Rajasthan – The Land of the Maharajas .

Arrive Delhi and transfer to the Hotel.

Delhi, the capital of India blends together a great cultural variety and an unceasing range of activity. In its monuments the city reminds us of the various civilizations that flourished here for more than three thousand years. Indraprastha, according to legends, the city founded by the Pandavas in the times of the epic Mahabharata (circa 1500 B.C.), was located near the Old Fort that stands on a large mound overlooking the river. Today, the city is a charming blend of the traditional and modern, skyscrapers, beautiful gardens and wide tree-lined avenues perpetuate the Mughal passion of landscaping and architectural excellence. We have a half-day city tour on foot / in a rickshaw around Old Delhi. In the afternoon we drive to Mandawa (180 kms / 4 Hours Drive).

Mandawa, also known as Shekhawati, is the open air Art Gallery of Rajasthan. The town of Mandawa came into existence in the 18th century when powerful & wealthy merchants built a number of luxurious residences known as havelies and decorated the walls and interiors with beautiful murals. In time the merchants migrated to other citiess but the havelies still exit, although they are a shadow of what they used to be. This morning we visit some of the best havelies and then drive to Bikaner (190 Kms / 4 hours ). We are now in the middle of the Thar Desert. Of particular interest are the mighty Junagarh Fort and a camel breeding farm.

After visiting the Karni Mata Rat Temple and driving up Nokhra (70 km / 2 hours), we begin our camel trek through the Thar desert. Our Cameleers will introduce you to the animals and demonstrate the correct use of the bridle. Now we ride up to 15 miles in comfortably upholstered camel saddles for about 5 hours over the dunes of the Thar Desert, enjoying the pristine panoramas. Men with turbans come; women in brightly coloured dresses, proud desert people display touchingly warm friendliness. Three nights are spent in tents under the stars in the silence of the desert. The camel trekking ends at Jamba, on the seventh day.

We say goodbye to our desert companions and drive to Jaisalmer (195 km / 4 hrs).

Jaisalmer is still like a backdrop for the “Tales of 1001 Arabian Nights.” The caravan city became rich through trade in gold and opium. The Jain Temple and the facades of old havelis display magnificent stone carvings. There is High Places Ltd 4 Enchanting Rajasthan also the impressive Jaisalmer fortress and palace perched on the Mahawaral. Today we will visit the fort, havelies & local market.

We drive to Jodhpur (245 km / 5 hours); we visit the Mehrangarh fortress perched on a hill with breath-taking views over the city. Jodhpur, also known as the Blue City, is famous for its many forts and palaces. The Old City is surrounded by about 10 km of walls with 7 gates and yet is small enough to walk around. Its winding streets are still the preserve of intriguing bazaars and ancient colorful houses. A stroll through the fragrant Spice Market is a highlight.

We drive to Pushkar (190 Kms / 4 Hrs ); In the afternoon we visit the Holy Lake. Pushkar is a sacred town for Hindus. The legend of the Creator God, Bramha describes the creation of this lake. When the demon Vajra Nabha killed Brahma’s children, he in turn struck the demon with his weapon, a lotus flower. Vajra Nabha was killed by the blow and the petals of the lotus fell at three places. One of them is Pushkar, where the lake sprung into being. ( B/D ) A Tribal Man with his Camel Day 11 We start the day with a one hour trek to the Savitri Temple overlooking the lake. In the afternoon we visit the temple and the local market. If you have opted for Pushkar Festival departure, we will also experience the bustle of this colorful nomadic festival.

We drive to Jaipur: The capital of Rajasthan is also known as the “Pink City” and is one of the most attractive and colourful cities in India. The afternoon is free for exploration.

Today we continue to explore the ancient city of Jaipur with a visit to the Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds). We then visit the Amber Fort-Palace, set in a picturesque location 7 miles away from Jaipur presenting a fascinating blend of Hindu and Muslim architecture).

We leave for Agra ( 255 km / 5 hours): En route we visit Fatehpur Sikri. This fascinating deserted city was founded in 1569 by Emperor Akbar as a residence, but soon abandoned when his enemies cut off the water supply.

A morning visit to the Taj Mahal & Agra Fort, then drive to Delhi (205 km / 5 hours). The Taj Mahal , which means “Crown Palace” is a dream of white High Places Ltd 5 Enchanting Rajasthan marble, built by Emperor Shahjehan in 1630 for his beloved wife Mumtaz. It is in fact probably the most well-preserved and architecturally beautiful tomb in the world. Less than 2 kilometers from the Taj Mahal, is the impressive Agra Fort. The fort is built alongside the Yamuna river and stretches for almost 2.5 km. It consists of a massive red sandstone wall with several buildings inside. The wall has 2 gates, the Delhi Gate and the Amar Singh Gate.

Transfer to Airport .