Day 1 : Arrive in Delhi - The capital city!

Traditional welcome on arrival at Delhi airport by Travel Pals India executive with fresh marigold flower garlands and then transferred by an exclusive car to your pre-reserved hotel for overnight stay.

Delhi is the capital of the modern India, though it is made up of seven ancient cities, spanning over a period from 11th to 20th centuries.

 

Day 2 : Delhi

Relaxed breakfast and then introduced with your guide for a tour of the historic city of Delhi. The city where one can experience the influence of the many rulers who ruled this region, a city built and destroyed and re-built over seven times. The guided tour takes you to the monuments that depict the different eras. The tour includes visit to the magnificent Red Fort (exteriors), The Jama Masjid - one of the Asia's largest mosque, cycle rickshaw ride through the narrow lanes of Old Delhi passing through Chandni Chowk, Chawri Bazaar etc, Humanyun's Tomb, Qutab Minar - 73 mt. tall minaret, India Gate war memorial, President's House and drive through Connaught Place.
 

Optional: Sound and Light show at Red Fort with dinner at an Indian specialty restaurant. Or experience one of the famous bazaars of Delhi, have a stroll in the lush green Lodhi Gardens that has a historic value.  

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Day 3 : Delhi - Mandawa (250 kms / 5 hrs)

Morning drive to south-west of Delhi to a small town of Mandawa. Founded in the mid 18th century and has well decorated Havelis (Mansions). Check in a heritage hotel. Post lunch, you may like to walk to the many painted havelies of some of the leading business families of the country. Some of the better known Havelies of Mandawa are Chowkhani Haveli, Goenka Haveli, Saraf Haveli and Ladia Haveli etc

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Day 4 : Mandawa - Bikaner (190 kms / 4 hrs)

After breakfast driven west to Bikaner city. Founded in 1486 this fourth largest city of Rajasthan is famous for its spicy snack besides its palaces, handicrafts & leather articles. Wash n change at hotel. Then proceed for half-day guided sightseeing of Junagarh Fort, Lalgarh Palace and Laxmi Nath Temple.

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Day 5 : Bikaner - Jaisalmer (330 kms / 6 hrs)

Today we proceed further into the Great Thar desert to city of "Golden City of India", Jaisalmer. Arrive Jaisalmer by early evening to check in a charming character hotel.

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Day 6 : Jaisalmer

A guided tour of the city to visit Jaisalmer Fort, Jain Temple, Gadsisar Tank, Folk Museum and havelies such as Patwan Ki Haveli, Salim Singh ki Haveli, Diwan Nathmal ki Haveli, Badal Vilas Palace.

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Evening, enjoy a camel ride with a sunset view from Sam Sand Dunes (40 Kms excursion from the city) with dinner on sand dunes along with local folk dances.

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Day 7 : Jaisalmer - Jodhpur (280 kms / 5.5 hrs)

After breakfast driven to Jodhpur - the city founded in 1459 by Rao Jodha. It is the second largest city in Rajasthan after Jaipur. On arrival check-in hotel.

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Early evening jeep safari to Bishnoi village to see hand pottery, Bishnoi huts and local handicrafts. Bishnois are the famous community who have been conserving the flora and fauna to the extent of sacrificing their lives to protect the environment.

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Day 8 : Jodhpur

Guided city sightseeing tour including Mehrangarh Fort - one of the largest forts in India, Umaid Bhawan Palace  (now a grand heritage hotel) complex& museum, Jaswant Thada - a 19th century royal cenotaph , Mandore Gardens - The beautiful gardens with high rock terraces make it a popular picnic spot. The garden has a gate known as the Ajitpol, which is decorated with paintings of the gods and goddesses of Indian mythology & walk through the Clock Tower in the old city. But main attraction is the Sadar Market which has kept alive the old 'haat bazaar' culture.

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Day 9 : Jodhpur - Kumbhalgarh (172 kms / 4 hrs)

Driven south-ward to Kumbhalgarh to visit the majestic 'Kumbhalgarh Fort' which is compared to the Great Wall of China for its immense stone boundary covering the village of Kumbhalgarh over a hilltop. A UNESCO World Heritage Site under Hill Forts of India. Built during the course of the 15th century by Rana Kumbha of Mewar dynasty.

Enroute we witness a fabulous stop at the Ranakpur Jain temple for it's brilliant architecture and intricate carvings.

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Day 10 : Kumbhalgarh - Udaipur (85 kms / 3 hrs)

Morning excursion to the grand Kumbhalgarh Fort, built on a hilltop 1,100 m (3,600 ft) above sea level on the Aravalli range, the fort of Kumbhalgarh has perimeter walls that extend 36 km (22 mi), making it one of the longest walls in the world. The frontal walls are fifteen feet thick. Kumbhalgarh has seven fortified gateways. There are over 360 temples within the fort, 300 ancient Jain and the rest Hindu. From the palace top, it is possible to see kilometers into the Aravali Range. The sand dunes of the Thar Desert can be seen from the fort walls.

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Afternoon, we make our way to Udaipur, the city of dawn, surrounded by the ancient Aravalli mountains and set on the edge of three lakes, is a brilliant kaleidoscope of narrow lanes flanked by bright stalls, gardens, lakes, palaces and temples.

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Enjoy a sunset boat ride on Lake Pichola for mesmerizing views of the historic buildings of Jagmandir Palace, the Taj Lake Palace hotel white marble building, City Palace, Shiv Niwas & Fateh Prakash Palace hotel buildings.

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Day 11 : Udaipur

Relaxed breakfast followed by a guided visit to the city's popular Jagdish Temple with it's richly sculptured walls, further walk towards the City Palace compound gates through the narrow street. Visit the City Palace museum complex. It is located on the east bank of the Lake Pichola and has several palaces built within its complex.

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Visit Sahelion-ki-Bari - The 'garden of the maids of honour' brings to mind the lifestyle of the ladies of the court. You may also like to visit the Crystal Gallery which is a fine collection of crystals of every type & shape from the royal families of Udaipur over generations.

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Day 12 : Udaipur - Chittorgarh - Bundi (265 Kms / 5 hrs)

Today we drive 120 kms / 2 hrs to Chittorgarh, the well-established citadel and the capital of Mewar rulers. A guided tour of the Chittorgarh Fort, which stands 180 mtrs high with each stone narrating its own story.

Further driven to Bundi town. 

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Day 13 : Bundi - Sawai Madhopur (Ranthambhore National Park) (140 kms / 3 hrs)

Morning visit Taragarh Fort, Raniji-ki-Baoli (Queen's step well) and Nagar Sagar Kund for which Bundi is famous for.

 

We then drive north to Sawai Madhopur to stay in a resort in the Ranthambhore National Park vicinity. Ranthambhore is widely considered to be one of India's most beautiful national parks and Tiger reserves. Encircled by a series of high escarpments, the forests, lakes and dry scrub that make up the Reserve are dotted with old forts and temples, creating a wonderful atmosphere for both bird and mammal viewing among a landscape oozing with ancient Rajput history and Rajasthani culture.

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Day 14 : Ranthambhore National Park

Early morning jeep safari to the Ranthambhore National Park to see the King of the jungle - the Indian Royal Bengal Tiger. You will see abundant spotted deers, Sambar deer, blue antelope (nilgai), Chinkara Antelope (or Indian Gazelle), monkeys, langoors, wild boars, variety of bird species such as Flocks of Peafowl, while on the lakes Cotton Pygmy Geese and both Bronze-winged and Pheasant-tailed Jacanas are common. The surrounding woodland and grasslands hold such species as Black-rumped Flame back Woodpecker, Tickell's Blue Flycatcher, Rufous-tailed Finch Lark (an Indian endemic), Painted Spur fowl, Jungle Bush Quail, Small Minivet and Stork-billed Kingfisher. There's a possibility of seeing up to five species of owl, including Brown Fish Owl, Dusky Eagle Owl and Collared Scops Owl.

Return to resort for late breakfast or we can also arrange for you to have a picnic breakfast while in the jungle (in your jeep).

 

After lunch time, get ready for an afternoon jeep safari. Another chance to view the Tiger and the wildlife in action. Bonfire with dinner at the resort will be arranged.

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Day 15 : Sawai Madhopur - Jaipur (200 kms / 4 hrs)

Early morning jeep safari to the Ranthambhore National Park to enjoy the jungle for the last time on this trip.

Return to the resort for breakfast.

Proceed for Jaipur - the Pink city of India. Upon arrival in Jaipur check in hotel.

 

Later introduced with your guide for a city tour of Jaipur covering Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds), City Palace, Jantar Mantar (Royal Astronomical Observatory).

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Day 16 : Jaipur

A guided excursion to the majestic Amber Fort on elephant back - the erstwhile capital of the Kachwaha Rajputs before they moved to their newly built capital in Jaipur. This is the only fort where one can still go by the elephant back even today like a Maharaja & Maharani (Indian King & Queen). You may also choose to ride up & down the fort in your car.

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Noon time visit other attractions of the city like Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds), City Palace museum complex, Jantar Mantar (Royal Astronomical Observatory).

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Visit to a hand block printing factory and a textile export house. Time at leisure to do shopping in this famous city of gems, jewels and other ornaments or at leisure to enjoy a walk in the local colourful bazaars.

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Day 17 : Jaipur - Fatehpur Sikri - Agra (250 kms / 5 hrs)

Today we drive eastward to famous city of Agra - the land of the seventh wonder of the world - Taj Mahal.

En-route visit Fatehpur Sikri, The erstwhile capital of the Mughal Empire built by Emperor Akbar in 1569 and abandoned after 15 years due to scarcity of water. See Darbar-e-Aam, Palaces, Panch Mahal and Taansen Seat. A majestic complex of vivid architecture and carvings on red sandstone.

 

Day 18 : Agra - Delhi  (204 kms / 4 hrs)

Dawn-view visit of Taj Mahal to witness the wonderous white marble which seems to change colours owing to it's porous nature absorbing light of the sun. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and ones of the seven wonders of the world, was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in the memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. Best viewed & enjoyed in the non-chaotic and less crowded sunrise time of the day.

The perfectly symmetrical monument standing tall since 1653 AD took 22 years & 20,000 laborers' to complete. The unquestionable beauty of this piece of extravagance can only be treasured by visiting it!

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Return to hotel for breakfast. Further visit the Agra Fort - built in red sandstone by Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan. Witness some of the breathtaking views of Taj Mahal set across beautifully by river Yamuna.

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We continue to drive back to Delhi international airport for onward / return flight or option to stay overnight in Delhi till your flight connection.

 

You may like to extend your visit by a night in Delhi before your flight. Ask us for our various extension programmes to choose from.

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