Royal Rajasthan from Delhi to Udaipur

Included in the itinerary - A day trip with a private guide and driver. Old Delhi and New Delhi are two contrasting sides to India. The first is a traditional busy maze of alleyways criss-crossed by motorcycles, cows, oxcarts and zigzagging rickshaws. The second is clear and airy, and you'll get to see them both during the course of the day. See the Jama Masjid, a large mosque with red sandstone cladding, from the Mughal period. The same is true of Chandni Chowk, the 'moonlight market', tangles of katras, side-streets covered with bazaars, crowded with stalls on the ground - a profusion exotic sights, smells and sounds. The Indian Gate, which commemorates the Indian soldiers who fell in the Afghan Wars and World War I, was built by Edwin Lutyens (between 1921 and 1931). The visit ends with the tomb of Humanyun, whose dome of Mughal architecture inspired the Taj Mahal, and finally the Qutub Minar (13th century), a 236ft tall red sandstone tower decorated with fluting and verses from the Qur'an.
Optional - Visit the mausoleum of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya, a great saint of Indian Sufism.

Private transfer to the station and train to Agra which takes one-hour-fourty-minutes. Meet your private driver for the rest of the trip and enjoy overnight accommodation in the heart of the medieval town of Agra, in the only colonial-era building converted into a hotel. The place has not lost the grandeur and charm of yesteryear; from the roof terrace, you can easily see the white dome of the Taj Mahal. The large outdoor pool surrounded by beautiful gardens calls out to you to lounge beside it.
Already scheduled - Private day visit to Agra. In the itinerary: the Taj Mahal at dawn. The Red Fort, an imposing red-green citadel and the Itmad-Ud-Daulah mausoleum complete this panorama of Indo-Muslim architecture.

Drive to Jaipur.
Planned en route - A stop in the imperial city of Fatehpur Sikri. Private tour of this open-air red sandstone museum, an hour's drive from Agra. A collection of numerous pools, courtyards and palaces perfectly preserved since its abandonment - a remarkable testimony to the Indian architecture of the time.
Accommodation for two nights in a guesthouse in central Jaipur. The charm and intimacy of a private home, which offers its guests a haven of tranquillity within walking distance of the Old Town. Period furniture, candles and antique photographs: special care has been taken with the decoration to make each room distinctive. From the rooftop terrace, where you can enjoy tea in the afternoon, the view is stunning over Nahalgarh Fort. Dinner is served in the garden.
Optional - An evening at the Raj Mandir cinema - enjoy a colourful evening watching a much-loved Indian film.

The planned city of Jaipur is also known as the Pink City, due to when Maharajah Ram Sing II painted the walls pink in the 19th century, to symbolise welcome for the visit of the Prince of Wales. He never came, but the pink remained.
Included in the itinerary - A few miles from Jaipur is Fort Amber, which you can explore with a private guide. Built at the end of the 16th century above Lake Maota (in the centre of which is a lovely garden), this ample Hindu-style fortress is exceptional for the power it expresses and for the delicacy of its artwork such as the splendid Sheesh Mahal, the Mirror Palace, and the subtle marble bas-relief of the Magical Flower. Walk to the local market in the late morning and then, in the afternoon, take a private tour of the City Palace and Astronomical Observatory. The City Palace is a collection of palaces that are royal residences. Its architecture combines Hindu canons and Rajpout, Mughal and European elements. While the observatory made it possible to carry out accurate surveys of astronomical themes and to determine periods favourable for a variety of public or private acts.
Optional - A guided tour on the theme of Jaipur crafts - another by bike, accompanied by two guides, with food tasting included.

Road to Jodhpur.
Included in the itinerary - Private visit of Jodhpur, founded in the 15th century on the edge of the Thar desert. The maze of small alleyways, shades of blue from turquoise to indigo, and the bazaar of the old city which sells saris, spices, and piles of grain, are dominated by Mehrangarh, a sandstone fortress set at the top of the city, with its fresh-looking marble, delicate Persian motifs and sparkling mirrors.
Spend the night a little way from the historic centre, in an old house converted into a peaceful hotel. The rooms are particularly spacious, and the perfectly maintained garden and its pool are ideal for relaxing or taking a swim at the end of the day.
Optional - Visit Mandora Gardens, home to cenotaphs of Maharajas and a heroes' gallery with various sculptures of deities.

Road to Udaipur. Two nights' accommodation by Lake Pichola, in a pristine haveli made elegant by its simplicity and a lightness of touch. The house's restaurant is renowned as far away as Jaipur, and people come from afar to dine on the terrace and eat food based on many influences. Between courses, your gaze is drawn towards the lake and the city.
Included in the itinerary - The Jain temples of Ranakpur, north of Udaipur, are an important pilgrimage for the disciples of Rishabhamatha. While visitors do not necessarily follow the 'moksha', the liberation of the soul, they cannot help but marvel at the abundance of stone lacework, luminous volumes and flamboyant and meticulous art. Late afternoon, sailing on Lake Pichola. The splendour of the temples and palaces of Udaipur is probably best appreciated by boat.

Included in the itinerary - Private visit to Udaipur. An ancient city with narrow streets, with everything from white houses to beautiful havelis stretching out along the banks of its lakes - it is one of the most charming cities in the country. And overlooking the largest of the five lakes, the City Palace is a fortress. A labyrinth of narrow passages and tiny staircases and a hanging garden, you can sit and relax while you look out over the pool. Nearby is Udaipur's most important religious building, the Jagdish Temple, dedicated to Krishna. The Saheliyon ki Bari is a delightful garden with its kiosks, fountains, and lotus pond.
Optional - A ride through Udaipur in a vintage car - a private cooking class with an Indian family, followed by tasting.