Day 1. Arrival / Delhi

Late night arrival. Traditional welcome with garlands and transfer to Hotel Oberoi Maidens .

Overnight Oberoi Maidens .

Day 2. Delhi

This morning we proceed for a guided tour of New Delhi .Our tour of New Delhi includes visits to such sights as Humayun's Tomb (1586) and Safarjung's Tomb (1753) the Qutab Minar 72 meters high and one of the most perfect towers in the Persian world. The Iron Pillar which has survived the vagaries of weather for over 1500 years. Continue with a drive through Embassy area, the Government buildings (1921-1930) and Connaught Place, the heart and main shopping district of the capital.

Afternoon we cross the city and into the walled gates of the Old city with visits to the Jamma Mosque (1650) and drive through the fabled area of Chandni Chowk (aptly translates to Moonlight Square) where the throngs of shoppers and vendors meet in the oldest area of Delhi. Visit the Red Fort (1639-1648 built by Shah Jehan the builder of the Taj Mahal in Agra) to view the inlaid and carved Royal Chambers, on to Raj Ghat and nearby ghats where the founder of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi and thereafter Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi were cremated.

The highlight of this tour would be a ride on cycle rickshaws. Now these are 3-wheel cycles with a sofa seat at the back. The Rickshawalla (Rickshaw driver) sits on a small cushion in the front and two passengers on the sofa seat behind. This is a remarkable way to explore and picture the hustle and bustle as well as the colour of the narrow winding streets bursting with people and pavement shops selling wares of all description - including a laughing set of dentures. The ride would be accompanied by peals of laughter both from the passengers as well as the onlookers.

Welcome Dinner : This evening we visit the local home, for an Indian home experience. The evening is designed to give you a 'feel' and insight into Indian family life as well as experience typical Indian hospitality and home made Indian food.

Overnight Oberoi Maidens .

Day 3. Delhi / Agra

After breakfast, drive to Agra. Upon arrival , check in to Hotel Trident

In the afternoon, we tour the massive Agra Fort. Its elegant buildings reflect an interesting synthesis of Hindu and Central Asian architectural styles. Built by Emperor Akbar, it has a maze of courtyards and mosques, and its private chambers echo the Mughal Empire.

Agra is the city of the Taj Mahal, perhaps the most photographed monument in the world. Yet, no picture can substitute for actually seeing the Taj Mahal. The unparalleled beauty of it surpasses all expectations, especially when viewed at sunset! Inspect the perfect symmetry of its construction. The inlay work of semi precious stones into marble in pietra dura style is remarkable.

Accommodations : Trident Hotel

Day 4. Agra / Fatehpur Sikri / Jaipur.

Following breakfast , we drive to Jaipur stopping at Fatehpur Sikri (ghost capital) for a tour of these magnificent and world heritage buildings, which are still in a state of perfect reservation. The city is divided into religious and secular sections. The profusion of sculpture is breathtaking. Also, the white marble mosque in the secular section is incredible. It is a very sacred mosque and pilgrims from far and near arrive here to pay their respects. Continue riding to Jaipur.

In a land steeped with heritage, picturesque with exquisite architecture, in a state vibrant with heroic memories and romance, lies the Dream City of Jaipur. The people are dynamic, martial and, need we say it, colourful. Here every walk through the by lanes is a walk through history. Indeed, Jaipur could be compared to a vast open-air museum. Pink turbans jostle with saffron 'odhinis' (ladies scarves). Camel's buggies and elephants are as commonly found as motor cars and buses.

Upon arrival, check in to Hotel Trident.

Afternoon is at leisure for walks through Jaipur's shady animated streets with your guide - or for independent discovery. The city is best explored on foot and only the inquisitive visitor willing to go into the rastaas (streets) and galis (lanes) will feel the spirit of the city. Jaipur's colorful bazaars tantalize the eye with enameled blue pottery, exquisite gem-studded jewelry, engraved brass work, traditional block-printed fabrics and brightly patterned dhurrie rugs together with traditional crafts and miniature painting.

Overnight Hotel Trident

Day 5. Jaipur

This morning we visit Amber Fort, the former capital of the royal Jaipurs. Few fail to be moved by the dramatic Rajput grandeur of this hilltop fortress-palace 11 km north of Jaipur. Set on the dry wrinkled Aravali Hills, and surrounded by fortified battlements, the palace straddles two sepia-hued tundra hills overlooking Maota Lake, and its sprawling crenellated walls lattice the surrounding hills.

We will ride up to this hilltop palace on a caparisoned, painted elephant, passing through the ancient main gate where Maharajas of Jaipur have entered for four hundred years. Our guide will elaborate on the history of this architectural masterpiece with its mirror-studded alcoves, dazzling mosaics and water-cooled swings that delight today's visitors as they did their former royal residents.

We shall visit the Hawa Mahal or Palace of the Winds, a five-storied structure of pink sandstone with semi-octagonal and delicately honeycombed windows overlooking the main street of the old city. It was built in 1799 so that veiled royal women could peer down unseen by the world through its 593 stone screens.

Following lunch, a tour Of City Palace & Observatory. The City Palace in the heart of the old city is a blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. The centre of the palace is a seven storied building called Chandra Palace, with fine vies over the gardens and the city. The palace lies in the heart of the city and occupies the whole central grid. The fortified wall has seven gates and was built for protection from invading armies and animals that lived in jungles which surrounded the wall that time. Next, we visit the Solar Observatory - an astronomical treasure house, with solar device that give accurate predictions till date. The Palace Of Winds, a five-storied structure of pink sandstone has semi-octagonal and delicately honeycombed windows overlooking the main street of the old city.

Evening transfer to the train station to board Palace on Wheels. Times have changed and winds have shifted, but the Palace On Wheels cruises along in its unique style, the kind only the Maharajas of Yesteryears could have perpetuated and enjoyed. Today of course, each traveler on board is treated like royalty in his or her own right. The exquisite and exclusive Palace on Wheels has luxurious cabins, wall-to-wall carpeting, a well stocked bar, two dining cars, and a very personalized service, in fact everything that could comprise of heaven on earth for the next four days.

Overnight Hotel Trident

Day 6. Jaipur / Pushkar

Following breakfast drive to Pushkar, an amazing spectacle of colour .

Picture this - countless camels ambling their way across the golden sands of Rajasthan, horses marching towards the site of the fair with their masters and an assemblage of numerous cows and sheeps, that's Pushkar Fair for you. But wait, there is a lot other that make this fair a major event all over Rajasthan. The large gaudy turbans of the native males, women wrapped in exquisite jewelry from head to toe and children dressed in colorful tradition attire enjoying every moment is a sight that you would remember for a long time to come

Overnight Swiss Tented Accommodation .

Day 7 Pushkar

The first few days of the fair are devoted to the trade of camels, sheep, horses and cows. Their owners, dressed in colorful attires use all their persuasive skills to sell them at most competitive prices. The festival offers a perfect opportunity to the local people specially the womenfolk to purchase the most exquisite jewelry items. The garment stall selling various garments with attractive tie n die work, patchwork and tattoo shops add to the colors of the festivals.

As the tempo of business goes down, its time for the merriment. The fair observes various breathtakingly competitive events including camel races, musical chairs and beauty contest. There are jugglers, fire dancers and a variety of swings that make this festival an absolutely awesome event.

Overnight Swiss Tented Accommodation .

Day 8. Pushkar / Ranakpur / Udaipur

Following breakfast we drive to Udaipur .

This morning, following breakfast, we ride out to Udaipur. Our first stop would be at Ranakpur. This is a site of some exquisitely carved white marble Jain temples .The profusion of such detailed and intricate sculpture depicting various folk tales and gods is mind boggling. We have a guided tour of the temple and following which, we continue driving to Udaipur. Royal capital of a devine dynasty. Languid Lake City, strewn with marble palaces, hibiscus - massed gardens, fountain pavilions, and cobbled medieval gardens.

Welcome to Udaipur, the famed "City of sunrise ". Founded in 1567 by Maharana Udai Singh, from the lineage of the legendary Sisodias of Mewar - the decedents of the sun God. A city where the sun truly never set, where tradition and a strict code of heroism were happily united with a love of fine living. A city that has come to be an oasis of romance in the warrior state of Rajasthan.

Upon arrival , check in to Hotel Trident .

Overnight Trident

Day 9. Udaipur

Afternoon we proceed on a tour of this "Lake City". Udaipur is a cool oasis in the dry heart of Rajasthan. It is probably the most romantic city in a state where every city has some romantic or exotic tale to tell.. The huge city palace towering over the Lake Pichola is the largest palace complex in Rajasthan. Though it is a conglomeration of buildings built by successive rulers, it manages to retain a surprising uniformity of design and affords very fine view of the lake and the city from the upper terraces. The Jagadish temple next to the city palace enshrines a black stone image of Lord Vishnu and his vehicle- a mighty bird called garuda - in a brass image. The temple is a very fine example of Indo-Aryan Art.

Overnight Trident

Day 10. Udaipur / New Delhi [ 9W 3318 / 1335 / 1455 ]

A leisurely breakfast and transfer to the airport for flight to Delhi . Meeting and assistance upon arrival and transfer to Hotel Oberoi Maidens .

Overnight Oberoi Maidens .