Rajasthan Circuit and the Kamasutra Temples extension Benares
Tour from $1499/person (excluding domestic flight)
21 days / 20 nights
Cities to visit: Delhi – Mandawa – Bikaner – Jaisalmer – Jodhpur – Jojawar – Ranakpur – Udaipur – Bundi – Jaipur – Agra – Orchha – Khajuraho – Banaras

Visit Plan
Day 1: Delhi:
Arrival in the morning or evening at New Delhi IGI airport terminal 3. Traditional Indian welcome with a flower necklace to welcome you to India and transfer to the hotel.

Day 2: Delhi / Mandawa:
To begin your trip to India, Departure for Mandawa, discovery of this typical village of the Shekhawati region, famous for its havelis. The havelis are residences decorated with frescoes and various motifs, which belonged to rich merchants trading on the Silk Road. Installation in Mandawa.

Day 3: Mandawa / Bikaner:
Departure for Bikaner. Installation in Bikaner then departure for Deshnoke (Karni Mata temple famous for its sacred rats). Discovery of the city of Bikaner with its havelis, the temple and its bazaars.

Day 4: Bikaner/ Ramdeora/ Jaisalmer:
In the morning, visit the Junagarh Fort in Bikaner built between 1589 and 1593. Departure for Jaisalmer. On the way, visit the Ramdeora Temple. Installation in Jaisalmer. At the end of the day, visit the Bada Bagh (royal cenotaphs) at sunset. Walk in the citadel.

Day 5: Jaisalmer:
Visit the Golden Fort (Sonar Kila) to continue your trip to India. It was built in 1156 by the Rajput ruler Jaisal, Patwa-ki-Haveli, Salim Singh-ki-Haveli, Nathmal-ki-Haveli and the Jain temples of Jaisalmer. Departure for a camel or Jeep ride in the Thar desert (Khuri village 40 km from the city). Evening animated by the gypsies of Rajasthan with traditional dances and music and dinner on site. Return to Jaisalmer.

Day 6: Jaisalmer / Jodhpur:
Departure for Jodhpur. Installation in Jodhpur. Visit of the Mehrangarh fortress, nicknamed the “magnificent fort”, overlooking the city from a height of 122 meters and the Jaswant Thada memorial dedicated to Maharaja Jaswant Singh II in 1899. In the evening, discovery of the city’s bazaars (Clock Tower) and its spice merchants.

Day 7: Jodhpur / Jojawar:
Departure for Jojawar, a small picturesque village between Jodhpur and Udaipur. Installation in Jojawar. Picturesque ride in the Aravalli mountains by small train which will take you to the heart of the most beautiful forests and mountains of Rajasthan. This escapade is also an opportunity to get in touch with the local population, always curious to meet visitors who have come from far away. In the evening, visit the village of Jojawar.

Day 8: Jojawar / Ranakpur / Udaipur:
Departure for Udaipur. On the way, visit the Jain temple of Chaumukha Mandir in Ranakpur, the Temple with Four Faces and 1444 columns, all different. Installation in Udaipur. In the evening, show of traditional dances and puppets of Rajasthan at Bagore ki Haveli.

Day 9: Udaipur:
Udaipur, also called “The Venice of the East”, is the most romantic setting in Rajasthan thanks to its many lakes and magnificent palaces including the famous Lake Palace. Visit the City Palace and the Jagdish Temple. Day dedicated to visiting the city and the bazaars of the ancient city of Udaipur. In the evening, boat ride on Lake Pichola.

Day 10: Udaipur / Chittorgarh / Bundi:
Departure for Bundi. On the way, visit the largest fort in Rajasthan: Chittorgarh Fort. Installation in Bundi, visit of the old town. Discovery of the “Raniji-ki-baori” well decorated with sculptures, the cenotaph with 84 pillars and the royal tombs.

Day 11: Bundi / Jaipur:
Visit Bundi Palace and Taragarh Fort. Departure for Jaipur. Installation in Jaipur then visit the Palace of Winds (Hawa Mahal). In the evening, discovery of the old city also nicknamed the “pink city”, and visit the temple of Laxminarayan.

Day 12: Jaipur:
Jaipur, capital of Rajasthan founded by the astronomer king Jai Singh II between 1688 and 1743. Visit the Amber Fort and climb to the fort on elephant back or on foot / by Jeep. In the afternoon, visit the Astronomical Observatory (Jantar Mantar) and the City Palace. Walk through the bazaars of the “pink city” and discover its historic districts.

Day 13: Jaipur / Fatehpur Sikri / Agra:
Departure for Agra. On the way, visit the fortified city of Fatehpur Sikri, built by Emperor Akbar between 1571 and 1585. Installation in Agra. Visit the Agra Fort, one of the most beautiful Mughal-style forts built in 1565 by Akbar and enlarged by his grandson Shah Jahan. In the evening, visit the bazaars of the city of Agra.

Day 14: Agra / Gwalior / Orchha:
Early morning visit the Taj Mahal, one of the seven wonders of the world. Built at the request of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan as a tribute to his beloved, its construction mobilized more than 20,000 workers and craftsmen from all over the world. Return to the hotel for breakfast then departure for Orchha. On the way, visit the Gwalior Fort. Installation in Orchha and visit the mythical city of Orchha in the evening.

Day 15: Orchha / Khajurâho:
Visit to Jahangir Palace, then departure for Khajuraho. Installation in Khajuraho. Visit to the Kamasutra temples of the city. In the evening, discovery of the city of Khajuraho.

Day 16: Khajuraho / Allahabad:
Departure for Allahabad. Installation in Allahabad then visit of the temple of Patalpuri. In the evening, visit of the Sangam (confluence of three sacred rivers Ganges, Yamuna and the mythical river Saraswati) and its ghats.

Day 17: Allahabad / Chunar / Benares:
Departure for Chunar. On arrival, board a boat to Benares, crossing the Ganges through picturesque villages. On arrival, disembark and settle in Benares. In the evening, discover the religious ceremony on the Ganges.

Day 18: Benares:
Early morning boat ride on the Ganges to see life rise on the Ganges ghats then return to the hotel for breakfast. During the day visit the Buddhist temple of Sarnath, visit the Manikarnika (cremation) ghats, Dasahwamedha (purification) of Benares, and the Vishwanath temple. In the evening visit the ancient city of Benares, the Chowk and its bazaars.

Day 19: Benares / Delhi (Flight):
Transfer to Varanasi airport for your flight to Delhi. Welcome by our local representative and check-in in Delhi. In the evening, visit India Gate.

Day 20: Delhi:
Delhi, capital of India, an ancient, medieval and modern city. Discovery of old Delhi: visit the largest mosque in India; the Jama Masjid mosque, and the lively markets of Chandni Chowk. In the afternoon, visit Humayun’s Tomb and the Qutub Minar.
Day 21: Delhi & Departure: Transfer to the airport for the return flight.

THE PRICE INCLUDES:
• A private air-conditioned vehicle, adapted to the number of participants (parking fees, fuel, road taxes, and tolls included).
• An experienced English-speaking driver.
• Accommodation in a “double” room, taxes and breakfast included.
• Entry tickets to Bagore ki Haveli and traditional dance show in Udaipur.
• Boat trip in Udaipur and Benares.
• A camel ride in the Thar Desert, traditional dances and music presented by Kalbeliyes, the “gypsies of Rajasthan”.
• The little train ride in Jojawar.
• The Chunar – Benares boat trip.
• The flight from Benares to Delhi.

NOT INCLUDED:
• International flights.
• International airport taxes.
• Lunches and dinners.
• Entrances to monuments and sites to visit.
• Visa fees.
• Drinks.
• Tips.

Category of your hotels
(Ranking according to local standards)

Delhi – Hotel Pluto Inn***
Mandawa – Chobdar Haveli
Bikaner – Harasar haveli (charming)
Jaisalmer – Nachana haveli (charming)
Jodhpur – KP Haveli (charming)
Jojawar – Ravla Jojawar (charming)
Udaipur – Mahendra Prakash (charming)
Bundi – Bundi Inn (charming)
Jaipur – Khandela haveli***
Agra – Crimson Palace***
Orchha – Bundelkhand Riverside Retreat (charming)
Khajuraho – Isabel Palace**
Allahabad – Hotel Harsha Ananda***
Varanasi – Hotel Silk city