Essence of Rajasthan

Our Tour features the following location

DELHI: The largest mosque, the biggest temple, honky auto-rickshaws; it’s easy to distinguish Delhi. The city has been at the centre of the Indian civilisation for centuries and a major seat of power ever since the Mughals built their capital here. Modern Delhi presents a mix of colonial-era architecture, Mughal forts, and mausoleums, ancient bazaars, glitzy malls and world class restaurants. It often feels overwhelming, but given a chance, it always grows onto you. Be sure to visit Humayun’s Tomb, a 16th-century Mughal wonder inspired by the iconic Taj Mahal and Lodi Gardens, the best spot for sunsets in Delhi. There’s also the Hauz Khas Village, a throbbing hub that gained popularity with its Open Nights when those narrow alleys are transformed into cultural wonders, adorned with lights and decorated with streamers. There really is no better place to discover Delhi’s rich culture and mingle with its locals.

AGRA: Known for its stunning architecture, exotic history and magical views, the Taj Mahal attracts as many as 7 million visitors each year, and for a good reason. It is, after all, the monument of love! This iconic landmark is why people from all over the world visit Agra, but the city is also brimming with UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Mughal mausoleums, tombs, a beautiful fort and ancient bazaars. You’d expect to feel underwhelmed due to all that hype, but this magical city is everything you expect it to be. architecture at its best.

FATEHPUR SIKRI: Fatehpur Sikri was the capital of the Mughal Empire for just 10 years, but it still presents a massive complex of temples, monuments, and mosques, which make it a historical delight, one of the greatest feats of Indian architecture. Built by Emperor Akbar in the 16th century, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is located at a distance of just 40 kms. from Agra. Popular attractions include the Diwan-I-Am (Hall of Public Audience), Diwan-Khana-I-Khaas (Hall of Private Audience), Turkish Sultana’s House and the Treasury. Fatehpur also hosts Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India.

ABANERI: Abaneri, a small ancient village in Rajasthan, is mostly known for a stunning step well, a novel 10th-century idea that transformed this village into an incredibly popular tourist landmark in the modern day. Popularly called Chand Baori, this huge step well has been fortified on all sides and was designed to act as a water reservoir for rainwater harvesting, used for ritual cleansing before visiting the adjoining temple and also for leisure purposes. With depths of 20 meters, 13 different levels and 3500 steps arranged in perfect symmetry, this is a fascinating work of art, the deepest and largest step well of India. The presence intricate and beautiful carvings all over the step well add to its stunning beauty, offering great insights into an ancient culture and their traditions. You’re probably wondering where you’ve seen that iconic image, so all you need to do is take a second look at scenes from the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.

JAIPUR: The Pink City, the largest city of Rajasthan, is an epitome of magnificence and vibrancy. This city was established in 1727 by Jai Singh II and is India’s first planned city. It is known as the Pink City because of the colour of the stone used exclusively in the walled city.
The Pink City stands out as one of the most spectacular and vibrant destinations on the planet, its rich lineage, striking culture and beautiful architecture painting a vivid picture of Indian society. Missing out on The City Palace, Hawa Mahal, Jantar Mantar, Jaigarh or the Amber Fort is a big no-no, but make sure you reserve time for those chaotic bazaars and delicious cuisines. Jaipur is also known for its traditional handicrafts and unique souvenirs such as camel-leather slippers. The John Madden 2012 hit The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (You can link this to your Best Marigold tour) stole our heart presenting India in an entirely new light, one that suddenly catapulted some of its more exotic destinations like Udaipur and Jaipur to instant stardom.

NIMAJ: This 100-year-old reservoir was built by Thakur Chhatra Singh and took eight years to be completed, finishing in 1899. The lake was constructed to irrigate the farmland and later a hunting lodge was added to the complex. The lake is visited by thousands of birds that coast on the calm waters, their mingled calls creating a symphony like no other. The commonly seen species are pelican’s, flamingo’s, cormorant’s, kingfisher’s, snakebird & a variety of ducks.

JODHPUR: The magnificent Mehrangarh Fort is littered with beautiful palaces and ancient mosaics and is perhaps the best place to understand how different dynasties left their imprints on India’s architecture, history and culture. Sheesh Mahal, the Hall of Mirrors makes use of huge mirror pieces to create a mesmerising sight while the artistic treasures of Phool Mahal and Daulat Khana leave you speechless with their beauty and ingenuity. Once you’re done enjoying the best of architecture and 16th-century walls, dive into the city’s rich culture. Discover hidden hamlets of traditional Rajasthan in a desert safari, sip on some authentic masala chai (spiced tea) or just have a blast shopping in those labyrinth alleys of Sardar Market, striking bargains on everything from beautiful shoes to pottery pieces.

NARLAI: Narlai, a small village in Rajasthan, is located at a distance of 36 kms. from Ranakpur. Surrounded by the Aravali ranges, this is probably the perfect spot to base yourself while in the area. You know you’re in Narlai the moment your eyes fall on that colossal elephant statue, promising an incredible experience at one of its many Hindu and Jain temples. The Adinath Temple and its stunning murals are sure to be the highlight of your tour and the Narlai Fort, now a heritage resort, is also worth exploring. Rawla Narlai, a premier hotel here, is splendidly designed to combine the best of ancient regalia and modern-day comfort and its tents give you the true experience of living in a Rajasthani caravan, without ever taking you way from luxuries or pampering amenities.

UDAIPUR: Udaipur is considered to be the most romantic destination in India, and no matter how much you hear about this legendary city, it always manages to leave you stunned and speechless. The glittery Lake Pichola is as beautiful as they get and those temples, grand palaces, shimmering Havelis and colourful streets set the scene for one of the most memorable holidays of your life. You’d remember some of its sights from the 007 movie Octopussy when our hero swims up to a heavenly palace in the midst of an incredibly romantic lake. You’d expect a city so popular to lose its charm, but Udaipur holds onto its magic, that sense of mystery surrounding its monuments and palaces and the sense of tranquillity that simple boat rides on the lake are bound to offer. Udaipur also enjoys a lively arts scene, exciting shopping and delightful countryside destinations that promise memorable day tours.