Colours of Rajasthan

For those who are on the flight inclusive package we land in Delhi and

transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is free. Land only please make

your way to our start hotel.   Your leader will leave details of your

welcome meeting time in the hotel reception.  (Delhi sightseeing is on day

12)

Today we will transfer to Agra (approx. 5 hrs drive) and in the afternoon

visit the imposing Red Fort of Akbar, whose mighty sandstone walls enclose

the beautiful white marble Pearl Mosque and the palaces, halls, courtyards

and fountains of his sons and successors, Jehangir and Shah Jahan.

A very early start to see the incredible spectacle of the sunrise over the

Taj Mahal. The Moghul Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife,

Mumtaz Mahal, who died in 1631, built the beautiful white marble Taj Mahal.

The Taj is serenely beautiful and never fails to amaze a first time visitor;

the white marble exterior changes colour according to the position of the sun

during the day and is matched by the rich interior detail. After our visit

it's time to leave Agra and drive to Ranthambore National Park. On the way we

visit Fatehpur Sikri which is the Emperor Akbar's deserted royal city. This

impressive and well-preserved citadel became his capital in 1571, after the

blessing of a local Moslem holy man correctly predicted the birth of a

longed-for son, his successor the Emperor Jehangir. The mosque, designed to

hold ten thousand worshippers, the palaces, residences and halls of audience

are all made of decorative red sandstone. But this magnificence only lasted

14 years, as in 1584 Akbar left Fatehpur Sikri to secure his outlying

territories, leaving this city much as we see it today - in perfect

condition. This is another very full but rewarding day (approx. 7/8 hrs

drive).

Today is more relaxed as we take two game drives into Ranthambore National

Park. The reserve was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1957 and in 1974

became part of Project Tiger. Sadly, after initial success, poaching has

drastically reduced the tiger population. However, Ranthambore is still

considered one of the best places to spot tigers in the wild and many Exodus

groups over the last few years have seen the elusive predator. Tiger aside,

Ranthambore is also home to a great variety of wildlife such as several

species of monkey, deer, crocodile, birdlife, and together with the scenery,

make the visit well worth it.

Today we leave Ranthambore and drive to Bundi. Bundi is a delightful town,

with a rustic setting, that stands on the foothills of the Azavali Mountains.

Bundi is especially famous for its palaces and the beautifully decorated

stepwells that back in the 15th and 18th century were used to collect water

during the monsoon season. In the afternoon we visit the Bundi Fort, arguably

one of the most beautiful palaces in India, home to outstanding miniature

paintings portraying the history of the palace and its royal family. The fort

is set high on a hill overlooking Bundi and its Krishna blue stonewashed

houses. (Approx. 4 hrs drive)

Today we set off on our 145 mile journey to Udaipur. Known as 'The Pearl of

Rajasthan', the 'City of Sunrise' and 'Venice of the East', Udaipur is a

beautiful place regarded by both Indians and travellers as the most romantic

city in India. (Approx. 5 hrs drive)

Situated on the east side of Lake Pichola, the main palace commands an

unsurpassed view across the shimmering lake to the dusty Aravalli Hills with

the luxurious Lake Palace hotel adding to the scene. Lake Pichola has two

islands, each with a palace to rival that on the mainland; Jag Mandir and Jag

Nivas (the latter is now the Lake Palace Hotel) rise out of their own

reflections in the waters of the lake. Udaipur is surrounded by a massive

bastion with five gates and dominating the town is the City Palace of the

Maharana. The sumptuous apartments are decorated with multi-coloured mosaics,

elaborate mirror work and inlaid tiles; half of these can be visited as the

current Maharaja still occupies the rest of the palace. We spend the morning

visiting the City Palace and Jagdish Temple, with a huge black stone image of

Jagannath, an aspect of Lord Vishnu. If time allows it may be possible to

visit the gardens of Gulab Bag or take a boat trip on the lake. The afternoon

is free to enjoy this evocative city.

Following the scenic road out of the beautiful lakeside town of Udaipur we

head towards Jodhpur. On the way we stop and visit the stunning 15th Century

Jain Temple at Ranakpur. The main temple, beautifully carved from marble, is

dedicated to Adinath. It has 29 halls supported by 1444 pillars, each

delicately carved with a different design. Jodhpur was founded by the Rajput

chief Roa Jodha and was formerly the capital of the State of Marwar. The city

is surrounded by an immense wall almost ten kilometres in circumference and

is dominated by the massive fort that stands on a rocky hill commanding the

surrounding desert. (Approx. 7 hrs drive)

First thing in the morning we will visit the magnificent Meherangarh Fort

from where you will have a great view of the blue houses, painted to

distinguish them as those of Brahmins. The fort itself looks massive from the

outside but inside there is an impressive collection of finely carved

sandstone screens and lattice windows, and the palaces themselves are very

finely decorated. We then head to Pushkar, pilgrimage town and home to the

annual Pushkar Camel Fair. Steeped in mysticism and surrounded by the desert

this little town is a holy site on the fringes of a lake. This is a great

place to relax and soak up the atmosphere. (Approx. 6 hrs drive)

In the morning we do some sightseeing; in the centre of town is holy Pushkar

lake surrounded by a number of temples including the famous Bramha temple

said to be the only temple in the world dedicated to this deity. A dip in the

waters of Pushkar Lake and worship at Bramha temple ensure salvation. In the

afternoon we drive to Jaipur. (Approx. 3 hrs drive)

A day of sightseeing. The 'Pink City' of Jaipur is one of the most attractive

and colourful cities in India. Rajah Jai Singh decided to abandon his nearby

fortress and palace at Amber in 1727 and laid out a planned city of broad

avenues, built of sandstone and painted pink at a later stage. In the centre

of Jaipur is the City Palace, formerly the residence of the Maharaja, it is

now a fine museum containing rare manuscripts, paintings, royal garments and

weapons. Close to the palace is one of the most intriguing sights of India,

the observatory of Jai Singh. This is an assembly of immense astronomical

instruments made of marble and brass set in a pleasant garden. We will also

see Jaipur's impressive landmark, the Hawa Mahal, or Palace of the Winds. A

few miles from the main city is the splendid Amber Palace, rising above a

lake. The imposing hilltop fort contains large courtyards and interiors with

fine decorations including inlaid alabaster panels and a Chamber of Mirrors.

Jaipur is a centre of many handicrafts, such as durries (woven rugs),

carpets, printed cloth, semi-precious stones, leatherwear etc.; it will be

difficult to leave a workshop without buying anything!

Today we take an early morning express train back to Delhi. (approx. 4 ½

hours). In the afternoon we visit the walled city of Old Delhi; crowded,

full of activities and still influenced by the great Mughals who once ruled

from the ramparts of the majestic Red Fort. We visit Jama Mosque - built in

17th century and the largest mosque in India and Rajghat - the memorial to

Mahatma Gandhi. We will also see India Gate and the vast colonial buildings

as we navigate around the city. Your tour leader will arrange a group dinner

this evening if you would like to attend.

Those on the flight inclusive package will depart for London this morning for

the daytime flight back to London; Land Only arrangements will finish after

check-out from the hotel.