The best of Rajasthan

Welcome to Delhi, the capital of India. We are being escorted to our hotel. During this journey, we will learn about the fascinating medieval history of Northern India in this city that has undergone considerable transformation over the past decades. In this land, which has become legendary for witnessing the birth of no less than seven cities over the millennia, the signs of the past continuously blend with the new, offering a captivating and ever-evolving landscape. In the afternoon, after checking into the hotel, we visit the historic and beautiful Jama Masjid, commonly known as the "Friday Mosque". At the end of the day, we enjoy a rickshaw ride through the narrow lanes of Old Delhi, before returning to the hotel for the night.

In the morning, after breakfast, transfer to the Delhi railway station to catch the train to Ajmer. This city of the valiant king Prithvi Raj Chauhan is surrounded by the hills of the Aravali range. It is also known as "Ajay Meru" ("invincible hill"), from which the city's name "Ajmer" is derived. For hundreds of years, Ajmer has been a pilgrimage center for Hindus and Muslims visiting the mausoleum of the Sufi saint, Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti Hasan. Upon arrival in Ajmer, a representative of the tour company will welcome you, and then you will continue to Pushkar by car, traveling to this city on the edge of the Thar Desert. The heart of the city is one of the holiest lakes in India, the Pushkar Lake. Besides its religious significance, Pushkar is known for hosting the annual camel fair held every year in the month of Kartik (October and November). Since it is a religious town, alcohol and non-vegetarian food are taboo here. Upon arrival, we check into the hotel and then take a sightseeing tour to the Hindu temple of Brahma. At this place of worship surrounded by Pushkar Lake, devotees immerse themselves in the holy waters and offer prayers on the lake's shores.

After breakfast, we check out of the hotel and continue our journey by car to Udaipur, where we check into a new hotel. Udaipur is one of the most romantic cities in the Rajasthan, surrounded by gentle hills, calm lakes, and splendid architectural grandeur. The city has often been acclaimed as the 'Venice of the East'. In the afternoon, we immerse ourselves in the 17th-century Jagdish Temple, a significant Hindu place of worship in the heart of the city, and admire the grand City Palace, a blend of medieval European and Chinese architecture. We conclude the day, before returning to the hotel, with a pleasant boat trip on Lake Pichola. Since its main attractions are the two palaces on the islands of the lake, Jag Niwas and Jag Mandir, the spectacular view from the lake is certainly impressive. Jag Niwas, known as the Lake Palace, was once the summer retreat of the Prince of Mewar and is now a five-star hotel.

After breakfast, departure for Jodhpur and along the way visit to the Jain temple of Ranakpur. Also known as "Chaturmukha" ("Four Faces"), this temple is a masterpiece by the architect Deepa. It represents the beauty of marble craftsmanship and is truly an impressive structure. We then continue towards Jodhpur, known both as the "Sun City" and the "Blue City", the second-largest city in Rajasthan after Jaipur. Famous for its impregnable and majestic Mehrangarh Fort.

After breakfast, visit to Mehrangarh Fort and Jaswant Thada. Mehrangarh Fort is one of the most majestic forts in Rajasthan: strong, massive, and home to the Rathore clan that descended from the Sun God. It is a magnificent blend of different styles and influences. Known for its sculptures in dark red sandstone that tell the stories of the brave women of the royal family. Jaswant Thada, on the other hand, is a royal cenotaph of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. A commemorative monument built with perfectly carved white marble. These marbles are extremely thin and polished, and when the monument is bathed in sunlight, the outer surface of the monument glows with a warm light. Later, the journey continues to Bikaner, the 'Red City', so named for the color of its imposing royal palaces and public buildings. The city is an oasis in the heart of the Thar Desert. Its imposing palaces, beautiful temples made of red and yellow sandstone, richly carved, showcase some of the finest creations of the Rajput civilization.

After breakfast at the hotel, we visit the Junagarh Fort before taking a tuk-tuk ride through the old part of the city. The fort is built of red sandstone and houses beautiful ancient buildings, where you can admire the beauty and the frescoes of the recently restored paintings. Passing through all the gates, you will feel like you are taking part in a royal procession as was customary in the past. The tuk-tuk ride (motor-rickshaw) through the old part of Bikaner allows for a closer look at the characteristics of this place. We can admire the wealth the city had reached at the beginning of the 20th century by driving through its magnificent havelis (the grand and beautiful houses of old merchants of jewelry, textiles, spices, etc.). Later, continue to Jaipur, the 'Pink City', founded about 300 years ago and today a well-organized, colorful, and attractive destination. The capital of Rajasthan, famous for its pink sandstone palaces, was founded by the astronomer and king maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, who built it according to Vastu Shastra (a science that helps maintain the harmony of nature within urban planning).

Our journey in India continues with a morning tour to Amber Fort. Located on a spur overlooking a lake, the sturdy walls of Amber Fort appear imposing from the outside, but they hide an interior rich with beautifully decorated palaces, temples, and landscaped gardens. Be dazzled by the Sheesh Mahal, a room with walls and ceiling completely inlaid with sparkling mirrors. Admire the frescoes of the Ganesh Pol gate and the colonnade of the Diwan-i-Aam. Along the way, we make a photo stop at the enchanting Hawa Mahal or 'Palace of the Winds', whose colorful facade has hundreds of windows, built in pure Rajasthani style. The palace was used by the royal women, as it allowed them to hide while observing the outside. In the afternoon, we visit the Maharaja's City Palace, the former Royal Residence, part of which has been turned into a museum. A small area of the palace is still used by the royal family of Jaipur. We then visit the Jantar Mantar, the famous stone and marble astronomical observatory that is still operational.

After breakfast, we continue towards the hotel in Agra, on the banks of the Yamuna River. In the 17th century, Agra became famous as the capital of the Mughal Empire and was adorned with gardens, waterfalls, baths, and canals. Today, the city hosts a thriving craft industry known for marble inlay and carpet making. On the way, we stop to visit the ghost town of Fatehpur Sikri. The city was built by Emperor Akbar in the 16th century but was abandoned 14 years after its foundation due to a scarcity of water. We visit the charming and well-preserved buildings of the "Ghost Town", which evoke a mysterious past. We continue to Agra and, upon arrival, check into the hotel. The rest of the day is free, entirely at our disposal to spend as we please.

Breakfast at the hotel is followed by a sightseeing tour to the majestic Taj Mahal. Built in the mid-17th century by the order of Shah Jahan in memory of Queen Mumtaz Mahal, who died in childbirth, this mausoleum is an eternal love poem etched in stone. During the visit, we will have the opportunity to admire the complexity of the work of 20,000 artisans who came from Persia, Turkey, France, and Italy to build this wonderful monument (closed on Fridays). If you want to learn more about Agra, enjoy a visit to the Agra Fort, whose incredible battlements of red sandstone hide a series of majestic Mughal palaces. Explore the delightful Diwan-i-Am ("Hall of Public Audience"), where once stood the throne on which the emperor sat to discuss with his subjects, and the Diwan-i-Khas ("Hall of Private Audience"), where kings and foreign dignitaries were hosted. The dazzling white marble of the Mina Masjid ("Heavenly Mosque") creates a fantastic contrast with the rest of the Red Fort. In the afternoon, departure for Delhi, where we will stay overnight.

After a final breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport for the return to Italy. Our journey in India ends here. Until the next tour!