Rajasthan – Forts and Palaces

1-Join tour Delhi
Arrive Delhi and check into hotel. This afternoon we go on a city tour and see the main sights of New Delhi, which include the President’s Palace, Lok Sabha
(Parliament), India Gate, the Rajpath and Humayan’s Tomb, before driving to the hustle and bustle of the bazaars of Old Delhi where we’ll also visit the famous Jami
Masjid Mosque. Please note: the Delhi section will be accompanied by a local guide who will take you to Jaipur where you will join your tour leader.
Hotel The Lalit
The Lalit is a luxury hotel that offers guests a fantastic location, in the hub of the commercial and business district of Connaught Place. It is made up of over 400 spacious and well-appointed rooms and benefits from an outdoor swimming pool, a spa, and a choice of dining options to suit every palette.

Single Room option available

2-Train and drive to Mandawa
Leaving the capital by train, we experience Indian railways at their best as we head west into Rajasthan (approximately 4 hours). Disembarking at Jaipur, we drive to the colourful former merchants’ town of Mandawa (approximately 7 hours). The late afternoon will be free for you to explore Mandawa.
Mandawa Castle
A splendid and beautifully converted 240 year old fortress which towers above the town. The accommodation has maintained its old flavour using period furniture and local décor throughout, including old family portraits and antique armour. There is a real sense of discovery here – battlements that offer wonderful views across the town, antique murals in the Zenana (women’s quarters) and 7 foot thick walls forming part of the turret room. The facilities are excellent too. You may wish to enjoy a cool drink on the colonial verandah or relax in the comfort of the Diwan khana, the formal drawing room.

Single Room option available

3-Drive to Gajner
A short drive takes us to Nawalgarh, where we tour the vividly painted houses impressive havelis (merchant’s houses) in the Shekhavati area of the town. The buildings are decorated with bold, highly coloured folk art depicting elephants, horsemen, parrots, peacocks, and festive scenes like weddings. We also visit the main bazaar before driving to Gajner, just west of the desert city of Bikaner (approximately 6 hours) which we will visit tomorrow. Situated directly on the ancient camel caravan routes that came from
Africa and West Asia, Bikaner was once a great trading centre. Its colourful bazaars and buildings of reddish-pink sandstone still suggest its ancient wealth.
Gajner Palace
We plan to stay in the Gajner Palace which stands like a jewel in the Thar Desert on the shores of Gajner Lake approximately 19kms from Bikaner. It was one of the former palaces of the Maharajas of Bikaner and was frequented by them to entertain royalty and dignitaries. Built of intricately carved red stone, this palace is surrounded by six thousand acres of preserved wildlife sanctuary.

Single Room option available

4-In Bikaner
This morning we take a tour to the Junagarh Fort built by Raja Rai Singh (1571-1611) which is distinguished by its high defensive light red sandstone walls. The well preserved palaces within the fort area are noted for their fine stone carvings. Bikaner still remains a defensive town, and was the home of the famous Camel Corps. We will also take the opportunity to visit the Old town and Bhandasar Jain Temple. This afternoon, we may also visit the National Camel Research Centre and the Deshnoke (Rat) Temple before returning to the Gajner Palace.
Gajner Palace
We plan to stay in the Gajner Palace which stands like a jewel in the Thar Desert on the shores of Gajner Lake approximately 19kms from Bikaner. It was one of the former palaces of the Maharajas of Bikaner and was frequented by them to entertain royalty and dignitaries. Built of intricately carved red stone, this palace is surrounded by six thousand acres of preserved wildlife sanctuary.

Single Room option available

5-Drive Mirvana Desert Camp-Sodakore
This morning is left free for you to enjoy the grounds of the hotel and relax. Leaving late morning we drive via Pokaran to the desert camp in Mirvand. Tonight we plan to camp in the desert beneath a myriad of brightly glowing stars in a pre erected tented camp.
Mirvana Desert Camp
Set in the vast Thar Desert the Mirvana Desert Resort is located approximately 50 kilometers from the city of Jaisalmer. The campsite offers fixed tents crafted from local materials. All tents have fixed beds and attached bathrooms so whilst camping we still enjoy some home comforts. The is a large swimming pool and a relaxed seating area which in the evening offers the perfect place to enjoy the stars.

6-Camel safari
This morning we travel through the desert on a camel safari from Mirvana to Hamira. This safari will show you the desert landscape from a completely unique perspective. Our Camel Safari recaptures the traditional means of desert travel allowing us to experience something of the remote life of the tribesmen and their families. Our party consists of a group leader, local guides, a cook and several camel herdsmen. Riding camels can be quite relaxing and sitting high up enables us to appreciate the unique beauty of the desert. Many people find that they prefer to combine riding with periods of walking, so ensure that you have appropriate footwear. This evening we return to our tented camp in Mirvana.
Mirvana Desert Camp
Set in the vast Thar Desert the Mirvana Desert Resort is located approximately 50 kilometers from the city of Jaisalmer. The campsite offers fixed tents crafted from local materials. All tents have fixed beds and attached bathrooms so whilst camping we still enjoy some home comforts. The is a large swimming pool and a relaxed seating area which in the evening offers the perfect place to enjoy the stars.

7-Drive to Jaisalmer
This morning we will leave the camp and visit some nearby villages before we drive to Jaisalmer. On arrival we will explore Jaisalmer on foot this morning visiting the Gadi Sagar Tank, Jaisalmer Folklore Museum. We will also visit the fort and some of the many elaborately carved Jain Temples and havelis including the Patwon-ki Haveli considered to be the finest in Jaisalmer. The afternoon is free for you to relax and enjoy this amazing city at your own pace.
Gorbandh Palace
A luxurious heritage hotel, built in the style of Mughal architecture, this desert retreat lies two km outside the walls of the main town en route to the sand dunes. The hotel offers contemporary facilities in peaceful surroundings with many of the traditionally-decorated rooms featuring balconies overlooking the grounds. Facilities include a swimming pool, health club, restaurant and bar.

Single Room option available

8-In Jaisalmer
Here you have a free day in Jaisalmer.
Gorbandh Palace
A luxurious heritage hotel, built in the style of Mughal architecture, this desert retreat lies two km outside the walls of the main town en route to the sand dunes. The hotel offers contemporary facilities in peaceful surroundings with many of the traditionally-decorated rooms featuring balconies overlooking the grounds. Facilities include a swimming pool, health club, restaurant and bar.

Single Room option available

9-Drive to Jodhpur
This morning, making several stops, we drive to Jodhpur, where the impregnable fortress commands a superb panorama of the surrounding countryside (approximately 8 hours). The city itself has a unique atmosphere, with many fine old buildings and temples. Jodhpurs, those trousers-cum-riding breeches, are named after the horsemen of this city. Arriving mid afternoon, the rest of the day is free to wander the atmospheric streets of the Old City.
Bal Samand Garden Retreat
This small heritage hotel has charming rooms, each with their own small terrace, set amongst the gardens of the estate. The large garden restaurant offers international cuisine and other facilities include a pool, Ayurvedic health spa, coffee shop and bar.

Single Room option available

10-In Jodhpur
The Majestic Meherangarh Fort in Jodhpur is built across the top of a steep escarpment 125m above the plains below. It has a huge, sheer drop to the south where it overlooks the city. Our visit this morning affords wonderful views, not only across Jodhpur, but also way into the distance across the surrounding desert plains. The Rajput palace buildings within the fort are typically Mughal – very ornate and flamboyant, but also very practical and as always, built with defence in mind. This afternoon, there is the chance to make an optional visit to some nearby Bishnoi villages. The Bishnoi are renowned for their protection of wild animals and nonfelling of trees.
Bal Samand Garden Retreat
This small heritage hotel has charming rooms, each with their own small terrace, set amongst the gardens of the estate. The large garden restaurant offers international cuisine and other facilities include a pool, Ayurvedic health spa, coffee shop and bar.

Single Room option available

11-Drive to Kumbalgarh
Our morning’s drive takes us on to the temple town of Ranakpur, one of Rajasthan’s gems (approximately 3 hours). Little visited, it is home to some of the most beautifully sculpted Jain Temples in India. Situated in a wooded valley the temples date back to the 15th century with the carvings depicting scenes from the lives of the Jain Saints at that time. We visit the Adinath temple, which contains 1444 exquisitely carved pillar, with no two alike. Continuing we then head east through the Kumbalgarh Wildlife sanctuary to Kumbalgarh (approximately 1.5 hours).
The Aodhi
The Aodhi hotel is sited on the side of a hill not far from the 15th century fort and Kumbalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary. Of new construction, it was designed sympathetically to blend in with the environment. Facilities include swimming pool and games room.

Single Room option available

12-Drive to Udaipur
We begin the day with a walk up to and exploration of Kumbulgarh’s imposing 15th Century fort – one of the finest examples of defensive architecture in Rajasthan. Lying 1,100m above sea level, the fortified ramparts protected palaces, temples and even farms, ensuring that the complex was self contained and able to withstand a long siege. We then continue to the beautiful lakeside city of Udaipur, with its white palaces and translucent waters (approximately 3 hours). In the later afternoon we take a boat ride on Lake Pichola and watch the sunset over the water. Please Note: at certain times of the year the level of the water may drop meaning very low waters or even after a poor monsoon, a dry lake bed.
The Lalit Laxmi Vilas Palace
This is a larger hotel which has a great, central location for exploring Varanasi. It’s also conveniently located for the train station and excursions to surrounding temples. Rooms are modern and spacious and there’s a fantastic indoor swimming pool.The Lalit Laxmi Vilas Palace is a former guesthouse to prime ministers and princes. The hotel has been restored to reflect its history and also tell a little about Indian culture and local area. Rooms are extremely comfortable and theres a restaurant offering al fresco dining and an open kitchen.

Single Room option available

13-In Udaipur
We have a full day to relax in Udaipur. The city is dominated by Lake Pichola, it’s island palace (now a hotel) and Jag Mandir island. Here the future Shah Jahan sought sanctuary from his father after he had been found guilty of plotting against him. A city sightseeing tour can be arranged to include the City Palace and Jagdish Mandir. Or you may wish to visit one of the nearby villages by bike or foot.
The Lalit Laxmi Vilas Palace
This is a larger hotel which has a great, central location for exploring Varanasi. It’s also conveniently located for the train station and excursions to surrounding temples. Rooms are modern and spacious and there’s a fantastic indoor swimming pool.The Lalit Laxmi Vilas Palace is a former guesthouse to prime ministers and princes. The hotel has been restored to reflect its history and also tell a little about Indian culture and local area. Rooms are extremely comfortable and theres a restaurant offering al fresco dining and an open kitchen.

Single Room option available

14-Tour Ends
Our tour ends this morning after breakfast.

Tour includes:

13 Breakfast
2 Lunch
3 Dinner
Transport:
Bus, Train
Accommodation:
11 nights Comfortable Hotel
2 nights Comfortable Camping
Tour Staff:
Driver(s), Explore Tour Leader, Local Guide(s)
Group Size:
Generally 10 – 16

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