India : Best Of Rajasthan
Day 1 -
Arrive Delhi
Delhi, the capital of India, is a fascinating city which attracts many tourists owing to its great historical past. This history is visible in Delhi’s celebrated temples and ancient monuments. Any visit to Delhi would go incomplete without visiting these renowned landmarks. When you arrive at the airport in New Delhi you will be greeted by representatives of Nature Safari who will then take you to the Hotel.
Overnight at New Delhi
Day 2 -
New Delhi
Our full day tour of Delhi not only includes the major sights, the heart of India’s political system and legendary Chandni Chowk bazaar but it also covers a large portion of Old Delhi including a rickshaw ride through the back streets of one of the most enigmatic cities in India.
Day 3 -
New Delhi - Udaipur
After breakfast and a morning flight (prices advised on booking) we arrive in Udaipur ; the Venice of the East. Udaipur is one of the most romantic cities in the world and was voted as the second best city in Asia.
Day 4 -
Udaipur
After breakfast visit the City Palace and wander through its beautiful rooms & apartments, before heading to the magnificent Sahelion-ki-Bari Gardens, built by Maharana Sangram in the 18th century and commonly known as the Garden of Maidens.
Overnight at Udaipur
Day 5 -
Udaipur - Jodhpur
After breakfast in the city of lakes we leave Udaipur for Jodhpur. The houses of Jodhpur are “whitewashed” a blue colour which intensifies as light fades over the city. For more information please visit our Jodhpur information page.
Day 6 -
Jodhpur
This morning you will enjoy an excursion to visit the Bishnoi villages, known for their interesting philosophy for living. Back in 1485, Jambeshwar observed that famine was the result of deforestation in the region. He formulated a list of 29 rules to live by to avoid such disasters. These rules formed the base of the Bishnoi philosophy (Bishnoi means 29 in Hindi). Enjoy an afternoon city tour of Jodhpur including Mehran Grah Fort, City Museum and Umed Bhawan Palace. The Umaid Bhawan Palace was completed in 1943 and is the largest residence in the world was long the principal residence of the Jodhpur royal family. This hotel is nothing short of spectacular from the outside and equally lavish on the inside. Needless to say, your every need is cater to at the Umaid Bhawan Palace.
Day 7 -
Jodhpur - Jaipur
After breakfast we drive from the blue city to the pink city of Rajasthan. Jaipur is surrounded by an imposing stone wall but the city is far from uninviting. The palaces and broad avenues of the old city are painted pink because the colour is the Rajpout colour of hospitality and friendship.
Day 8 -
Jaipur
Morning: proceed on an excursion to Amber Fort with an Elephant ride up to the top of the Fort. Drive past Hawa Mahal, known popularly as the Palace of Winds, which is a facade built for the Ladies of the Royal household in the 19th century. The Amber Fort, the capital of the erstwhile State of Jaipur until 1728 is perched on a hill. It has halls of Public and Private audience, a Sheesh Mahal (hall of mirrors) various marble palaces which are marvellous examples of ancient Rajput architecture. The Temple of Amba (Mother Goddess), the patron deity of the Royal family is at the entrance to the palace. Ride an elephant to ascend the hill on which the Fort is situated.
Return to the town in the afternoon en route visiting the City Palace - the former royal residence built in a blend of Rajasthani and Mughal styles which houses a museum with a superb collection of Rajasthani costumes and armoury, including swords of different shapes and sizes with ornate handles. It has an art gallery with an excellent collection of miniature paintings, carpets, royal paraphernalia and rare astronomical works in Arabic, Persian, Latin and Sanskrit. Also visit the Jantar Mantar - an astrological and astronomical observatory built by Maharaja Jai Singh in the 18th century, which is remarkable for its accuracy even in the present times.
Overnight in Jaipur
Day 9 -
Jaipur - Ranthambore
In the morning we drive the Ranthambhore National Park, one of India’s most famous tiger reserves. After lunch there is an escorted game drive through the national park with an English speaking naturalist. Dinner and overnight at the resort
Day 10 -
Ranthambore
Morning & Evening drives in the park.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner at resort.
Overnight in Ranthambore.During the day visit the famous Ranthambore Fort. (12 kms. from the Resort) Perhaps the only one fort, which is not visible from a long distance. The Fort is a massive enclave and quite high. Mughal Emperor Shah Alam gifted it to Sawai Madho Singh I of Jaipur in 1754 AD and since then it was maintained as the private hunting preserve. Much later, Queen Elizabeth II and Duke of Edinburgh were part of the Royal Hunting, who stayed here too. It’s a unique Rajput Fort. Archeological Department took it in 1964. It is 1578 ft from the sea level and 750ft from ground. Total area of the fort is about 7 miles. There is no drive way up to the fort, just the stairs. There are three big artificial lakes up in the Fort.
Overnight Tiger Den Resort.
Day 11 -
Ranthambore - bharatpur
After a morning game drive we continue on to Bharatpur and Keoladeo National Park.
Keoladeo is sees over 400,000 birds a year which vary in size from the 12 gram dusky warbler to the two metre tall sarus crane. Cycle rickshaw tours are an ideal way to see the park as are boat tours when the weather is right.
Overnight in Bharatpur.
Day 12 -
Bharatpur - Agra
Morning : Visit the Bharatpur Keoladeo Ghana Bird Sanctuary by cycle rickshaws (the rickshaw drivers are all very capable naturalists and drive from the wilderness of the forests to the places of historic significance that marks our beginning to the next place of our trip. Agra and Fateh pur Sikri. Fatehpur Sikri - This exquisite city built by Akbar the Great in 1569, in red sandstone, with its forts, palaces and mosques was abandoned 14 years after its creation due to political reasons. The Diwan-i-am - a vast courtyard in which the emperor gave daily public audience; Diwan-i-khas - a large quadrangle which contained all the major functions of the Palace, Pachisi court, the Emperors private living quarter, Jodha Bhai’s Palace, Mariam’s Palace, Birbal’s Palace, Hawa Mahal and Panch Mahal are some of the important buildings of this residential complex. The Friday Mosque and the exquisite tomb of Sheik Salim Chisti are in the religious grounds set aside in a separate enclosure adjacent to the secular buildings
Continue drive to Agra after visiting Fatehpur Sikri (49 kms). On arrival, check in to the hotel. Agra is famous as the home to one of the Seven Wonders of the World - the Taj Mahal. The architectural splendour of the mausoleums, the fort and the palaces in Agra is a vivid reminder of the opulence of the legendary Mughal Empire. Agra was their capital for nearly a hundred years from 1564. A pleasant town, with a comparatively easy pace, Agra is known for its superb inlay work on marble and soapstone by artisans who are hereditary crafts persons. The city is also famous for its carpets, gold thread embroidery and leather shoes.
Overnight in Agra.
Day 13 -
Agra - New Delhi
After breakfast we embark on a city tour of Agra. The Agra Fort is a triumph of design and construction which houses a number of exquisite buildings that were commissioned by three generations of Mughal Emperors. Later we visit the breath taking Taj Mahal which is a truly humbling monument (the Taj is closed on Fridays). Afternoon drive to New Delhi 220kms/ 5hrs drive, where we stay overnight.
Day 14 -
Fly Back Home
Morning free for leisure activity and later transfer to international airport to board a flight back home
PLEASE NOTE THE INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT USUALLY OPERATES OVERNIGHT, SO YOU WOULD HAVE TO DEPART THE UK THE DAY BEFORE TO ARRIVE IN DELHI FOR THE FIRST DAY OF THE TOUR.
Note: The driving hours given above from one city to another are based on the normal conditions of the roads and may vary. Any break for Food / Tea / Toilets / Sightseeing on the way will take extra time than the above given hours.
Visas are required for all foreign nationals