Rajasthan Experience (Family)

Upon arrival we are met at the airport and transferred to our hotel. Our airport representative will be waiting for us in the arrival hall, located after passing out of the customs area and beyond the travel desks and exchange counters. Look out for the Peregrine signboard. The drive from the airport to the hotel is around 45 minutes. Most flights arrive in Delhi in the late evening, so there is nothing arranged for this day. If you have arrived early, you will be briefed with sightseeing options.

(Driving time: approx 5 hours) After breakfast there is a briefing to outline the holiday itinerary and also cover many aspects of travelling in India. Please bring your passport and travel insurance documents to this meeting. Around mid morning we leave for Agra, home to India’s most famous site - the majestic Taj Mahal. This amazing 17th century marble mausoleum was built by Emperor Shah Jahan as a tomb for his second wife, who died giving birth. Started in 1631 the project was completed in 1648 and employed a workforce of over 20,000 people. Construction materials were brought from all over India with the marble from Rajasthan transported by over 1000 elephants. We also visit the nearby Agra Fort - a huge complex built of red sandstone by Akbar in 1565 and partially converted into a palace during the time of Shah Jahan.

(Driving time: approx 4 hours) From Agra we make our first stop at the deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri. This magnificent ghost town was capital of the Mughal Empire between 1571 and 1585. Built during the reign of Emperor Akbhar it was abandoned shortly after his death due to a lack of available water. Our final destination today is Karauli, a 600-year-old city founded by Yaduvanshi Rajput kings - descendents of Lord Krishna. The main temple of Karauli is dedicated to Lord Krishna. We stay for two nights at a sprawling palace belonging to the family that once ruled Karauli. Bhanwar Vilas Palace was built as a royal residence in 1938 by Maharaja Ganesh Pal Deo Bahadur when he was the ruler of Karauli. The palace is designed in a colonial style and the interiors are furnished in Art Deco period furniture. Our stay here is sure to be a memorable one.

Today we explore the City Palace, which dates back 500 years. The fort and the palace was the official residence of the royal family of Karauli till 1938. This amazing structure features impressive archways and interconnecting rooms, many of them colourfully painted with frescoes. Many of the buildings in Karauli feature distinctive pale red sandstone in their construction. We then enjoy a camel cart ride to the step well, the old city and surrounding countryside. Along the way we are sure to be greeted by hordes of local kids, waving at us as we ride by. We also explore an organic dairy, various farms and a campus school being run by the former royal family. It is a memorable experience being in a part of the country that sees very few tourists. Everything seems to have an air of authenticity about it as we join in with the local people as they go by with their everyday life.

(Driving time: approx 4 hours) After breakfast we travel by road to Jaipur - the colourful capital of the state of Rajasthan as well as being a vibrant and exciting town on its own right. Here, traditionally dressed Rajput men wearing colourful turbans and sporting magnificent moustaches make their way through crowded streets packed with cars, camel carts, rickshaws, trucks and bicycles. The City Palace is an amazing complex with various courtyards and connecting buildings as well as fascinating museums displaying royal costumes and weaponry. Part of the palace is closed to visitors as it is still the residence of the royal family. The most memorable features of our visit are sure to include the impressively colourful gates the courtyard known as Pitan Niwas Chowk and the incredible moustaches worn by the palace guards. Our guide will also take us to the Old Bazaar and Hawa Mahal, better known as the Palace of the Wind. This five-storey façade with its pink, honeycombed sandstone windows is one of Jaipur's best-known landmarks. In the evening we can dine at one of the many fine restaurants in the city (optional).

(Driving time: approx 1 hour) On our second day in Jaipur we travel 11 kilometres out to the stunning medieval Amber Fort. This fort was built in 1592 by Maharaja Man Singh and is a superb example of Rajput architecture. Several hours are needed to explore this huge fortification. We enjoy a free afternoon back in Jaipur to do our own exploring. The city's zoo is located right in the middle of town and has a small collection of Indian wildlife, whilst Jantar Mantar is a fascinating and historic outdoor observatory built in 1728 by Maharaja Jai Singh, who was a keen astronomer himself. It is also nice just to be able to walk around the markets at leisure and experience shopping Indian style!

(Driving time: approx 1 hour) We then continue to our journey and drive to Sawarda, a small fort that is still residence to the nobles of Sawarda, who belong to the Khangarot clan - an offshoot of the Jaipur royal family. The fort houses two small temples, gardens and interesting frescoed rooms. We take walk into the village and visit the homes of 'Gujjars' (traditionally a shepherd tribe), as well as an interesting old Sikh temple where one of the manuscripts of Gurbani, written by the founder of the Sikh religion, is still kept. We stop at a beautiful Jain temple and a Hindu temple in the village, before visiting the families of village workers such as potters and ironsmiths. At a local home-based oil mill, we get to observe the way in which an ordinary Indian village can be economically self-sufficient. We also get to meet members of the 'village panchayat' (governing body) and understand the way they run things, as well as visit the local schools and health centre. In the evening we have the opportunity to participate in an 'aarti' (prayer session) in the family temple.

(Driving time: approx 6 hours) The drive to Jodhpur takes us through the beautiful Rajasthan landscape. This city lies at the edge of the Thar Desert and is dominated by the imposing Meherangarh Fort, which sits atop a sheer rocky ridge in the middle of town. On the morning of our second day we explore the many palaces and courtyards contained within the fort, as well as the bustling Sadar Market located at the foot of the hill. This market is a great place to stroll around at leisure, with several alleyways leading off to various bazaars selling all sorts of fruits, vegetables, spices, textiles and handicrafts. In the afternoon we travel into the surrounding districts, visiting some of the different caste villages. This includes people such as the Bishnois, the protectors of trees and animals, and the Meghwas, who are skilled weavers and potters.

(Driving time: approx 6 hours) From Jodhpur we head south towards Udaipur. En route we stop at the Jain temples at Ranakpur, which are located in the Aravalli Hills. The main Chaumukha Temple was built in 1439 and the workmanship of the carved pillars, of which there are 1444, is exquisite. From here it is only a further 60 kilometres to Udaipur. This beautiful city, built around the shores of Lake Pichola, is full of fascinating temples, ornate palaces and impressive havelis (merchant homes). The charming setting of the Lake Palace on Jagwinas Island is unforgettable. During our stay we visit the Jagdish Temple, an Indo-Aryan temple containing a black stone image of Vishnu as Jagannath, Lord of the Universe. We also visit the City Palace, surmounted by balconies, towers and cupolas, where there are excellent views of the city and lakeside from the upper terraces.

We have kept our final day in Udaipur as a free one. Our leader can assist with further sightseeing options or you may wish to relax around the hotel or explore the many shopping opportunities on offer. Rajasthan is famous for miniature paintings, textiles, clothing and handicrafts. In the evening we travel to the railway station and board an overnight sleeper train bound for Delhi.

On arrival in Delhi we are transferred to our hotel and reach there sometime in the late morning. Later in the day we enjoy an orientation drive around the city that takes us to India Gate and past the President's House (Rashtrapati Bhavan) and Parliament House (Sansad Bhavan) before heading off to do some last-minute shopping at colourful Janpath Bazaar. We then have the chance to enjoy pre dinner drinks before heading out to one of Delhi's great restaurants for a final group dinner (optional) to commemorate the end of our tour.

Your trip ends in Delhi this morning after breakfast. Check out time is 12 noon. If your flight leaves in the evening you may wish to book additional accommodation so you have a room until departure. Most flights leave Delhi in the evening and your leader will be on hand to assist with transfers to the airport. These are not included, but can be booked through us or your travel agent. If you are spending extra time in Delhi, there is still plenty to see. Humayun's Tomb and Safdarjang's Tomb are other great examples of Mughal architecture and design. The narrow streets of Old Delhi are worth exploring, with the highlights being Red Fort and the impressive Jama Masjid (Great Mosque). Raj Ghat is a monument that marks the spot where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated. Hauz Khas Village is a great place to escape the hustle and bustle of downtown - a chic artistic enclave set right next to the remnants of a historical site.