Discover the Royal Rajasthan

DAY 1 : Arrival Delhi

Landing in the late evening, welcome at the airport, and departure by private vehicle to your charming hotel for dinner and overnight.

DAY 2 : Delhi

After breakfast, you will leave to the discovery of Old Delhi, first center of the Mughal power, having splendid ancient monuments scattered around narrow streets with animated bazaars. From the Red Fort, built in 1648, you will go for a pedicab ride through “Chandni Chowk” or the Street of Money, where all your senses will be awakened in this very lively avenue. Walk through the streets and see some of the Havelis, the unique style of architecture built around a courtyard that preserves the inhabitants from the long and harsh summers. Then, visit the Jamia Masjid, the largest mosque in India, completed in 1658 by Shah Jahan who also built the Taj Mahal, and the Raj Ghat, the sober memorial of Mahatma Gandhi. Lunch in the restaurant of the Lodi Garden.

In the afternoon, visit the Mughal emperor Humayun’s Tomb (listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site), not far from there you will stop at the Sufi shrine Dargah, Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya and enjoy the moving Sufi chants. Then we will head for New Delhi. On this huge avenue that is the Rajpath, you will pass the British-era government buildings, designed by the famous British architect Lutyens, including the India Gate and the Presidential Palace. You will end the day with a visit to the great minaret of Qutab Minar (a UNESCO World Heritage Site).

Dinner at the Imperial Hotel’s Spice Route restaurant, considered one of the best in the world, or at your choice of an authentic restaurant to taste one of the mythical dishes of the city, the butter chicken, cooked in these hollow clay ovens, and inspired by the Mughal cuisine based on cream and nuts. Night at the hotel.

DAY 3 : Agra

After breakfast, you will head to Delhi station to board the country’s fastest train, the Gatimaan Express. At the station, the gleaming cars will offer you the local comfort and the desired change of scenery. We head to the magical and legendary city of Agra, which houses one of the jewels of the world architecture: the Taj Mahal. You will visit upon the arrival this mausoleum dedicated to Empress Mumtaz Mahal, the beloved wife of Shah Jahan, who died in 1630. It is said that the construction of the monument, often referred to as “a marble dream”, took 22 years. Lunch will be in town. This afternoon, we will head for the magnificent Agra Fort, the second Indian jewel, listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, which was built in 1565 by Emperor Akbar on the right bank of the Yamuna River, followed by a visit to Itmad-ud-Daula, the mausoleum built on the initiative of Nur Jahan, the wife of Jahangir, for her father. At the end of the day, you will enjoy the view of the Taj Mahal at sunset. Check in at your hotel for dinner and overnight.

DAY 4 : Jaipur

After breakfast, you will drive to Fatehpur Sikri, this impressive red sandstone fortress city, built in the 16th century, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.) It was the former capital of the Mughal Emperor Akbar and was only occupied for a few years before being abandoned, leaving the buildings in virtually perfect condition. Visit its Great Mosque with the tomb of Shaikh Salim Chishti, the Jewel House -also called Diwan-i-khas (Hall of Audiences)- with the pillar of Akbar. Visit also the Bulund Darwaza, the largest gate in the world. Lunch in Bharatpur in an enchanting place. Then continue to your next destination, the vibrant Jaipur. On arrival, check in to your beautiful guest house. Stroll through the city to discover the colorful bazaars of the Capital of Rajasthan. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

DAY 5 : Jaipur

In the morning, take your bike and let yourself be transported into another era. With your guide you will ride through the city, off the beaten track, to the Jal Mahal (Palace of Water), stop at the Hawa Mahal (Palace of Wind), pass by the cenotaphs of Gaitor Maharaja and discover the royal district of the City Palace and the daily life of the Maharajas. You will finish with a Rajasthani style breakfast in a 270 years old Haveli.

Then drive to the impressive Amber Fort, located on a ledge just outside Jaipur. The fort, completed in the early 18th century, gives you an idea of the incredible lifestyle of the ruling Mughal families. As you walk along the ramparts, you will see the elephant bathing lake below, the town of Amber with its magnificent Hindu temple, and the city of Jaipur on the horizon.
In the afternoon, continue to Jaipur, the “Pink City”, spectacularly situated between jagged hills and topped by ancient ruined fortresses. Your tour will include the imposing City Palace, where the Maharajah still lives, although several rooms are now open to the public. Antiques and artifacts belonging to the ruling family are housed here, including a fine collection of weapons. You will also see the open-air Jantar Mantar Observatory, with its vast astronomical instruments. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
Option: At sunrise, a hot air balloon flight over the plains of Rajasthan, a sublime experience that will offer you unforgettable memories. In the distance, you will observe fortresses taking shape while under the basket, the fields appear lined with mountains, villages, cows and Indians who send us tons of cuckoo. The moment is rich in emotions.

DAY 6 : Jodhpur

Breakfast at the hotel. This morning, direction is Bagru, a village near Jaipur, to learn a typical craft of the region: the Blockprint, printing on wood with a family of craftsmen belonging to the Chippas community. You will discover the different stages of creation of this ancestral craft, from the creation of the blocks, to the coloring of the fabric with the local craftsmen.
Then you will take your flight to Jodhpur. On arrival, followed by the visit of the city. The largest city of Rajasthan after Jaipur stands at the gateway to the Thar Desert. It was founded by Rao Jodha, the Chief of the Rajput clan of Rathore. Visit its Meherangarh Fort, one of the most impressive of the many forts in Rajasthan; it is situated on a high natural rocky outcrop from the top of which one can have a magnificent view of the “Blue City” below. The fort is a testimony to a past splendor. It contains an incredible collection of elephant seats, miniature paintings and Mughal tents. The Moti Mahal houses stained glass windows that allow light and shade to pass through a colorful mosaic. Then visit Jaswant Thada, the royal cenotaphs and the white marble memorial of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. Check in to your splendid accommodation for the next two nights. This evening, enjoy dinner under the stars on one of the blue city’s sky terraces, with a breathtaking view of the fort in the distance.

DAY 7 :  Jodhpur

After breakfast, your morning will be free: take advantage of it to stroll and bask in your charming hotel. Later in the morning, plan with your guide a visit of Mandor, the ancient capital of the Marwar State at the exit of the blue city. Its remains are now the subject of a very pleasant walk in a park. Return to the hotel. At the end of the day, when the cooler weather returns, a guided walk in the labyrinth of narrow blue-brahman streets and bazaars of the old city of Jodhpur. You will have the opportunity to have a glimpse of its culture and its culinary traditions Marwari or the local community Brahman by tasting some of their specialties. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

DAY 8 : Raipur

This morning, drive to the Marwari lands, on the edge of the “badlands”, the rocky areas of central Rajasthan. Settle in at your lodge in the middle of nature on the edge of a lake, a former 19th century hunting lodge of the Rajput Thakur of Raipur and English emissaries, transformed into a charming hotel. During the rest of your stay you can enjoy the quietness of this countryside surrounded by lakes, the swimming pool with a breathtaking view on the land and discover the Rajput culture and its traditional customs. A true journey back in time to the Raj era, in a natural and ecological version. After dinner, watch the starry sky from your cottage, before the night.

DAY 9 : Jawai

Typical breakfast at the hotel. For an authentic local experience, your hosts will make you taste the local drink and you will be able to participate in the breeding of goats at the sides of the last semi-nomadic pastoralists of Rajasthan, the Rabaris. Then, it will be time to head to your next destination off the beaten track, in the Pali region, in the heart of the Jawai Bandh nature reserve. You will spend your next two nights in this arid savannah in the foothills of the Aravalli Mountains, in search of Rajasthan’s most talked about “hero”, the Indian leopard. Dinner and overnight at the lodge.

DAY 10 : Jawai

At dawn, safari in the reserve where you will discover the old hunting ground of the Maharajas and will have perhaps the chance to see and observe the Indian leopard. You will also meet the sambar, the chital, the nilgau, or the chinkara.
During your stay you will exchange with the Rabari shepherds and their community whose ancestral nomadic way of life has not changed for centuries. This same people who by their way of life in connection with the wildlife, allowed the safeguard of this rare cat. Enjoy the comfort of your lodge and its location in the middle of nature to relax. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

DAY 11 : Udaipur

This morning drive to Udaipur, stopping to visit the Ranakpur Temples. This visit to the famous Jain temples dating from the 15th century will take place in a deep valley of the Aravalli Mountains. Over 500 years old, these well-preserved temples are in near perfect condition! In the center is the main temple “Chaumukha” dedicated to Adinath, which is distinguished by its 1444 pillars – none of which are identical – supporting the 29 aisles. The temple abounds with elaborate friezes and sculptures. Visit the Temple of the Sun God with its erotic sculptures.
On the way, you will also pass by the fortress of Kumbhalgarh, the second largest military work of Rajasthan, nestled on the Aravalli Mountains. Continue to Udaipur. On arrival, check-in at the hotel. In the late afternoon, boat ride on the calm waters of Lake Pichola (if the water level of the lake allows it) from where you will have a magnificent view of the City Palace stretching on the eastern bank, while the southern bank offers beautiful gardens going down to the water’s edge. Check in to your princely palace hotel for dinner and overnight.

DAY 12 : Udaipur

This morning, guided tour of Udaipur. The very romantic city of Lake Pichola in southern Rajasthan is known for its dazzling palaces and lakes. Visit the majestic City Palace, built in granite and marble, a gigantic fortress. The interior contrasts with the exterior and you will marvel at the gardens and fountains, the frescoed and mirrored rooms, the silver doors, the stained glass windows, the marble inlaid balconies and the famous Peacock Court. Continue to the Garden of Maidens, “Sahelion-ki-bari”, created by Maharana Sangram Singh. Ponds of lotus flowers, lawns, flowerbeds, fountains and marble pavilions in Rajput style: everything makes this garden an enchanting place.
Afternoon is leisure time to enjoy your hotel and/or stroll around the Old City. Tonight enjoy a Rajasthani folk dance show in a picturesque setting by the ghats. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

DAY 13 : Departure

After your breakfast it will be time to bid farewell to your hosts, followed by a return to the airport for your flight.

 

Extension : Udai Bilas Palace in Dungarpur

We propose a free stay of 2 nights / 3 days at the Udai Bilas Palace, in Dungarpur, 2 hours drive from Udaipur.
With its Rajput fort, its 18th century palace (Udai Bilas Palace) and its (Udai Bilas Palace) and its bazaar, this peaceful city has all the attractions to seduce you if you are looking for India off the beaten track.
Upon arrival, an army of waiters in turbans and white jodhpur dress will welcome you and you will take possession of your luxurious room with a view on the garden or the lake. At this moment, you enter a world of the most magical. Let yourself be transported by the splendor of the princes of yesteryear and enjoy the comfort of your palace built on the shores of Lake Gep Sagar, while admiring the sublime landscapes that pass before your hypnotized gaze.
Beyond relaxing by the pool of this former Maharajah’s residence, take the opportunity to admire the vestiges of the region, such as the Juna Mahal palace, the temples of Deo Somnath and Bhuvaneshwar, places of worship and architectural marvels, or visit the Rajmata Devendra Kunwar museum, retracing the history of the Gupta dynasty that ruled this region from the 2nd to the 6th centuries. And at the end of the day, enjoy a private cruise on the calm waters of Lake Gep Sagar. Full board, transfers Udaipur / Airport and overnight at the hotel.

Selection of charming hotels and secret addresses. Ask us for the program!

This trip includes :

Accommodation in the mentioned hotels or similar according to availability at the time of booking in double room

•     Half board
•     Excursions and entry to sites
•     Guide – French speaking guide
•     Private transportation
•     The taxes of stay

 This trip does not include :

•     e-visa fees
•     Drinks
•     photo and video permits on the sites
•     Tips and personal expenses.