Luxury Classic Rajasthan

DAY 1 DEPART THE UK

Depart and fly to Delhi.

DAY 2 Delhi

Arrive in Delhi and transfer to your hotel in the heart of Delhi. The Imperial is a glamorous hotel with excellent service, sophisticated guest rooms, colonial architecture and great facilities. We can suggest a gentle afternoon excursion and restaurants if you want to do anything on the day of arrival.

DAY 3 Delhi

A guided exploration today of both sides of Delhi – the historic city and its modern face. Old Delhi is the ancient walled city, capital of the Mughal Empire. Explore by cycle rickshaw and see the formidable Red Fort. Make your way through Chandni Chowk, which is filled with twisting lanes and crowded bazaars. Return to New Delhi by the very modern Delhi Metro system, a marvel of modern engineering in one of the most crowded parts of India. In the afternoon, you'll have time to explore the sights and sounds of New Delhi.

DAY 4 Delhi to Agra

After breakfast, your chauffeur will arrive to drive you along the excellent new highway to Agra.

Enjoy lunch and then check in at your hotel - one of the very best hotels in the world. This afternoon is free to enjoy the facilities here. In the evening, it's time for Mohabbat: “The Taj Show,” an 80-minute musical extravaganza depicting the romantic saga of Mughal Emperor Shahjahan and his beloved wife, Mumtaz.

Day 5 Agra and the Taj Mahal

Your guide will meet you for an early morning visit to the Taj - the soft light flatters the magnificent mausoleum at this time of day, and it's less busy. You might like to return later in the afternoon too, as the Taj is said to be very different in the evening sun. There is time today to visit the Red Fort, Agra’s second most iconic sight.

Day 6 Agra to Ranthambore

This morning, you’ll be driven to Ranthambore via a pitstop at the incredible ruined city of Fatehpur Sikri. This fairytale city in the desert is still in pristine condition, despite being wholly abandoned hundreds of years ago. Continue to Ranthambore, the prime place to see tigers in Rajasthan.

Day 7 Ranthambore

Set off on two safari drives today, early morning and late afternoon, to maximize your chance of spotting the king of the Indian jungle, the tiger.

Day 8 Jaipur

Transfer this morning to Jaipur, a riot of colour and the capital of Rajasthan. On arrival, there is time to relax and enjoy your magnificent hotel, the Taj Rambagh Palace.

Day 9 Jaipur

Amer Fort, or Amber Fort, is a marvellous example of Rajput architecture, with fairy-tale terraces and ramparts reflected in Maota Lake below. The walls and ceilings of its royal halls are inlaid with intricate ivory, mirror and, glass mosaics and hung with exquisite wall paintings. After the fort, you will visit the City Palace Museum to see beautiful examples of traditional Rajasthani and Mughal art as well as many of the other sites of the glorious ‘Pink City.’

Day 10 Jaipur

As well as the main sites of Jaipur, we think the city can be best understood with a guided city walk through the maze-like streets of the Old Town. It’s an incredible way to discover what makes this place tick. Though there are many options this afternoon, such as exploring the jewellery and arts and crafts which Jaipur is famous for, you may wish to have time to relax.

In the evening you will go to Sai Niwas, where you will have a short cooking demonstration/hands-on experience of two dishes and chappati making. A member of the family will host your meal.

Day 11 Jaipur to Shahpura

Today, you depart Taj Rambagh Palace after breakfast driving towards Shahpura. The journey will take approximately four hours. After hectic Jaipur, Shahpura is an oasis in an unexplored part of Rajasthan and is an incredibly beautiful hotel.

Day 12 Shahpura

While at Shahpura Bagh, you may like to relax in the beautiful rural setting, but there are plenty of activities to keep you busy such as bicycling, picnicking, walking, fishing and boating, bird watching, visiting the stunning local temple, exploring the town and old palace. Visit the old fort and enjoy a refreshing lime soda as you watch the sun go down.

Day 13 Jodhpur

Today, you'll go to Jodhpur - known as ‘Sun City, - a charming, historic city overflowing with temples, palaces, havelis, and spice markets. Its most distinctive feature is the electric blue of the old town buildings. Your hotel is a former grand palace, perched high above the city.

Day 14 Jodhpur

A guided tour of the city this morning and the imposing Mehrangarh Fort, the most massive fort in Rajasthan, looming over 100m above the city. In the afternoon, we suggest a wildlife safari into the region of the Bishnoi people, with their remarkable connection to the local wildlife.

Day 15 Udaipur

Journey today to Udaipur, via the famous and remarkable marble Jain temple at Ranakpur. It’s sublime and feels all the more extraordinary for being in the middle of seemingly nowhere. Onto Udaipur, where you can check into your hotel, the genuinely iconic Taj Lake Palace Hotel.

Days 16 & 17 UDAIPUR

Plenty of time to relax and enjoy the hotel and take your guided tour of the palaces and backstreets of Udaipur. You'll also have the chance to have lunch with the Bedla family. As the premier jagirdars (feudal landlords) of Udaipur, the Bedla family played a significant role in the affairs of the state over the centuries. They’ll be your hosts, and you’ll have a wonderful opportunity to hear some of their fascinating stories while sampling a vast number of authentic culinary delights that have been honed over two centuries. A wonderful, fun, informative, and highly entertaining experience!

Day 18 Udaipur to Delhi

Transfer to the airport, wave goodbye to your chauffeur and depart for your flight to Delhi and the last night reflecting on your journey.

Day 19 fly home (or stay!)

Transfer to the airport for your onward flight.