Colorful Rajasthan with Varanasi

Itinerary

Day 1: Welcome to Delhi!

Stop At: Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, Delhi 110037, India
Upon arrival at the airport you will be welcomed by one of our representatives. After checking in and freshening up at the hotel, the tour starts this afternoon through Delhi. You first visit the impressive Red Fort in Old Delhi. We cross the road and visit the Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India. After a ride through the city we close the city tour with a visit to the 72 meter high Qutb Minar.
Duration: 1 hour

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight stay at Delhi

Day 2: On the way to the Land of Kings

Stop At: Nawalgarh bus stand, Nawalgarh, Rajasthan 333042, India
We leave the capital of India behind us and drive to the state of Rajasthan, the Land of Kings. Nawalgarh is one of the most important places in the Shekhawati region. The whole region is known for its beautifully decorated havelis and in particular Nawalgarh. Walking through the nice town you can see old wells, havelis, cows on the street and a small market. The most famous havelis are Poddar Haveli, Bala Qita, Aath Haveli and Morarka Haveli. A nice place to recover from the hectic first days.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight stay at Nawalgarh

Day 3: On the way to Bikaner

Stop At: Lalgarh Palace Garden, D/68, Samta Nagar, Bikaner, Rajasthan 334001, India
We continue into Rajasthan, on our way to Bikaner. In the past, Bikaner was one of the three great desert kingdoms of Rajasthan. Bikaner still has beautiful palaces and the impressive Junagarh Fort, one of the best preserved forts of Rajasthan. The Lalgarh Palace, just outside the city, is also extensively decorated.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight stay at Bikaner

Day 4: Rat temple and cow hospital

Stop At: Karni Mata Temple Rd, Deshnoke 334801 India
Today we first drive to Deshnok, a small village near Bikaner. Here you will find the

"Karni Mata Temple", a temple where rats are seen as sacred. Thousands of rats run across and through the temple. It is believed that you are

blessed when a rat runs over your feet ...

It is time for a Royal Lunch in the Ahichhatragarh Fort. After lunch we will visit the Shri Krishna Gaushala - a hospital for cows - before we drive to Salawas for the night.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight stay at Salawas

Day 5: View over the "Blue City"

Stop At: Mehrangarh Fort, Fort Rd., Jodhpur 342006 India
After breakfast we drive to Jodhpur. This city is known as the "Blue City" because

most of the houses in the vicinity of the immense Mehrangarh Fort are painted blue. The fort is known for its detailed sculpture and has impressive views of the city and surroundings. The next stop is the Umaid Bhawan Palace. Later in the day you can learn how to make carpets here.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight stay at Jodhpur

Day 6: On the way to Udaipur

Stop At: Ranakpur Jain Temple, Desuri Tehsil, Sadri 306702 India
On the way we visit the Jain temple complex of Ranakpur, located in the Aravalli Hills. The temples of Ranakpur are about 500 years old and have been very well preserved. The highlight is without a doubt the largest temple with 1444 beautifully carved pillars! We drive to Udaipur, one of the most romantic cities in India. The picturesque Udaipur is known as the center for performing arts and crafts.
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight stay at Udaipur

Day 7: Udaipur city tour

Stop At: City Palace, Old City, Udaipur, Rajasthan 313001, India
We start this day with a visit to the Royal City Palace, located on the shore of the picturesque Lake Pichola. The palace actually consists of four large and small palaces. Together this complex is called Udaipur City Palace. From the balconies, cupolas and towers you have a beautiful view over this romantic city and the surrounding hills. We also visit the Jag Mandir. A boat tour at the end of the day on the beautiful Pichola lake is a must!
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight stay at Udaipur

Day 8: To Puskar via Chittorgarh

Stop At: Chittorgarh Fort, Chittaurgarh India
Today we drive first to Chittorgarh, a town that has seen a lot of struggle. The fort of Chittorgarh is built on 280 hectares on top of a 180 meter high hill. The fort is full of palaces, temples and towers. Pushkar is a holy village which is described in ancient Hindu scriptures as "Tirtha Raj", or the king of all pilgrimages. Pushkar has hundreds of temples and is not only an attraction for Hindu pilgrims, but also for Western travelers, backpackers and hippies. An inspiring place!
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight stay at Pushkar

Day 9: Bicycle rickshaw tour

Stop At: Pink City Rickshaw Company, Jaipur 302001 India
We continue the journey with a visit to Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan. Jaipur is also called the "Pink City" because the whole center was painted in 1876 in this orange-pink color. Pink is the color of hospitality in Rajasthan. This afternoon during the Rickshaw Tour you can see colorful shops, busy markets, pink colored streets and traditionally dressed people.
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight stay at Jaipur

Day 10: Enjoy the view from Amber fort

Stop At: Amber Fort, Devisinghpura, Amer, Jaipur 302001 India
We start the day with a photo stop at the beautiful Hawa Mahal facade ("Palace of the Winds"). Then we go to the impressive Amber Fort. Then we continue to the Jantar Mantar palace. You can view devices that calculate the horoscope and a sundial on which you can read the time, accurate to a few seconds!
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight stay at Jaipur

Day 11: Visit the Agra Fort

Stop At: Agra Fort Rakabgani, Agra 282003 India
We leave Rajasthan behind us and visit Fatehpur Sikri, a city built of sandstone, on our way to Agra. After you have refreshed at the hotel, you visit the Agra Fort. When you walk through this large fort you will see an interesting mix of Hindu and Islamic architecture.
Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight stay at Agra

Day 12: Sunrise at the Taj Mahal

Stop At: Taj Mahal, Agra 282001 India
A very special morning! It is time to visit the Taj Mahal! The Taj Mahal is the most famous - and most photographed - monument to Love in the world. Breathtakingly beautiful! In the evening you go to the train station for the night train to the holiest place for Hindus: Varanasi. You spend the night in a train department with air conditioning.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight stay on board - Train

Day 13: The holiest city for Hindus

Stop At: Varanasi Cantt. Railway Station, Railwayganj Colony, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221002, India
After arriving at the busy train station of Varanasi we first drive to the hotel. Varanasi - also known under the old names Banaras and Kashi - is the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world. Ganga Mata has been worshiped every night during the Ganga Aarthi for thousands of years. Tonight you will experience this worship! The young priests and pilgrims from the entire subcontinent sing bhajans (religious songs), burn incense and worship the sun and the Ganges. An impressive spectacle!

Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight stay at Varanasi

Day 14: Free day in Varanasi

Stop At: Manikarnika Ghat, Near Rajendra Prasad Ghat, Garawasi, Jugul Tola, Ghats of varanasi, Lahori Tola, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221001, India
Today you have the whole day to explore this special city on your own. Stroll through the small alleys full of shops, temples, holy cows, food stalls and pilgrims. Or drink a cup of tea on the ghats - the stairs to the river - and observe daily life and see how the holy river flows past you.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight stay at Varanasi

Day 15: Last day in India

Stop At: Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, Varanasi District, Babatpur, Uttar Pradesh 221006, India
The end of a very impressive journey! Today you fly to the international airport of Delhi. You leave home in time for your flight.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.