Fort and Palaces of India with Ranthambore

After breakfast, we’ll get you started on your tour: taking you to Old Delhi: visiting Jama Masjid – the largest mosque in India – and driving past Red Fort – once the most opulent

fort and jewel of the Mughal Empire (Red Fort is closed on Mondays). Then a rickshaw ride in the old city market of bustling Chandani Chowk. 

Then you will see the ‘other’ side – New Delhi. Interestingly, New Delhi offers more historical sites than Old Delhi but reflects a colonial past. At the same time, you will be amazed by the bustle of people getting about the malls, cinemas and of course the food – so many street food options and restaurants to indulge in.

Following breakfast, we will drive you to Agra. After a 4 hour journey covering 205km, you will check in at the hotel. After a brief rest, you will visit Sheroes Hangout Café 

This Café is testament to women who are survivors of acid attacks. Run solely by them, it houses a centre that runs campaigns, a library, a boutique where you can purchase handicrafts to support their cause, and of course purchase some great food and drink. 

The Café empowers these women to rebuild their lives, as well as creates awareness for an issue that is very problematic in India.

Little needs to be said about this architectural wonder, which is always a must for every tourist’s visit to Agra. Built by Shah Jahan, the white marble memorial is dedicated to his wife Mumtaz Mahal. This monument took 22 years to complete and was designed and planned by Persian architect Ustad Isa. You will enjoy the serenity and the aura of love that resonates throughout this majestic palace. Apart from its stunning design balance and perfect symmetry, the Taj is also distinct for its elegant domes, intricately carved screens and some of the best inlay work ever seen.

We will set off for Ranthambore, a 300 kms route covering 5-6 hrs.

Ranthambore Park

You will head for your first Tiger Morning Safari, as dawn and dusk provide the best times to spot these majestic cats. On your return, take breakfast and a few hours of leisure at the pool, walking the grounds, or napping. In the late afternoon embark on a second Safari to not only sight tigers but also other wonderful animals, such as deer, gazelle, monkeys, the Indian hare and so much more. The guides will try to get you the best sightings and create fantastic photographic moments. You will return after dusk, to relax, enjoy dinner and recall your day.

After a final Morning Safari, you will checkout and drive to Jaipur. This will take roughly 4 hours covering a distance of 150 kms.

Jaipur is bejewelled by grandeur, brilliant architecture and history. Founded in 1727 and built on a dry lakebed, the capital city of the state of Rajasthan, Jaipur is also known as “Pink City”. Once ruled by Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh II, in a grand gesture of hospitality, had the whole city painted pink terracotta in honour of a royal guest.

In the morning, you will start your tour of Jaipur by heading for the Amber Fort which houses halls, temples and gardens. On to Sheesh Mahal where elaborate mirror work takes precedence. In the City Palace complex, the seven-storeyed Chandra Mahal is a wonder with each floor housing unique paintings, mirror work, intricate woodwork and sculptural works of art. There is a beautiful peacock gate at the entry to the Mahal complete with screened balconies and a pavilion at the roof with a panoramic view of the city. The evening will wind down with a walk through the bazaar, a maze of arts and craft, made by using rich traditional artisan skills.

After breakfast, you will set off on a 5 to 6 hour drive to Jodhpur. The road trip will cover 350 kms. On the way, we will make sure you get to break journey, to stretch and catch your breath. On reaching Jodhpur, we will check you in to your hotel, giving you a chance to freshen up, relax and perhaps you may wish to make use of the hotel facilities. 

You can opt for a Balloon Safari – to see India and its spectacular forts, hidden palaces, breathtaking terrain and traditional local villages from a very unique perspective. The balloon is launched from various places depending on weather and wind direction.

After breakfast, you will visit Mehrangarh Fort, perched on a low sandstone hill, including Moti-Mahal and Phool Mahal. Rathore Rajput king Rao Jodha started building Mehrangarh Fort in 1459, when he established Jodhpur as his new capital. The fort underwent modifications and architectural enhancements, as it changed hands, before finally returning to the royal family, the Rajputs. The fort opened up to heritage tourism in 1971, in order to sustain the grand historical Mehrangarh Fort. 

Come afternoon, you will go on a tour to the city; Jodhpur is a major handicraft and textile export hub, filled with embroidered leather goods, lacquerware, antiques, carpets, puppets and figurines.

After breakfast, you will set off on a 5 to 6 hour drive to Udaipur. The road trip will cover 350 kms. On the way, we will make sure you get to break journey, to stretch and catch your breath. On reaching Udaipur, we will check you in to your hotel, giving you a chance to freshen up, relax and perhaps you may wish to make use of the hotel facilities.

Then you are off to Jag Mandir, a palace built on an island on Lake Pichola. It is also called the “Lake Garden Palace”. The construction of the palace was started in 1551 by Maharana Amar Singh, continued by Maharana Karan Singh (1620–1628) and finally completed by Maharana Jagat Singh I (1628–1652). It is named as “Jagat Mandir” in honour of the last named Maharana Jagat Singh. The royal family used the palace as a summer resort and pleasure palace for holding parties.

You will embark on a city tour of Udaipur’s most iconic tourist attraction, the City Palace, with its marble and granite walls laden with miniature paintings, and decorated with tiles, glasswork and mirrors. It is a beautiful insight into the spaces of the royalties. There is also the Jagdish temple located in the City Palace complex. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and the main shrine houses the striking four-armed god. After this, you will take a Walking Tour and meet various locals and communities engaged in jewellery making, pottery and bamboo craft. You will also gain an insight into the local traditions and customs of the local people. The walk will give you a feel of a vibrant, colourful local life in Udaipur.

You will leave the hotel after breakfast and enroute drive to Eklingji temple to visit the Nagda temples. 

After that, a walking tour of this small Delwara village – an exemplary place where they have made real and sustainable improvements to caste relations, women’s rights, access to water, livelihoods, sanitation, governance and preservation of heritage. 

During this walk you will explore an 18th century palace, 1000 year old Jain temples and much more. In Delwara, you will experience rich cultural heritage including: traditional step-wells, temples and buildings of architectural importance known as havelis, whose art dates back to the mediaeval era.

You will then be transferred to the Delhi airport for your onward journey.