Rajasthan Discovery - Rural Heritage and Royal Palaces

Day 1 - Delhi

Join your tour group at the hotel. A welcome meeting with complimentary tea, coffee and cookies will give you a chance to meet your fellow travellers.

Day 2 - Delhi

A full-day Delhi tour reveals the highlights of both Old and New Delhi. Start at Raj Ghat, the tranquil memorial to Mahatma Gandhi, before moving onto Jama Masjid, India’s biggest mosque. We’ll drive past the Red Fort, Lutyens-designed India Gate, the colonnaded Parliament House and the grand Presidential Palace, before some free time. Our sightseeing tour of Delhi continues with visits to the red-and-white tomb of the Mughal Emperor Humayan and the beautiful Birla Mandir, a Hindu temple inaugurated by Gandhi.

Day 3 - Alsisar

We head west from Delhi to the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan and the village of Alsisar. This part of Rajasthan is known for its historic havelis (mansions) and abundance of frescoes. An afternoon walking tour showcases Alsisar’s heritage, taking us from historic sites and havelis to temples and cenotaphs. A stroll through the street market will be the perfect time to pick up a souvenir or two. Our hotel is a 17th-century former palace, with grand courtyards, shady arcades and - of course - detailed frescoes.

Day 4 - Alsisar - Bikaner

After a leisurely morning, we’ll make our way to the Thar Desert and the historic Gajner Palace. Sprawling over 6,000 acres beside a serene lake, the property was first built by a maharaja as a summer palace and became a hunting lodge during the days of the British Raj, hosting royalty, governors and viceroys. The Christmas-time sandgrouse shoots here were some of the most sought-after invitations in the Indian social calendar! You’ll have the afternoon free to enjoy the hotel and its surroundings.

Day 5 - Bikaner

Spend the day exploring the city of Bikaner. There are some opulent red sandstone forts and palaces here, and we’ll visit the finest: Junagarh Fort. Built in the 16th century, it displays beautiful latticed screens, ornate balconies, sandalwood carvings and colourful murals. Outside, it’s all pink-hued sandstone, while inside you’ll find gleaming marble, gold leaf and stained glass. We’ll also spend time at a camel breeding farm (Bikaner is known as ‘camel country’ and is said to be home to India’s best riding camels) and ride to the local market in a traditional tuk-tuk. We’ll dine this evening by the lake, taking camel carts down to the shore and enjoying a traditional performance by local dancers.

Day 6 - Jodhpur

Our drive to Jodhpur takes us past Karni Mata Temple, known as the ‘Temple of Rats’. It’s an important Hindu pilgrimage site that’s home to a large number of rats - considered holy, they’re treated with the utmost care and respect by devotees. You’ll have the chance to go inside to see the rats if you like, or simply soak up the atmosphere outside. You’ll have the afternoon at leisure to relax or explore a little of Jodhpur, nicknamed the ‘Blue City’ for its azure-painted houses. Wander through its mazy medieval streets and browse the numerous bazaars for trinkets and treasures to take home. This evening, we’ll enjoy a talk on the history of Rajasthan’s Rajput warriors.

Day 7 - Jodhpur

Sitting proudly atop a 125-metre-high hill, the sandstone citadel of Mehrangarh Fort is one of Rajasthan’s most impressive sights. Its walls hide a number of palaces, which we’ll explore today. Look out for the exquisite painted ceilings in the Pearl Palace (Moti Mahal) and Flower Palace (Phool Mahal) in particular. Later, we’ll stop by Jaswant Thada, a gleaming cenotaph crafted from local Makrana marble. Our afternoon Jeep excursion takes us just outside of the city to the Bishnoi villages. Bishnoi translates as ‘29’ - residents of these villages strictly adhere to 29 principles, which we’ll learn about during our visit to a traditional desert home. It’s a wonderful insight into rural life in Rajasthan.

Day 8 - Deogarh

Our drive south takes us past the Bullet Baba Temple, dedicated to the folk deity Om Singh Rathod. After learning the story behind the creation of the shrine - and the miraculous motorbike worshipped here - we’ll continue on to Deogarh. Our grand palace hotel, painted in a vibrant mustard-yellow shade, stands on a hilltop, with sweeping views across the lake-dotted countryside. A walk around the village and market this afternoon gives us a glimpse of local life in this bustling town.

Day 9 - Deogarh - Udaipur

This morning, we’ll enjoy a journey on a rural train - a great way to meet with the locals. Originally built by the British in the 1930s, to connect the regions of Marwar and Mewar, the metre-gauge train travels through tunnels and bridges and past quaint railway stations where Kipling’s ‘The Man Who Would be King’ unfolds. Later, we’ll set off for Udaipur, calling at Ranakpur en route. Set in a remote valley, the Jain temple here is one of India’s largest and most important. Our hotel in Udaipur, Chunda Haveli, is a serene heritage property in the heart of the city. The jewel in its crown is the rooftop terrace, where carved arches frame hazy city views (there’s also a lovely little pool up here if you fancy a swim). This evening, a cooking demonstration at the home of a local family in Udaipur will introduce you to some of the secrets of Indian cuisine.

Day 10 - Udaipur

We’ll soak up the sights and sounds of Udaipur, the ‘City of Lakes’, today. First up is the 450-year-old City Palace, followed by the 17th-century Jagdish Temple and the gardens of Sahelion-Ki-Bari, with their fountains, pools and marble elephants. Lunch is traditional Mewari vegetarian dishes, served at a restaurant subsidised by the royal family of Udaipur (please note that no alcohol will be available here). There’ll be a chance to pop into the Vintage and Classic Car Museum, home to the royals’ motor collection, before we enjoy a leisurely cruise on the waters of Lake Pichola.

Day 11 - Pushkar

From Udaipur, the ancient city of Pushkar is in our sights today. It’s set next to a sacred lake, and along the waterline you’ll find bathing ghats, where Hindus will dip into the waters and perform rituals. We’ll have a chance to stroll alongside these ghats, before visiting Pushkar’s colourful Brahma Temple (India’s only temple dedicated to Brahma, the Hindu god of creation), where we’ll watch a traditional aarti ceremony. We’ll stay at the Pushkar Palace, on the banks of the lake. Once the home of the Maharaja of Kishangarh, it’s now a fantastic heritage hotel bedecked with vintage furniture and rare paintings.

Day 12 - Jaipur

After making our way to Jaipur, we’ll enjoy an afternoon of sightseeing in the ‘Pink City’, Rajasthan’s capital. We’ll visit the former royal residence of the City Palace and Jantar Mantar, home to the largest stone and marble crafted observatory in the world. We’ll also drive past the impressive façade of the Hawa Mahal ‘Palace of the Winds’, a five-storied example of Rajput architecture with nearly a thousand sandstone windows. To explore the old part of the city, we’ll swap our vehicles for an electric-powered rickshaw. Alsisar Haveli, our hotel here, is a little slice of tranquillity amid Jaipur’s hustle and bustle. There are beautiful details everywhere you look, from the fountain-dotted courtyards to the carved four-poster beds that take centre-stage in the guest rooms.

Day 13 - Jaipur

A Jeep takes us up to the hilltop Amber Fort this morning. This World Heritage Site was built over two centuries by Rajput kings, using pinky-red sandstone and cool, smooth marble. There are many tales to be told about the fort, and we’ll learn a few as we explore. The afternoon is at leisure. Perhaps relax by the pool or join us for an optional walking tour around Jaipur, where we’ll stroll past bridal shops, watch traders selling milk products (used to make delicious Indian sweets), and see some beautiful old havelis.

Day 14 - Jaipur - Delhi

After a relaxed start in Jaipur, we’ll head back to Delhi late morning, the final stop of our Rajasthan holiday. We’ll check in to the hotel, then enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Day 15 - Delhi

Say goodbye to your tour group for your onward travel.