Rajasthan and Holi (the festival of colors)

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Arrival in Delhi

  

  Namaste! Welcome! Your personal driver is waiting for you at the airport and will take you to your hotel. Then, city tour, including monuments of the old city and the new city: the largest mosque in India, Jama Masjid, Humayun's mausoleum, the Red Fort, and Qutub Minar, the tallest minaret in India. Night at the hotel.

• day 2

  New Delhi - Mandawa - 250 km

  

  After breakfast at the hotel, departure for Mandawa. Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel, then explore the city on foot. In the evening, return and overnight at the hotel. Mandawa: a small village located in the Shekhawati region, founded in the 18th century by Bhojraj Ji Kasubsub, then chief of the Rajput "Shekhawat" clan. Mandawa is renowned for its many "havelis", old houses of noble families, built in particular by the wealthy merchants of the region, living witnesses of classical Indian architecture. As the merchants have now migrated to other regions, the havelis remain in the shadow of anonymity in the Indian countryside. The beauty of the Shekhawati region lies in the many traditional villages little visited by tourists.

• day 3

  Mandawa - Bikaner - 200 km

  

  Departure towards Bikaner in the morning, after breakfast. Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel and discovery of the city-citadel and its magnificent fortress. Then, visit the Karni Mata temple in Deshnok (about thirty km from Bikaner). Karni Mata is also known as the temple of rats. The hundreds of rodents are under the protection of the temple guardians, fed, housed, and of course venerated. Overnight at the hotel. Bikaner is a city-citadel with imposing fortifications 7 kilometers long, pierced by 5 gates. Today, Bikaner still surprises with the bustling activity of its alleys.

• day 4

  Bikaner - Jodhpur - 250 km

  

  Early departure in the morning, after breakfast, heading to Jodhpur. Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel and city tour. Visit of Sadar Bazar, the lively and colorful market with women's traditional clothing and men's turbans. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 5

  Jodhpur

  

  On the program for the day: a complete visit of Jodhpur. Discovery of the Mehrangarh Fort. Then, visit of the old city of Mandore and the Umaid Bhawan museum, or even the Mandore garden. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 6

  Jodhpur - Udaipur (via Ranakpur) - 250 km

  

  Departure towards Udaipur, after breakfast. You will stop for a moment at Ranakpur and its Jain temple of Adinath, an extraordinary building whose construction began in the 15th century. It is one of the most imposing and important temples for Jain culture. After this visit, you will resume your journey towards Udaipur. Once you arrive in Udaipur, check-in at the hotel. Then, you will take a cruise on Lake Pichola. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 7

  Udaipur - (the Venice of the East)

  

  You will leave in the morning to discover Udaipur. Visit of the city and its markets. You will visit the City Palace of Udaipur and finish with a visit to the Jagdish temple. In the evening, return and overnight at the hotel.

• day 8

  Udaipur - Bundi - 264 km

  

  Departure in the morning towards Bundi, after breakfast. On the way, visit the Rajput fort of Chittorgarh, once the capital of the kingdom of Mewar. The road between Udaipur and Bundi offers magnificent panoramas. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 9

  Bundi - Jaipur - 216 km

  

  Departure in the morning towards Jaipur, after breakfast. Once arrived in Jaipur, check-in at the hotel. Then, exploration of the Amber Fort of Jaipur and the Palace of Winds. Start the day with a jeep ride to the Amber fortress. Visit of the fort, then visit of the Palace of Winds (former royal harem, one of whose facades overlooks the busy street). Free time with your guide to stroll in the market. The city of Jaipur, capital of Rajasthan, is famous for its industrial textile production as well as its silver jewelry. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 10

  Jaipur

  

  Holi hai! Holi celebration in Jaipur Festival of colors, spring, and renewal, Holi is a celebration that brings together all Indians. The tradition is to dress in white and throw colored powders at each other. A moment of conviviality par excellence, it is also an opportunity to taste dishes specially prepared for this event. No driver on the day of Holi (only for transfer to the festivities). All monuments are closed on this day. The Holi package includes a white kurta, lunch, and colored powders. Night at the hotel.

• day 11

  Jaipur - Agra (via Fatehpur Sikri) - 250 km

  

  Early morning departure to Agra, after breakfast. Short stop to visit the ghost town of Fatehpur Sikri, abandoned since the 16th century. After the visit, continue on the road to Agra. Once arrived in Agra, check-in at the hotel. Then, depending on your arrival time, a short stroll in the city. Overnight at the hotel.

• day 12

  Agra - Delhi - 210 km

  

  Departure at dawn, after breakfast, to visit the sumptuous Taj Mahal. Built in 1631 by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in tribute to his late wife Mumtaz Mahal, this monument impresses with its splendid colors reflected on the white marble, offering excellent conditions for taking superb photos. Visit of the Agra Red Fort, where the coronation of Emperor Humayun took place in 1530. Then, transfer to New Delhi International Airport according to the schedule of your departure flight.