We Love —
- Set your sights for India and head on a tour which will uncover the country's mystical history, traditional culture and unforgettable landscapes.
- This is a once in a lifetime opportunity where guests will be able to enjoy everything from a rickshaw ride in Jaipur, a jeep ride to the Amber Fort, and a boat ride on the famous on Lake Pichola in Udaipur!
- Our members will stay in majestic hand-picked hotels throughout with daily breakfast included.
Your Destinations —
India
On this stunning route, take in sights such as the Taj Mahal and the Amber Fort near Jaipur. This is one of the most exciting and rewarding travel destinations in the world, wherein you will visit colourful and vibrant cities, exquisite temples and superb scenery.
Our Offer —
9 nights in Standard hotels (4/5*)
11 nights in Standard hotels (4/5*)
13 nights in Standard hotels (4/5*)
OR
9 nights in Superior hotels (5*)
11 nights in Superior hotels (5*)
13 nights in Superior hotels (5*)
Your Itinerary In Brief —
9-Night Tour
Day 1: Arrival in Delhi
Day 2: Delhi
Day 3: Delhi - Mandawa
Day 4: Mandawa - Jodhpur
Day 5: Jodhpur - Jaipur
Day 6: Jaipur
Day 7: Jaipur - Fatehpur Sikri - Agra
Day 8: Agra
Day 9: Agra - Delhi
Day 10: Departure from Delhi
11-Night Tour
Days 1-4: as above
Day 5: Jodhpur - Udaipur
Day 6: Udaipur
Day 7: Udaipur - Jaipur
Day 8: Jaipur
Day 9: Jaipur - Fatehpur Sikri - Agra
Day 10: Agra
Day 11: Agra - Delhi
Day 12: Departure from Delhi
13-Night Tour
Days 1-3: as above
Day 4: Mandawa - Bikaner
Day 5: Bikaner - Jaisalmer
Day 6: Jaisalmer
Day 7: Jaisalmer - Jodhpur
Day 8: Jodhpur - Udaipur
Day 9: Udaipur
Day 10: Udaipur - Jaipur
Day 11: Jaipur
Day 12: Jaipur - Fatehpur Sikri - Agra
Day 13: Agra - Delhi
Day 14: Departure from Delhi
Your 9-Night Itinerary —
Arrival into Delhi’s Airport on day with assistance and transfer to the hotel.
Overnight at your hotel.
Day 2: Delhi (Breakfast)
After breakfast at the hotel, you will depart to visit Old Delhi. You will see the Red Fort, the Jama Masjid, one of the biggest mosques in the world, Chandni Chowk and the heart of the old district, the Raj Ghat the mausolea of the Mahatma Gandhi. Following this you will visit New Delhi and discover the Qutub Minar, the largest minaret in the world (72.55 m) which was built in 1199. This is also where you will find the reproduction of verses from the Koran on each of the first three floors built in red sandstone. You will also have the chance to discover Government Buildings, Gateway to India and Connaught Square.
Overnight at your hotel.
Overnight at your hotel.
Day 4: Mandawa - Jodhpur (Breakfast)
The old town is surrounded by a wall with seven gates, which was erected around the middle of the sixteenth century on a perimeter of nearly 10 km, which also protects the sand. You will have the opportunity to visit the magnificent Mehrangarh Fort, named after its current owner, the Jodhpur maharajah. Built on top of a hill overlooking the city, it opens with a succession of seven monumental gates. On one of the Iohapols (iron gates) you will discover the handprints of the widows of Maharadjah Man Singh, who sacrificed themselves on his funeral pyre in 1843. You can also discover many courtyards, surrounded by palaces with carved facades as well as the fort's museum which contains palanquins, pods for elephants, weapons, sabers, swords, daggers, small guns. Many rooms here contain collections of miniatures, the Takhat Mahal Hall is entirely decorated with mirrors and paintings, with colorful glass balls hanging from the ceiling and the "Jankhi Mahal" contains an astonishing collection of royal cradles. Visit Jaswant Thada, the royal mausoleum in white marble of Maharajah Singh II, built in 1899.
Breakfast at the hotel.
Road to Mandawa.
Arrive at the hotel in Mandawa, a small feudal principality. Mandawa lived a period of great pomp between the mid-eighteenth and the beginning of the twentieth century.
Today surrounded by sand dunes, decrepit, dusty, the small town of Mandawa still contains havelis quite extraordinary.
The havelis were mansions built by rich merchants to whom a sought-after architecture gives the appearance of small palaces rather than mere houses.
Their walls are decorated with frescoes with various decorative motifs: religious scenes, secular or even courteous, illustrations of stories or legends, portraits.
Real illuminating jewels!
Arrival and installation at the hotel.
Visit Mandawa with discovery of temples and havelis, dwellings of maharajahs and merchants with their galleries festooned with cupolas and naive paintings full of colors.
Night at the hotel.
Today you will be back on the road to the capital of Rajasthan, Jaipur, the pink city in the Rajput with rose color symbolized hospitality. It is corseted by an immense crenellated wall which stops the human tides that animate the most fascinating part of the turbulent metropolis of Rajasthan, with its bazaars buzzing with a thousand activities. Jaipur was built in the 16th century by the Maharaja Jaisingh Ji and according to the ideal plan exposed in the Hindu Arthashasthra, the city must be created in the image of the cosmos and reflect the social order of the varnas and castes. Thus, the city was drawn in a square, surrounded by walls pierced with 9 doors and divided into 9 quarters each with a specific function.
You will arrive at your hotel in Jaipur and enjoy free time in the market or leisure time at the hotel.
Overnight at your hotel.
Day 6: Jaipur (Breakfast)
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before embarking on a discovery of Jaipur. Stop in front of the wind palace "Hawa Mahal" with its Baroque facade and architecture that is both fanciful and functional and allowed the women of the court to contemplate the spectacle of the street away from prying eyes. Continue with an excursion to Amber Fort, the residence of Maharajahs. Seeing the defense forts surrounding the place, you can imagine the power of the characters who once resided here. Ride to the ramparts by 4x4 and visit the Palace with its rooms set with mirrors and the old harem, a real labyrinth to explore. Here you will have the opportunity to attend Puja at Kali Temple. Puja is the time of prayers according to Hindu rites. One can enter the temple only barefoot and without leather clothing or goods on their person.
Visit the astronomical observatory "Jantar Mantar", the witness of the passion of Maharaja Jaisingh Ii for astronomy. He built several observatories including that of Jaipur (1728-33). These monumental instruments make it possible to read the latitudes, longitudes and distances between the celestial bodies, the hour corresponding to the meridian of Jaipur. Finally, you may enjoy a rickshaw ride through the old city.
Overnight at your hotel.
Day 8: Agra (Breakfast)
Overnight at your hotel.
On this day you will have the opportunity to take part in one of our optional excursions. Choose the Homestay cooking class followed by lunch or Evening Mohabbat The Taj Show (Closed from 01 May till 20 July 2019).
Breakfast at the hotel.
Departure to Agra.
En route stop at Fatehpur Sikri, former capital of the time of the Mughal Emperor Akbar.
Architecture more baroque than the Red Fort, this capital was abandoned a few years after its construction.
Resulting from the synthesis of various styles, Indo-Muslim and Hindu, this is one of the most spectacular sites. Visit of: The Great Mosque, with the tomb of Sheikh Salim Chishti, The Jewel House also named Diwan-I-Khas (Hall of Audiences) containing the pillar of Akbar
Continuation for Agra.
Arrival and installation at the hotel.
Night at the hotel.
After breakfast at the hotel you will depart for Delhi (a journey of around 4h30). Arrival in Delhi and check in at the hotel. End of the day is free for your leisure, where you can rest after the journey or head out for some shopping.
Overnight at your hotel.
Day 10: Departure from Delhi (Breakfast)
After breakfast at the hotel you will transfer to the airport ready to catch your return flight.
Your 11-Night Itinerary —
Day 5: Jodhpur - Udaipur (Breakfast)
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel, before heading to Udaipur - with a stop to Ranakpur to visit the Jains temples. (Open from 12h00 to 16h00 - The guide will not be able to enter inside the temples, but an audio guide will be at the disposal of the customers). The Ranakpur Temples, dating from the 15th century, are recognised worldwide for their beautiful and complex architecture. They are one of the five great pilgrimages of the Jains and are located about 95 km north of Udaipur.
Then you will continue to Udaipur and check in at the hotel upon arrival. Udaipur is the historical capital of the kingdom of Mewar Rajputan. The province of Mewar became part of Rajasthan after the independence of India.
Overnight stay at your hotel.
Day 6: Udaipur (Breakfast)
After breakfast, your day will be dedicated to visiting Udaipur, with visits to the Eklingji and Jagdish temples, the City Palace, the Maiden Garden and other fascinating sites. The City Palace is a complex of several palaces built in 1559 to be the main palace of the Sisodia Rajput dynasty. It is located at the top of a hill on the east shore of Lake Pichola. Its architecture is a mix of Rajput and Mughal styles. It offers a magnificent panorama of the lake and its islands, as well as the Lake Palace.
- Boat ride on Lake Pichola (from 11 nights)
(Open from 12h00 to 16h00 - The guide will not be able to enter inside the temples, but an audio guide will be at the disposal of the customers).
The Ranakpur Temples, dating from the 15th century, are recognized worldwide for their beautiful and complex architecture. They are one of the five great pilgrimages of the Jains. They are located about 95 km north of Udaipur.
Breakfast in a local restaurant
Continue to Udaipur and check in at the hotel on arrival.
Udaipur is the historical capital of the kingdom of Mewar Rajputan. The province of Mewar became part of Rajasthan after the independence of India.
After breakfast, head out to Jaipur - where you can enjoy a walk around the market as well as free time to relax or rest.
Day 8: Jaipur (Breakfast)
Depart for the Amber Fort after breakfast. On arrival, you can take part in a ride to the Fort. Visit the Palace in the ancient capital of Rajasthan. After lunch, come back to Jaipur and visit the Astronomy Centre and Royal Palace. You will also get to visit the Hawa Mahal Palace.
Days 9-11 are the same as days 7-10 on the 9-night itinerary.
On day 10 you will have the opportunity to take part in one of our optional excursions. Choose the Homestay cooking class followed by lunch or Evening Mohabbat The Taj Show (Closed from 01 May till 20 July 2019).
Day 12: Departure (Breakfast)
Breakfast and transfer to Delhi Airport. Check in your baggage and board your return flight to the UK.
Your 13-Night Itinerary —
Day 4: Mandawa - Bikaner (Breakfast)
Following breakfast at the hotel, depart for Bikaner. Arrive and check-in at the hotel before you embark on a Bikaner City Tour. Visit the incredible Junnagarth Fort, a fortress built in the fifteenth century as a real eagle's nest, it is accessed by a long ramp and several gates. On one of them you can see many impacts of cannon balls from one of the last battles here. The Fort contains various palaces, temples and museums. It is a maze of corridors, stairs and courtyards revealing beautiful carved facades. From here you will enjoy a Tuk Tuk ride in the picturesque Bazaar, then walk the Heritage Walk in the old town to explore its narrow streets and take the opportunity to visit some old havelis.
Overnight at your hotel.
Day 5: Bikaner - Jaislamer (Breakfast)
Enjoy breakfast before heading off on the road to Jaisalmer, the perfect example of a fortified city, Rajpoute emerging from the desert, which is an old passage with forced caravans of opium spices. This sumptuous city located at the gateway to the Thar desert and once controlled this trade between India and Pakistan. Arrival and check-in at the hotel.
Overnight at your hotel.
After breakfast, visit this beautiful city of yellow sandstone built on a hill on the edge of the desert of Thar. Here you will find many marvels to feast your eyes on including the magnificent Maharawal Palace with many rooms decorated with mosaics and paintings, The Haveli, ancient mansions-palaces with incredibly wrought balconies, built in the 18th century by rich merchants and the Jain Temple. Take a scenic walk in the bazaar and attend a beautiful evening in the heart of the Thar desert dunes.
Return and overnight at your hotel.
Day 7: Jaislamer - Jodhpur (Breakfast)
Breakfast at the hotel before departure for Jodhpur. Arrival and installation at the hotel in Jodhpur. In the afternoon visit Jodhpur, also called "the blue city" because of the coating of its houses. It is in the heart of the desert a city nestled at the foot of a fortress, huge grindstone of dark red sandstone where the forces of many conquerors wear out. Jodhpur appears as a comforting oasis for the traveler who has just crossed the Thar desert. The old town is surrounded by a wall with seven gates, which was erected around the middle of the sixteenth century on a perimeter of nearly 10 km, which also protects the sand. Visit the magnificent Mehrangarh Fort, named after its current owner, the Jodhpur maharajah. Built on top of a hill overlooking the city, it opens with a succession of seven monumental gates.
On one of the Iohapols, iron gates, you will discover the handprints of the widows of Maharadjah Man Singh, who immolated themselves on his funeral pyre in 1843. You can discover many courtyards, surrounded by palaces with carved facades. The fort's museum contains palanquins, pods for elephants, weapons, sabers, swords, daggers, small guns. Many rooms contain collections of miniatures, the Takhat Mahal Hall is entirely decorated with mirrors and paintings, with colorful glass balls hanging from the ceiling and the "Jankhi Mahal" contains an astonishing collection of royal cradles. Visit Jaswant Thada, the royal mausoleum in white marble of Maharajah Singh II, built in 1899.
Overnight at your hotel.
The rest of the itinerary is the same as the 9-night itinerary and follows on from day 5. The 13-night tour, however, does not include a final additional day in Agra.
Your Tour Hotels —
Our members will stay at the following 4/5* category or 5* category hotels in a Standard Room with meals included as per itinerary. (Breakfast)
Our members may choose to upgrade their tour to include a Half Board or Full Board dining basis at the next stage of the booking process for an additional fee.
4/5 * Category Hotels
Mandawa - Vivaana Culture Hotel (or similar)
Bikaner - VESTA Palace (or similar) - 13-night tour only
Jaislamer - Rawalkot (or similar) - 13-night tour only
Jodhpur - Fairfield By Marriott (or similar)
Udaipur - Justa Rajputana (or similar)
Jaipur - Fern Residency (or similar)
Agra - Crystal Sarovar Premiere (or similar)
Delhi - Crowne Plaza Okhla (or similar)
Sleeps up to
5* Category Hotels
Mandawa - Vivaana Culture Hotel (or similar)
Bikaner - VESTA Palace (or similar) - 13-night tour only
Jaislamer - Marriott Resort (or similar) - 13-night tour only
Jodhpur - ITC WelcomHotel (or similar)
Udaipur - The Latit Laxmi Vilas Palace (or similar)
Jaipur - Marriott (or similar)
Agra - Jaypee Palace (or similar)
Delhi - Crowne Plaza Okhla (or similar)
Please note: the bed for the 3rd/4th guest sharing is likely to be a sofa bed or camp style bed. If any of these hotels are not available, hotels of a similar standard will be found.
Mandatory Dinner Supplement
Guests staying on Christmas Eve/Day (24th/25th December) or New Year's Eve (31st December) will have an additional fee added to the cost of their booking, payable for mandatory gala dinners on these dates.
Your Optional Excursions —
Homestay Cooking Class
Experiment with local spices and be taught how to whip up some of the delicious dishes that have had tongues wagging for centuries. This exciting workshop is followed by lunch.
Mohabbat The Taj Show
Your Journey —
Flights: You may choose from Economy, Premium or Business class flights on sectors that they operate, at the next stage of the booking process.
The flights included are with either a scheduled or no-frills airline and are subject to live availability and prices can change. You can choose your preferred departure times during the booking process. Please select your flight options carefully as departure and arrival airports may differ.
Transfers: Private or shared transfers and domestic flights are included using air-conditioned transportation for arrival and departure transfers, sightseeing, excursion and long distance travel as per itinerary including transfer of baggage in the same transport. The transport has been envisaged as:
02 pax – AC Medium Car (05 Seater)
03 -04 pax – AC Toyota Innova (06 Seater)
For inbound transfer arrangements please confirm with your transfer provider when you arrive. Alternatively, please check with the reception of your accommodation. If you still require assistance, please call the transfer provider directly.