Day 01 : Delhi
You are welcomed at the Delhi airport either by the representative of our local agency or by your French speaking guide. He assures your safe transfer to the hotel we’ve booked for 2 nights.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 02 : Delhi Exploration
This first day is dedicated to the discovery of Delhi.
Bathed by the holy waters of Yamuna, Delhi was twice capital of empire, first with the Mughals and then in 1911 with the British. The city is divided into two very different parts, New Delhi, the Victorian city with wide avenues, with its business district and parliament gathered around Connaught Place and Old Delhi, the old city, capital of Muslim India, the streets lined with lively bazaars, the Red Fort, a witness to the power of the Mughal emperors and the Jama Majid Mosque, the largest in the country.
By rickshaw you go through Old Delhi, and then you take a look at Rajghat, the mausoleum of Mahatama Gandhi, you visit Humayun’s tomb, a fine example of Mughal architecture which have inspired the construction of the Taj Mahal, and the Qutub Minar (minaret and victory tower) , the highest tower of the country with its 72,5m height.
In the late afternoon, you discover New Delhi through Rajpath, the Royal Way before admiring the Indian Gate, Parliament and the Presidential house.
In evening, you share a moment of fervor with the Sikh community at Bangla Sahib temple.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 03 : Delhi / Nawalgarh / Mandawa (5h 30 / 260 Km)
After breakfast, you take the departure to Mandawa, region of Rajasthan known as “The open air art gallery of Rajasthan." It is in these villages surrounded by sand dunes where one finds the havelies, houses of rich merchants who once lived on the camel trade between India and Pakistan.
You then continue to reach Nawalgarh, which allows you to visit old lively houses of this small village, jewel, sheltering havelies and temples. You will also discover the villager’s habits and their daily lives: the colors of the clothes, busy women and their daily activities, children on the way to school, the craftsmen at work ...
In late afternoon you rest at the hotel for the night.
Day 04 : Mandawa / Bikaner (3h 30 / 190 km)
After breakfast you go through the Thar Desert to rejoin Bikaner, a former princely capital of the fifteenth century.
In the late afternoon, you look at the Junnagarh Fort, large citadel that contains various palaces and temples. It is a maze of corridors, stairways and courtyards which awaits you.
In the way of one of these corridors discover the hall of coronation, the Ice Palace, the Maharaja's room, the arms museum which also contains elephant’s nacelles, the "conference hall" with a silver throne.
After a short ride in Tuk-Tuk in city’s picturesque bazaar, you take a walk through the old areas to explore ancient winding streets.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 05 : Bikaner / Jaisalmer (5h 30 / 330 km)
After breakfast, you take the road to Jaisalmer. On the road, you visit a desert village.
In the evening, after reaching your hotel in the late afternoon, you go to visit Bara Bagh, the former garden of Jailsamers’s rulers to discover the decorative chhattri (cenotaph) of Maharawal (sovereign) Jaisalmer.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 06 : Jaisalmer / Dechu (2h 30 / 160 km)
After breakfast, art of your day is dedicated to the visit of the Golden City and its surroundings: the GadiSagar, artificial water tank, surrounded by small temples and shrines, which fed the city with water until 1965, its Jain temples, havelis and its palace.
In the afternoon you take the departure to Dechu. In the middle of the deserts of Rajasthan, there is a majestic oasis “Thar Oasis Resort”, a gem! A Dechu visit proves to be the best way to understand the culture and the beauty of desert life.
On a jeep ride, you discover the mustard and red pepper fields. This is a good opportunity to take contact with a wild nature, very present: Indian gazelles (chinkara) or even nilgai the largest antelope of Asia and is ubiquitous across the northern Indian subcontinent and observe the magnificent beauty of the Thar Desert which is worldly famous for its vibrant night and sand dunes.
After a stroll on camels on sand dunes, your evening unfolds around a barbecue, accompanied by a performance of dances and music.
Night in tent.
Day 07 : Dechu / Jodhpur (2h 30 / 130 km)
After breakfast you leave Dechu. You arrive in Jodhpur and after settling in the hotel, you discover the "blue city", dominated by the Mehrangarh Fort, its harem, its sumptuous reception room, dining cradles, curious little palace of mirrors and the room to royal palanquins including the "howdah" engraved silver.
In town, the bazaars around the Clock Tower (known as meeting point for tourists as seen by far!), have artisans and merchants of all kinds. The market stalls are full of sari fabrics, spices, seeds, fruits and vegetables.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 08 : Jodhpur / Ranakpur / Udaipur (5h 30 / 310 km)
After breakfast and on the way to Udaipur, you visit Ranakpur much appreciated Jain Temples. Located at the bottom of a forest slope of Aravalli range, Ranakpur is one of the most remarkable Jain site, both for the quality of its carved decorations and the complexity of the architecture of its temples, the charm of the place animated a great religious fervor. The major monument of this site is Adinath temple built in the fifteenth century.
A beautiful road through the green hills of the Aravalli Range leads you to Udaipur, the "pearl of Rajasthan".
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 09 : Udaipur- The City Of Lakes
The White city, founded by Udai Singh in the sixteenth century, is one of the most romantic cities of all India. It is adorned with three sparking lakes including Pichola Lake and its two “island-palaces” Jagniwas and Jagmandir and the huge City palace, on the lake, which is the largest palatine complex of Rajasthan.
After visiting the palace, you leave for a stroll on your pace in the old city streets and also for Jagmandir(temple) visit, sanctuary dedicated to the Lord Vishnou.
In the afternoon, you will visit the Sahelion-Ki-Bari, nicknamed as “The Ladies Garden” built in the 18th century by Maharana Sangram Singh for women of the royal family who used to come to have a walk there. You will discover this beautiful park full of fountains animated by water games, the elephants in marbles and many kiosks that contains this charming quiet place.
In the evening, you go for a boat ride on Pichola lake in order to enjoy the beautiful sunset.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 10 : Udaipur / Deogarh (3h 30 / 190 km)
After having breakfast, a visit to the complex Eklingji and Nagada temple rhythm your trip to Deogarh where your hotel opens its doors in the Royal Palace, part of which is still occupied by the Maharaja’s family.
In the afternoon, you discover the fortress and stroll the streets of Deogarh village.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 11 : Deogarh / Pushkar (3h30 / 160 km)
After breakfast, one of the most important cities of Hinduism welcomes you today. Pushkar and its 400 places of worship, whose only temple dedicated to Brahma, offers its 52 pilgrims ghats so that they access the sacred waters in which they come to purify. It is also inPushkar that the india annual’s largest camels fair takes place.
Installation and overnight at the hotel.
Day 12 : Pushkar / Jaipur (2h 30 / 150 km)
After breakfast, you leave for Jaipur, one of the most pleasant and most vibrant cities of India. The vibrant capital of Rajasthan also known as "The Pink City", buildings color of the old town, is surrounded by barren hills surmounted by forts and crenellated ramparts. Sacred cows, camels, elephants and Rickshaws alongside it.
Built in 1727, Jaipur is one of the most colorful and most picturesque cities across India. You will visit the "City Palace" and its fabulous collections of weapons and period costumes, the "JantarMantar", amazing astronomical observatory built by a prince and also the HawaMahal, or The Palace of Winds, whose thin structure drilled more than 900 windows, and balconies.
In the late afternoon, you walk in the bazaars of the old city in a rickshaw, to admire the artisans in their shops (potters, dyers, and jewelers), street vendors, shopping vegetables...
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 13 : Jaipur: The Pink City
After breakfast, you leave for an excursion to Amber Fort. This majestic fort is located 9 km north of Jaipur, in the former capital of the Rajput Empire.
We climb to the top of its ramparts on elephant’s back or 4x4.
The afternoon is free and reserved for shopping.
A Bollywood evening awaits you at the legendary Raj Mandir Cinema to close your day (sometimes subtitled in English)
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 14 : Jaipur / Ranthambore (3h 30 / 180 km)
After breakfast, you hit the road to Ranthambore National Park, renowned as one of the best places to see the Bengal tiger, where you spend the day.
The 280 km² which form the original heart of the park formerly constituted the former private hunting area of Jaipur’s Maharajas. It was one of the first parks open under the Project Tiger, launched in 1973 by the Indian government, after the ban on tigers hunting.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 15 : Ranthambore
After breakfast, your day is dedicated to two safaris and the visit of the Park. A first safari in the morning and another one in evening, two atmospheres totally different!
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 16 : Ranthambore / Fatehpur Sikri / Agra (6 h / 240 km)
After breakfast and on the road to Agra, you visit Fatehpur Sikri, the most remarkable in an artistic and architectural point of view. Built in 1571,Fatehpur Sikri is the former capital of Emperor Akbar. The imperial city contains pink sandstone buildings of the most varied architectural forms: palaces, pavilions, courtyards and pools, mosques, caravans.
You settle at the hotel in the late afternoon before visiting Itimad-udDaulah mausoleum, nicknamed as “Baby Taj", the first Mughal building entirely built of marble, with particularly delicate forms and patterns.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 17: Agra: The Taj Mahal
After breakfast, you set off to explore the Taj Mahal by "tonga", a small carriage. You discover this mecca of art and Mughal architecture, bright mausoleum of white marble inlaid with semi-precious stones, built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz mahal(palace), and regarded as world’s third wonder.
The afternoon is free and reserved for shopping.
At the end of the day, you visit Agra fort whose high walls of red sandstone overlooks the Yamuna River.
It marks the birth of the imperial Mughal style and you have a chance to take a last look at the Taj Mahal.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 18: Agra / Jhansi / Orchha (by train - 3h / 260 km)
After breakfast, you take a train which takes you up to Jhansi through Orchha route. Former capital of kings "Bundella" Orchha remained the capital of a powerful Rajput kingdom until 1783. Today, it is a small medieval village located in the middle of palaces and temples rather well preserved.
You can then discover the Jahangir Mahal Palace with impressive dimensions, the Raj Mahal Palace contains beautiful frescoes and Raj Praveen Mahal, small palace that stands in a garden.
In the evening you attend a ceremony in Rama temple.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 19 : Orchha / Khajuraho (4h 30 / 170 km)
After breakfast, you take the road to join the Ganges valley and Khajuraho, once the capital of the kings of the Chandela dynesty from 6th to 8th century.
In the afternoon, you discover rural India through a walk in the village which resonates throughout the Indian tradition. After this great discovery, you attend a strong colorful dance show representing different regions of India.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 20 : Khajuraho / Varanasi (Domestic flight)
The sacred power of love to reach the absolute; this is what the sculptures of Khajuraho show: ordinary scenes of life in the fields, ladies toilets, war scenesand love scenes under the benevolent eye of the gods.
Then you take a domestic flight to Varanasi where you stay at the hotel upon arrival.
In order to feel the spiritual energy that emanates from the town, you brow the lanes and ghats by tuk-tuk (rickshaw).
People come mainly to pray, wash, clean, shave (women pilgrims donate their hair to the river), play cricket, wash clothes, give alms to sadhus, practice yoga.
You have the opportunity to participate in an offering of worship and ceremony on ghats honoring deities. These illuminated domes floating in the night will remain a moment imbued with wisdom that you will remember for long.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 21 : Varanasi
In the early morning, with the first ray of sun, you sit in a boat that wanders on the Ganga calm waters, on the banks when thousands of pilgrims already flock to pray and purify themselves in the sacred water...
Your afternoon is devoted to visit Sarnath, the birthplace of the Buddhist teaching. This is also where Buddha preached his first sermon in 528 BC. Sarnath is one of world’s most important Buddhist sacred places and a visit to its museum, home of remarkable Buddha images, is carried out.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 22 : Varanasi / Delhi / Paris (Flight)
After breakfast, you take a flight to Delhi and you are then transferred to the international airport for your return flight.