overview
Rajasthan is a vibrant, colourful region of architectural grandeur and bustling activity where tradition and history blend with contemporary culture. Famous for its historic cities and desert landscapes, a trip taking in Rajasthan’s dazzling sites and sounds is a thrilling introduction to India. Add in the Taj Mahal in the neighbouring province of Uttar Pradesh, and this really is the trip of a lifetime.
Fly into Delhi, and stay at The Imperial. Built in 1931 by an associate of the famous architect Lutyens, who endowed modern Delhi with many of its landmark buildings, this is one of the finest hotels in the country. Spend a day or two acclimatising and exploring the sights of Delhi including the Red Fort, the Qutab Minar (the highest stone tower in India) and the great Jama Masjid mosque. Alternatively, you may wish to explore ‘different Delhi’: accompanied by an expert on Indian religions, visit places of worship such as a Hindu temple, a Church, and a Mosque culminating in a community meal at a Sikh Temple. Visit the museums with an expert guide, or take a walking tour of Old Delhi through it’s congested but characterful by-lanes passing old havelis (mansions), local shops and stray mosques as well as spice markets and jewellers’ street.
From Delhi, journey to Agra to view arguably the world’s most beautiful building – the exquisite architectural masterpiece that is the Taj Mahal. Stay at the Oberoi Amarvilas, where all the rooms and suites have wonderful views of the Taj Mahal, just 600 metres away. From Agra, take in the preserved ghost city of Fatephur Sikri and explore the little village of Samode on camel cart – watching local craftsmen making their goods using methods and techniques used hundreds of years ago.
The following day continue your journey to Jaipur, the pink-walled, buzzing capital of Rajasthan, and a shopper’s paradise famed for its precious stones. In the morning you may wish to visit Amber Fort and in the afternoon, take a tour of the city. Stay at Jaipur’s SamodePalace hotel, a meticulously restored historic property that provides the ideal base from which to explore the city and in the evening enjoy dinner hosted on a nearby sand dune.
Next stop is Jodhpur, the famed BlueCity, and home to the impressive half palace / half hotel of Umaid Bhawan. Explore Jodhpur city in a vintage car of one of the Jodhpur royal families, and visit
the nearby BishnoiVillage in a jeep safari in the early evening. Bishnoi people are known the world over for their love of animal and plant life; they protect all life forms as a part of their religion.
After a leisurely morning the next day, continue onward to Devigarh, visiting RanakpurJainTemples and Kumbhalgarh Fort en-route.
The next day, drive to Udaipur, the most romantic city in Rajasthan, and well worth a few days’ visit. Stay at the immaculate Udaivilas, on the shores of beautiful LakePichola. Explore the lake on a boat and see the famous palace in the middle of the lake which is just one of the many attractions of Udaipur.
The next day you will be taken to Udaipur airport to board your flight to Delhi to meet your onward connection or your flight back home.