Royal Rajasthan and The Taj Mahal

Duration: 13 nights / 14 days
Places to See: Delhi, Mandawa, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Jaipur, Agra

Rajasthan, the Land of the Kings, is where countless Rajput warriors once ruled tiny kingdoms in the desert. The palaces and fortresses that stand unto this day reflect a rich legacy of history, romance and legend. In fact, Rajasthan is India at her colourful and exotic best. Men sporting turbans and soup strainer moustaches. Women in their bright skirts with mirror-work and chunky silver jewellery. And a way of life that passionately holds on to its rich traditions. Now, imagine combining such an experience with a viewing of the Taj, and you know what the 'Royal Rajasthan and the Taj' tour has in store for you.

Day 01: Delhi
Arrive in Delhi. Check in at your preferred hotel for an overnight stay.

Day 02: Delhi
A full-day tour of Old and New Delhi. Included in Old Delhi are its markets and mosques, the Red Fort and Raj Ghat, the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi. While in New Delhi, you will visit Humayun's Tomb, the predecessor of the Taj Mahal, the 12th Century Qutub Minar, the Parliament House and India Gate.

Day 03: Mandawa
After breakfast, depart by surface transport for Mandawa, a small and busy market town that came into being in the 18th Century, and was subsequently fortified by merchant families. Today, it has some of the finest painted havelis (traditional mansions) in the region.

Day 04: Bikaner
Drive to Bikaner and check in at your hotel. Once a busy trade centre, Bikaner was frequented by the legendary caravans that strung out across the desert to West Asia and Africa. The afternoon half-day tour will take you around this fortified city perched above the rocky desert from where you will see camels and temples, and witness a rich mixture of local music, dance, art and wildlife. Also worth a visit are Junagarh Fort and the Camel Breeding Farm.

Day 05: Drive to Jaisalmer after breakfast, where the 'Golden City' awaits you with its desert fortress whose stone ramparts glint like gold by the setting sun. A city that is unrivalled in its magic, romance and exotic beauty. Check in at the hotel.

Day 06: Jaisalmer
Enjoy a morning tour of the city, founded by Rawal Jaisal in 1156. Once the capital of the Bhari Rajputs, the walled city of Jaisalmer harbours narrow, cobblestone alleys where mansions can be seen with their intricate latticework and stone carvings. About a quarter of the old city's population resides within the walls of the Jaisalmer Fort, which has 99 bastions around its circumference. A fascinating place to wander around during the day. And in the evening, you will have a special viewing of Jaisalmer's famed sand dunes from the back of a camel.

Day 07: Jodhpur
After breakfast, drive to Jodhpur, Rajasthan's second largest city that stands at the edge of the Thar desert. Home of India's most spectacular fortress-palace, the Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur was founded in 1459 AD by Rao Jodha, a chief of the Rajput clan of Rathore rulers. In the Mehrangarh Fort, you will see battle-scarred walls, courtyards and palaces, and get an incredible view of the modern city of Jodhpur. While in the city, you will also visit Jaswant Thada, an imposing white marble cenotaph built to commemorate acts of bravery and generosity of the rulers in the 19th Century. A trip to Jodhpur is not complete without a visit to the magnificent Umaid Bhavan Palace. Another must-do, is a foray into the colourful local markets to experience the bustle of everyday life in Jodhpur.

Day 08: Jodhpur - Udaipur
After breakfast, drive to Udaipur, en-route visiting the famed Ranakpur Jain Temple, one of the biggest and most important pilgrimage sites for the Jain community in India, and an extremely beautiful complex for travellers to visit.

Day 09: Udaipur
After breakfast, enjoy a guided tour of the Lake City of Udaipur, a wonderful oasis nestling in the dry heart of Rajasthan. It is probably the most romantic city in a state where every city has some romantic or exotic tale to tell. The huge City Palace of Udaipur, towering over the Lake Pichola is the largest palace complex in Rajasthan. You will also visit the Jagdish temple, a fine example of Indo-Aryan art that continues to be frequented by believers until this day, and Sahelion Ki Bari, the exclusive garden of the royal ladies who once lived in the palaces. The perfect end to your tour is a boat ride on the serene and beautiful Lake Pichola with the sun setting behind the hills.

Day 10: Jaipur
Fly on to your last stop in Rajasthan: Jaipur, the capital of this colourful state.

Day 11: Jaipur
Known all over the world as the Pink City, Jaipur will amaze you with the architecture and planning of both, its old and new cities. Experience how the city explodes into a kaleidoscope of colour and sound with every new day. Enjoy a visit to the imposing Amber Fort including an Elephant ride Maharaja style. Also visit the City Palace, the current residence of the Jaipur royalty, the Observatory and the Palace of the Winds.

Day 12: Agra
Leave for Agra by surface transport, en-route visiting the deserted capital city of Fatehpur Sikri, where you will wonder why this well-preserved capital was dramatically abandoned a few years after it was built. Then, in Agra you will come face to face with India's most perfect architectural creation, the monument of eternal love, the Taj Mahal. Proceed from here to the impressive Agra Fort and get led through the multitude of chambers in this regal residence. As you drive through the city you will get to see some local colour and bazaars.

Day 13: Agra
After a sunrise visit to discover the beauty of the Taj Mahal by dawn, leave for Delhi by surface. Check into your hotel in New Delhi, and then spend the evening as you please. Wandering the city, shopping, or just relaxing.

Day 14: Delhi
Transfer to the international airport for your flight home.

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