Day 1 – To Delhi: Fly from London to Delhi
with Jet Airways / Virgin Atlantic. (N)
Day 2 – Delhi: Late morning arrival and
transfer to the Maidens Hotel (or similar) for 1
night. Afternoon tour of Old Delhi to see the
Red Fort, Jama Masjid and Raj Ghat. (N)
Day 3 – To Agra: Morning tour of New Delhi
to see India Gate and the former viceregal
residence, both fine examples of British
imperial architecture. Continue to the tomb of
the Mughal Emperor Humayun and the Qutb
Minar tower. Afternoon drive to Agra and stay
for 2 nights at the Radisson Hotel Agra (or
similar). (B)
Day 4 – Agra: Early morning visit to the
Taj Mahal, arriving in time for sunrise. After
breakfast, visit the tomb of Itmad-ud-Daulah
and Agra Fort. Optional excursion to see the
Taj Mahal at sunset (payable locally). (B)
Day 5 – To Jaipur: Drive to Jaipur and stay 2
nights at Alsisar Haveli (or similar). En route,
visit Emperor Akbar’s deserted 16th-century
sandstone city of Fatehpur Sikri. (B)
Day 6 – Jaipur: Morning visit to the ancient
palace of Amber Fort. Optional visit to the
Anokhi Museum of Hand Printing, where you
have the opportunity to learn how to handprint
your own scarf. Afternoon tour of the
City Palace and the Jantar Mantar astronomical
observatory. (B)
Day 7 – To Bikaner: Transfer to Bikaner, once a major trading centre on the caravan route
linking central Asia with north India. Stay 2
nights at the Laxmi Niwas Palace, the former
residence of the maharaja of Bikaner. (B)
Day 8 – Bikaner: Morning visit to Junagarh
Fort. Afternoon at leisure. This evening, stroll
through the old town of Bikaner, which has
some of India’s best street architecture. (B)
Day 9 – To Jaisalmer: Drive to Jaisalmer for
an overnight stay at Fort Rajwada (or similar).
Afternoon tour of Jaisalmer Fort, often
referred to as the Golden Fort due to the
colour of its sandstone walls. (B)
Day 10 – To Manvar: Drive to Manvar in the
Thar desert. Following a visit to local villages,
continue to the tented camp (see page 64 for
details). Evening Rajasthani dinner and music
amid the sand dunes, followed by an overnight
stay at the camp. (B, L, D)
Day 11 – To Rohet / Luni: Drive to Jodhpur and visit the majestic Mehrangarh Fort.
Continue to the village of Rohet / Luni and
stay 2 nights at Rohetgarh Fort / Fort Chanwa.
(B, D)
Day 12 – Rohet / Luni: Morning at leisure.
Afternoon 4x4 safari to visit the Bishnoi tribal
villages. (B, D)
Day 13 – To Udaipur: Drive to Udaipur via
the exquisite Jain temples at Ranakpur. Evening
arrival at the LaLiT Laxmi Vilas Palace / Fateh
Garh (or similar) for a 2-night stay. (B)
Day 14 – Udaipur: Morning tour of the City
Palace and Jagdish Temple. Afternoon at leisure.
(B)
Day 15 – To London: Transfer to the
international airport and fly to Delhi to
connect with the Jet Airways / Virgin Atlantic
flight to London. (N)
Accommodation: This tour offers an excellent
opportunity to experience rural life in one
of India’s most colourful regions. Wherever
possible, accommodation is in heritage
properties, many of which are former royal
forts and palaces. While most are of a high
standard, they do have fewer facilities than
modern hotels. In our opinion, this is more
than made up for by the ambience of these
traditional properties, which is a highlight of the
tour for many visitors.
World Sufi festival: The 12 February
departure coincides with the World Sufi
festival, which celebrates the common bond,
shared values and traditions between central
Asian and Indian spiritual music.
Holi: Spread over two days, the Holi festival
signals the coming of spring. Called the festival
of colours, because bright colours symbolise
energy, life, and joy, the festival is celebrated
with coloured powder made from rice, which
is thrown on people. The 16 March departure
coincides with the Holi festival.
Diwali: Also known as the festival of lights,
Diwali is one of the most important festivals
in India. Celebrated to commemorate the
victory of good over evil and knowledge over
ignorance, the festival sees towns across India
lit up with small clay lamps. The 21 October
departure is timed to celebrate Diwali in
Udaipur, which is possibly the prettiest place to
be in Rajasthan during this festival.
Pushkar festival (20-28 Nov): This festival
transforms the sleepy village of Pushkar into
a fairground. Preceding the festival, merchants
gather to trade thousands of camels. The 15
November departure, which takes in the
camel fair, is two nights longer in duration and
includes stays in de luxe tents in Pushkar on a
full-board basis.
Meal Basis: (B) = Breakfast, (L) = Lunch, (D) = Dinner, (N) = No Meals
