A Maharajah’s life – Luxury Tour

Depart for a sightseeing tour of Delhi. Visit the 12th century Qutab Minar, gracefully hand carved for its entire height of 234ft, and the iron pillar which has withstood the ravages of time and not rusted – even after 1500 years. Visit the mausoleum of emperor Humayun – a forerunner of the Mughal style of architecture, and the imposing modern Lakshminarayan temple. Drive past the India Gate, the president’s residence and war memorial dedicated to the lives laid down by the Indian Soldiers. An interesting blend of Victorian and 20th century architecture, these were formerly the Viceroy’s Palace, Parliament House and the Secretariat buildings

Continue to the magnificent Red Fort – a marvel in red sandstone built on the banks of River Yamuna by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. Visit Raj Ghat, memorial to Mahatma Gandhi, and Jama Masjid – the largest mosque in India. Drive past Chandi Chowk, once an imperial avenue of Mughal Royalty which today is the busiest commercial area of the city. Walk through Chandi Chowk to savour the ambience of an oriental bazaar.

Morning drive to Agra, visiting en route “The Tomb of Akbar the Great” in Sikandra.
Arrive in Agra and visit the Agra fort built alongside the Yamuna River stretching almost 2.5 km. The fort’s colossal double walls rise 20 m in height and measure 2.5 km in circumference. The magnificent towers, bastions and ramparts, and majestic gateways symbolised the confidence and power of the third Mughal emperor. Transfer to your hotel, the Oberoi Amarvilas, where you can enjoy a welcome drink on the terrace facing the Taj Mahal.

At sunrise visit the Taj Mahal, a poem in white marble built by Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife. Taj Mahal means Crown Palace and is, in fact, the most well-preserved and architecturally beautiful tomb in the world. It is best described by the English poet Sir Edwin Arnold as “Not a piece of architecture as other buildings are, but the proud passions of an emperor’s love wrought in living stones”. It is a celebration of woman, built in marble – and that’s the way to appreciate it.

Later drive to Jaipur, en route visiting Fatehpur Sikri.
Fatehpur Sikri was built by Emperor Akber in 1569 and abandoned after 15 years due to scarcity of water. Visit the remarkably well-preserved graceful buildings within the ‘Ghost City’ including the Jama Masjid tomb of Salim Chisti, Panch Mahal Palace, and other palaces that speak of the grandeur and splendours of the Mughal empire at the height of its power. Continue to Jaipur and check in at your hotel for the next two nights.

The “Pink City” was built in the 18th century by Maharaja Jai Singh II. It is a planned city built in accordance with ancient Hindu rules as the colonial capital of a richly colourful state. It was made attractive with the pink wash – a traditional colour of welcome – in 1853 in honour of the visit of Prince Albert.

Visit the City Palace which occupies the centre of Jaipur. It now houses the Royal residence and museums with collections of textiles and costumes, armoury, manuscripts, paintings etc. Also visit Jantar Mantar observatory built by king astrologer Jai Singh II. The instruments are built of stone with marble facing on the important plains for measuring the harmony of the heavens. Each instrument serves a particular function and each gives an accurate reading.

Depart for the visit of Amber Fort situated 11 km north of Jaipur. It was the ancient capital of the Rajputs until 1037. Afternoon at leisure to explore the colourful markets of Jaipur.

Today drive to Nimaj – your base for the next 2 nights.

A day at leisure to explore Nimaj.

Morning drive to Jodhpur at the edge of the Thar Desert. This is the second largest city in Rajasthan after Jaipur. This five hundred year old settlement was the headquarters of The Rathore Rajputs’ celebrations for their tales of daring. Jodhpur is known for its impressive fortified bastions, especially those of Mehrangarh which have been the witness of many battles and were associated closely with the history of the region. The years of peace that followed resulted in the building of palaces that were laid on open grounds and spread out in an elaborate European manner.

Visit the impressive Mehrangarh Fort built on a sandstone hill by Rao Jodha in 1459. From the top of the fort one can get a bird’s eye view of the old city. You will notice the predominance of blue houses, referred to as Brahmin houses – the colour being associated with the high caste. Proceed to the Jaswant Thada, an imposing marble cenotaph built in 1899 for Maharajah Jaswant Singh II, and smaller memorials to other Maharajahs of Jodhpur. Finish your sightseeing tour with a short walk through the local and vibrant bazaar of Jodhpur.
Overight at the Umaid Bhawan Palace.

Drive to Udaipur. En route visit the world famous Jain Temple of Ranakpur. This stunning temple features 1444 marble columns all intricately carved with no two columns alike. Later continue to Udaipur.

Udaipur lies in the Girwa valley amidst the Aravali hills of south Rajasthan. It is considered a romantic city – with its lakes, gardens, temples, and palaces – an Oasis in the Thar desert. The old city is a traditionally planned, fortified walled city. It is a maze of narrow winding lanes flanked by houses, their doorways decorated with Mewar folk art windows with stained glass or jail screens massive havelis with large inner courtyards and shops. Transfer to your hotel for the next two nights.

Visit the City Palace. Once entirely the home of Mewar’s rulers, today the Palace is largely a museum run by the Maharana Mewar Foundation. It consists of four major and several minor palaces forming a single breathtaking facade overlooking the Pichola lake. Continue with a visit of the Jagdish Temple and of the local market.
Tonight enjoy a romantic boat ride on Lake Pichola. Overnight in Udaipur.

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Delhi where you will continue on with your own arrangements.

• Private air-conditioned transport with English speaking driver
• Accommodation in Luxury Palaces and Luxury Camp on a share twin basis
• Meals as per itinerary
• Sightseeing with local English speaking guides
• Entrance fee at monuments as listed in itinerary
• Travel Notes – issued by Innovative Travel

• International airfares
• Optional tours and excursions
• Port Taxes and fuel surcharges
• Porterage
• Tipping/Gratuities (please refer to tour notes for a recommended guideline)
• Personal Expenses
• Departure taxes
• Hotel charges for minibar or any extra charges
• Visas (unless specified)
• Any other services not clearly mentioned in the inclusions above