer to New Delhi Railway Station to catch the Shatabdi
Express to Ajmer. Meet your driver and proceed via Pushkar to Khimsar Fort,
a remote 15th Century stronghold situated on the edge of the Thar Desert where
the 18th, 19th and 20th generations of the Royal lineage still reside. (D)
Day 4 Khimsar
At leisure to relax and enjoy the fort at Khimsar. In the evening travel by
jeep from the 2,500 year old village into the desert to enjoy the sunset and
spot the local wildlife which consists of antelope, peacocks and deer. (B/D)
Day 5 Khimsar to Bikaner – 150kms
This morning leave for Bikaner in north-west Rajasthan taking time to stop
en-route in Nagaur. An oasis town surrounded by scrub and sand dunes, Bikaner
was once a major trading centre on the old caravan routes of Central Asia.
Stay for two nights outside of the city at the Gajner Lake Palace Hotel. (B)
Day 6 Bikaner
Today visit the 16th Century Junagarh Fort one the finest examples of medieval
military architecture and interior beauty in the whole of Rajasthan. From
the fort explore the Old City by ‘Tonga’ – horse drawn carriage
– with its merchant havelis, temples and bazaars centred on Kote Gate.
Complete the tour at the 15th Century Jain temple. (B)
Day 7 Bikaner to Jaisalmer – 330kms
Leave Bikaner and drive through the desert to the ancient city of Jaisalmer,
stopping at the village of Khichan to see the feeding ground for the beautiful
demoiselle crane. Situated in the great Thar Desert atop the roughly triangular-shaped
Trikuta Hill, Jaisalmer has an extraordinary medieval feel and a unique atmosphere.
Founded in 1156 by Prince Jaisal the town grew to be an important stopping
point on the trade route across the Thar Desert from India to the West and
it was from this trade that Jaisalmer’s wealth grew. Stay for two nights
at the Gorbandh Palace Hotel. (B)
Day 8 Jaisalmer
Start the morning with a visit to Gadi Sagar tank southeast of the city walls
and afterwards return to Jaisalmer Fort to explore the many narrow streets
and exquisitely carved buildings. Visit some of the palaces built by successive
generations of rulers, the Juna Mahal has beautiful jali screens and is one
of the oldest in Rajasthan, as well as fascinating Jain Temples dating from
the 12th Century and the numerous havelis. (B)
Day 9 Jaisalmer to Jodhpur – 290kms
After breakfast, leave Jaisalmer and drive to Jodhpur, gateway to the Thar
Desert and the one time capital of Marwar. Home to the dominating Meherangarh
Fort, the city was founded in 1459 by Rao Jodha, who chose the site due to
its strategic location on the influential Delhi-Gujarat trading route. Stay
for two nights at the Taj Hari Mahal Hotel or upgrade to the Umaid Bhawan
Palace Hotel. (B)
Day 10 Jodhpur
Today visit the Meherangarh Fort which stands high above the blue painted
houses of the town below. Protected from the desert by a huge 10km wall, guarded
by towers and fortified gateways the fort sprawls along the clifftop and is
home to many palaces and temples. In the afternoon walk through the ancient
city to explore the narrow streets, bustling bazaars, temples and richly carved
houses. (B)
Day 11 Jodhpur to Udaipur – 275kms
Drive south to the Jain temples at Ranakpur which are beautifully preserved
and are renowned for their intricate carvings and architecture. From here
it is a beautiful drive through the Aravalli Hills to Udaipur, a beautiful
city, and one regarded by many as the most romantic in India. Stay for two
nights at the Jagat Niwas Palace Hotel or upgrade to the Taj Lake Palace Hotel.
(B)
Day 12 Udaipur
This morning visit the City Palace which is an impressive complex of several
palaces and stands on a hill on the banks of Lake Pichola. Of interest is
the attractive Mor Chowk court, the Manak Mahal or ‘Ruby Palace’,
the Chini ki Chitra Mahal and the Queen’s Palace. Continue to the Fateh
Prakash Palace to visit the unique Crystal Gallery overlooking the grand Durbar
Hall and walk through the old town to view the impressively carved Jagdish
Mandir temple. In the afternoon take a sunset cruise on Lake Pichola to admire
the serene beauty of Udaipur. (B)
Day 13 Udaipur to Deogarh – 160kms
Leave Udaipur and journey north to the small market town of Deogarh stopping
en-route at the impressive 15th Century fort at Kumbalgarh. Very much family
run Deogarh Mahal is a delightful and charming hotel which has been wonderfully
restored by the family into a small and intimate hotel that is renowned for
its character and heritage. Stay for two nights at Deogarh Mahal. (B)
Day 14 Deogarh
At leisure to enjoy Deogarh Mahal and the surrounding countryside. You may
wish to ride the local train where the line and equipment date from 1923.
(B)
Day 15 Deogarh to Ajmer – 200kms
Ajmer to Jaipur – by train
Drive to Ajmer Railway Station in good time to join the Shatabdi Express for
the afternoon journey to Jaipur, the state capital of Rajasthan, where you
will stay for two nights at the Jai Mahal Palace Hotel or upgrade to the Rambagh
Palace Hotel. Founded in 1727 by Maharaja Jai Singh II, Jaipur is a highly
distinctive and colourful planned city characterised by fine bazaars, intricately
carved palaces, havelis and powerful forts. (B)
Day 16 Jaipur
This morning drive through the rugged hills that surround Jaipur city to visit
Amber Fort a beautiful palace with ornate mosaics, coloured stone inlays,
intricately painted murals, palaces, temples and cooling courtyard watercourses.
In the afternoon take a guided walking tour through the old city to explore
the colourful markets and bazaars before continuing onto the City Palace complex
that occupies the centre of Jaipur. (B)
Day 17 Jaipur to Agra – 230kms
via Fatehpur Sikri
This morning leave Jaipur for the drive to Agra stopping en-route at Fatehpur
Sikri the one time red sandstone capital of the Mughal Emperor Akbar. The
one time capital of the Mughals, Agra, which stands on the right bank of the
River Yamuna, is a city of contrasts. One of Uttar Pradesh’s largest
cities Agra is dominated by three magnificent buildings – Agra Fort,
the tomb of Itmad-ud-Daula and the beautiful Taj Mahal – that hark back
to its glorious past. Stay for two nights at the Taj View Hotel or upgrade
to the Oberoi Amarvilas Hotel. (B)
Day 18 Agra to Delhi – 200kms
This morning visit the imposing Agra Fort on the banks of the River Yamuna
which was established by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1565. Afterwards continue
to the Taj Mahal, arguably the greatest monument to love, built by Shah Jahan
as a memorial to his wife Mumtaz and a building world renowned for its power
and beauty. The craftsmanship is outstanding with semi-precious stones inlaid
into the marble in beautiful patterns, a process known as pietra dura, whilst
the white marble reflects every change in light allowing the Taj to appear
to change its hue according to the light and time of day. Leave the Taj and
cross the river to visit the tomb of Itmad-ud-Daula, the jewel of Agra, sometimes
known as the ‘Baby Taj’ – the least visited of Agra’s
three great monuments and the first to be covered in white marble and pietra
dura.
Later leave with your driver for the drive to Delhi and stop en-route at Sikandra the site chosen by the Moghul Emperor Akbar for his tomb. Akbar died during the construction but his son, Jahangir, completed it in 1613 after considerably altering the original designs. Continue the drive to Delhi and stay for one night at the Taj Palace Hotel or upgrade to the Taj Mahal Hotel. (B)
Day 19 Delhi to London Heathrow
Depart Delhi on the British Airways flight to London Heathrow Terminal Five.
STAYING ON
Experience the great Thar Desert by staying overnight at Manvar Camp on the way from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur.
Wildlife in India is synonymous with the famous Corbett National Park. Nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas, Corbett is a 300kms drive north of Delhi and a four night stay here, with your time divided on the perimeter and inside the park, is an excellent way to observe the wildlife in its natural habitat. Corbett National Park is only open from the 15th November to the 15th June.
Relax on the beaches of Goa or Kerala – both easily reached by air direct from Delhi. With a range of hotels to choose from both locations offer something for everyone and are an excellent way to end a tour. Time in Kerala could also be extended with a cruise on the backwaters.
Festivals – Please click here to include a visit to one of the many festivals of Rajasthan.
Planning your journey: We can design a unique journey to suit you as our tours are totally tailor made. By combining your own ideas with our knowledge and experience we can help you to create your own journey tailored exactly to your requirements Once you have formulated your ideas, or if you require some general or specific advice, please call us on 01892 515966 or simply send your ideas to pettitts@btconnect.com. On receipt of your enquiry we will provide you with a full written quotation together with our suggestions and recommendations.
A Guide to Price – HISTORIC RAJASTHAN
Prices vary according to selected airlines, hotels and season, however, an indication to the current cost of this itinerary is from £3,300. All prices are per person and are based on a minimum of TWO persons travelling together and sharing a twin bedded room with meals as indicated. If you wish to travel alone we will be pleased to assist you with your arrangements and can provide a proposal on request.
Note: Meal Basis (N) = No Meal; (B) = Breakfast; (L) = Lunch; (D) = Dinner
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