On The Royal Trail

Tour Highlights

• Traditional welcome with garland upon arrival at Delhi airport.
• Daily breakfast starting from day 2.
• Enjoy Delhi metro train ride followed by bi cycle rickshaw ride in the old city of Delhi .
• Witness the prayer ceremony at Sikh temple in Delhi.
• See the colourful Shekhawati paintings on the walls of Havelis & Old Mansions in Mandawa.
• Experience the tuk tuk ride in the old city of Bikaner.
• See the famous architecture of Ranakpur Jain Temple comples
• Boat ride on Lake Pichola by Sunset.
• Excursion to Amer fort by jeep ride.
• Experience the evening prayer ceremony at Hindu temple in Jaipur.
• Walking tour through the spice and vegetable market of Old city in Jaipur.
• Brief photo stop at Palace of Winds (Hawa Mahal) followed by Jal Mahal.
• See the World famous Taj Mahal in Agra.
• Visit imagistic & impressive Agra fort overlooking the Taj Mahal.
• Sovenior gift to each participant at the end of the tour. 

Detailed programme

Day 01                 Arrive Delhi by international flight

Arrive Delhi by late evening international flight. Hotel rooms are booked from 14:00 hours. Welcome at Delhi international airport and transfer to your hotel.

India’s capital city, Delhi, is a unique and fascinating blend of two very different cities, each with its own distinctive flavour and character. No visit to India is complete without visiting these two complementary halves of its capital city – Delhi, both Old and New. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 02                 Delhi – Mandawa (Approximately 5 hour drive)

Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning proceed for the sightseeing tour of Delhi by boarding metro train upto Old city. Upon arrival at Old city, visit Jama Masjid (one of the largest mosque in North India) followed by drive past through the Red fort and the visit Raj Ghat (Mahatma Gandhi memorial). Continue, the sightseeing tour of New Delhi with drive past India Gate, Parliament House, President House and Government buildings.

This afternoon drive to Mandawa, upon arrival check-in at the hotel.

In the heart of the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan lies the beautiful small town Mandawa, known throughout the state for its forts and havelis. The structures of this place reminds one of the cultural and social hotspot this place used to be in the bygone era. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 03                 Mandawa – Bikaner (Approximately 3 hour drive)

Breakfast at the hotel. Morning visits Havelis and Old mansions and see the Shekhawati paintings.

The compact and busy little market town of Mandawa was settled and fortified in 18th century by the dominant merchant families of the region. The wealthy businessmen of the village constructed many havelis and baolis with colored painting adorning their walls. Later on, with the migration of these merchant families, their old settlements remained in total obscurity with no one to look after them. Despite the time lapse and ignorance about these visual and architectural extravaganzas, their attraction did not fade and today they are some of the major attractions for the tourists visiting Rajasthan.

Later continue drive to Bikaner, upon arrival check-in at the hotel.

Bikaner founded by Rao Bika in 1488. An oasis town among scrub and sand dunes. The walled city retains a medieval air and sandstone architecture. Afternoon tour of Bikaner takes you to visit the Junagarh Fort which is unusual, because other major forts of Rajasthan were built on hilltops, but this fort is built on the desert plain, surrounded by a moat. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 04                 Bikaner – Jodhpur (Approximately 4 hour drive)

Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning proceed for the sightseeing of Bikaner. The city is bolstered by imposing walls and has a 16th century fort housing old palaces, temples and a mosque. Founded by Raja Rai Singh, the fort is distinguished by its long range of 37 pavilions, a line of balconies and aerial windows of varying designs. An enormous arched doorway leads to the Joramal temple. The royal chapel is Har Mandir where royal weddings and births were once celebrated.

Later drive to Jodhpur, upon arrival check-in at the hotel.

Jodhpur is at the edge of the Thar Desert and is the largest city in Rajasthan after Jaipur. Among Rajasthan’s many princely settlements, Jodhpur is one of the most distinctive. This five hundred year old settlement was the headquarters of the Rathore Rajputs’ celebrations for their tales of daring. Jodhpur is known for its impressive fortifield bastions, specially those of Mehrangarh which have bee n witness to many battles and were associated closely with the history of the region. The years of peace that followed resulted in the building of palaces that were laid on open grounds and spread out in an elaborate European manner. Later this afternoon enjoy a short walk through the local and vibrant bazaar of Jodhpur. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 05                 Jodhpur – Ranakpur – Udaipur (Approximately 5 hour drive)

After breakfast excursion to Mehrangarh Fort.

Visit the impressive Mehrangarh Fort on a 37 m low sandstone hill built by Rao Jodha in 1459. From the top of the fort one can get a bird’s eye view of the old city. You will notice the predominance of blue houses referred to as Brahmin houses – the colour being associated with the high caste. Proceed to the Jaswant Thada, an imposing marble cenotaph built in 1899 for Maharajah Jaswant Singh II, and smaller memorials to other Maharajahs of Jodhpur.

Later drive to Udaipur en-route visiting Ranakpur Jain temple complex.

Ranakpur, the wonderful 3 temples of the Jain sect dating back to the 14th/15th century. The unforgettable main Temple dedicated to Adinatha the first Tirthankar (1439) built in marble took 65 years to complete. It is one of the five holy Jain pilgrimage centres, and has one of the best temple complexes.

Continue drive to Udaipur, upon arrival check-in at the hotel.

Udaipur lies in the Girwa valley amidst the Aravali hills of south Rajasthan. It is considered a romantic city – with its lakes, gardens, temples and palaces – an Oasis in the Thar desert. The old city is a traditionally planned fortified walled city, a maze of narrow winding lanes flanked by houses with doorways decorated with Mewar folk art, windows with stained glass or jali screens, massive havelis with large inner courtyards and shops. The legendary Ranas who ruled, traced their ancestry to the Sun Dynasty. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 06  In Udaipur

Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning visit the City Palace built on the bank of the Pichola Lake, by Maharana Udai Singh in 1570. The impressive complex of several palaces is a blend of Rajput and Mughul influences. Half of it is still occupied by the Royal family, and part converted into a museum. The Jagdish Temple (1651) was built by Maharana Jagat Singh. A fine example of the Nagara style of temple architecture. A brass Garuda stands outside and stone elephants flank the entrance steps  Inside is a black stone image of Vishnu as Jagannath, the Lord of the Universe. Sahelion-ki Bari an ornamental pleasure garden specially made for the ladies of the palace in the 18^th century. It has beautiful fountains, trees and flowers.

Later this afternoon enjoy motor boat ride on Lake Pichola and enjoy the Sunset. (Boating is subject to water level in the lake). Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 07                 Udaipur – Jaipur (Approximately 5-6 hour drive)

Breakfast at the hotel. Morning drive to Jaipur, upon arrival check-in at the hotel.

Jaipur was built in the 18^th century by Maharaja Jai Singh II. It is a planned city built with ancient Hindu rules as the colonial capital of a richly colorful state. It was made attractive with the pink wash – a traditional colour of welcome in 1853 in honour of the visit of Prince Albert.

Later this afternoon visit one of the Hindu temple and witness live prayer ceremony with locals. Overnights stay at the hotel.

Day 08                 In Jaipur

Breakfast at the hotel.

After a brief photography stop at the famed Hawa Mahal, or Palace of the Winds, drive out of town, to visit Amber Fort.  Visitors can walk or go by jeep up to the entrance of this romantic, traditional Rajasthani Fort, setting the mood for a visit to the dramatic, hill-top fortress.  Once inside the rugged walls, there are beautiful miniatures depicting hunting and battle scenes, along with precious stones and mirrors embellishing the plasterwork walls. The Jag Mandir, or Hall of Victory contains the extraordinary Sheesh Mahal, where all four walls and the ceiling are completely covered with glittering mirror pieces, creating a beautiful effect.

On the way to city take a stop at Jal Mahal for brief photography.

Continue, the sightseeing tour with visiting the historic City Palace, a huge, sprawling complex, covering almost a seventh of the walled part of Jaipur.   The palace is still home to the erstwhile royal family, who live in one section, while the rest has been converted into a museum. Highlights are the Armoury Museum, with its impressive collection of royal weapons.

Return to hotel for short rest.

Later this afternoon, take a walking tour through the spice & vegetable market and spend some time at the Jaipur colourful bazaar. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 09                 Jaipur – Agra (Approximately 5 hour drive)

Breakfast at the hotel. Morning drive to Agra, upon arrival check-in at the hotel.

If there is one image that sums up India to the world, it is the Taj Mahal.  This beautiful monument in Agra is an absolute must for every visitor.

Later this afternoon visit the impressive Agra Fort containing the halls private and public audiences and other palaces by overlooking the Taj Mahal. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 10                 Agra – Delhi (Approximately 4-5 hour drive)

Breakfast at the hotel. Morning visit the World famous Taj Mahal.

Taj Mahal built by Shah Jahan in 1560 in memory of his queen Mumtaz Mahal to enshrine her mortal remains. This architectural marvel is a perfectly proportioned masterpiece fashioned from white marble that stands testimony to the skill of 20,000 craftsmen brought together from Persia, Turkey, France and Italy and who took 17 year to complete this ‘ Love Poem in Marble’. (Taj Mahal remain closed on Friday).

This afternoon drive to Delhi, upon arrival transfer to hotel near airport for lobby use. No hotel room envisaged in Delhi on this day.

Later this evening in time transfer to Delhi international airport to board your flight for onward destination.

Day 11                 Leave Delhi