Delhi - Agra - Jaipur - Pushkar - Nagaur - Jodhpur - Udaipur - Delhi 15 days/14 nights
Rajasthan is one of the best places in India for festivals. Come in November to experience one of the world’s largest camel fairs, the Pushkar Camel Fair, which is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness the colour and carnival of one of India’s last great traditional gatherings. The fair is also a photographer's dream be it photos of elegantly dressed Rajasthani men and women or beautifully decorated camels, horses and cattle. Begin in India’s cosmopolitan capital Delhi with the souk-like bazaars of Old Delhi and the tree-lined colonial avenues of New Delhi. You’ll then be chauffeured to Agra, home to the breath-taking Taj Mahal. Continue to pink-hued Jaipur with its splendid architecture, not to mention fantastic shopping before heading to the extraordinary Pushkar Camel Fair in all its glory. Next, delve deep into rural Rajasthan with a stay in Nagaur on the edge of the Thar Desert before exploring Jodhpur, a rhapsody in blue, and Udaipur with its tranquil Lake Pichola. Finish in Delhi, where you can snap up final souvenirs. This is a purely suggested program based around Pushkar fair. It can be done in a number of ways to better suit your interests and arrival dates. Do get in touch and we can tailor make a journey with the Pushkar fair included in your holiday to India.
Your luxury private journey of India starts on arrival in Delhi, where you will be met by a member of our team at the airport before being chauffeured to the Taj Mahal Hotel, which boasts glorious Mughal architecture, manicured gardens, and five excellent restaurants. Spend the rest of the day at leisure, going for a stroll through verdant Lodi Gardens or browsing the enticing fashion boutiques of Khan Market which are conveniently located almost next door. Depending on your flight arrival time you could just simply relax at the hotel and take a dip in the outdoor pool. You could venture out to one of the best North indian restaurants in Delhi the Bukhara.
Start the day with an exciting cycle-rickshaw ride through the bustling alleyways of Chandni Chowk’s souk-like bazaars, including Khari Baoli, Asia’s largest spice market. Discover the myriad of sights in Old and New Delhi including the 17th- century Jama Masjid, Qutb Minar and Humayun’s Tomb which is thought to have inspired the Taj Mahal. Start a drive by of the other highlights including India Gate, Connaught Place, and the President's Palace where the Viceroy of India resided during the times of the Raj. After a long day's sightseeing have a relaxing evening at the hotel or we can recommend several popular dining venues in Delhi.
Leave Delhi in good time this morning to be chauffeured to Agra, where you have a choice of hotels: ITC Mughal, a celebration of the Mughals with lofty interiors, water bodies and fountains or the brilliantly-located Radisson Blu. In the afternoon, visit the iconic Taj Mahal, one of the most beautiful buildings in the world, which was built as a monument to eternal love by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife who dies giving birth to their 14th child. Marvel at the interiors which have several different colored stones crushed and inlaid in the floral details on the marble spandrels on the gateways. At least 60 different semi precious stones were used to carve the pietra dura flower design. The Taj Mahal is known for reflecting pastel colored hues with the play of sunlight on its surfaces throughout the day. The afternoon visit is special as it radiates an orangey pink as the sun goes down. Evening to relax and reminice and marvel at the beauty of the Taj. You could spend the evening at the Oberoi Amarvilas gardens.
Please note: you can start this journey on any day however the Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays.
After a delicious breakfast, begin your privately-guided tour of Agra, taking in another Mughal masterpiece Agra Fort, a palatial red-sandstone and marble fortress along the Yamuna River which was constructed by Emperor Akbar in 1565. Then visit Itmad-ud-daulah, nicknamed the ‘baby Taj’, the exquisite white marble tomb of a Persian nobleman Mizra Ghiyas Beg, which features particularly fine carved jalis.
Travel by road for several scenic hours to Rajasthan’s vibrant capital, Jaipur and check into Jai Mahal Palace, one of the finest examples of Indo-Saracenic architecture. Built in 1745, the hotel offers 94 luxurious rooms and suites with lovely views over the leafy grounds. Spend the rest of the day at leisure (there’s a fabulous spa) or a live size chess set overlooking the lawns before dining in one of their excellent restaurants – we recommend Cinnamon which serves delicious Indian food or Giardino by the pool for Italian fine dining. There is also evening entertainment at the hotel and a multi cuisine menu in the verandah.
Early morning, make your way on elephant back to the splendid 17th-century Amber Fort. Led by a local expert, you’ll begin your city tour of Jaipur by exploring the City Palace and its private rooms then continue on for a photo-stop at the stunning Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds) and a visit to the Jantar Mantar observatory. After lunch, spend the afternoon walking around the bazaars of Jaipur or visiting some of the shops and emporiums specialising in jewellery, traditional hand block prints, blue pottery and several other colorful curios of Rajasthan. If shopping is not your thing there are a number of experiences we can recommend for jaipur or simply relax at your hotel lawns.
After a three-hour and drive, arrive in Pushkar, home to the thrilling Pushkar Camel Fair. Enjoy a tour of the town, taking in the holy lake, its many ghats, and the rare Brahma temple. Later on, check into a luxury camp or stay at a modern hotel. Choose between peaceful boutique hotel Green House Resort with its luxurious tents, surrounded by the Aravalli Hills or Ananta Spa & Resort Pushkar, set among lush greenery. Both are close to the Mela grounds so guests can go on a camel cart to the fair. Enjoy a trip to the fair just before sunset to immerse yourself in the colorful surroundings with the colorful people, animals and animal accessorises. After the scenic visit watch the sun go down and walk the lit up intertwined streets of Pushkar.
Please note: the last few days of Pushkar are very crowded so we recommend visiting Pushkar during the beginning or middle of the fair.
Spend the day with your local guide enjoying the festivities of the Pushkar Camel Fair. It’s a feast for the eyes. In addition to the 20,000 camels, cattle and horses in attendance, farmers, traders and snake charmers from all over Rajasthan gather to take part in the fair, as well as enjoy the myriad of events, including traditional rural sports, Tug-of-War, turban-tying competitions, camel races and cricket that invites guests to challenge the locals. Evening at leisure to relax or wander again to the fair grounds and watch the lit up ferris wheels.
Return to the fair this morning. After lunch, journey deeper into rural Rajasthan as you’re driven to Nagaur for a stay in Ranvas, on the edge of the Thar Desert. Sitting within the high walls of the magnificent 12th-century Ahhichatragarh Fort, this heritage hotel is a superb restoration of the former women’s quarters with 27 stylish rooms. Meals are taken in the majlis, an open-sided pavilion where the queens would meet the Maharaja. Enjoy a day at leisure to relax at the hotel.
Start the day with a private tour of Ahhichatragarh Fort which has particularly fine frescoes. In the afternoon, head to Jodhpur, where you will check into RAAS, the city’s first boutique hotel, which sports magnificent views of Mehrangarh Fort. Alternatively, live like a Maharajah at Umaid Bhawan Palace, the most impressive royal residence in India. Spend the rest of your day at leisure – both luxury hotels have fabulous swimming pools and spas. Umaid Bhawan Palace - one of the most beautiful palace hotels in India. Perched high above Jodhpur, this luxury property is still the residence of the Maharajah of Jodhpur and the largest private home in the world. Meander through the landscaped gardens, visit the photo gallery or simply take a dip in the cool blue retreat of the pools. Umaid Bhawan has been awarded the best hotel in Rajasthan and has gained more fame for being the wedding venue for celebrity weddings of Liz Hurley and Arun Nair and Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas. Raas Haveli equally sought after for its unparalleled views of the Mehrangarh Fort and its setting in the heart of the blue city.
Today you will be exploring the best of Jodhpur. Weave your way with a private guide starting at the Clock tower and through the tangle of winding, colorful, medieval streets. Along the way, pick up some souvenirs from the shops and bazaars which sell everything from Jodhpur breeches and tie-dye textiles to lacquerware and temple decorations before visiting the mighty Mehrangarh Fort, an architectural masterpiece that towers 125 metres over the city. Mehrangarh has a scintilating collection of Rajput miniatures, palanquins and howdahs (elephant seats), the coronation throne and the armoury. Also visit Jaswant Thada cenetophs the resting place of the Maharajas.
Continue to Udaipur today with a picturesque drive through the Aravalli Hills before spending the rest of your day at leisure at your luxury hotel Trident Udaipur. Built over 43 acres on the banks of Lake Pichola, the property has 137 rooms and four suites, inspired by the city’s architecture plus a fantastic restaurant, Aravalli, which serves authentic dishes from the Kingdom of Mewar. There’s a superb Kids’ Club, too. After lunch enjoy a boat ride across Lake pichola to see the mesmerising floating place, the Lake palace and visit Jag Mandir the summer palace.
Known as the ‘Venice of the East’, Udaipur is one of Rajasthan’s most romantic cities. Spend the morning with a local guide, exploring the magnificent City Palace, an impressive complex on the banks of Lake Pichola. In the afternoon, continue your private luxury tour through the narrow streets of the old city to the ancient bazaar, which buzzes with shops selling colorful clothing, silver jewelry, vibrant art, and leather-bound journals. Visit the Crystal Gallery and Saheliyon ki Badi gardens.
Spend the morning at leisure – relax at the hotel, alternatively head out into Udaipur for some last-minute shopping – we can organize a guide should you want one. Later on, take a direct flight to Delhi. Should you wish to explore the capital further, we can offer some exciting ideas or enjoy the remainder of your day with your feet up at the Taj Mahal Hotel (the signature treatments at the award-winning Jiva Spa are fantastic).
Today, your luxury private journey ends. Transfer to Delhi airport in time for your onward flight.
This tour is purely a suggested itinerary for what your trip to India could include. Treat our Discover the Fairs of Rajasthan with Pushkar Camel Fair tour as inspiration. Each trip designed by Rajasthan Tours is created uniquely for you, working to your budget and interests with an absolute commitment to quality.
The price shown includes hotels on double or twin sharing basis, breakfast, sightseeing, transfers, internal flights or trains, private guides, monument entrances, activities and excursions and chauffeur-driven car. On request, we can include international flights, too. In other words, we take the work off you to allow you to enjoy the most memorable holiday experience. The price is a guide and subject to change based on hotels, dates of travel and number of people travelling. During the low season (April to September), the costs are significantly less yet this season remains a great time to travel with smaller crowds and more affordable rates. During the high season, particularly over Christmas and New Year, prices are higher however there are lots of great festivals and the weather is excellent.