Delhi - Ranthambore National Park - Jaipur - Jaisalmer - Jawai Bandh - Udaipur - Mumbai 17 days/16 nights
Exploring both city life and rural Rajasthan, this luxury private tour offers a fascinating wide-ranging look at India – all whilst staying in some of the subcontinent’s most fabulous hotels. The SUJAN properties are one way to enjoy an immersive experience in luxuriously tented hideaways as well as experience Palace life. Begin in India’s cosmopolitan capital Delhi to enjoy the contrasts of the city, from the souk-like bazaars of Old Delhi to the tree-lined colonial avenues of New Delhi. Next is the thrilling chance to spot a Royal Bengal Tiger in Ranthambore National Park – while staying at SUJAN Sher Bagh soaking up the wilderness setting in stylish and luxurious tents. Continue on to the ‘Pink City’ of Jaipur with its splendid architecture, not to mention the stunningly restored SUJAN Raj Mahal Palace. A stay in the desert with champagne and private dinner on the dunes follows, exploring the golden sandstone citadel of Jaisalmer before journeying deep into rural Rajasthan to spot leopards in unexplored Jawai Bandh and once again stay in a rural hideaway away from the hustle and bustle of the cities. Travel on to sparkling Lake Pichola in the romantic city of Udaipur before flying to Mumbai, a dazzling coastal metropolis, where culture, fashion and history meet. Mesmerising palaces intertwined with the most luxurious camps in India, is just one of the many things we can do to make your holiday unforgettable. We always understand our clients requirements and tailor make the finer details in accordance with them.
Your luxury private tour 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 hotel. Choose between The Imperial, a beautiful combination of Art Deco, Victorian and colonial architecture built by the British in 1930s or The Claridges, an elegant and afforable character property with an enviable location and a lovely pool. Spend the afternoon, going for a stroll through verdant Lodi Gardens or exploring the boutiques of Khan Market or simply relaxing to shake off the jetlag.
Start your morning 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, the rustic havelis from a bygone era and the sikh temple Bangla Sahib. 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. Finish the day, with a drive by of Lutyens Delhi to see the President's Palace, Connaught Place and India Gate. Evening at leisure to relax at your hotel or venture out to entice your tastebuds with an Indian dining experience at the Bukhara.
Private transfer to Ranthambore National Park. Upon arrival, you’ll be chauffeured to Sher Bagh, which is a picture of 1920s style luxury tents with antique lanterns, four-poster beds, teak wood writing desks and bathrooms with elegant copper fittings. In the afternoon, let The Jungle Book be brought to life as you explore Ranthambore with a private jeep safari, in search of the park’s most famous resident, the rare Royal Bengal Tiger. Evening return to the Sher Bagh and enjoy a relaxing sundowner by the poolside and dinner around a crackling campfire under flickering lanterns. Now a member of Relais and Chateau, Sher Bagh continues in excellence, burning bright with its tiger-like qualities of undeniable beauty, strength and form.
Please note: Ranthambore National Park is closed between June and October.
An early start to continue your exploration of Ranthambore National Park today with two private jeep safaris (we recommend both morning and afternoon drives for the best chance to spot the tiger). After your morning game drive you can return and relax at the hotel before you commence the afternoon game drive. There’s an array of sambars, panthers, marsh crocodiles, sloth bears and leopard, too, plus fantastic birdlife. Between safaris, climb the crumbling 10th-century Ranthambhore Fort that rests majestically on the edge of the forest. Although it takes about half an hour to climb the Ranthambore Fort on steep steps it is a beautiful complex and should not be missed.
This morning, you’ll be chauffeured to the Rajasthan’s vibrant capital, Jaipur. On arrival, check into SUJÁN Rajmahal Palace, whose 14 rooms and suites are an explosion of colour with striking bespoke wallpaper and contemporary details, contrasted by antiques and photographs of past visitors including HRH Queen Elizabeth II and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy. The glamorous suites at the hotel are named after the high profile guests who had stayed in them. Enjoy the day at leisure in the SUJAN spa one of the very best in the city or high tea on the lawns. In the evening enjoy a traditional Indian feast at the Grand Orient-Occident, which is still a favourite of Jaipur’s royal family.
Today, discover the best of the ‘Pink City’. Led by an expert guide, make your way on elephant back to the splendid 17th-century Amber Fort followed by 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. In the afternoon, explore the vivid boutiques and emporiums in Jaipur or visit the local bar Palladio as featured in the Best Exotic Marigold hotel.
Your private luxury tour continues into the Thar Desert today for a two-night stay at SUJÁN’s safari property The Serai. Offering world-class comfort in the wilderness, the 14 tented suites are incredibly spacious, with plenty of natural light, stylish interiors and their own terrace lounge. There’s an excellent spa with Ayurvedic treatments, too. At night, dine under the starry sky on the finest desert cuisine possible, enjoy a camel ride and relax by th efire as the temprature can drop quickly in the sand dunes at night.
Begin your day with a private guided tour of the spectacular Jaisalmer Fort. Carved from golden honey sandstone, 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, you will discover Jaisalmer’s enchanting havelis to explore the intricate carvings before visiting Gadi Sagar Lake and the Desert Museum. Return to The Serai to watch the burning sunset.
Spend today at leisure in Jaisalmer to relax and enjoy your surroundings at the camp. We recommend one of The Serai’s activities, in particular, the traditional Rajasthani-style camel safari. Alternatively, guests can do a fascinating ‘village voyage’ into the local village and watch life go by or spot a plethora of unique birdlife on the ‘Twitchers Trail’. In the evening, enjoy a concert by The Manganiars, the traditional bards of the western desert.
Leave in good time for a long but scenic six-hour drive to Jawai Leopard Camp in the unexplored Jawai Bandh, where leopards roam wild and free. The 10 beautifully designed tents are decked-out in contemporary Out-of-Africa style with a Rajasthani twist. The royal tented suite has its own private heated swimming pool. Dine out on delicious dishes created using the finest locally-sourced ingredients.
Over the next two days, embark on a private jeep safari both in the morning and the afternoon through the surrounding wilderness, on the trail of leopard. For guests keen to be more active, we recommend taking a walk by the lake to get a captivating insight into the local fishing community whilst enjoying over 170 species of migratory birds. Another option is a guided expedition through the beautiful landscapes on one of the camp’s bicycles.
For the 12th day of your luxury private tour, we recommend a visit to Kumbalgarh Fort (about an hour’s drive). Affectionately known as the ‘Great Wall of India’, the fort has 36kms of walls snaking around 365 temples, palaces, gardens and no less than 700 cannon bunkers with tales of the Sati and th emass suicide of Rajput women when the Mughal emperor attacked. Another popular option is the exquisitely-carved Jain temples of Ranakpur are equally impressive with a series of 29 halls, 80 domes and 1,444 individually-engraved pillars. Alternatively, you can simply relax in Jawai and enjoy your spacious and luxurious surroundings with Sujan service for whom absolutely everything is possible.
This morning you’ll be chauffeured to Udaipur (a three-hour drive). On arrival, take a short boat ride across sparkling Lake Pichola to your hotel, Taj Lake Palace. Originally built in the 17th century, this magnificent 250-year-old white marble palace rises out of Lake Pichola surrounded by seemingly motionless water. This floating residence is one of the most sought after hotel's in Rajasthan for its enviable location and picturesque backdrop. In the afternoon, travel by boat to Jagmandir Island, which features a beautiful palace, once used by the royal family as a summer retreat.
Known as the ‘Venice of the East’, Udaipur is one of Rajasthan’s most romantic cities. Shimmering lakes with legends and a hilly landscape. Spend the morning with a local expert, exploring the magnificent City Palace, an impressive complex on the banks of Lake Pichola. In the afternoon, continue through the narrow streets of the old city to the ancient bazaar, which buzzes with shops selling colourful clothing, silver jewellery, vibrant art and leather-bound journals. You can choose to visit the Crystal Gallery and Vintage Car museum and end the day at Saheliyon ki Badi gardens. Alternatively, relax at the Lake Palace and enjoy the scenic swimming pool and spa.
Spend the morning at leisure before being transferred to the airport for your flight to Mumbai. On arrival, you will be chauffeured to Taj Mahal Palace, one of the most iconic luxury hotels in India. The Taj opened its doors since 1903 and is at a prime location overlooking the Gateway to India. The Taj is a striking blend of elegance, rich history and modern facilities with Italian marble floors, Belgian chandeliers and 4,000 works of art plus ten of the city’s most acclaimed restaurants. The Taj Mahal is a destination in itself with a wonderful pool side area and barbeque restaurant, a famous shopping arcade and a wonderful lobby with all the glitteratis of India and Bollywood stars walking in and out. You can enjoy an afternoon at the Sea Lounge overlooking the Gateway of India or stroll around the corridor with designer shops and a wonderful in house tailor too.
Today, you will be exploring the best of Mumbai with a private guide. After a feast of a breakfast, discover the city’s stunning colonial heritage and magnificent architecture, including Flora Fountain, Gateway of India and Elphinstone Circle. Also visit the Chattrapati Shivaji formerly known as the Prince of Wales Museum. Drive by the dhobi ghats to see the biggest open air laundrette. There’s plenty of great shopping to be enjoyed, too, as well as a fantastic food scene for which we can give recommendations.
Today, your luxury private tour ends. Transfer to Mumbai airport in time for your onward flight.
This tour is purely a suggested itinerary for what your trip to India could include. Treat our Luxury Indian Camps with SUJÁN Hotels 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.