Description

Day 1 Delhi
On arrival in Delhi, transfer to your hotel and enjoy free time until your tour briefing.

Hotel: Maidens Hotel (or similar)

Day 2 Delhi (B)
Discover Delhi’s must-see sites, beginning at the Red Fort. Take a bicycle rickshaw through Chandni Chowk before visiting Khari Baoli, the city’s famous spice market.

Wander through Parathey wali gali to see local snack food being made. Walk to India’s largest mosque – Jama Masjid to view it from the outside before visiting a communal kitchen at a Sikh temple.

Visit Humayun’s Tomb followed by Rajpath which is home to India’s government buildings. See beautiful murals in the colourful Lodhi Art District.

Day 3 Delhi to Agra (B)
Drive to Agra and explore magnificent Agra Fort which was built by Emperor Akbar in 1565. Catch your first glimpse of the Taj Mahal from the fort’s ramparts.

This afternoon, visit a marble inlay workshop to see the intricate craftsmanship and skill required to make each finely-detailed piece.

DoubleTree by Hilton Agra (or similar)

Day 4 Agra to Ranthambore National Park (B/D)
See the Taj Mahal and explore the grounds before a late breakfast.

Drive to Abaneri village to visit the 1,300 year old Chand Baori Stepwell and walk through a colourful local market after enjoying high tea.

Continue onto Sawaii Madhopur, home to Ranthambore National Park.

Enjoy dinner at the hotel.

Hotel: Fort Nahargarh (or similar)

Day 5 Ranthambore National Park (B/D)
Begin the day with a dawn game drive through Ranthambore National Park. Covering more than 1,300 square kilometres, it is home to a host of wildlife including deer, jackal, hyena, leopard and tigers.

After a late breakfast, visit a women’s cooperative which makes handicrafts. Return to your hotel for free time before embarking on another game drive in the late afternoon.

Return to your hotel and enjoy a relaxing dinner.

Day 6 Ranthambore National Park to Jaipur (B)
Drive from Ranthambore National Park to Jaipur, Rajasthan’s capital and affectionately called the ‘Pink City’.

Arrive in Jaipur and enjoy a walking tour of the royal observatory. Take a pink rickshaw ride to your hotel with the Pink City Rickshaw Company, a not-for-profit organisation which supports the employment of women from low income households.

Jaipur offers excellent shopping opportunities and this afternoon, there’s free time for you to explore the town’s popular bazaar.

This evening, you have the option of joining your group to watch a Bollywood movie in one of India’s finest Art Deco cinemas, have a palm reading or receive a Henna tattoo.

Hotel: Shahpura House (or similar)

Day 7 Jaipur (B/D)
This morning, see a traditional milk market come to life before admiring the façade of the Hawa Mahal.

Continue to a local tea shop and sample possibly the best chai in Jaipur. Venture by jeep to impressive Amber Fort and spend a few hours discovering the beautiful architecture.

Return to town for a guided walking tour of Jaipur bazaar where you can shop for handicrafts, jewellery and fabrics.

This evening, enjoy a dinner with a local family in their historic haveli home and see how some typical Rajasthani dishes are prepared.

Day 8 Jaipur to Khejarla (B/D)
Journey to Khejarla and gain a glimpse into the local villages on a jeep safari.

Continue to Durga Mata Temple which was partly destroyed during the Moghul-era and receive a Henna tattoo.

In the evening, enjoy a cooking demonstration and listen to traditional musicians during dinner.

Khejarla Fort (or similar)

Day 9 Khejarla to Manvar Desert Camp (B/L/D)
Drive towards the Thar Desert and enjoy lunch before relaxing at your atmospheric tented accommodation.

Venture into the sand dunes on a camel for sunset drinks before returning for a sumptuous dinner.
Manvar Desert Camp (or similar)Departures are guaranteed to operate and maximum of 16