India: Riches of Rajasthan

Upon arrival into Delhi, you'll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Relax and enjoy the hotel for the remainder of the day or explore this bustling capital city on your own.

Delhi is the capital of modern India. It has also been the capital of at least seven previous civilizations as well as the British Raj, and each have left behind a trail of monuments.

Let’s tour Humayun’s Tomb - one of the best preserved Mughal monuments and best example of Mughal architecture in India, Qutab Minar - the world’s tallest brick tower, and Jama Masjid - India’s oldest and largest mosque. As we travel through both Old and New Delhi, don’t forget to add photographs of Rashtrapati Bhavan (President House), Parliament House and India Gate to your album.

Experience a busy & bustling local bazaar with a cycle rickshaw through Chandni Chowk.

Breakfast

Departing Delhi, we make our way to Agra, the erstwhile capital of the Mughal Empire. Our first stop here is the impressive Agra Fort, which boasts some of India's finest Mughal buildings behind its fortified walls. This is our chance to size up the Itmad-ud-Daula tomb that is a Mughal era mausoleum, often described as a "jewel box" or the "Baby Tāj".  This tomb has often been regarded as the inspiration for the Tāj Mahal.

Later we visit the legendary Taj Mahal. Built by Emperor Shah Jahan in loving memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz, who tragically died in childbirth in 1631. The Taj Mahal is described as the most extravagant monument ever built for love and remains one of India’s most enduring symbols.

Another must-see, we will view the Taj Mahal from the lesser known, and less crowded, Mehtab Bagh (Moonlight Garden) just across the river.  Experience a breathtaking photo-op with a fully symmetrical view of the Taj Mahal!

Breakfast

En route to Jaipur we visit the ghostly former Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri, which has been deserted for over four centuries after it was allegedly abandoned due to a lack of water. Thanks to the very durable red sandstone from which it was built, Fatehpur Sikri remains well-preserved and a fascinating place to explore.

We will have a quick photo-op stop at Keoladeo Ghana National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Keoladeo is a bird sanctuary that attracts many species of birds from India, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Siberia, China and Tibet. The park is also home to deer, antelope and boar, which can be readily spotted. Who in our group will be the champion ‘shooter’?

Visit Jantar Mantar, a UNESCO world heritage site and the largest of five astronomical observatories built by Maharaja Jai Singh in the early 18th century.

And then to Hawa Mahal, a palace so named because it was essentially a high screen wall built so the women of the royal household could observe street festivals while remaining unseen from the outside.

Later we visit a cotton weaving house for a demonstration of fabric dyeing and block printing before touring the City Palace and Jantar Mantar. Later we drive to Jaipur, the bustling capital of the state of Rajasthan.

Breakfast

We travel to the stunning 16th century Amber Fort - a sprawling Rajput construction, perched on a hillside overlooking the dusty plains below, regal palaces, sleepy villages, and stone carved temples.  Reaching its summit on a jeep, we enjoy a tour of the fort's well-preserved interior grounds.

Continue to Sheesh Mahal, "Palace of Mirrors" which takes its name from the reflective glass tiles that embellish the interior.

On our way, enjoy the sight of Jal Mahal (Water Palace), a palace located in the middle of the Man Sagar Lake.

City Palace is an imposing blend of traditional Rajput and Mughal architecture. It is a vast palace complex occupying nearly one-seventh of the Pink City.  It was originally built by Maharaja Jai Singh II. The complex is divided into a series of courtyards, sprawling gardens and buildings.  It is home to several palatial structures like the Chandra Mahal, (home to present Maharajah of Jaipur), Mubarak Mahal (housing a textile museum), Diwan-e-Khas (or Hall of Private audience housing the two largest silver vessels in the world), the Diwan-e-Aam ( or Hall of Public Audience) and the gateway Ridhi Sidhi Pol (with four small doorways decorated with motifs depicting the four seasons).

Marvel at a 16th century step well near Kheri Gate. The step well serves as the community well, gathering place and swimming hole. If we are lucky, there will be bright red dragonflies playing on the glassy surface of the water.

We spend the evening at Chokhi Dhani (a Rajasthani cultural village) to enjoy traditional performances of dancers & acrobats, snack stalls, paintings, costumes and tasty Rajasthani thali cuisine at this Rajasthani cultural village.

Breakfast      Chokhi Dhani Dinner

Early morning air flight to Udaipur.  On your way from the airport to the Lake City of Udaipur, stop to visit the massive ruins of Chittorgarh Fort, once a bastion of the warrior Rajput caste and home to the beautiful temple of Kalika Mata. Continue to Bijolia Temple, which is actually a complex of Hindu and Jain temples, as well as the remains of a grand palace.

Breakfast

We take a morning city tour of this walled city renowned for its palaces - the white marble Maharajah’s Palace, the Winter Palace (with its inlaid tile, mirrors and mosaics of peacocks), the Jag Mandir (an eighteenth-century yellow-sandstone palace) and Jag Niwas (an eighteenth-century granite and marble palace). Also, see the Victoria Hall Museum (local historical displays and antiques), Sahelion-ki-Bari garden and the Jagdish Temple.

This evening enjoy a boat ride on Lake Pichola.

Breakfast

After breakfast, depart from Udaipur airport for your flight to Delhi.  The tour comes to an end.  To provide an ample buffer, you are advised to schedule your international flight home to depart at 8 pm (or later) from Delhi. Bon voyage!

Breakfast