Rajasthan is India at its most exotic and colourful best with forts, palaces, deserts, tigers, rivers, jungles, temples and just about everything else that the word `India' brings to mind! Women are dressed in colourful saris with chunky jewellery whilst men wear elaborate turbans and sport huge moustaches. Here you can travel by coach, train, camel, cycle rickshaw, jeep and boat to explore the myriad attractions.
Day 1 - Delhi
Arrive in Delhi where you are met and transferred to your hotel.
Day 2 - Mandawa
Drive to the Shekhavati area of Rajasthan, renowned for its painted frescoes and ornate havelis (merchants' houses).
Day 3 - Mandawa
You follow a guided morning walk of Mandawa to enjoyed the painted havelis. In the afternoon you take a camel ride to surrounding villages.
Day 4 - Samode
Continue to the small village of Samode which is nestled among rugged hills. Cobbled narrow streets curve up till you reach the fairytale palace. This superbly restored eighteenth-century palace was put on the map by its starring role in the 1984 mini-series `The Far Pavilions'.
Day 5 - Jaipur
Drive to Jaipur, popularly known as the `pink city'. Afternoon excursion to the splendid Amber Fort, with magnificent views over the hills around.
Day 6 - Jaipur
Morning Jaipur city tour. Remainder of the day at leisure to explore the lively bazaars and haggle for exotic souvenirs.
Day 7 - Sawai Madhopur
Drive to Ranthambore National Park where you stay in a deluxe tented camp. In the afternoon you visit the magnificent old Ranthambore Fort, now populated only by monkeys.
Day 8 - Sawai Madhopur
Today you take a morning and afternoon game drive and try to spot tigers and other wild animals.
Day 9 - Karauli
Drive to Karauli where you stay in a Maharaja's residence. Afternoon walking tour of Karauli market (a very `local' experience!) and the wonderful City Palace, where you won't see another tourist and can get lost for hours in the hidden passages and beautiful rooms.
Day 10 - Agra
This morning you leave to travel to Agra, stopping at Bharatpur, famous for the nearby Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary, and the abandoned ancient Moghul capital of Fatehpur Sikri, a complex of forts, palaces and mosques built from sandstone.
Day 11 - Delhi
Visit the Agra Fort and the magnificent Taj Mahal, one of the most beautiful buildings in the world. In the evening board the express train back to Delhi.
Day 12 - Delhi
Tour ends. Transfer to Delhi airport for your onward flight.