Your Essence of Rajasthan tour begins on your landing in Delhi. You’ll be met by a member of our team and chauffeured to The Imperial hotel. Centrally located in the heart of New Delhi, this landmark hotel was built in 1934, and designed by Lutyen’s assistant, Bromfield. It evokes the days of the British Raj and exudes style and elegance. The rest of the day, if any, is at leisure to settle in, and recuperate from your international journey. Depending on how early in the day you arrive, if you’d like to begin exploring this afternoon, you can let us know anytime. Your chauffeur is always on hand, and we’re only a quick call away on your complimentary mobile phone (or WhatsApp, if you prefer).

A guided tour of both Old and New Delhi today will introduce you to the Jama Masjid, Qutab Minar, India Gate, Parliament House, Humayun’s Tomb and the Sikh temple. These sights are purely suggestive, and you’re very welcome to tweak them with us in advance to best suit your interests, or even on the day itself by discussing with your guide at the time. We’re known for our flexible approach, allowing you complete control over the pace of your trip. After exploring the bustling capital, return to The Imperial in the evening. If you’d like to dine out, we recommend the award-winning Indian Accent or Bukhara.

After breakfast, we’ll chauffeur you to Agra, home of the magnificent Taj Mahal. On arriving in Agra, the rest of the afternoon is at your leisure to enjoy your hotel and soak up the delights of The Oberoi Amarvilas. Located a mere 600 metres from the Taj Mahal, The Oberoi Amarvilas is known for its luxury and style. The fabulous swimming pool and sweeping gardens make this an ideal place to rest and relax. All rooms and suites afford an uninterrupted view of the Taj Mahal. Without the restriction of visiting hours, you can catch the Taj Mahal peachy pink at dawn, glowing amber at sunset and glittering in the moonlight after dark. For an extraordinary experience, we recommend upgrading to the Premier Room with Balcony. As the name suggests, it affords a private terrace from where you can sit out and be mesmerised by the Taj Mahal view. You can also enjoy a private dinner served on your balcony overlooking the monument.

Your guide will introduce you to the highlights of Agra, taking in the Fort, Itmad-ud-Daulah and – of course – the magnificent Taj Mahal.

This morning you have the option of returning to the Taj Mahal at sunrise if you fancy. Your Essence of Rajasthan tour later takes you to Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan and also known as the ‘Pink City’. En-route, stop in Fatehpur Sikri (Emperor Akbar’s 15th-century Mughal court, abandoned after just 14 years). Upon arriving in Jaipur, head to The Oberoi Rajvilas to relax and enjoy the Pink City’s most luxurious hotel. There are not many hotels in the world where check-in involves a brightly painted elephant and a fragrant shower of rose petals, but then again The Oberoi Rajvilas does not settle for anything less than spectacular! The resort is almost a destination in itself, with sprawling gardens and a 250-year-old Hindu temple in the grounds. The signature Oberoi service is attentive yet unobtrusive. The Oberoi Rajvilas even employ a handful of staff with the sole responsibility of shooing pigeons from the pool! One of the finest hotels in Rajasthan, The Oberoi Rajvilas is an opulent choice for those seeking luxury and a royal experience.

Soak up the essence of Rajasthan today with a full day of guided sightseeing in the Pink City. You’ll begin by discovering the splendid 17th-century Amber Fort, before exploring the City Palace and its private rooms, as well as the Jantar Mantar observatory and a photo-stop at the stunning Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds). Later, continue to Dera Amer for a memorable evening with elephants. It’s a magical place on the outskirts of the city, where you can spend time up close with elephants by helping to feed and bathe them, before taking a gentle walk together through the surrounding forest at sunset (Dera Amer do not encourage rides). If meeting elephants isn’t your thing, this can certainly be removed or replaced. Perhaps with a private cooking class or a special dinner recommendation. For those who are interested in spending time with elephants, Dera Amer is a fantastic and ethical place to do it.

Optionally, with an early start this morning you’ll head to the markets with your guide to experience the flurry of activity here as the Pink City wakes up. Stops would include the fragrant flower market, the wholesale milk market, the vegetable market, and the Govind Dev Ji temple, finished off with a delicious cup of chai (spiced tea) from a famous but inconspicuous chai shop. There’ll be the opportunity to return to the hotel for breakfast and a little time at rest.

Later, your Essence of Rajasthan tour steers you off the beaten track to Nimaj, for a two-night stay at the charming RAAS Chhatrasagar. Sprawling over the banks of a century-old dam in rural Rajasthan, RAAS Chhatrasagar is an elegant and peaceful camp once used as a hunting lodge for the Nimaj Estate. There are 20 luxurious tents all overlooking the reservoir, tastefully decorated with splashes of colour. The waterbody is the seasonal home to flocks of migratory birds, and your terrace is a wonderful spot for bird-watching as you are served tea at sunrise, or for sundowners and birdsong with your sunset. It’s the perfect place to relax and recharge for a couple of nights, away from the throng of the busy cities.

The day is yours at leisure at RAAS Chhatrasagar. We recommend going on a bird-watching walk – you can spot up to 200 different species! Other activities on offer include visits to local farms and villages and a relaxing boating trip on the lake. In the evening, guests congregate around the campfire under the stars to discuss sightings over a drink or two, and feast on delicious local cuisine.

Remaining firmly off the beaten track, day 9 of Essence of Rajasthan takes you to Nagaur, for an overnight stay at the charming Ranvas hotel. The hotel occupied the former women’s quarter of Ahichhatragarh Fort and was once a pleasure palace of the Maharaja of Jodhpur. As all rooms are within the fort walls, a stay at Ranvas evokes the history and pomp of yesteryear.

This morning, your guide will accompany you for a tour of Ahichhatragarh Fort. Unlike other forts you’ve seen so far, this one is still being painstakingly restored, and it’s fascinating to learn about what they’ve achieved so far). Later, head to the golden city of Jaisalmer for a two-night stay at The Serai. An oasis in the desert, The Serai offers a truly luxurious experience in Rajasthan. There are 21 tents, though the word ‘tent’ is a bit of a misnomer; each offers a private veranda, a drawing-room, and an en-suite shower room. Combining locally sourced products, such as traditional dhurries (rugs) and Jaisalmer stone tiling, with state of the art technology, The Serai offers all the facilities one would expect of a luxury hotel while remaining at home in the surroundings. Take a closer look at The Serai, here.

This morning you’ll explore the enormous Jaisalmer Fort and the beautiful temples and havelis (carved mansions) that lie within. Back at the camp this evening, a private Jeep awaits for a safari through the desert scrub, spotting indigenous wildlife and local shepherds with their herds. A camel ride will transport you for the last leg of your journey over to the private dunes, where a butler will be waiting with champagne and canapés while you take in the famous desert sunset.

Today your Essence of Rajasthan tour takes you to Jodhpur, aka the Blue City. For the next two nights, you’ll stay at RAAS – a stylish boutique hotel nestled at the foot of the mighty Mehrangarh Fort, in the heart of Jodhpur’s old city. Stepping away from the buzz of the old city and walking through RAAS’ stunning gateway is like entering a peaceful oasis. The hotel is a beautiful contrast of old and new; slick décor and modern structures stand side by side with a restored, red sandstone haveli. The view of the fort looming above is spectacular and arguably one of the best hotel views in Rajasthan.

A guided tour of Jodhpur today takes in the majestic Mehrangarh Fort and a walk through the labyrinthine lanes of the old city. This afternoon, head out to the arid countryside on a Jeep safari. Villages dot the scrubland south of Jodhpur, their mud and thatch huts inhabited by the Bishnois and communities of potters and weavers. A tour of the area provides a memorable opportunity to observe the rhythm of daily life in these hamlets, experience the warm hospitality of the villagers, and see the practising of beautiful traditional crafts.

Today you’ll head deep into the Aravali hills for a stay in the sleepy 15th-century village of Narlai. One of our favourite places to stay in Rajasthan, Rawla Narlai is a beautiful 17th-century fort converted into a small, friendly, yet very stylish, hotel. The rooms are all different but traditionally furnished. They’re surrounded by an inner courtyard, blooming with fragrant frangipani and brilliant pink bougainvillaea. On arriving in Narlai, your time is at leisure to relax, explore the local area, or take part in activities according to your interests. The property offers many excursions; from leopard-spotting Jeep drives to walks around the village. We can plan your activities in advance or you’re welcome to play it by ear at the time.

Enjoy the morning in Narlai today. We recommend waking early for a sunrise walk up Elephant Hill – a huge granite rock looming over the property. There are 756 steps to the top, but the spectacular views are well worth it! Later, continue to the fairy-tale city of Udaipur, stopping en-route in Ranakpur to explore the elaborately carved Jain temple (one of the five great holy places of the Jain faith, this ornate temple boasts 1,444 uniquely carved pillars).

When arriving in Udaipur, the evening is free to enjoy Rajasthan’s most romantic city. The true essence of Rajasthan, Udaipur is abundant with lakes and old water palaces. Resting on the banks of Lake Pichola, The Oberoi Udaivilas is unashamedly opulent and the stuff of fairy-tales. In both 2015 and 16, it was named the ‘Best Hotel in the World’ by readers of Travel + Leisure magazine in the US. While The Oberoi Udaivilas is fabulous, those who prefer history and would like to experience a real palace hotel will be happier at the Taj Lake Palace. That’s the one that looks to be floating in the middle of Lake Pichola. Another top choice in Udaipur is The Leela Palace. You can check out our comparison of the three by clicking here.

If you can tear yourself away from The Oberoi Udaivilas, you’ll be accompanied by your guide to explore the city of Udaipur. To begin, a walking tour through the narrow streets of the old city will take you through winding streets teeming with shops selling clothing, silver jewellery, and leather-bound journals. You’ll shortly approach the City Palace – this sprawling palace is the largest in Rajasthan and stands on a ridge overlooking the lake. Cupolas crown its octagonal towers, which are connected by a maze of narrow passageways. The rooms inside the City Palace all contain decorative art: beautiful paintings, colourful enamel, inlay glass-work, and antique furniture. You’ll also explore the 17th-century Jagdish Temple, and Saheliyon-ki-Bari (a beautiful rose garden).

The morning’s free in Udaipur to relax and enjoy one of India’s finest hotels. If you’d like to head out to explore further or do a bit of shopping, your driver is always on hand. In the afternoon, you’ll be chauffeured to Udaipur airport to board a direct flight to Delhi. Spend the night at The Trident, Gurgaon. It’s on the outskirts of the capital, close to the airport, so it’s handy if you’re flying out early morning tomorrow. On the other hand, if your flight is departing at night or in the early hours, you may well prefer to remove this stop in favour of connecting directly from Udaipur. We can fine-tune this together to best suit your arrangments.

Your Essence of Rajasthan tour concludes this morning as you’re chauffeured back to the airport, in time for your onward flight.

Our journeys are inclusive of accommodation with breakfast, a private car with driver throughout, experienced guides, internal flights, entrance tickets and excursions. In other words, we offer a seamless and hassle-free experience where the only thing you need to worry about is soaking up the sights and enjoying your fabulous hotels! This indicative cost is per person, based on a couple travelling between October 2022 and March 2023, sharing a double or twin room. The cost would reduce significantly during the low-season months of April to September, while it will be noticeably higher during the peak Christmas and New Year period. RAAS Chhatrasagar closes from May to July – should you wish to travel during these times, it can be removed or replaced.