The Rajasthan Explorer

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.