Royal Rajasthan - Land of Kings

Day 1 London - In flight Titan’s VIP door-to-door travel service collects you from home, for your journey to London Heathrow Airport and a direct, scheduled overnight Jet Airways or Virgin Atlantic flight to Delhi. Day 2 Delhi On arrival in Delhi, we transfer to the Hyatt Regency (4T). The remainder of the day is free to settle in to your surroundings. Day 3 Delhi Today we spend the day sightseeing the intriguing and teaming Old and New Delhi. We begin our journey with Old Delhi - Raj Ghat, the tranquil memorial to Mahatma Gandhi and his cremation site and Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India. Continuing to New Delhi, marvel at all 234ft of the striking hand-carved Qutab Minar and grand red and white Tomb of the Mughal Emperor Humayan, considered one of the architectural forerunners to the Taj Mahal. We conclude with a drive past the Lutyens-designed India Gate and Presidential Palace. Day 4 Delhi - Agra We depart Delhi for Agra, situated on the banks of the Yamuna River. It is a city celebrated for its rich concentration of magnificent Mughal-era buildings and its most recognised icon, the Taj Mahal. We arrive in the afternoon at our hotel, the Courtyard by Marriott Agra (4T). A little later we take a tour to what promises to be the most wondrously, breathtaking experience to be imagined. At sunset we view the architectural marvel and ‘love poem in marble’, the Taj Mahal. 20,000 craftsmen created this fitting memorial for Shah Jahan’s queen, Mumtaz Mahal. Day 5 Agra - Jaipur After breakfast we leave Agra for Jaipur, visiting Fatehpur Sikri en route; a deserted city built in 1569. The assortment of well-preserved, graceful buildings within the ‘Ghost City’ were once the bustling political capital of the Mughal empire for a little over a decade, before the complex lay virtually unknown for hundreds of years. We arrive in Jaipur and Le Meridien Hotel (4T), our home for the next two nights. Day 6 Jaipur This morning we visit the vast Amber Fort, a classic, romantic Rajasthani Fort Palace with time-ravaged walls yet a virtual paradise inside. Later we visit the former royal residence of the City Palace and Jantar Mantar, home to the largest stone and marble crafted observatory in the world. We drive past the impressive façade of the Hawa Mahal ‘Palace of the Winds’, a five-storied example of Rajput architecture with 953 sandstone windows. Day 7 Jaipur - Khimsar Today we continue to Khimsar and the majestic Khimsar Fort Hotel (4T) for two nights. Spend time in the magnificent 16th century Khimsar Fort; situated in the heart of rural India and perched on the edge of the Great Thar Desert. Enjoy tea on the terraces whilst surrounded by acres of lush green gardens and a vast assortment of birds, a true rarity of any desert in the world. Evening at leisure. Day 8 Khimsar This morning we enjoy an early morning jeep safari to Black Buck Reservoir where we will be taken through the sanctuary to see Blackbuck, Chinkara and Bluebull, three species of antelope. The safari will conclude with morning tea at the Dunes. We return to our hotel for the rest of the morning at leisure. Enjoy a late afternoon walk through the village to see the countryside. Day 9 Khimsar - Jodhpur - Manvar A morning drive to Jodhpur where we make a visit to Mehrangarh Fort, situated on a 125m-high hill, it is considered one of the most impressive and formidable structures in Rajasthan and envelops magnificent palaces. Later we visit the Jaswant Thada, a cluster of 19th century royal cenotaphs in white marble. Lunch today will be at a local restaurant. After lunch we continue to our overnight desert stop, where on arrival we will be transferred by jeep to Manvar Desert Camp (2018) or Samsara Luxury Camp (2019) and our well-appointed tents, for one night. Later this evening we enjoy a sumptuous dinner - savour the tasty Rajasthani food whilst being entertained by local artists. Day 10 Manvar After breakfast we will depart the camp and take an enjoyable jeep safari to nearby villages driving through desert landscape. During the safari we visit a typical desert home, a craftsman’s home and have the opportunity to meet some locals. We will also spend some time with the elders of a Bishnoi village, who are ardent conservationists and witness an opium ceremony. We continue to Manvar Desert Resort (2018) or Samsara Luxury Resort (2019) and this evening take a camel ride to the sand dunes. Enjoy the magnificence of the sun with its vibrant and rich colours as it sets over the desert. Overnight in main hotel rooms. Day 11 Manvar - Deogarh We drive to Deogarh today where we spend tonight at the Deogarh Mahal (4T), an impressive palace converted into a hotel. Standing 2100-feet above sea level, Deogarh is cooler than surrounding Rajasthan. Superbly positioned, the Mahal towers over the town below, affording spectacular views of the Aravali Hills and the rugged, rock-strewn countryside also dotted with lakes that mirror the vibrant blue sky. Deogarh has plenty to offer for the rest of your day, such as village walks and bird watching. Day 12 Deogarh - Udaipur Today we have arranged a unique experience on board the rural train from Deogarh to Phulad - a great way to meet with the locals. Originally built by the British in the 1930s, to connect the regions of Marwar and Mewar, the metre gauge train travels through tunnels and bridges and past quaint railway stations where the famous book and movie ‘The Man Who Would be King’ by Rudyard Kipling unfolds. Upon our return to Deogarh, we depart for Udaipur. En route we visit Ranakpur, renowned for its Jain temple - one of the largest and most important Jain temples in India, situated in a remote valley of the Aravalli range. We stay for three nights at the Leela Palace Hotel (4T+) (2018) or Trident Udaipur (4T+) (2019). Day 13 Udaipur A morning tour of the ‘City of Lakes’ awaits us, beginning at the 18th century City Palace, housing the Palace of Lord Krishna. Continue to the Jagdish Temple and the beautiful gardens of Sahelion Ki Bari, with fountains, pools and marble elephants creating a wondrous serene escape. This afternoon (if water levels permit) we take a boat ride on Lake Pichola where the dazzling island palace of Jag Niwas is beautifully located. Day 14 Udaipur A day at leisure in Udaipur to explore its countless crooked streets, ancient bazaars and fantastic temples and palaces. Day 15 Udaipur - Delhi This morning is at leisure, before we transfer to Udaipur Airport to board our flight to Delhi. Upon arrival, we check in at the Hyatt Regency Hotel (4T) (2018) or Novotel New Delhi Aerocity (4T+) (2019). Day 16 Delhi - London Enjoy time at leisure before we transfer to the airport for our Jet Airways or Virgin Atlantic flight to London Heathrow Airport. On arrival you will be met and guided to your Titan vehicle, for the journey home.