Colourful Rajasthan

This morning explore Old Delhi with its maze of small alleyways, side streets and legendary bazaars. Take a rickshaw ride driving past the magnificent Red Fort - a marvel in red sandstone, and Jama Masjid - the largest mosque in India (view from the outside), then walk through the old lanes and busy markets of Chandni Chowk, savouring the ambience of the oriental bazaar.

Continue on to discover New Delhi, characterised by colonial buildings and boulevards. Visit the 12th century Qutab Minar, gracefully hand carved for its entire height of 234ft, discover the mausoleum of emperor Humayun and Raj Ghat open-air memorial to Mahatma Gandhi. Overnight Delhi.

This morning drive through the Shekhawati region to Mandawa, known throughout the state for its forts and havelis-the painted merchant houses the region is famous for. The compact and busy little market town of Mandawa was settled and fortified during the 18th century by the dominant merchant families of the region. The wealthy businessmen of the village constructed many havelis and baolis with coloured painting adorning their walls. Later on, with the migration of these merchant families, their old settlements remained in total obscurity with no one to look after them. Despite the time lapse and ignorance about these visual and architectural extravaganzas, their attraction did not fade. Overnight Mandawa.

Leave Bikaner this morning and travel to Jaisalmer for a two-night stay. Remainder of the day is at leisure. Overnight Jaisalmer.

This morning embark on a sightseeing tour of Jaisalmer. Built in burnished sandstone, this desert fortress is an intricately moulded wonderland, rising like a mirage from the flat expanses of the Thar Desert. The golden sandstone town walls and narrow streets lined with exquisitely carved buildings, through which camel carts trudge leisurely, has an extraordinarily medieval feel and an incredible atmosphere. Visit Jaisal Fort perched on its hilltop, and the Jain Temple.

In the afternoon head off for an excursion to Sam Sand Dunes, a small picturesque desert village of decorated mud thatched buildings. Visitors are attracted here by shifting sand dunes, some up to 80m high and beautiful sunsets which you will be able to observe with a camel ride in the desert. Overnight Jaisalmer.

Today travel to Jodhpur, known for its forts and palaces, temples and havelis, culture and tradition, spices and fabric, colours and textures.

Visit the impressive Mehrangarh Fort built by Rao Jodha in 1459 on a sandstone hill. From the top of the fort one can get a bird’s eye view of the old city. You will notice the predominance of blue houses referred to as Brahmin houses - the colour being associated with the high caste. Proceed to the Jaswant Thada, an imposing marble cenotaph built in 1899 for Maharajah Jaswant Singh II, and smaller memorials to other Maharajahs of Jodhpur. Finish your sightseeing tour with a short walk through the local and vibrant bazaar of Jodhpur. Overnight Jodhpur.

Morning drive to Ranakpur. Visit the wonderful temples of the Jain sect dating back to the 14^th and 15th centuries. The unforgettable main Temple dedicated to Adinatha the first Tirthankar (1439) built in marble took 65 years to complete. It is one of the five holy Jain pilgrimage centres and has one of the best temple complexes. Overnight in Ranakpur.

Leave Ranakpur for Udaipur. En route, visit Eklinji and Nadga Temples dating back to the 6th century. Udaipur lies in the Girwa valley amidst the Aravali hills of south Rajasthan. It is considered a romantic city - with its lakes, gardens, temples and palaces - an Oasis in the Thar desert. The old city is a traditionally planned fortified walled city, a maze of narrow winding lanes flanked by houses with doorways decorated with Mewar folk art, windows with stained glass or jail screens, massive havelis with large inner courtyards and shops. Visit the City Palace, once the home of Mewar’s rulers, the Palace is today largely a museum run by the Maharana Mewar Foundation. It consists of four major and several minor palaces forming a single breathtaking facade overlooking the Pichola lake. Overnight in Udaipur.

Morning drive to Jaipur, Rajasthan's Capital and also known as the “Pink City”. Built in the 18th century by Maharaja Jai Singh II, it is a planned city built with ancient Hindu rules as the colonial capital of a richly colourful state. It was made attractive with the pink wash – a traditional colour of welcome in 1853 in honour of the visit of Prince Albert. Afternoon at leisure to explore the colourful markets of Jaipur.

This morning discover the Amber Fort. En route, make a stop at the palace of winds the Hawa Mahal. A five storied building with 25cm thick facade from the 18th century having 953 windows and niches so that ladies of royal family could see the processions and events in the city without being visible to the people. Proceed to the Amber Fort, situated 11 km north of Jaipur, the ancient capital of the Rajputs until 1037.

This afternoon, visit the Maharaja's City Palace which occupies the centre of Jaipur. It now houses the Royal residence and museums with collections of textiles and costumes, armoury, manuscripts, paintings etc. Also visit Jantar Mantar observatory built by king astrologer Jai Singh II. The instruments are built of stone with marble facing on the important plains for measuring the harmony of the heavens. Each instrument serves a particular function and each gives an accurate reading. Tonight take in a Bollywood movie at the Raj Mandir cinema. Overnight Jaipur.

Morning drive to Agra, visiting en-route the eerie ghost town of Fatehpur Sikri, Akbar's former capital. This fascinating site was built by Emperor Akber in 1569 to commemorate the birth of his son, but abandoned after 15 years due to scarcity of water. Visit the remarkably well-preserved, graceful buildings within the 'Ghost City' including the Jama Masjid, tomb of Salim Chisti, Panch Mahal Palace and other palaces that speak of the grandeur and splendours of the Mughal empire at the height of its power. Later, continue to Agra for your overnight stay.

At sunrise, visit the Taj Mahal, a poem in white marble, built by Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife. Taj Mahal means "Crown Palace" and is in fact the most well-preserved and architecturally beautiful tomb in the world. It is best described by the English poet, Sir Edwin Arnold, as "Not a piece of architecture, as other buildings are, but the proud passions of an emperor’s love wrought in living stones." It is a celebration of woman built in marble and that’s the way to appreciate it.

Later, visit the Agra fort, built alongside the Yamuna River stretching almost 2.5 km. The fort’s colossal double walls rise 20 m in height and measure 2.5 km in circumference. The magnificent towers, bastions and ramparts and majestic gateways symbolised the confidence and power of the third Mughal emperor.

Later leave for Delhi visiting en-route Sikandra, “The Tomb of Akbar The Great”. Overnight Delhi

After breakfast transfer to the airport for your onward flight.

• 14 nights' accommodation in selected hotel category
• Meet and assist at Delhi Airport by English-speaking local representative
• Private air-conditioned transport (Toyota Innova Crysta or similar) with English-speaking driver
• Breakfast Daily
• Sightseeing as listed in itinerart with local English-speaking guides
•    Bollywood movie show at Rajmandir cinema hall in Jaipur during city tour
• Entrance fee at monuments (single visit) as listed in itinerary
• Mineral water available in transport during inter-city transfers and city tours
• India government service tax
• 24/7 local operator support in India
• Assistance of local representatives
• India Travel Notes – issued by Innovative Travel

• International airfares
• Optional tours and excursions
• Porterage
• Tipping/Gratuities (please refer to tour notes for a recommended guideline)
• Personal Expenses
• Departure taxes
• Hotel charges for minibar or any extra charges
• Visas (unless specified)
• Any other services not clearly mentioned in the inclusions above