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Timeless Rajasthan & the Ajanta Caves

Timeless Rajasthan & the Ajanta Caves

15 Days / 14 Nights from £2175/ $2610 per person

Timeless Rajasthan & the Ajanta Caves is a journey through the ages that evokes enduring images of north India’s vibrant and colourful past with its mighty fortresses, imperial monuments, ornate palaces and exquisitely carved temples shaping almost every horizon. Travelling through one of India’s most spectacular regions, this tour showcases not just the treasure trove of architectural gems that Rajasthan is famed for, but will also introduce you to the fabulous ancient murals of the Ajanta Caves. A potent symbol of India's rich artistic past, the cave paintings of Ajanta were lost for nearly 1000 years, before being rediscovered by Captain John Smith in 1819 whilst leading a tiger hunting expedition. On this well-paced tour you will discover the legacy of the Raj; marvel at many of the finest creations of the Mughals including the outstanding Humayun’s Tomb in Delhi; the sublime Taj Mahal as well as the magnificent Red Fort with its wonderful palaces and elaborate audience halls in Agra and Akbar’s Fatehpur Sikri – one of the best preserved Mughal cities in northern India. Then, cross into Rajasthan, where you will climb up to the spectacular yellow-hued fort-palace at Amer in Jaipur; explore grand palaces showcasing Indo-Islamic style of architecture and enjoy a relaxing sunset cruise that will take you past exquisite pleasure pavilions on Lake Pichola at Udaipur. Along the way you will also visit atmospheric Hindu and Jain Temples, colourful markets and miniature painting studios. Next, the recently introduced flight from Udaipur will bring you to Aurangabad – gateway to the celebrated, ancient cave temples at Ajanta & Ellora. Here, you will have two full days to admire the ornate frescoes, considered the finest surviving examples of Indian art and gaze at the spell-binding Kailasa Temple, which covers nearly twice the area of the Parthenon in Athens and is superbly carved from a single rock. The Timeless Rajasthan & the Ajanta Caves tour concludes at Mumbai, India’s Maximum City with a guided heritage walk through the historic Fort District,

Itinerary at a Glance

Day	Location/Route	Overnight	Sapphire Hotels
Day 1	Arrive Delhi Airport. Private transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure. Alternatively, discover the Mehrauli Archaeological Park (supplement applies).	2 nights Delhi	The Maidens
Day 2	Morning tour of New Delhi. Afternoon explore Old Delhi.
Day 3	Drive to Agra via Sikandra. Afternoon tour of Agra. Sunset visit to Mehtab Bagh.	2 nights Agra	Taj Hotel & Convention Centre
Day 4	Sunrise visit to Taj Mahal and late morning tour of Agra Fort. Afternoon at leisure.
Day 5	Discover Fatehpur Sikri, one of the best preserved Mughal cities in northern India. Then, continue to Jaipur.	3 nights Jaipur	Shahpura House Jaipur
Day 6	Morning tour of City Palace. Afternoon walking tour.
Day 7	Morning tour of Amer Fort. Afternoon is at leisure.
Day 8	Fly to Udaipur. Afternoon boat trip on Lake Pichola.	2 nights Udaipur	Amet Haveli
Day 9	Morning tour of Udaipur. Afternoon at leisure.
Day 10	Fly to Aurangabad. Afternoon visit to Bibi-ka-Maqbara.	3 nights Aurangabad	Vivanta by Taj - Aurangabad
Day 11	Full day visit to Ajanta Cave Temples.
Day 12	Morning visit to Ellora Cave Temples. Afternoon visit Daulatabad Fort.
Day 13	Fly to Mumbai. Afternoon walking tour of colonial Mumbai.	2 nights Mumbai	The Abode Mumbai
Day 14	Morning visit to Elephanta Island. The afternoon is at leisure.
Day 15	Transfer to Mumbai International Airport. Farewell to India.