Overview
This 22-day North India tour explores Rajasthan’s palaces and deserts, Agra’s Taj Mahal, Khajuraho’s temples, and the sacred River Ganges at Varanasi, visiting iconic cities like Delhi, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Jaipur, Ranthambhore, Orchha, and Gwalior, blending culture, architecture, wildlife, and spiritual experiences.
Highlights
- Explore Rajasthan’s royal heritage with visits to iconic palaces and forts in cities like Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, and Bikaner, including experiences like camel rides and stays in heritage hotels.
- Visit the Taj Mahal at sunrise in Agra, along with Agra Fort and other Mughal architectural gems.
- Experience the mystical spiritual ambiance of Varanasi with a boat ride on the sacred River Ganges, the evening Ganga Aarti ceremony at the ghats, and exploring the ancient city's sacred laneways.
- Discover the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Khajuraho, famous for its intricately carved temples with stunning erotic sculptures and architectural marvels.
- Enjoy wildlife and nature on guided jeep safaris through Ranthambhore or Bandhavgarh National Park, known for Bengal tigers and diverse forest wildlife.
Delhi-Nawalgarh–Bikaner–Phalodi-Jaisalmer-Osian–Jodhpur–Ranakpur –Kumbhalgarh–Udaipur–Pushkar– Jaipur–Rantahmbhore–atehpur Sirki–Agra– Gwalior–Orchha– Khajuraho-Vanarasi–Sarnath-Delhi
This tour combines the palaces, forts, and temples of Rajasthan with the jungles, rivers, and architecture of the region that inspired The Jungle Book. Varanasi , the sacred city on the banks of the Ganges, is also not to be missed. Everywhere, in the desert, the forests, and along the banks of the Ganges, the influence of the past on the daily lives of the inhabitants is evident.
Arrival in Delhi in the morning . Upon arrival you will be welcomed according to a magnificent Indian tradition with a flower necklace to welcome you. Direct transfer to Nawalgarh , Arrive and discover the picturesque region of Shekhawati and its villages, one of the most visited destinations in the region of Shekhawati, Visit Nawalgarh The town of Nawalgarh, founded in 1737, reserves a large concentration of painted houses, mainly in the east, in the alleys away from the Bala Qila fort and the central bazaars. With the permission of their current occupants, you must visit the Aath Haveli, whose paintings are representative of the modern evolution of motifs under British influence (old cars, English around a bathtub, trains) Possible to visit Haveli of Nadine in Fatehpur. Night in Nawalgarh.
After breakfast, you will drive to Bikaner (3.5 hours) and visit the beautiful Junagarh Fort dating from the 16th century. It is one of the best preserved in Rajasthan. A cyclo ride through the alleys of the old town, where you can also discover beautiful havelis. Installation and overnight at the hotel
After breakfast, head to Jaisalmer , the “city of gold,” through the Thar Desert. Along the way, stop at Ramdeora, a major Hindu pilgrimage site. Lunch en route. Arrival in the afternoon and check-in at the hotel. At the end of the day, visit the Brahmin chattris (cenotaphs) from where you will witness the sunset: a splendid view of the fortress city. Overnight at the hotel.
After breakfast, the day will be dedicated to visiting Jaisalmer, a fascinating city at the gateway to the desert. Surrounded by walls and topped by an imposing citadel, Jaisalmer transports you to medieval India of the proud Rajput princes. Discover the Gadisar pond, whose beautiful gate was commissioned by a famous courtesan. In the late afternoon, visit Bada Bagh, where the sanctuaries of the princes of Jaisalmer are located. After visiting Jaisalmer, transfer to the desert to admire the sunset. Possibility of having Safari and Dinner with show in the desert. Night at the hotel.
Even the all-powerful Pointing has no control about the blind texts it is an almost unorthographic life One day however a small line of blind text by the name of Dan decided to leave for the far World of Grammar.
After breakfast, departure for Ranakpur . Arrival and visit of Ranakpur temple. Ranakpur is known to be one of the largest Jain temple complexes in India. You will visit the Adinath temple and will be captivated by the beauty and complexity of its architecture. Please note that short clothing is prohibited in the temple, knees and shoulders must be covered. Leather objects are prohibited in the temple and shoes must also be removed. The most famous temples in the complex are Chaumukha, Neminath and Parashnath Temple. En route, visit the Mewar fort in Kumbhalgarh .The view from the fort extends for several dozen kilometers over the Aravalli range, and when the weather permits, you can see the dunes of the Thar desert in the distance. Arrival in Udaipur and check-in at the hotel
Breakfast at the hotel and discovery of Udaipur with the visit of the palace, the City Palace, the largest complex in Rajasthan which juxtaposes several buildings from different periods and which extends on a hill overlooking Lake Pichola. Boat ride on Lake Pichola and walk in the old city with visit of the Jagdish Mandir, sanctuary dedicated to Vishnu. At Bagaur ki Haveli there is possibility to see the traditional dances. Night at the hotel
After breakfast, departure for Pushkar . Arrival and visit of the Pushkar Fair. The Puskhar Fair takes place once a year, in the month of Kartika (November 4 – November 12) according to the Hindu lunar calendar. It is the most famous camel fair in the world. Thousands of merchants and traders from all parts of India flock to this picturesque town to sell and buy cattle, camels and other livestock. On this occasion, Pushkar is populated by turbaned men with long mustaches (typical of Rajasthan). They stroll through the town accompanied by these women in brightly colored saris, which become even brighter during the festival days. During the fair, they sell bracelets, fabrics and other trinkets typical of the markets of North India. It is a true discovery of nomadic life in its most authentic form. Night in Pushkar.
After breakfast, departure for Jaipur . Founded by the astronomer prince Maharaja Jai Singh II, it is certainly the most colorful city in India, which exudes a special atmosphere with its lively bazaars, bustling with activity and crowded with human tides in multicolored turbans. The old city, in the form of a square, is surrounded by a thick wall pierced by nine gates. Installation at the hotel overnight in Jaipur
After breakfast, day dedicated to the visit of Jaipur. Sightseeing at the famous facade of the Palace of Winds , then, in the immediate vicinity of Jaipur, visit the Amber Fort which you access on elephant back. The courtyards, pavilions and the Palace of Mirrors recall the glory and prosperity of the Rajput sovereigns. The old city, in the form of a square, is encircled by a thick wall pierced by nine gates. , visit of the palace, current residence of the royal family and visit of the observatory “ JantarMantar ”, built in 1728 by the astronomer prince Maharaja Jai Singh II, the Maharaja Palace ( CityPalace ) in pink sandstone and white marble. It was transformed into a museum by the last Maharaja and contains a beautiful collection of weapons and costumes. Night at the hotel.
After breakfast, drive to Ranthambhore . Arrival and free time to relax. Overnight in Ranthambhore.
After breakfast, Safari in Ranthambhore National Park. There are two safaris in the day. Morning from 7:00 to 10:30 and afternoon from 14:00 to 17:30. Overnight in Ranthambhore.
After breakfast, drive to Fatehpur Sikri , a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Upon arrival in Agra (after a 5.5-hour drive), visit the Red Fort built in 1565 and discover the Taj Mahal, a luminous white marble mausoleum built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. Continue to Agra. Night in Agra.
After breakfast, discover the Taj Mahal , a luminous white marble mausoleum built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. Visit the Red Fort, built from 1565, then discover the delicate mausoleum of Mirza Ghiyas Beg. Night in Agra.
After breakfast departure for Gwalior , arrive and visit the Gwalior fort and king’s palace. Night in Gwalior
After breakfast, departure, Arrival and visit of Laxminarayan temple, an atypical blend of military and religious architecture. The Chhattri, 14 cenotaphs built for the rajas of Orchha along the Kanchana Ghats on the banks of the Betwa. The fort and its parts – Raj Mahal, Jehangir Mahal and Rai Parveen Mahal. Night in Orchha.
After breakfast, drive to Khajuraho , home to the largest group of medieval Hindu and Jain temples, famous for their erotic sculptures. The Chandelâ rajas built a large temple complex there, numbering up to 85, of which only 22 remain today. They were dedicated to Hindu and Jain worship. The temple architecture influenced the model developed at Bhûbaneshvar, but here no enclosure encloses the buildings. They are divided into three groups, known as the western group, the eastern group, and the southern group. The first is almost integrated into the village. The eastern group includes seven temples, four of which are magnificent Jain temples. The largest and most beautiful Jain temple is dedicated to Parshvanath, next to it is the one dedicated to Adinath (Rishabhadeva), smaller but with beautiful pillars, and a little further away, the one dedicated to Shantinath. Jain temples do not feature any erotic scenes. The three
Hindu temples are Javari, Vamana, and Brahma. The southern group includes the Hindu temples of Duladeo and Chaturbhuja, both dedicated to Shiva. Overnight in Khajuraho.
After breakfast, drive to Delhi, transfer to the airport for a flight to Vanarasi . Arrive in Vanarasi, walk to the Aurangzeb Mosque built in the 17th century and see the Golden Temple (entrance reserved for Hindus), and that of Durga. Ride in a cyclo-rickshaw through the bazaar to the ghats where you witness the moving homage that pilgrims pay to the gods and the sacred river. Night in Varanasi.
Guide for the morning tour and the city
Breakfast, then early in the morning, by boat on the Ganges, you will enjoy a completely different atmosphere as the city wakes up and prayers take place on the banks. Visit the museum, which contains magnificent sculptures (closed on Fridays). Overnight in Varanasi
After breakfast, transfer to the airport where you will take a flight to Delhi, Arrival and Transfer to the hotel. Night in Delhi
After breakfast, city tour with English-speaking guide. Discover the old city and visit the Grand Mosque. Quick look at the Red Fort built in the 17th century and stroll through the Chandni Chowk bazaar (closed on Sundays). Discover the Qutub Minar and Humayun’s Tomb. Hotel to sleep, check-out at 1 a.m. at night. Transfer to the airport for your international flight.
