Day 1

After arrival at Delhi airport you will be met by our tour manager, who will accompany you on this tour you will stay in boutique hotel. Lunch, rest and relax at your hotel in the late afternoon. If you would like to go out in the evening for dinner or a short tour that would be fine. If you prefer to stay at hotel to relax as well as have dinner there that is also fine.

 DAY 2

 Breakfast followed by transfer to Domestic Airport for late morning flight to Varanasi, arrive Varanasi transfer to hotel in afternoon. In the evening go to Gangs river aarti (prayer done by priest).

 DAY 3

Breakfast followed by a boat tour of the Ganges River to see different Ghats after that visit to Visvanat temple (Lord Shiva). After lunch visit to SARNAT: There are four geographically important places in the life of Buddha. Lord Buddha gave first sermon at Sarnath. Several Buddhist structures were raised at Sarnath between the 3rd century BC and the 11th century AD, and today it presents the most expansive ruins amongst places on the Buddhist trail. In the evening boat tour of holy river Gangs where many pilgrims comes across the India for Nirvana (to stop the cycle of rebirth).

Day 4

 Mid morning breakfast followed proceeds for Delhi. After arrive at Delhi visit the Humuyuns Tomb and the Qutab Minar complex. Besides the famous tower the complex also has the finest metallurgy pillar made in the ancient world, created by the Guptas. In the evening dinner at Kareems, the 5th generation Mughal restaurant, night stay at hotrel.

Day 5

Early morning transfer to the New Delhi railway station to board your Executive Class 1st AC train to Ajmer that departs at 7 am where breakfast will be served on board. Arrive in Ajmer. Ajmer is another traditional city (founded by Ajaya Dev Chouhan) in thearly 12th Century. A tour of the two and a half day mosque (originally the first Sanskrit University in Northern India and later converted to a mosque by Mohammed Ghazni in the early 13th Century). Followin the mosque lunch and a tour of the Chisti Sufi Shrine. This shrine is one of the main centres of Sufism in ancient India and one of the last in present-day India. The Chisti Sufis were the patron saints of the Mughal Royal family and as such the traditions here follow a unique protocol. Dinner and night stay at Fort palace (40 minutes drives from Ajmer).

DAY 6

 The Fort Palace is in a village setting and is the only royal palace in India where guests can stay inside the authentic 16th Century Princess Room. This is unchanged from this period except for the addition of electricity and the bathroom. The Princess room is large and lovely. The architecture of the Fort is also very fine. Arrive in early afternoon for lunch, relaxing, exploring the fort palace. In evening take a visit to village by foot to experience local life followed by dinner and night stay in the Princess room.

DAY 7

Breakfast followed by road to Jodhpur (3 and half hour drives). 15th-18th centaury Jodhpur Mehrangarh (Mejestic) Fort was laid by Rao Jodha, the Fort is named after Brahmin (particular cast) Mehran. The fort had more accommodation for women than for men as two thirds of the palace is taken up by the zenana (for ladies). Walls of Mehrangarh are 125 ft high and made of red sand stone. Stay  at Manor home of the erstwhile prime minister of Marwar kingdom the evening for a casual traditional dinner and night stay.

DAY 8

Breakfast followed a tour of Visnoi village (1 hour drive). Bisnoi village sect was established by Guru Jambheshwar who was born in the year 1451. The sect was founded after disastrous effects of constant battles between local Hindu population and Muslim invaders. For his followers, 29 rules, regulations and principles were given by Guru Jambheshwar. The primary law was to conserve animals and trees to completely abolish the practice of hurting environment. On his death, he proclaimed that black buck is his manifestation and hence the species must be conserved rigorously. The local people generally stay in small hamlets which are called by locals as Dhani. The small huts have thatched roofs. In the hamlets, the floors made from mud are plastered with cow dung to avoid the growth of vermin. The villagers are very keen and adamant regarding the cleanliness of their hamlets and always keep every inch of interior neat and tidy. Nearby, the hamlet, the villagers build a granary to protect their crops and food supplies especially during monsoon seasons. Also, there is a sump nearby each hamlet where the villagers store large quantities of water. Early evening return to the city for a display of the finest south Asian art mediums produced by the last remaining erstwhile royal appointed master artisans, traditional jewelry will be shown to you with explanations on history and processes followed by a traditional dinner and a concert of erstwhile Jodhpur royal appointed musicians at Manor home.

DAY 9

Breakfast followed by tour of Umaid Bhawan Palace Museum. The royal family of Marwar kingdom still lives here. After Palace visit explore local bazzars. Leaving by road to the Jagnath Wildlife Safari after lunch (2 and a half hours drives). Arrived at the Jagnath Wildlife Sanctuary in late afternoon. The Jagnath Wildlife Sanctuary is India’s only family owned and operated wildlife sanctuary. It is the last semi-arid eco system left in India intact and an abundance of rare and endangered species are present. We offer two wildlife safaris per day, the first would be at night an hour after dark by jeep. This is for 3 hours for you to view the nocturnal species of the sanctuary. These include the endangered Asian Steppe Wildcat (the sanctuary has the highest number of this rare cat of any protected area), Jungle Cat, Leopard, The Great Eurasian Eagle Owl, Desert Hare, the endangered Desert Fox, Indian Porcupine, and at risk Striped Hyena. Following your night safari drinks and dinner by a sustainable campfire at our permanent campsite. You will stay in a private bungalow with attached bath. The sanctuary has no villages inside and the atmosphere quite relaxing and beautiful with savannah grasslands, foothills and Granite Mountains covered in deciduous forests surrounding the permanent safari campsite. Dinner after your night safari followed by night stay in your private bungalow in the safari campsite.

DAY 10

Early morning breakfast followed by your second safari is in the morning by foot for three hours in the savannah and foothills to view herds of Gazelle, Blue-Bull Antelope (Asia’s largest Antelope), Zird (similar to a Gerbil but more timid), troops of Hanuman Langoor and up to 200 different bird species including the Tawny Eagle, Imperial Eagle, Eurasian Vulture, and the critically endangered Long-Billed Vulture. Return to the campsite. After early lunch visit the Shepherds village to experience local countryside life, return to campsite for your second night safari by jeep. Drinks followed by the dinner and night stay in your privet bungalow.

 DAY 11

Breakfast followed by leaving by road to Udaipur (via Ranikpur) 4 and half hours. Arrive at Ranikpur for lunch followed by exploring the 15th Century Jain Temple complexes for a couple of hours after lunch. There are also a few older temples that are Hindu that are worthwhile to see as well. Those who have interests in culture, history, architecture and wildlife this would be the perfect place for them to experience. We are close friends with Princess who would be your hostess at her family’s 16th Century Fort. She opened part of the palace for guests to stay in six years ago. It is also the gateway to one of the least well known but very special jungles of India, the Sita Mata.

 DAY 12

 Early morning breakfast followed by leaving by road to the Khempur Estate (40 minutes) The Khempur Estate is a traditional village Estate and one of the last remaining equestrian estates where royal Rajput Dressage is taught to Marwari Horses. The atmosphere of the Estate and village area is still quite traditional and wonderful for you to see. In the afternoon you may stroll the area or watch the horses being trained. If you wish we can organize a couple of hours horse ride around the countryside and villages. Evening return to Fort For dinner with the Princess followed by night stay in the Fort.

DAY 13

Early morning breakfast followed by leaving by road to Nathdwara. This town is just over an hour drives and is rarely visited with a traditional bazaar still operating as well as the pilgrimage site for followers of Sri Nath ji (a local Hindu Sect). You will be able to see the Pilgrims as well as the temple and since Nathdwara is almost unchanged it’s a wonderful place to experience. Nathdwara is also one of the main centers for tie and dye cotton hand fabrication as well as enamel works on silver objects and jewellery and you can see the artisans and their works here as well. Lunch in Nathdwara and evening return to Fort for dinner and night stay.

DAY 14

Breakfast followed by leaving by road to Bundi (3 hours). En route stop at the 13th-16th Century Chittorgarh Fort for lunch and a tour. This is Asia’s largest fort and well worth seeing. Arrival in the late evening at Bundi for dinner and night stay in Haveli a Aristocrat family run hotel.

DAY 15

Breakfast followed by a tour of the Taragarh Fort. Bundi is a city rarely visited in Rajasthan with one of the most spectacular forts in India. The Taragarh Fort was built in the late 16th and early 17th Century in a combination of Chouhan and other Rajput styles with some of the last remaining painted wall murals of the Bundi school of this period that remain. Lunch in the bazzar followed by an afternoon wandering the bazaar and old city of Bundi. As it is still quite a traditional city I believe you will enjoy this interior city. Dinner at haveli followed by night stay.

 Day 16

Breakfast followed by leaving by road to Jaipur (3 hours). Arrival for lunch visit the Amber fort, Amber is the original capital of the erstwhile Jaipur State and dates from the 15th Century and is set in among large hills with a lake below and formal gardens. You would stay at heritage property with all luxury here. This property is not a traditional heritage hotel but is run so well and all our guests appreciate to stay here. Evening tour of the Hawa mahal (wind Palace) followed by a tour of the bazaars. Dinner in the bazaar followed by night stay at heritage hotel.

Day 17

Breakfast followed by transfer to Jaipur Railway station for train to either Delhi or Mumbai (depending on your International flight departure). Also depending on the time you arrange for your International flight departure we will coordinate at which time you fly out of Jaipur airport.