Upgraded - India: Forts + Palaces of Rajasthan




Overview
Highlights
- Explore the ancient cities, forts and palaces of Rajasthan
- See the Pushkar Camel Fair on the special festival departure
- Sleep like a Maharaja in premium hotels and former palaces
What's this trip about?
Itinerary

Our tour starts in New Delhi, the capital of India. The city has been the heart of numerous empires and dynasties over the centuries, from the Mughals to the British Raj, making Delhi as it stands today a rich patchwork of cultures. A transfer from Delhi Airport (DEL...
We'll set off to explore the two sides of Delhi this morning. Old Delhi is a maze of old, narrow streets, lined with bazaars and pocketed with mosques and temples, whereas New Delhi feels a world away with its wide leafy boulevards and grand colonial-era buildings. W...
With an early start this morning, we'll make our way to the station to catch a train to the Rajasthani hub of Ajmer. Travelling by train is a rite of passage when journeying through India, from the bustling railway platforms to the chai wallahs that ply their trade th...
Leaving the village of Bijay Nagar behind this morning, we'll set off along the rural road. Our first stop is the imposing UNESCO-listed Chittorgarh Fort. This sprawling fort sits on a hilltop towering over the surrounding plains and houses an astounding four palaces ...
Today we'll explore the highlights of Udaipur starting with the City Palace. Sat on the eastern bank of Lake Pichola, this huge palace complex was built over 400 years and blends a mix of Rajput and Mughal architecture. Next, we'll visit Jagdish Temple, which is const...
This morning, we'll set off on the four-hour drive to the temple town of Ranakpur, one of Rajasthan's hidden gems. This little-visited town is home to some of the most beautifully sculpted Jain Temples in India. Situated in a wooded valley, the temples date back to th...
Today, we'll journey to Jodhpur, a three-hour drive away. Jodhpur is known for its blue houses and historic temples. It also has a long tradition with horses and is the origin of Jodhpurs - the breeches that are named after Jodhpur's horsemen. After settling in, we'l...
Leaving Jodhpur behind, today we'll take the five-hour drive to the desert city of Bikaner. We'll stop en route at Kolayat, a pilgrimage site popular with Hindus thanks to the holy waters of its lake. We'll have some time at the ghats and we'll also visit nearby Karni...
Heading out to discover Bikaner this morning, we'll take a tour of the Junagarh Fort. Built by Raja Rai Singh (1571-1611) it is distinguished by its light red sandstone high defensive walls. The well-preserved palaces within the fort area are noted for their fine ston...
A full day's driving is ahead of us today as we move away from the yellow hues of the Thar Desert and towards the greener lands of Jaipur. Passing farms and rural settlements we'll see flashes of bright reds and pinks from the iconic Rajasthani turbans worn by most me...
Affectionately known as the Pink City, Jaipur was first painted terracotta pink by Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh to celebrate the visit of the Prince of Wales in 1876. Nowadays, Jaipur is a bustling metropolis that's far outgrown its original boundaries. Within the crumbli...
We'll leave the state of Rajasthan today as we cross into Uttar Pradesh, the most populous state in India with over 240 million inhabitants. The state is a major industrial and commercial centre, and being on the main Indo-Gangetic plain, it benefits from rich soil fo...
This morning, we'll visit Agra Fort. Built by Akbar the Great, entirely from red sandstone, it blends Persian, Islamic and Hindu architecture. The story goes that after losing his grip on power and being imprisoned by his son, Emperor Shah Jahan was confined here to a...
Our tour ends at our hotel in Delhi. There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart at any time. If your flight leaves later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you'd like a hotel transfer, you'll need to depart from Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL).
Meals Provided : Breakfast
Our tour starts in New Delhi, the capital of India. The city has been the heart of numerous empires and dynasties over the centuries, from the Mughals to the British Raj, making Delhi as it stands today a rich patchwork of cultures. A transfer from Delhi Airport (DEL...
We'll set off to explore the two sides of Delhi this morning. Old Delhi is a maze of old, narrow streets, lined with bazaars and pocketed with mosques and temples, whereas New Delhi feels a world away with its wide leafy boulevards and grand colonial-era buildings. W...
With an early start this morning, we'll make our way to the station to catch a train to the Rajasthani hub of Ajmer. Travelling by train is a rite of passage when journeying through India, from the bustling railway platforms to the chai wallahs that ply their trade th...
After breakfast this morning, we'll spend more time exploring the festival. There are food stalls, handicrafts, and musicians throughout the festival, as well as the opportunity to speak with locals. After lunch, we'll make the two-hour drive to the small, rural vil...
Leaving the village of Bijay Nagar behind this morning, we'll set off along the rural road. Our first stop is the imposing UNESCO-listed Chittorgarh Fort. This sprawling fort sits on a hilltop towering over the surrounding plains and houses an astounding four palaces ...
Today we'll explore the highlights of Udaipur starting with the City Palace. Sat on the eastern bank of Lake Pichola, this huge palace complex was built over 400 years and blends a mix of Rajput and Mughal architecture. Next, we'll visit Jagdish Temple, which is const...
This morning, we'll set off on the four-hour drive to the temple town of Ranakpur, one of Rajasthan's hidden gems. This little-visited town is home to some of the most beautifully sculpted Jain Temples in India. Situated in a wooded valley, the temples date back to th...
Today, we'll journey to Jodhpur, a three-hour drive away. Jodhpur is known for its blue houses and historic temples. It also has a long tradition with horses and is the origin of Jodhpurs - the breeches that are named after Jodhpur's horsemen. After settling in, we'l...
Heading out to discover Bikaner this morning, we'll take a tour of the Junagarh Fort. Built by Raja Rai Singh (1571-1611) it is distinguished by its light red sandstone high defensive walls. The well-preserved palaces within the fort area are noted for their fine ston...
Heading out to discover Bikaner this morning, we'll take a tour of the Junagarh Fort. Built by Raja Rai Singh (1571-1611) it is distinguished by its light red sandstone high defensive walls. The well-preserved palaces within the fort area are noted for their fine ston...
A full day's driving is ahead of us today as we move away from the yellow hues of the Thar Desert and towards the greener lands of Jaipur. Passing farms and rural settlements we'll see flashes of bright reds and pinks from the iconic Rajasthani turbans worn by most me...
Affectionately known as the Pink City, Jaipur was first painted terracotta pink by Maharaja Sawai Ram Singh to celebrate the visit of the Prince of Wales in 1876. Nowadays, Jaipur is a bustling metropolis that's far outgrown its original boundaries. Within the crumbli...
We'll leave the state of Rajasthan today as we cross into Uttar Pradesh, the most populous state in India with over 240 million inhabitants. The state is a major industrial and commercial centre, and being on the main Indo-Gangetic plain, it benefits from rich soil fo...
This morning, we'll visit Agra Fort. Built by Akbar the Great, entirely from red sandstone, it blends Persian, Islamic and Hindu architecture. The story goes that after losing his grip on power and being imprisoned by his son, Emperor Shah Jahan was confined here to a...
Our tour ends at our hotel in Delhi. There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart at any time. If your flight leaves later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you'd like a hotel transfer, you'll need to depart from Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL).
Meals Provided : Breakfast
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The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
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Explore! Reviews & Ratings
Trusted Customer
Mar 2025
Upgraded - India: Forts + Palaces of Rajasthan
Extraordinary and amazing. Around every corner is something differen...
Linda
Mar 2025
Upgraded - India: Forts + Palaces of Rajasthan
This was an excellent, albeit exhausting, tour. Our Tour Leader, Abhi, was superb - very conscientious, very considerate and caring, very knowledgeable, very flexibl...
Trusted Customer
Mar 2025
Upgraded - India: Forts + Palaces of Rajasthan
Holiday was 14 nights in Rajasthan, India, in upgraded accommodation - mainly heritage hotels (palaces, forts, etc). The itinerary was excellent, covering a lot of g...
Trevor
Mar 2025
Upgraded - India: Forts + Palaces of Rajasthan
One of the best trips with Explore and Abhi, the best tour leader I've seen for some time! This trip fully immerses you in the spectacular sights, sounds and experie...
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