Amongst the Maharajahs - 2009/10 departures

from USD 2654 for 21 days

This fascinating journey visits major highlights such as Agra, Jaipur, Jodhpur and Udaipur, and it also includes some of the most fabulous castles, forts and palaces of Rajasthan, while staying in atmospheric heritage hotels.

We head off the beaten track which gives us the chance to see how life continues in India’s villages. Our nights are spent at a number of exquisite heritage hotels which vary from elegant Maharajas’ palaces and lavish tented camps to more simple but equally atmospheric old buildings. It is not difficult to see why this is our favourite tour of India.

Brief Description Show detailed

Day 1 - Delhi

DELHI: Arrive and transfer to hotel. Afternoon city tour of Delhi.

Day 2 - Pachewar

PACHEWAR: Early morning express train to Jaipur. From here we continue by road to the small village of Pachewar where we stay in the lovely 300-year-old fort with its massive ramparts and large gardens. (B)

Day 3 - Pachewar

PACHEWAR: Full day to explore. (B)

Day 4 - Bundi

BUNDI: Drive to Bundi which has one of the most magnificent forts in Rajasthan, famous for its delicate miniatures. Overnight in a haveli, an old merchant’s house. (B)

Day 5 - Bijaipur

BIJAIPUR: Drive to Bijaipur where we stay the night in the Castle Bijaipur. (B)

Day 6 - Khempur

KHEMPUR: Visit Chittaurgarh, probably India’s greatest medieval fort, perched in a dramatic city-top setting. We then continue to Ravla Khempur, a lovely heritage hotel set amidst well manicured lawns. Guests have the option of exploring Khempur’s surroundings on horseback. (B)

Day 7 - Udaipur

UDAIPUR: Drive to the lake city of Udaipur where we stay in a haveli on Lake Pichola. (B)

Day 8 - Udaipur

UDAIPUR: Morning tour of this beautiful lakeside city. Afternoon at leisure. (B)

Day 9 - Narlai

NARLAI: Drive via the formidable Kumbhalgarh fort to Narlai, a small town overlooking a giant 90m single rock of granite, dotted with caves and temples. We stay in a former hunting lodge. (B)

Day 10 - Jodhpur

JODHPUR: Morning walk to historic temples in and around Narlai, followed by a visit to the superb Jain temples of Ranakpur. Afternoon drive to Jodhpur. (B)

Day 11 - Jodhpur

JODHPUR: Morning visit to the impressive Meherangarh Fort with magnificent views over the blue city. Afternoon at leisure. (B)

Day 12 - Chandelao

CHANDEALAO: Drive to the small heritage hotel of Chandelao Garh. Afternoon jeep safari to the surrounding villages. (B)

Day 13 - Osian

OSIAN: Travel to Osian, an ancient town in the Thar desert. We spend the night in a beautiful tented camp in the sand dunes. Afternoon camel ride in the desert. (B)

Day 14 - Bikaner

BIKANER: Drive via Nagaur and the unique Karni Mata Temple at Deshnok to Bikaner, an interesting and colourful town. We stay for two nights at the Hotel Gaj Kesri. (B)

Day 15 - Bikaner

BIKANER: Morning tour of Bikaner. Free afternoon. (B)

Day 16 - Mandawa

MANDAWA: Continue to the Shekhavati area of Rajasthan, famous for its havelis with colourful frescoes and murals. We stay in the Mandawa Desert Resort, in luxurious mud huts. (B)

Day 17 - Jaipur

JAIPUR: Drive to the Pink City of Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan. We stay two nights in a charming hotel built in traditional Rajasthani style in a quiet residential area. (B)

Day 18 - Jaipur

JAIPUR: Morning city tour. Afternoon at leisure. (B)

Day 19 - Agra

AGRA: Drive via the superb Moghul remains of Fatehpur Sikri to Agra. (B)

Day 20 - Delhi

DELHI: Morning visit to the Taj Mahal. Evening express train to Delhi. (B)

Day 21 - Delhi

DELHI: Tour ends. (B)

Itinerary Notes

Please note that owing to the liklihood of train delays, we recommend that passengers do not book departure flights departing within 6 hours of the arrival time at the tour end point for day trains, and within 8 hours for overnight trains.