Meet your driver in the lobby of your Delhi hotel and begin your journey to Rajasthan, with a first stop in the magical city of Jaipur. The city was founded in 1772, and is known as "the pink city" because of the many pink houses in the old town. Jaipur has a lively and contrasting city center where it is quite common to see camels, sacred cows and elephants in the cityscape.
Transportation: Delhi to Jaipur by Car or Van
Accommodation: Comfort Hotel*** with private room and bathroom
Today you will visit Amber Fort, Jaigarh Fort, Hawa Mahal, City Palace, and Jantar Mantar. Beautifully located on a mountain top, Amber Fort is a huge complex of palaces, pavilions, gardens and temples built over two centuries. Jaigarh Fort is included in the Guinness Book of Records because the world's largest cannon guards the fort. City Palace was the former royal residence and the architecture is a mix of Rajasthan and Mughal styles. In extension of the City Palace is the Hawa Mahal, which is also called the wind palace. Jantar Mantar is an exciting Indian star observatory. Jaipur is also known to be Rajasthan's best shopping city, there are many different bazaars here.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Comfort Hotel*** with private room and bathroom
Miscellaneous: Full day city tour with English speaking guide (entrance fees not included)
Popularly known as the Open Art Gallery, the town is replete with paved archways and magnificent havelis and fortresses. It is located in the heart of the Shekhawati region and is dotted with palaces and splendid mansions (havelis). The aura and vibe of the place reflect the social and cultural environment of the place in the bygone era.
Check-in and rest of the day at leisure to explore the city on your own.
Meals: Breakfast
Transportation: Jaipur to Mandawa by Car or Van
Accommodation: Comfort Hotel*** with private room and bathroom
After breakfast, continue your journey towards Rajasthan desert. On the way you will visit Karni Mata Temple which is full of sacred rats! It is 600 years old and is an important temple for Hindu pilgrims. Bring socks if you don't want dirty feet, as footwear is prohibited and the floor is strewn with grain and rat excrement. The rats are quite small and harmless. You should not be afraid of them touching you, however, it is said to bring good luck if a rat were to run over your feet. Bikaner is called the camel city and is known for breeding the best camels in the world. If there is time, you can choose to visit the camel farm in Bikaner in the afternoon.
Meals: Breakfast
Transportation: Mandawa to Bikaner by Car or Van
Accommodation: Comfort Hotel*** with private room and bathroom
Miscellaneous: Stop at Karni Mata Temple (entrance fees not included)
In the morning you will visit the Junagarh Fort in Bikaner before continuing towards Jaisalmer. Jaisalmer is located in the middle of the Thar Desert, not far from Pakistan. Here you have the opportunity to ride a camel and experience an atmospheric and beautiful sunset in the desert if you sleep in a desert camp. The camel rides are very popular and you are likely to meet other tourists on the ride.
Meals: Breakfast
Transportation: Bikaner to Jaisalmer by Car or Van
Accommodation: Comfort Hotel*** with private room and bathroom
Miscellaneous: Stop Junagarh Fort (entrance fees not included), sunset camel ride in Jaisalmer
Free day to explore the city and its surrounding on your own
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Comfort Hotel*** with private room and bathroom
Today you drive towards Jodhpur, which is Rajasthan's second largest city and has been nicknamed "The Blue City" because of the blue facades of the houses. Jodhpur's old town is surrounded by a ten-km-long wall with eight gates and countless lookouts that protect the city. The rest of the afternoon is set aside for relaxation and possibly a walk on your own. For example, you can visit the hectic market, which is located right next to the city's bell tower. This market is known for its many different flavors of lassis (Indian yogurt drink). If you need a quieter environment, there is a small lake in the middle of town where people relax and the sacred cows come by for a drink of water.
Meals: Breakfast
Transportation: Jaisalmer to Jodhpur by Car or Van
Accommodation: Comfort Hotel*** with private room and bathroom
After breakfast, it's time for some sightseeing in Jodhpur. You visit e.g. Umaid Bhawan Palace, Jaswant Thada Tomb Monument, Mandore Gardens and the massive Meharangarh Fort, built in the 15th century and the largest in Rajasthan. The fort is located on a 122 meter high cliff and therefore gives you a fantastically beautiful view of the blue city and the reddish mountains.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Comfort Hotel*** with private room and bathroom
Miscellaneous: Full day city tour with English speaking guide (entrance fees not included)
Today the trip goes towards Pushkar. The city has a relaxed atmosphere and is an important city for pilgrims who come here to bathe in India's holiest lake. The small town has also become popular with backpackers who relax in the town's cafes. It is not possible to buy alcohol in the city out of respect for the religion. The afternoon is at your leisure. For example, you can go for a walk around the lake.
Meals: Breakfast
Transportation: Jodhpur to Pushkar by Car or Van
Accommodation: Comfort Hotel*** with private room and bathroom
After breakfast, the trip goes towards Agra. On the way, a stop is made to visit the "ghost town" Fatehpur Sikri, where you get a guided tour. Fatehpur Sikri was the capital when Akbar the Great ruled during the Mughal era. Agra is a bustling and hectic city, and home to one of the seven wonders of the world; The Taj Mahal. After arriving in Agra, you will check into your guest house/hotel, and in the afternoon you will go on a city tour of Agra by rickshaw. If you arrive in Agra on a Thursday, you will have your visit to the Taj Mahal on this day, as the Taj Mahal is always closed on Fridays.
Meals: Breakfast
Transportation: Pushkar to Agra by Car or Van
Accommodation: Comfort Hotel*** with private room and bathroom
Miscellaneous: Stop at Fatehpur Sikri (entrance fees not included)
You start the day with a beautiful sunrise over the Taj Mahal followed by a guided tour. After breakfast, visit Agra Fort (Red Fort), then return to Delhi arriving in the evening. The tour ends back at your guest house/hotel.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Comfort Hotel*** with private room and bathroom
Miscellaneous: Taj Mahal with English speaking guide (entrance fee not included)
After breakfast, transfer back to Delhi and drop off at your hotel, railway station or airport depending on your program.
Meals: Breakfast
Transportation: Agra to Delhi by Car or Van
