Day 1 • New Delhi
On arrival at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Day 2 • New Delhi
In the morning, you will discover the city that Indians affectionately call Dilli, a metropolis of more than 25 million people, bustling, modern and ancestral at the same time. You will go to the old district of Chandni Chowk where, as early as the 17th century, one of the Great Mughals built the largest mosque in India, Jama Masjid. In the afternoon you will visit the new Delhi where India Gate, the Presidential Palace, the tomb of Emperor Humayun and the Qutub Minar, two highlights of the city and World Heritage sites since 1993, are located.
Day 3 • Delhi - Agra
In the morning, you will drive to Agra, the ancient capital of the Mughal emperors. On the way, you will visit the magnificent tomb of the great Mughal emperor Akbar. Located in Sikandra, on the outskirts of Agra, this mausoleum built in the early part of the 17th century is one of the masterpieces of Mughal architecture. On arrival in Agra, a visit to the palaces, mosques and gardens of the Red Fort will give you an insight into the architecture of the different eras of the Imperial Mughal style.
Day 4 • Agra - Jaipur
Early morning visit of India's iconic Taj Mahal. Built by Emperor Shah Jahan for his favourite wife Mumtaz Mahal, the mausoleum is the quintessence of Mughal art. It is logical that it is classified as a Unesco World Heritage site since 1983 and is one of the seven wonders of the modern world since 2007.
After the visit, continue to Jaipur. On the way, stop at Fatehpur Sikri, Akbar's former capital built in the 16th century and abandoned a few years after its completion probably due to lack of water. Six centuries later, the ghost city brings back the past glory of the Mughal Empire.
Day 5 • Jaipur
The day's visit will begin with a look at the Palace of Winds, actually a finely carved pink sandstone facade that once allowed the women of the court to watch the street processions without being seen. You will then head to Amber Fort, a proud citadel that was once the home of the maharajas of Jaipur. Perched on a hilltop with a lake at its feet, the palace contains a fabulous maze of courtyards, interior gardens, and rooms decorated with mirrors and mosaics.
Back in the city, you will visit the City Palace, the walls of which are home to a museum and the residence of today's royal family. Finally, you will end the day in one of the five observatories (Jantar Mantar) built by Maharaja Jai Singh II in India in the early 18th century.
Day 6 • Jaipur - Barli
In the morning, you will depart to the village of Barli. On the way, you will stop at Pushkar, the sacred city built around its lake. Upon arrival in Barli, check-in at the hotel.
Day 7 • Barli - Udaipur
In the morning, departure to the white city of Udaipur. Set in the heart of the Aravallis range, the city was once the capital of the Mewar province and is one of the most romantic cities in India. Upon arrival, you will check into your hotel and head to the old city to explore the markets.
Day 8 • Udaipur
The day begins with a visit to the present residence of the royal family of Mewar, the City Palace. The largest palatial complex in Rajasthan houses richly decorated halls and courtyards. This is followed by a visit to the Jagdish Temple and a boat ride on Lake Pichola for a superb overview of the city. End of the day at the "Garden of the Maidens", built for the ladies of the court and now a haven of peace.
Day 9 • Udaipur – Jodhpur
Continue your journey north through the landscapes of the Aravallis Mountains. On the way, stop at Ranakpur, site of amazing Jain temples, including that of Adinath. Its dome is supported by some 1440 pillars covered with ever-changing and more refined designs, only one of which is inclined! On arrival in Jodhpur, check in at the hotel and stroll through the colourful lanes of the old town which stretches around the Clock Tower.
Day 10 • Jodhpur - Jaisalmer
The day will start at Mehrangarh Fort. Its enormous mass, standing above the plain, houses a luxurious palace, now a museum. You will then go to Jaswant Thada, located below the fort. Built in memory of Jaswant Singh II, it offers a beautiful panorama to the visitor.
After the visits, you will continue your journey to Jaisalmer which you will reach at the end of the day, not without stopping at the Hindu temples of Osian. You will watch the sunset from the royal cenotaphs after checking in at the hotel.
Day 11 • Jaisalmer
The golden city, set in the middle of the desert, was once an important stop on the caravan route. Today, you can wander through its narrow streets to visit the finely carved havelis built in the 19th century by the rich merchants of yesteryear.
You will also visit the palace and Jain temples before going to the Gadi Sagar, a lake lined with temples and pavilions. In the late afternoon you will head out into the desert to watch the sunset.
Day 12 • Jaisalmer – Bikaner
In the morning you will take the long desert road to Bikaner, founded in the 15th century by a prince of Jodhpur on the edge of the Thar Desert. Arrive in the late afternoon and check into the hotel.
Day 13 • Bikaner – Shekhawati
Junagarh Fort was built in the 16th century. During the visit you will discover a richly decorated palace and perfectly preserved rooms.
You will then drive to the Shekhawati region famous for the frescoes that cover the walls of the old merchants' houses. You will visit one of them, among the most beautiful and best restored, in Fatehpur. Check in at the hotel at the end of the day.
Day 14 • Shekhawati – Delhi
In the heart of Shekhawati are hidden villages that are home to wonders. Forgotten by time, this province of Rajasthan was once prosperous thanks to the dynamism of its merchants, the Marwaris. It is on this day that you will have the opportunity to enter the homes they have left for visitors. After the visits, return to Delhi which you will reach late in the day, on time for your transfer to the international terminal for your flight home.
