On arrival you will be met at the airport and transported to your hotel. Tuk-tuks, buses and cars jostle for space on the busy streets but your driver expertly manoeuvres the vehicle through the traffic while you get your first glimpse of the metropolis. Your Grand Rajasthan Tour has begun!

After checking in, it is time to start exploring the capital. From the huge Jama Masjid Friday Mosque, the largest in India, comes the call to prayer for the faithful. The mosque towers over the narrow alleys in Old Delhi and we take a traditional rickshaw to acquaint ourselves more intimately with life in the busy bazaar street of Chandni Chowk. This is the best way to see the everyday goings on in India up close.

We leave the frantic activity behind in search of more peace and quiet, and make a photo stop at the majestic Red Fort, before we find true tranquillity at Mahatma Gandhi’s Raj Ghat Memorial. We continue our Delhi tour and drive past the President’s Palace. An impressive landmark of the city, the India Gate is next, after which we continue to New Delhi. The afternoon sun bathes the Qutub Minar Complex in golden hues and contrasting gentle shadows. The Victory Tower is amongst the tallest minarets in the entire Islamic world, furthermore, the mosque was the first such religious building in the country.

We spend the night in Delhi.

After breakfast we continue our tour of the city with a visit to the Laxmi Narayan Temple, a fine example of Hindu culture and religious heritage. A sacred sanctuary for Hindus from all over the world, this temple was constructed to honor the female deity Lakshmi and her consort Narayan who is an avatar of Vishnu, the preserver of the world. Make sure to see the original lifelike statues of various deities like Shiva, creator, protector and transformer of the universe, Hanuman, the Monkey God, the Elephant God Ganesh, and Lord Krishna with flute in hand. All these statues are beautifully decorated.

Our next stop is at the Sikh Temple Gurudwara Bangla Sahib. This magnificent house of worship is drenched in a feeling of piety with hundreds of devotees crowding before the sacred Sikh scripture, the Granth Sahib to present their offerings and offer prayers. Meditative music fills the air and the richly furnished temple has a large reservoir, the Sarovar, believed to have healing properties.  A guide will provide information on aspects of the Sikh religion and show you the enormous communal kitchen which serves thousands of people regardless of status or religion daily. Donations fund the meals and people of the community offer their assistance to prepare the food. Take part in a free meal and share this unique intense experience with people from all over the world.

Our sightseeing tour of Delhi comes to an end at Humayun’s Tomb. The intricate 16^th century Persian architecture mixed with Mughal elements served as forerunner for the construction of the famous Taj Mahal. Built in red sandstone with white marble cladding, the raised tomb has a square exterior design with a double dome, and is surrounded on all sides by well-tended Persian style gardens, making it India’s first garden tomb. Narrow stairs lead the visitor to the second level.

In the afternoon we take the eight-lane wide, elevated Taj Expressway to Agra. The distance of 140 mi./225 km is covered in just over three hours.

Akshardham Temple in New Delhi is a much sought-after attraction for both locals and tourists and we will make sure to stop there on our way. There are statues of various deities, and the Mandir is ornately carved with flora, fauna, dancers, and musician. You will learn more about the spirituality and culture of Hinduism in India. The building is 141 ft./43 m high and 316 ft./96 m wide, and in the Guinness Book of World Records it is mentioned as the largest comprehensive Hindu Mandir on earth. The complex is the symbol of the stories, spirituality, customs and legends of thousands of years, and houses over 200 stone sculpture likeness of Acharyas, monks and sacred Hindu incarnations. As an additional attraction, the musical fountain is the largest stepwell in the country and a spectacle not to be missed.

We spend the night in Agra.

Seeing the sun cast its golden rays on the lace-like world renowned Taj Mahal is a dream come true for many travellers. Early morning is undoubtedly the best time to admire this so-called ‘Monument to Love’ in all its delicate marble splendour and this early you will have an unobstructed view of this marble mausoleum. We return to the hotel for breakfast and then go for a ride through Agra city in a tonga, a traditional carriage drawn by horses. This ride in itself is a special experience and it takes us to yet another architectural marvel, the massive Red Fort of Agra. This fortification is amongst the largest on earth and shields private as well as public audience halls with pillars encrusted with semi-precious stones, red sandstone and marble palaces and many more historic buildings inside its walls. The so-called Peacock Throne, glittering with jewels is the perfect backdrop for an award-winning picture.

Emperor Akbar the Great’s mausoleum can be seen at Sikandra and is a typical example of Mughal architectural symmetry, another grand monument not to be missed.

On the eastern banks of River Yamuna we will pay a visit to the so-called Baby Taj. This tomb was built for Mirza Ghiyas Beg, Itmad-ud-Daulah, Jehangir’s vizier. Often referred to as the Jewel Box because of its beauty, it also goes under the name of Baby Taj since, like its bigger brother, it is covered entirely in marble.

We conclude our city tour at the Mehtab Bagh gardens from where we have another spectacular view from across the river of the Taj Mahal as it changes colors in the setting sun.

We spend another night in Agra.

In the morning we depart on the 137 mi./220 km drive to Jaipur. On the way we make a stop at Fatehpur Sikri, the enchanting ‘Ghost Town’ dating back to the 1500’s. The pavilions and courtyards, the impressive Gateway of Victory, a grand mosque and palaces of this UNESCO World Heritage Site are remarkably well preserved, although the emperor Akbar abandoned his capital due to various reasons, including lack of adequate water resources. Of special interest is the exquisite white marble mausoleum of Sahim Chishti to which many women come to pray for a child. 

We continue our journey to Abhaneri to see the ancient 10^th century Chand Baori Stepwell. The 100 ft./30 m deep stepwell has more than a thousand steps leading down its four sides and is a medieval masterpiece of architecture, not only in size but also in design. The Baori served multiple purposes, including providing water and serving as a venue for ceremonial and religious activities. It is a truly magnificent sight.

Finally, we arrive in the capital city of Rajasthan, Jaipur, also called the ‘Pink City’ where we will spend the night.

Our first port of call this morning is at Amber Fort situated regally on a small hillside overlooking the lake. This is maybe the most gorgeous and opulent palace fort in the state. Majestic gates lead to winding staircases and numerous courtyards. Windows of filigree lattice work allow light to enter the red sandstone and marble private royal chambers. We return to the Pink City of Rajasthan, so called due to a layer of dusty pink terracotta paint that covers most of the buildings. We stop to take pictures of the amazing ‘Palace of the Winds’ with its unique façade of 953 small intricate lattice windows from where the royal ladies could watch life in the street below without being observed themselves. We continue to the City Palace with its stunning Peacock Gate, royal museums and beautiful chambers. Jantar Mantar is an open air astronomical observatory built in stone which still provides astonishing accurate readings although it dates back to the 18^th century. Then it is time to do as the Indian people do – try your hand at turban and sari wrapping, lots of fun photo opportunities, indeed!

Afterwards we try out the typical Jaipur mode of transport and hop into a rickshaw to get a more intimate look at the narrow streets of the old town and Jaipur’s ancient bazaar. Immersing ourselves ever deeper into the Indian way of life, we try out the popular creamy local drink called lassi, made of yoghurt, milk and fruit. As dusk descends, it is time to experience the mystical ambience of Birla Temple where the light of flickering candles and the smell of incense fill the hall during the Aarti ceremony.

As evening falls there is the option to enjoy the hospitality of a local family where you will learn more about the Indian cuisine and how it is prepared. And of course, enjoy the delicious meal afterwards.

We spend the night in Jaipur.

Today you step back in time as we enter the Shekhawati region, Rajasthan’s open-air art gallery. Here prosperous Marwari merchants constructed grand havelis during the heydays of cross-border trade in the 18^th century. The palatial residences of Mandawa, Fatehpur and Nawalgarh are the most attractive and eye catching with unusual ceiling and wall paintings.

Our overnight stay is in Mandawa.

On day 7 of your Rajasthan Round Trip we follow the tracks of ancient caravans until we reach Bikaner, an oasis town surrounded by golden sand dunes with scruffy grass, mango trees and many species of acacia trees. The picturesque setting is pure as the desert sand. Junagarh Fort is one of the few forts not built on a hill and is a marvel of architecture. Over many centuries it grew in size as successive rulers added extensions resulting in a palace fortress complex of absolute splendour. Temples, halls, palaces and pavilions are richly decorated with mirror work, crystal and coloful tiles.

There are many more haveli mansions of the wealthy merchants to admire, many built in red sandstone.  Last on our itinerary is a camel breeding farm, run by the state. Here you can get up close to these amazing creatures and learn why they are called the ‘ships of the desert’.

We spend the night in Bikaner.

If you are interested, and we are sure you will be, we will take you to a most unusual holy Hindu site this morning. The Deshnoke Rat Temple is a unique experience since here these black rodents are considered sacred by the cult followers of the deity Karna Devi.

We follow the road to Jaisalmer, hugging the Thar Desert. This old caravan town was constructed of yellowish sandstone which gave it the name of ‘Golden City’. The town is dominated by a fort which rises up from a 262.5 ft./80 m high rock with 99 bastions in its defence wall, resembling a picture straight from the famous ‘Thousand and One Nights’. Unlike most other forts in India, this is a living fortress with shops, hotels and many havelis where the rich traders of old lived. In ancient times, caravans of camels laden with fabrics, spices, opium and ivory passed through the fort, and this wealth is evident in the ornately carved stone work of the havelis and other commercial buildings.

As the sun starts to set, we head for the City View Point from where the fort can be viewed in all its splendour. This is Rajasthan’s only inhabited fortress with numerous local families making their homes inside its walls, and a guided night tour through the fort’s narrow alleyways is quite an experience.

We spend the night in Jaisalmer.

After breakfast we head back to the medieval inhabited Jaisalmer Fort on its mighty plateau rising up from the center of the Golden City. The fort city is a sea of yellow-brown sandstone all around us with richly decorated havelis displaying the splendour and beauty of this former merchant city. Their facades are adorned with sculptural masterpieces by ancient stonemasons, and the morning light casts shadows on the ornate facades of these traditional old mansions. Typical are the many Bengali roofs, small balconies and the stone lattice work that adorn the havelis.

Within the fort walls we admire the many Jain Temples, exquisite in their beauty, adorned with more than 6,000 sculptures. Some temples date back to the 12^th century. Lower down an architectural jewel awaits. Patwon Ki Haveli is incomparable with highly decorated oriels, balconies and pavilions, mirror work and paintings. Sunset draws us to the desert for an exciting camel ride through the sand dunes. By now the setting sun has painted the entire scene in golden hues and one cannot be impressed with the vastness and utter silence of this desert land.

If you travel at springtime, you can take part in the Desert Festival and drown yourself in traditional music and bright colors that fill every street in Jaisalmer. Sari-clad local women sway to happy tunes, locals and tourists cheer the camels during races, and all kinds of festivities and competitions take pace, even a turban tying competition! The desert itself comes alive.

Early morning our Grand Rajasthan Round Trip continues through desert landscape for another 192.5 mi./310 km to Luni. Our first stop is at the entrance gates to Osian, a small ancient town. This is the site of Rajasthan’s largest ancient group of Hindu and Jain temples. Sachiya Mata Temple can be reached by a long staircase and at the top the tiny town and panoramic desert surroundings make for a breath taking view, one that will surely reappear in your dreams tonight. Tonight’s accommodation is a special treat; you will spend this night in Fort Chanwa, an exquisite little fortified haveli, now turned into a beautiful heritage hotel.

Today you are going to feast your eyes on a spectacle of blue as we embark on our Jodhpur day trip. For centuries the city has been the blue wonder of India with all the homes and other residential buildings in the downtown area washed in a cooling blue color. In times past, it signified the presence of Brahmins, now it is more for the aesthetic purposes. The view from Mehrangarh Fort towering 394 ft./120 m over the city shows a metropolitan is if bathed in mist. Seven gates provide access into this huge fort and at one of them can be seen the little red handprints made by hundreds of so-called satis, the widows who willingly sacrificed themselves upon the deaths of their husbands. Inside the fortress walls one can easily lose oneself in the many rooms of intricately carved sandstone palaces, expansive courtyards and an interesting museum filled with relics of the past.

From the fort one can see the cenotaph of Jaswant Thada on the road back to the city. The complex served as burial ground for the royal Rajput Marwars and the tomb itself is a miracle of almost pure white marble.

We descend down the winding road back to the blue old town sea. Here we have time to wander through its winding alleys and old markets before we drive by Jeep to explore a traditional village. The members of this community of Bishnoi live in round huts with thatched huts and are smasters in the spinning and weaving of carpets. They also produce medicines made from various herbs.

We return to Jodhpur where we will spend another night.

We take to the road again and have a distance of 155 mi./250 km ahead of us. The Aravalli Range, one of the oldest mountain systems on earth and is a beautiful landscape to travel through. Our destination is Mount Abu, a popular lakeside settlement, and playground for colonials and other visitors during the time of the British. This hill station is furthermore a popular pilgrimage site and often referred to as the ‘Olympus of the Jain Religion’. During the afternoon we will pay a visit by foot to the five Dilwara Jain Temples to admire the outstanding sculptures, reliefs and intricately carved pillars, enough to inspire any would-be artist.

We spend the night in Mount Abu surrounded by mountains.

Kumbhalgarh is the star attraction of the whole of Rajasthan and entices thousands of visitors every year. Its historical value lies in the fact that Maharana Pratap, the great Mewar warrior king was born here. It lies not far from Udaipur. Also known as the ‘Great Wall of India’ because of the length of the enclosing walls, this massive fort houses more than 70 ornate temples which serve as an example of the high standard of craftsmanship and artistry of the time. The area inside the walls is an amazing 31.6 sq. mi./82 sq. km., making it one of the largest of its kind in the world. On the ramparts six horses with riders can stand side by side, resulting in an almost impregnable fort. Badal Mahal has wonderful views of the landscape which you can enjoy at your leisure.

We spend the night in The Aodhi Heritage Hotel in Kumbhalgarh.

The 81 mi./130 km long drive this morning is quite scenic and takes us to the very heart of the Rajasthan State, namely Udaipur. En route we stop at the Ranakpur Jain Temples, the oldest dating back to the 14^th century. The temple is renowned for its outstanding architecture and intricate carvings, and is regarded as one of the most amazing religious constructions in the northern part of India. The main temple is supported by 1444 exquisitely carved marble pillars, each individually carved and no two the same.

Udaipur certainly deserves the nickname as the most romantic city in Rajasthan. It is a city of lakes including picturesque Lake Pichola, and the Aravalli Mountains form the backdrop for filigree temples, palaces and beautiful gardens in bloom. Use the rest of the day to explore the city’s delights on your own, observe the activity in the streets from the special ambience of a roof-top restaurant and relax in the friendly atmosphere of this romantic city.

We spend the night in Udaipur.

Making the most of the fresh morning air, we wander through Dudh Talai’s beautiful musical gardens on the banks of peaceful Lake Pichola and then continue up the hill to enjoy the magnificent views of the city and the sky-blue lake water.  It is time for our guided tour and we will visit the most outstanding museums, markets and other sites the city has to offer, including the City Palace, Folklore Museum, the Ladies Garden and the Sahelion Ki Bari. After lunch there is a boat ride on picturesque Lake Pichola and its many cute little islands. And then we have a surprise that will keep you at the lake for a bit longer!

We spend a second night in Udaipur.

The drive today takes us many centuries back in time. We leave Udaipur for Bundi and as we near the historical citadel of Chittorgarh, we follow an uphill winding road through seven ancient fortified gates, a clear indication of the fierce battles that took place around ancient Fort Chittorgarh. Spread out in the shape of a fish, the immense fort is among the largest Mewar fortifications in the country, even Asia. Its history is rife with sieges and dramatic battles, and inside the walls one can see beautiful palaces, ceremonial towers, and many temples. Then there are the massive stone gateways built to withstand the onslaught of cannons and even elephants. The fort is a proud accolade to chivalry, courage, romance, tragedy and the sacrifices of the Mewar royal families.

Our sightseeing tour completed, we continue westward until we enter small idyllic Bundi, beautifully located in a snug valley in the Aravalli Mountains. Here all the drama and upheaval of battles and sieges are immediately forgotten. The commotion and noise of everyday city life seem miles away and a sense of peace prevails. In the cool of evening we wander the interesting shopping streets of the old town.

We spend the night in Bundi.

We have the entire day at our disposal to explore charming Bundi. Going through the ornate city gate we follow the wide avenue leading to the bazaar until we get to Chattar Mahal, part of the palace complex built by Rao Raja Ratan Singh Hada between 1607 and 1631. Outstanding frescoes reflect the religious and cultural life during Mughal rule. According to Rudyard Kipling Bundi Palace is ‘the work of elves, rather than men’, even in the harsh light of day it is magical.

An optional activity is to partake in a hike to Taragarh Fort, dating back to 1354. It sits on a steep incline on the hill with massive ramparts with battlements that encircle a huge reservoir carved straight from the rock. From the Bhim Burj Tower there is a view of the entire city below, especially impressive at sunset.

The afternoon is spent leisurely getting to know Bundi surrounded by the Aravalli Mountains, far away from the hectic activities of daily life.

We spend another night in Bundi.

In the morning we drive 115 mi./185 km and reach Pushkar after about four hours. The town is known as an important site for Sikh pilgrims, as well as for Hindus as it is believed that it is the seat of the only Brahma Temple dedicated to the creator deity. Pushkar lies on the shores of an enchanting holy lake, surrounded by sand dunes to one side and hills on the other three sides. This charming town is also famous for the annual Camel Fair held in October, November.

We soak up the interesting melting pot of religious worship, color and fantasy which have drawn traders and pilgrims to the banks of sacred Lake Pushkar for the full moon religious celebrations for centuries. Each year during the colourful, lively festival this sleepy town awakes and shakes its feathers in preparation for the influx of visitors from all over Rajasthan and further afield. People arrive from every wind direction with camels, cows and horses to partake in the famous Pushkar Mela. Thousands of animals are traded at the huge market, and everyone enjoys a ride on the hand-operated Ferris wheel and merry-go-round. Stalls filled to capacity with delicious food, traditional Rajasthani jewelry and much more entice visitors to buy. There are theatre productions and even an al fresco cinema. The festivities and activities on offer are endless, so why not enjoy yourself!

We overnight in Pushkar.

This morning we have a drive of 199 mi./320 km ahead of us. Our destination is Dadhikar, a village in Alwar district. The pretty little town with its amazing ancient forts and palaces finds itself among the green Aravalli Mountains. Alwar is any traveler’s dream destination; calm blue lakes, dense jungle, clear blue skies, royal hunting lodges and welcoming people make this town a pure delight. Upon arrival we visit Bala Quila, the 15^th century fort. Although constructed by Hasan Khan Mewati it survived various dynasties, like the Marathas, Rajputs and others.  We proceed to the Vijay Mandir Palace, the royal residency of Maharaja Jai Singh from 1918. With beautiful green gardens and overlooking a lake, it is worth a visit. You are free to spend the evening at your leisure, enjoying the facilities and grounds of your Kesroli Heritage Fort Hotel and losing yourself in its colorful Rajasthani history.

We spend the night in Alwar.