Delhi - Jaipur - Udaipur - Jodhpur (via Ranakpur) - Jaisalmer - Delhi 12 days/11nights
This luxury private journey through Rajasthan showcases the highlights of India’s most colorful state, a quintessential land of maharajas and medieval forts, palaces and tigers, and kaleidoscopic festivals. After arriving in Delhi, your private driver will chauffeur you to the bejewelled ‘Pink City’ of Jaipur with its splendid architecture, not to mention fantastic shopping. Two nights in the romantic city of Udaipur will follow, staying in one of the world’s best hotels on the banks of sparkling Lake Pichola. You’ll then be driven via the exquisitely carved Jain temple of Ranakpur to the charming ‘Blue City’ of Jodhpur, home to the mighty MehrangarhFort . Your final stop will be the golden citadel of Jaisalmer and its ancient battlements under desert skies before heading back to Delhi for some last-minute shopping for souvenirs. This itinerary is just a starting point for a first time luxury traveller wanting to visit India in style. it can be completely tailored to personalise your holiday in accordance with your specific requirements.
Your luxury private journey of India begins on arrival in Delhi, where you will be met by a member of our team at the airport and chauffeured to your luxury hotel, the Oberoi, Gurgaon, an urban sanctuary with bespoke design features, high ceilings and open spaces filled with natural light. Depending on the time you land, if you would like to explore a bit of Delhi later today your chauffeur is always on hand. Discover the myriad of sights in Old and New Delhi including the Mughal monuments from 17th- century including Qutb Minar and Humayun’s Tomb which is thought to have inspired the Taj Mahal. Other highlights include Connaught Place, India Gate and the President's Palace. Spend the evening relaxing at the hotel or there are several dining options Delhi has to offer especially Bukhara, the finest Tandoori and North Indian cuisine. If you like artisanal fusion food Indian Accent is another option.
Leave Delhi this morning for a scenic car journey to Rajasthan’s vibrant capital, Jaipur aka 'The Pink City'. Check into the Oberoi Rajvilas, one of India’s most spectacular luxury hotels with breath-taking landscaped gardens. Spend the rest of the day at leisure – the Rajvilas is tucked away close to the Aravalis and is a destination in itself. It features rooms as well as tents with pastel block printed canvas roofs dotted around intimate courtyards. Entice your tastebuds in mouthwatering cuisine and absolute relaxation in the claw foot bath tubs to recover from the long drive. The Oberoi Spa is particularly impressive, housed in a restored 18th-century haveli. In the evening, dine at the hotel’s Indian restaurant Raj Mahal, which features live, traditional folk music.
Today, you’ll be discovering the best of Jaipur. In the early morning, make your way on elephant back to the splendid 17th-century Amber Fort with your guide. Led by a local expert enjoy a walking tour of the Jaipur's bazaars. Thereafter, a photo-stop at the stunning Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds) and a visit to the Jantar Mantar observatory. After a lazy lunch continue exploring the City Palace and its private rooms. Spend the evening strolling through the bazaars looking at blue pottery, block printes textiles and silver jewellery or for an evening with elephants at Dera Amer. There is a great social scene at Bar Palladio, also the setting for the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.
The day is free in Jaipur to relax and enjoy the resort, or further explore at your own pace. Your chauffeur is always on hand to take you anywhere you may like to go. We would suggest discovering the vibrant bazaars and emporiums today. The streets are awash with unique local handicrafts, colorful textiles and interesting nick-nacks. Jaipur is also well known for its beautiful jewelry – the Old City alone houses nearly 700 jewelry stores and emporiums.
Leave Jaipur for the fairytale city of Udaipur. Upon arrival, take a short boat ride to the unashamedly opulent Oberoi Udaivilas, one of the ‘best hotels in the world’. Located on the banks of sparkling Lake Pichola, this luxury hotel is set among 50 acres of former royal hunting grounds with beautiful bedrooms and suites. Spend the rest of the day at leisure – the Oberoi spa is excellent with Ayurvedic, Eastern and Western treatments. We recommend a room with a private pool for scenic views of the Lake Palace and the lakeside landscape surrounded by Aravali hills.
Known as the ‘Venice of the East’, Udaipur is one of Rajasthan’s most romantic cities. Spend the morning with a local expert, exploring the magnificent City Palace, an impressive complex on the banks of Lake Pichola and the epitome of Mewari architecture. In the afternoon, continue your private luxury tour through the labyrinthine streets of the old city to the ancient bazaar, which buzzes with shops selling colorful clothing, vibrant art, and leather-bound journals. You can also visit the Crystal gallery, Vintage car museum, Saheliyon ki Badi gardens and end your afternoon with a boat ride to Jag Mandir gardens another small palace on the lake Pichola where James Bond's Octopussy was filmed.
Today you will be driven from udaipur to Jodhpur via Ranakpur temples, 15th century beautifully carved marble masterpeice Jain temples. After a guided tour, continue to the ‘Blue City’ of Jodhpur, where you’ll check into RAAS, the city’s most sought after boutique hotel. RAAS has an eviable location at the foothill of Mehrangarh fort therefore providing unparalleled views of the forrt and the blue city. One really feels immersed in the true sense being int he heart of the most photogenic city in rajasthan, the Blue City. The 39 rooms and suites balance historic charm with contemporary design, each sporting the most magnificent views of Mehrangarh Fort. All-day Bandari serves an international menu with a poolside terrace while rooftop Dari Khana offers authentic Rajasthani dishes and has a superb drinks menu.
Day 8
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 cenotaphs the resting place of the Maharajas.
Day 9
Spend the morning at leisure – relax at the hotel (there’s a fabulous spa), alternatively head out into Jodhpur for some last-minute shopping. In the afternoon, you’ll travel to Jaisalmer for a two-night stay in SUJÁN’s safari property. This is a beautiful drive with a desert landscape fille dwith kikar trees and colorful village folk. Arrive at the Serai which has 21 incredibly spacious tents. There’s an excellent spa with Ayurvedic treatments, too. At night, dine under the starry sky on the finest desert cuisine and a camp fire. You can also watch the sunset on camel back and dine in the desert.
Spend the morning exploring spectacular Jaisalmer Fort with a local expert. Carved from golden honey limestone, this is one of the very few ‘living forts’ in the world with several thousand inhabitants inside. Ninety-nine colossal bastions encircle the still-inhabited narrow streets. After the fort, discover Jaisalmer’s enchanting havelis especially the Patwon-ki-Haveli before visiting Gadi Sagar Lake and the Desert Museum. Return to The Serai to watch the burning sunset.
This morning you’ll be chauffeured to Jaisalmer airport to board a short domestic flight back to Delhi. Upon arrival, you’ll return to the Oberoi Gurgaon for your last night. The afternoon is yours at leisure with your car and driver on hand – we can arrange a city tour to take in some of Delhi’s highlights, includingHumayun’s Tomb, which inspired the Taj Mahal, and a thrilling cycle-rickshaw ride through the bustling bazaars of Chandni Chowk.
Day 12
Today, your luxury private tour 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 Highlights of Rajasthan 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.