Day 01: Arrive To Delhi

Arrive Delhi. After you have cleared immigration and customs formalities, you are met at the international airport and transferred to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 02: In Delhi

After breakfast, depart for a tour of India’s capital.

Sightseeing of Old Delhi includes a visit to the Red Fort, built in 1648 during the reign of Shah Jehan in red sandstone, which gave the fort its name. Jama Masjid is India's largest mosque, built of red sandstone and white marble in the middle of the 17th century. Chandni Chowk (Silver Street), once the imperial avenue down which Shah Jehan rode at the head of lavish cavalcades, is today bustling with shops, stalls and silversmiths' ateliers.

Sightseeing of New Delhi includes a visit to India Gate, built in memory of Indian soldiers killed during the First World War. Rashtrapati Bhawan, built in the early 20th century as the Imperial residence of the Viceroy is today the official residence of the President of India and Parliament House, an unique circular building with huge colonnades, houses the Upper and Lower Houses of Parliament. Connaught Circus is the commercial hub of New Delhi.. Humayun's Tomb is the first Mughal garden tomb. One of Delhi’s most striking monuments is the 70-meter high Qutb Minar, which looms majestically across the wide plains of Delhi. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 03: Delhi To Udaipur

Early morning transfer to the airport for the flight 9W 3401, departing Delhi at 0555 hours and arriving Udaipur at 0840 hours. You are met at the airport and transferred to the hotel. Breakfast at the hotel. The rest of the morning is at leisure.

Afternoon sightseeing of Udaipur includes a visit to the City Palace, which stands on the crest of a ridge, overlooking Lake Pichola. The largest palace in Rajasthan, it was built at various periods but still preserves the harmony of design, enhanced by massive octagonal towers surmounted by cupolas. Now a museum, it is a labyrinth of courtyards richly decorated with inlaid mirror-work, galleries covered with frescos, temples and roof gardens which afford a wide panorama below. Sahelion-ki-Bari (Garden of the Handmaidens) is a good example of the Hindu art of landscape gardening on a princely scale. Ornamental pools with finely sculptured cenotaphs of soft black stone are surrounded by a profusion of fountains. The Jagdish Temple in the old town was built in the mid-17th century and has a remarkable bronze statue of Garuda, the mythical bird, facing his revered master Lord Vishnu. The shops and craftsmen's ateliers in the narrow streets of the bazaar justify endless walks. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 04: In Udaipur

After breakfast, the morning is at leisure. In the afternoon, visit Eklingji, a temple dedicated to the patron deity of the Udaipur Royal house, situated 24 km from Udaipur. As with all sacred buildings in the region, it is built entirely of white marble. The roof is decorated by hundreds of circular knobs and the whole is crowned by a lofty tower. To this day, the Maharana of Udaipur, who is the Diwan of the temple, makes it a point to visit it every Monday.

Also visit Nagda, established by Nagaditya, the fourth Mewar King. There are several temples here dating from the 4th century AD, ancient rock edicts, stone inscriptions and simple prehistoric shrines at which the Bhils still worship during the Mahashivratri festival in February. The Sas-Bahu (mother in law/daughter in law) temple dates back to the 11th century and is famed for its beautiful carvings. Adbhutji is an old Jain temple named after a somewhat odd statue of a Jain saint seated within. "Adbhut" means, quite literally - peculiar. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 05: Ghanerao

After breakfast depart for Ghanerao situated 120 km (4 hours drive) from Udaipur. En route visit the famous Jain temples of Ranakpur which lie buried in a shady glen and cover a vast area. The central temple is called Chaumukha (four-faced) and is the most complex and extensive of Jain temples in India, covering an area of over 3,600 sq. meters. Its 29 halls are supported by 1,444 pillars, none of which are alike. Subsidiary shrines in the shape of side alters throng around in all directions, including a temple dedicated to the Sun God, which displays erotic carvings. The Maharani Bagh complex makes an ideal lunch stop, before continuing on to Ghanerao.

On arrival check in at the Royal Castle, Ghanerao. Founded in 1606 AD by Thakur Gopal Das Rathor of the Mertia clan of Rajputs, Ghanerao is located in a quiet village with a bustling mix of temples, stepwells and marble archways. The castle is built of red sandstone and spreads over a large area. Its southern wall is pockmarked with cannon balls - eloquent signs of battles fought in olden days. The horses, guide and safari staff will meet you at Ghanerao. Overnight at ROYAL CASTLE, GHANERAO.

Day 06: Begin Horse Safari

In the morning, commence the horse safari. Your destination is the small settlement of Jojawar, 42 km from Ghanerao. A packed lunch is provided. Enjoy Rajasthani hospitality over dinner with the Jojawar family. Overnight at the JOJAWAR CASTLE.

Day 07: On Horse Safari

After breakfast continue riding through the starkly beautiful terrain of Rajasthan. Stop for a oicnic lunch at a suitable spot. The ride to Sojat covers 42 km. From here, drive 16 km to Dhakdi. Dinner and overnight at DHAKDI, the home of a Rajput family.

Day 08: On Horse Safari

After breakfast, drive back to Sojat and continue the 40-km ride to Nimaj. A packed lunch is provided. Camp is set on the banks of the Chatarsagar Lake. Enjoy dinner around the campfire. Overnight in CAMP.

Day 09: On Horse Safari

After breakfast break camp and ride 38 km to Ras. Stop en route for a picnic lunch. Camp is set by a farm. Dinner and overnight in CAMP.

Day 10: End Horse Safari

After breakfast ride 38 km to the small town of Pushkar where you bid goodbye to the horses and staff.

Pushkar is an important pilgrimage centre for Hindus. The sanctity of the lake is equal to that of Mansarover and Tibet. Throughout the year, Pushkar has the atmosphere of an ancient religious town, peaceful and secluded. But for 12 days in the month of Kartik, it is transformed into a spectacular fairground that spreads over the dunes west of the town. Dinner and overnight at TENTED CAMP .

Day 11: At Pushkar

Spend the full day at the Pushkar Fair - an event of religious and commercial importance. Thousands of men come first, with their camels and cattle and camp on the dunes to transact business. Three days before the full moon, the women start coming, gorgeously attired. The beauty of rural Rajasthan gets concentrated within the radius of a few miles. The peasants bathe and worship, are variously entertained and delight in the dazzling wares of hundreds of roadside stalls, while on the dunes camels are bought and sold, beautified, raced and paraded. The fair is overwhelming in its magnitude and its visual impact. All meals and overnight at the TENTED CAMP.

Day 12: Pushkar To Jaipur

After breakfast depart on the 3-hour drive to Jaipur. On arrival check in at the hotel.

In the afternoon visit Jaipur, one of the best-planned cities in India, built of rose-pink sandstone by the great astronomer-king Jai Singh II in 1727. The City Palace stands in the centre of the city. Part of it is still the Maharaja's residence, while most of the complex has been developed into a museum containing rare manuscripts, fine specimens of Rajput and Mughal paintings, royal apparel and an armoury. Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds) is the landmark of Jaipur. It stands on one of the main streets, a curious building, elaborate and fanciful, built of pink sandstone with a delicate honeycomb design. Rising five storeys high, it is composed of semi-octagonal overhanging windows, each with its perforated screen, which allowed the ladies of the court to look onto the main street without being seen. Jantar Mantar observatory was built by the founder of Jaipur, Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh. The huge stone instruments were devised to study the movements of the sun, moon and planets and are incredibly accurate. There is time to wander through the colourful bazaars, a veritable collector's paradise where you can watch ancient craft forms. Overnight at the hotel .

Day 13: Jaipur To Delhi

In the morning visit Amber, the capital for 6 centuries before Jaipur was built, which lies 11 km north of Jaipur. Rising majestically on the slopes of a hill, this 11th century fort and palace complex is a blend of Hindu and Muslim styles - the earlier constructions in the inner apartments designed by the Hindu founder are austere, while later constructions abound in the rich flourishes characteristic of Muslim influence. The Diwani-i-Am (Hall of Public Audience) affords a view of the strategic location of Amber. The Jai Mandir (Hall of Victory) is the finest example of the artistic exuberance of the day - panels of alabaster, fine inlay work, a shimmering Hall of Mirrors, renowned for its fine mirrorwork. The Sukh Nivas (Hall of Pleasure) has 17th century air conditioning. Experience the thrill of riding up to the fort on gaily-decorated elephants, in the manner the Rajputs of old made their royal ascent centuries ago. Afternoon transfer to the airport for flight 9W 722, departing Jaipur at 1740 hours and arriving Delhi at 1820 hours. Transfer into town for dinner. Late evening transfer to the airport for your onward flight.