International flight from Europe to Delhi, flightschedule depending on chosen flight company. On arrival in Delhi transfer to the hotel.

Today the first introduction to the hectic, but so fascinating Delhi and India. Horning tuk-tuks, a tea stall, a sacred cow causes a traffic jam, a street barber. Welcome to India! To get used to this so very different India, you will start today with a short or more long citytour in Old- and New Delhi; e.a. to the Birla Mandir, Jama Mashid (biggest mosque in India), Red Fort, Raj Ghat (place where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated), Gandhi Museum, Humayun Tomb, Qutab Minar, India Gate, Ba'hai or Lotus Temple. All this, however after discussed with you! Your hotel is located in the vibrant district of Karol Bagh, 2 minutes walk from the main shopping street where you can buy yourself a coffee at Caffe Coffee Day (Indian version of Starbucks).

Beginning of the tour, after breakfast departure by car to Mandawa in Shekhawati region. In the afternoon a walk in the center of Mandawa, an ancient city on the Silk Trade Route inhabited by wealthy merchants who lived in splendid havelis. 

Drive to Bikaner, before we arrive in Bikaner, an ancient trading town we stop at the Karni Mata Temple (rat temple) of Deshnok: behind the silver gate walk hundreds of (holy) rats around, who are revered as reincarnations of future sadhus.

An extensive city tour with a visit to Junagarh Fort and the interesting museum next door, if you like a visit at the camel breeding farm. After lunch explore on your the bazaar and old town, the 14th century Jain temples and Lalgarh Palace.

Early departure for a drive through the Thar desert, which at first sight seems bare and empty, but if you stand still, signs of life often begin to emerge. From the car you'll probably see deer, antelope, eagles, vultures and herds of camels. On the way you can make a detour to the Gajner Palace, on the banks of the Gajner Lake. Kolayat is a nice little pilgrim town on a big lake off the main tourist circuit, along the road to Kolayat you can see local brickworks.

Jaisalmer, the golden city! During the city tour you pass sights such as the Gadi Sagar Tank, Patwah-ki-haveli. A short drive to Bada Bagh, a beautiful oasis in this desert area. Above the gardens are the Royal Cenotaphs with fine sculpture. If you feel like you drive 2 km further to visit a very nice carved Jain temple, which is restored by craftsmen from Agra since 1970. In the afternoon visite the Jaisalmer Fort, probably the liveliest fort in India with all its residents, shops and activities, stroll through the old Town ...

In the morning free to explore Jaisalmer on your own, stroll through the narrow cobbled streets of Jaisalmer's old town with its magnificent havelis and many textile shops. Around 14:30 in the afternoon short drive to the village Kuhri for a camel safari in the desert, around 18:00 you can enjoy the sunset in the desert.

After breakfast departure to the blue city of Jodhpur, located at the edge of the Thar Desert. Enroute you can stop at the village Khichan  famous for the red sandstone havelis and its lake with thousands of migratory birds (not after a dry monsoon). In the evening stroll around the old city, a maze of shops, stalls, market sellers and food stands.

City tour with the most important sights such as the 15th century Meherangarh Fort on a 125 m high hill, the white marble Jaswant Thada, a drink on the terrace of the Umaid Bhavan Palace (used as a super-deluxe hotel) and enjoy the view. Mandore is also recommended, with the tombs, the gallery with the "Heroes" and magnificent gardens.

After breakfast departure to rural Bhenswara, with a stop at the Bishnoi's villages, known for their love and care for nature. Early afternoon arrival at Ravla, relax by the pool and in the evening a jungle safari or wildlife safari with sunset.

Before breakfast, if you feel like, a camel, horse or jeep safari village safari around Bhenswara and the tribals around to get you directly acquainted with the life, culture, people and traditions of colorful Rajasthan. After breakfast on the smaller roads through a hilly area to Udaipur, this city also called ""Venice of the East" could have been taken from "Thousand and One Nights". On the way visit the Ranakpur temples, one of the largest and most important Jain shrines in India.

According to several travel guides Udaipur is the "Venice of the East", especially just after the monsoon (rainy season). Founded in 1567 AD by Maharaja Udai Singh, this city is still a traditional Rajput town. City tour with visit to the Jagdish Temple, the Winter Palace and the magnificent City Palace with museum, on the edge of the Pichola Lake. If you feel like a short drive to the temple complex of Eklingji. At 6.00 pm many believers come here together for the aarti (ceremony), which really is worth the experience. 

Morning departure to Chittorgarh, along small country roads (not on the highway), through many small villages. Chittorgarh is one of the oldest cities in Rajasthan and also once the capital of a powerful kingdom. The fort stands on top of a 160 m high hill, inside the walls of this fort are the remains of the old city. You will find several interesting temples and palaces, including the Tower of Victory, erected to celebrate the victory of 1440. After this visit it takes about one hour to get to Bijaipur, an authentic quiet village. The Bijaipur Castle is a palace of the sixteenth century, situated in the hills. The castle opened its doors to visitors as a hotel in 1991. The members of the ruling family still reside in the castle.

In the morning leave for Bundi, a 4 hours ride through a hilly area where nomadic tribes still live and where relatively few Western tourists come. You pass among the opium fields in the Singoli Plateau, licit cultivation for medicinal purposed is carried out under strict licensing conditions. Nice to stop, especially if men and women are working in these fields. Bundi is a picturesque small town with a medieval atmosphere, situated in a narrow valley and surrounded by a wall.  In the a afternoon city tour includes visit to Garh Palace, the fort and the impressive Rani-Ki-Baori, a 46 meters deep well. Your hotel is within walking distance of the town centre. Take some time to stroll through the old city centre in the evening.

The first 50 km on the highway, then again along small country roads, on the way a stop in Sarwar, once the center of the Jain faith, see the main temple, where a Digambar, Hindu and Shwetambar temple are housed, then on to the serene town of Pushkar, in the sixties a very popular place among the hippies. Enjoy a beautiful sunset over the lake.

The one-hour trek up to the hilltop Savitri Temple overlooking the lake is best made before dawn...a fantastic view. After breakfast explore the charming town of Pushkar. In Ajmer (14 km from Pushkar) visit the Dargah: one of the most sacred Muslim shrines in India, also Fort Taragarh, either the Star Fort, is worth a visit. Then proceed the "pink city" Jaipur, capital of Rajasthan state.

In the morning visit the Amber Fort (closed on Monday) with the magnificent palace (last part per elephant ?). Then city tour including Birla Temple, the City Palace complex, Jantar Mantar observatory and the Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds). We also suggest to visit the Galta Temple, also known as the Monkey Temple. If you like, you can go in the evening to see a Bollywood movie at Raj Mandir, one of the most famous cinemas of India. A nice experience!

Drive to Agra visiting en route the Chand Baori in the hamlet of Abhaneri and, 120 km further, the ghost town of Fatehpur Sikri. Agra is perhaps the dirtiest city in India with one of the most beautiful building in the world: the Taj Mahal. The Taj Mahal was built by Emperor Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his beloved wife Mumtaz. Depending on your preference, You should aim to visit it at dawn or dusk when the reflection of the sun changes the colour of the dome from white to shades of pink. (Taj Mahal closed on Friday).

If you like you can visit the Taj Mahal at sunrise. After a (late) breakfast visit the other historical monuments that are worth a visit, like the the Red Fort (with its many buildings, a small city in a big city), Jama Mashid, Akbar's Mausoleum, Itimad-ud-Daulah (Baby Taj). The city tour can be tailor made to suit your wishes. In the afternoon drive back to Delhi, en route you can visit Mathura, the birthplace of Krishna.

Today is your last day in Delhi, unless you booked an extra day. Most flight towards Europe leave late evening or in the night, so your transfer to the airport will be some 3 hours prior to departure time. If you wish to keep your room until departure to the airport we can arrange a late check-out.