Forts & Palaces of Rajasthan

16 Days / 15 Nights from £2245/ $2919 per person

This privately chauffeured tour of Rajasthan – the Land of Kings – reveals the quintessential image of India: a beautiful land studded with fairy-tale citadels and ornate palaces, swathed in shifting sand dunes, adorned with tranquil lakes, and inhabited by a welcoming people clad in colourful sarees and crowned by regal turbans. As your Forts & Palaces of Rajasthan tour unfolds you’ll stay in the palaces and havelis of India’s glittering Maharajas, Nawabs and Thakurs; and behold unforgettable sights that include the immense yellow-hued hill top fort of Amer with its stunning Sheesh Mahal (Hall of Mirrors), the great bastions of Mehrangarh fort that tower over the 'Blue City' of Jodhpur, and the dreamy crenellated battlements of the 'golden' Sonar Qila in Jaisalmer. The exquisite jewel encrusted Royal Chambers at the City Palace in the 'Pink City' of Jaipur will also vie for your attention, and you will be able to gaze on the lovely blue waters of Lake Pichola through the ornate windows that pierce the great halls of the royal palace of the once mighty kingdom of Mewar. In addition to the must-visit mighty forts and grand palaces of Rajasthan, this in-depth tour takes you through Rajasthan's colourful heartland, where you will discover Shekhawati’s elaborately painted mansions dating back to the 19th century and spend a night at the little-known yet magical 12th century Nagaur Fort that lies on the edge of the Thar Desert and was one of the first Muslim strongholds in northern India. The Forts & Palaces of Rajasthan tour starts in historic Delhi and concludes with two nights to enjoy sublime vistas over the 'Lake City' of Udaipur where there is the opportunity to stay at the Taj Lake Palace – arguably the dreamiest palace in India. A tour of Rajasthan as seen through its forts and palaces is a simply magnificent experience and represents India at her finest!

Itinerary at a Glance

Day	Location/Route	Overnight	Sapphire Hotels	Diamond Hotels
Day 1	Arrive Delhi Airport. Transfer to your hotel in the heart of New Delhi.	2 nights Delhi	The Maidens	The Imperial
Day 2	Morning tour of New Delhi. Afternoon explore Old Delhi.
Day 3	Train to Agra. Afternoon tour of Agra Fort and sunset visit to Mehtab Bagh gardens.	1 night Agra	Taj Hotel & Convention Centre	The Oberoi Amarvilas
Day 4	Sunrise visit to Taj Mahal. Visit Fatehpur Sikri, arrive Jaipur.	2 nights Jaipur	Shahpura House Jaipur	Taj Rambagh Palace
Day 5	Morning tour of Amer Fort and Nahargarh Fort. The afternoon is at leisure.
Day 6	Morning tour of City Palace. Afternoon drive to Shekhawati.	2 nights Shekhawati	Vivaana	Vivaana
Day 7	Explore sleepy villages lined with gorgeous painted mansions. The afternoon is at leisure.
Day 8	Morning drive to Nagaur. Enjoy sunset strolls along the magnificent ramparts of Ahichattragarh Fort.	1 night Nagaur	Ranvas	Ranvas
Day 9	Begin your day with a short guided walk through Nagaur. Then, drive to Jaisalmer. The remainder of the day is at leisure.	2 nights Jaisalmer	The Gulaal	Suryagarh
Day 10	Morning tour of Jaisalmer Fort. Afternoon is at leisure. Alternatively, visit the ghost town of Kuldhara.
Day 11	Morning drive to Manvar. Later this afternoon, enjoy a camel ride.	1 night Manvar	Manvar Desert Camp	Manvar Desert Camp
Day 12	Drive to Jodhpur. Afternoon cycle rickshaw ride through the Old City.	2 nights Jodhpur	Ratan Vilas	Umaid Bhawan Palace
Day 13	Morning visit to the Mehrangarh Fort. The afternoon is at leisure.
Day 14	Drive to Udaipur, via Ranakpur.	2 nights Udaipur	Amet Haveli	Taj Lake Palace
Day 15	Morning tour of Udaipur. Afternoon boat ride.
Day 16	Farewell to India.