Classical Rajasthan | 13 Tage

Arrival in Delhi, capital of India, one of the greenest capital cities and home of more than 13 million people. Today's Delhi is a blend of the past dating back to 1,500 BC to the medieval times of the great Moguls and the modern extending up to the colonial times into independent India of Mahatma Gandhi and Nehru. Transfer to Hotel. Overnight in Hotel.

Sightseeing of Delhi with Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Humayun’s tomb and India Gate and drive past government buildings in New Delhi. Overnight in Hotel.

Travel to Agra onboard the Shatabti-Express(chair car, air-condition, departure 06.00 hrs, arrival 08.00 hrs in Agra). Visit the massive Agra Fort with the halls of public and private audiences, "Octagonal Tower" and other buildings. The highlight is but the Taj Mahal - the magnificent monument, constructed by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of this wife Mumtaz Mahal. It is the most extravagant monument ever built for love. The emperor was so heartbroken when Mumtaz, to whom he had been married for 17 years, died in 1629 in childbirth, after giving birth to 14 children. Construction of the Taj began in 1631 and was not completed in 1653. 20.000 workers were recruited not from all over India but also from Central Asia. In the marble inlay factories of Agra you can still witness the artists and craftsmen doing their inlay work on marble as it was done for the Taj Mahal. Overnight in Hotel.

Drive to Jaipur. Enroute visit Fatehpur Sikri, beautiful but deserted capital built by great Mogul Emperor Akbar as a gesture of thanks to Sheikh Salim Chisti by whose grace the only son and heir to the Mogul throne was born. It took 11 years to build this beautiful city by artists and craftsmen assembled from all over the country but was inhabited for only 11 months. The buildings are of red sandstone. In the vast ruins visit Diwan-i-Am (Hall of Public Audiences), Diwan-i-Khas (Hall of Private Audiences) and Friday mosque, dedicated to the sufi saint Chishti. The mosque has one of the the highest gates in the world, "Buland Darwaza". In Jaipur, capital of Rajasthan and "Pink City", afternoon free. Overnight in Hotel.

Visit Amber Fort (12km), once capital of the Rajput Kingdom. It remained the capital till Jaipur was built in the 18th cent. by Maharaja Jai Singh II. Amber is situated in a beautiful green valley surrounded by the Aravalli mountains and guarded by it "Great Walls" running along the ridges punctuated with watch towers. See the rich decorated Halls of Public and Private Audiences, the Hall of Mirrors, ladies quarters and various other courtyards. In the lively bazaar mingle with the crowd, admire the traditional jewellery. See Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds). Built in 1799 it is one of Jaipur's major landmarks, although it is actually little more than a facade. This five-storey building is a stunning example of Rajput artistry and was originally built to enable ladies of the royal household to watch the everyday life and processions in the city. After Jantar Mantar, the observatory of Maharaja Jai Singh II, visit the City Palace. One part is museum with a great collection of miniature paintings, textile and armaments but the remaining part is still the today's residence of the Maharaja of Jaipur.

Drive to Bikaner, a city on the edge of the Thar desert. Visit the cremation grounds of the Royal Family of Bikaner, known as Devi Kund. Hundred's of Chattries (cremation towers) with beautiful stone filigree gave the otherwise barren landscape an interesting view. The Golden Jublee Museum has a good collection of the Rag-Ragini (mythological) paintings. The Junagarh Fort or "Old Fort" was royal residence till Lalgarh Palace was built in 1911. This fort-palace has large collections of arms and paintings. The palaces hide picturesque ensembles of courtyards, balconies, kiosks, towers and windows, superb quality of stone carvings in the palaces - it rivals the best anywhere in the world. Overnight in a Heritage Hotel.

Drive to Jaisalmer with its Golden Fort city in the heart of the Thar desert. Overnight in Hotel.

Jaisalmer was a very business centre on the old East-West Silk route. The beautiful houses, built out of golden yellow sandstone are very delicately chiselled and ornamented within the fort and the city. The Fort of Jaisalmer is amongst the oldest living fort in India, built in the 12th cent. See the Havelies of Jalam Singh, Patwaon Ki Havelie and Nathumal. Before sunset we reach Bada Bagh with the beautiful chattries with view to Fort Jaisalmer. Overnight in Hotel.

Drive to Jodhpur. PM: Sightseeing one of the most majestic forts in India perched on top of a hillock rising 125m above the city, the Meherangarh Fort. This fort has controlled and checked the advance of the numerous invaders into the desert kingdoms of Rajasthan. The impregnable fort museum is one of the best preserved. Opposite is the memorial of Maharaja Jaswant Singh which is made out of pure marble. From the top of the hill one sees Umaid Bhavan Palace which is among the last palaces built in India before independence. No words can describe the grandeur of this unique palace built out of yellow sandstone. Glide through the galleries of the palace and recall the charge of the light brigade and pay tribute to those gallant soldiers of the Jodhpur Army. Overnight in Hotel.

Drive to Deogarh. Enroute visit the beautiful Jain temples of Ranakpur, the biggest and most important ones in India. Built in 1439, the huge, beautifully crafted and well-kept main temple made of white marble has 29 halls supported by 1444 pillars, no two being alike. Overnight in Deogarh Mahal (Heritage Hotel).

Drive to Udaipur, the city of palaces and lakes, was founded in 1567 by Maharana Udai Singh, a clan of the Mewars, the "sun dynasty". PM: Enjoy a pleasant boat tour on the picturesque Pichola Lake. You pass the ghats (steps to the water where local people take their bath and wash their cloths), the famous and extravagant Lake Palace Hotel (Jag Nivas) and Jag Mandir, an island with the ruins of a former summer palace.

Visit the City Palace, a blend of Rajasthani and Mogul architecture. The former Maharana still lives in a part of the palace. The highest point is the garden palace (a former hill) with fine views over the Pichola Lake and the city. The pavilions, halls and courtyards show a collection of art. Unique are the enamel- and glass peacocks, miniature paintings of the Rajasthani and Mogul schools and old weapons. See also Sahelion-ki-Bari or ladies garden which was specially built for the ladies of the palace in the 18th cent. During hot summer weather you will enjoy cool atmosphere due to the beautiful fountains.

End of programme. Possibilities: Connect flight to Mumbai/Goa or Delhi.