Tour description
Our journey will start in New Delhi, which is well worth a visit if only for its forts, parks, Muslim tombs and noisy markets.
On day 2 we’ll travel to Nawalgarh in Shekawati, an area known for houses painted with frescos. Then we’ll go to Bikaner, a desert city with a magnificent historic town centre. There you are free to visit a temple where holy rats crawl all over your feet!
Medieval street life
We’ll drive to Jaisalmer on day 5. It’s a fortified trading town straight out of ‘A-Thousand-and-One-Nights’. The enchantingly crafted haveli's (houses of the tradesmen), Jain temples and the medieval street life are a treat for the eye. You can also take a trip by Jeep to the Sam sand dunes.
On day 7 we’ll arrive at Jodhpur (the 'blue city') and tour its enormous fortress. The next day we’ll go to Udaipur via the impressive Jain Temple of Ranakhpur. At Udaipur we’ll stay in an nice hotel with a swimming pool. You can go on your own to explore the Maharaja’s palace or, instead, the surrounding hills, traditional villages and impressive nature reserve.The ‘pink city’ Jaipur
We'll then continue to the desert town of Pushkar, a place of pilgrimage for Hindus and full of colourful sadhus, the wandering holy men of India. We’ll stay there for two nights, travelling the next day to Jaipur (the ‘pink city’ and capital of Rajasthan). Here we’ll stay in a friendly hotel in the middle of town, then spend the next day exploring this wonderful city. You’ll also visit the nearby Amber Fort, which you can enter on the back of an elephant like a true maharaja!City of the Taj Mahal
On day 15 we’ll drive to Agra via Keoladeo, India's most important bird reserve, where you can take a bicycle or rickshaw ride. We’ll also visit Fatehpur Sikri, a deserted city, a relic of the British Empire that has remained in perfect condition. Agra is the city of the Taj Mahal, one of the architectural wonders of the world. Here you can also visit the gigantic Red Fort, the residence of the powerful Indian emperors. These and the crowded bazaars are sure to leave you lasting memories.The holiest city in India
The night-train on day 16 will then take us to Varanasi, the holiest city in India, where in the early morning we’ll observe the incredible spectacle of thousands of people praying and bathing in the river Ganges. We also recommend a trip in a rowing boat through one of the oldest cities in the world.Back to Delhi
At the end of day 19 we’ll take reserved sleeper berths on the night-train to New Delhi where, on the last day, you can soak up this colourful and frenetic metropolis.Making new friends!
Every good thing must come to an end, as it will do now on day 21. No doubt you will be sad to say goodbye to your new friends but don’t worry, there’s always next year!