Day 1 – Arrive in Jaipur – Ranthambore (160kms / 2-3hrs)

On arrival in the pink city of Jaipur, you will be met and transferred to Ranthambore Check into your luxury camp and spend the rest of the day mulling in anticipation of sighting the royal cat

Overnight Ranthambore

Day 2 – Ranthambore

Visit the Ranthambore National Park over an early morning and afternoon game drives lasting for close to two hours through the wilderness in pursuit of the elusive striped feline. Besides being touted to be one of the best places in the world to spot tigers, the 392 sq km National park of Ranthambore also boasts of a large number of sambhar, cheetal, nilgai, spotted deer, chinkara, langur, wild boar, peafowl and leopard. A system of three pretty artificial Talabs (lakes) – Padam, Rajbagh and Malik, form an important source of water for the park inhabitants besides attracting a large number of migratory and resident birds.

Overnight Ranthambore

Day 3 – Ranthambore – Bhilwara (270kms / 4-5hrs)

After a round of morning safari followed by breakfast, check out from Ranthambore to be driven westwards towards Bhilwara and to check into the heritage retreat of Shahpura Bagh. Set in 45 acres of garden and pasture surrounded by two lakes, the working farm estate of Shahpura Bagh is resplendent with trees and a very special and ultimately serene oasis. The 19th century Nahar Niwas, one of the two residencies on the estate, remains the home of the present king and his family who are more than happy to entertain and swap tales with you. Spend the evening under the stars around a flickering fire nursing your favorite poison.

Overnight Bhilwara

Day 4 – Bhilwara

Spend the day exploring Bhilwara through one of the many activities available from the property. You may choose to hike up to the Dhikhola Fort owned by the royal family or even go for a round of birding; Shahpura is a bird watching paradise with over 180 species of birds. There are also excursions on hand exploring the Nahar Sagar Lake with visits to quaint villages and a 140 acre orchard farm. You could also work up a bit of a sweat and get some fantastic views by taking a trek to a famous tribal temple atop a wooded hill. Besides market visits and cooking classes, you could also watch a traditional Phad, a painting depicting mythology and history come to life.

Overnight Bhilwara

Day 5 – Bhilwara – Ranakpur – Udaipur (270kms / 5-6hrs)

Time to bid adieu to royalty; head out this morning to Udaipur with a stop at Ranakpur, home to a majestic group of Jain temples considered to be one of the five holy centres of the Jain community. With polygonal walls, richly embellished with carvings of warriors, horses and solar deities riding splendid chariots, the temple is possibly one of a kind to behold. You will need about an hour to appreciate the grandeur of the architecture. Once at Udaipur, check into your hotel and spend the rest of the evening at leisure.

Overnight Udaipur

Day 6 – Udaipur

This morning, visit the 300-year-old Udaipur City Palace that comprises 11 palaces. Its highlights include the large peacock mosaics in the Mor (Peacock) Chowk; mirror-encrusted Moti (Pearl) Mahal; the glass and porcelain figures of Manak (Ruby) Mahal, and the collection of miniatures featuring Krishna legends in Krishna Vilas. You will also visit Saheliyon-ki-Bari, a majestic garden located in one of the shores of Fateh Sagar Lake. Later in the afternoon, experience the unmistakable aerial views of Udaipur through an adventurous hot air balloon ride. As you tower over the city palace and gently waft over Lake Pichola, let your eyes indulge every sight and every view of Udaipur, considered amongst the most beautiful ones in India.

Overnight Udaipur

Day 7 – Udaipur

Be taken this morning on a village tour under the aegis of a local artist letting you discover the artistic treasures of Udaipur through interactions with a potter family letting you feel the wet clay around your fingers as you pinch & rub a pot into existence, a puppet maker family as you watch stories come to life under the practiced and purposeful pull of their strings, stop at a miniature painter’s workshop providing insight and letting you learn the sophisticated art; besides meeting young designers creating new and innovative products out of unwanted waste. Take to the streets of Udaipur in the afternoon to indulge in some retail therapy.

Overnight Udaipur

Day 8 – Udaipur – Jodhpur (260kms / 4-5hrs)

Travel to Jodhpur today reached over a five hour road journey. Arrive by the afternoon to check in and relax.

Overnight Jodhpur

Day 9 – Jodhpur

This morning, be awed by the majestic Mehrangarh Fort which used to be the pride of Marwar Kings; enjoy the views from the massive walls of the fort over the town and the houses painted Brahmin blue. Also choose to go on an hour long zip-lining activity here to enjoy a different perspective of the city Later visit Jaswant Thada, an imposing marble cenotaph built in the memory of Jaswant Singh II. In the evening, stroll around the Jodhpur bazaars known for exquisite handicrafts, tie-and-dye fabrics, embroidered ‘jutis’ or slippers in suede, camel skin, velvet or leather. Add beautiful silks, durries, and marble souvenirs to your shopping bag

Overnight Jodhpur

Day 10 – Jodhpur – Jaisalmer (290kms / 5-6hrs)

Checkout from Jodhpur this morning and drive to Jaisalmer. On reaching Jaisalmer by the afternoon, head out for the sand dunes with a stop at the abandoned and cursed village of Kuldhara including an oasis which never dries up. Enjoy a camel back ride to the sand dunes to enjoy stunning visuals of the sunset to the accompaniment of ‘chai’ besides the thrills of riding sand boards and sand sleds. Unwind for the day around a bonfire at the desert camp to the accompaniment of beautifully dressed dancers swirling to traditional Rajasthani music, while you feast on scrumptious local cuisine under the stars.

Overnight Jaisalmer

Day 11 – Jaisalmer – Jaipur

Wake up this morning to the chorus of many peacocks and birds singing around the camp made perfect with stunning uninterrupted views of the rising sun. Later after breakfast, check out and visit the magnificent Sonar Qila or Jaisalmer Fort to admire its many beautiful Havelis and a group of five Jain temples built between the 12th and 15th centuries. Also visit the Patwonki Haveli, Salim Singh ki Haveli and Nathmalji ki haveli to marvel at the intricate carvings of carved facades and doorways that decorate the havelis noteworthy for their latticed overhangs and balconies. Later board the overnight train to Jaipur

Overnight train to Jaipur

Day 12 – Arrive in Jaipur

Upon your early morning arrival in Jaipur, check in and freshen up. Later in the afternoon, experience royalty at its pinnacle at the City Palace complex, where the world’s largest sterling silver vessels are on display at the marble pavilion of the Diwan-E-Khas. Continue on to the stunning Hawa Mahal, a fascinating example of Rajput architecture and artistry; check out the archaeological museum housed here and climb to the top of this iconic building for a wonderful view from the latticed windows. Later visit the famous Jantar Mantar, the largest of the five observatories in India, built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh who was passionate about astronomy and numerology

Overnight Jaipur

Day 13 – Jaipur

Be taken on a private guided tour of the ancient Amer Fort, made of red sand stone & white marble. After riding a decorated elephant to the fort entrance, admire the lavish courtyards, decorated halls and the famous temples with their world renowned halls of mirrors; all within the fort complex. After enjoying lunch at a private estate near the fort, embark on an elephant back safari through the nearby countryside covering local villages, agricultural fields, hills and old monuments besides birdlife and animals such as antelopes, jackals, hyenas and the elusive panther which makes an occasional appearance. Take time in the evening to visit some of the famed shops at leisure for your retail fix.

Overnight Jaipur

Day 14 – Departure from Jaipur

Spend the day at leisure till it is time to check out and be transferred to the airport for your return flight