Ultimate Rajasthan (Telegraph Tour)

Recapture some of the romance and adventure of India’s golden age with a journey through the colourful landscapes of the fabled “Land of Kings”. Steeped in the legacy of the Mughal emperors and the Rajput princes, you’ll travel by private car through the heart of rural Rajasthan, to experience the character and charm of some of the oldest cultural heritage on the Subcontinent. From the bustling streets of Delhi you’ll travel first to the city of Agra, home to the iconic setting of the Taj Mahal. Here you will have an opportunity to soak up the grandeur of the Mughal age with visits to the Taj, Agra Fort and the deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri, before resuming your road journey on to Jaipur. A guided heritage walk through the famous ‘Pink City’ is then followed by a chance to enjoy the opulent splendour of the old Marwar kingdom with a stay at the sumptuous Chhatra Sagar. Moving on to the 17th century splendour of Narlai next, you then spend two nights enjoying wildlife safaris and sightseeing amongst the Aravalli Hills, before heading on to the captivating lakeside city of Udaipur, home to some of the finest Rajput-era palaces in India.

Highlights A chance for personal discovery of the cultural highlights of Delhi and Agra. Enjoy guided heritage walks through Agra and Jaipur. Village walks and wildlife safaris amongst the beautiful Aravalli Hills. Visit the stunning Jain temple of Ranakpur. Explore the lovely lakeside city of Udaipur.

Tour Includes: Return BA economy class international flights 1 internal flight 4 nights four and five star hotels, 6 nights traditional hotels and 2 nights tented camp 12 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 2 dinners. Private vehicle, normally a saloon car for one or two people. Private guided transfers to and from all airports Driver/guide's expenses.

The supplement for 5 days guiding with entrance fees is £140 per person

Please note the prices shown above are based on two persons sharing a twin or double room

Itinerary Day 1: London - Delhi Overnight British Airways flight from London to Delhi.

Day 2: Delhi Arriving in the Indian capital this morning you will be transferred on to your centrally located hotel, where you will have ample time to relax and freshen up after the overnight flight. Once recovered you might like to take a sedate stroll through the nearby setting of the Lodhi Gardens, a captivating city park filled with tombs and royal cenotaphs that date back to the 16th century.

Day 3: Delhi - Agra Leaving the capital behind this morning, you'll journey by air-conditioned car to the city of Agra next. Avoiding the afternoon crush around the Taj Mahal, you'll cross the Yamuna River later to visit the marble splendour of the tomb of Itmad-ud-Daulah, which will be followed by a 90-minute Mughal Heritage Walk in the company of a USAID-trained guide. Ending in the tranquil Mehtab Bagh Garden, you'll then be perfectly placed to watch the setting sun light up the iconic Taj across the river. (B)

Day 4: Agra You will be collected from your hotel early this morning and taken by your guide to the iconic Taj Mahal for sunrise - an extraordinary time of day to visit because the white marble of the Taj Mahal reflects the colours of the sky. You may prefer to take your own tour around the Taj Mahal, and then sint on the lawn and marvel at its peerless perfection. You will also visit the mighty riverside Agra Fort and the equisitely detailed Tomb of Itimad ud Daulah, often called the 'Baby Taj' before heading back to your hotel.

Day 5: Agra - Fatehpur Sikri - Jaipur This morning you'll depart Agra and visit the magnificent fortified ghost city of Fatehpur Sikri, a stunning and

delicately carved sandstone creation of the great Mughal Akbar. Enjoy some time alone exploring the city and make sure that you also visit the elegant mosque and Sufi shrine across the way before you leave. From here you continue by road to Jaipur, the fabled 'Pink City' of Jai Singh II and home to the renowned Hawa Mahal (The Palace of the Winds). (B)

Day 6: Jaipur Early this morning you will join a local guide on a walking tour of the temples and havelis of Jaipur. A chance to meet an array of local artisans, the tour provides a novel way to explore this most well-planned of cities. At its heart lies the beautifully ornate City Palace, still home to the former rulers of the city. Finishing at the Narain Niwas Palace provides a chance to shop for some bargains and enjoy a cocktail as the afternoon sun heads toward the horizon. (B)

Day 7: Jaipur - Pushkar - Chhatra Sagar Continuing across the desert landscapes of Rajasthan today, lunch (not included) sees you enjoying the eclectic atmosphere of Pushkar, a city of Hindu shrines and hippy hangouts, nestling beside the shores of a sacred lake. Two hours to the west of here lies the inimitable charms of Chhatra Sagar, a lush oasis and stunning luxury tented camp that offers up peerless home-cooking and hospitality in equal measure and sits resplendently next to a glittering reservoir in the heart of the old Marwar kingdom. (B, D)

Day 8: Chhatra Sagar In the company of one of our charming hosts enjoy an informative walk through the local countryside this morning, the perfect opportunity to meet farmers, potters and schoolchildren alike as you wander through the heart of this traditional rural community. The afternoon then provides a chance to discover some of the natural beauty of the area, as you take a walk around the lake in search of some of the 200 or so species of bird that thrive here. (B,L,D)

Day 9: Chhatra Sagar - Narlai Driving into the beautiful landscapes of the Aravalli Hills today you head for the majestic setting of the Rawla Narlai, a sumptuous 17th century retreat that once served as a hunting lodge for the Jodhpur royal family. Surrounded by forested hills and rocky outcrops, a walk up to the top of the Elephant Hill this afternoon provides the perfect spot from which to enjoy a big-sky sunset, before returning to the resort in time to savour a magical step-well dinner. (B)

Day 10: Narlai Join an included dawn jeep safari this morning, to search for the elusive leopards that prowl the granite outcrops. The day also provides an opportunity for optional horse riding excursions and guided tours around the nearby town. Alternatively you may just prefer to spend the afternoon relaxing beside the pool, before heading down to the lake to enjoy tea and a chance to spot the storks, spoonbills and kingfishers that find the lake a popular attraction. (B)

Day 11: Narlai - Ranakpur - Udaipur A beautiful drive through the stunning countryside brings you to the spectacular 15th century Jain temple of Ranakpur, home to 29 elaborate halls and over 1,400 intricately carved pillars. Continuing on through the Aravalli Hills to Udaipur, the rest of the day then provides a chance to explore Rajasthan's majestic Lake City on foot, before an evening spent enjoying the views out towards the magnificent Lake Palace from the rooftop of your lakeside haveli. (B)

Day 12: Udaipur With the morning free to explore Udaipur's rambling City Palace at your leisure, you can wander through the exquisitely decorated rooms at your own pace, enjoying the superb collection of Indian miniatures, antiques and terraces. After a chance to savour lunch at one of the city's finest restaurants, set in the grounds of the Amet Haveli, this afternoon then presents an opportunity to take a private boat ride across the still waters of Lake Pichola. (B)

Day 13: Udaipur - Delhi A morning flight back to Delhi returns you to the capital in time to enjoy a driving tour around the impressive monuments of New Delhi, the heart of the British Raj designed by Edward Lutyens. Taking in some of the city's Mughal highlights as well, including the Persian-style tomb of the emperor Humayun, the day then ends with a chance for some private shopping in the popular Khan Market. (B)

Day 14: Delhi Transfer to the airport for the British Airways daytime flight back to the UK. (B)

Accommodation Delhi

The Claridges

Agra

Trident

Jaipur

Samode Haveli

Udaipur

Jagat Niwas Palace Hotel

Narlai

Rawla Narlai

Nimaj

Chhatra Sagar