Desert Trails

Day 1

Arrive Delhi, the capital city of India

Arrive in India, for your Desert Trails Tour

PM:

• Arrive Delhi
• Welcome at airport
• Transfer to hotel

Day 2

Day in Delhi

Discover the first city of your Desert Trails Tour, pacing through Delhi, the city which is as historic as modern, like 2 sides of the same coin!

AM: Sightseeing tour of Old Delhi, includes a visit to

• Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India.
• Chandani Chownk, ‘silver street’, one of the largest trading centres of India.
• Drive past Red Fort, the place that marked the announcement of India’s freedom from the British Raj.
• Raj Ghat, cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi

PM: Sightseeing tour of New Delhi, includes a visit to

• Qutab Minar, a fine example of Indo-Islamic architecture and the worlds tallest minaret
• Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, the largest Sikh temple of Delhi, with a gold tomb, still in active worship
• Photo stop at India Gate, the war memorial arch built in honour of the soldiers who died in the second world war
• Drive past President's House, Parliament House and other Government Secretariat Buildings, the most imposing features of Lutyen’s Delhi.

Day 3

Drive to Agra, land of the Taj Mahal (205 Kms / 4 Hrs)

Continue to the second highlight of your Desert Trails Tour, discovering the Mughal city of Agra, home to the beautiful wonder of the world, the Taj Mahal.

AM:

• Drive to Agra, enroute visit Sikandra, the tomb of Mughal Emperor Akbar.
•  Afternoon at leisure

PM:

• Optional: watch a fantastic show “Mohabbat the Taj – The saga of love”, staging the largest replica of the Taj Mahal, and presenting the Taj in its various shades and seasons.
  

Day 4

Day in Agra

Enjoy the epitome of your Desert Trails Tour, with a sunrise visit to the Taj Mahal

AM:

• Rise early to experience the awe-inspiring beauty of the eternal symbol of love, the Taj Mahal. Often referred to as a poem in white marble, Taj Mahal displays the saga of love between Emperor Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal.
• Visit Agra fort, which is built in red sandstone and has magnificent palaces, halls of public and private audience and beautiful gardens

PM:

• Visit marble inlay workshops – watch artisans creating magical beauty with marble and indulge in exquisite shopping in this historic city of Agra.

Day 5

Drive to Jaipur, the pink capital city of Rajasthan (240 Kms / 5 Hrs)

Experience the richness and warmth of your Desert Trails Tour, with a visit to Jaipur in Rajasthan.

AM:

• Drive to Jaipur, enroute visiting Fatehpur Sikri, the crowning glory of Emperor Akbar's architectural legacy. Built in red sandstone, its numerous palaces, halls, and structures exemplify the creativity of erstwhile Mughal emperors.
• Enjoy a spectacular view of 7th – 8th century Abhaneri Stepwells

PM:

• Enjoy a heritage walk in the old city of Jaipur, seeing life along the small alleys and by-lanes. Interact with the local artisans enamelling jewels with local ‘meenakari’ work, along with goldsmiths and silversmiths of the region.
• Visit gems, jewels and carpet weaving factories – watch artisans creating unique masterpieces and enjoy haggling for souvenirs in colourful bazaars of Jaipur.

Day 6

Day in Jaipur

Cherish the splendour of your Desert Trails Tour, with a tour of this princely city of Jaipur, which is built in 9 rectangular sectors symbolising 9 divisions of the universe, as per Indian cosmology.

AM:

• Visit the splendid Amber fort, which was built in the 16th century.  An elephant ride (subject to availability) will help you ascend to this hilltop fort. Alternatively, you could choose to walk or drive up to the fort.

PM:

• Photo stop at Hawa Mahal, the palace of winds. This palace consists of long corridors and a decorated facade with its innumerable windows and screened balconies, especially built for the royal women to view processions along the cities main street.
• Visit the City Palace complex, reflecting the architectural exuberance of Jaipur. The complex consists of a variety of museums and a part of the palace is still the royal residence of the Maharaja of Jaipur
• Visit Jantar Mantar, the ancient astronomical observatory. 

Day 7

Drive to Jodhpur, the blue hued city of Rajasthan (335 Kms / 7 Hrs)

Experience the magnificence of your Desert Trails Tour, discovering Jodhpur, home to one of the largest forts of India, the Mehrangarh Fort.

AM:

• Drive to Jodhpur, the blue hued city of Rajasthan.

PM:

•  Enjoy a jeep safari to Bishnoi villages, to get a feel for the local lifestyle of Rajasthani villagers. Bishnoi’s are a village community of Rajasthan who are famous for their cultural lifestyle and their love for nature and animals. You get an opportunity to observe the village lifestyle and interact with villagers, shepherds, farmers and weavers of the region.
  

Day 8

Drive to Wilderness Camp, tented accommodation in the sand dunes of Thar Desert (60 Kms / 1.5 Hrs)

Proceed to the first desert camp stop on your Desert Trails Tour, visiting Wilderness Camp, luxurious tented accommodation located in the peaceful Thar desert of Rajasthan

AM: Enjoy a city tour of Jodhpur, visiting

• The majestic Mehrangarh Fort that has fine views over the city
•  Jaswant Thada, the white marble memorial of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II
• The fascinating museum at Umaid Bhawan Palace

PM:

• Drive to Wilderness Camps, the ultimate romantic desert retreat, located 17km west of Rohet. The idyllically remote and peaceful location, the luxurious facilities with beautiful Rajasthani interiors make this a perfect place to experience the calmness of the deserts.
• Evening enjoy a night of traditional folk dance and music complete with filling local Rajasthani meal
  

Day 9

Day in Wilderness Camp

Have a fun filled day in your Desert Trails Tour, enjoying the different activities at the Wilderness Camp.

AM:

• Take a jeep safari to the nearby village.

PM:

• Evening enjoy a night of traditional folk dance and music complete with filling local Rajasthani meal

Day 10

Drive to Narlai, a small village in between Jaisalmer and Udaipur (95 Kms / 2 Hrs)

Continue your Desert Trails Tour with a drive to Narlai, a small village on the way to Udaipur.

AM/PM :

• Day at leisure to explore the small village settlement of Narlai

Day 11

Drive to Udaipur, the serene lake city of Rajasthan (130 Kms / 3 Hrs)

AM:

• Drive to Udaipur, a romantic city nestled in the scenic valley of Aravali hills, surrounded by three lakes: Lake Pichola, Fateh Sagar and Udai Sagar.
• En route, stop at Ranakpur, to visit the famous Jain temples, known for their grand structures and exquisite sculptures. The main temple in the complex, Chaumukha Temple (Four Faced Temple), has 29 halls supported by 1444 intricately carved pillars, no two alike!

PM:

• Arrive Udaipur, check in at your hotel.
• Enjoy an evening at leisure.

Day 12

Day in Udaipur

Discover Udaipur, on your Desert Trails Tour

AM: Enjoy a city tour of Udaipur, visiting

• The City Palace, one of the largest palace complex in Rajasthan, which is now a museum, royal residence and luxury hotel.
• Saheliyon-Ki-Bari, the beautiful garden of the maids of honour.
• Jagdish Temple, showcasing fine examples of sculpted images and ornamented interiors.

PM:

• Enjoy a boat cruise at Lake Pichola (subject to water level), viewing the sparkling white marble Lake Palace.

Day 13

DEPARTURE

Bid goodbye to India, as you reach the finale of your Desert Trails Tour

AM:

• Transferred  to the airport, to catch your flight to Mumbai or Delhi