Programme:

Day 01: Arrival + Delhi sightseeing
After arrival in Delhi, a full day city tour of Delhi that includes Old Delhi with the Jama Masjid mosque, Red Fort (UNESCO) and Chandi Chowk market. Then Raj ghat, the place where the body of Mahatma Gandhi was burned, Kutub Minar (UNESCO) - biggest brick minaret in the world with a complex of buildings with early Afghan architecture. The Lotus temple, the beautiful blooming Lotus flower shaped building. Humayun´s Tomb (UNESCO), a unique example of Mughal architecture. The India Gate and drive around the Government buildings. In the evening, an optional visit of the Red Fort to experience its famous Sound & Light Show. Overnight.

Day 02: Delhi - Bikaner
After breakfast, a transfer to Bikaner (ca. 8 hours). Our journey will lead us through the Indian countryside to the Pakistani borders. The “Desert state” Rajasthan abounds with many historical and interesting localities. Overnight.

Day 03: Bikaner sightseeing - Jaisalmer
After breakfast, a half day tour of the “Camel City” Bikaner which was strategically located on former trade route that led from Central Asia to China. A visit to the Junagarhfor, thelocal Maharaja’s settlement with beautiful interiors, Lalgarh Palace with museum etc. Transfer to Deshnok with its famous “rats temple” Karni Mata, where the rat is worshiped as a holy animal. In the afternoon, a transfer to Jaisalmer (ca. 5 hours) and overnight.

Day 04: Jaisalmer sightseeing + Camel safari in Thar Desert
After breakfast, a half-day sightseeing tour in the “Golden City” Jaisalmer which was built from gold-coloured sandstone. Walk around the huge fortress with 99 towers, Jain temples and Maharaja Palace. Eventually visit some of the Havelis - rich private residences of the local merchants. Stop by Lake Gadi Sagar. In the afternoon, a 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, the possibility of an overnight stay on the dunes under the open sky.
 
Day 05: Jaisalmer - Jodhpur
After breakfast, a transfer to Jodhpur (ca. 6 hours). Drive through the Rajasthan countryside. During the journey you will be maybe dazzled with shining red fields, where chili peppers are dried (depending on the season). Thanks to red chili the region between Jaisalmer and Jodhpur is very famous. Chili is one of the basic spices in Indian cuisine - if possible, a stop for chili shopping. Overnight in Jodhpur.

Day 06: Jodhpur sightseeing
After breakfast, a full-day sightseeing tour of the “Blue City” Jodhpur with its famous Meherangarh Fortress above the city. Visit to the marble memorial Jaswant Thada with cenotaphs of the local maharajas with a beautiful view of the fortress. Transfer to the old city with the Clock Tower and local markets famous for selling Indian spices. Overnight.

Day 07: Jodhpur – Kumbhalgarh – Ranakpur - Udaipur
After breakfast, a transfer to Udaipur (ca. 6 hours). Pass through the National Sanctuary Kumbhalgarh and a visit to Kumbhalgarh Fortress – “eye of Mevar” - with huge walls on the Aravali hillsides. A short stopover in Ranakpur with one of the most beautiful temple complexes in Rajasthan. Its marble temples are also one of the holiest places for the Jain religion. Overnight in Udaipur.

Day 08: Udaipur sightseeing
After breakfast, a full-day city tour of Udaipur, one of the most beautiful cities in Rajasthan. The "Lake City” lies around Pichola Lake and offers many to see. A visit to the City Palacewith a museum and amazing interiors, the Indo-Arian temple Jagdish, Sahelion ki Bari gardens with fountains and Lotus Lake, the Maharaja’s collection of vintage cars and a drive around Fateh Sagar Lake. In the evening, a boat ride on Pichola Lake with a view of the famous lake palaces. Overnight.

Day 09: Udaipur - Pushkar
After breakfast, a transfer to Pushkar (ca. 5 hours). If there is time, a stopover in the former royal city of 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 centre with ghats, bazaars, etc. Relax in the city. Overnight.

Day 10: Pushkar sightseeing - Jaipur
After breakfast, a half-day city tour of Pushkar, Hindu pilgrimage site lying on homonymous lake with a unique temple dedicated to Brahma. Visit to the Brahma Temple, walk around the holy Pushkar Lake, jewellery market. In the afternoon, a transfer to Jaipur (ca. 3 hours), capital city of Rajasthan. Overnight.

Day 11: Jaipur sightseeing + elephant ride
Breakfast. In the morning, a visit to Amber Fort, a former settlement of the local Maharajas with its famous Mirror Hall and Hall of Joy. An optional elephant ride to the Fort. It is followed by a sightseeing tour of the “pink city” Jaipur with its City Palace and 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 & jewellery. Overnight.

Day 12: Jaipur – Fatehpur Sikri - Agra
After breakfast, a drive to Agra. On the way, a visit of the “Ghost City” Fatehpur Sikri (UNESCO), the former Capital of the great Mughal Emperor Akbar and see the Sikri Fort & Palace, Buland Darwaza and the white marble shrine of the great Sufi saint, Salim Chishti, who blessed Emperor Akbar with a son. Evening arrival in Agra and overnight.

Day 13: Agra sightseeing – Taj Mahal - Orchha
At dawn, sightseeing of the most famous tomb and the symbol of love the Taj Mahal(UNESCO) with its spacious gardens and other interesting buildings. Return to the hotel for breakfast. This is followed by a half-day sightseeing tour in Agra, a former residence of Mughal Emperors with its Red Fort (UNESCO), monumental tomb of Emperor Akbar (UNESCO) etc. In the afternoon, a train to Jhansi, transfer to Orchha and overnight.

Day 14: Orchha sightseeing - Khajuraho
After breakfast, a half-day sightseeing tour of historical city Orchhalying on a rocky island in a meander of the River Betwa, former royal settlement of Bundela kings. Today it is the great example of rajputi bundela architecture. After a sightseeing tour, a transfer to Khajuraho (ca. 3 hours) and overnight.

Day 15: Khajuraho sightseeing - Varanasi
After breakfast, a full-day sightseeing tour of Khajuraho (UNESCO) with the famous temple complex with erotic scenes, so called “Kama Sutra carved into stones”. The ancient temples are one of the oldest in India and are among the most beautiful examples of temple art in the world; they are also included in the “Wonders of India”. Night sleeper train to Varanasi.

Day 16: Varanasi sightseeing
In the afternoon, arrival in Varanasi and accommodation in a hotel. Varanasi is one of the oldest permanently settled places in the world and it is also holy city for the Hindu, Buddhist and Jain people. An afternoon walk on the ghats of the River Ganges, a visit to the burning ghats. Then a visit to Benaras Hindu University and Bharat Mata Temple with a relief map of the Indian subcontinent. In the evening, see the Aarti ceremony on the ghats. Overnight.

Day 17: Varanasi + Ganges boat ride 
At morning twilight, a boat ride on the River Ganges around the ghats where thousands of people make morning rituals and cleansing in the holy river. Then you will walk to burning ghats where for thousands of years traditional funeral ceremonies have taken place. Return to the hotel for breakfast and in the afternoon a half-day sightseeing tour of Sarnath – an important Buddhist pilgrimage site. Visit to Buddhist temples, stupa where Buddha gave his first teaching and Archaeological Museum. Return to Varanasi and overnight. An optional visit of a local silk market or evening walk on the ghats.

Day 18: Varanasi – Delhi - departure  
After breakfast, a flight to Delhi. Completion of Delhi sightseeing, shopping activities in a local market or another optional programme according to your wishes. Transfer to the airport and departure.