Royal Rajasthan: 16 days Delhi to Delhi

Be welcomed to North India with a traditional floral garland and red tikka before arriving at your hotel for the next two nights, the luxurious The Imperial New Delhi. A Grand Dame of the East since 1936, this iconic heritage hotel evokes the opulence of a 19th-century palatial estate with its blend of Victorian, Art Deco and Lutyens’ architecture.

Discover the contrasts of Old and New Delhi, beginning with a visit to Jama Masjid, India’s largest mosque. Then take an exhilarating rickshaw ride past the Red Fort and through the bustling lanes of Chandni Chowk, including Khari Baoli, Asia’s largest wholesale spice market.

Later, visit Humayun’s Tomb, built in 1570 and considered the architectural inspiration for the Taj Mahal. Drive along New Delhi’s ceremonial boulevard past India Gate and Rashtrapati Bhavan before returning to your hotel. This evening, enjoy a special Welcome Dinner.

Begin your morning with a visit to Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, one of Delhi’s most prominent Sikh temples. Travel to Agra, once the capital of the Mughal Empire, arriving mid-afternoon at your Scenic Special Stay, The Oberoi Amarvilas. Located just 600 metres from the Taj Mahal, every room offers exceptional views and includes complimentary butler service.

Scenic Freechoice Dining:
This evening, choose your Scenic Freechoice dining experience, Indian barbecue at Bon Barbeque Restaurant, Chinese cuisine at C’est Chine at the Hotel Jaypee Palace, or an Asian and Western buffet at Bellevue Restaurant at your hotel.

Rise early to witness the breathtaking Taj Mahal at sunrise, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and enduring symbol of love built by Emperor Shah Jahan for his wife Mumtaz Mahal.

Return to the hotel for breakfast before visiting Agra Fort, built in the 16th century primarily by Emperor Akbar. Once the main residence of the Mughal emperors, it showcases remarkable Islamic architecture and includes the balcony where Shah Jahan was later imprisoned, gazing towards the Taj Mahal. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure at your hotel before your evening function.

Scenic Sunset Drinks
Gather for evening drinks to admire the Taj Mahal at sunset from the close proximity of your hotel.

Scenic Freechoice:
This morning, choose from two Scenic Freechoice experiences exploring Agra by bicycle or tuk tuk, either through the surrounding countryside or the city’s vibrant streets.

Afterwards, drive to Bharatpur for lunch and then board a train to Ranthambore National Park, one of North India’s most renowned tiger reserves. Settle into your two-night stay at Taj Sawai Ranthambore.

Once the private hunting grounds of the Maharajas of Jaipur, Ranthambore National Park is now one of India’s key tiger conservation areas.

Accompanied by an expert wildlife naturalist, set out on private morning and afternoon game drives in search of the elusive Bengal tiger and other wildlife that inhabit this rugged landscape.

Travel to the Pink City of Jaipur, stopping en route at Abhaneri village to visit the remarkable Chand Baori stepwell, one of the largest and oldest in the world, dating back over 1,000 years.

Continue to Castle Kanota for lunch, the filming location of the Viceroy Club in The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. On arrival in Jaipur, discover the iconic Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds), famed for its intricate honeycomb façade of 953 windows designed to capture cooling breezes.

Stay for two nights at Jai Mahal Palace, an authentic luxury palace built in 1745 and now a lovingly restored Rajasthani landmark set amid 18 acres of landscaped gardens. This evening, enjoy a cultural show at the hotel.

This morning, visit the Jantar Mantar, an 18th-century astronomical observatory and UNESCO World Heritage Site. From here take a short walk to the City Palace, home to the rulers of Jaipur and its museum. Enjoy lunch in a restaurant attached to the City Palace before returning to your hotel.

Later in the afternoon, visit the magnificent Amber Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed hilltop fortress located just outside Jaipur. Explore its opulent palaces, richly decorated with intricate carvings, mirrored halls and exquisite artwork, before dining at the Restaurant 1136 at Amer fort, located at the top of the complex with commanding views over the fort and countryside.

Pass small villages and towns, including the “Snow Yard” at Kishangarh, as you travel to Nagaur and your magnificent hotel, Ranvas. Set within the 5th-century Ahhichatragarh Fort, this restored former Mughal residence once belonged to the queens of the Maharaja of Jodhpur.

Scenic Enrich
This evening, for your Scenic Enrich event, step back in time with an exclusive dinner in the Bakht Singh Courtyard Baradari inside Ahhichatragarh Fort. Dine dressed in traditional turbans and saris, just as the former residents once did.

Enjoy a morning at leisure to explore the fort and village at your own pace.  After lunch drive to Jodhpur via Mahavira Jain Temple, known as the Khajuraho of Rajasthan in Osian. Upon arrival in Jodhpur, marvel at the close-up view of the Mehrangarh Fort from your room at The Raas, a boutique hotel located inside the old walled city and your home for the next two nights.

Scenic Freechoice:
This morning, choose from your three Scenic Freechoice excursions. Enjoy a ‘Flavours of Jodhpur Food’ walk, try jutti making with Mohanlal and Chanda Gujar, renowned master craftspeople of leather jutti (mojari) crafting, or take a guided walking tour that dives deep into the heart of Jodhpur to uncover the city’s lesser-known treasures.

After lunch, visit the colossal Mehrangarh Fort, which overlooks the city from a rocky hill rising 400 feet above the surrounding plain. Considered one of the best-preserved forts in India, its palaces and courtyards were built over a period of 500 years following its mid-15th-century foundation. Afterwards, return to your hotel for an evening at leisure.

See rural tribal hamlets as you drive to the small village of Narlai. Settle into Rawla Narlai, a former 17th-century royal hunting lodge now transformed into a heritage boutique hotel.

Scenic Freechoice:
Later this afternoon, enjoy your Scenic Freechoice excursion. Choose to set out on your first jeep safari to spot leopards and peacocks in the hills surrounding your hotel or take an afternoon jeep drive to a scenic vantage point for tea overlooking the lake and desert landscape.

Dinner tonight is on the Jharokha Terrace facing Elephant Rock.

Rise early to watch sunrise over the lake on your jeep safari, with the hope of seeing a leopard on its morning prowl. Later, take a leisurely walk around town to observe local rural life. Your afternoon is at leisure.

Scenic Enrich
This evening, for your Scenic Enrich activity, begin with a drink in the bar with a member of the local royal family. Then travel by bullock cart to tonight’s dinner venue and enjoy a delicious meal beside a candlelit 1,100-year-old stepwell—a uniquely romantic experience.

Drive to the ‘City of Lakes’ via Ranakpur, set in a secluded valley, and discover the spectacular 15th-century Jain temples. Rising majestically from a hill, the complex features exquisitely carved marble domes and 1,444 intricately sculpted pillars.

Continue to Udaipur, one of Rajasthan’s most beautiful and romantic cities set at the southern end of the Aravalli Hills, for your two-night Scenic Special Stay at Taj Lake Palace on Lake Pichola, overlooking the City Palace.

Scenic Freechoice:
Begin the day with a serene cruise on Lake Pichola before disembarking to undertake your chosen Scenic Freechoice excursion. Choose to explore the 400-year-old City Palace (Raj Mahal), considered the largest of its kind in Rajasthan, and the nearby Jagdish Temple, or join a Pichwai painting experience with artist Rajaram Sharma. Alternatively, take part in a classical and folk dance workshop.

After an afternoon at leisure, indulge in your sumptuous private Mewar Terrace farewell dinner at Taj Lake Palace. Overlooking the magical City Palace and Lake Pichola, this is a truly memorable way to conclude your journey.

Bid farewell to India as you fly to Delhi. Please book onward international flights after 6.00pm. Alternatively, you can use your included flight to travel from Udaipur to Mumbai for a post-tour extension.

Please book your flight to depart out of Delhi after 06:00 PM.

The itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such Scenic cannot guarantee the journey will operate unaltered from the itinerary stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information. Hotels are indicative and subject to change.

Please note: Preview itinerary subject to change.