Programme:

Day 01: Arrival to Delhi + New Delhi sightseeing 

After arrival to Delhi a full day city tour of New Delhi - Kutub Minar (UNESCO), the biggest brick minaret in the world with complex of buildings in early Afghan architecture. The Lotus temple, the beautiful blooming Lotus flower shaped building. Humayun´s Tomb (UNESCO), the unique example of Mughal architecture. The India Gate and drive around Government buildings. In the evening optional visit of the Red Fort to experience its famous Sound & Light Show. Overnight. 

Day 02: Delhi - Mandawa (280 km/6 hours)
After breakfast, you will drive towards Mandawa which lies in the heart of the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan. In past times, Mandawa was founded and equipped by the wealthy Silk Route traders of the district. They build up numerous Havelis, shrines and step-wells with elaborated frescoes decorating their houses. And thanks to it, Mandawa is now nicknamed an Open Air Art Gallery. After arrival at Mandawa, check into a hotel. In the evening, enjoy a visit to the local havelis like Gori Shankar Haveli, Goenka haveli etc recognized for their beautiful frescoes ornamenting the walls & ceiling. Overnight.

Day 03: Mandawa - Bikaner (180 km/4 hours)
After breakfast, a drive to Bikaner – the desert city of Rajasthan established by Rao Bikaji in 1488. After arrival, a half day tour of the “Camel City” Bikaner which was strategically located on a former trade route leading from Middle Asia to China. A visit to JunagarhFort, the local Maharaja’s settlement with beautiful interiors, Lalgarh Palace with its museum, etc. Overnight in Bikaner.

Day 04: Bikaner – Deshnok - Khimsar (150 km/3 hours)
After breakfast, a drive to Khimsar, balanced on the border of the vast Thar Desert. The outstanding fort at Khimsar demonstrates a wide assortment of skills. The conflict – marked by ramparts & towers - takes you back to the one of the splendid times of the past. Today, the Khimsar Fort is positioned high in the middle of the leading confidential traditional hotels of India. On the way to Khimsar, visit the globally famed Rat Temple at Deshnok. On arrival in at Khimsar, check into a hotel and in the afternoon visit the Khimsar fort. The overnight stay in Khimsar.

Day 05: Khimsar - Jaisalmer (240 km/6 hours)
After breakfast move towards Jaisalmer, established in 1156 by Rawal Jaisala Bhatti a Rajput leader. It is also called the golden city thanks to colour of the sandstone the city is built. Jaisalmer also has many old Havelis, built by traders of the 19^th century, which are elegantly engraved from golden-yellow sandstone. On arrival at Jaisalmer, check into a hotel and begin the overnight stay.

Day 06: Jaisalmer – Thar Desert Safari
After breakfast a half day sightseeing tour in the Jaisalmer which was built from gold colored sandstone. Walk around the huge fortress with 99 towers, Jain temples and Maharaja Palace. Eventually visit some of the Havelis - rich private residences of local merchants. Stop by Lake Gadi Sagar. In the afternoon transfer to Thar Desert, camel ride (ca. 1,5 hours) to Sam and Sand dunes. Sunset on the dunes. Return to the desert hotel, dinner with cultural program and overnight. For adventurers a possibility of overnight stay on the dunes under open sky.

Day 07: Jaisalmer - Osian (240 km/6 hours)
After breakfast, drive to Osian, positioned in the middle of Jaisalmer and Jodhpur. Osian is mainly renowned for its Jain shrines. The antique community was situated on an extremely significant trade route in the 8^th – 12^th centuries. The city was conquered by the Jains, and they construct their shrines of astonishing worth in Osian. Besides the Jain shrines, there are also excellent Hindu holy places devoted to a variety of Hindu deities. On arrival at Osian, check into a hotel and visit the most impressive temple the Mahavira Shrine, then visit Sachiya Mata Temple, the Chandi Ka Mandir and the Amba Mata Mandir. Overnight stay in Osian.

Day 08: Osian – Excursion to Jodhpur - Guda Bishnoi Village (60 km/1 hour)
After breakfast, you will take an excursion to Jodhpur, a busy desert municipality and the 2^nd  major city in Rajasthan with scenery dominated by the substantial Mehrangarh Fort towering over the city. On arrival at Jodhpur, visit the imposing Mehrangarh Fort. We also see an architectural signpost Jaswant Thada, a white marble monument with a beautiful view of the fort. Later in the afternoon, we visit the Guda Bishnoi rural community, a planet of ethnic colour & rural artistic splendor. Here, we view a variety of conventional communities, and come across to their handiwork like shoe making, earthenware, hand knitting. Later in evening, we go back to Osian for the overnight stay.

Day 09: Osian – Ranakpur - Kumbhalgarh (255 km/7 hours)
After an early breakfast, we drive towards Kumbhalgarh, established by Rana Kumbha, the well-known Mewar conqueror. Kumbhalgarh is the delight for the natural world lovers, as it is delimited by vegetation & flora and fauna. En route, we visit the well-known Ranakpur Jain Temples of 15^th century. The temples have domes, cupolas and turrets and the most striking feature in it are the 1444 pillars intricately carved and impressively - no two of them are alike. Later, we continue to Kumbhalgarh. On arrival, we check in at the hotel and have an overnight stay.

Day 10: Kumbhalgarh - Udaipur (100 km/2 hours)
A morning drive towards the most romantic city – Udaipur, established in 1568 by Maharaja Udai Singh. It is built up on the border of three lakes & also famed as the “City of Lakes & Palaces”. On arrival at Udaipur, we check into a hotel and relax. In evening, we enjoy a boat ride on Lake Pichola. The loveliness of the lake is improved by the neighbouring hills, palaces, place of worship, and swim the Ghats & edges. Overnight stay in Udaipur.

Day 11: Udaipur
After breakfast, a city tour of Udaipur covering City Palace – a fascinating compilation of structures added by a variety of Maharajas. Then, we visit Sahelion ki Bari also called the – Garden of Maids of Honour which is a decorative backyard constructed by Maharaja Sangram Singh for his daughter. It is decorated with a number of spouts, swimming pool & chiseled pavilions. Later, we visit the Indo-Aryan Jagdish Temple, drive around Fateh Sagar Lake etc. Overnight.

Day 12: Udaipur - Pushkar (250 km/6 hours)
After breakfast, a transfer to Pushkar (ca. 5 hours). If we have time, a stopover in the former royal city Chittorgarh and a visit to one of the biggest forts in India which looms proudly over the city. In the afternoon, you can enjoy free time at your leisure in Pushkar, an important pilgrimage city with a holy lake and more than 400 temples. Pushkar was also an important trade center with ghats, bazaars, etc. Relax in the city. Overnight.

Day 13 : Pushkar - Samode (180 km/4hrs)

After breakfast, a half day city tour of Pushkar, a Hindu pilgrimage site lying on the homonymous lake with a unique temple dedicated to Brahma. A visit to Brahma Temple, walk around holy Pushkar Lake, jewelry market. Then drive towards Samode snuggled charmingly amidst a rocky mountain. The silent lavishness of the fort offers a retreat into aesthetically elegant surroundings. The Palace is now converted into one of the Lotus Temple of India’s most delightful and luxury heritage hotels that reproduces an old ethnic charm. On arrival, we check into a hotel. You get some free time to explore the city on your own. Overnight.  

Day 14: Samode - Excursion to Jaipur (65 km/1 hour)
After breakfast, an excursion tour to Jaipur – prevalently known as the Pink City and also the capital city of Rajasthan. Jaipur is one of the most significant inheritance towns in India. On your arrival, you first visit the massive Amber Fort, a former settlement of local Maharajas with its famous Mirror Hall and Hall of Joy. There is an optional elephant ride to the Fort. It is followed by a sightseeing tour of the “pink city” Jaipur with its City Palace with museum, the city symbol Hawa Mahal (“Palace of wind”) and astronomical observatory from the 18^th century Jantar Mantar (UNESCO). That evening, you can enjoy shopping in the local market, world famous for its export handicraft & jewelry. Later in evening, we go back to Samode. Overnight. 

Day 15: Samode - Bharatpur (195 km/5 hours)
After breakfast, a drive to Bharatpur; a city constructed in 1733 by Maharaja Suraj Mal. It is a paradise for wild-life lovers as it has the safe haven for birds previously known as Keoladeo Ghana National Park (UNESCO).  In Bharatpur one can find 364 types of flora and fauna, counting the uncommon Siberian Crane that has been registered in the park. With these birds you can also view the seasonal migratory birds. On arrival, we check into a hotel and after relaxation we enjoy a cycle rickshaw ride in Bhartapur National Park to catch a view of the beautiful birds. Overnight.

Day 16:  Bharatpur - Agra
After breakfast, a drive to Agra. After arrival a city tour of Agra, former settlement of Mughal Emperors with its Red Fort (UNESCO) and the monumental tomb of Emperor Akbar (UNESCO). In the afternoon a visit to most famous tomb and symbol of love Taj Mahal (UNESCO). Overnight in Agra.

Day 17: Agra – Delhi - departure

After breakfast, a drive to Delhi. After arrival, a half day city tour of Old Delhi - Jama Masjid mosque, Red Fort (UNESCO) and Chandi Chowk market. Then Raj ghat, the place where the body of Mahatma Gandhi was burned etc.  shopping activities in a local market or another optional programme according to your wishes. Transfer to the airport and departure.