Rajasthan: Taj, Temples & Tigers (Christmas Departure)

The tour starts around one o’clock at the hotel in Delhi, India’s bustling capital. After a group briefing and introduction over lunch, we will take a drive through New Delhi. Visiting Rajpath and India Gate as well as Humayun’s tomb, one of the best-preserved Mughal monuments, commissioned by Humayun's son Akbar and designed by the Persian architect Mirak Mirza Ghiya. This evening we will head to the lively Connaught Place for dinner.

Departing early this morning we will drive south to Agra. After checking into our hotel and having lunch, we’ll visit the mighty Agra Fort, a vast riverside complex comprised of exquisite palaces and mosques. From here we’ll head to the iconic Taj Mahal for sun set – an extraordinary time of day to visit as the marble takes on gold and pink hues making for a wonderful and atmospheric time to see this stunning mausoleum. Dinner tonight will be at our hotel.

After breakfast we’ll depart Agra and visit the fortified city of Fatehpur Sikri. Built by the great Mughal Akbar, and abandoned in 1585 due to water shortages, the well-preserved remains make for a fascinating stop. From here we’ll continue our journey to Sawai Madophur where the vast wildlife reserve of Ranthambore National Park is located, and our home for the next two nights.

Early in the morning, while the mist is still rising, we’ll head into the park for our first game drive and the chance to take in the natural beauty of Ranthambore, where the possibility of seeing a tiger - as well as many other wild animals - is as high as anywhere in India. After this we’ll return to our hotel for breakfast and a relaxing morning. After lunch we’ll head back in to the park for another game drive and the chance to spot some more wildlife. Dinner tonight will be at our hotel.

This morning we’ll drive north-west to Jaipur. Often referred to as the 'pink city', Jaipur was first painted terracotta pink in 1876 to celebrate the visit of the Prince of Wales and Queen Victoria to the city. We will arrive to Jaipur in time for lunch then head to the fascinating and beautifully ornate City Palace Museum, built by the founder and namesake of the modern city Jai Singh II. We’ll then visit Jantar Mantar, the UNESCO listed Royal Observatory, before enjoying dinner at a local restaurant.

Our day starts with a visit to the imposing Amber Fort, the Rajput masterpiece perched on a hillside overlooking the city. This colossal fort was built by Raja Man Singh I in the 16th century and is known for its artistic style, blending both Hindu and Rajput elements with its large ramparts, series of gates and cobbled paths. After lunch we’ll have the rest of the afternoon free to visit the local bazaar or relax at the hotel. Dinner this evening will be at your own expense.

This morning we start the day with a charming rickshaw ride around Jaipur with the Pink City Rickshaw Company, an initiative that supports local women from low-income communities to earn a living. We will ride with the ladies to some local spots around the city then join them for some chai before leaving the city behind. Next, we continue west stopping for lunch and visting some sites of interest along the way. We will arrive in Jodhpur in the evening. Today will involve 6-7 hours of driving.

After breakfast we will visit the imposing Meherangarh Fort. Rudyard Kipling described the fort as ‘the work of giants’ and it’s easy to see why when viewing its impressive location on a hilltop some 400 feet above the blue city’s skyline. In the afternoon we’ll look around the colourful bazaar and labyrinth of streets that make up the famous ‘blue quarter’ of this historical city. Dinner tonight will be at a good local restaurant.

After a busy few days we will have a relaxed morning in Jodhpur. A change of pace now as we delve 'off the beaten track' into rural Rajasthan leaving the hustle and bustle behind us moving onwards to the sleepy villages of Bhenswara. We will stay at Ravla Bhenswara, one of Rajasthan’s most interesting heritage properties. Surrounded by arid hills and farmland the region here is populated by the Rabari people, a semi-nomadic shepherd tribe. This is a very different area of Rajasthan that contrasts to the busy and hectic cities that we have seen so far. You are free to enjoy the facilities at the hotel and there is the option to book a massage or cooking demonstration. Optional activities at Ravla Bhenswara are at your own expense and can be paid for locally.

This morning we will take a stroll through the surrounding villages and learn more about daily life in this rural area, giving us an important insight into another side of Rajasthan. In the afternoon we’ll then climb into our 4x4s and drive through the region to visit the nomadic Rabari people and learn a little about their way of life, before continuing on a night time drive where we will spot wildlife in the surrounding hills and enjoy a sundowner together.

Today we will drive to Jojawar and check in to our beautiful heritage hotel. After lunch we will head to Khamli Ghat to catch the train to Phulad Junction. Made famous by Rudyard Kipling’s classic tale, ‘The Man Who Would Be King’, this wonderful train journey of approximately two hours, takes you high up through the spectacular Khamli Ghats and onto the central Aravalli plateau. This journey offers fantastic views and offers an authentic local experience. Our transport will be waiting for us at the station to take us back to Jojawar.

After breakfast we’ll drive to Udaipur, a journey of approximately three hours, stopping en route for a tour of Ranakpur, the famous complex encompassing a fortress and a marble Jain temple. After checking into our hotel, the rest of the afternoon will be free for you to explore the beautiful lake front ‘white city’. This evening we’ll enjoy a cultural dance performance at Baogore ki haveli before having dinner at a good local restaurant.

This morning we’ll take a guided tour of some of the key sites in Udaipur such as the City Palace, the Jagdish temple and the beautiful gardens at Saheliyon-ki-Bari. To allow for greater flexibility lunch will be at your own expense today, and this afternoon will be free to wander through the alleys and narrow streets, to take a cooking lesson or a miniature painting class. We’ll meet later in the day to take a sunset boat ride on Lake Pichola, before heading out for dinner at a local restaurant favoured by Wild Frontiers clients.

This morning we'll take an early morning flight to Delhi to make the most of our final full day of the tour. On our return to the capital we visit part of the old town to explore another side of this unique city. Tonight, the group will enjoy a farewell dinner together.

The tour ends after breakfast and those on the group flight will be transferred to the airport.