The Glory of the Maharajas and the World of the Ordinaries
Reputed to be the land of monarchs, Rajasthan has surely left an indelible mark in the glorious history of India. During your ten days in Rajasthan, you will experience the unique charm of India's historic past, feel the beauty and romance of the Taj Mahal, explore the charming Blue City and Pink City, and enjoy the exotic atmosphere of the famous Camel Festival.
Days
10
Price
US$2,634 p/p
Best For
Culture fans
Best Time
Oct. to Mar.
Tour Highlights
We have just returned from an amazing trip to Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. Our travel adviser Albee Ning prepared a wonderful itinerary taking us to great locations with creative activities highlighting local culture.
We traveled with Asia Highlights (Lissie was our agent) several years ago when we went to Saigon, and the experience was so positive, we automatically went to Asia Highlights again for an extensive trip to Southeast Asia.
Itinerary Details
After landing, your guide and driver will be expecting you and will escort you to your hotel. Feel free to walk around the hotel and get familiar with the local atmosphere.
Meals included: breakfast and lunch
On the first part of your journey, you will tour around Old Delhi. While driving past the Red Fort, don't miss the fluttering Indian flag on top of the Mughal fort. Then, you will admire the largest mosque in India: Jama Masjid. With a unique mixture of both Islamic and Hindu styles, Jama Masjid is the perfect place to immerse yourself in a sacred environment. Jump into a rickshaw and tour around the lively market, Chandni Chowk, to witness the everyday lives of the local people.
After lunch, you will visit Qutub Minar, built by the first Muslim king in India to commemorate his great triumph. Next, visit Humayun's tomb, a garden art masterpiece of the Mughal age. Through the ancient tales, you will get a glimpse into the glorious history of the ancient Mughals.
Meals included: breakfast and lunch
After about 4–5 hours of driving, you will arrive in Agra from Delhi. Check into the hotel and freshen up a little, after which you can take a walk in the Moonlight Garden, Mehtab Bagh. The layout of this garden is perfectly symmetrical and aligns with the Taj Mahal. Its unique location allows you to appreciate great views of the Taj Mahal as you bask in the dazzling afterglow of the setting sun.
Meals included: breakfast and lunch
The Taj Mahal, the crown jewel of India, is a remarkable legacy of Indian history, whose eternal beauty you will witness firsthand.
As one of the seven wonders of the modern world, Taj Mahal charms people with its spectacular building style and exquisite decor. You can witness its graceful style even when viewing it from a distance. Go closer and be awed by the elaborately carved marble walls and experience the romance it conveys.
Coming next is the Mausoleum of Itmad-ud-Daulah. It is also known as "Baby Taj". It might be smaller in size, but its beauty is no less. Walk around in this 398-year-old Mughal mausoleum and you will be amazed by the richly decorated mosaics and colorful gems in the main chamber.
The majestic Agra Fort awaits you later in the day. Situated on the banks of the Yamuna River, this former royal citadel will catch your eye with its grandeur. Gaze upon the unique redness of the sandstone wall and you can easily picture its glorious days in the past. As you overlook the Taj Mahal from the Khas Mahal, empathize with the desolation of Shah Jahan and his endless yearning for his beloved wife.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, and dinner
After about 5 hours driving, you will arrive in Jaipur. On your way there, you will visit Fatehpur Sikri, once the capital of the Mughal Dynasty. Listen to the tales of this ancient empire, which includes a legend about seeking the rightful heir. Later, stop over at Chand Baori. You will be surprised by what's hidden in this low-keyed hamlet — an incredible stepwell.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, and dinner
On this day, you will witness the beauty of Jaipur. First, pay a visit to a gorgeous stepwell and then marvel at the ornate Amer Fort. Here you will see countless little mirrors and shiny stones inlaid on the walls and columns in Sheesh Mahal, glittering under the sunlight, demonstrating the former splendor of the maharajas in Jaipur.
As your trip proceeds, the Jaipur City Palace awaits you. The numerous exhibits reveal the extravagant lifestyle of the maharajas. Later, you will see the bizarre buildings in Jantar Mantar. Be amazed by the long-lasting wisdom contained in this ancient observatory.
At the end of the day, visit Hawa Mahal, one of the reasons why Jaipur is called the "Pink City".
Meals included: breakfast and Lunch
The Nahargarh Fort may be a less visited spot, but it has fascinating exhibits to explore. It was built to fortify the defenses of the city until it was claimed by the royal house as a leisure resort. You will have a chance to visit the inconspicuous chambers with the help of your guide, which are seldomly found by other travelers. Take a look at these fancy rooms, which will paint a picture of the luxurious life of the maharajas and their wives. The real owners of the fort are long gone, so it is only the monkeys of this area who hold possession of this ancient fort now.
In the afternoon, you will be driven to Pushkar. See a different side of the serene little town while people celebrate the Camel Festival. Stroll around the local bazaar and feel the hustle and bustle, then visit the divine lake of Pushkar, where pious Hindus perform rituals and bathe at night. You may even find some pilgrims saying their prayers in the lake with a candle.
Meals included: breakfast and lunch
You will visit the lively camel market at the heart of the town. At the time of the Camel Festival, you will see the people and their camels all dressed up on the streets to celebrate the holiday. Even people who live in the Thar Desert gather there in Pushkar; this is a great opportunity to trade camels and other animals. Just observing the way they do business will be a lot of fun.
Later, go for a tour around the Brahma Temple near the sacred lake, where many Hindu believers would have gathered. Keep up with their pace to appreciate this ancient temple and learn the mythologies of Hindu gods.
Care for a ride? An exciting camel safari to the semi-desert will fill the rest of your day. Relax and enjoy the stunning views on the back of the camel!
Meals included: Breakfast and lunch
After about 4 hours of driving, you will reach Jodhpur, the Blue City. There, stop for some lunch. Later, you will explore the neighborhood, where the houses are all painted blue. Wander around in those sunlit alleyways, and enjoy the moments of silence — even the birds there are not willing to disturb the peace. With the permission of the host, you may have a chance to go up to the rooftop of one of these houses, where you can experience a breathtaking view of the Blue City and the Mehrangarh Fort.
Meals included: breakfast and lunch
Start the day by visiting the splendid Mehrangarh Fort. As one of the greatest masterpieces of Rajasthan, the numerous chambers inside the fort will never fail to show the unique charm and beauty of their history.
In the little courtyard, admire the fabulous interior carving patterns while enjoying a nice cup of coffee at Vaara Café. Picture yourself as a royal having a grand party for an important occasion.
The last attraction you are going to visit is Jaswant Thada. This group of royal monuments made of white marble were first built 121 years ago to commemorate a great Maharaja, Jaswant Singh II. There, you can also find some nice spots to shoot photos of the Mehrangarh Fort.
After visiting all the sites, you will head to the Jodhpur airport accompanied by your driver and return to Delhi.
Price Includes
Price from: $2,634 (Tour code: gh-ah-in-83)
Trip Notes
About the Meals in Pushkar
This little town is a sacred place for Hindus. All the local people are Hindus and are vegetarian so the hotels and restaurants there don't offer any kind of meat, although eggs and milk are available. Alcohol is not allowed either. However, the local vegetarian food is delicious.
About Your Hotel Booking
The Pushkar Camel fair dates in 2020 will be 22-30th Nov. Booking your hotel in Pushkar will be very tight for the dates of the festival. An early booking will be appreciated so that we can hold the recommended hotel for you.
About the Car Transfers Between Cities
We will arrange private car transfers between cities. Your guide will not be with you during the transfers. You will have different guides in different cities. Your driver will be able to speak basic English so there will be no problems with basic conversation during the transfers.
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