Day 1 : Delhi
Arrive into the historic city of Delhi to be welcomed by our Plan Journeys tour representative who takes you to your hotel, explaining what is in store.
Day 2 : Delhi tour
Delhi,the seat of power since ancient times, is full of attractions and you set out to explore the city after a typical North Indian breakfast. Today you will get to visit the inimitable Red Fort followed by the Qutub Minar, Lotus Temple, Rashtrapati Bhawan and ISKCON temple. That done it is time to lunch and head to the bazaars and galis of Old Delhi and then go on to Chandni Chowk after visiting the famed Jama Masjid. Shop for trinkets and clothes, dine on street food and return to your hotel for a well earned rest.
Day 3 : Samode
Breakfast over you board an air conditioned coach for the ride to Samode across the dusty plains of North Rajasthan and check into the beautiful Samode Palace, an architectural marvel showcasing the best of Mughal and Rajasthani styles located about 40 km from Jaipur, the royal capital of Rajasthan.
Day 4 : Samode explorations
Today you enjoy Rajasthani royal breakfast and set out on a tour of the Palace and the surrounding village and the beautiful Havelis ofthis Shekhawati region famous for its miniature paintings and wall paintings.The four hundred year old palace is simply luxurious with marble flooring, tall interiors with carved pillars and an exquisite feeling of royalty in the air.The palace is said to connect to the fort through an underground passage, now closed. For recreation the princes of the Rawal clan sported in the Samode Bagh designed in the mughal style and spread over 20 acres, dotted with Victorian and Rajasthan style retreats, fountains and flowering shrubs. Retire for the night in the Palace.
Day 5 : Mandawa
A splendidly royal breakfast over everyone gets aboard the coach for the next destination which is Mandawa and its fabled palace with a priceless gallery that is located outdoors. From here you go on to explore the havelis of Shekhawati region famous the world over for frescoes. The day ends with dinner and stay for the night in a comfortable hotel room.
Day 6 : Gajner
Next on the stop of Gajner near Bikaner, a trip that takes you across the sandy interiors of colorful Rajasthan made interesting by herds of camels on the road. Your day starts with a trip to Bikar to visit the Junagarh Palace,one of the finest palaces in Rajsthan said to have been build in 1593. Here you wonder at the magnificence of the Durbar Hall, the Karan Mahal, Anup Mahal and the exquisite Sheesh Mahal or palace of mirrors. Time permitting you could take a camel ride on the dunes and enjoy Rajasthani dance by a camp fire in the desert at night. Return to your hotel room in Gajner for a peaceful sleep.
Day 7 : Jodhpur
Rub your tummy after a scrumptious breakfast and board th ecoach that will take you to Jodhpur,the Blue City, where you check into a classy traditional hotel. Here you will find the magnificent Mehrangarh Fort, the fabled Jaswant Thada and admire the battlements of the fort with its cannons in place. Jodhpuralso has a new palace, the Umaid Bhavan Palace,part of which is now a luxury star hotel. Visit this royal palace and then admire the Rai ka Bag Palace. The day ends withdinner and stay in your hotel.
Day 8 : Jaisalmer
Rise early, breakfast and board your coach for the ride across the Thar to Jaisalmer, the yellow city. The passage lies across some of the wildest desert scenery you can imagine and Jaisalmer with its buildings made mainly of yellow stone, reflects the golden sands of the desert. Arrive and check into your room. Relax, refresh yourself and set out for a walk through the narrow lanes, admiring the havelis with its carvings and filigree work. Evening and it is time for a camel ride on the dunes of the Thar. You could opt for a night show in the desert to watch Rajasthani dance and puppet show.
Day 9 : Jaisalmer tour
The pride of Jaisalmer is undoubtedly the Fort, which you will visit first thing after breakfast. Built of yellow stone, the Fort seems a continuation of the yellow countryside. The Fort is a world within a world with its fine palaces, havelis and temples, all sitting prettily on top of a hill.There is lots to see at the Fort and it could keep you occupied for the greater part of the day. Built by Rawal Jaisal sometime around 1156 AD, this UNESCO World Heritage site is replete with history as regards wars and trade with far off nations as well. As the sun dips and temperature falls, go out to the desert and enjoy a camal safari to nearby places like Kuldara or Kanoi. Return to your room for the night.
Day 10 : Rohet-Jodhpur
From Jaisalmer, it back to Jodhpur after breakfast but this time around you stop at Rohet as guests of the royal family. Learn about history first hand from descendants of princes and meet with local people, go on a camel-caravan ride or just relax by the pool the way royals once used to do. Today dinner is different, a barbecue by the pool to the accompaniment of live performances. Rohet, in a way, could be the high point of this fantastic journey in time.
Day 11 : Udaipur
Embark on a lovely ride in your air conditioned coach to Udaipur visiting Ranakpur Jain temples on the way. The temple with its 1444 intricately carved pillars is just marvelous. You lunch at a hill resort in Ranakpur before proceeding to Udaipur, the romantic city of Lakes,the Venice of the East. Check into your hotel and then set out for a walk before retiring for the night.
Day 12 : Udaipurexcursions
One of the tastiest breakfasts to come your way and this sets the tone for the day devoted to exploring the charms of this city of Lakes. You start with the City Palace on the banks of the Lake Pichola from where you admire the Jag Niwas better known as the Lake Palace Hotel.Walking through the tripolia gate takes you to another world of royalty with its collection of gardens, the Peacock Courtyard with its lovely mosaic in glass and the Chini Chitrashala. Sheesh Mahal, Krishna Vilas and Dilkhush Mahal reflect royal grandeur. You take in the Pratap Museum,go for a boat ride on the Lake Pichola and a visit toJag Mandir. Round off the day by visiting the local bazaars and then dining on exotic Rajasthani cuisine before retiring for the night.
Day 13 : Deogarh
Leave after breakfast for Deogarh a royal town about 80 km north east of Udaipur and spend time with the royal family at the modern style Deogarh Palace.Here you get to admire the wall frescoes and miniature paintings and learn the history of the place first hand from the present descendants. Sample royal style cuisine and return to your hotel.
Day 14 : Jaipur
Arrive in Jaipur, the pink city and check into your hotel and spend the evening relaxing and exploring the various bazaars for fabrics, apparels, jewelry and silverware as well as gems.
Day 15 : Jaipur excursions
Breakfast over you set out for a visit to the main attractions. Jaipur and its surroundings offer plenty but you will have time for only a few starting with the City Palace, the current residence of the royal family after which it is Hawa Mahal with its hundreds of latticed windows overlooking the square. Then you go on to the Jantar Mantar built by Maharaja Jai Singhji, visit the older Nahargarh Palace and Jaigarh Fort before enjoying a camel ride alongside the lake near Jai Mahal. Then it is time to go off to Amber Fort at a distance. The Fort overlooks the city and is a cosmos within itself with its collection of havelis, palaces and museums that give you a deep insight into period royal lifestyles.
Day 16 : Bharatpur Keoladeo Ghana National Park
Early in the morning you have breakfast and the group sets out for Bharatpur for a visit to the famous bird sanctuary, the Keoladeo Ghana National Park which is home to over 250 species of migratory birds and 4000 native species in addition to animals and its medley of trees, rocks and water bodies. Stay overnight in your hotel, dine, go for a walk.
Day 17 : Agra
Drive to Agra early in the morning for a visit to Fatehpur Sikri, the city built by Emperor Akbar and then we go on to admire the beautiful monument to love, the fabulous Taj Mahal. A brief stop at the tomb of Itmad ud Daulah round off the day and you have the evening free to explore local bazaars, buy some petha—sweets made from ash gourd and relax in your room for the night.
Day 18 : Delhi
Rise early and revisit the Taj to view the white marble glowing gold in the early sunlight, a scene of ethereal beauty. Then we return to the hotel for breakfast and drive on to Delhi where our tour representative assists in departure arrangements.The majestic forts and palaces tour of Rajasthan ends here.