Rajasthan Discovery - OLD Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Delhi
Welcome to Delhi, the capital of India. We will be met by our friendly Indian guide and transferred to our hotel.

Day 2 Delhi
Today we explore Delhi, comprising of two distinct parts - Muslim India’s Old Delhi and British India’s New Delhi. We tour both sides of this sprawling capital including an exciting rickshaw ride through the narrow colourful lanes of Chandni Chowk. [B]

Day 3 Shekhawati
Today we drive to Shekhawati, a region known as the “open art gallery of Rajasthan.” Here we visit some of the famous painted havelis (mansions) many of which date back to the 18th century. This evening is at leisure to relax by the poolside, or there is the option to further explore the village. [B]

Day 4 Bikaner
This morning we drive to the royal fortified city of Bikaner and take a tour of the magnificent Junagarh Fort. [B]

Day 5 Bikaner - Jaisalmer
Our day starts with a visit to a local camel breeding farm. Rats, rats, rats – the very bizarre “rat temple” of Karni Mata is our next stop today, where our guide will explain the legends behind this unusual place of worship. Make sure you bring a pair of old socks as there is an opportunity to walk through this amazing temple. We then drive to Sam Sand Dunes and enjoy a camel ride into the desert to spend an unforgettable evening at a dune safari camp. [B,D]

Day 6 Jaisalmer
This morning we leave the magic of the desert behind and drive on to Jaisalmer, where our tour includes the Fort and the highly decorated Patwon ki Haveli. [B]

Day 7 Jaisalmer - Jodhpur
Today we travel to Jodhpur, the “Blue City” on the eastern fringe of the Thar Desert. Along the way we see the day-to-day happenings of rural Indian life. [B]

Day 8 Jodhpur
We explore the majestic Mehrangarh Fort. The fort rises a lofty 122 metres above the city, and is enclosed by imposing, thick walls. Inside its boundaries there are several palaces, renowned for their intricate carvings and sprawling courtyards. We then continue on to Jaswant Thada and in the afternoon take a jeep ride out to the nearby Bishnoi villages to get a taste of local life. [B]

Day 9 Jodhpur - Udaipur
Our journey to Udaipur is via the Jain temple of Ranakpur. This incredible temple is made of marble and features 29 halls supported by 1,400 pillars, of which no two are alike. [B]

Day 10 Udaipur
Udaipur - the enchanting “City of Dawn”. A wonderful day as we tour the city in the morning including the impressive City Palace, Jagdish Temple and the Sahelion-ki-bari. This afternoon we enjoy a relaxing cruise on Lake Pichola. [B]

Day 11 Udaipur - Bijaynagar
This morning we travel to Bijaynagar, situated in the heartlands of Rajasthan. Here we stay in a heritage hotel hidden amidst vast private farmlands and orchards. Remaining day is at leisure. [B]

Day 12 Bijaynagar - Pushkar - Jaipur
We visit Pushkar, one of the oldest cities in India and an important pilgrimage site where, once a year, the famous camel fair is held. During the festival many thousands of camels get traded here and are often colourfully decorated by their owners to make them more attractive to buyers. We then conitinue to Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan. [B]

Day 13 Jaipur
Our entry to the famous Amber Fort this morning is by elephant! The fort is known for its breathtaking artistic mastery, blending both Hindu and Muslim elements. The fort borders the Maota Lake and is a major tourist attraction. This afternoon we explore the city, including the busy bazaar and Jantar Mantar Observatory. [B]

Day 14 Jaipur - Ranthambore
Today we head back to nature as we drive to Ranthambore National Park. The park covers a massive 392 sq km and is home to a large variety of bird and animal species including the chital, the sambhar deer, the blue bull and the tiger. Here we enjoy our first game drive in the afternoon. [B,L,D]

Day 15 Ranthambore
Enjoy morning and afternoon game drives in search of the elusive tiger. [B,L,D]

Day 16 Ranthambore - Agra
We are in for a real experience today as we travel by train to Bharatpur. The Indian train network is very extensive and is the largest single employer in India. We then drive on to Agra via the fascinating deserted Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri. This city was built in 1569 but abandoned 15 years later due to lack of water. The sheer size of the city and its well-preserved state will astound you. [B]

Day 17 Agra
We save the best for last! Today we visit the stunning Taj Mahal, the most famous monument to love ever built. Our tour of Agra also includes the imposing Agra Fort, which is also known as the Red Fort and can be more accurately described as a palatial, walled city. The remainder of the day is at leisure. [B]

Day 18 Depart Delhi
This morning is at leisure in Agra before our transfer to Delhi international airport for our evening flight home to Australia. [B]

Day 19 Arrive Australia

Back to Rajasthan Discovery - OLD Tour Home