THE OFFBEAT ROYAL TRAIL

Discovers the countryside trails of the Royal Rajputana. Stay in royal village hamlets & palaces to enjoy the way of life in the majestic & rural Rajasthan yet enjoying the famous sights & highlights.

19 days from USD 1485


Delhi | Jaipur | Nimaj | Pushkar | Fort Khejarla | Jodhpur | Jaisalmer | Khimsar | Rawla Narlai | Kumbhalgarh | Udaipur | Deogarh | Kishangarh | Samode | Agra | Delhi

ITINERARY DETAILS

Day 1: Delhi | Jaipur (5 hrs drive)

Evening free to explore local bazaar. Optional bargain shopping of Jaipur's famous Blue Pottery, textiles, jewellery and decorative items handcrafted by expert artisans.


Day 2: Jaipur

Morning elephant ride to Amber Fort. Later sight seeing tour of City palace, Hawa Mahal (Palace of winds), Jantar Mantar & Amber fort on elephant back.


Day 3: Jaipur | Nimaj (3½ hrs drive)

Nimaj is a tranquil hideaway in the heart of the Aravalli Hills and an excellent place to relax and unwind during a tour of Rajasthan. The Thakurs of Nimaj were one of the eight "Sirayats" (highest honour given to feudal lords for their bravery and they formed the permanent advisory senate of privileged Thakurs) of Marwar. The surrounding countryside continues to be tilled by farmers in a way unchanged for centuries and the waters of the nearby lake sustain a healthy population of seasonal birdlife. Visit Nimaj Palace. Originally built as a residential palace of the royal family of Nimaj, the palace has now been converted in to an experiential heritage hotel offering wide ranging experiences.


Day 4: Nimaj | Pushkar | Fort Khejarla (4 hrs drive)

Pushkar city situated on the banks of Pushkar Lake, is one of the five most sacred places for Hindus. It is also the venue of the annual Pushkar Camel Fair. Pushkar Fair itself attracts a big crowd of tourists not only from different parts of India but also from abroad. There are 52 lovely ghats surrounding this picturesque and holy lake of Pushkar.
Fort Khejarla was built in 1611 A.D by Thakur Gopaldasji, who was granted Jagir of Khejarla for his great achievements in war, defending the frontiers of Marwar against Mughal rulers of Delhi. Fort Khejarla is an outstanding example of architecture of the Raj, spread across 14 acres of Land atop granite boulders hillock.


Day 5: Fort Khejarla | Jodhpur (2 hrs drive)

Visit Mehrangarh Fort spread over 5 kilometers on a steep hill and looking down 125 meters. The fort appears rugged and impenetrable from the outside, but houses some of the most intricately adorned palaces with exquisitely carved panels and latticed windows. The structure justifies the name "Mehran – Majestic, garh – Fort". Also visit Jaswanth Thada & the majestic Umaid Bhawan Palace. 


Day 6: Jodhpur | Jaisalmer (5 - 6 hrs drive)

In Jaisalmer free to explore the fortress town, through narrow streets leading to Jain temples & havelis with most exquisite stone carvings in golden honey yellow stone.


Day 7: Jaisalmer

Day return trip to Sam - the most picturesque sand dunes of Sam. The ripples on the wind -caressed dunes, that create an enchanting mirage, are surely a delight for a trigger -happy photographer. Enjoy camel rides.


Day 8: Jaisalmer

Day free to explore the fort & around.


Day 9: Jaisalmer | Khimsar (4 - 5 hrs drive)

The Khimsar Fort, now a premium heritage hotel, was constructed by Rao Karamsiji, the 8th son of Rao Jodha, the founder of Jodhpur. The construction on the fort began in 1523. Lter adages to the fort included a zenana (ladies) wing, and a private regal wing built by Thakur Onkar Singh for himself. A part of the fort still forms the residence of the royal family of Khimsar. 


Day 10: Khimsar | Rawla Narlai (4 hrs drive)

Ideally situated in the heart of Narlai village, Rawla Narlai is an exquisite heritage hotel lying en route to Jodhpur and Udaipur in rustic Rajasthan. An ancient 17th century fort, Rawla Narlai was meticulously refurbished by Maharaja Swaroop Singh together with his wife and sons, retaining the traditional rich heritage while perfectly blending it with modern lavish comforts.


Day 11: Rawla Narlai | Ranakpur | Kumbhalgarh (2 hrs drive)

Nestled in the Aravali ranges Ranakpur is a complex of Jain temples situated in the middle of the forest, made of white marble the temple looks like a pearl displayed on green velvet. Built in the 16th Century these temples are a labour of love and devotion, the temple is perfectly symmetrical except for one pillar in the hall, which is deliberately misaligned in accordance to the Jain mythology where only god is perfect.
Kumbhalgarh fort virtually inaccessible in the 15th century, Rana Kumbha of Mewar built this great defensive fortress on a 3,500 feet (1,100 meters) high hill overlooking the approaches from Ajmer and Marwar. Of the 84 fortresses defending Mewar, 32 were designed and built by Rana Kumbha. Of these, Kumbhalgarh with its 36-kilometer long wall and soaring towers is the most impressive. Kumbhalgarh stands on the site of an ancient citadel dating back to the second century AD belonging to a Jain descendant of India's Mauryan emperors. It defined the boundaries between Mewar and Marwar and became a refuge for Mewar's rulers in times of strife.


Day 12: Kumbhalgarh | Udaipur (2 hrs drive)

Day free at leisure at the beautiful fairy tale lake city. Evening sunset boat cruise in the Lake Pichola.


Day 13: Udaipur

Visit the City Palace and museum. A majestic architectural marvel towering over the lake on a hill surrounded by crenelated walls, it is a conglomeration of courtyards, pavilions, terraces, corridors, rooms and hanging gardens. The main entrance is through the triple arched gate, the 'Tripolia' with eight marble porticos. The Maharana were weighed under the gate in the gold, the equivalent amount of which was distributed among the populace. Later visit Saheliyon Ki Badi. This small ornamental garden was a popular relaxing spot where royal ladies came for a stroll and hence the name. The garden has many fountains in its four delightful pools,chiseled kiosks and marble elephants.


Day 14: Udaipur

Day free.


Day 15: Udaipur | Deogarh (3 hrs drive)

Day free to explore the Palace with five floors and over 200 rooms which have murals done by local painters after whom Deogarh school of painting has acquired fame the world over. Also visit the famous school of miniature painting and some of the loveliest Deogarh miniatures adorn the personal collection of the present Rawat Sahib. You may also Pick-up and ride in Vintage Cars owned by the Royal Family.


Day 16: Deogarh | Kishangarh (2½ hrs drive)

Maharaja Kishan Singh erected the Kishangarh Palace in the year 1611 AD. Formerly ruled by the Rathod Clan, Kishangarh has a rich historic past. It is a widely known fact that the finest miniature painting schools were first established in Kishangarh. This was patronized by Maharaja Sawant Singh. He was a king with a poet's mind and a great taste for art and poetry. Kishangarh owes a lot of its present fame to this poet ruler.


Day 17: Kishangarh | Samode (2 hrs drive)

Samode Palace was initially built in the sixteenth century as a Rajput fort, but in early 19th century, under the nobleman Rawal Berisal, it was converted from a fort into an exquisitely designed palace in Rajput and Muslim architectural style. Relax & enjoy the ambience of the stunning luxurious Samode Palace tucked in a desert village & where the Hollywood movie "Far Pavilion" was shot. Evening enjoy villagers perform and sing in the palace courtyard.


Day 18: Samode | Agra (5 hrs drive)

Sight seeing of Taj Mahal, Agra fort & Akbar's mausoleum.


Day 19: Agra | Delhi (3 hrs drive)

Inclusions:

Room with breakfast + air-conditioned car with driver + English speaking/language guide/naturalist for all sight seeing.