Sample Itinerary
14 nights 15 days
Arrive in Delhi
On arrival at Delhi airport, driver will pick you up and take you to the hotel where I'll meet you. Check into hotel and relax.
Sites we'll see in Delhi include - Lotus Temple, Lodhi Gardens, Humayun's Tomb, Red Fort, Gandhi Smriti (the location where Mahatma Gandhi spent the last 144 days of his life and was assassinated in 1948), and Chandni Chowk for shopping. 2 nights in Delhi.
Drive to Agra (260kms)
Check into the hotel and have lunch.
Explore the magnificent Red Fort built by Akbar in 1566. A walled palatial city. Visit the Tajmahal at sunset. The Taj Mahal was commissioned by Shah Jahan in 1631, to be built in the memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal, a Persian princess who died giving birth to their 14th child, Gauhara Begum. 1 night in Agra.
Drive to Jaipur (260kms)
Along the way we'll visit Fatehpur Sikri, this 500 year old ghost town that stands like a faded jewel sparkling in the afternoon sun. By noon we'll reach Jaipur, and check into the hotel. Sites we'll see in Jaipur include: Amber Fort, Jal Mahal, City Palace, Chandra Mahal, Mubarak Mahal, Hawa Mahal, and Jantar Mantar. 2 nights is Jaipur.
Drive to Pushkar (130kms)
Pushkar is a town bordering the Thar Desert. It's set on Pushkar Lake, a sacred Hindu site with 52 ghats (stone staircases) where pilgrims bathe. The town has hundreds of temples, including 14th-century Jagatpita Brahma Mandir, dedicated to the god of creation, which has a distinctive red spire and walls inlaid with pilgrims’ silver coins. Take your time and explore this holy city. 1 night in Pushkar.
Drive to Udaipur (270kms)
Check-in to the hotel, and relax.
Evening boat ride on Lake Pichola, enjoy the spectacular sunset. Next day visit, Jagdish Temple, Saheliyon - Ki - Bari, 'Sas-Bahu' temple (temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu), and City Palace, one of the architectural marvels of Rajasthan. 2 nights in Udaipur.
Drive to Jodhpur (250kms)
City tour covering Mehrangarh fort - unsurpassed in beauty & grandeur, it is one of the largest forts in India. Innumerable palaces in the fort, interspersed with sprawling courtyards. Jaswanthada - Built in 1899, the cenotaph has some beautiful jalis (carved-marble lattice screens) and is hung with portraits of Rathore rulers going back to the 13th century. 2 nights in Jodhpur
Drive to Jaisalmer (300kms)
Check-in to the Desert Camp or resort. Afternoon camel ride to appreciate the sunset view over the dunes followed by a delicious Rajasthani dinner and live performance by the folk artist. Sites we'll see in Jaisalmer include: Jaisalmer Fort, Salim Singh-Ki-Haveli, Patwon-Ki-Haveli, Megh Durbar, then to Lodurva - a village in the outskirts of Jaisalmer famous for its Jain temples. 2 nights in Jaisalmer.
Drive to Bikaner (300kms)
Explore Junagarh Fort a huge complex of ornate buildings and halls. The maginificent Jain Temple Bhandasar, and nearby, if you're brave enough, visit the Karni Mata Temple, home to many rats this temple is considered sacred by Hindu devotees. The rat is the vehicle of Lord Ganesha. 1 night in Bikaner.
Drive to Mandawa (300kms)
Check into hotel. Visit Havelis & beautiful frescoes. This town has been referred to as the "open art gallery" of Rajasthan because the entire Shekhawati region and not just Mandawa is dotted with fascinating mansions (havelis) that have lavishly painted walls. We'll spend the night in a beautiful castle. 1 night in Mandawa.
This is a sample tour of Northern India. A lot can be done in 2 weeks. I'll plan according to your interests and taste.
Along the way Hatha Yoga classes and Philosophical discussions will be part of your daily schedule depending on your level of interest.
The benefit of a private tour is that you get to decide how much or how little you want to do :) It's all about you.
