Luxury in India's Royal Cities

Breakfast at the hotel. Head towards Udaipur by road*, with a visit to the Jain temple of Ranakpuren en-route. The 15-century Ranakpur temple is described by some as the most beautiful temple in India, with superb architecture, more than 1400 marble columns, and different motifs and sculptures of gods distributed throughout the temple. Continue towards Udaipur, and transfer to the hotel for check-in. Overnight stay in Udaipur.

*Estimated transfer distance: 250km / 155mi.

Breakfast at the hotel. Take in your new surroundings in the “City of Lakes.” Make your first stop at the City Palace, located on top of a hill with spectacular panoramic views of Udaipur. The palace displays sumptuous architecture and decoration, in a perfect balance of Rajasthani and Mughal styles. It features numerous balconies and domes, with walls inlaid with crystals and tiles arranged in beautiful designs. Inside, find an interesting museum with a huge collection of glass, ceramic figures, and small canvases.

Next, visit the Jagdish Temple, built by Maharana Jagat Singh in 1651, which houses a precious black stone image of Lord Vishnu. In front of the temple, see a curious image of the Hindu deity Garuda. Finally, walk through the Garden of the Maidens or Saheliyon Ki Bari, an idyllic garden with a pond of lotus flowers, fountains and elephants sculpted in stone. At the end of these guided visits, you will have free time to explore the city and fall in love with its picturesque shops.

In the afternoon, enjoy a relaxing boat ride on Lake Pichola. This beautiful artificial lake, built in the 15th century, is surrounded by hills, palaces, temples and other monuments, highlighting the splendid City Palace. On the lake there are two palaces, the Jag Mandir and the Jag Niwas, the latter was built as the summer residence of the Prince of Mewar, currently converted into the luxurious Lake Palace hotel. The Jag Mandir, crowned with marble domes and decorated with statues of elephants, is also known as the “Garden Palace”, as the inside holds a large garden full of flowers and trees. Overnight stay in Udaipur.

Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport of Udaipur for a flight to Jaipur. Upon arrival in Jaipur, transfer from the airport and visit the Hindu temple Birla Mandir. This relatively-modern temple was built in 1988, but holds its own amongst historical landmarks thanks to an elegant marble design. After the temple, transfer to the hotel and check-in. The rest of your evening is free to spend as you like! Overnight stay in Jaipur.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today you’ll get the chance to really explore Jaipur. Begin with a shared jeep ride, passing through the majestic gates of the former residence of the royal family. Enjoy a beautiful view of the Amber Fort and Lake Maota, seeing the luxurious palaces and exquisitely-decorated pavilions. Return to the city of Jaipur, making a photo stop in front of the Jal Mahal, a sumptuous palace that seems to be floating in the middle of the Man Sagar Lake. Then visit the Jantar Mantar, the largest observatory built by Maharaja Jai Singh, with precise measuring instruments carved in stone and marble. Stop in front of the Hawa Mahal, also known as the Palace of the Winds, where you can take some photos of this five-story palace built at the end of the 18th century for the ladies of the court to observe the hustle and bustle of the city without being seen.

In the afternoon, visit the City Palace of Jaipur, the former residence of the maharajas and which elegantly combines Rajput, Mughal and European architectural styles. Learn how to tie a turban or sari and get some henna amongst the palaces of Jaipur. After the visit, enjoy free time to stroll and shop in the bustling and colorful markets of the city. If you're looking for an authentic experience, why not meet a local family and dine with them?* Overnight stay in Jaipur.

*Optional Gastronomic Experience and Dinner: Join a local family for an immersive experience that will teach you more about the varied influences and dishes of Jaipur. Stay for dinner and enjoy what you've helped to create!

Breakfast at the hotel. Pack up and transfer by road* to Agra. En route, visit one of India's best kept secrets, the spectacular Chand Baori, built more than a thousand years ago by King Chand as a water storage and maintenance system. This ingenious structure, shaped like an inverted pyramid with 3,500 steps reaching 20 meters deep, is one of the largest stepwells in the world and without a doubt one of the most beautiful.

Next, visit the ghost city of Fatehpur Sikri, built during the reign of Emperor Akbar, in honor of Saint Salim Chisti, who correctly prophesied that Akbar would have three sons. The city was the capital of the Mughal Empire until the lack of water forced the city to be abandoned, which explains why it is so well preserved. Among the notable buildings are the Diwan-I-Am, Diwan-I-Khas, Jodhabai Palace, Birbal House, Marian House and Panchmahal, all excellent examples of Mughal architecture. After the stop, continue towards Agra. Transfer to the hotel on arrival and spend the rest of the evening as you please. Overnight stay in Agra.

*Estimated transfer distance: 240km / 150mi.

Before dawn, head to the Taj Mahal to contemplate the colors of this iconic monument at the first light of the day. You may already know about this architectural marvel, built in the finest white marble by Sultan Shah Jahan to honor the memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. It was designed by the Persian architect Ustad Isa and took 22 years to complete. The impressive balance of its design, perfect symmetry, elegant domes, and intricately-carved lattices, make this a unique monument in the world, very worthy of UNESCO’s World Heritage Site designation. Return to the hotel for breakfast.

Next, visit the Agra Fort, built by Emperor Akbar between 1565 and 1573. This monument combines the defensive architecture of powerful red sandstone walls with the refinement and luxury of a marble palace. The fort offers splendid views of the Taj Mahal, the same ones that the Emperor Shah Jahan had when he was imprisoned here by his son Aurangzeb. After the visit, continue to Delhi by road*. Transfer to the hotel and end the evening with free time. Overnight stay in Delhi.

*Estimated transfer distance: 230km / 143mi.