The Rajasthan Explorer

On arrival at Delhi International Airport, you will be welcomed by our representative and transferred to your hotel. Take time to rest after your flight, adjusting gently to the sounds, colours and pace of India. Depending on your arrival time, you may like to explore nearby streets, enjoy a relaxed meal or simply unwind at the hotel. This first day is intentionally light, giving you space to recover from travel and settle into your Golden Triangle India adventure before sightseeing begins in earnest tomorrow with your exploration of Delhi’s many contrasting neighbourhoods.

After breakfast, begin exploring Delhi, the northern gateway to the Golden Triangle India route. Start in Old Delhi, visiting Jama Masjid and driving past the Red Fort before a rickshaw ride through Chandni Chowk’s bustling bazaars and fragrant spice lanes. Later, discover New Delhi’s colonial architecture, wide avenues and landmark government buildings, as well as contemporary shopping and dining areas. Along the way, your guide shares stories that connect ancient empires, British rule and modern India, offering a balanced and engaging introduction to the country’s complex, ever-evolving capital city. You finish the day feeling oriented and inspired.

After breakfast, travel by road from Delhi to Agra, a key city on the Golden Triangle India route, taking around four hours. On arrival, check in and relax for a short while before heading to Sheroes Hangout, a remarkable café and social enterprise run by acid-attack survivors. Here you can enjoy refreshments, browse their small boutique and, if you wish, hear personal stories of resilience and advocacy from the women themselves. This meaningful experience introduces a powerful contemporary dimension to your journey, complementing the historic splendour you will encounter tomorrow at the Taj Mahal.

Rise early for a sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal, watching the marble surface shift through soft pinks and golds as day breaks. Learn about Shah Jahan, Mumtaz Mahal and the extraordinary craftsmanship behind this Golden Triangle India icon. Return to your hotel for breakfast before beginning the five-hour drive to Jaipur. The journey passes fields, small towns and glimpses of rural life. On arrival in the Pink City, check in and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure, perhaps sampling local cuisine or exploring the immediate neighbourhood independently.

Today is devoted to Jaipur’s royal and artisan heritage. Begin at Amber Fort, exploring its sprawling courtyards, temples and the glittering Sheesh Mahal, once lit by thousands of candles for royal gatherings. Continue to City Palace, where museums display costumes, manuscripts, weapons and decorative arts from Jaipur’s ruling family. In the afternoon, wander through lively bazaars to see jewellers, bangle-makers, textile merchants and traditional sweet shops in action. Your guide helps navigate the bustle and shares stories that link these crafts to centuries of patronage, trade, festivals and daily life in Rajasthan’s Pink City.

After breakfast, depart Jaipur for Jodhpur, a scenic drive of around five to six hours through changing Rajasthani landscapes. You will pass fields, villages and roadside tea stalls where locals gather to talk and trade news. Scheduled breaks allow time to stretch your legs and enjoy simple refreshments. Arrive in Jodhpur by afternoon and check into your hotel. The remainder of the day is free to relax by the pool, explore nearby streets or simply enjoy views towards Mehrangarh Fort while settling gently into the rhythm of this desert city.

This morning, visit Mehrangarh Fort, one of India’s most impressive hilltop strongholds. Explore courtyards, galleries and former royal apartments decorated with delicate stone latticework, painting and glass. From the ramparts, enjoy sweeping views over Jodhpur’s blue houses and the surrounding desert plain. Later, descend into the old city to wander through markets selling spices, textiles, bangles and antiques, pausing for a cup of chai if you wish. Your guide introduces local vendors and explains how Jodhpur’s trading history shaped its culture and enduring mercantile spirit. The experience offers a vivid sense of Jodhpur’s proud desert identity.

After breakfast, leave Jodhpur for the two-hour drive to Chanoud Garh, travelling through quieter rural landscapes and small farming communities. On arrival, you will be welcomed at the palace with garlands, traditional aarti and refreshments before being shown to your spacious heritage room. Lunch is usually served in the beautifully painted Rang Mahal, with a family member introducing dishes and cherished family recipes. The afternoon is free to relax, explore the palace or enjoy a book in one of the shaded courtyards. In the evening, savour a leisurely dinner featuring house specialities and friendly conversation.

Begin the day with breakfast, then join a gentle walk through Chanoud village and the surrounding area. You may pass homes, a local school, small shrines and the ruins of older structures along the riverbank. Modest, respectful dress is recommended to align with community customs. Return to the palace for lunch and downtime—perhaps choose an optional henna session or simply rest. Later, drive out through salt pans and farmland to watch village life unfolding. As evening falls, enjoy drinks and dinner, often accompanied by a winter bonfire under the stars.

Travel from Chanoud Garh region towards Udaipur, a journey of around five to six hours that follows winding roads through countryside, villages and low hills. Short breaks along the way allow you to stretch and enjoy simple snacks or tea at roadside stalls. Arriving in Udaipur by afternoon, check into your hotel and take time to refresh. Later, if time and energy allow, you may enjoy a shared boat ride on Lake Pichola to view the city and its palaces from the water, especially atmospheric near sunset when lights begin to glow.

Today, explore Udaipur’s royal and spiritual heart. Visit the City Palace complex, where courtyards, balconies, mirrored rooms and galleries showcase centuries of Mewar history and artistry in remarkable detail. Continue to Jagdish Temple, an active place of worship with intricate stone carvings and lively devotional activity. Afterwards, wander through the old city’s narrow streets, stopping to see artisans working with miniature painting, jewellery, textiles or bamboo. Your guide helps interpret local customs and introduces small family-run workshops, giving insight into how heritage crafts still contribute to everyday life in Udaipur.