No fewer than eight cities have been built side by side on this site over the centuries. Delhi as it stands today has been built by Hindu, Muslim and British builders, and in a few minutes you can be transported from the neo-classical architecture of the elegant garden city of New Delhi to the narrow, twisting lanes that surround Chandni-Chowk in the old city.

AM: Half day guided city tour of New Delhi.The buildings designed by Edward Lutyens - architect of modern Delhi - are truly majestic. The Presidential Palace, Parliament House and India Gate are all reminiscent of the British "Raj". We drive through Delhi’s beautiful tree-lined avenues and the Diplomatic Enclave enroute to the 12th century, 234 foot high fluted minaret of the Qutab Minar. Later, we shall stop at the Hauz Khas, to explore its art galleries, boutiques and exotic restaurants set amidst 1000 year old fortifications and a lively village.

Day 02: Delhi: AM: Guided city tour of Old Delhi. Today, we will explore the magnificent Red Fort, built at the zennith of the Mughal empire in India. The centuries-old international market-place that sprawls at its feet is still one of Delhi's most important commercial hubs: Chandni Chowk, or “Moonlight Square”. We shall ride on cycle-rickshaws through the bustling silver market and the wholesale spice market. The sounds, smells and colors of the bazaar, and the throngs of people who animate it makes this an unforgettable spectacle. Our last stop in Old Delhi shall be the elegant Jumma Masjid, the largest mosque in Asia.

Day 03: Delhi - Agra (Train) 
Early morning transfer to the railay station for the fast train to Agra. Met on arrival and proceed for city tour.  We commence our tour of Agra with a visit to the elegant tomb of Akbar, the wise and very popular third emperor of the Mughal Empire in India. At the tomb of  Itmad-ud-daulah, we shall observe the first  experimentations with the architectural and artisitc concepts that went into the building of the Taj Mahal. After exploring the Agra Fort - "a splendid fusion of military might and lavish ornamentation" - we shall break for lunch. We spend the afternoon and early evening at the Taj Mahal, the magnificent monument to an emperor's love for his queen. Here, the Mogul Emperor Shah Jehan presented the world it’s most  magnificent monument to conjugal Love. A colossal, perfectly proportioned mass of marble, the Taj Mahal is literally a jewel. It was  fashioned over 17 years by 20,000 craftsmen & laborers. From a distance, it seems to float, like a  fantastic mirage, upon the banks of the River Yamuna.

Day 04: Agra - Fatehpur Sikri - Jaipur (Drive)
AM: On our way to Jaipur, we stop for a few hours to explore the deserted but magnificent city of Fatehpur Sikri. This was the dream capital of the greatly loved Emperor Akbar. During his brief stay here, a great complex of palaces and mosques was built, but Akbar was finally forced to abandon his dream city due to scarcity of water, and it became a ghost town.
PM: Continueing our drive to Jaipur, we enter the state of Rajasthan as we drive past stretches of golden sand and low, rocky hills dotted with tiny fortresses. Occasional camel-drawn carts share the road. Their riders wear the colorful turbans and fierce moustaches of the fabled Rajput clans. We shall reach our hotel in Jaipur by early evening. 

Day 05: Jaipur
AM: High above the city, the towers and domes of the Amber Fort are reminiscent of scenes from some fairy tale. We shall ascend to the fort atop gaily decorated elephants, as did the Maharajah's of yore.Within the fort walls lies an assortment of buildings famous for their intricate mirror inlays - the Hall of Mirrors, Kali’s Temple, palaces with latticed windows and beautifully sculpted arches and pillars.

PM: This afternoon we will tour Jaipur city, visiting the Maharaja’s City Palace. The City Palace is still the residence of the Jaipur family, and its museum displays a fabulous collection of paintings, carpets, jewelry and arms. We will also visit the Jantar Mantar (the Royal Observatory), and the Hawa Mahal, or "Palace of the Winds". This is a multi-storied, intricately latticed facade of pink sandstone, designed for the pleasures of the ladies of the royal court. From here they could look out upon the quaint bazaars that still thrive around the palace, without exposing themselves to the prying stares of the commoners. Later, we shall explore the same colorful bazaars on foot. Here we may have memorable  encounters with the descendents of those commoners, many of whom still live in their ancestral "havelis" along the main market street. The sheer variety of the items that is sold off the street is fascinating, ranging from the mundane to the exotic, and even the simply baffling.

Day 06: Jaipur - Jodhpur
AM: Transfer to airport for the short flight to Jodhpur. Met on arrival and transfer to hotel.
PM: City Tour: This ancient capital of the state of Marwar is surrounded by a stone wall almost 6 miles in circumfrence, which seperates it from the sands that stretch out on all  sides. Upon a rocky eminence stands a massive impregnable fortress, within which lies a number of palaces, barracks, temples and other buildings. Delicately latticed windows and pierced  monuments worked in sandstone are a dominent motif within the rugged fort. On the walls of one of the gates of entry are the palm-marks of widows who, ages ago, immolated themselves upon the pyres of their departed husbands.

Day 7: Jodhpur - Udaipur (Flight)
Transfer to the airport for the short flight to Udaipur, the city of shimmering  lakes, perhaps the most romantic city in India. Check in at hotel. Udaipur was founded in 1568 by Maharana Udai Singh II. The city is full of palaces, temples and havelis ranging from the modest to the extravagant. It is also proud of its heritage as a center for the performing arts, paintings and crafts. At leisure.

Day 8: Udaipur: 
AM: City tour of Udaipur: The "Surya Vanshi" Maharanas of Udaipur are Sun worshippers and trace their genealogy to the Hindu god Rama. Their history is full of tales of valor and romance. We will  visit the City Palace and the "Sahelion Ki Bari" - the Garden of the Maids, an enchanting garden created for the pleasure of the ladies of the royal court.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Day 9: Udaipur - Mumbai (Bombay):
Transfer to the airport for the flight to Bombay (Mumbai). Met on arrival and transfer to the hotel.

Day 10: Mumbai (Bombay):
AM: Guided city tour. Bombay is a bustling Cosmopolitan city of over six million. It holds a curious fascination for the visitor as well as its inhabitants, who have migrated from all over the sub-continent over the centuries. They have retained their distinct cultural identities, yet merged into that unshakably faithful entity: Bombay-ites! We shall visit the Prince of Wales Museum, and then drive along the `Queen’s Necklace' (Marine Drive), skirting the Back Bay to Chowpatty beach. We will also see the Dhobi ghat (probably the world's largest open-air laundry!), and will stop to explore the lively streets around Flora Fountain.

Day 11: Mumbai - Onward
Transfer to the international airport for your flight to the next destination.

A wonderful  feature of any holiday in Rajasthan are the fabulous palaces and castles and forts that have been turned into Heritage hotels. They are available  in a range that will suit most pockets. Large cities like Jaipur have not only the grand palaces of the Maharajahs but also smaller palaces and castles of noblemen and courtiers. All of them have preserved the ambience and romance of thier tumultuous and romantic past. In addition, magnificent new hotels have incorporated all the architecture, decor and gracious hospitality of Rajasthan's Royal Heritage with a splendid fusion with modern amenities.

The Raj Palace Hotel, Jaipur (1st Class, Heritage)

 

The Umaid Bhavan Palace Hotel, Jodhpur (Dlx, Heritage)

Ajit Bhavan Hotel, Jodhpur 
(Superior Tourist Class, Heritage)

 

Fateh Prakash Palace Hotel, Udaipur
(Superior Tourist Class, Heritage)

Shikarbadi Royal Hunting Lodge, Udaipur
(Superior Tourist Class, Heritage)

Shiv Nivas Palace Hotel, Udaipur (1st Class, Heritage)

The Lake Palace Hotel, Udaipur (Dlx, Heritage)

Laxmi Nivas Palace Hotel, Udaipur (Superior Tourist Class,Heritage)