Land of Maharajas

Assistance on arrival at Indira Gandhi International airport

Arrive Delhi, the Political Capital of India. Delhi is history, and the monuments are tablets on which the history is written. Every conqueror did his best to possess Delhi and make it his capital. It is not a single city but a combination of eight cities that have been established here from as early as 900 BC to 1930 when the British completed the construction of New Delhi as the capital of Imperial India. It is therefore not surprising that the monuments of Delhi successfully mirror the development of the architectural styles in the country. On arrival, once you have completed the Immigration formalities and collected your baggage, please proceed to the arrival lounge where you will be welcomed by the TOTAL HOLIDAY OPTIONS executive holding a placard who will assist you with a transfer.

Full day city tour of Old and New Delhi, visiting Spice Market with Rickshaw ride, Jama Masjid, Qutub Minar, followed by a drive-past tour of New Delhi

Proceed for a full day city tour, begin with Old Delhi with a drive past Red Fort to reach Jama Masjid - the largest mosque in India built in red sandstone. Between the mosque and Chandni Chowk is a narrow shop-lined street along which you will be transported by cycle rickshaws on your most exhilarating journey of the tour. A rickshaw ride will take you through markets buzzing with people going about their daily chores, vendors selling their wares and shops decorated and ready for business. The rickshaw tour is a great way to discover a different aspect of Delhi and experience the energy of the city. Also visit Khari Baoli, a street in Old Delhi, known for its wholesale groceries and Asia's largest wholesale spice market selling all kinds of spices, nuts, herbs and other food products. Conclude your day with a visit to Qutab Minar; being one of the most important landmarks of Delhi, with calligraphy decorated interiors as well as inscriptions of verses of the Holy Quran.

Travel to Mandawa

Assistance on departure and travel to Mandawa, a small but delightful town in Shekhawati region of Rajasthan. Founded in the mid-18th century, the town offers a sense of new discovery and is known for its forts, castles, stunning havelis, beautiful paintings, rich culture and tradition. Mandawa is also known as Rajasthan's open-air art gallery because of flawlessly frescoes painted on the walls of elaborate havelis in the area.

Assistance on arrival and afternoon sightseeing in Mandawa

On arrival in Mandawa, assistance for check-in at your accommodation. Later proceed for sightseeing of Mandawa, also called “The Open-Air Art Gallery of Rajasthan”. It portraits stunning Havelies, temples, cenotaphs, wells, castles, forts and palaces which has beautiful paintings, murals and frescoes mostly based on mythological themes, depicting local legends, animals, portraits, hunting and wrestling scenes and a glimpse of everyday life. Visit the majestic Mandawa Fort, its archway has a beautiful painting which shows Lord Krishna among his cowherds and the rooms are architecturally adorned with mirror work. In the zenana or women’s quarters, one room offers antique murals, another has a marble fountain and the turret room boasts of walls that are seven feet in diameter.

Travel to Bikaner

Travel to Bikaner, which lies in the north-western part of Rajasthan and is the centre of art and culture of medieval India. This desert city has a stark beauty which is totally unique, with wide-spread dunes, the moonlit glittering beauty and desert agility, marvellous palaces and temples, archaeological treasures, all combining to making it a city of lasting charm.

Assistance on arrival and afternoon visit Junagarh Fort and Lallgarh Palace

On arrival check-in at the accommodation. Later enjoy a guided visit to Junagarh Fort, made of red and pink sandstone, with 37 internal domes and is surrounded by high walls with a 30 feet trench around the fort. Later visit Lallgarh palace and architectural masterpiece build by the then maharaja of Bikaner. It is a grand display of richness both in terms of history and as well as wealth. The evening is free to explore the town on your own.

Travel to Jaisalmer

Travel to the Golden City of Jaisalmer, built-in 1156 AD and named after its founder, Bhatti Rajput Rao Jaisal. Located deep in the heart of the Desert, the city is popular for its century's forts, palaces, Havelis and amber-hued houses. Perched atop the Trikuta Hill, it stands tall against miles of gleaming sand, epitomising the desolate, awesome charm of the desert. The Havelis, built by merchants of the 19th century are exquisitely carved from golden-yellow sandstone and are still in beautiful conditions.

Assistance on arrival

On arrival in Jaisalmer, you will be assisted with a transfer. The charming town is located deep in the heart of the desert and popular for its century’s old forts, palaces, Havelis and amber-hued houses. It is a doorway to the wonderland of sand dunes and shrubs, rocky terrain, and thorny trees. Spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Full day city tour visiting Jaisalmer Fort, Jain Temple and Nathmalji Ki Haveli followed by evening Camel Safari

Morning proceed for a city tour starting with a visit to the only living fort in the world, Jaisalmer. Take a stroll in the narrow streets of the Golden city and get a glimpse of the lifestyle of the locals. Every house is exquisitely carved having filigreed work all over. Visit the Jain Temple followed by a visit to the beautifully carved Nathmalji Ki Haveli. Later towards the evening proceed to enjoy a camel ride on its exotic sand dunes, offering an unforgettable experience of rich cultural heritage.

Travel to Jodhpur

Morning assistance on departure and travel to Jodhpur. Today you will experience the feeling of travelling back in time with a journey to Jodhpur. Also known as "The Blue City", and "Gateway to Thar", Jodhpur is famous for its Mehrangarh fort, blue houses, temples, sweets and snacks. Apart from the fort, there are multiple temples, lakes, shopping streets that are like a mirage from a bygone era.

Assistance on arrival and evening free

On arrival in Jodhpur, you will be assisted with a transfer. Rest of the evening is at leisure or for doing your own activities.

Full day city tour visiting Mehrangarh Fort, Jaswant Thada and Sadar Bazar

Morning proceed for a city tour of Jodhpur visiting Mehrangarh Fort, one of the largest forts in India, where the beauty and grandeur of numerous palaces inside narrates a saga of hard sandstone yielding to the chisels of skilled Jodhpuri sculptors. Inside the collection of musical instruments, palanquins, furniture and cannons on the fort's ramparts are all well preserved. Continue to Jaswant Thada, a cluster of royal cenotaphs in white marble built in the year 1899 AD in memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. It is an architectural landmark of Jodhpur. Later visit Old city; surrounded by a 10km long wall, the winding streets offer colourful markets, where blue houses alternate with white houses, the Clock tower also know as ‘Ghanta Ghar’ is a prominent landmark. Evening you are free to explore the Sadar bazaar which exhibits varieties of items ranging from handicrafts, sarees, bangles etc, which would tempt the travelers especially the women.

Travel to Udaipur, en-route visit Ranakpur Jain Temple

Morning assistance on departure and travel to Udaipur. Enroute visit Ranakpur Jain temple (Opens at 1200 hrs. noon), renowned for its Jain temples with intricately carved marble Pillars and Domes, Ranakpur is amongst the five holiest places of the Jain community and exceptional in beauty. Tucked away in a remote valley in the Aravalli ranges, it boasts of one of the largest and most important Jain Temples in the country. Later continue your drive Udaipur, also known as the city of lakes, is the crown jewel of the state of Rajasthan. It is surrounded by the beautiful Aravalli Hills in all directions, making this city as lovely as it is. The city has an abundance of natural beauty, mesmerising temples and breathtaking architecture, which makes it one of the must-visit destinations in India.

Assistance on arrival and rest of the day at leisure

Assistance on arrival and transfer to your accommodation. Rest of the day free to relax or for own activities.

Full day city tour visiting City Palace, Jagdish Temple, Sahelion ki Bari followed by shared boat ride

Start your guided sightseeing tour of Udaipur with a visit to City Palace, Saheliyon ki Bari, and Jagdish Temple. The City Palace boasts a wonderful blend of Medieval, European and Chinese Architecture and has various towers, domes and arches, which add to the flavour of this heritage site. Later visit Jagdish Temple, dating back to 1651 AD, an exquisite example of Indo Aryan architecture and Sahelion Ki Bari means Garden of Maids. Enjoy a boat ride (shared) on Lake Pichola, an artificial fresh water lake, created in the year 1362 AD and named after the nearby Picholi village.

Travel to Pushkar

Assistance on departure and travel to Pushkar; lying along the bank of the picturesque Pushkar Lake, in a narrow dry valley, overshadowed by impressive rocky hills and offering the most spectacular views of the desert during sunset. It is one of the five most sacred places of pilgrimage of Hindus. As per Indian mythology, the city was created when a lotus leaf fell from Lord Brahma’s hand and the holy lake sprouted up there.

Check-in at hotel and afternoon sightseeing visiting Pushkar lake and Brahma temple

On arrival check-in at your accommodation. Later in the afternoon, we visit Pushkar Lake and Brahma temple; the only one of its kind in the world. This is a city of pilgrimage from time immemorial with over 500 temples and Ghats, with each Ghat having its miraculous qualities and healing powers. It is believed that a dip in this holy river is the harbinger of Moksha — liberation from the cycle of death and rebirth. The lake has several ghats, designed especially for taking baths and offering prayers.

Travel to Jaipur

Assistance on departure and travel to Jaipur, the first planned city of India, is a treasure-trove of culture, art and history, famous for its colour, lifestyle and Rajasthani cuisine. It is a city exuding royal heritage and extravagant richness.

Assistance on arrival, afternoon free to explore the bazaar

On arrival in Jaipur, assistance at hotel for check-in. Rest of the day is free to explore local bazaars, which are known for its embroidered leather shoes, blue pottery, tie and dye scarves and other exotic wares, or relax at your hotel.

Full day city tour visiting Amber fort with Jeep ride, en-route photo stop at Hawa Mahal and Jal Mahal; also visit to City Palace museum and Jantar Mantar

Morning tour of Jaipur starts with a drive to Amber fort. En-route photo stop at Hawa Mahal (Wind Palace). The fort complex built of red sandstone and marble boasts of various edifices of prominence like the diwan-i-Aam, Sheesh Mahal, Shila Devi Temple and ‘Ganesh Pol’ gate that leads to private palaces of the royal. The fort presents a beautiful blend of Hindu and Muslim architecture. Next photo stop at Jal Mahal, built in the mid of the lake. Visit City Palace which boasts to have some of the priceless handwritten Hindu scriptures, miniature delicate paintings, preserved painted ceilings and the elephant saddles, also registered in the Guinness Book of Records to contain the biggest silver objects in the world. The day ends with a visit to Jantar Mantar; the famed observatory is a complex of astronomical instruments chiselled out of stone which provides fairly accurate information to the day.

Travel to Agra

Morning assistance on departure and travel to Agra, home to India's most famous landmark, the Taj Mahal. A poem of white marble, the Taj is described as the most extravagant monument ever built for love.

Enroute visit Fatehpur Sikri, assistance on arrival and check in at hotel

En-route visit Fatehpur Sikri, the fortress is one of Mughal architectural excellence and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Founded in 16th century by Emperor Akbar, the well preserved red sandstone fort consisting of the palace with decorative carvings, imposing entrance doors, Mughal courtyard and King’s court lives up to the character and repute it retained ever since it was built. Thereafter travel to Agra, get assisted with a transfer on arrival.

Full day city tour visiting Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Itimad-Ud-Daulah

Early morning visit India’s most iconic landmark, the Taj Mahal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The epitome of love, standing majestically on the banks of the river Yamuna, was built in the 17th century by the Mughul Emperor Shah Jahan in loving memory of his queen. Made with pure white marble, ornated with semi-precious stones and built around a beautiful four gardens plan, it is universally admired as the greatest achievement in the whole range of Indo-Islamic architecture. Next visit Agra Fort built by Emperor Akbar, made with red sandstone, exhibits a fascinating mixture of Islamic and Hindu styles of artistry. Conclude the day visiting Itimad-Ud-Daulah Tomb, nicknamed the Baby Taj, said to have an important influence behind the design of Taj Mahal.

Travel to Delhi airport

Assistance on departure and travel to Delhi airport.

Direct departure to airport

Upon arrival in Delhi, you will be assisted by TOTAL HOLIDAY OPTIONS executive for a direct transfer to the airport to board flight for onward journey.