Rajasthan & Ganges Valley (20 days / 18 nights)
On this tour you will discover the ancient world of the princes and Maharajas of India, but you will also explore the incredible valley of the Ganges, the world's most sacred river. The state of Rajasthan still holds many mysteries today, with each city holding its own story etched in stone. You will also discover the state of Uttar Pradesh, which lives to the rhythm of the Ganges. There you can admire the Taj Mahal, the famous Kamasutra temples and the oldest and most religious city in the world: Varanasi.
Itinerary: Delhi-Nawalgarh-Bikaner-Jaisalmer-Jodhpur Udaipur-Pushkar-Jaipur-Agra-Orrcha-Khajuraho-Varanasi
Day 1 France / Delhi
Depart France with a flight to Delhi. Arrival at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi. Typical welcome with a flower necklace and transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 2 Delhi / Nawalgarh (Shekhawati)
After breakfast, departure for Nawalgarh in the heart of rural Shekhawati. Lunch en route. Arrive in Nawalgarh and check into hotel. Free time to rest or stroll around the village. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 3 Nawalgarh / Mandawa / Nawalgarh
A day exploring the picturesque Shekhawati region and its villages. You will discover Nawalgarh and, of course, Mandawa, where the beautiful mansions of rich merchants (Havelis) are adorned with remarkable paintings. Lunch during the visits. This day will be full of encounters, giving you the chance to discover the daily life of the villagers and share unique moments with them. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 4 Nawalgarh / Bikaner
After breakfast departure for Bikaner. Arrival in Bikaner, check-in at your hotel and lunch. Afternoon devoted to visiting the town and the Junagarh fort, an imposing 16th-century edifice housing an interesting collection of weapons. At the end of the afternoon, departure for Deshnok and its intriguing Rat Temple. This curious and mysterious place will give you sensations that will remain engraved in your memory. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 5 Bikaner/ Jaisalmer
After breakfast, you will head for Jaisalmer, the "city of gold", through the Thar desert. En route, stop at Ramdeora, a major Hindu pilgrimage site. Lunch en route. Arrive in the afternoon and check into your hotel. At the end of the day, visit the chattris (cenotaphs) of the Brahmins, from where you can watch the sunset: a splendid view of the city and fortress. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 6 Jaisalmer
After breakfast, visit Jaisalmer, a fascinating city in the middle of the desert. Surrounded by walls and with its impressive fortress, Jaisalmer will transport you back to the time of medieval India under the great Rajput princes. Here you will discover Jain temples and ancient merchants' houses decorated and carved in stone. Lunch during the visits. At the end of the day, you will visit Bada Bagh, home to the shrines of the princes of Jaisalmer. From here you can watch a magnificent sunset. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 7 Jaisalmer/ Osian / Jodhpur
After breakfast departure for Jodhpur. On the way stop at Osian and visit the Osian temples. You will then continue on to Jodhpur, known as the Blue City. Arrive in Jodhpur and check into your hotel. Lunch at your hotel. You will then set off to discover the city of Jodhpur. Situated on the edge of the Thar Desert, Jodhpur is the second largest city in the state of Rajasthan. The old city is surrounded by an imposing red sandstone wall. You will visit the Mehrangarh fort and the Jaswant Thada. At the end of the day, you will visit the city and its bustling market. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 8 Jodhpur / Ranakpur / Udaipur
After breakfast departure for Udaipur. On the way visit Ranakpur. You will discover the impressive Jain temples of Ranakpur. They were built in the 12th and 15th centuries and are dedicated to Rikhabdev and Sambhavanth. There are 1444 columns on the site, all of which are different. Lunch. Then drive back to Udaipur. Arrive in Udaipur and check into hotel. Then visit the Udaipur market. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 9 Udaipur
After breakfast you will set off to visit Udaipur. Udaipur offers a fascinating mix of sights, smells and experiences. The city is a true source of inspiration for poets, painters and writers. You will cross the tranquil waters of Lake Pichola, from where you can admire the island and the Jag Mandir Palace, from which, according to legend, the Mughal emperor Shah Jehan drew inspiration for the construction of the Taj Mahal. Lunch in the city. You will then visit the City Palace, which is also a museum displaying the finest treasures of Rajasthan. You will then visit the Gardens of the Maidens, Sahelion ki Bari, where Maharaná Sangram Sigh had a complex of gardens with a multitude of fountains built for his daughter. The rest of the day is free. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 10 Udaipur/ Eklingi / Nagda/ Pushkar
After breakfast, departure for the incredible city of Pushkar. On the way visit the temples of Eklingi and Nagda. Lunch at the hotel. Arrive Pushkar and check into your hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 11 Pushkar/ Jaipur
After breakfast, you will visit the town of Pushkar. Here you will find the world's only Brahma temple. This city has been a place of pilgrimage since time immemorial. It boasts no fewer than 500 temples and Ghats. Pushkar has an incredible architectural heritage. You will be able to contemplate the 52 Ghats on the banks of the lake. You can also visit the incredible Rose Garden, whose essence is very famous and exported worldwide. Then lunch. Then departure for Jaipur. Arrival in Jaipur, the capital of the state of Rajasthan and known as the Pink City. In the afternoon, on a rickshaw ride, you will discover the incredible bazaars and get to know part of the city. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 12 Jaipur / Amber / Jaipur
After breakfast, you will set off to discover the impressive Amber Fortress outside the city. At the foot of the hill, you will begin a slow but leisurely elephant ride up to the main gate. You will then visit this magnificent site, built in the 12th century. Return to Jaipur and lunch in town. In the afternoon you will visit the key monuments of the Pink City. You will discover the City Palace, which is still the home of the Maharadja, which is why some areas are not open to the public. However, you will visit the most interesting ones. You will also visit its museum, which exhibits many antiques that belonged to the ruling family. Then you will discover Hawa Mahal, better known as the Palace of the Winds, which is the most famous in Jaipur. Finally, you will discover Jantar Mantar, Jaipur's great astronomical observatory. You will be impressed by the size of its astronomical instruments. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 13 Jaipur/ Fatehpur Sikri/ Agra
After breakfast, departure for Agra. On the way, visit to Fatehpur Sikri. Fatehpur Sikri is a ghost town. Built of red stone by the emperor Akbar, it was the capital of his empire in the 16th century. You will also visit the great gate of Bulund Darwaza. At 54m high, it is the tallest gate in the world. It has inspired many other monuments. Lunch en route. You will then continue your journey to Agra. Arrive in Agra and check into your hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 14 Agra
After breakfast and very early in the morning, visit the Taj Mahal at sunrise. The Taj Mahal is one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. This white marble memorial was built by Cha Jahan for his beautiful wife Mumtaz Mahal. It took 22 years to build. There is a lot to be said about the Taj Mahal, not least its perfectly symmetrical architecture. You will then visit the Red Fort. This is the largest in the whole of India. It was built in 1573 and took 8 years to complete. Lunch during the visit. The afternoon is free to visit the city of Agra and its bustling markets. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 15 Agra / Gwalior / Orccha
After breakfast, departure for Orccha. On the way you will discover the magnificent city of Gwalior. Then lunch. Arrival at Orccha. The magnificence of Orccha remains frozen in stone by time. You will discover the marvellous Orccha temples on the banks of the river. Check-in at your hotel. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 16 Orccha / Khajuraho
After breakfast at the hotel, departure for Khajuraho. Arrive in Khajuraho and check into your hotel. In the afternoon you will visit the famous temples of Khajuraho built by the Chandela Kings between the 10th and 11th centuries. You will visit the most important of these temples, the temple of Chaunseth Yogini, dedicated to the goddess Kali. You can also visit the Mahadev, Chitragupta and Bharatji temples, all decorated with erotic statues depicting scenes from the Kamasutra. Lunch during the visits. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 17 Khajuraho / Varanasi (Flight)
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for a domestic flight to Varanasi. Arrival in the oldest city in the world and welcome at the airport. Check-in at the hotel. Lunch at the hotel. Depending on your time of arrival, visit Sarnath, the place where the Buddha gave his first sermon. At the end of the day, you can watch the magnificent sunset over the Ganges. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 18 Varanasi / Delhi (Night train)
Early morning boat trip on the Ganges, to admire the sunrise with music coming directly from the temples. Return to the hotel for breakfast. Later you will discover the Kashi Vishwanath temple, the famous temple dedicated to Shiva and situated on the banks of the Ganges. You will also discover other temples dedicated to other deities such as the temple of Durga, Bharat and Tulsi Manas. You will then discover the University of Banaras, the most famous in India, and enjoy the large gardens and monuments typical of Varanasi. Lunch in a typical restaurant during the visits. The end of the day is free, allowing you to visit the city's bazaars and buy a few souvenirs. Then, depending on the time of your train, transfer to the station to catch your train to Delhi. Picnic lunch and overnight on the train.
Day 19 Delhi / France
After breakfast, you will set off to explore Old and New Delhi. You will visit the most important and significant places in the Indian capital. During the day, you will admire the Gate of India, a monument to the soldiers who gave their lives in the First World War. You can also visit the Humanyo Tomb, a magnificent example of Mughal architecture. Lunch during the visit. You will then set off to discover the new Delhi, with the Raj Ghat housing the memorial to Gandhi, the father of the nation. You will be able to contemplate the Qutub Minar, also known as the Victory Tower, which remains the tallest tower in India and the third tallest in the world. Finally, you'll head to the Connaught district, which is characterised by its lively, modern feel. Here you can see the Presidential Palace, Parliament and the country's other institutions. At the end of the day, you'll have time to shop for souvenirs. Then, depending on your flight time, transfer to Delhi airport to catch your international flight to France. End of our services.
Day 20 France
Arrival in France.
