Ultimate Rajasthan and the Palace on Wheels

We fly overnight to Delhi, arriving on Day 2 for two-night stay.

We arrive in to Delhi today and transfer to our hotel.

We begin exploring with our local guide today, setting out on a tour that starts with a rickshaw ride through the streets of Old Delhi. Passing by the historic bazaar, we catch the scent of fragrant spices and the sounds of locals haggling for a bargain before visiting Jama Masjid, also known as the 'World-reflecting Mosque'. We continue to New Delhi, a spacious area of the city with modern buildings and wide, tree-lined boulevards, passing by the President's House and Parliament House on our way to Gandhi Smriti, a museum dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi. We also discover Connaught Place on a walking tour.

We transfer to the train station to board the Shatabdi Express to Kalka. From here, we embark on a scenic journey aboard the UNESCO-listed, narrow-gauge Toy Train to Shimla, travelling from the Shivalik foothills through 102 tunnels, over 864 bridges and around 919 horse-shoe curves. During our ascent, we have time to soak up panoramic views of the Himalayas, making stops at stations such as Dharampur, Kandaghat and Summerhill on the way. Alternatively, you may choose to make the journey by road. The mountain town of Shimla was once the summer capital of the British Raj and enjoys a cooler climate than India's bustling cities, and on arrival we check into our hotel for three night.

Today is free for you to explore Shimla. You could join an optional tour to Kufri to admire the views over the Himalayas, followed by a high-tea lunch at Wildflower Hall. Alternatively, you might like to soak up some of your natural surroundings with a hike around the surrounding pine forests or up Summer Hill for fantastic views. Once the sun sets, perhaps make your way to Lakkar Bazaar, a long stretch of open-air stalls selling traditional woodwork and souvenirs.

Our day begins with an informative talk from guest speaker Raaja Bhasin, whose spellbinding stories of his home town bring to life the history of Shimla. Later, we explore by car, seeing the Viceregal Lodge, a striking 19th-century Elizabethan-style mansion, and the Sankat Mochan temple. After lunch, we take a stroll along the mall to the town's Gaiety Theatre, the Victorian-Gothic Christ Church and Scandal Point - so called because it was where people would traditionally meet to gossip.

Please Note: For departure INJ2302 our guest speaker will be Raj Mehta

We leave Shimla in the morning, making the journey back down the mountains through stunning scenery to Chandigarh. Transferring to the airport, we fly to Jaipur for the night, the capital of Rajasthan. Founded in 1727 by Maharaja Jai Singh II, the city is often referred to as the 'Pink City' after the buildings were repainted in the 19th century to celebrate a visit from Prince Albert.

Taking a tour of the city, we see the incredible Amber Fort, the beautiful façade of the Palace of the Winds, which shielded courtly ladies from the streets below, and the ancient City Palace, before transferring to our hotel-train, the Palace on Wheels, and starting our five-night journey in carriages decorated in traditional Rajasthani style. After a vibrant welcome ceremony at the station, we settle into our comfortable cabins, enjoying dinner together in the restaurant car in the evening. The train's carpeted floors, intricately patterned walls and comfortable furniture is a fitting accompaniment to the regal architecture of Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur and Jaisalmer, and helps us immerse ourselves even further into the culture and traditions of this part of India.

During the night, our train sets off for Ranthambore, arriving at the renowned national park on early in the morning. One of the largest of its kind in India, this is perhaps the best place to see the Bengal Tiger in its natural habitat thanks to the conservation efforts of Project Tiger. We head out on a morning game drive in the hope of spotting this majestic creature, as well as a plethora of other native wildlife such as sloth bears, hyenas, macaques, wild boar and even leopards. Afterwards, we re-board the train and travel to Chittorgarh, where we see the majestic hilltop fort, the Tower of Victory, and the intricate Tower of Fame.

The Palace on Wheels reaches Udaipur, set on the shores of pristine Lake Pichola and encircled by the Aravalli Ranges of Rajasthan. Often referred to as the City of Lakes, Udaipur was founded by Maharana Udai Singh of Mewar after the Sisodia dynasty was driven away by the Mughals. We enjoy a coach tour here, seeing the famous City Palace, a majestic white monument created entirely of granite and marble that dates back to 1550, ahead of lunch at a nearby hotel. Afterwards, we take to the waters for a cruise across the lake itself, enjoying outstanding views of forested islands and elegant shoreside buildings.

We arrive in Jaisalmer, a historic walled town in the Thar Desert whose splendid sandstone architecture has earned it the moniker of the 'Golden City'. Embarking on a guided tour on arrival, we explore the main chowk, or square, which is dominated by the Palace of the Maharawal. Here, a five-storey façade of balconies and windows display some of the finest masonry in Jaisalmer, giving us time to marvel at the skill of the local stone carvers. In the afternoon, we enjoy 4x4 Jeep ride, traversing the sandy desert before stopping to admire the setting sun over the sand dunes. Dinner tonight is accompanied by a cultural performance at a local hotel before we re-board the Palace on Wheels.

Pulling into the 'Blue City' of Jodhpur, ringed by a high stone wall of seven gates and several bastions, we enjoy an immersive tour that includes the grand Mehrangarh Fort, Jaswant Thada - an ornate group of royal cenotaphs made of white marble to honour Rajput king - and the Umaid Bhawan Palace Museum. Jodhpur is also well known for its creative crafts and you may like to pick up any number of handmade gifts, fabrics or printed materials. After soaking up the atmosphere and architecture reminiscent of stately Indian court life, we enjoy lunch at a local hotel before re-boarding the train to make the journey to Agra.

The Palace on Wheels stops at Bharatpur, where you have the option to visit the famous bird sanctuary. Continuing to Agra, we disembark for the final time. After leaving the Palace on Wheels, we visit Agra Fort, a majestic red sandstone citadel, and the captivating Taj Mahal, an iconic white marble masterpiece. Commissioned by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in 1632 for his favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj Mahal is considered to be the world's finest example of Mughal and Persian architecture and is considered the jewel of Muslim art in India, as well as being one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. We return to Delhi by coach for the night.

Transferring to the airport, we fly back to the UK where our holiday draws to a close.