Rajasthan with Varanasi

After breakfast you have the opportunity to explore the contrasts of New & Old Delhi with including drive past Presidents Palace, Houses of Parliament and impressive India Gate with its eternal flame. Visit the Sikh Temple “Bangla Sahab Gurudwara” where the community kitchen serves free meals to thousands of people in a day.

Continue towards Old Delhi pausing on the way at Rajghat, the monument to Mahatma Gandhi erected on the site of his funeral pyre. Drive past Red Fort followed by a visit to Jama Masjid Mosque that can accommodate upto 20000 people at a given time and explore the Bazaars through the bustling alleys of 500 years old city – Chandni Chowk, where silver merchants ply their trade

Later visit Humayun’s Tomb– The monument that served as a model for the Taj Mahal and beautifully restored by Aga Khan Foundation. This red sandstone tomb is built amidst a garden divided into four main parterres known as Charbagh. At the center of this garden a shallow water-channel makes it more beautiful.  Overnight at hotel.

Overnight at hotel.

After relaxed breakfast drive to the Mughal capital “Agra” (235 Km), the legacy of the Mughal empire has left a magnificent fort and a liberal sprinkling of fascinating tombs and mausoleums; and there’s also fun to be had in the bustling chowks (marketplaces).

On arrival check into the hotel and time for relaxation.

Afternoon visit to Agra Fort (World Heritage site) – a magnificent citadel with marble palaces, ornate alcoves & terrace pavilions. Agra fort is also known as the Red Fort situated on the bank of river Yamuna. The fort built in red-stone, the fort stretches almost two kilometres on the bank of the Yamuna.

Overnight at hotel.

You have an early start this morning by going out to the Taj Mahal, to experience the rising sun. This is the most spectacular time to see the Taj Mahal – one of the seven wonder of the world, an exquisite monument of love, remarkable for its perfect proportions, which was built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved consort Mumtaz Mahal. This beautiful mausoleum in pure white marble is an architectural marvel (UNSECO World Heritage Site).

Return hotel for breakfast.

Morning breakfast at the hotel and drive to Jaipur (237 KM) – the magical city carved out of the desert still blush pink even 273 yrs later. It was found by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II in 1727. Today it has become the most popular tourist destination in Rajasthan ‘making’ “Golden Triangle” (Delhi- Agra- Jaipur).

En route visit Fatehpur Sikri, (UNESCO World Heritage site) – the deserted, but perfectly preserved sandstone city, built by Emperor Akbar but abandoned after only 15 years. This is a 500 years old city built in red sandstone on the outer-skirts of Agra.

Later visit Chand Baori (Stepwell), located in Abhaneri. Chand Baori is known as one of the oldest, deepest & largest stepwell in India.

On arrival in Jaipur, check into the hotel. Evening at leisure to enjoy beautiful surroundings.

Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast full day sightseeing of the pink city “Jaipur” including Amber Fort- the final ascent to this ancient fort is made in truly royal style, on Jeep. In Amber, you will see magnificent palaces with walls covered with mirrored mosaics.

Visit City Palace where the present Maharaja continues to live with its many regal courtyards, temples and pavilions, proceeding towards world’s largest stone Observatory (UNESCO World Heritage Site) – The observatory consists of fourteen major geometric devices for measuring time, predicting eclipses, tracking stars’ location as the earth orbits around the sun, ascertaining the declinations of planets, and determining the celestial altitudes and related ephemerides, drive past to the five story Palace of the winds

Free time to explore the bazaars on a Rikshaw Ride – get behind the scenes of the local markets with the chance to meet local traders and artisans.

Overnight at hotel

After early breakfast drive to Jodhpur (335 KM). Jodhpur stands at the edge of the Thar Desert and is the largest city in Rajasthan after Jaipur. The city is totally dominated by a massive fort, topping a sheer rocky hill, which rises right in the middle of the town.

Check into the hotel and indulge yourself in the beautiful surroundings of the Blue city.

 Later Visit Mehrangarh Fort built – by Roa Jodha in the 15^th century. It is amongst the largest fort in India and unsurpassed for its grandeur, elegance and details. Visit Jaswant Thada, the mausoleum is built out of intricately carved sheets of marble. These sheets are extremely thin and polished so that they emit a warm glow when illuminated by the sun.

Later explore the blue city and the bazaars around the clock tower to shop for Juttis, Antiques and all the wonderful spices that Jodhpur is famous for.

Overnight at hotel.

After breakfast, head to Deogarh Village (150 KM).

You will check-in the heritage hotel which is a hidden gem and offers you an authentic rural experience. The beautiful palace is prominently situated on a hill, in the rugged landscape of the Aravali Mountains. Staying in this hotel gives you a feeling ‘live like a Maharaja’.

In the afternoon, you will take a varied train journey from Deogarh to Pulad through the picturesque mountain landscape and will have opportunity to interact with the locals and villagers.

Overnight stay at hotel.

After breakfast drive to Udaipur (130 KM), enroute visit to Ranakpur, known for its marble Jain temple, said to be the most spectacular of the Jain temples.

Udaipur, also known as the “City of Lakes”, tucked away in the heart of the forested Aravalli Hills, this regally romantic city has always stood out from Rajasthan’s other desert cities with its network of manmade lakes. On arrival check into the hotel and evening at leisure at the hotel.

Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast, explore the city including the 16th century City Palace, a flamboyant and towering structure sitting on a hilltop and one of the largest palaces in the state, boasting spectacular views and an intriguing museum.

Explore 17th century Jagdish Temple, dedicated to Hindu God Krishna. Discover Saheliyon ki Bari, the ‘Garden of Maids’, which boasts lush lawns, stunning lotus pools, marble pavilions and even elephant-shaped fountains!

Evening boat ride on Lake Pichola. The beautiful stretch of water surrounding the two marvelous structures the Jag Niwas and Jag Mandir, is the lifeline of Udaipur city. All the palaces in the City of palace are constructed to have a magnificent reflection in this lake. Overnight at the hotel

Morning breakfast at the hotel and departure transfer to Udaipur airport to catch flight to Varanasi at 1410hrs. Reporting time 1½ hours prior to flight’s departure.
Arrive Varanasi at 1935hrs. You will be met by our driver and transferred to the hotel.
Varanasi is more than 3000 years old city and famous as the city of temples. Varanasi is the holy pilgrimage city for Hindus where they come to take a dip in the river Ganges. It is a melting pot, where both death and life come together.

Overnight at hotel.

Morning boat-ride on the Ganges with Sitar (musician) to see the sunrise and then walk through the old city.
Return to the hotel for breakfast.

Afternoon, sightseeing of Sarnath just outside Varanasi (around 12 Km), where Buddha gave his first sermon, preaching the way to final Nirvana (soul deliverance from re-birth). Sarnath is as holy to the Buddhists as Varanasi is to the Hindus. Here you will witness the ruins of a once flourishing Buddhist monastery.

In the evening take cycle rickshaws to the ghats of the river to see the Aarti on river Ganges. An aarti is a devotional ritual that uses fire as an offering. It’s usually made in the form of a lit lamp, and in the case of the Ganges River, a small diya with a candle and flowers that’s float down the river. Overnight at hotel.

Morning relaxed breakfast at the hotel and enjoy the narrow lanes of Banaras before boarding the train at 1500hrs to Delhi.

Arrive Delhi at 2300hrs.