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Quintessential Rajasthan & Golden Triangle
Rajasthan, Delhi and Agra are the jewels in India's crown. From fairy-tale palaces and epic forts to dizzying festivals and wildlife encounter, this is India at its quintessential best. On this journey, we discover the legacies of the Rajputs, medieval societies, arts and culture in style.
HIGHLIGHTS
Stay in luxurious and boutique hotels
Discover the palaces & legacies of the Rajputs
Enjoy insiders' perspectives from our your local expert guide
ITINERARY
DAY 1: ARRIVE DELHI / AGRA
Arrive into Delhi Indira Gandhi Intl Airport and proceed to clear immigration and baggage collection. Thereafter, re check in for your short domestic flight to Agra. On arrival, be met and begin your discovery and visit of the impressive Agra Fort where we will marvel at the amazing Islamic and Hindu architectural styles of this red sandstone fortress built on the banks of the Yamuna River. Later, we visit the Daula Tomb, described as a jewel box and nicknamed the "Baby Taj". It was the first tomb that was built with white marble instead of red sandstone. Finally, we arrive at the stunning Oberoi Amarvilas located just 600m from the Taj Mahal where you will rest and rejuvenate for the day and get your first glimpse of India's most popular icon.
Overnight: Oberoi Amarvilas, Agra
Meals: Lunch
DAY 2: AGRA / ABHANERI / JAIPUR
Early rise this morning setting out at 0615hrs to arrive at the East Gate of the UNESCO-listed Taj Mahal, built by the great Shah Jahan in honour of his wife Mumtaz Mahal - one of the most photographed icons in the world and represents one of the greatest examples of Mughal architecture. Later, we leave Agra for a stop to visit the UNESCO-listed Fatehpur Sikri, built in the late 16th Century by Emperor Akbar. Continue next to the small village of Abhaneri where we will visit the Chand Baori stepwell, an architectural jewel and the deepest stepwell in the world. Our day ends with a drive into Jaipur where we arrive at the impressive Sujan Rajmahal Palace.
Overnight: Sujan Rajmahal Palace, Jaipur
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
DAY 3: JAIPUR
We will embark on a tour of the "Pink City" of Jaipur today. First, visit the impressive Amber Fort, built during the 16th Century during the reign of Raja Man Singh and completed by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II in the 18th Century. Take a walkthrough of this historic fortress with key sites such as the Jai Mandir Chamber of Mirrors, the Shila Devi Temple and more. Later, we continue to the UNESCO-listed Jantar Mantar, built as an astronomical observatory. We will also stop to admire the stunning City Palace, the jaw-dropping Hawa Mahal - the Palace of the Winds and if time permits, a walkthrough the atmospheric Bapu Bazaar.
NOTES:
No elephant rides to Amber Fort as we DO NOT advocate the use of animal labour or wildlife rides. Instead, we will take a jeep to the Amber Fort entry)
Overnight: Sujan Rajmahal Palace, Jaipur
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
DAY 4: JAIPUR / UDAIPUR
Early this morning, we transfer to Jaipur Intl Airport for a short flight to Udaipur where on arrival, we embark on a tour of the monumental city with a cruise on Lake Pichola admiring landmarks such as the famed Taj Lake Palace Hotel and a visit to the huge City Palace and Jagdish Temple. Take a walkthrough revealing the real Udaipur - its people and traditions! Visit the pristine ghats dotted with ancient temples, witness local crafts like bamboo, pottery and jewellery-making and meet a local family in their 150 years old mansion laced with painting and splendid mirror art works. We will then finally arrive at the stunning Oberoi Udaivilas, one of the most photographed and luxurious hotels in India if not the world.
Overnight: Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 5: UDAIPUR
Spend another day in Udaipur as we begin an insightful tour of the refined surroundings and a visit to the Sajjan Garh Monsoon Palace, built by Sajjan Singh to keep a watch over the monsoon clouds and later used as a hunting retreat for the royal family. Thereafter, continue to the Fateh Sagar Lake which comprises three small islands, constructed and named after Maharana Fateh Singh in 1678 where you can admire the beautiful public park and its iconic water jet fountain. Later, spend some time in the markets for a walkthrough and understanding of local lives and heritage.
Overnight: Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
DAY 6: UDAIPUR / RANAKPUR / THAR DESERT
Today, we set off north to the Ranakpur Temple - the biggest and most important Jain Temple in India, beautiful and intriguing - one of the finest examples of complex and sustained levels of craftsmanship the Jains are renowned for. Thereafter, we arrive into the heart of the Thar Desert to the impressive Mihir Garh - a Relais & Chateaux boutique fortress hotel that offers an enchanting stay with the true Rajput experience. This evening, enjoy a Shikar-styled dinner which takes you back to the days of the Raj when "Shikar" (hunting) was the sport of the day. Under the stars and dim moonlight of the Thar Desert, get a taste of the feeling of seclusion and solitude while admiring the beautiful Rajasthani dance and songs over a desert bonfire.
Overnight: Mihir Garh, Thar Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 7: THAR DESERT / JODHPUR
This morning, enjoy a jeep safari experience to witness the daily lives of local villagers, charming mud houses, women dressed in beautiful and colourful saris and surrounding wildlife such as the Blackbuck antelope. Later, we leave for Jodhpur - second-largest city in Rajasthan and one of the most iconic cities of India for its mesmerizing blue city and the towering fort. We will arrive at the spectacular Umaid Bhawan Palace, built between 1928 and 1943, the sprawling grandeur of Umaid Bhawan Palace can be seen for miles around and is the world's largest private residence. Part of the palace is a luxury hotel, part of it royal quarters and some of it is dedicated to the Umaid Bhawan Palace museum which charts the history and heritage and tells the story of how Maharaja Umaid Singh appointed a well-known Edwardian architect to design the palace in an art-deco style. It also displays an archive of pictures taken of the palace over the years, as well as an antique clock collection. The museum also houses a whole range of historical artefacts that belonged to the royal family, including everything from trophies to weaponry and an impressive vintage car collection.
Overnight: Taj Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 8: JODHPUR
An exceptional day begins with a visit to the majestic Mehrangarh Fort - with walls that soar like sheer cliffs above the skyline of Jodhpur boasting many palaces within, founded in 1459 by Rao Jodha, the 15th Rathore ruler. Close to the fort is the 19th Century Jaswant Thada - a fascinating cenotaph creation in white marble built in memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. Later, we will take a tonga ride into the old town in appreciation of the Blue City of Jodhpur where walls and houses are painted in different shades of blue creating a sensory experience walking through the narrow lanes and alleys with bustling markets and interesting everyday life.
Overnight: Taj Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
DAY 9: JODHPUR / DEPARTURE DELHI
Our journey comes to an end today with a transfer to Jodhpur Airport for your domestic flight to Delhi for your onward journey home or continue your adventures in India and beyond.
Meals: Breakfast
HOTELS
The Oberoi Amarvilas enjoys an unrivalled position amongst luxury hotels in Agra being located just 600m from the iconic Taj Mahal. Each of the rooms affords uninterrupted views of this ancient monument, while elements of the layout and design pay homage to its Mughal splendour.
Oberoi Udaivilas, Udaipur
Located on the banks of Lake Pichola, the award-winning Oberoi Udaivilas stands on the 200 year old hunting grounds of the Maharana of Mewar boasting an expansive sanctuary for discerning travellers with refined and exquisitely-designed rooms and suites reliving the era of emperors and princely kingdoms with ornate decorations and charming Mughal style architecture.
Mihir Garh, Thar Desert
This superb "Fortress of the Sun" overlooks the Thar Desert, right in the heart of Rajasthan. Mihir Garh, designed throughout by Sidhart Singh and his wife Rashmi, was born out of their desire to share this heaven on earth. The fortress mirrors the architecture of the local villages and each suite provides a unique place to relax.
Taj Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jodhpur
Discover a fascinating past and an enchanting present at Taj Umaid Bhawan Palace, perched high above the desert capital of Jodhpur. Perched on Chittar Hill, the highest point in Jodhpur, Umaid Bhawan Palace inspires with exotic views of the historical Blue City, vast sand dunes and intimidating Mehrangarh Fort.