Mesmerising Rajasthan and Incredible Gujarat Tour

Day 1 - Welcome to India! An Active India Holiday representative will greet you at the arrival hall at the Delhi International Airport. As you drive to the hotel in comfort, enjoy the sights along the way while our representative briefs you about the experience that awaits you. Check in at the hotel and freshen up. Rest of the day is free to explore the national capital with its many attractions, be it monuments, museums, galleries or bazaars. You may also choose to visit the Akshardham Temple a spiritual and cultural campus dedicated to devotion, learning, and harmony. Overnight stay in Delhi.

Overnight - Hotel

Day 2 - Early in the morning we leave for Agra, a bustling city on the banks of the river Yamuna. Agra became the capital of the Mughal empire between 1526 and 1628 and boasts of many magnificent Mughal-era monuments, making it a major tourist destination. Upon arrival, we check-in at the hotel and freshen up. We head to the Agra Fort, a fortress, palace, and prison made of red sandstone by Mughal emperor Akbar in 1565. It was partly transformed into a palace during the reign of Shah Jahan. Our day concludes with a visit to Mehtab Bagh, to witness the beauty of Taj Mahal during Sun set from the other side of the river. We spend the evening visiting the bazaar, where artisans (some of them claim to be descendants of those who worked on the Taj Mahal) create fine marble-inlay work. Overnight stay in Agra.

Overnight - Hotel

Day 3 - At sunrise we visit one of India’s most incredible monuments, the Taj Mahal. At dawn we get to experience the colour-changing effects of the rising Sun on the stunning white-marble monument. We return to the hotel for breakfast and then leave for Jaipur. On the way we stop in Abhaneri, a village known for its extraordinary step well called Chand Baori. Built around the 11th Century, this baori or stairwell provided access to drinking water and was used to collect rainwater during the monsoon. Among many others, Chand Baori is the most impressive. Set in front of the Harshat Mata temple, it is considered to be one of the deepest (30 meters) and widest wells in India. After this short halt we continue our journey to Jaipur, a bustling town with dazzling palaces, beautiful gardens, lakes, and bazaars brimming with jewellery, textiles, and folk arts. Some of the city's most well-known bazaars include the Bapu Bazaar, Tripolia Bazaar, and Johri Bazaar. Upon arrival check-in at the hotel. The rest of the day is free to roam Jaipur's vibrant bazaars. Overnight stay in Jaipur.

Overnight - Hotel

Day 4 - After breakfast, we drive to the ancient capital of Amer, 11 km from Jaipur. Amer was the capital of the Kachhawaha dynasty for six centuries and is famous for its majestic Amber Fort. We will ride to the fort by jeep and see the Maharajah's harems, intricate mosaic patterns, and snake charmers. On the way to the Amer Fort, we cross Jaipur’s most distinctive landmark, the ‘Hawa Mahal’ (Palace of Winds), a five-storied facade of pink sandstone designed in 1799. After visiting the fort, we discover the City Palace, a perfect blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture, followed by our visit to Govind Devji, a temple dedicated to the Hindu God Krishna in the centre of the old city. We then head to the Jantar Mantar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that boasts of a remarkable array of ancient astronomical instruments that includes the world's largest stone sundial. Next we visit a family home for an evening of culinary delights and cultural interaction as you learn the basics of Indian cuisine and enjoy a delicious meal with your hosts. You also get to see sari and turban-tying demonstrations. Return to the hotel for an overnight stay in Jaipur.

Overnight - Hotel

Day 5 - Today we drive to Jodhpur, well-known around the world for its wood and iron handicrafts. The city has a unique atmosphere with many beautiful old buildings and temples, and is also recognized as 'The Blue City' due to its plethora of vivid blue-painted houses in the old quarter. We arrive by mid-afternoon and check-in at the hotel. The rest of the day is free to explore the streets of the old city. Later in the evening, we take a stroll through the sadar bazaar, or main market, which is best known for its massive clock tower and is crowded with shopkeepers, traders, motorcycles, trucks, cattle herders, and other vendors. This noisy and energetic environment offers a firsthand glimpse of local culture. Overnight stay in Jodhpur.

Overnight - Hotel

Day 6 - After breakfast we head to the Mehrangarh Fort, a mighty and majestic monument built in 1459 CE, standing 125 metres above the city as a reminder of the royal splendour and bravery of royal families. The Fort is a 5-kilometer-long architectural wonder that features a stunning palace and intricately carved latticed windows. Next we will visit Jodhpur’s architectural landmark Jaswant Thada, a 19th Century white marble royal memorial built in 1899 CE in memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. It looks stunning against the hilly backdrop and glistening lake. We end the day with a visit to Umaid Bhawan Palace, another Jodhpur landmark built in 1943. A wonderful blend of fascinating history and a lavish present, it serves as a heritage hotel, a museum which houses striking pieces of art, artefacts and costumes dating back to medieval Rajasthan and the home of the Royal Family of Raja Gaj Singh. After finishing the tour, we return to the hotel for an overnight stay at Jodhpur.

Overnight - Hotel

Day 7 - Today we drive to Udaipur and on the way stop in Ranakpur, a small town in the hills of Pali district of Rajasthan. Ranakpur is home to one of India's most majestic and significant Jain temple complexes, as well as one of the five most important Jain pilgrimage sites. The main temple, Adinath or Chaumukha (the four-faced temple) dedicated to the first Jain teacher, Tirthankara Adinath, was constructed during the reign of Rana Kumbha, a liberal Rajput monarch of the 15th century. We then continue our drive and arrive in the beautiful lakeside town of Udaipur. Known as 'the Pearl of Rajasthan' and the 'City of Sunrise', Udaipur is counted among the most romantic cities of India. Upon arrival we check-in at the hotel. In the evening we enjoy the sunset overlooking Lake Pichola, 4 km long and 3 km wide, surrounded by hills, palaces, temples, bathing ghats, and embankments. Overnight stay in Udaipur.

Overnight - Hotel

Day 8 - We spend the day exploring the main attractions of this beautiful city. We explore the magnificent City Palace that sits on the edge of lake Pichola. We also visit the Jagdish Temple. Built in the 17th Century in Indo-Aryan architectural style, the temple is dedicated to lord Vishnu (Laxmi Narayan) and is the largest and most beautiful temple of Udaipur. Next, we proceed to Bagore Ki Haveli, an ancient building that stands on the platform of Gangori Ghat near Lake Pichola. Here we get to learn more about Mewar's culture and lifestyle through the Rajput’s antique collection, which includes jewellery boxes and copper vessels. This majestic building is now a historic landmark, where folk and tribal dances, Rajasthani folk music, magic shows, puppet shows and other local cultural events take place. Our day concludes with a boat ride over Lake Pichola at sunset. Return to the hotel for an overnight stay in Udaipur.

Overnight - Hotel

Day 9 - In the morning we head to Mt Abu, a hill station at 1,200 meters above sea level. A famous tourist destination, Mount Abu is known for its Dilwara Jain temples situated amid lush green forested hills on the highest peak of the Aravalli range. It is also the summer capital of Rajasthan and boasts of lakes, waterfalls and green forests. The cool and calming climate of Mount Abu is due to the rich flora that covers the entire hillside and includes coniferous trees and flowering shrubs. Upon arrival we visit the magnificent Dilwara Temples, which are one of the finest examples of Jain architecture. After lunch, we visit the Vimal Shahi temple, followed by a visit to the sunset point where we watch the sun set behind the Aravallis. Overnight stay in Mount Abu.

Overnight - Hotel

Day 10 - Today we drive over the border to the Little Rann of Kutch in Gujarat, famous for wild asses and many varieties of birds. It is a vast expanse of flat wilderness that is seasonally flooded by the monsoon and dries into vast expanses of salt flats and desiccated low grassland. The Wild Ass Sanctuary of the Little Rann of Kutch is spread across nearly 5,000 square kilometres and is also India's only sanctuary for the Asiatic Wild Ass, a stylish, toffee and cream-colored member of the horse family. Dasada, a tiny village of fishermen, nomadic cattle herders and artisans, is an ideal starting point for exploring the Little Rann of Kutch. Check-in at the resort upon arrival in Dasada.

Overnight - Hotel

Day 11 - Today we leave for a full-day excursion to discover the unique wildlife at the Rann of Kutch. We begin our safari in open jeeps at dawn, driving into the wetland area of the Little Rann of Kutch to see the amazing desert wildlife and bird species that surround the lake. During the jeep safari we may spot Indian gazelles, black buck, blue bull (Nilgai), jackals, Indian foxes, and jungle cats. If we are fortunate, we might also catch a glimpse of an Indian wolf. Later, we drive to nearby villages to visit families of women who are experts in embroidery, using herringbone stitches interspersed with small mirrors and occasional chain stitches to create peacock motifs.

Overnight - Hotel

Day 12 - Today we drive to Gondal, a picturesque town with lots of gracious architecture, large tree-lined streets and European lampposts that are well worth a walk through to soak up the scenery. This is a fortress town on the Gondali river with three magnificent palaces, and we stay in one of them. The palace hotel has an impressive array of antique cars owned by the Maharaja. Upon arrival we check-in at the hotel. Later, we visit the Naulakha Palace, one of the oldest palaces of Gujarat. This Palace was built in 1748 CE in Darbargadh by the Jadeja Rajputs who ruled Gondal. We get to see beautiful silverware, beadwork, brass utensils, hand-painted wooden dolls, silver jewellery and brass boxes during the guided tour of the palace. Overnight stay in Gondal.

Overnight - Hotel

Day 13 - After breakfast, we visit the hotel's 'Royal Garages', which house antique cars once owned by the Maharaja with a wonderful array of classic cars from the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s. This is said to be Asia's largest collection. Later, we drive to Bhavnagar, stopping along the way to see the well-known Palitana Jain Temples. Palitana is a major pilgrimage centre for Jains, known world over for their non-violent way of life. The Jain community considers the Palitana temples among the most sacred places of pilgrimage. There are over 3,000 temples on the Shatrunjaya hills that are exquisitely carved in marble. The summit is reached by climbing (or by being carried up) 3,572 steps – a stiff two-hour-ascent. We pass several devotees dressed in white, some wearing gauze masks to filter harmless microbes from the air they breathe. Arrive in Bhavnagar and check-in at the hotel.

Overnight - Hotel

Day 14 - We embark on a half-day sightseeing tour of Bhavnagar. The city offers vibrant shades of traditional Gujarati culture. We visit the Takhteshwar Temple, at the centre of the city, from where one can enjoy a panoramic view of the entire town. We also visit the Gandhi Smriti, a memorial that has a library of Gandhian books and photographs, providing glimpses into the life of Mahatma Gandhi. It also has a fine array of art objects reflecting the Saurashtra culture. After lunch we drive to Ahmedabad, the sixth largest city in India. Upon arrival check-in at the hotel. Overnight stay in Ahmedabad.

Overnight - Hotel

Day 15 - Our tour of Rajasthan and Gujarat comes to an end and it’s time to pack your bags and head back with memories of a lifetime. After breakfast we check out from the hotel and get a transfer to the Ahmedabad International Airport for onward travel.

Tour Ends