With this amazing holiday experience in India, you will cover most of the cultural highlights that India has to offer in just 12 days.
You will get to visit Delhi, Ruins of Mughal Empire and New Delhi; go on a rickshaw ride and then you’ll be visiting Jaipur to witness what this city has to offer by indulging in a Jaipur city tour and bazaars, crafts & cuisine walk. You will then visit Jodhpur which offers its visitors an unbeatable blend of modern and ancient, and you’ll be visiting and staying at Chanoud Garh, a palace of your and a heritage hotel with modern day comforts. After that visit Udaipur, known as the city of lakes and also steeped in much history. Then finally, winding down, back in Delhi.
Read MoreWe have handpicked an assortment of Hotels, with the minimum transfer time to get to them from the city and to reach attractions – giving you more time to enjoy the hotels, the attractions & cities.
Ideal For – Solo travellers/ couples/ friends / families with teenagers / small groups consisting of friends and family.
As this journey is available throughout the year, it is ideal for those who have busy schedules and are uncertain about the period of their holidays.
Highlights at glance
- You’ll be in Delhi, the capital of India and visit the ruins of the Mughal Empire, do New Delhi sightseeing and take a rickshaw ride to experience the true local culture.
- The Jaipur city tour and bazaars, crafts & cuisine walk will give the best of the city when you’re in Jaipur.
- Witness the Mehrangarh Fort: spread over 5 kms, on a steep rugged hill and looking down from a height of about 100 metres.
- Dive deep into the heart of Jodhpur to discover the lesser known treasures of this enchanting city on your Jodhpur heritage walk.
- You’ll have a lunch provided by a family in Jodhpur which gives you the experience to witness how a typical Rajasthani home looks like and savour its cuisine.
- Visit the famous Maharani Textiles in Jodhpur, as this city is a major handicraft and textile export hub.
- At Chanoud Garh, cut away and relax from the regular tourist hubs, enjoy a quiet rural village, and spoil yourself with delectable dishes from the family kitchen or just soak in the tranquil environment, far removed from the buzz of the city. The family looks after you personally, a hospitality tradition that will transport you to an era of royalty in the warmth of their home.
- In Udaipur, visit Jag Mandir, a palace built on an island which is also called as “Lake Garden Palace.”
- Visit Udaipur City Palace which is considered one of the most wondrous architectural marvels of Rajasthan.
- Witness the largest temple of Udaipur city, Jagdish Temple built in Indo-Aryan style of architecture.
- Walk through Udaipur’s most beautiful streets and sites and experience the ‘Real Udaipur’ – its people.
- Visit Eklingji, a lovely marble complex made up of 108 temples which was built in Mewar Kingdom.
- A walking tour at Delwara Village by Seva Mandir, an initiative the NGO can organise to witness how the village has improved in terms of caste relations, women’s rights, access to water and much more.
01st & 02nd Nights: India’s Capital Delhi
A city that offers both ancient and modern-day India, is Delhi. Not only the nation’s capital city it is the third largest city in India and one of the fastest growing in Asia. The various ancient ruins seen in the city are seemingly silent witnesses to its magnificent history. Old Delhi brings to focus a maze of narrow, maddening alleys and back roads amidst old buildings betraying a colonial past but not overshadowing freshly prepared, piping-hot street food and vendors wooing you to yards of colourful materials and an assortment of craft. Juxtaposed is New Delhi, hi-tech, shopping malls, wide roads and a never-ending bustle of shoppers, teenagers and visitors from all over the country. You’ll find anything to everything: New Delhi never sleeps.
On your arrival at the International Airport in Delhi, our representative will receive and escort you to your hotel. You will have the time to unwind and chill in your room, perhaps exploring the hotel and its facilities. Talking to the hotel staff is a great way to get first hand details about the city, if you like to do that.
After breakfast, we’ll get you started on your tour: taking you to Old Delhi: visiting Jama Masjid – the largest mosque in India – and driving past Red Fort – once the most opulent fort and jewel of the Mughal Empire (Red Fort is closed on Mondays). Then a rickshaw ride in the old city market of bustling Chandani Chowk.
Then you will see the ‘other’ side – New Delhi. Interestingly, New Delhi offers more historical sites than Old Delhi but reflects a colonial past. At the same time, you will be amazed by the bustle of people getting about the malls, cinemas and of course the food – so many street food options and restaurants to indulge in.
03rd & 04th Night: Jaipur
Founded in 1727, the capital city of the state of Rajasthan, Jaipur is also known as “Pink City”. Once ruled by Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh II, in a grand gesture of hospitality, had the whole city painted pink terracotta in honour of a royal guest. In fact, pink was considered the colour of hospitality. The Amber Fort is a centre piece here, sitting atop a hill. The City Palace is open to the public courtesy of the present resident royal family and within the complex you will find the beautiful Chandra Mahal or Chandra Niwas which is most commanding: a seven-storeyed wonder! Back to the present, you will take a walk-through Jaipur’s bazaar, catching sight of various crafts and being overwhelmed by the aromatic street food!
After breakfast, you will set off on a 5-hour drive to Jaipur. The road trip will cover 260 kms. En route you will get to break journey, to stretch and catch your breath. On reaching Jaipur, you will check in to your hotel and get a chance to freshen up, relax and discover the facilities at the hotel.
Jaipur is bejewelled by grandeur, brilliant architecture and history. After breakfast, you will start your tour by heading for the Amber Fort which houses halls, temples and gardens. On to Sheesh Mahal where elaborate mirror work takes precedence. In the City Palace complex, the seven-storeyed Chandra Mahal is a wonder with each floor housing unique paintings, mirror work, intricate woodwork and sculptural works of art. There is a beautiful peacock gate at the entry to the Mahal complete with screened balconies and a pavilion at the roof with a panoramic view of the city. The evening will wind down with a walk through the bazaar, a maze of arts and craft, made by using rich traditional artisan skills.
05th & 06th Nights: Jodhpur
Located in the state of Rajasthan which lies in northwestern India, it is the second biggest city after the capital, Jaipur. Jodhpur borders the famous Thar desert, a huge fortress wall city with bastions. You will be struck by the sight of Jodhpur’s blue buildings, initially painted to signify that they were occupied by Brahmins, the highest caste in India.
Read MoreRao Jodha Ji who claimed descent from Lord Rama founded Jodhpur, the former capital of Marwar State, in 1459.
Jodhpur’s historic origins are best revealed by its countless cultural celebrations, of which the annual Marwar festival, is the region’s most inspiring spectacle. The formidable Mehrangarh Fort perched on a hillock and the breathtaking Umaid Bhawan Palace, a world renowned heritage hotel, certainly offer a glimpse of Rajasthan’s attractions.
Surrounded by a huge fortress wall with bastions, the striking blue buildings in Jodhpur contrast sharply and beautifully with the neighbouring Thar Desert. Bazaars offer a range of beautiful textiles, embroidered leather goods, lacquerware, antiques, carpets, puppets and figurines. Jodhpur is a popular tourist destination and a convenient base for travel in the region.
After breakfast, you will set off on a 5 to 6 hour drive to Jodhpur. The road trip will cover 350 kms. On the way, we will make sure you get to break journey, to stretch and catch your breath. On reaching Jodhpur, we will check you in to your hotel, giving you a chance to freshen up, relax and perhaps you may wish to make use of the hotel facilities.
After breakfast, you will visit Mehrangarh Fort, perched on a low sandstone hill, including Moti-Mahal and Phool Mahal. Rathore Rajput king Rao Jodha started building Mehrangarh Fort in 1459, when he established Jodhpur as his new capital. The fort underwent modifications and architectural enhancements, as it changed hands, before finally returning to the royal family, the Rajputs. The fort opened up to heritage tourism in 1971, in order to sustain the grand historical Merangarh Fort. Come afternoon, you will go on a tour to the city; Jodhpur is a major handicraft and textile export hub, filled with embroidered leather goods, lacquerware, antiques, carpets, puppets and figurines.
07th & 08th Nights: Chanoud Garh
Your next stop will be: Chanoud Garh, a 300 year old palace that has been painstakingly restored to include modern-day comforts into its old-world charm. Each suite in the palace is a tribute to the Rajput architectural heritage; spread over a thousand square feet, tastefully decorated to reflect both local and colonial influences.
Read MoreChanoud Garh will give you many reasons to enjoy your stay in Rajasthan. Cut away and relax from the regular tourist hubs, enjoy a quiet rural village, allow us to spoil you with delectable dishes from the family kitchen or just soak in the tranquil environment, far removed from the buzz of the city. Here the family looks after you on a personal level; a hospitality tradition that will transport you to an era of royalty in the warmth of Chanoud Garh.
After breakfast, you will set off on a 2 hour drive to Chanoud Garh. The road trip will cover 100 kms. On reaching Chanoud Garh, you will be greeted by a traditional welcome in the presence of a family member with flower garlands and tikka / aarti and something sweet at the Ganesh Dodi (second gate) then led them into the Mardana Chowk garden for a welcome drink and an introduction to the property. Lunch is served in the Rang Mahal (a beautifully hand painted 300 year old room) where a family member guides you through the main course. It is an interactive experience which we hope you will enjoy. Another signature experience here will be the cuisine of Chanoud Garh. Unlock the secrets of the house recipes as the family takes you on a culinary journey.
After a very special breakfast at Rang Mahal, you will take a walk on a picturesque route past quaint houses, a school, to reach the fort on the river bank. You may want to consider coming appropriately attired, given the conservative ways of the community. We will return for lunch and then you could relax or opt to have a fun henna tattoo done! In the afternoon, you will go for a leisurely drive in the countryside. Come evening, drinks and starters followed by dinner at Mor Chowk. In the winter, you will enjoy a bon fire with a glass of red. With your host enjoy the settings to chat about the sights and sounds of your visit to Chanoud Garh.
09th & 10th Nights: Udaipur
Udaipur, popularly known as the City of lakes, founded in 1559 by Maharana Udai Singh II. The beautiful city of Udaipur houses 5 pristine lakes with Pichola being the most impressive. The Old City of Udaipur is dotted with numerous historic temples, Havelis and baoris (Step wells). Through our carefully designed heritage walking Tour we aim to bring the diverse culture, traditions, craftsmanship. A city is made up of mysteries, histories, and stories. Behind the buildings and beauty that keeps changing and developing with time, there are some things which stay intact and if you actually want to understand some city, it is important that you understand the base of it, you look and know the city the way its citizens look at it.
After breakfast, you will leave Chanoud Garh and drive to Udaipur. This journey will roughly cover 220 kms and stretch over 3 to 4 hours. Located in the state of Rajasthan, the Jag Mandir is a palace built on an island, in Lake Pichola. Three heads of state or ‘maharanas’ saw to the construction of this palace, beginning way back in 1551 and in fact its name Jagat Mandir honours the last Maharana Jagat Singh I. The royal family used the palace as a summer resort and pleasure palace for holding parties. Strangely, the palace also served as a refuge to asylum seekers on two separate occasions. Evening visit to Jag Mandir by shared boat Jag Mandir is a palace built on an island in the Lake Pichola. It is also called the “Lake Garden Palace”. The palace is located in Udaipur city in the Indian state of Rajasthan. Its construction is credited to three Maharanas of the Sisodia Rajputs of Mewar kingdom. The construction of the palace was started in 1551 by Maharana Amar Singh, continued by Maharana Karan Singh (1620–1628) and finally completed by Maharana Jagat Singh I (1628–1652). It is named as “Jagat Mandir” in honour of the last named Maharana Jagat Singh. The royal family used the palace as a summer resort and pleasure palace for holding parties. The palace served as a refuge to asylum seekers on two separate occasions.
After breakfast, you will embark on a city tour of Udaipur’s most iconic tourist attraction, the City Palace, with its marble and granite walls laden with miniature paintings, and decorated with tiles, glasswork and mirrors. It is a beautiful insight into the spaces of the royalties. There is also the Jagdish temple located in the City Palace complex. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and the main shrine houses the striking four-armed god. After this, you will take a Walking Tour and meet various locals and communities engaged in jewellery making, pottery and bamboo craft. You will also gain an insight into the local traditions and customs of the local people. The walk will give you a feel of the local life in the City of Udaipur.
11th Night - Delhi
Eklingji is a lovely marble complex made up of 108 temples, the first of which was built in 734 AD. 734 by Bappa Rawal, legendary founder of the Sisodia clan, who ruled the Mewar kingdom for hundreds of years. The Shiva lingam is five faced and of the deity it is made of black stone and an inscription of the south wall of the temple shows that the idol was established and its bestowal of life was performed by the then Maharana Raimalji (1473-1509). The west war’s face is that of Lord Brahma. Northward is that of Lord Vishnu, Eastward is of Lord Surya the Son god, southward is face of Rudra and the upraised top is Shivalingam, which is an embodiment of Sadashiva with Amba his consort.
You will leave the hotel after breakfast and drive to Eklingji temple. Enroute you will stop to visit Nagda temples. After that, we will take you on a Walking Tour of this small Delwara village. The walk is an initiative of an NGO called Seva Mandir, a development nonprofit organisation founded in 1968. Seva Mandir has worked in partnership with Delwara’s people since 1988. Together, they have made real and sustainable improvements to caste relations, women’s rights, access to water, livelihoods, sanitation, governance and preservation of heritage. During this walk you will explore an 18th century palace, 1000 year old Jain temples, step wells, and a royal hunting tower. Delwara’s rich cultural heritage includes traditional step-wells, temples and buildings of architectural importance known as havelis, whose art dates back to the mediaeval era.
Day 12: Delhi - Onward Journey
We will take you to Delhi and ensure your safe transfer to Delhi Airport, to board the flight for home or onward journey – bringing to an end your visit to some magnificent forts and palaces in India.
Please do contact us for an attractive and customised quote, to give you the optimum itinerary for a complete experience of India.
What more to add?
- Hot air Balloon (Sharing basis) in Jaipur.
You may see the hotels which we have handpicked for you under each accomadation style. However, there are hundreds of other alternative properties for you to select if you wish to and you may mix and match hotels in different categories as well.
Modest
Accommodation
$ 2,000
1-2 persons
$ 3,000
3-4 persons
$ 4,000
5-6 persons
If you’re looking for a no-frills stay that’s easy on the wallet, and love to spend time with locals and explore the surroundings at your own pace, this is the perfect choice for you. This hotel style is wonderfully cosy, unique, mostly owner-run and provides you with a more personalised service.
Plush
Accommodation
$ 3,000
1-2 persons
$ 4,000
3-4 persons
$ 5,000
5-6 persons
Indulgence without breaking the bank? Well, this is the category for you. Personalised and high-quality service, attention to detail, comfort and all modern amenities are hallmarks of this category, whilst being situated in some amazing locations.
Dreamy
Accommodation
$ 1,000
1-2 persons
$ 2,000
3-4 persons
$ 3,000
5-6 persons
The absolute best in comfort and experience, these high-end properties will make your jaw drop! Unique designs, private plunge pools, personal butlers… the list goes on at these boutique properties. Luxury here is not about star ratings and amenities, it’s about being away from crowds and having authentic, personalised experiences.
Everything you need to know about the tour
We’ve taken every possible measure to ensure your safety and comfort during this tour.
The hotels, tours, add-ons, guides and chauffeurs who are part of this programme are carefully vetted, so that you enjoy the highest quality standards and enjoy your tour with peace of mind. At any given point of the tour you will always be within reach of your guide or chauffeur, either physically or via phone (e.g: when you are out exploring on your own), for any assistance.
The important stuff:
- Airfare is quoted on the basis of the best available average fare which is subject to change. This fare can be low or can be higher at the time of booking. Exact fare will be advised at the time of booking.
- Standard check in time is 1400 hrs and check out time is 1200 noon at most of the hotels.
Included:
- Accommodation on double/twin sharing basis at hotels in their base category (unless otherwise specified) mentioned or in similar category with meals as indicated (B, L, D stand for breakfast, lunch and dinner respectively)
- Services of Air Conditioned Toyota Innova Crysta for all transfers, sightseeing and drives
- Services of guides with walking experiences during city sightseeing tours
- Entrance fee to places of visit and monuments
- Rickshaw ride in Old Delhi and Jaipur
- Jeep ride at Amber Fort, uphill
- Private tour of City Palace, Jaipur
- Lunch with local family in Jodhpur
- Cooking class in Chanoud Garh
- Village walk & Jeep Ride into countryside at Chanoud Garh.
- Shared boat ride at lake Pichola, Udaipur
- Meeting / assistance at the time of arrival and departure at airport / railway station and during check in/out at hotels in major cities
- Mandatory Government service tax
Not Included:
- Any airfare, any insurance fee (supplement given for domestic sector)
- Anything not mentioned in inclusion above.
- Any Visa fee (India Visa is a must for all the visitors before boarding their flight except for nationals of 11 countries who enjoy visa on arrival. For more details visit Indian Visa https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/)
- Services of accompanying escort.
- Any optional tour.
- Any expenditure of personal nature like tipping, tabled drinks, laundry, tip, telephone calls, soft/ hard drinks, still/video camera fee, (if any) etc. However, supplements for the same have been quoted above.
- Anything ordered from room service at any hotel including mineral water (other than what being offered by the hotels on their compliment).
- Any sudden increase in price due to steep hike in fuel cost, change in government tax policy or for any reason beyond our control like acts of god, natural calamity, law and order situation, riots etc. and any forced change in itinerary for any unforeseen situation or reason beyond our control.
About pricing:
Although it may sound strange for a tropical country, Sri Lankan hotels operate on seasonal rates. This is simply due to a particular region having attractions or weather that’s best enjoyed during a specific time of the year and also due to the demand coinciding with the European winter season. So it’s not uncommon to have two rates that apply on different dates in the same month.
But to make things less complicated for you, Experiential Journeys does things differently by giving you the lowest season ball-park rate on the website, and follows up with the exact rate upon receiving an inquiry or booking request along with the confirmed travel dates. You will not be charged anything until the final price is agreed upon.
Experiential Journeys is an Australian based company and uses AUD as the main currency. We serve a global community of travellers predominantly from New Zealand, U.K., U.S.A., Canada & U.A.E.