Your Delhi, Rajasthan and North India Specialist
Beauty of India Tours
RAJASTHAN DREAM JOURNEY
To me, India’s always represented ‘everything’; it represents ‘all.’ Everything is here.
You can stay here forever, and you’ll never feel like you’ve missed out on life. – Chris Martin
Rajasthan Dream Journey
17 days | 16 nights | from $3970 USD
THE EXPERIENCE:
Join your fellow solo travellers as we explore amazing Rajasthan.
You'll stay in luxury desert resorts, historical palaces and beautiful havelis - Indian mansions still owned by royalty today. 17 days of incredible friendship, discovery, fabulous food and ..... fun!
During this tour you will marvel at the immense forts and palaces of Rajasthan, built with the incredible wealth of the Rajput rulers. Wander through Old Delhi and immerse yourself in the scent of spices during a street food crawl. Experience the magic of India's open-air art gallery in Shekhawati as you walk through the ruins of the painted Havelis built a century ago. Feel the romance of the Taj Mahal as you discover the hidden secrets behind Shah Jahan’s tragic monument.
Be on hand during a block-printing demonstration in Jaipur and pick out your favourite cotton for a tailor-made Indian salwar. Cruise beautiful Lake Pichola in Udaipur and stop at the fabulous Jag Mandir Island for lunch on the scenic terrace. Take a walking tour through the alleyways in the blue city of Jodhpur. Sleep blissfully under the stars in a Swiss tent in the vast Thar desert, surrounded by endless dunes.
This comprehensive tour explores Rajasthan in depth and is incredible value for new or returning visitors to India.
THE ROUTE:
We'll be travelling from Delhi through Rajasthan via Agra, Jaipur, Shekhawati, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur and Udaipur before we return to Delhi by air. Private vehicle with driver, escort and local City Guides.
OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS:
• Relax with a massage/Ayurvedic treatment in Delhi
• Join in a street food crawl in Old Delhi through Chandni Chowk
• View the Sound & Light show at Purana Qila followed by dinner in Delhi
• Dine on Rajasthani Thali at a rooftop cafe with stunning views of Jaipur
• Soar over Jaipur in an amazing, sunrise balloon ride.
• Zip over the Mehrangarh Fort for a thrilling aerial adventure
THE ITINERARY:
Day 1 Delhi
Pick up at the airport and transfer to your hotel. Begin your city tour (time permitting) or relax with an optional Ayurvedic massage/spa. Welcome refreshments with your guide and driver in the evening. Overnight Delhi.
Day 2 Delhi
Breakfast and then start your city tour including Jama Masjid, Qtub Minar, Red Fort and Humayan's Tomb.
Tea break and lunch at your leisure.
Afternoon free time browsing the bazaars. Dinner at your leisure. Overnight Delhi.
Optional evening program of Lodi Gardens walk and Food Crawl through Chandi Chowk or Purana Qila Sound and Light Show and Indian dinner.
DAY 3 Agra
Leave Delhi after breakfast and travel to Agra - approx. 3.5 hours.
On the outskirts of Agra, is Sikandra and the Tomb of Akbar the Great.
Also called Akbar's Mausoleum, this masterpiece of architecture was constructed in the 1600's. It's noteworthy for the beautiful sandstone buildings inlaid with marble and slate and the surrounding grounds. One of the greatest Mughal rulers, Akbar's tomb is a fitting monument to his life and accomplishments. Covering over 119 acres, it hosts a wildlife park, expansive gardens and several tall minarets.
Break for lunch and tea before we travel to the lesser known, but still impressive, tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah, called the “Baby Taj”. The buildings are smaller but wonderfully decorated with inlaid, painted and raised plaster designs. Check-in to your hotel. Dinner at your leisure. Overnight Agra.
Optional evening program of the Mohabbat The Taj show - a song, dance and musical depiction of the romantic love story of Emperor Shah Jahan and his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. Held in the Kalakriti Cultural and Convention Center and followed by Indian dinner.
DAY 4 Agra
In the early morning we'll watch the sunrise across the Jumana River illuminate the beautiful Taj Mahal. We'll take in the view from the Moon Garden or Mehtab Bagh at the riverfront. Then back to your hotel for breakfast before we see more of Agra.
The next famous monument we’ll see today is the Agra Fort. This was built as the summer palace of Shan Jahan and from the high terrace you can view the Taj Mahal in the distance. Built of intricately embellished red sandstone it provides a distinct contrast to the marble palaces within.
We return to Taj Mahal by midday - the stunning monument to Mumtaz Mahal, Shah Jahan’s beloved wife. Designed and built over 22 years by Persian architect Ustad Isa, it stands forever as a testament to the heart-broken Shah’s undying love.
Late afternoon at your leisure. Dinner at your leisure. Overnight Agra.
Optional evening program: Local dinner, cooking lesson and Mehndi application at our Agra apartment.
DAY 5 Agra to Jaipur
Today we leave early for Jaipur - approx. 4.5 hours from Agra.
On our way, we will stop at Fatehpur Sikri, the city Akbar built in 1570 and abandoned 10 years later. This Unesco site has been well preserved with the palaces, gates and sandstone exteriors lying undisturbed over the centuries.
Keoladeo National Park in Bharatpur is next. The former duck hunting preserve of the Maharajas is an important overwintering area for thousands of migrating water birds as well as home to over 300 endemic species.
Quiet trails surround man-made lakes and wetlands interrupted by grassy savannah and dry tropical forests. This Unesco World Heritage site spreads over 29 square kms and we will enjoy a naturalist guided hike and rickshaw ride for approx. 1.5 hrs.
Later we'll pass by the small town of Abhaneri, famous for Chand Baori.
This is the deepest stepwell in the world at 100 feet deep.
Check-in to your Jaipur hotel and dinner at your leisure. Overnight Jaipur.
DAY 6 Jaipur
The grand Amer or Amber Fort, built by Raja Man Singh in the 1600’s, awaits our morning arrival. Walk the scenic route to the Sun Gate overlooking Maota lake.
Optional Balloon Safari (I hour) at sunrise followed by Amber Fort.
The huge enclosure holds the stunning Palace of Mirrors (Sheesh Mahal),
Hall of Public Audience (Diwan-e-Aam), the Hall of Private Audience (Diwan-e-Khas) and the innovative Sukh Niwas. This enclosure created early air conditioning using the wind that blew over water soaked reeds within the palace!
Nearby is the Tiger, or Nahargarh Fort, standing on the edge of the Aravalli
Hills overlooking sprawlingJaipur
below. Although smaller, the palace has wonderful views and impressive frescoes throughout.
Tea stop and light lunch enroute to "The Pink City" where we will stop at the iconic Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds).
On our way we can view the Jal Mahal - the lovely Water Palace set it Man Sagar Lake. Now abandoned, it floats like a mirage surrounded by the lake and mountains.
Our afternoon finishes with a walk through the beautiful palace and gardens of Sisodia Rani ka Bagh a romantic 18th-century palace with formal gardens, fountains, temples & pavilions.
Dinner at your leisure. Overnight Jaipur.
Optional evening program: See a hand-block printing technique demonstration and have a custom tailored Kurta made from your favourite cotton print.
Rooftop Indian dinner following with a scenic view over Jaipur.
DAY 7 Jaipur
Today we explore the City Palace built by Raja Man Singh during 1729-1732. The complex includes the Chandra Mahal and Mubarak Mahal palaces as well as a colourful bazaar.
There is a wonderful museum and opulent palace rooms decorated with antique carpets and furniture. Parts are still inhabited by the royal family members today!
Free time to explore the bazaars and shops before we travel to the Galtaji Monkey Temple in mid-afternoon.
Dinner at your leisure. Overnight Jaipur.
Optional evening program:
Bollywood movie at the classic Raj Mandir cinema - an Art Deco dream built by a leading jewellery dynasty in Jaipur. Dinner following.
DAY 7 Jaipur
Today we explore the City Palace built by Raja Man Singh during 1729-1732. The complex includes the Chandra Mahal and Mubarak Mahal palaces as well as a colourful bazaar.
There is a wonderful museum and opulent palace rooms decorated with antique carpets and furniture. Parts are still inhabited by the royal family members today!
Free time to explore the bazaars and shops before we travel to the Galtaji Monkey Temple in mid-afternoon.
Dinner at your leisure. Overnight Jaipur.
Optional evening program:
Bollywood movie at the classic Raj Mandir cinema - an Art Deco dream built by a leading jewellery dynasty in Jaipur. Dinner following.
DAY 8 Mandawa/Churu
After breakfast and we’ll visit the Elephant Sanctuary. Wash and feed the elephants during this gentle excursion before we leave for Mandawa - in the Shekhawati region of India. Mandawa lies in North Rajasthan and is architecturally important for its wealth of beautifully painted Havelis.
Arrive mid- afternoon in time to walk through town and admire the beautiful frescoes decorating the walls and doorways of the mansions.
Tonight we stay at a fabulous haveli located in Churu. Set dinner at our hotel. Overnight Churu in a Heritage Haveli.
Day 9 Bikaner
Leave after breakfast for our next stop - the desert town of Bikaner, lying amid the golden dunes of north-west Rajasthan. This vibrant city is home to camel centres, temples and the impressive Junagarh Fort. The fort, built by Raja Rai Singh in the 1590’s, is the centrepiece of this dust swept area. Later Maharajah’s added halls and private suites beautifully embellished with gold, sandalwood, ivory and murals. The stunning Anup Mahal has wonderful lacquered walls while the Cloud Palace is painted with blue cloud images – illuminated with red and gold lighting.
We'll tour the Lal Garh Palace as well before checking in to the Gajner Palace Hotel, former hunting lodge of the Maharaja of Bikaner.
Dinner at your leisure at the hotel. Overnight Gajner Lake.
Day 10 Jaisalmer
Jaisalmer is a former medieval trading center and a princely state in the western Indian state of Rajasthan, in the heart of the Thar Desert. Known as the "Golden City," it's distinguished by its yellow sandstone architecture. Dominating the skyline is Jaisalmer Fort, a sprawling hilltop citadel buttressed by 99 bastions. Behind its massive walls stand the ornate Maharaja's Palace and intricately carved Jain temples.
Free time to explore on your own. Dinner at your leisure. Overnight Jaisalmer.
Day 11 Jaisalmer
Our first stop today will be Gadi Sagar Lake, an artificial waterbody built by Raja Rawal Jaisal, the first ruler of Jaisalmer.
Next we explore the Unesco Jaisalmer Fort. Locally known as Sonar Qila, it is one of the largest forts in the world. Inside there are Jain temples, a maze of streets and the opulent palace. It is still occupied by 4,000 descendants of the original peoples from 1156.
A stop for lunch and then we'll continue our walk on foot to the Nathmal Ji Ki Haveli, the previous residence of the Prime Minister of Jaisalmer, Diwan Mohata Nathmal. The most interesting fact about it is that all its artifacts are done by a jeweller and not a stone carver. Later we will visit Patwon-Ki-Haveli. The haveli consists of a complex of five different buildings and is also known as the "mansion of brocade merchants", for the fact that the haveli was built by a wealthy jewellery and brocade trader.
Afternoon free time. Dinner at your leisure. Overnight Jaisalmer.
Day 12 Desert Camp
Free time in the morning after breakfast. We'll start mid-morning with a visit to Bada Bagh on the outskirts of Jaisalmer. Bada Bagh, literally meaning big garden, features a series of royal cenotaphs or chhatris of Jaisalmer Maharajas, including that of Jai Singh II (Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh).
We'll stop for lunch at the luxury desert resort Surygarh before heading to our camp for the evening. Dinner, local music and dance evening entertainment.
Jeep ride to see the sunset.
Day 13 Jodhpur
Leave the camp after breakfast for our trip to Jodhpur - about 4 hours. “The Blue City” is the second largest in the Indian state of Rajasthan and just as well known for the magnificent Unesco Mehrangarh Fort as its lovely blue houses.
Stop at Marwar Desert Resort enroute for lunch at your leisure.
Upon arrival in Jodhpur we will have a walking tour around the medieval old city and wander the pretty streets and bazaars – everything is for sale from incense to handicrafts. Nearby the Sardar Market is Ghanta Ghar – the old Clock Tower. Built a century ago, it still dominates the city centre. Dinner in the old city. Overnight Jodhpur.
Day 14 Jodhpur
Your first stop today is the Mehrangarh Fort, an important historical landmark and a popular Jodhpur attraction. You will find numerous beautiful palaces, galleries, ancient temples, and a museum inside the complex.
Optional Zip-Lining:
The Flying Fox (I - 2 hours) over the rocky desert and the fort. 6 different zips - all thrilling!
Next we'll tour Jaswant Thada, a 19th-century royal cenotaph. In addition to the monument, it also features spectacular desert gardens on the edge of a small lake.
We'll break for lunch before another popular landmark in Jodhpur - Umaid Bhawan Palace. The elegant palace was built during the 20th century in order to provide employment for 3,000 famine stricken residents of Jodhpur.
Optional: Mandore Gardens
Mandore is an abandoned city housing
ancient temples, memorials and magnificent high-rock terraces along with the stunning gardens.
Late afternoon free to wander the city. Dinner at your leisure. Overnight Jodhpur.
Day 15 Udaipur via Ranakpur
Ranakpur, home of India’s biggest and most artistic Jain temple, sits in the Pali district among the green, wooded valleys of the Aravalli Hills. Constructed over 50 years in the 15th century, the white marble temple is exquisitely carved and exudes a sense of calm within the 29 halls. 1,444 individually engraved pillars set under a complex of 80 domes make this Unesco temple a must see. After lunch we'll continue on to Udaipur.
Romantic Udaipur, with it’s interconnected lakes, has a wealth of lavish palaces and scenic views. We'll make a visit to the Monsoon Palace to view the sunset before heading to dinner at a rooftop cafe overlooking the lake. Overnight Udaipur.
Day 16 Udaipur
Today we tour the dazzling City Palace, overlooking Lake Pichola. The complex contains 11 palaces and museums filled with fabulous art – including the stunning restored Peacock Courtyard. We’ll have a panoramic view of the Palace and ghats from our tour boat as we visit another royal mansion – the smaller, but elegant palace on Jagmandir Island.
Spend the balance of the afternoon at your leisure - we'll meet up for a farewell dinner and Rajasthani Dharohar Folk Dancing evening at Bagore Ki Haveli for 7:00 pm. Overnight Udaipur.
Day 17 Udaipur to Delhi
After breakfast we will finish our tour in Udaipur and catch our flight to Delhi early afternoon.
-- End of program --
Accommodation is available on request for this night in Delhi. Please do not book any onward travel until the next day (Day 18)
We will help arrange transfers to the airport/train.
SUITABLE FOR:
The independent female explorer.
Culture, history and foodie buff.
OUR DIFFERENCE:
Personal service and individually crafted experiences. Safe and comfortable travel. No single supplement. No tipping.
• Louise and Ashfaq tailor-made the perfect tour of India for me. It was an experience I will never forget. Having a car, driver and personal guide made all the difference - I was relaxed, safe and cared for from the moment I stepped off the plane til the moment I left India. A fabulous tour company and I highly recommend it! - Sophie, February, 2018
• It was amazing experience to make a tour in India with this team! Louise and Ashfaq made my visit to Agra just unforgettable. - Irina, December 2017
• Had an amazing time in India thanks to both Louise and Ashfaq!! Louise is a sweet Canadian lady who gave us a chance to eat great homemade Indian food and Ashfaq was very professional at guiding us throughout our trip in Agra. I would not have been able to experience what I did in India if it weren’t for them. All in all a great tour and I'm looking forward to my next trip to India! - Toshco, March 2018
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Guided tour of Humayun's Tomb,
Red Fort, Jama Masjid and
Qtub Minar in Delhi
Guided tour of Unesco Agra Fort, Baby Taj, Akbars's Tomb and Unesco
Taj Mahal in Agra
Indian dinner, Cooking lesson and Mehndi application at local home in Agra
Guided tour of the abandoned Unesco Site of Fatehpur Sikri
Unesco Site Keoladeo National Park rickshaw/walking excursion with Naturalist Guide
Stop at Abhaneri Stepwell
Guided tour of City Palace,
Jantar Mantar, Galatiji Temple
Tiger Fort and Amber Fort in Jaipur
Guided walk of the "Open Air Art Gallery" of Havelis in Mandawa
Tour of Junagarh Fort, Lal Garh Palace and Gajner Lake in Bikaner
Tour of Unesco Jaisalmer Fort,
Gadisar Lake, City Havelis and
Bada Bagh Tombs in Jaisalmer
Desert Safari experience and
overnight desert camping,
jeep sunset excursion
Tour Unesco Mehrangarh Fort,
Jaswant Thada and Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur
Tour of Unesco
Jain Temples, Ranakpur
City Palace and Jag Mandir Island tour, Boat tour of Lake Pichola and the ghats, Monsoon Palace sunset visit,
Bagore Ki Haveli Evening
WHAT'S INCLUDED
16 nights accommodation
in our deluxe hotels - private room
Daily breakfast, 3 lunches, 4 dinners
Comfortable air-conditioned
mini van
Expert guide, local City Guides
and professional driver
Flexible leisure time
and optional activities
Airport/train transfers for
arrival and departure, internal flights
Top Rajasthan sites and
off-the-track experiences