Colours of Rajasthan

Day 1  Delhi    
The adventure begins in Delhi. There is a welcome briefing in the evening – the time and location will be posted in the hotel lobby. The rest of the day has been left free, allowing you time to settle into the trip.

Day 2  Delhi to Ranthambore    
Visit the walled city of Old Delhi this morning. It’s crowded, full of activities and still influenced by the great Mughals who once ruled from the ramparts of the majestic Red Fort. Navigating the city, visit the 17th-century Jama Mosque, the largest mosque in India; Rajghat, a memorial to Mahatma Gandhi; India Gate; and vast colonial buildings. This afternoon, transfer (approximately six hours) to Ranthambore National Park.

Day 3  Ranthambore    
Today take two game drives in Ranthambore National Park. The reserve was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1957 and in 1974 became part of Project Tiger. After initial success, poaching has drastically reduced the tiger population. However, Ranthambore is still considered one of the best places to spot wild tigers and many of our groups over the last few years have seen the elusive predator. Ranthambore is also home to a great variety of other wildlife, including several species of monkey, deer, crocodile and birdlife. During the game drives, each vehicle is joined by a Forest Guard, a requirement by the local authorities. The Forest Guards are part of a national park initiative to generate employment for the nearby villages. They are skilled spotters and trackers so, though their English is sometimes very limited, they greatly improve the experience.

Day 4  Ranthambore to Bundi    
Leave Ranthambore and drive (approximately four hours) to Bundi, a delightful town on the Aravali foothills. It is best known for its palaces and the beautifully decorated stepwells that were used to collect water during the monsoon centuries ago. Visit Bundi Fort in the afternoon, one of the most beautiful palaces in India and home to outstanding miniature paintings portraying the history of the palace and its royal family. The fort is high on a hill overlooking Bundi and its Krishna blue stonewashed houses.

Day 5  Bundi to Udaipur    
Set off on our five-hour (145mi/235km) journey to the lakeside city of 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 visitors as the most romantic city in India.

Day 6  Udaipur    
On the east side of Lake Pichola, the main palace commands an unsurpassed view across the shimmering lake to the dusty Aravalli Hills. The lake 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 lake waters. 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. 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.

Day 7  Udaipur to Jodhpur    
Taking the scenic road out of Udaipur, head to Jodhpur. It’s a seven-hour drive, but to break up the journey you’ll visit the 15th-century Jain temple at Ranakpur. The main temple, beautifully carved from marble, is dedicated to Adinath and has 29 halls supported by 1,444 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 a wall almost 6mi (10km) in circumference and is dominated by the massive fort that stands on a rocky hill commanding the surrounding desert

Day 8  Jodhpur
First thing in the morning, visit the Meherangarh Fort for 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 walk through the spice market, before having the rest of the day free to explore the city. Options include visiting Mandore Garden, known for its collection of impressive cenotaphs dedicated to the rulers of Jodhpur.

Day 9  Jodhpur to Pushkar
This morning, we transfer (six hours) to the lakeside pilgrimage town of Pushkar. There’s time for sightseeing this afternoon. In the town centre is the holy Pushkar Lake, which is surrounded by several temples, including a Bramha temple said to be the only one in the world dedicated to this deity. A dip in the lake waters and worship at the Bramha temple ensure salvation.

Day 10  Jaipur    
Enjoy time at leisure this morning to explore Pushkar. Roam the narrow streets hunting for souvenirs or take a stroll to the lake and watch the local people start their day. In the afternoon, we drive (approximately three hours) to Jaipur, an attractive city of broad avenues, built of sandstone and painted pink at a later stage.

Day 11  Jaipur
We start as the sun rises, heading out for a dawn walking tour led by a local guide as the Pink City wakes. See the local people start their day and the rituals that take place in early morning markets and small temples. We visit different chowkris (blocks) within the walled city, with the chance to interact with different artisans.
Returning to the hotel for breakfast and some time to refresh, we head out again mid-morning for a city tour led by a local guide. Visit the highlights, including one of the most intriguing sights in India, the observatory of Jai Singh. This is an assembly of immense astronomical instruments. We also see the Hawa Mahal, or Palace of the Winds, and the splendid Amber Palace, rising above a lake outside the city.

Day 12  Jaipur to Agra
Transfer to Agra (approximately 4hr 30min), visiting Fatehpur Sikri, the deserted royal city of Emperor Akbar, on the way. 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 Jehangir. The mosque, designed to hold 10,000 worshippers, the palaces, residences and halls of audience, are constructed of decorative red sandstone. But this magnificence only lasted 14 years; Akbar left Fatehpur Sikri in 1584 to secure his outlying territories, leaving this city much as we see it today.

Day 13  Agra to Delhi    
Wake early to visit the Taj Mahal at sunrise, when the white-marble exterior is illuminated by the soft early light, the crowds are smaller and the birds chatter among themselves. After admiring it from the outside, we head inside, with a chance to explore the beautiful inner chambers and mausoleum, while our tour leader shares the history of this New World Wonder.
Following breakfast, we begin on our journey (approximately four to five hours) back to Delhi, stopping on the outskirts of Agra to visit and support Wildlife SOS. Their work is dedicated to rescuing and caring for sloth bears and elephants. At the Agra Elephant Conservation and Care Centre, we meet an education officer to learn about their vital work and commitment to rehabilitating abused elephants and advocating for their conservation through public awareness campaigns. We tour the centre and see some of the rescued elephants and hear their stories.

Day 14  Delhi
Your tour comes to an end.