Rajasthan Luxury Tour – IRR10
Discover the breathtaking architecture and urban vibe in Delhi on the Royal Rajasthan Luxury Tour itinerary. Feel the peacefulness of The Taj Mahal, capture the vibrancy of spectacular forts and small villages, take an Elephant Safari at Jaipur and a boat ride at Lake Pichola.
Itinerary
Day 1 New Delhi
Arrive at Delhi’s International Airport. You will be warmly welcomed and chauffeured to ‘The Leela Palace’. The Leela Palace Hotel architecture is inspired by Lutyens art. The luxurious oversized suites boast every imaginable amenity and the warm balance of Indian heritage.
The narrow alleys of Old Delhi hold secrets of the Mughal rule and the wide avenues and imperial buildings of New Delhi are reminiscent of The British Raj. An ancient city which has risen from a combination of eight settlements and where every crumbling wall has a story to tell, Delhi has been considered forever the seat of power, from the past to the present. Spend 2 nights at Hotel The Leela Palace Hotel. Accommodation is in a grand deluxe room.
Accommodations: Hotel
Day 2 New Delhi
This morning commence your private guided tour of Old Delhi. Visit the Red Fort (closed Mondays), take a rickshaw ride in Chandni Chowk, once the grandest of markets in India. Even though today Chandni Chowk appears choked with congestion, it retains its historical character. In Chandni Chowk you will visit the Jama Masjid, the Friday congregational mosque, known as the largest and most glorious mosque in India. It was the last architectural extravaganza of the Mughal Emperor; Shahjahan built it in the year 1656 AD.
Drive through New Delhi, past Rashtrapati Bhawan, India Gate and the Old Secretariat. Stop at Humayun’s Tomb, which was the first garden tomb in the Indian subcontinent. The complex was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1993 followed by visit to Qutub Minar the world’s tallest brick minaret.
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodations: Hotel
Day 3 Agra
Early this morning you will be chauffeured to Delhi Railway Station to board a 6 am train for Agra. You will travel on the Shatabdi Express, with comfortable air conditioning, arriving at 8:06 am.
The city of Agra flourished under the patronage of the emperors Akbar, Jahangir and Shah Jahan and attracted artisans from Persia and central Asia. Agra is where Emperor Shah Jahan engraved his immortal love for his Empress in marble, the Taj Mahal. Agra is still famous for handicrafts products such as inlay work on marble, carpets, jewellery, zari and embroidery work.
Upon arrival, check in at Hotel The Oberoi Amarvilas, the leading luxury hotel in Agra with your own private view of the greatest monument of love. Once you have settled in, embark on a sightseeing excursion of Itmad-ud-duallah, a Mughal mausoleum. Often described as “jewel box”, sometimes called the “Baby Taj”, the tomb of Itmad-ud-Daulah is often regarded as a draft of the Taj Mahal.
Visit Agra Fort in red sandstone, was renovated and converted into a palace during Shah Jahan’s time, and reworked extensively with marble and pietra dura inlay. Notable buildings in the fort include the Pearl Mosque, the Diwan-e-Am and Diwan-e-Khas (halls of public and private audience), Jehangir’s Palace, Khaas Mahal, Sheesh Mahal (mirrored palace), and Musamman Burj.
Sunset visit to Taj Mahal, said to be one of the most elegant and harmonious buildings in the world. The Taj Mahal is the manifestation of the wealth and luxury of Mughal art as seen in its architecture, garden design, painting, and calligraphy. Note: Taj Mahal is closed on Friday. Spend one night at The Oberoi Amarvilas. Accommodation is in Premier Room.
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodations: Hotel
Day 4 Jaipur
This morning drive to Jaipur with enroute visit at Fatehpur Sikri. (approximate 5 hour drive)
The Fatehpur Sikri, situated 26 miles west of Agra, was built at the orders of the Mughal Emperor Akbar. While Akbar himself was illiterate, he took a keen interest in literature, architecture, and the arts. He is also reputed to be a very tolerant ruler, and the buildings at Fatehpur Sikri blended both Islamic and Hindu elements in their architectural style. One of the buildings even reflects the new syncretistic faith founded by Akbar, Din-e-ilahi, which though very short-lived remains a matter of controversy.
Jaipur Founded in 1728 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh; Jaipur is where modernity and tradition exist side by side. The walled city, vibrant with colours, houses the City Palace, an astronomical observatory and a bustling bazaar where artisans fashion puppets, silver jewellery, lac bangles and other handicrafts in their workshops. At a short distance is the Amber Fort Palace at Amber.
Upon arrival at Jaipur, you will be checking in the finest tradition of Rajput hospitality Rambagh Palace. Walk from room to room amongst rich textures, opulent furnishings and exquisite objects d’art. Step out into expansive, ornamental gardens arranged in brilliant symmetry. Retire to rooms that were once the sanctuaries of kings, princes and their guests. Rambagh Palace exudes an unmistakable sense of history. It’s an architectural masterpiece that transcends time. Spend two nights at Rambagh Palace. Accommodation is in a Palace Room.
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodations: Hotel
Day 5 Jaipur
This morning visit the stunning Amber Fort built all in white marble and red sandstone. Amber Fort is located 11 km from Jaipur. It was the ancient citadel of the ruling Kachhawa clan of Amber, before the capital was shifted to present day Jaipur. Amber Fort is known for its unique artistic style, blending both Hindu and Muslim (Mughal) elements, and its ornate and breathtaking artistic mastery.
Take an Elephant Safari followed by lunch at Dera Amer. Later proceed on a city tour of Jaipur, visiting City Palace, Observatory tower and Hawa Mahal. The City Palace, a wonderful combination of Mughal and Rajput forms of architecture, is now partly a museum housing miniature paintings, manuscripts, Mughal carpets, musical instruments, royal costumes and weapons, giving invaluable insight into Jaipur’s royal past. Some of the instruments at the astronomical observatory are still used today to forecast the weather and the turns of nature. Evening shopping at local bazaar.
Meals included: Breakfast and lunch
Accommodations: Hotel
Day 6 Udaipur
This morning you will be chauffeured to Jaipur airport to board flight for Delhi with connecting flight for Udaipur.
Delicate, feminine and elegant, Udaipur is known by many names – City of Sunrise, Jewel of Mewar and City of Lakes. Undoubtedly one of India’s most romantic cities, it nestles between the glassy waters of its famous lakes and the ancient Aravalli Hills. Although it is one of Rajasthan’s largest cities, modern Udaipur manages to retain a charming small town vibe.
Upon arrival in Udaipur check in at hotel Taj Lake Palace. Taj Lake Palace is a Leading Hotel, are as delightful as the exterior. There are countless unique experiences to be had. Indulge in royal Mewar fare at the Lily Pond, where courtesans once welcomed royalty into the folds of the palace. Spend 2 nights at Taj Lake Palace. Accommodation is in Palace Room.
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodations: Hotel
Day 7 Udaipur
Visit Eklingji and Nagda Temples this morning. Eklingji, the city dotted with temples, is 45 minutes drive to the North of Udaipur. It is a complex of 108 ancient temples, incised out of sandstone and marble. The temple was built in 734 AD, to propagate the blessings of Lord Shiva. Eklingji and Nagda temples are architectural marvels.
The Royal Rajasthan tour will take you to City Palace in Udaipur, built by the Maharana Udai Singh. It is located on the east bank of the Lake Pichola and has several palaces built within its complex. Udaipur was the historic capital of the former kingdom of Mewar in the Rajputana Agency and its last capital. The Palace was built in a flamboyant style and is considered the largest of its type in Rajasthan, a fusion of the Rajasthani and Mughal architectural styles. Enjoy exclusive evening boat ride at Lake Pichola.
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodations: Hotel
Day 8 Jodhpur
This morning you will be chauffeured to Jodhpur, with enroute visit of Ranakpur Temples. (265 kms / 5 Hour drive)
Ranakpur is widely known for its marble Jain temple, said to be the most spectacular of the Jain temples. There is also a small Sun temple which is managed by the Udaipur royal family trust. Ranakpur is one of the five most important pilgrimage sites of Jainism.
Upon arrival check in at Hotel ‘Umaid Bhawan Palace’. The Palace was built, between 1928 and 1943, for H.H. Maharaja Umaid Singh Ji, Grand Father of our present Maharaja, who had benevolently commissioned a new palace in 1923 to replace Mehrangarh Fort as the symbol of a new Jodhpur and to give employment to the people of Marwar during the period’s great droughts and famines.
Jodhpur: The city is known as the “Sun City” for the bright, sunny weather it enjoys all year. It is also referred to as the “Blue City” due to the vivid blue-painted houses around the Mehrangarh Fort. The old city circles the fort and is bounded by a wall with several gates. However, the city has expanded greatly outside the wall over the past several decades. Jodhpur lies near the geographic centre of Rajasthan state, which makes it a convenient base for travel in a region much frequented by tourists.
Spend 2 nights at Umaid Bhawan Palace in Palace Room.
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodations: Hotel
Day 9 Jodhpur
This morning proceed to visit Bishnoi Village where you will experience a glimpse into rural Indian life. Later visit the massive Mehrangarh Fort and Jaswant Thada.
Encircled within the massive city walls, the majestic Mehrangarh Fort keeps watch over a maze of rooftops from its perch on a rocky mountaintop. Bathed in yellow light at night, this imposing stronghold has the reputation of being the best maintained fort in Rajasthan, and the palace complex, with its network of courtyards, is well worth exploring.
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodations: Hotel
Day 10 Delhi
Depart Jodhpur airport for flight to Delhi. Arrive at International Airport at apprximately 1:45 pm, in time to connect to your departing flight.
