Travel Like A Maharajah
On Our Forts & Palaces Tour Of India

27 Days, Delhi To Delhi, January 2022

Experience the unique history of India by staying  in Heritage  Hotels including Forts and palaces – some of which are still in use  today by Maharajahs!

The Forts  and Palaces Tour Of  India combines the best  of Modern , Historical Natural and  Cultural Rajasthan—creating a truly unforgettable journey of the Sub-Continent  

Visits: Delhi,  Neemrana, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Luni, Kumbhalgarh, Udaipur, Deogarh, Pushkar, Jaipur, Ranthambore National Park, Bharatpur, Agra, Orchha, Khajuraho and Varanasi

Estimated Price Based on 2019 Rates is
AU$12906 Per Person Share Twin
Current Forseen Start Date is 3rd January 2022

These Prices & Dates Are Subject To Confirmation On Release Of Final Programme 

ITINERARY

Day 01: Delhi.: On arrival at international airport in Delhi, guests will be welcomed with Garlands and taken to the coach/car for transfer to their pre-booked hotel in the city.

Day 02: Delhi.: Day tour of Delhi visiting Old Delhi and new parts of Delhi. Stay overnight at Hotel.  Hotel Jaypee Vasant.

Day 03: Delhi to Neemrana: After breakfast drive to Neemrana. Upon arrival at Neemrana transfer to the Magical Neemrana Fort Palace. Enjoy the historic palace and it’s views.  Later in the day a short walk in the village to meet the villagers will be arranged.  Enjoy the pool and views from the Ramparts of this mighty heritage hotel.

Day 04: Neemrana to  Nawalgarh: Shekhawati is famous for it’s rich merchants from the silk trade route and the British time. During the time of the British, the local merchants made fortune by trading various commodities and built some beautiful havelis (Mansion of a house) . Our stay is in a beautiful village and we would be staying in a heritage hotel. Later walk the colourful streets and visit some frescoes and enjoy the architecture of the village. Stay here at Roop Niwas Kothi.

Day 05: Nawalgarh to Bikaner.: After breakfast there will be another walking tour of shekhawati villages visiting the Sheesh Mahal , Poddar Haveli, , Morarka Haveli, later proceed to Bikaner. A beautiful town in the middle of the desert housing one of the most preserved forts of Rajasthan – The Junagadh Palace. After visit to the Junagadh fort proceed to the Hotel. In Bikaner stay at lalgarh Palace or Narendra Bhawan Palace or Maharaja Ganga Mahal Palace.

Day 06: Bikaner to Jaisalmer: After breakfast drive to Jaisalmer, an ancient silk trade route town on the border of India and Pakistan deep in the thar desert.  Historic city with amazing haveli architecture in the old part and colorful streets and amazing sunsets. Stay here at the historic Mandir Palace heritage hotel in the town center.

Day 07: In Jaisalmer: Tour of Jaisalmer visiting the so called “open museum town” , visit Gadisar lake, Palace and temple and the royal cenotaphs. Later in the day visit the sand dunes and enjoy a short camel ride and see the sunset and enjoy camp fire and music of the thar desert. Return back to the hotel for night stay.

Day 08: Jaisalmer to Jodhpur: After breakfast leave for Jodhpur and enjoy the drive in the Thar Desert passing thru some small villages and towns. Jodhpur was one of the main centers of Marwar Rulers.  The Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur (Present Maharajas residence) is the largest residential building in the world and it also house the ultra-luxury “Umaid Bhawan palace hotel” . Stay here at hotel Ratan Vilas or Hotel Devi Bhawan.

Day 09: Jodhpur to Luni: After breakfast visit the Mehrangadh Fort and Jaswant Thada and later drive to Luni to stay at the beautiful Fort Chanwa (Heritage Hotel). Bishnoi village safari and village walk in the evening.

Day 10: Luni to Kumbhalgarh: After breakfast drive to Kumbhalgarh. On the way stop at Ranakpur. Stop to see the famous marble Jain temples of Ranakpur. Upon arrival at Kumbhalgarh transfer to the heritage hotel. Enjoy the surroundings and the hotel. Stay here at the Aodhi

Day 11: Kumbhalgarh to Udaipur: After a leisurely breakfast drive to the lake city of Udaipur. Upon arrival in Udaipur transfer to the hotel. Enjoy rest of the day at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 12: Udaipur: Morning sightseeing tour of the city including boat ride at Lake Pichola including Visit to Jagmandir island, followed by sightseeing tour, visiting City palace, Jagdish Temple, Sahiliyon-ki-Bari (Garden of maids of Honour) etc,

Day 13: Udaipur to Deogarh (160 km):  A short drive to Deogarh Mahal, a fortified palace in the heart of Deogarh village, where we stay the night. Enjoy a village tour of Deogarh and the surroundings.

Day 14: Deogarh to Pushkar: Today we drive to Pushkar – one of the ancient holy towns, on the edge of a small and beautiful lake in eastern Rajasthan. A city of 500 temples and 52 bathing ghats (Steps leading to holy lake). Afternoon spend visiting the ghats and the temples. Overnight at Pushkar. Stay here at the Pushkar Palace or Jagat palace.

Day 15: Pushkar to Jaipur (130 km): Today we drive to Jaipur for two nights at the charming Alsisar Haveli, the city residence of the Alsisar royal family.  Upon arrival in Jaipur transfer to the heritage hotel and later in the day visit to city Palace and Museum of Textiles and arms.

Day 16: In Jaipur: In the morning we enjoy an excursion to the hilltop fort at Amber, with the possibility of reaching it by elephant back. On the way back we visit a small block-printing factory. The afternoon is free at leisure.

Day 17: Jaipur to Sawai Madhopur (Ranthambore National Park): After early breakfast leave for Sawai Madhopur (Ranthmabhore Tiger Reserve / Ranthambhore National park ). Upon arrival at Ranthambhore transfer to the jungle resort outside the park. In the afternoon post lunch visit the national park in open jeeps or Canter bus to see the flora and fauna of this famous park. Ranthambhore is one of the most revered tiger parks in India and has some beautiful landscape and exotic wildlife like Tiger, Leopard, Sloth Bear, Cheetal, Sambar Deer, Black Bucks and many many more animal and bird species.

Day 18: In Ranthambore: AM & Pm Safari. Morning and afternoon open jeep safaris with driver and jungle guide to view the animal and bird life.

Day 19: In Ranthambore : AM & Pm Safari. Morning and afternoon open jeep safaris with driver and jungle guide to view the animal and bird life. Ranthambhore stay at Ranthambhore Forest Resort

Day 20: Sawai Madhopur to Bharatpur (110 km): An Early morning drive to the renowned Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary famous for bird watching. Stay at the beautiful hotel The Bagh or Laxmi Niwas in Bharatpur – Pm Visit the Bird Sanctuary.

Day 21: Bharatpur to Agra (60 km): Morning visit the Sanctuary and then drive to Agra via Fatehpur Sikri and the Agra Fort.  Overnight in Agra Stay at Jaypee Palace or Similar hotel.

Day 22: Agra to Orchha: Morning visit the Taj Mahal and then take a train to Jhansi – Upon arrival in Jhansi transfer to Orchha. In Orchha stay at the Bundelkhand riverside resort. Reach and transfer to hotel. Overnight will be at Khajuraho hotel. In the afternoon visit the famous Ram Raja Sarkaar Temple and the royal cenotaphs along the betwa river and also the Jehangir Palace. Orchha is a town in Niwari district of Madhya Pradesh state, India. The town was established by Rudra Pratap Singh some time after 1501, as the seat of an eponymous former princely state of central & North India, in the Bundelkhand region. Here, the river Betwa splits into seven channels, also called the Satdhara. Legend goes that this is in honour of the seven erstwhile Chiefs of Orchha.

Day 23: Orchha to Khajuraho: After breakfast leave for the famous temple town of Khajuraho. Upon arrival transfer to the hotel and later visit the erotic love temples. Overnight at the hotel in Khajuraho. Visit the eastern group of temples.

Day 24: Khajuraho to Varanasi : Morning visit the western group of temples and later transfer to the airport to board flight to one of the most ancient living cities in the world “Varanasi”. Upon arrival in Varanasi transfer to the hotel in the cantonment area of the city.

Day 25: In Varanasi: Early morning visit the holy Ganga river ghat area and enjoy boat ride on the holy river and witness the morning rituals performed by devotees. Also visit and walk the famous narrow streets leading up to the Shiva golden temple “Kashi Vishwanath Temple” and meet the devotees and locals.

Day 26 : Varanasi Departure: Take flight from Varanasi home or to Delhi and upon arrival transfer to a hotel close to the airport. Later departure transfer to the international airport for flight to onward destination.

Estimated Price Based on 2019 Rates is AU$12906 Per Person Share Twin
Current Forseen Start Date is 3rd January 2022
These Prices & Dates Are Subject To Confirmation On Release Of Final Programme

INCLUSIONS & EXCLUSIONS

Includes:   All arrival and departure transfers, assistance at airports and train stations, accommodation in boutique and heritage properties on a B&B Basis, with all meals include at Ranthambore, Air Conditioned Transport with National Guide Throughout and Local English Speaking Guides in each destination, Entrance Fees to all Monuments mentioned in the programme Plus Camel Safari in Jaisalmer,  Wildlife Viewing at Ranthambore, Cookery Class in Jaipur, Yoga Session in Varanasi, Elephant Rides in Jaipur, Cultural Shows, Boat Rides and much more.

Excludes:  Airfare to and From India, Indian Visa, Camera Fees, Personal Expenses, tips & Gratuities, meals not mentioned.

Envisaged Properties

While where you stay is not always important on a tour – many of us are happy with a simple clean room and a good location – sometimes where you stay can enhance your journey, and on our Forts & Palaces Tour of India the properties chosen are specifically hand-picked for that reason. The properties include Heritage Hotels, Haveli’s owned by former nobility, some converted and active Forts and Palaces, as well as a Safari Lodge Styled Hotel in Ranthambore from where we will be based during our few days Safari Escape! To that end the properties we currently envisage on the tour are:

These are the properties that are currently planned on being used in this programme, but it should note that these are subject to change based on local conditions including but not limited to hotel renovations, group size, unforeseen circumstance etc.