This tour provides a background to the rich cultural heritage of India, the links with the Great Mughal Empire and an insight into the importance religion plays in India's history.  Discover the world of the holy Hindus who bathe in the Ganges at sunrise, and praise the fruits of the earth.  

Our journey takes us from the magnificent Taj Mahal into the royal heart of Rajasthan, where your accommodation is in the palaces of the Maharajahs. Staying in these places gives visitors a real feel of how life was lived here.  We explore the natural beauty of one of India's finest wildlife parks at Bharatpur, and immerse ourselves in the ancient and splendorous culture of the cities of this desert state with its forts and palaces, absorbing the many religious images that give India's its rich cultural fabric today.

This tour is a fantastic three week sojourn, an intensive search deep into the heart of the importance that religion plays in life in India, and is an ideal holiday both on its own, or as part of a longer stay in India and Nepal.  It covers a large area but long distances are covered by air rather than by rail, making it ideal for those with limited time or a desire to avoid long journeys on trains.

ITINERARY

DAY 01  DELHI  
On arrival in Delhi, you are met and we transfer to your hotel.

DAY 02 and DAY 03  DELHI  
Two days are spent getting to know Delhi, as we travel about by car for a comprehensive tour.  We visit the beautiful Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India.  From here we go to the imposing Mughal Red Fort and Ghandi Samadi (the hallowed cremation ground of Ghandi), before taking a walk through the labyrinth of frenetic streets that make up Chandni Chowk, the vivid, colourful bazaar abuzz with the life and soul of Old Delhi.

After Old Delhi, the tree-lined boulevards of New Delhi seem startlingly spacious.  Connaught Place houses many famous restaurants with a good choice of different cuisine. We start our tour of New Delhi at the enchanting Laxmi Narayan Temple, and take a drive past The Presidents House to India Gate. We spend time enjoying the peace and tranquillity of Humayan's Tomb, and marvelling at Qutab Minar and the Bhai Temple (a perfect lotus-shaped temple), that lights up at night in honour of its name.  In the evenings, there is time for shopping and viewing a spectacular light and sound show at the Red Fort.
        
DAY 04  DELHI - VARANASI  
We transfer to the airport for the short flight to Varanasi.  On arrival, you transfer to your hotel.

DAY 05  VARANASI  
The day is spent exploring this incomparable city, visiting the Golden and Annapurna Temples and the sacred cremation ground at Jalsain Ghat.  We begin at dawn, heading out onto the water of the sacred River Ganges, where the air is already alive with the activity of devout pilgrims cleansing mind and soul in the light of the rising sun.  It is a humbling and unforgettable sight.

DAY 06  VARANASI - KHAJURAHO  
In the morning we transfer to the airport for the flight to Khajuraho.  In Khajuraho we enjoy an afternoon tour of this ancient city.  We spend time in awe of the impressive rock temples that draw visitors from around the world.  The erotic carvings on the temple walls have been the subject of decades of speculation and mystery.  In the evening, we check into your hotel for dinner and rest.

DAY 07  KHAJURAHO - AGRA  
Afternoon drive to Agra, where we transfer to your hotel and rest.

DAY 08  AGRA   
Agra sightseeing   We continue on our journey to Agra, to take in the fantastic spectacle of the Taj Mahal, India's most famous monument.  In the afternoon we also visit the imposing Agra Fort up above the town, before heading back to the hotel.

DAY 09  AGRA - BHARATPUR  
A 56 km drive takes us into Rajasthan, where our first stop is the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary.   On the way, we stop at Fatephur Sikri, a strange architectural fantasy built by Emperor Akbar as the new capital of the Mughal Empire.  It was abandoned in 1573, When the city's water supply dried up, and wandering its deserted streets is a surreal yet strangely rewarding experience.  On arrival at Bharatpur, we check into your forest rest-house accommodation at Ghana National Park.

DAY 10 BHARATPUR  
A dawn safari at Bharatpur provides the perfect opportunity to watch the amazing variety of animals and birds, over 300 species of which have found a natural haven here.  Many are found here having migrated for the winter, from as far away as central Asia and Europe.  Overnight is spent once again at the forest rest-house.

DAY 11 BHARATPUR - JAIPUR  
We set off by road for the beautiful Pink City of Jaipur, and settle into your hotel on arrival.

DAY 12 and DAY 13  JAIPUR  
Jaipur was constructed in 1727 out of local pink sandstone that glows gloriously in the setting sun, providing a spectacular backdrop to the typical Rajasthani cultural sights that continue to thrive here in their traditional manner.  We take time to absorb the charms of this wonderful city, and then make a special journey to the Amber Fort outside the city walls.  Ride up to the fort in style on the broad back of an elephant, and again taste the life once lived by reigning Maharajahs.

DAY 14  JAIPUR - JODHPUR  
We transfer to the airport for our connecting flight to Jodphur.  On arrival, settle into your hotel and spend the day at leisure.

DAY 15 and DAY 16  JODHPUR  
Jodhpur is the famous, blue-hued fortress city of Rajasthan, situated right on the edge of the Thar Desert. Time is spent visiting the massive Meharnagarth Fort on the edge of this strategic town, and exploring the fascinating historical museum, which details Jodhpur's past as a city well worth fighting for.

DAY 17  JODHPUR - UDAIPUR  
We take a short flight to Udaipur, our final destination in Rajasthan.  A beautiful and romantic city, it is composed of a number of irresistible gardens and lakes that give it air of transcendence of the mundane. Nothing here is unremarkable; everything has a special and heart-lifting charm, and an arts scene dating back centuries continues to drum an incessant beat here.

DAY 18  UDAIPUR  
A day at leisure is needed to absorb the peace and tranquillity of Pichola Lake, or to explore the many temples and palaces which provide the backdrop to Udaipur's thriving performing arts scene.  It is the perfect place to relax and reflect on the images of the past few days.

DAY 19   UDAIPUR  
A city tour is arranged to take in the City Palace and wonderful museum and the Jagdish Temple.  The afternoon is free for shopping and your leisure for these last precious hours in Rajasthan.

DAY 20   UDAIPUR - DELHI  
We transfer to the airport for our flight back to Delhi.  On arrival, you transfer to your hotel and spend the evening at your leisure.

DAY 21   DELHI  
You transfer to the airport or station for your onward journey.  Tour ends.

TOUR INCLUSIONS
Accommodation on a room-only basis, except accommodation at Bharatpur, which is inclusive of all meals.
All transfers by car including pick-ups and drop-offs at airport or station.
All sight-seeing and safari tours as specified.

All economy class internal flights as specified:  DELHI - VARANASI; VARANASI - KHAJURAHO; KHAJURAHO - AGRA; JAIPUR - JODHPUR; JODHPUR - UDAIPUR; UDAIPUR - DELHI.