Magical Rajasthan

From the marbled walls of the Taj Mahal to the frenetic backstreets of bustling Old Delhi, Rajasthan is a region of striking contrasts. This all-encompassing 12-day itinerary uncovers its many sides. Delve into the stories behind Agra, explore the ‘pink city’ of Jaipur and gaze at the cobalt-blue walls of Jodhpur as you travel from Delhi to Mumbai, exploring the people, cultures and stories that have shaped this majestic region.

Itinerary
11 nights

£2,950 - £3,595pp including international flights

Itinerary overview

Day 1

Arrival in Delhi

When you arrive in Delhi, you’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. The rest of...

Day 2

Delhi

Enjoy a full day in the city today. If you’re feeling energetic, opt for a Delhi by Dawn tour to ...

Day 3

Delhi & Agra

After breakfast, travel to Agra to see one of India’s true bucket-list sites – the Taj Mahal. Set...

Day 4

Agra & Jaipur

Set the alarm early this morning for an optional sunrise visit to see Agra’s crowning glory, the ...

Day 5

Jaipur

Discover Old Jaipur today on an included excursion visiting traditional haveli homes and temples,...

Day 6

Jaipur & Jodhpur

Travel to Jodhpur today to explore the ‘Blue City’, so named for the cobalt-blue houses that fill...

Day 7

Jodhpur

Continue your explorations in Jodhpur today. Wander the colourful streets on your own terms or ch...

Day 8

Jodhpur & Udaipur

Bid farewell to Jodhpur this morning as you make your way towards Udaipur, the former capital of ...

Day 9

Udaipur

Today is free to enjoy in Udaipur. If you’d rather see it with a guide, opt for a half-day city t...

Day 10

Udaipur & Mumbai

You’ll be transferred to Udaipur airport today to fly to Mumbai. The rest of the day is free to e...

Day 11

Mumbai

Make the most of your final day this morning with an included dawn tour to see Mumbai and its mar...

Day 12

Mumbai & Departure

The tour comes to an end today. After breakfast, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your fl...

Day 1

Arrival in Delhi

When you arrive in Delhi, you’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to enjoy in the capital. Formed from what were once seven separate cities, today Delhi is a vibrant metropolis with a string of impressive sights, from the Red Fort to the elaborate Jama Masjid Mosque. Overnight at Haveli Dharampura.

Day 2

Delhi

Enjoy a full day in the city today. If you’re feeling energetic, opt for a Delhi by Dawn tour to see the city come alive in the early hours. Alternatively, you might opt for a culinary tour with a local food expert, take a rickshaw ride round Old Delhi’s higgledy-piggledy lanes, embark on a photography excursion to capture the city’s spice markets and bazaars, or try a hands-on cooking lesson with a local family. Otherwise, head out to explore this captivating city on your own terms. Overnight at Haveli Dharampura.

Chandni Chowk by Night

Delhi

Exploring Chandni Chowk by night gives you a chance to understand the real spirit of Delhi. It’s like a movie unfolding around you, a whirl of architecture and food, history and business. At night, it’s less crowded so there’s more opportunity to engage with locals and after sunset, Chandni Chowk glows and glitters with store lights. There’s a maze of different streets to discover that specialise in everything from silver and spices to saris and glass bangles. If you want to buy something, your guide will help you haggle, which is a ritual in Old Delhi. The tour starts at around 5.30pm exploring on foot, as your guide explains the evolution of Old Delhi. You’ll see various businesses and have the opportunity to sit with people and hear about their lives. You might meet the ear-cleaning-man, who wears a red hat and carries tools to remove wax from people’s ears – it’s a great photo opportunity as is the chai vendors swirling tea in their metal pans. As you walk, your guide will point out religious landmarks like the Sunehri Masjid and Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib, a Sikh temple with a community kitchen. The highlight of the trip though is always the food. You will have dinner at Karim’s (guest to pay directly), a restaurant that serves Mughlai cuisine. It was set up in the 1940s by Karim, a chef who served in the kitchen of a Mughal emperor and wanted to introduce this food to ordinary people. The dishes have a Persian influence and include lots of bread and kormas, all cooked in an open kitchen. Afterwards, wander around the street food area where you can sample desserts like bread pudding and mango ice cream. You’ll get to try everything from samosas to chai – food is a very important part of experiencing Old Delhi.

Day 3

Delhi & Agra

After breakfast, travel to Agra to see one of India’s true bucket-list sites – the Taj Mahal. Set on the banks of the Yamuna River, Agra was the capital of the Mughal Empire until Emperor Shah Jahan shifted it to Delhi, and traces of its imperial history remain in much of its architecture today. Optional experiences this afternoon include a cycling trip around local rural villages and a heritage-themed tour to learn more about the women of the Mughal dynasty. Overnight at Ekaa Villa.

Taj Mahal & Agra City Tour

Agra

On this tour you will two major attractions, Agra Fort and the Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. Start at Agra Fort where your guide will explain in detail how the Mughal dynasty created this paradise of beautiful gardens, fountains and architecture. You will go through several gates to a palace called Jahangiri Mahal where inside you can discover all the different architectural influences, not just Islamic, but also Jain and Hindu. Next, head to the Octagonal Tower from where you can see all the way to the Taj Mahal. Next you will head to the Taj Mahal stopping at the Mehtab Bagh gardens which enjoy magnificent panoramas of the glorious ivory-white structure. As you get closer, the Taj Mahal’s landscaped gardens will come into full view, lined with abundant trees, fountains, symmetrical paths and canals. You will then be in front of one of the most beautiful buildings ever made. The façade has been designed to impress from every angle with perfectly aligned arches and beautiful stonework decorated with flowers and inscriptions of verses from the Koran. The interior contains more architectural marvels such as the huge marble domed tomb. You will have some free time to explore at your own pace and there will be plenty of photo opportunities.

Day 4

Agra & Jaipur

Set the alarm early this morning for an optional sunrise visit to see Agra’s crowning glory, the Taj Mahal. Commissioned in the 17th century by Emperor Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his late wife, this marble masterpiece is best seen at dawn, when the sky turns peach above its elaborate domes. Wander the gardens to admire its architecture before exploring the interiors, inlaid with semi-precious stones and inscriptions. Alternatively opt for a guided walking tour through Old Agra with a hosted family lunch. Afterwards, you’ll be transferred to Jaipur, also known as the Pink City; it was painted rose to welcome the Prince of Wales and Queen Victoria in 1876. Overnight at Samode Haveli.

Taj Mahal by Sunrise

Agra

The Taj Mahal is a magnificent monument to love and one of the world’s most recognised buildings. One of the best ways to view this iconic landmark is at sunrise, marvelling as the first rays of morning light bathe it in a pearly pink glow. A magical and truly unforgettable spectacle.

Day 5

Jaipur

Discover Old Jaipur today on an included excursion visiting traditional haveli homes and temples, during which you’ll meet local artisans and shop owners before enjoying tea with a local family. Spend the rest of the day exploring independently or choose from one of several optional experiences. Try a cooking lesson, visit a local school, or take a tour of the majestic Amber Fort – a sprawling, UNESCO-listed palace built in the 16th century on a hill overlooking the city. Overnight at Samode Haveli.

Architectural Walking Tour

Jaipur

Join a walking tour of UNESCO-listed Jaipur to learn about its architectural jewels. The tour starts at 8.30am when it’s peaceful, before the bazaars and markets take over. This is when locals go to worship and you can join them at one of the city’s oldest temples, which is known for its 300-year-old fresco painting and set in a private family home. This begins a discussion about religion and architecture in Jaipur; where at a junction in the city, you get to see a Jain Temple, a mosque and a Hindu temple. Continue the walk at Broad Road, which was once used by the royal family, so it’s lined by grand houses. As you enter the winding by-lanes you’ll hear about Jaipur’s history as the first planned city in India, the vastu shastra and shilpa shastra architecture and havelis owned by artists, craftsmen and traders. You’ll get to meet some of these characters when you visit the metal-beating community who still work without technology, in the same way they have for 200 years. It’s fascinating to see how everything has been hand-created. Other key architectural sights on the tour include the City Palace, the Ayurvedic hospital and two huge, 10-foot-tall silver jars which belonged to a king of Jaipur. Guests love visiting a local family in their haveli to chat about life in Jaipur and meeting traditional bangle makers. You will end the tour with an immersion into some of Jaipur’s hectic markets. There’s the spice market with over 300 shops which draws buyers from far and wide, followed by the vegetable and flower markets. The flower market is always busy with people shopping for weddings and festivals. This tour is a great orientation of Jaipur; you’ll discover its architecture, religion and crafts and meet the locals, learning the stories and legends behind our city.

Day 6

Jaipur & Jodhpur

Travel to Jodhpur today to explore the ‘Blue City’, so named for the cobalt-blue houses that fill its Old Town (there are various theories behind the striking colour). The city is home to several impressive sites, among them the 15th-century Mehrangarh Fort and the Sardar Bazaar, where handmade leather goods, Rajasthani jewellery and spices spill out from narrow lanes. On arrival, relax at the hotel or explore the city at leisure. Overnight at RAAS.

Day 7

Jodhpur

Continue your explorations in Jodhpur today. Wander the colourful streets on your own terms or choose from one of several optional experiences including ziplining over the Mehrangarh Fort, a cooking class in one of the city’s blue houses or a memorable day of Indian truck-painting with a local artist. Overnight at RAAS.

Half Day Sightseeing Tour of the City

Jodhpur

Jodhpur, the second largest city in Rajasthan, is also known as the Blue City. As soon as you step into the streets, you will see lanes of beautiful indigo-blue painted houses that belong to the Brahmins, the elite priestly caste of Hinduism. On the way to Mehrangarh Fort which you’ll see located high on a hill above the city, a stop is made at Jaswant Thada, a royal cenotaph built in the later 19th century with white marble brought from the same quarry as that used for the Taj Mahal. Head to the Mehrangarh Fort, founded by Maharaja Rao Jodha in the 15th century. This magnificent fortress was used as the private residence of the royal family. You enter through Jai Pol, meaning ‘Victory Gate,’ dedicated to the victory over the invading armies of Jaipur. After admiring some beautiful frescoes, walk through Fateh Pol where you can still see the cannonball marks from various attacks. Enter Shringar Chowk, a courtyard where the royal families were coronated. There’s a wonderful museum in which you can see all the elaborate howdahs (seats) that were fastened onto the maharaja’s elephants, made of silver, gold and delicate ivory work. The Flower Palace is another museum highlight with frescoes, miniatures and 24-carat gold leaf work.

Day 8

Jodhpur & Udaipur

Bid farewell to Jodhpur this morning as you make your way towards Udaipur, the former capital of the kingdom of Mewar, set on the edge of the desert and scattered with shimmering lakes. Opulent mansions, palaces and gardens fill its streets today, sandwiched between colourful market stalls and artisanal craft shops. Your accommodation for the next two nights is a family-run homestay converted from a former farmhouse. Settle in and get to know your hosts ready for a day exploring the city. Overnight at Premkunj.

Day 9

Udaipur

Today is free to enjoy in Udaipur. If you’d rather see it with a guide, opt for a half-day city tour, go behind the scenes on a cycling trip or embark on a textile tour to see local craftspeople at work. Alternatively, venture beyond the city to the local village of Delwara to meet female artisans. Overnight at Premkunj.

Day 10

Udaipur & Mumbai

You’ll be transferred to Udaipur airport today to fly to Mumbai. The rest of the day is free to explore this energetic city of 20 million, famous for its Bollywood scene and home to a melting pot of cultures. Opt for a culinary tour sampling local street food or wander at your own pace. Overnight at Taj Mahal Palace.

Day 11

Mumbai

Make the most of your final day this morning with an included dawn tour to see Mumbai and its markets come alive. You’ll see newspaper vendors preparing for the day, fruit and vegetable sellers setting up stalls and milkmen transporting giant canisters. Then head to the dock to see fish being hauled in for the day. Afterwards, choose from one of several optional experiences – among them a Bollywood tour of the city’s production houses – or explore independently. Overnight at Taj Mahal Palace.

Mumbai by Dawn

Mumbai

Wake early to gain a fascinating new perspective on the daily life in Mumbai. Head to the local fruit and vegetable market where people haggle with wholesalers before heading down to the waterfront where you will visit the Sassoon docks. This is one of the oldest docks in the city and it is here where the night's catch is sold. Experience the hustle, the mass of people and the fast-paced auctions that occur throughout the dock – an amazing example of everyday life in the city.

Mumbai Dreams Bollywood Tour

Mumbai

Experience the madness that is Bollywood, from joining a dance workshop to visiting a working film set and trying your hand at dubbing in the sound studio. Bollywood is such an integral part of Indian culture and the stars are revered as role models. The full-day tour kicks off with a Bollywood dance workshop led by a professional choreographer, who’ll teach you ten minutes of an iconic dance routine. Your performance will be recorded to take away on a USB. Next, you’ll visit a production studio where you’ll watch a film or TV shoot in action. It’s very immersive and you’ll get a chance to chat with actors and crew in between takes. After lunch (own expense), head to the recording studio where you can try dubbing some Bollywood dialogue over a film clip. You’ll be given a classic Bollywood line often about the underdog’s place in society and triumphing over bad guys, and then you’ll perform it in Hindi to the clip. It’s great fun and you get an idea of how hilariously over the top Bollywood can be. If there’s time after the studio tour, you can visit the Bollywood Museum to see hand-painted movie posters before ending the trip at an old-school theatre, where you’ll watch an excerpt of a Bollywood movie.

Day 12

Mumbai & Departure

The tour comes to an end today. After breakfast, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight home or onward connection.

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Guide price information

Low Season

01 Apr - 30 Sep

2,950

High Season

01 Jan - 31 Mar, 01 Oct - 31 Dec

£3,595

Guide price information is based on the included flights from London, accommodation, transport and experiences detailed in the itinerary above. Guide prices do not include optional things to do. Call us for up to date prices – the cost of your holiday depends upon the time of year you travel, how long you go for, preferred departure airport, airlines, hotels and things to do. Based on 2 people sharing.

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