The vastness and diversity of India is difficult to capture in one tour, but a visit to these very different cities reveals the jewels of the subcontinent and provides an introduction that, we hope, will be a beginning to a lifelong attraction to India. This journey begins with a few days under canvas in the Thar Desert and slowly moves south through the unexplored, tribal areas of western Rajasthan where you stay in small palaces in rural communities and have a chance to see a panther.

Day - 01

Delhi
You are met upon the arrival by our representative and transferred to the hotel for overnight stay.

Day - 02

Sightseeing Of New And Old Delhi & Overnight Train To Jaisalmer

We complete this tour during our visits at the beginning and end of the trip. In Old Delhi we visit major architectural achievements including Lal Qila (The Red Fort) and the Jami Masjid (Friday mosque) while taking time to wander the bustling market streets.

New Delhi sights include Humayan’s Tomb and the shrine of Nizam-ud-din. Humayan’s tomb is one of the oldest examples of Moghul architecture, precursor to the Taj Mahal. We also visit the India Gate, President House, Parliament house and Laxmi Narayan Temple. In the evening you will be transferred to the railway station to board overnight Train to Jaisalmer.

Day - 03

Jaisalmer

Taken straight from Tales of the Arabian Nights, this walled city of gold is truly the “stuff dreams are made of.” Much time will be spent wandering the narrow streets of the old city and peering across the desert high up on the ramparts. In the morning you will be met at the railway station and transferred to the hotel. Afternoon Informal tour of old city.

Day - 04

Jaisalmer

Jaisalmer lies in the western extremity of Rajasthan, in the heart of the Thar Desert. The Jain Temples in the fort are decked with deities and dancing figures in mythological settings. The library attached to these places of worship contains some of the most ancient manuscripts in India, some dating back to the 12th century, written on palm-leaf in black ink with hand painted wooden covers. Down in the city are the renowned Havelis or mansions of Salim Singh, Nathmalji and the Patwas, every house boasting superb latticework in innumerable and intricate designs.

Day - 05

Manwar (175 Km / 4 Hours)
Travel four hours to desert camp. This is a beautifully staged “resort” style lodging in a remote area of the Thar Desert. He we partake in a 3 hour camel safari traveling across swaths of deserts between sand dunes. As this area is rarely traveled by tourists, one easily harkens back to the era of camel crossings and caravansaries, as the methodical rhythm of the camel helps us transcend time. Following camel trek we return to our desert camp.

Day - 06

Jodphur (110 Km / 2½ Hours)

Depart in the early morning for Jodhpur. Afternoon proceed for the city tour of Jodhpur. Jodhpur is the land of the valiant Rathore kings. A bleak scarp rears up 120 meters from the desert valley. Straddling the rocky crevices is the massive Jodhpur Fort, its sheer walls reflecting the strength of its warrior builders. The museum within the fort is one of the finest in Rajasthan and displays royal apparel, ancient paintings and manuscripts, fabled treasures of the royal household and an armory. Delicately latticed windows and pierced screens worked in sandstone form the dominant motif within the rugged casket of the fort and the palaces are exquisitely decorated. On the road down from the fort, the splash of blinding white marble on the left is Jaswant Thada, Maharaja Jaswant Singh II’s cenotaph, built in 1899 - all previous rulers have their cenotaphs at Mandore. The town below has many more fine buildings and temples and is interesting to walk through, particularly the market near the clock tower.

Day - 07

Udaipur (260 Km / 6 Hours)

After breakfast 6 hour drive takes you to Udaipur. En route a visit to Ranakpur, the famous Jain temples of Ranakpur which lie buried in a shady glen and cover a vast area.

The central temple is called Chaumukha (four-faced) and is the most complex and extensive of Jain temples in India, covering an area of over 40,000 sq. feet (3,600 sq. meters). 1,444 pillars, none of which are alike, support its 29 halls.

A subsidiary shrines in the shape of side alters throng around in all directions, including a temple dedicated to the Sun God which displays erotic carvings. Continue your drive to Udaipur. Upon arrival you will be transferred to the Hotel.

Day - 08

Udaipur
After breakfast depart for sightseeing of Udaipur city includes a visit to the City Palace which stands on the crest of a ridge overlooking Lake Pichola. It is the largest palace in Rajasthan. Now a museum, it is a labyrinth of courtyards richly decorated with inlaid mirror-work, galleries covered with frescos, temples and roof gardens, which afford a wide panorama below. Sahelion-ki-Bari (Garden of the Handmaidens) is a good example of the Hindu art of landscaping on a princely scale.

The Jagdish Temple in the old town was built in the mid-17th century and has a remarkable bronze statue of Garuda, the mythical bird, facing his revered master Lord Vishnu. The shops and craftsmen’s ateliers in the narrow streets of the bazaar justify endless walks.

In the evening take a boat ride on Lake Pichola. The steel blue waters of the lake, artificially created in the 14th century, reflect the white phantom Jag Nivas Palace, now the Lake Palace hotel which was built in 1746 as the summer residence of the rulers.

Day - 09

Chhatra Sagar (260 Km / 6 Hours)

An old Maharajah hunting area turned 5 star tents camp. This luxurious tented area sits on the edge of a huge damn as we watch birds and wildlife traverse the area. This certainly one of the most interesting and peaceful days of the journey as we visit local villages who are practicing the timeless skills of weaving, pottery and smithing, much as they have 500 years. In the morning you can hike around the dam.

Day - 10

Pushkar (110 Km / 2 Hours)

The small town of Pushkar lies 11 km northeast of Ajmer and is an important pilgrimage centre for Hindus. The sanctity of the lake is equal to that of Mansarover and Tibet. Throughout the year, Pushkar has the atmosphere of an ancient religious town, peaceful and secluded. But for 12 days in the month of Kartik, it is transformed into a spectacular fairground that spreads over the dunes west of the town.

Day - 11

Ranthambore Tiger Reserve (260 Km / 6 Hours)

After breakfast depart for a 5-hour drive to Ranthambore. On arrival check in at the hotel. Ranthambore is situated at the junction of the Aravalli and Vindhya ranges. Since becoming one of the original 11 areas under Project Tiger in 1973, the park has recovered much of its previous natural glory. During the 18th century the area was protected as a hunting area for and by the Maharajas of Jaipur and it is thanks to an extension of this protection that the park exists today. Ranthambore has an impressive range of animal species within its 150 sq. miles (392 sq. km), including sambar, cheetal, nilgai, chinkara, wild boar, sloth bear, hyena, jackal, leopard and tiger. The rich birdlife reflects the range of flora on which it feeds. During the winter months, the lakes attract a variety of migrant water birds. Afternoon wildlife viewing by jeep.

Day - 12

Ranthambore

Morning and afternoon game drive by jeep.

Day - 13

Train To Delhi

This morning you we transfer to railway station in time to board Kota/Delhi Jan shatabdi Express departing at 07.15 hours and arriving at H. Nizam-ud-din railway station (New Delhi) at 12.35 hours. You will be transferred from the railway station to the hotel afternoon at leisure.

Day - 14

Flight To Varanasi

In the morning you will be transferred to the airport to board your flight to Varanasi. Afternoon visit Sarnath, located 6 miles (9 km) from Varanasi, which is the center of the Buddhist world, just as Varanasi is that for the Hindu. It was here that Buddha preached his first sermon, partially recorded on one of its stones.

Dhamek Stupa dating back to 500 AD, is the largest with geometrical ornaments on its wall. Dharmarajika Stupa was set up by emperor Ashoka to contain the bodily relics of the Buddha. There is an outstanding museum, worth visiting.

Day - 15

Varanasi

Early in the morning, before sunrise, depart for a boat ride on the sacred River Ganges, where devout Hindus can be seen performing their daily ablutions. The bathing ghats, over three miles in length, lead down from a steep bank to the river and are the soul of the city.

Manikarnika burning ghat is the chief cremation centre of Varanasi. Photography is not usually permitted here. Return to hotel for breakfast. Afterwards, explore Varanasi, the religious capital of the Hindu faith since the dawn of history. Known as Kashi in the 7th century BC it constitutes a microcosm of Indian life. The town is one inextricable maze of small streets and alleyways, hiding in disorderly array no less than 2,000 temples and shrines. Domes, pinnacles, towers and derelict 18th-century palaces dominate the left bank of the Ganges river. The streets are noisy, color is rife. Overnight at the Hotel.

Day - 16

Flight To Delhi & Transfer To International Airport

Transfer to Hotel for the dinner and late night flight back to home.