In-Depth Rajasthan With Taj Mahal

Welcome to India! On your arrival at the airport, our representative will meet you and escort you to your hotel. After checking in, have some free time on your own to adjust to the new time zone.

Overnight: Delhi

After breakfast at the hotel, head for Old Delhi to admire the magnificent Jama Masjid - India’s largest mosque and have a rickshaw tour through the bustling Chandni Chowk bazaar. Later, pass by the fantastic Red Fort and get back to New Delhi. Visit India’s tallest stone tower Qutub Minar and its surrounding ancient Hindu and Muslim complex, followed by Raj Ghat - the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi.

Drive among the city landmarks including the India Gate, President's House, Parliament House and Government Secretariat Buildings for photo opportunities en route, and then end today’s tour at Laxmi Narayan Temple.

Tips: Female tourists are asked to wear robes when entering Jama Masjid. If you don't have any, you can rent one at the entrance (50 rupees, at your own expense).

After breakfast, proceed to Mandawa, the capital of the Shekhawati region in west Rajasthan. Mandawa is famous for its old merchant mansions and beautiful fresco art. When you arrive, be met and transferred to the hotel to check in. Rest of the day at leisure. 

Note: Driving times in the program are approximate, subject to the traffic, weather and road conditions.

After breakfast, have a leisurely walk around Mandawa to discover many hidden havelis (mansions) before exploring the nearby Shekhavati region, which is now an open art gallery. Your private guide’s commentary will definitely enhance your impression. In the afternoon, head for Bikaner. Check in to your hotel on arrival and rest of the day is free to enjoy at leisure.  

Explore Bikaner this morning. This city is bolstered by imposing walls and has the 16th-century Junagarh Fort housing old palaces, temples and a mosque. The fort is distinguished by its long range of 37 pavilions, a line of balconies and stained glass 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. In the afternoon, head for Jaisalmer. Check in to your hotel on arrival.

Visit the well preserved Jaisalmer Fort which is famous for its massive scale, exquisite carvings and filigree work inside. Proceed to some distinctive havelis including Nathmalji-ki-Haveli, Patwon-ki- Haveli and Salim Singh-ki-Haveli.

Last, visit the vibrant Manak Chowk market outside the Jaisalmer Fort to explore the rich local art and craft works. Have some leisure time. In the evening, take a short camel ride to get a real feel of desert. 

After an early breakfast, head for Jodhpur around 4.5 hours by car and check in on your arrival. The rest of the day is free for you to rest or explore the area, visiting local markets and mingling with the crowd to have a feel of real India. 

Enjoy a jeep ride in Bishnoi Village in the morning. In the afternoon, visit the Mehrangarh Fort, including Moti-Mahal and Phool Mahal. Later, visit Jaswant Thada and the museum located in the Umaid Public Gardens.

After breakfast, drive to Udaipur. Stop en route to visit Ranakpur, a little village between Udaipur and Jodhpur with an amazing complex of beautifully carved Jain temples, regarded as one of the biggest and most important clusters of Jain temples in India. Built in marble, the main temple has more than 1,400 pillars, no two of which are alike. After that, continue your drive to Udaipur. 

After breakfast, go through the bazaars to visit Jagdish Temple, a centre of constant activity. Next visit the nearby City Palace, of which the main part is now a museum with rich collections of mosaics, glass and porcelain figures, etc. Later enjoy a shared motor boat ride on Lake Pichola (around 1 hr), before heading to Garden of the Maids of Honour and Folk Art Museum. You will finish your day with an unforgettable sunset visit to the Sajjan Garh Palace (Monsoon Palace).

After breakfast, continue traveling to rural Rajasthan to discover the holy town of Pushkar. Check in on arrival and then have some time to relax. At dusk visit the holy Pushkar Lake, watching pilgrims and sadhus pay their respects at the riverside Gandhi Ghat, and explore the only Brahma Temple in India though Brahma is considered to be the Hindu God of Creation.

After breakfast head to Jaipur. Stops for a coffee break or photo opportunities are at your request any time en-route. On arrival, check in at your hotel and the rest of the day is yours to spend at leisure.

After breakfast, visit hillside Amber Fort, the ancient capital of the state; inside you'll also experience the kingly palaces including the Sheesh Mahal (Palace of Mirrors).

Next, go back to Jaipur to view the gorgeous Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds) and the City Palace Museum which houses superb collections of Rajasthania costumes and armoury. Do check the local time when later visiting the Jantar Mantar - the largest stone observatory in the world still in service today.

Tips: Hard sell by vendors around Amber Fort is easy to find. If you don’t want to buy the goods, do not show any interests or say anything. Even "no thanks" is dispensable.

After breakfast head east to Agra. En route visit the former capital of Mughal Empire Fatehpur Sikri (about 1.5 hrs), one of the finest examples of Mughal architectural splendor at its height, built by Emperor Akbar in 1569 and abandoned after 15 years due to scarcity of water. Lunch time after that and proceed to Agra. Check in on arrival and the rest of the day is at leisure.

Rise early to visit the highlight of Agra - Taj Mahal (closed on Friday)! Avoid the crowds and heat of daytime and fully admire the elegance and magnificence of this white-marble mausoleum. Later visit Agra Fort for a glimpse of the palatial royal pavilions and royal Mughal lifestyle. The rest of the day is free at leisure, with the vehicle with driver at your disposal. 

Enjoy a free morning with the vehicle and driver at your disposal. In the afternoon, our representative will meet you at hotel lobby then escort you to Delhi airport for your flight to next destination.