Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before setting out to explore the city. Follow your local guide through the lively streets of Old Delhi to the 17th-century Chandni Chowk market, where bustling lanes are lined with colourful shops and street vendors.
Make your way to New Delhi and descend down to the Agrasen ki Baoli stepwell – a utility structure pre-dating the use of water pumps and plumbing. Continue and drive past Red Fort, a 17th-century Mughal fort known for its imposing walls and battlements, that was once the most opulent palace in the Mughal Empire. Continue to the Raj Ghat – the simple but moving memorial on the site where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated.
Spend the afternoon exploring New Delhi’s must-see spots, from the India Gate war memorial arch to the Presidential Palace and Parliament House. Gaze at the 13th-century sandstone tower of Qutab Minar – a tall monument of intricate Afghan design, built by Muslim conquerors.
This evening, gather with your fellow travellers for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant.
After an early breakfast, it’s time to depart for Agra.
Once you’ve checked in at your hotel, enjoy the delicacies of Agra for lunch at a local restaurant.
Step inside Agra Fort, a UNESCO-listed red sandstone fortress rising on the banks of the Yamuna River. Once the main residence of the Mughal emperors, the complex reveals elegant halls, marble pavilions and sweeping balconies overlooking the Taj Mahal. It was here that the fifth Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan, was imprisoned by his son and spent his final years gazing toward the monument built for his beloved wife.
Return to your hotel and enjoy the evening at your leisure.
Travel time: Driving – approx. four hours
Rise early this morning for a sunrise tour of the magnificent Taj Mahal, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
Commissioned by Emperor Shah Jahan in the 17th century as a tomb for his wife Mumtaz Mahal, its gleaming white marble and perfect symmetry highlight the height of Mughal architecture and devotion. Look up at this spectacular structure, then gaze down at its reflection in the waters of the reflecting pool.
Return to your hotel for breakfast before continuing to Jaipur by private coach, with a stop en route for lunch at a local restaurant.
Arrive at your lavish hotel, then step into the magic of the ‘Pink City’. Wander through its colourful bazaars, find a spot for dinner or watch the evening glow shimmer around the Jal Mahal water palace.
Travel time: Driving – approx. five hours
Taj Mahal visit
After breakfast, head out to explore the Amber Fort Complex. Sitting on a hill, its walls of pale yellow and pink sandstone stretch down the slopes in intricate patterns.
Next, wind through Jaipur’s vibrant streets on a short culinary trail, tasting local delicacies along the way before visiting Jantar Mantar, an 18th-century observatory home to around 20 remarkable astronomical instruments, including one of the world’s largest stone sundials.
In the afternoon, visit the City Palace, a fusion of Mughal and Rajput architecture covering one seventh of Old Jaipur. Part of the palace is now a museum showcasing ancient weapons and traditional fabrics, while the royal family still uses some sections.
End the day with a photo stop at the Hawa Mahal, also known as the ‘Palace of Winds’, and capture this five-storey red and pink sandstone building.
Tonight, enjoy a cooking demonstration of traditional Rajasthani food at a local venue.
Amber Fort visit
Cooking demonstration of traditional Rajasthani food
Depart this morning for the temple town of Pushkar and check in at your hotel.
After lunch at the hotel, visit Pushkar Lake, surrounded by over 500 temples and considered sacred, with reputed healing powers according to Hindu belief. Continue to the Brahma Temple to learn about the city dedicated to the god of creation.
Enter Pushkar Fair Ground, home to the annual Pushkar Fair, a week-long event where thousands of camels, horses and cattle are traded and unique competitions are held, including the ‘longest moustache’ contest. Guests on select departures will be able to experience the fair, while guests on other departures will still visit the fair ground and learn of its history.
Travel time: Driving – approx. three hours
After breakfast, depart for the scenic ‘City of Lakes’, Udaipur. Famed for its picturesque artificial lakes and waterside palaces, Udaipur is undoubtedly one of India’s most charming cities.
Be sure to stretch your legs from the lengthy journey by taking a stroll around the historic Fateh Sagar reservoir or visiting a local market before returning to your hotel for time at leisure.
Your stay here is one to remember: set high above the city on a five-acre hilltop estate, Aurika, Udaipur boasts grand courtyards, terraced gardens and regal interiors with sweeping views across the City of Lakes. Whether you choose to unwind by the intricately tiled outdoor pool, retreat to the spa or settle in for dinner at Mirasa, every moment here feels deeply connected to its destination.
Travel time: Driving – approx. six hours
Set sail on a morning cruise across Lake Pichola, drifting through the ‘Venice of the East’.
Then, head to the City Palace for a tour. Constructed in the 16th century, this fortress exhibits varied architectural styles and houses a collection of sculptures, photography and paintings from the Mewar School within its museum. Finish at the Jagdish Temple, standing proud in honour of Vishnu – the god of preservation – for almost 400 years.
Spend your afternoon at leisure and visit the bustling local markets. This evening, return to your opulent hotel and settle in for a delicious dinner.
Travel time: Driving – approx. six hours
Lake Pichola cruise
Say goodbye to Udaipur and head to Jodhpur, stopping in Ranakpur along the way.
Set in the peaceful Aravalli Valley, Ranakpur is known for its beautifully carved Jain temples, built in amber stone around 1439 AD. Visit the renowned Adinath Temple, celebrated for its 29 halls and 1,444 intricately carved pillars, each one unique.
Later, continue to Jodhpur for a relaxing evening at your hotel.
Travel time: Driving – approx. six hours
Start your day with breakfast and head to Mehrangarh Fort, high on the hill overlooking the city. It’s made up of palatial apartments, wide courtyards and a museum showcasing royal artefacts and historic weaponry. Nearby, see the Jaswant Thada, an empty white marble tomb built in 1899 to honour Maharaja Jaswant Singh II.
Continue to the Ghanta Ghar, Jodhpur’s century-old clock tower, near the Sardar Market. Explore the busy market stalls, perusing fresh vegetables, spices, sweets, silver and handicrafts.
Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant in Jodhpur before continuing to Jaisalmer, the Golden City, famed for its yellow sandstone architecture.
Settle into your five-star accommodation overlooking the Thar Desert, where palace-style architecture, red sandstone façades and intricate interiors evoke the grandeur of Rajasthan’s royal past. Take advantage of the hotel’s five dining venues, luxurious spa and outdoor pool lined with regal cabanas.
Travel time: Driving – approx. six hours
Today, the Golden City is yours to explore.
Visit Jaisalmer Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world’s best-preserved fortified cities. Founded in 1156 by Raja Rawal Jaisal, a Bhati Rajput ruler and the first king of Jaisalmer, this architectural marvel glows golden above the city and houses seven Jain temples built between the 12th and 15th centuries.
Later, visit some of India’s oldest libraries, home to rare manuscripts and artefacts that preserve the heritage of the Jain tradition.
Tonight, set out on a desert safari across Jaisalmer’s golden dunes, under clear night skies, followed by dinner accompanied by live folk music and dance.
Travel time: Driving – approx. three hours
Jaisalmer desert safari with dinner and live entertainment
After breakfast, transfer to the ‘Red City’ of Bikaner, stopping for lunch along the way.
This city is known for its eye-catching architecture, haveli manor houses and annual Camel Festival. Surrounded by the Thar Desert, the city is a hub for camel safaris.
Check into your hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure. A member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, Narendra Bhawan Bikaner was once the residence of Bikaner’s last reigning Maharaja and has since been reimagined as a design-led retreat, with heritage-inspired interiors, distinctive dining spaces and a rooftop pool.
Travel time: Driving – approx. six hours
After breakfast, further discover Bikaner and learn the history of its founder, Rao Bika – a prince who set out to create his own kingdom in the desert.
Visit the Junagarh Fort, then browse the antiquities of the Fort Museum. You’ll see a collection of jade-handle daggers, Persian and Sanskrit manuscripts and the royal family jewels.
Later, travel to Karni Mata Temple, where devotees offer everything from sweets and cheeses to sacred rats. Learn the history behind this tradition before continuing on to Mandawa.
Check in at your hotel and settle in for a restful evening. Settle into Gulab Haveli Mandawa, a meticulously restored 19th-century mansion where low doorways, arched passages and traditional artwork honour the region’s heritage, while a Hammam Spa and rooftop terrace pool invite moments of relaxation.
Travel time: Driving – approx. six hourspus
Enjoy a guided tour of Mandawa’s famous havelis, or mansions. Seen across the Shekhawat region for centuries, these manors are renowned for their frescoes, colourfully painted by their wealthy owners. More than just decorated houses, the havelis speak to the region’s prosperous past of trade and artistry.
Later, leave for Gurugram, with a stop along the way for lunch.
Check in for one final evening in India, where time is yours to unwind before coming together with your fellow travellers for a memorable farewell dinner.
Travel time: Driving – approx. six hours
After one final breakfast, it’s time to say goodbye to your Rajasthan adventure as you check out of the hotel, meet your included transfer for your short journey back to Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL).
Travel time: Driving – approx. 40 minutes