Colours of Rajasthan - Pushkar Festival

Begin your adventure in pulsating Delhi. It’s a city split in two, with historic Old Delhi in the north and the nation’s capital, New Delhi, in the south. Today has been left free, allowing you time to settle into the trip. Around 6pm, we gather as a group to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead. Your tour leader then ensures a big welcome by arranging a group dinner at a nearby restaurant. Want more time in Delhi? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative

This morning, we visit the walled city of Old Delhi; crowded, full of activities and still influenced by the great Mughals who once ruled from the ramparts of the majestic Red Fort. We visit the 17th-century Jama Mosque (the largest mosque in India) and Rajghat, a memorial to Mahatma Gandhi. We also see India Gate and the vast colonial buildings as we navigate the city. In the afternoon, we transfer (approximately six hours) to Ranthambore National Park.

Today we take two game drives in Ranthambore National Park. The reserve was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1957 and in 1974 became part of Project Tiger. After initial success, poaching has drastically reduced the tiger population. However, Ranthambore is still considered one of the best places to spot wild tigers and many of our groups over the last few years have seen the elusive predator. Ranthambore is also home to a great variety of other wildlife, including several species of monkey, deer, crocodile and birdlife. During the game drives, each vehicle is joined by a Forest Guard, a requirement by the local authorities. The Forest Guards are part of a national park initiative to generate employment for the nearby villages. They are skilled spotters and trackers so, though their English is sometimes very limited, they greatly improve the experience.

Leave Ranthambore and drive (approximately four hours) to Bundi, a delightful town on the Aravali foothills. It is best known for its palaces and the beautifully decorated stepwells that were used to collect water during the monsoon centuries ago. Visit Bundi Fort in the afternoon, one of the most beautiful palaces in India and home to outstanding miniature paintings portraying the history of the palace and its royal family. The fort is high on a hill overlooking Bundi and its Krishna blue stonewashed houses.

Set off on our five-hour (145mi/235km) journey to the lakeside city of Udaipur. Known as the Pearl of Rajasthan, the City of Sunrise and Venice of the East, Udaipur is a beautiful place regarded by both Indians and visitors as the most romantic city in India.

On the east side of Lake Pichola, the main palace commands an unsurpassed view across the shimmering lake to the dusty Aravalli Hills. The lake has two islands, each with a palace to rival that on the mainland; Jag Mandir and Jag Nivas (the latter is now the Lake Palace Hotel) rise out of their own reflections in the lake waters. Udaipur is surrounded by a massive bastion with five gates and dominating the town is the City Palace of the Maharana. The sumptuous apartments are decorated with multi-coloured mosaics, elaborate mirror work and inlaid tiles; half of these can be visited as the current Maharaja still occupies the rest of the palace. We spend the morning visiting the City Palace and Jagdish Temple, with a huge black-stone image of Jagannath, an aspect of Lord Vishnu. If time allows, it may be possible to visit the gardens of Gulab Bag or take a boat trip on the lake. The afternoon is free to enjoy this evocative city.

Taking the scenic road out of Udaipur, we head to the blue city of Jodhpur, where the houses were painted blue to distinguish them as those of Brahmins. It was founded by the Rajput chief Roa Jodha and was formerly the capital of the Marwar state. The city is surrounded by a wall almost 6mi (10km) in circumference and is dominated by the massive fort that stands on a rocky hill commanding the surrounding desert. It’s a seven-hour drive there, but to break up the journey we visit the 15th-century Jain temple at Ranakpur. The main temple, beautifully carved from marble, is dedicated to Adinath and has 29 halls supported by 1,444 pillars, each delicately carved with a different design.

Start early and transfer (approximately six hours) to Pushkar, pilgrimage town and home to the annual Pushkar Festival. Steeped in mysticism and surrounded by the desert this little town is a holy site on the fringes of a lake. This is a great place to relax and soak up the atmosphere.

We have a full day to enjoy one of the most vibrant festivals in Asia. The normally peaceful oasis of Pushkar is transformed into a bustling meeting place when the tranquil desert becomes a colourful blanket of camels, fires and tents with stall holders, musicians and comedians plying their wears amid the high-spirited festivities.

In the morning, we do some sightseeing; in the centre of town is the holy Pushkar Lake surrounded by several temples, including a Bramha temple said to be the only temple in the world dedicated to this deity. A dip in the lake waters and worship at Bramha temple ensure salvation. In the afternoon, we drive (approximately three hours) to Jaipur, an attractive city of broad avenues, built of sandstone and painted pink at a later stage.

We start as the sun rises, heading out for a dawn walking tour led by a local guide as the Pink City wakes. See the local people start their day and the rituals that take place in early morning markets and small temples. We visit different chowkris (blocks) within the walled city, with the chance to interact with different artisans. Returning to the hotel for breakfast and some time to refresh, we head out again mid-morning for a city tour led by a local guide. Visit the highlights, including one of the most intriguing sights in India, the observatory of Jai Singh, an assembly of immense astronomical instruments. We also see the Hawa Mahal, or Palace of the Winds, and the splendid Amber Palace, rising above a lake outside the city.

Transfer to Agra (approximately 4hr 30min), visiting Fatehpur Sikri, the deserted royal city of Emperor Akbar, on the way. This impressive and well-preserved citadel became his capital in 1571, after the blessing of a local Moslem holy man correctly predicted the birth of a longed-for son, his successor Jehangir. The mosque, designed to hold 10,000 worshippers, the palaces, residences and halls of audience, are constructed of decorative red sandstone. But this magnificence only lasted 14 years; Akbar left Fatehpur Sikri in 1584 to secure his outlying territories, leaving this city much as we see it today. This afternoon, we visit the imposing Red Fort of Akbar (Agra Fort), whose mighty sandstone walls enclose the beautiful white-marble Pearl Mosque and the palaces, halls, courtyards and fountains of his sons and successors, Jehangir and Shah Jahan.

Wake early to visit the Taj Mahal at sunrise, when the white-marble exterior is illuminated by the soft early light, the crowds are smaller and the birds chatter among themselves. After admiring it from the outside, we head inside, with a chance to explore the beautiful inner chambers and mausoleum, while our tour leader shares the history of this New World Wonder. Following breakfast, we begin on our journey (approximately four to five hours) back to Delhi, stopping on the outskirts of Agra to visit and support Wildlife SOS. Their work is dedicated to rescuing and caring for sloth bears and elephants. At the Agra Elephant Conservation and Care Centre, we meet an education officer to learn about their vital work and commitment to rehabilitating abused elephants and advocating for their conservation through public awareness campaigns. We tour the centre and see some of the rescued elephants and hear their stories. After this informative visit, we resume our drive to Delhi and check into our hotel. It’s your last night together so the tour leader can help to arrange a group dinner.

The adventure ends after breakfast. Alternatively, if you’d like to spend a bit more time exploring this magnificent city, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.