Day 1 • New Delhi
Arrival and reception at the international terminal in New Delhi then transfer to the hotel.
Day 2 • New Delhi
First day of your grand tour of North India and a trip back in time: from the bustling alleys of the old district of Chandni Chowk to the presidential palace, the former residence of the viceroy who now welcomes the Indian president. Between, you will discover the largest mosque in India and two of the three sites classified by Unesco: the tomb of Mughal Emperor Humayun and Qutub Minar, the tallest minaret in India whose construction began in the 12th century . You will end the day at India Gate, the gateway to India.
Day 3 • Delhi - Shekhawati
Day drive to Shekhawati, a province of Rajasthan renowned for the frescoes that adorn the walls of the havelis, the rich houses of the merchants of yesteryear. Discovery on foot of the village after settling in at the hotel.
Day 4 • Shekhawati - Bikaner
In the morning, drive to Bikaner founded in the 15th century on the border of the Thar desert. Along the way, visit other beautiful havelis, in particular Fatehpur. Upon arrival, excursion to Deshnoke to visit the Rat Temple, a unique site in India. Fortified, it is dedicated to Karniji, an incarnation of Durga and is home to a colony of rats, cared for and fed by priests and offerings from the faithful. At the end of the afternoon, return to the old town to discover the red sandstone havelis before settling in at the hotel at the end of the day.
Day 5 • Bikaner - Jaisalmer
In the morning, visit the Fort of Junagarh renowned for its various palaces all richly decorated then drive to Jaisalmer through the desert. Upon arrival, installation at the hotel and sunset from the royal cenotaphs.
Day 6 • Jaisalmer
Day devoted to the visit of the yellow city, whose fort, a former stage on the caravan route, houses the old palace and the havelis with finely sculpted facades, built during the 19th century. You will discover the Gadi Sagar, a small lake lined with temples and pavilions, once the source of the city's water supply. In the late afternoon, excursion to the desert to watch the sunset from the dunes.
Day 7 • Jaisalmer - Jodhpur
In the morning, drive to the blue city of Jodhpur through the desert. Along the way, visit the richly carved Jain and Hindu temples of Osian. Arrival at the end of the afternoon and after settling in at the hotel, stroll through the bustling and colorful alleys of the Sardar Bazar around the Clock Tower.
Day 8 • Jodhpur - Udaipur
In the morning, visit the Fort of Mehrangarh in which the maharajas fitted out a luxurious palace now transformed into a museum. After the visit, stop at Jaswant Thada, the majestic white marble memorial of Jaswant Singh. Continue to the white city of Udaipur. Along the way, stop at Ranakpur for the visit of the magnificent Jain temples built in the 15th century. Some 1440 pillars are covered with refined motifs, only one of which is inclined.
Day 9 • Udaipur
The ancient capital of Mewar is one of India's most romantic cities. You will discover the City Palace, the largest palace complex in Rajasthan, as well as the nearby Jagdish temple. A boat trip on the lake will allow you, if you wish, to have an excellent view of the city and in particular the palaces and the gaths which border the lake. Finally, you will discover the magnificent "gardens of the maidens".
Day 10 • Udaipur - Bundi
In the morning, continue your journey to Bundi which has retained all the charm of a 17th century town. On arrival, visit the fort which dominates the city and which housesmagnificent frescoes painted in the 18th century. You will also discover the superb baoli (well) built around 1700 and in which you will descend by a huge staircase surmounted by an arch with scrolls carved and decorated with elephants. Installation at the hotel after the visits.
Day 11 • Bundi - Jaipur
In the morning, departure to the pink city and capital of Rajasthan, Jaipur. Installation at the hotel and rest of the day free to stroll through the many bazaars of the city.
Day 12 • Jaipur
In the morning, first stop in front of the astonishing Hawa Mahal, the palace of the winds, a finely carved pink sandstone facade before leaving for the fort of Amber and the visit of the ancestral residence of the maharajas from Jaipur. In the afternoon, explore the City Palace and Jantar Mantar, the amazing observatory built by Jaï Singh II and where astrolabes and sundials form a surreal landscape.
Day 13 • Jaipur - Agra
In the morning, departure by road to Agra, the ancient capital of the Mughal emperors. On the way, visit Fatehpur Sikri built in the 16th century by Akbar and which was abandoned by him after fifteen years, probably due to lack of water. Five centuries later, this perfectly preserved city makes us relive the past glory of the Mughal Empire. Continuation to Agra and on arrival, installation at the hotel.
Day 14 • Agra - Gwalior
Early in the morning, visit the pearl of the Mughal Empire, the Taj Mahal, today the icon of India. Also visit the Red Fort, a real city with its palaces, mosques and gardens. After the visits, continuation to Gwalior, seat of the royal family of Scindia whose main interest is this imposing fortress which houses several temples and palaces. Installation at the hotel on arrival.
Day 15 • Gwalior - Orchha
In the morning, you will climb to the fort whose massive ramparts encircle almost the entire top of the hill on which it stands. Visit the fort and the temples before taking the road to Orchha, a medieval city that you will reach at the end of the day.
Day 16 • Orchha - Khajuraho
In the morning, visit the impressive temples and palaces of Orchha, which date from the 17th century. After the visit, drive to Khajuharo, famous for its temples, whose facades are covered with sculptures, some of them very erotic. On arrival, installation at the hotel.
Day 17 • Khajuraho - Varanasi
Of all the temples built in India, those at Khajuraho are unique. Twenty-two temples are still visible among the 85 built between the 9th and 10th centuries by the Chandela dynasty. Thousands of sculptures, some very erotic, cover the facades of the temples, divided into three geographical groups and which you will visit before your transfer to the airport for the flight to Varanasi. Installation at the hotel at the end of the day.
Day 18 • Varanasi
About 30 minutes before sunrise, you will go to the gaths to witness ablutions and observe these rituals during a boat ride on the Ganges. In the afternoon, excursion to Sarnath, one of the major centers of Buddhism in India, before returning to the gaths at sunset to attend the ceremony of Arti.
Day 19 • Varanasi - Delhi
Free morning to enjoy the city at your own pace before your transfer to the airport for your return flight to Delhi. Arrival then transfer to the international terminal for your return flight.
