Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
India – Rajasthan – Delhi – Agra – Jaipur – Jodhpur – Udaipur
100% customisable for you
Your 11-day Rajasthan rail adventure begins today. Head to the airport, fast-track through security and relax in the lounge before boarding your nine-hour flight to Delhi.
When you land, you’ll be met at the airport and privately transferred to your hotel in the heart of New Delhi, which will be your base for the next two nights. Unpack, settle in and rest up ready for the first full day of your holiday tomorrow.
Delhi has two faces: Old Delhi is traditional, colourful and eclectic; New Delhi is expansive and stately. You'll have the chance to explore both on this trip, but today, it’s youngest first.
A reminder of India’s time under British colonial power, New Delhi is known for its wide avenues and meticulously manicured gardens. On a private tour, you’ll discover the UNESCO World Heritage site of Humayun’s Tomb, a domed structure whose Mughal architecture inspired the legendary Taj Mahal. You’ll also visit the Qutub Minar, a 236ft-high red sandstone tower, which was built at the beginning of the 13th century and decorated with verses from the Koran.
Once you’ve had your fill of sightseeing for the day, return to your hotel to rest your feet before heading out for dinner (our Concierge can recommend the best spots nearby).
It’s an early start this morning, as you’re whisked to the train station in time for your first train journey of the trip – an hour-and-40-minute jaunt to Agra, a historic city perched on the banks of the Yamuna River. While you’re here, you’ll have a driver at your disposal for the day, ready to ease your exploration.
Your hotel for the night is a contemporary hotel near to lots of bars, cafes and restaurants which you can explore at leisure.
No Rajasthan holiday is complete without a trip to the world-famous Taj Mahal which is protected as a UNESCO World Heritage site. So, today, that’s exactly what you’re doing. Set off at dawn to witness this architectural marvel bathed in the golden glow of sunrise – the best way to the splendour of this jewel-covered building.
Next, continue your tour of Agra with a trip to the Red Fort, an imposing sandstone citadel that also serves as the mausoleum of Itmad-Ud-Daulah.
Then, in the afternoon, you’ll be privately transferred to the train station for your four-hour train journey to Jaipur. After getting acquainted with the charms of your historic hotel, enjoy a delicious dinner of fragrant local dishes.
Unlike other old Indian cities, Jaipur was planned before it was built. But this certainly hasn’t deprived the ‘Pink City’ of any charm. On the contrary, the pretty pink hues of its buildings – which the 19th-century ruler Maharaja Ram Sing II painted as a symbol of hospitality for the Prince of Wales – make for the most beautiful of backdrops.
A bike ride is the perfect way to explore the capital of Rajasthan and experience the majesty of its monuments, which elegantly bring together Mughal and Rajput styles.
Return to the rails today with an early morning transfer to the train station for your six-hour journey to Jodhpur. When you arrive, head straight to your hotel, ready to spend the next two nights exploring another colourful citadel.
After a leisurely breakfast this morning, venture into Jodhpur, accompanied by another private driver. F ounded in the 15th century at the edge of the Thar Desert, Jodhpur is a labyrinth of small streets and blue hues. The bazaars of its old town, bursting with saris, spices and scents, are nestled under the shadow of Mehrangarh, a sandstone stronghold set on the heights of the city. Spend some time today visiting this imposing site, which is home to displays of Rajput art, royal attire and musical instruments as well as spectacular stained-glass windows.
Today, your private driver will take you to Udaipur, around five hours away. To break up the journey, visit Ranakpur, the site of the fifth-largest Jain pilgrimage in the country. Best known for its Adinath Temple, this site is as beautiful as it is spiritual. In all, more than 1,400 hand-chiselled pillars make up its stunning stone lacework. Once you’ve finished admiring this terrific temple, get back on the road to Udaipur, the penultimate stop on your Rajasthan rail adventure.
Udaipur is one of the most charming cities in India. Characterised by compact streets, gleaming white buildings and beautiful havelis (townhouses), it languishes on the shores of five lakes. Overlooking the largest of these lakes is the City Palace, a high-altitude fortress home to a labyrinth of narrow corridors, tiny staircases and a Babylonian hanging garden. Here, the hum of water, the scent of flowers and the harmony of the garden’s colours combine to delight the senses. Nearby stands the most important religious building in Udaipur: Jagdish Temple, a monument to Vishnu (the Hindu god of preservation).
Today, you’ll also meet some of Udaipur’s acclaimed artisans. For centuries, the city’s craftsmen have been creating woven, printed and dyed textiles. Variations in colours, textures and prints are a natural part of the manufacturing process, which, having been passed down from generation to generation, has remained virtually unchanged for years.
Today you’ll be making your way back to Delhi where your adventure began. Transfer to the airport and hop on a one-and-a-half-hour flight back to the capital.
After checking into your hotel, an elegant townhouse in the heart of the city, it’s time to explore Old Delhi on a private tour in a (conveniently motorised) rickshaw. Your first stop is the Jama Masjid Mosque, a grand structure that’s characterised by three enormous domes constructed out of white and black marble. Here, a gigantic esplanade and vast prayer hall accommodate nearly 25,000 visitors.
After admiring this glorious site, you’ll also have the opportunity to discover historical monuments such as the Red Fort and City Hall, along with other places of worship like the Gauri Shanker Hindu Temple, Digamber Jain Temple, Christian Baptist Church and Fatehpuri Mosque.
Once you’ve been spiritually satiated, head to the largest spice market in Asia, a buzzing street teeming with colours and scents. Under the spell of this engrossing environment, spend your final few hours in Rajasthan exploring the shops and bazaars of the country’s capital.
This morning, it’s time to wave goodbye to the glamour and grandeur of Rajasthan. You’ll be private transferred back to the airport in good time to board your return flight to the UK, armed with a newfound appreciation for the wonders of rail travel.
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
