Evening take a direct non-stop flight from Heathrow with Jet Airways.
Morning arrival and transfer to the luxury Shangri la Hotel for two nights. Enjoy a welcome drink where you have the chance to meet your fellow travellers.
A full day is spent taking in the bustling city of Delhi with its distinct Old & New regions. Sightseeing includes the World Heritage Site of Humayun's Tomb and an exciting rickshaw ride through the convergent bazaars of Chandni Chowk, the main trading centre of Old Delhi.
Morning drive to Agra for a two night stay at the Trident Hotel (you could upgrade to the luxurious Amar Vilas for a supplement). In the evening visit the Taj Mahal and watch as the sun sets, apparently changing the colour of this building of buildings.
Spend the morning visiting the Agra Fort and the tomb of Itamud-ud-daula, a precursor to the Taj. The afternoon is free to relax.
Drive to Jaipur, stopping en-route at the deserted Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri. Stay two nights at the elegant Samode Haveli; a heritage hotel befitting of the city of Jaipur.
Known as 'The Pink City' due to the locally sourced reddish sandstone used in its initial construction and the pink paint now used to colour modern buildings, Jaipur is a an exciting and vibrant city and rightfully sits in the so-called 'Golden Triangle' region of India.
A full day is spent exploring Jaipur. Visit the Amber Fort on elephant back (elephants subject to availability) and the remaining city sights including the Palace, Observatory and the bustling markets.
Proceed to the fortified city of Nagaur for a night at the boutique resort of Ranvas or a suitable alternative; explore the derelict but magnificent fort, which is actually attached to your unusual hotel. Each cottage was once the residence of a former Maharani.
Continuing on our western course, the desert becomes ever more imposing and the next village more isolated than the last as we slowly approach the lone city of Jaisalmer.
The old part of the city is built almost entirely of a yellowish sandstone lending to the settlement being affectionately termed 'The Golden City'. Stay two nights at the Taj Rawal Kot or Fort Rajwada (or you could stay at the luxurious Suryagarh for a supplement).
Morning visit Jaisalmer Fort, which dominates the local landscape. This impressive structure comprises a maze of alleyways and narrow lanes that lead to various Havelis and Jain temples, all enclosed within the fort.
In the afternoon we head out on camels across the Great Thar desert to see the sun slowly sink below the sand dunes.
From the very Western borders of India we now face eastwards and drive to 'The Blue City' of Jodhpur. Here we stop for a visit into the imposing Meherangarh Fort which has commanding views of the city and is a treasure house of ancient weapons, jewels and traditional costume.
Drive on to Rohet for two nights at the royal mansion of Rohetgarh (or stay at their new luxury resort of Mihir Garh for a supplement).
Enjoy a morning jeep safari to nearby tribal villages. There is free time today, with the option of riding a royal Marwari horse.
A scenic morning drive brings us to Ranakpur where we can view the ornately carved Jain Temples and enjoy lunch in a mango orchard; drive on to Udaipur for a night at the Fateh Prakash Palace or the Trident Hotel.
The evening is spent on boats cruising the calm waters of Lake Pichola.
Day 14
Udaipur, Delwara (Devigarh)
In the morning visit the City Palace, Rajasthan's largest, built entirely of granite and marble. The sightseeing tour also takes in the ornamental gardens of Sahelion Ki Bari and the Jagdish Temple, which dominates the cities' skyline.
After the morning's activities drive on to Delwara for two nights at the luxury resort of Devigarh.
At leisure to explore the village and enjoy the world class spa facilities which are provided by the French beauty group L'Occitane.
Day 16
Udaipur, Mumbai, London
Take a short morning flight to Mumbai and connect with the direct flight back to London Heathrow.
