PRIVATE ESCORTED TOUR: Rajasthan (India)

Day 1: Overnight Travel

Overnight flight from London to Delhi (please enquire about departures from other countries).

Day 2: New Delhi

Welcome to India! Upon your arrival, exclusive airport assistance will be provided and you will be introduced to a female representative who will accompany you to the Lutyens Bungalow where you will stay in a Superior room for 2 nights.

The rest of the day will be spent at your leisure.

Day 3: New Delhi

This day will be spent sightseeing Old and New Delhi.

After breakfast, starting with Old Delhi, enjoy a rickshaw ride at Chandni Chowk, winding through the labyrinthine lanes of the “moonlight place”. Drive past the 17th century Red Fort, symbolising the sovereignty of India builds by Shah Jahan and finally stop at Raj Ghat, the cremation ground of Mahatma Gandhi.

In the afternoon, you’ll stop for lunch at the charming Haveli Dharampura, where you can gain a real feel of India!

After lunch, visit Qutab Minar in New Delhi, a soaring 73 m-high tower of victory built in 1193 immediately after the defeat of Delhi’s last Hindu kingdom. Also visit Humayun’s Tomb, the interesting Bangla Sahib Sikh temple, and drive past India Gate and the official residence of president of India.

Day 4: Agra

In the morning, visit Deepalaya to interact with its teachers and students.

Deepalaya is a non-governmental development organisation that works on issues affecting the urban and rural poor. What was initially established as a shelter for homeless senior citizens, has evolved into a 24/7 refuge catering not only to the abandoned elderly but also to any destitute individuals found on the streets of Delhi.

After spending time at Deepalaya School interacting with the teachers and students, and gaining an understanding of their systems, you’ll drive to Agra and check into a Deluxe Garden View room at the Hotel Trident Agra where you will stay for 2 nights.

Day 5: Agra

Take an early sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal, a living example of the greatest love story ever told. On the death of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, in wild extravagance, Mughal emperor Shahjehan ordered 20,000 men to build her this memorial. You will then return to your hotel for breakfast.

After breakfast, meet your local guide and take a visit to Agra Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the finest Mughal forts in India. Also visit Sheroes Hangout Café for a tea/coffee break, an impressive and successful project to empower women who have survived acid attacks.

In the afternoon, discover the Oriental Agra program that will introduce you to city’s culture, cuisine, crafts and life of the local people. This journey will take you through the narrow lanes of Agra where you can witness the grand old havelis, the oriental markets of Kinnari Bazaar, Dara Shikoh’s library, Mirza Ghalib’s birthplace, the ancient Manka Meshwar temple and so much more!

Day 6: Jaipur 

In the morning, you’ll take a 5.5h drive to Jaipur, stopping on the way to explore the deserted Mughal capital of Fatehpur Sikri & Abhaneri.

Fatehpur Sikri is a deserted city built by Emperor Akbar in 1569, in honour of the great Saint Sheikh Salim Chisti who blessed Akbar and prophesied the birth of three sons to the heirless Emperor.

Abhaneri Village is home to the beautiful Chand Baori. It was built during the 8th and 9th centuries and has 3,500 narrow steps arranged in perfect symmetry, which descend 20 meters & 3 floors to the bottom of the well. It shot to fame during shoot of Hollywood movies like The Fall & Dark Knight Rises.

Then once you arrive in Jaipur, you will check into a Suite room at the Dera Mandawa where you will stay for 3 nights.

Day 7: Jaipur

You will spend your day on a private sightseeing tour of Jaipur.

After meeting your local guide, you will take a tour of Jaipur that features Amer Fort Palace, Maharaja’s City Palace, Jantar Mantar observatory, a brief photo stop at the Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds) and an interesting cycle rickshaw ride in the crowded bazaar of Old Jaipur town. The tour is expected to last around 8 hours.

Day 8: Jaipur

In the morning, you’ll take a visit to morning aarti prayer ritual at Govund Devji temple and the wholesale flower market near Hawa Mahal, before stopping at a local join to sop on some Masala Chai and taking a drive around Albert Hall museum.

Later, you’ll visit Vatsalya. What began as a shelter for orphaned and abandoned children, later developed into a full-fledged commuity school on the outskirts of Jaipur. Today, it operates numerous outreach programmes in public health and nutrition, women’s empowerment, and climate change mitigation. Our visit will focus on the women’s empowerment initiatives, through which the centre has trained over 4,500 women in livelihood skills such as Kantha, block printing, natural dyeing, tailoring, and more.

In the evening, join a hands-on cooking experience in the Zanana Deorhi (Ladies’ Courtyard) garden in Dera Mandawa. This session is conducted by the matriarch of the Mandawa family. A passionate and enthusiastic cook and instructor, her family recipes and patient teaching style have always delighted guests.

Day 9: Shahpura 

In the morning, you’ll drive into Shahpura and check into a Suite room at the Shahpura Bagh where you will stay for 2 nights.

At sundown (around 5pm), begin a scenic 30m drive down to the historic Dhikola fort, where you will take a short walk to the fort ramparts for a breathtaking bird’s-eye view of the surrounding countryside and serene water bodies. Enjoy the sunset with a glass of wine and light snacks.

Day 10: Shahpura

Early morning, you’ll join a session of yoga in the lawns of Shahpura Bagh. Then you’ll stroll around the village with a guide and explore its rich, multicultural vibrancy and fascinating arts-and-crafts tradition.

In the evening, learn about Phad painting. This religious/folk scroll painting is done on a long piece of cloth and the story depicted is sung out loud by the Bhopas (priest singers).

Day 11: Udaipur 

After driving to Udaipur and checking into a Palace room at the Taj Fateh Prakash Palace, where you will stay for 3 nights, the afternoon will be spent at your leisure.

In the evening, enjoy the shared boat ride on the serene and beautiful Lake Pichola.  The boat takes you to Jag Mandir island Palace where you can spend sometime and then take  the boat back to your hotel around sunset.

Day 12: Udaipur 

Your morning will be spent on a guided sightseeing tour of Udaipur followed by a market walk.

Visit the City Palace, built in 1725, which houses the Dilkhush Mahal, Sheesh Mahal—adorned with glittering Belgian mirrors—Moti Mahal, and the Palace of Lord Krishna, all ornately decorated. Later, visit the Jagdish Temple, built in 1651 and dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the preserver in the Hindu Trinity of Gods. Explore Sahelion Ki Bari, known for its beautiful gardens and fountains. Enjoy a scenic drive around Fateh Sagar Lake, followed by a walk through Udaipur’s old market.

Day 13: Udaipur

In the morning, attend a classical and folk dance workshop with a renowned artist from Udaipur. Gain an understanding of the classical and folk dance forms, the instruments used, and learn some of the moves accompanied by traditional musical instruments. The experience also includes dressing up and applying makeup like an artist, hands-on practice with traditional musical instruments, and enjoying homemade Indian snacks and tea.

The rest of the day will be spent at your leisure.

Day 14: New Delhi 

In the afternoon, you will be transferred to Udaipur Airport to board your flight to Delhi with IndiGo Airlines. Then you will check into a deluxe room at the Roseate House New Delhi when you will spend your final night in India.

The rest of the day will be spent at your leisure.

Day 15: End of Itinerary

Fly back from Delhi Airport to London.

You can read the full itinerary here.