Rural & Royal Rajasthan Tour

You will be transferred to New Delhi hotel after welcomed and received at New Delhi international airport. Overnight stay is scheduled in Delhi hotel.

Post breakfast, tour of Delhi is on chart. Discover Delhi, the Indian capital whose rapid and exponential growth would almost make it forget to be the political centre only. Delhi and its two cities, old & new- Mughal & colonial, existing side by side, give in one glance, a testimony of the recent history of the country. Have a look at the Red Fort and stroll through the incredible bazaar of Chandni Chowk to the large Jama Masjid mosque. View colonial era and modern-age buildings of Government of India, specially Rashtrapati Bhawan (President House), Sansad Bhawan (Parliament building) and India Gate, a memorial of martyrs. Visit the fabulous Akshardham Temple (remains closed on Monday) and walk through the historical complex of Qutub Minar, an example of early Islamic architecture, religious intolerance of the Muslims and sophistication of Hindu India’s alchemy (two thand years old rust-free Iron Pillar). Overnight stay is scheduled in New Delhi hotel.

After breakfast in Delhi hotel, drive to Khandela in Sikar district of Rajasthan for a princely stay in a beautifully renovated village palace. Khandela is an important tourist destination of Shekhawati region of Rajasthan. After lunch, walk through the narrow streets meandering through cluster of old houses and mansions of the village. Meet its craftsmen and visit its lively bazaar - discover the potter, the small workshop of bangles, the school and its superb frescoes, beautiful houses of the last century, a temple of Lord Shiva, colored stalls etc. Everywhere you meet the immensely welcoming smile of the inhabitants who are not used to visitors. In the evening, explore the countryside and have a look of ‘baori’- a water harvesting and storage system. If time permits, visit a farm to a cup of tea in the middle of the orchard and the vegetable garden. Later return to palace hotel to have overnight stay.

After breakfast in Khandela hotel, continue to Mandawa and the arid region of Shekhawati. It is famous for its havelis, rich merchant houses, delicately decorated with frescoes with varied and colorful motifs, balconies and carved columns. Visit the prosperous boroughs of Nawalgarth and Mandawa where some streets are genuine open-air art galleries. Overnight stay is planned in Mandawa hotel.

After breakfast, depart for Bikaner. On the way, visit the town of Fatehpur where you will discover a haveli, turned into a cultural museum and completely renovated by its French owner, who has restored the splendor of yesteryear. On arrival in Bikaner, check in at the hotel to relax a bit and to proceed to discover the city: the fort of Junagarh, impressive architectural complex, built in the 16th century, and very well preserved. Walk in the old town where there are still beautiful havelis and in the market. Overnight stay is scheduled in Bikaner hotel.

After breakfast, depart to Jodhpur. On the way, stop for lunch in Nagaur where stands majestic Ahichhatragarh Fort. Later, continue towards Jodhpur, the blue city of Rajasthan. On your arrival at Jodhpur, check in at the hotel to relax a bit and thereafter stroll through the maze of winding alleys of the old town, lined with many shops where crafts flourish in all its forms. The old houses with the wrought balconies, the temples and the clock tower punctuate pleasantly this walk to the place of the grand bazaar. Later in the evening, return to hotel for overnight stay.

After breakfast, visit the impressive fortress of Mehrangarh ("fort of majesty") which, perched on a hill, overlooks the city and the arid plain. Not far from Mehrangarh, you go to the Jaswant Thada, the majestic ‘chhatri’ built of white marble as memorial of Jaswant Singh II (1873-1895). Post-lunch, depart for the village of Khejarla. On arrival, check in at the palace- hotel to relax a bit and then to proceed on village exploration and interaction with the inhabitants. Spend the night in the palace, in a magical setting.

In the morning, depart for Pushkar and have lunch in this peaceful little town of white houses located on the edge of the desert, which revolves around one of the most sacred lakes of India. Holy city of Pushkart has many temples where all year round sadhus and pilgrims visit, especially the sole temple of India dedicated to the creator god Brahma. After visiting Pushkar, continue drive to Jaipur, historical capital of Rajasthan, nicknamed "pink city", due to the color of the sandstone used for its constructions. On arrival at Jaipur, check in at the pre-booked hotel to spend evening in leisure and have overnight stay.

Have breakfast in Jaipur hotel and proceed on for the city tour. First, visit Hawa Mahal. Have a look at the facade of the "Hawa Mahal", the iconic Palace of the Winds, then excursion to Amber Fort, which offers a unique view of the Aravallis range. You can access it on elephant back or jeep. Now, come back in town and continue the visit with the City Palace where the Maharaja still has his apartments. Not far away, the Jantar Mantar, a former astronomical observatory made up of colossal measuring instruments, will surprise you by its forms with a very contemporary aesthetics. Explore local market and later in the evening, return to Jaipur hotel for overnight stay.

After breakfast in Jaipur hotel, drive to Fatehpur Sikri, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Probably former capital of Akbar, abandoned eight years after its construction due to lack of water, Fatehpur Sikri is one of the finest examples of Mughal architecture that combines Indian architecture with those of Iran, Central Asia. Having visited Fatehpur Sikri, continue towards Agra. On arrival at Agra, check in at the hotel to relax and then proceed to view famous Taj Mahal during sunset when the sunrays bide thanks to this eighth wonder of the world. The most famous mausoleum in the world houses the tomb of Mumtaz Mahal, Shah Jahan’s beloved wife. It was completed in 1659 after 22 years of titanic work and the participation of nearly 22,000 artisans and laborers from all over the world in the building of this site. Later return to Agra hotel for overnight stay.

After breakfast, move on discovery of the Red Fort of Agra, built in 1565, whose massive walls of 25 m height, shelters a succession of kiosks and palaces. The ensemble presents an interesting amalgam of Persian art and Hindu influences. Explore local market of Agra and then drive to New Delhi. If time permits, stop at the Dilli Haat Market for a few last buys in the many shops that offer handicrafts from all over India. Thereafter, you will be transferred to international airport of New Delhi.