Colours of Rajasthan

Flights usually depart London in the evening.
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Day 2

For those who are on the flight inclusive package we land in Delhi in the
morning and transfer to the hotel where we will meet the other members of the
group. 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.
*Standard Hotel*

Day 3

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.
*Standard Hotel*

Day 4

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).
*Standard Hotel*

Day 5

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.
*Standard Hotel*

Day 6

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)
*Standard Hotel*

Day 7

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)
*Comfortable Hotel*

Day 8

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.
*Comfortable Hotel*

Day 9

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)
*Standard Hotel*

Day 10

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)
*Comfortable Hotel*

Day 11

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)
*Standard Hotel*

Day 12

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!
*Standard Hotel*

Day 13

Today we take an early morning express train back to Delhi. (approx. 4 ½
hours) Once back in Delhi you are free to relax, do further independent
sightseeing or pick up last minute shopping.  Your tour leader will arrange
a group dinner this evening if you would like to attend. 

(From December 2020 the Delhi sightseeing outlined on Day 1 will be included
on this day)
*Standard Hotel*

Day 14

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.
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