Day 1: Delhi
You are welcomed at Delhi’s airport either by the representative of our local agency or by your French-speaking guide. He assures with you the transfer to the hotel we’ve reserved you for 2 nights.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 2: Delhi
This first day is dedicated to the discovery of Delhi.
Bathed in the holy waters of the Yamuna, Delhi was twice capital of empire, first with the Mughals, then in 1911, with the British. The city is divided into two very contrasting parts, New Delhi, the Victorian city with great avenues, with its business district and the parliament gathered around Connaught Place, and Old Delhi, the old city, the capital of Muslim India. Streets lined with bustling bazaars, and home to the Red Fort, witness to the power of the Mughal emperors as well as the Jama Majid Mosque, the largest in the country.
You take a rickshaw ride through Old Delhi, then you go through the Rajghat, mausoleum of Mahatama Gandhi, you visit Humayum’s tomb, a fine example of Mughal architecture that would have inspired the construction of the TajMahal, but also QutubMinar, the highest tower in the country with its 72.5m high.
In the late afternoon, you discover New Delhi via Rajpath, the Royal Way, before admiring the Indian Gate, the Parliament and the Presidential Palace.
In evening you share a moment of fervor with the Sikh community at the Bangla Sahib temple.
Overnight at the hotel
Day 3: Delhi / Nawalgarh / Mandawa (5h30 / 260km)
After breakfast, you take the road to Mandawa, region of Rajasthan nicknamed "the open-air art gallery of Rajasthan". It is in these boroughs surrounded by sand dunes that one finds the Havelis, houses of the rich merchants who once lived in the camel trade between India and Pakistan.
You take the departure to Nawalgarh, which allows you to discover old manor houses of this small village, real jewel, shelterhavelis and temples profusely. You will also discover villager’s habits and their daily life: the colors of women’s clothes busy with their daily activities, children on the way to school, craftsmen at work...
It is in the late afternoon that you settle down at the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel
Day 4: Mandawa / Bikaner (190 kms / 3h30)
After breakfast you go through the TharDesert to reach Bikaner, the ancient princely capital of the 15th century.
It is at the end of the afternoon that you crossJunnagarh Fort, an immense citadel which contains various palaces and temples. It's a maze of corridors, stairs and courtyards waiting for you.
In the corridors you will find the Coronation Hall, Palace of mirrors, Maharajah’s Room, the Weapons Museum which contains elephant nacelles, the "conference hall" with a silver throne, as well as fakirs first nail boards.
After a short ride in Tuk-Tuk in the picturesque bazaar of the city, you take a walk to cross its old quarters and explore the small typical narrow alleys before settling in the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel
Day 5: Bikaner / Dechu (3h30 / 210 km)
After breakfast, you take the road towards Dechu. In the middle of Rajasthan deserts, lies a majestic oasis, Thar Oasis Resort, a real jewel! A visit ofDechu city proves to be the best way to understand desert life’s culture and beauty.
It is in jeep that you leave for the discovery mustard and red peppers fields. This is the opportunity to make contact with a wild nature, very present: Indian gazelles (chinkara) or nilgauts and observe the magnificent beauty of Thar sand dunes.
After a little camel ride on the sand dunes, your evening takes place around a barbecue, accompanied by a show of dances and langana music.
Night in a tent.
Day 6: Dechu / Jodhpur (2h30 / 130km)
As soon as you arrive in Jodhpur, you will discover the "blue city", dominated byMeherangarh Fort, its harem, its sumptuous reception room, its cradle room, Palace of the mirrors and its room with royal palanquins whose "howdah" in chiselled silver.
In town, in the bazaars around the Clock Tower (a rallying point well known for tourists as visible from afar!), Craftsmen and merchants of all kinds. The stalls of this market are overflowing with stuffs like sari, spices, seeds, fruits and vegetables.
Installation and overnight at the hotel.
Day 7: Jodhpur / Ranakphur / Udaipur (310 kms / 5h30)
After breakfast you take the road to Udaipur. On the way, you make a stop to visit Ranakpur much appreciated Jain Temples. Located on the bottom of MontsAravalliforest slope, Ranakpur is one of the most remarkable Jain sites, both for the quality of its sculpted decors, the complexity of its temples architecture and the charm of the place, a great religious fervor. The main work of this site is Adinath temple which was built in the 15th century.
A beautiful road crossing the rolling landscape of the Aravalli chain leads you to Udaipur, the "Pearl of Rajasthan". Where you will be settling at the hotel upon your arrival.
Overnight at the hotel
Day 8: Udaipur
The white city, founded by Udai Singh in the sixteenth century, is one of the most romantic cities of all India. It is adorned with three sparkling lakes including Pichola Lake and its two "island-palace" Jagniwas and Jagmandir and the huge City Palace, on the lake, which is the largest palatine complex of Rajasthan.
After visiting the Palace, you leave for a stroll on your pace in the old city streets and also for JagdishMandir visit, sanctuary dedicated to Vishnou.
In the afternoon, you will visit TheSahelion-ki-Bari, nicknamed the "Ladies garden" built in the 18th century by MaharanaSangram Singh for women of the royal family who were coming to take a walk there. You will discover this beautiful park full of fountains animated by water games, the elephants in marbles and many kiosks that contains this charming quiet place.
In evening, you go for a boat ride on Pichola Lake in order to enjoy the beautiful sunset.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 9: Udaipur / Chittorgarh / Bijapur (2h30 / 130km)
After a heavy breakfast, you take the road to Bijapur where you visit Chittorgarh imposing Fort which stands above the plain. Chittorgard is at first an exceptional site, 150 m from the void, a dark mass where everything breathes the tragedy of those who, sword in hand, threw themselves in front of a certain death to defend it. Tragedy of Rajput knights’shonot and their wives giving themselves up to the fire of the stake rather than to the assailants.
You take a short ride in TukTukbefore hitting back the road and you settle in a palace of the XVIIth century for the night. In the evening, a short walk in Bijapur village is proposed.
Overnight at the hotel
Day 10: Bijapur / Bundi (5 hours / 250 km)
After breakfast, you leave for Bundi, a small town of Rajasthan with untouched charm located off the beaten track. On the way, you visit Menal temples dating from the twelfth century. In Bijolia, you will discover the temples dedicated to Shiva, beautiful examples of that time religious architecture.
The princely city of Bundi, dominated by the fort and the ChattarMahal Rajput Palace decorated with magnificent paintings of the eighteenth century is finally offered to you.
After visiting Fort Tara Garh, the 84 pillars cenotaph and the royal tombs with delicate reliefs, you take a short stroll through the old town and the bazaar before leaving to settle at the hotel.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 11: Bundi / Jaipur (4 hours / 220 km)
After breakfast, you leave for Jaipur, one of the most pleasant and lively cities in India. The vibrant capital of Rajasthan, also called "The Pink City", the color of the old city’s buildings, is surrounded by bare hills topped by fortresses and crenellated ramparts. Sacred cows, camels, elephants and Rickshaws coexist.
Built in 1727, Jaipur is one of the most colorful and picturesque cities of all India. You will visit the "City Palace" and its fabulous collections of weapons and period costumes, the "JantarMantar", an astonishing observatory built by a prince passionate by astronomy but also the HawaMahal or the Winds Palace, structure pierced with more than 900 windows and balconies.
At the end of the afternoon, you take a ride through the old town’s bazaars to admire the craftsmen in their stalls (potters, dyers, and jewelers), street vendors, vegetable marketers...
Installation and overnight at the hotel.
Day 12: Jaipur
After breakfast, you take the departure for an excursion to Amber Fort. This majestic building is located 9 km north of Jaipur, in the former capital of the RajputsEmpire.You climb to the top of its ramparts on the back of an elephant or on a 4x4.
The afternoon is free and reserved for shopping.
A Bollywood evening awaits you at the mythical Raj Mandir Cinema to close your day (sometimes subtitled in English).
Overnight at the hotel
Day 13: Jaipur / Fatehpursikri / Agra (5 hours / 240 km)
After breakfast, on the road to Agra you will visit FatehpurSikri, the most remarkable place from an artistic and architectural point of view. Built in 1571, FatehpurSikri is the ancient capital of Emperor Akbar. The Imperial City contains pink sandstone buildings with the most varied architectural forms: palaces, pavilions, courtyards and basins, mosques, caravanserai.
You arrive at the hotel in the late afternoon, before visiting the mausoleum of Itimad-ud-Daulah, nicknamed "Baby Taj", first Mughal building built entirely with marble, with particularly delicate forms and patterns.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 14: Agra
After breakfast, you finally discover the TajMahal in "tonga", small carriage. You will discover this amazing place of art and Mughal architecture, luminous mausoleum of white marble inlaid with semi-precious stones, built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtazmahal, and considered as the third wonder of the world...
The afternoon is free and reserved for shopping.
At the end of the day you will visit Agra’s Red Fort whose high red sandstone walls dominate the YamounaRiver. It marks the birth of the Mughal Imperial style and offers you the opportunity to take a last look at the TajMahal.
built in 1571
Day 15: Agra / Delhi / France
After breakfast, you return to Delhi before taking your return flight.