Rajasthan Luxury Tour – IRR10
Discover the breathtaking architecture and urban vibe in Delhi on this Rajasthan Luxury Tour itinerary. Feel the peacefulness of The Taj Mahal. Capture the vibrancy of spectacular forts and palaces in Jaipur. Glide along on blue waters of Lake Pichola in Udaipur for a tranquil boat cruise. Discover the Blue City of Jodhpur. Delhi to Delhi.
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.
Accommodations: Leela Palace, Grand Deluxe Room
Day 2 New Delhi
Commence on a private tour of the city. Start with Humayun’s Tomb, the first garden tomb in the Indian subcontinent and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The tomb is a complex of buildings built as the Mughal Emperor Humayun’s tomb.
Carry on past Rashtrapati Bhawan (President House), the official residence of the President of India. Next is India Gate, a stone arch of triumph bearing the names of 85,000 Indian Army soldiers who died in the campaigns of WW I and other wars.
Check out the great mosque of Old Delhi, Jama Masjid, with a courtyard capable of holding 25,000 devotees. Hop on a rickshaw for a ride in Chandni Chowk in Old Delhi. Chandni Chowk was once the grandest of markets in India. Even though today it appears choked with congestion, it retains its historical character. Follow this with Khari Baoli spice market, operating since the 17th century.
Carry on to sample some street food. Savour the flavours of the streets, best done in Delhi, home of street food. Leave room for High Tea in the Dharampura Haveli, an historic building.
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodations: Leela Palace, Grand Deluxe Room
Day 3 Agra
This morning proceed to Agra, approximately 3.5 hours. The city of Agra flourished under the patronage of the emperors Akbar, Jahangir and Shah Jahan. It 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. The city is still famous for handicrafts products such as inlay work on marble, carpets, jewellery, zari and embroidery work.
Visit Agra Fort in red sandstone, was renovated and converted into a palace during Shah Jahan’s time. It has been 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.
Become enraptured with a sunset visit to The Taj Mahal. This mausoleum is 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.
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodations: Oberoi Amarvilas, Premier Room
Day 4 Jaipur
Carry on to Jaipur with on route 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 was founded in 1728 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh. The city 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.
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodations: Taj Rambagh Palace, Palace Room
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. (We suggest you do not use the elephants that are present at the Palace. They are there to ferry tourists from the bottom of the hill up to the Palace; however, there is concern for the welfare of these animals)
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: Taj Rambagh Palace, Palace Room
Day 6 Udaipur
This morning you will be chauffeured to Jaipur airport to board flight for Udaipur, via Delhi.
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.
Your hotel is spread over fifty acres, which includes a twenty-acre wildlife sanctuary with deer and wild boar. Embark on a boat cruise on the waters of Lake Pichola. Views of the city rising out of the desert will delight you.
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodations: The Oberoi, Udaivilas, Premier Room
Day 7 Udaipur
This 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.
Take a walking tour to Jagdish temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu in the old town. Be charmed by an Aarti ceremony. Visit the various workshops and the jewellery store to observe the goldsmiths at work.
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodations: The Oberoi, Udaivilas, Premier Room
Day 8 Jodhpur
This morning you will be chauffeured to Jodhpur, with enroute visit of Ranakpur Temples. (5.5 hours 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.
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodations: Taj Umaid Bhawan Palace, Palace Room
Day 9 Jodhpur
This morning proceed on a jeep safari to Bishnoi Village where you will experience a glimpse into rural Indian life. The Bishnois’ faith bids them to protect every living being. Hence, there are a large number of wild animals that can be seen. Wildlife includes rare black bucks, chinkara deer, blue bulls, desert fox and Demoiselle Cranes to just name a few! Experience the famous opium ceremony, an integral welcome ritual, along with turban tying.
Later visit the massive Mehrangarh Fort established in 1460 and its palace and grounds. 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. Next is Jaswant Thada, boasting a beautiful marble crematorium constructed for the maharajahs in the 19th century. End the tour with a walk through the Blue city and the old market of Jodhpur, Sadar Bazaar.
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodations: Taj Umaid Bhawan Palace, Palace Room
Day 10 Delhi Departure
Morning at leisure for independent activities. Depart Jodhpur for flight to Delhi, arriving at approximately 16:10, in time to connect to your departing flight. If your flight departs later, you will have the use of a day room at Trident Hotel. Finally, when ready, you will be transferred to the airport.
Meals included: Breakfast
