Day 1 : Delhi
You will be welcomed at Delhi airport by our local agency representative or your French-speaking guide to India. They will assist you with the transfer to the hotel we have reserved for you for 2 nights.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 2 : Delhi
After breakfast, the day is dedicated to exploring Delhi.
Bathed by the holy waters of the Yamuna River, Delhi served as the capital of two empires: first under the Mughals and then, from 1911, under the British. The city is divided into two contrasting parts: New Delhi, the Victorian city with grand avenues, its business district, and the parliament around Connaught Place, and Old Delhi, the ancient city, capital of Muslim India, with narrow bustling streets. Here you will find the Red Fort, a symbol of the power of the Mughal emperors, and the Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in the country.
You will explore Old Delhi on foot, visiting Raj Ghat, the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi.
Next, you will visit Humayun's Tomb (a fine example of Mughal architecture said to have inspired the Taj Mahal), as well as Qutub Minar, the tallest minaret in the country at 72.5 meters.
In the late afternoon, you will explore New Delhi, passing through Raj Path, the Royal Avenue, to admire India Gate, Parliament House, and the President's Palace.
In the evening, you will experience a moment of fervor with the Sikh community at the Bangla Sahib temple.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 3 : Delhi / Mandawa (230 km / 5h30) / Nawalgarh (30 km / 30 min)
After breakfast, depart for Mandawa, a region of Rajasthan known as "the open-air art gallery of Rajasthan." It is in these towns surrounded by sand dunes that you will find the Havelis, mansions of wealthy merchants who once thrived on camel trade between India and Pakistan.
Next, proceed to Nawalgarh, where you will have the opportunity to visit the ancient mansions of this small village, a true gem, housing numerous Havelis and temples. Here, you will also discover the daily life of villagers: the colorful attire of women busy with their daily activities, children on their way to school, and artisans at work.
Arrival and check-in at the hotel in the late afternoon.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 4: Nawalgarh / Bikaner (220 kms / 3h45)
After breakfast, journey through the Thar Desert to Bikaner, the former princely capital of the 15th century.
In the afternoon, explore Junagarh Fort, a massive citadel housing various palaces and temples. It's a maze of corridors, staircases, and inner courtyards waiting to be explored.
Within the fort, you will discover the coronation hall, the Glass Palace, the Maharajah's chamber, the arms museum featuring elephant howdahs, the conference hall with its silver throne, and the first planks for the fakirs.
After a short Tuk-Tuk ride through the picturesque city bazaar, explore its old quarters on foot to delve into its typical narrow lanes.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 5 : Bikaner / Jaisalmer (330 km / 5h30)
After breakfast, depart for Jaisalmer and visit a typical desert village.
Arrival and check-in at the hotel in the late afternoon.
In the evening, visit Bara Bagh, the former garden of the city's rulers, to discover the decorative chhatris (cenotaphs) of Jaisalmer's Maharawals (rulers).
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 6 : Jaisalmer / Dechu (160 km / 2h30)
After breakfast, visit the Golden City and its surroundings: the artificial water reservoir of Gadi Sagar, surrounded by small temples and shrines, which supplied the city with water until 1965, its Jain temples, havelis, and palace.
In the afternoon, depart for Dechu. Amidst the deserts of Rajasthan lies the majestic Thar Oasis Resort, a true gem! A visit to Dechu is the best way to understand the culture and beauty of desert life.
Embark on a jeep safari through mustard and red chili fields, providing an opportunity to encounter abundant wildlife such as Indian gazelles or chinkara and nilgai, and admire the stunning beauty of the untouched sand dunes of the Thar Desert.
After a short camel ride on the sand dunes, your evening unfolds around a barbecue accompanied by a Langana dance and music performance.
Dinner and overnight in tents.
Day 7 : Dechu / Jodhpur (130 km / 2h30)
After breakfast, depart for the "Blue City" of Rajasthan.
Arrival and check-in at the hotel, followed by a city tour dominated by Mehrangarh Fort, its harem, magnificent reception hall, cradle room, curious little palace of mirrors, and hall of royal palanquins including the silver howdah.
In the afternoon, wander through the bazaars around the Clock Tower, a well-known meeting point visible from afar, where artisans and merchants of all kinds ply their trade. The market stalls overflow with saree fabrics, spices, grains, fruits, and vegetables.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 8 : Jodhpur / Ranakpur / Udaipur (310 km / 5h30)
After breakfast, depart for Udaipur.
En route, make a highly appreciated stop to visit the Jain temples of Ranakpur.
Located at the foot of a forested slope of the Aravalli Hills, Ranakpur is one of the most remarkable Jain sites, known for the quality of its sculpted decorations, the complexity of its temple architecture, and the charm of its religious fervor. The major attraction here is the Adinath Temple, built in the 15th century.
A scenic drive through the hilly landscape of the Aravalli range leads you to Udaipur, the "Pearl of Rajasthan."
Arrival and check-in at the hotel.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 9 : Udaipur
Founded by Udai Singh in the 16th century, the "White City" is one of India's most romantic cities.
It is adorned with three sparkling lakes, including Lake Pichola, its two "palace-islands," Jag Niwas and Jagmandir, and the vast City Palace located on the lake's edge, the largest palace complex in Rajasthan.
After breakfast, visit the City Palace, followed by a leisurely walk through the streets of the old town and a visit to the Jagdish Mandir, a sanctuary dedicated to Vishnu.
In the afternoon, visit Sahelion-ki-Bari, known as the "Garden of the Maidens," built in the 18th century by Maharana Sangram Singh for the royal ladies to stroll.
Explore this beautiful park filled with animated pools and adorned with marble elephants and numerous pavilions, offering a charming and tranquil atmosphere.
In the evening, take a boat ride on Lake Pichola to enjoy the magnificent sunset.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 10 : Udaipur / Chittorgarh / Bijaipur (2h30 / 130 km)
After breakfast, depart for Bijaipur.
En route, visit the fortress of Chittorgarh, imposingly perched above the plain. Chittorgarh is a site of exceptional beauty, 150 meters above the abyss, a dark mass where everything breathes the tragedy of those who, sword in hand, faced certain death to defend it. A tragedy of Rajput knights' honor and their women who chose to perish in the flames rather than surrender.
Take a short Tuk-Tuk ride before continuing to settle in a 17th-century palace for the night.
In the evening, take a stroll through the village of Bijaipur.
Dinner and overnight at the palace.
Day 11: Bijaipur / Bundi (3h / 240 km)
After breakfast, depart for Bundi, a small town in Rajasthan with an intact charm located off the beaten path. Here, you will visit the 12th-century Menal temples.
On the way, explore the temples dedicated to Shiva at Bijolia, fine examples of religious architecture from that period.
Arrival in the princely town of Bundi, dominated by the fort and the Rajput Chattar Mahal palace adorned with magnificent 18th-century paintings.
After visiting Taragarh Fort, the cenotaph with 84 pillars, and the royal tombs with delicate reliefs, take a walk through the old town and its bazaar.
Check-in at the hotel.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 12: Bundi / Jaipur (4h / 220 km)
After breakfast, depart for Jaipur, one of India's most pleasant and lively cities.
The capital of Rajasthan is also known as the "Pink City" due to the color of the buildings in the old city, surrounded by barren hills crowned with forts and crenelated walls. Sacred cows, camels, elephants, and rickshaws mingle here. Built in 1727, Jaipur is one of the most colorful and picturesque cities in all of India.
Arrival and check-in at the hotel.
You proceed to visit the "City Palace" with its fabulous collections of weapons and period costumes, the "Jantar Mantar", an amazing observatory built by a prince passionate about astronomy, and the Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds), a thin structure pierced with over 900 windows and balconies.
In the late afternoon, you take a rickshaw ride through the bazaars of the old city to admire the artisans in their shops (potters, dyers, jewelers), street vendors, and vegetable sellers.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 13 : Jaipur
After breakfast, depart for an excursion to Amber Fort. This majestic fort is located 9 km north of Jaipur, in the former capital of the Rajput empire.
Later, you return to Jaipur city and visit a public school. The afternoon is free for shopping.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 14 : Jaipur / Ranthambore (180 km / 3h30)
After breakfast, depart for Ranthambore National Park, renowned as one of the best places to spot the Bengal tiger, where you spend the day.
The 280 km² core area of the park was once the private hunting ground of the Maharajas of Jaipur. It was one of the first parks opened under the Project Tiger launched in 1973 by the Indian government, after the hunting of tigers was banned.
Check-in at the hotel.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 15 : Ranthambhore
After breakfast, your day is dedicated to two safaris and exploring the park.
One safari in the morning and another in the evening, offering two completely different atmospheres!
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 16 : Ranthambhore / Fatehpur sikri / Agra (240 km / 6h)
After breakfast, depart for Agra via Fatehpur Sikri.
On the way, you visit Fatehpur Sikri, a place of remarkable artistic and architectural beauty. Built in 1571, Fatehpur Sikri was the former capital of Emperor Akbar. The Imperial City contains buildings made of red sandstone in a variety of architectural styles: palaces, pavilions, courtyards, pools, mosques, and caravanserais.
Arrival and check-in at the hotel in the late afternoon, followed by a visit to Itimad-ud-Daulah's mausoleum, known as the "Baby Taj", the first Mughal structure entirely built of marble, featuring particularly delicate forms and motifs.
Upon arriving in Agra, you check into the hotel.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 17: Agra
After breakfast, you set out to discover the Taj Mahal, the iconic masterpiece of Mughal architecture. This luminous white marble mausoleum, inlaid with semi-precious stones, was built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal and is considered one of the wonders of the world.
The afternoon is free for shopping.
In the evening, you visit Agra Fort, whose high red sandstone walls dominate the Yamuna River. It marks the birth of the Mughal imperial style and offers you a last glimpse of the Taj Mahal.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 18: Agra / Jhansi / Orchha (by train - 260 km / 3h)
After breakfast, you take a train to Jhansi, en route to Orchha.
Once the capital of the Bundela kings, Orchha remained the capital of a powerful Rajput kingdom until 1783. Today, it is a small medieval village, surrounded by palaces and temples preserved from the ravages of time.
Arrival and check-in at the hotel.
You set out to discover Jahangir Mahal Palace with its impressive dimensions, Rajmahal Palace containing magnificent frescoes, and Raj Praveen Mahal, a small palace set in a garden.
In the evening, you attend a ceremony at the Rama Temple.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 19: Orchha / Khajuraho (170 km / 4h30)
After breakfast, depart for Khajuraho, once the capital of the Chandela kings from the 6th to 8th centuries.
Arrival and check-in at the hotel.
In the afternoon, you explore rural India with a walk through the village resonating with Indian tradition.
Following this delightful discovery, you attend a colorful dance performance representing different regions of India.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 20: Khajuraho / Varanasi (Domestic flight)
Sexuality becomes a spiritual path dedicated to recognizing, in every moment of life, the sacred power of love to reach the absolute. This is what the sculptures of Khajuraho reveal: scenes of ordinary life in the fields, war scenes, and scenes of love unfold under the benevolent gaze of the gods.
Then, you take a domestic flight to Varanasi.
Arrival and check-in at the hotel.
To experience the spiritual energy emanating from the city, you travel through the alleys and ghats in a rickshaw.
People come here mainly to pray, bathe, purify themselves, shave (women pilgrims donate their hair to the river), play cricket, wash clothes, give alms to sadhus, or practice yoga.
You have the opportunity to participate in an offering and worship ceremony on the Ghats, paying homage to the deities. Seeing these illuminated domes floating in the night will be a moment imbued with wisdom that you will remember for a long time.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 21 : Varanasi
Early in the morning, at the first rays of the sun, you embark on a boat ride on the calm waters of the Ganges, while thousands of pilgrims are already gathering on the banks to pray and purify themselves in the sacred waters.
In the afternoon, you visit Sarnath, the birthplace of Buddhist teaching.
It is here that Buddha preached his first sermon in 528 BCE. Sarnath, one of the most sacred places for Buddhists around the world, welcomes you for a visit to its museum, which houses remarkable representations of Buddha.
Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 22 : Varanasi / Delhi / Paris (Flight back)
After breakfast, you take a flight to Delhi before being transferred to the international airport for your return flight.