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The Princely India tour

Overview

Tour Description

An exclusively designed tour by Royal India Holidays allows you to experience the hospitality of the erstwhile rulers, their proud, valorous and rich history. During the journey you will be staying in magnificent palaces, forts and mansions as most of them have flung open their gates to the world, to the tourists. Mingle and dine with the hosts, who are mostly from the royal families and run their fort or palace hotels.

Rajasthan's rich history, its legends of royalty and village communities, its tales of heroism and staunchly held beliefs in the face of deep provocations, its palaces and Havelis, its forbidding fortresses and verdant gardens, its heady wildlife sanctuaries and its stunning desert enclaves, its legendary crafts and hardy people, all of unquestionably make it an all-time favourite vacation option for all age groups.

Itinerary

Meeting and assistance on arrival at the international airport and transfer to Pataudi.

The Pataudi Palace sprawls across some ten acres of greenland in the vast countryside of Haryana. Although an older colonial Gothic palace existed, this fresh, white pillared and arcaded palace was especially built when the Nawab of Pataudi Iftikhar Ali Khan aspired for the hand of the Bhopal princess Sajida Sultan. The palace is flanked by two colonial bungalows, one with five guest rooms and a charming private garden, a private cricket ground, as well as a badminton court. The other one is used by the royal family whenever they visit Pataudi. The main palace also houses a well-equipped billiards room.

On arrival stay at Pataudi Palace for overnight.

After breakfast drive 4 hrs to Agra.

Agra located on the banks of river Yamuna and once the capital of the region during the rule of great Emperor Akbar, has a great place in history. The city achieved fame during the period of Mughal rule and today it is a major tourist destination. The historic city has three world heritage sites – Agra Fort, the beautiful Taj Mahal and the Fort at Fatehpur Sikri.

On arrival check into your hotel. Evening city sightseeing of Agra visiting Agra fort and Taj Mahal at Sunset. Overnight stay at hotel.

After breakfast transfer to Bharatpur railway station to board train to Sawai Madhopur. On arrival check into a forest lodge at Ranthambhore national Park.

Ranthambore National Park is one of the biggest and most renowned national park in Northern India. The famous and former hunting grounds of the Maharajas of Jaipur, is located in the Sawai Madhopur district of south eastern, Rajasthan, which is about 130 km from Jaipur. Today the Ranthambore National Park terrain is major wildlife tourist attraction spot that has pulled the attention of many wildlife photographers and lovers in this destination. The park, spread in 1344 sq kms, is majorly famous for its Royal Bengal Tigers and some other wildlife.

Visit one of the world’s most popular national parks in the evening by exclusive open top jeep with your private naturalist. Dinner and overnight stay at forest lodge / Camp.

Morning and evening game viewing into the Ranthambhore National Park in an exclusive open top wheel drive jeep with your private naturalist. In the afternoon visit the Ranthambhore Fort located inside the national park.

Dinner and overnight at the Forest lodge / Camp.

Today early morning after a hot cup of tea visit the national park by exclusive open top 4 wheel drive jeep with your naturalist to see the wildlife. On return check out of the lodge / camp and drive 3 hrs to Kota.

On arrival check into your palace hotel for overnight stay.

Morning excursion to Bundi, A small rustic town, known for its forts, palaces and baolis.

Evening explore the town on your own. Overnight at Palace hotel.

After breakfast drive 4 hrs to Chittaurgarh.

Chittaurgarh is an old city as an embodiment of Rajput tradition mixed with romance and courage and is known for its audacious history. One is attracted to this city because of its formidable and glorious past which is well clear in the ruined castles, impressive forts and magnificent royal buildings.

On arrival check into your palace hotel for overnight stay. Evening explore the town. Overnight stay at hotel.

Morning explore the sites and monuments of the historic town.

Later we will drive 5 hrs to reach Dungarpur, once the princely state of the region.

Dungarpur is about 120 kms from Udaipur and is naturally beautiful city located in the foothills of the Aravalli.

It is not only beautiful but rich in Historical heritage and marvellous architecture. Gaipsagar lake situated in heart of the city adds charm and beauty to this place.

On arrival check into your Palace hotel for overnight stay.

Morning excursion to Baneshwar. Afternoon city sightseeing of dungarpur visiting Juna Mahal, Museum and other historic monuments.

Juna Mahal with its intricate glass work is worth a visit. It's a lively document of seven hundred years old, breath taking paintings and splendid construction style. It is also known as "Bada Mahal" (Big Palace) or "Purana Mahal" (Old Palace).

Dinner and overnight at Palace hotel.

Spend the morning at leisure. Later drive 3 hrs to the famous romantic city of Udaipur.

Udaipur - ‘ City of Dreams’ or ‘ Venice of the East’- is perhaps the most beautiful of all Indian cities. A romantic collection of exotic gardens filled with blossoming trees and fantasy island palaces shimmering in mirror-calm lakes - that’s Udaipur.

On arrival check into your palace hotel. Evening free for leisure activities. Overnight stay at palace hotel

After breakfast, a guided city tour will be organised with your English speaking guide. Evening enjoy sunset boat cruise on lake pichola. Overnight at palace hotel.

After breakfast drive to Deogarh en route visiting Ranakpur Jain temples. On arrival at Deogarh, check into your palace hotel.

The surrounding rugged, rocky hills are dotted with a number of old, majestic forts and over a hundred lakes. Deogarh is also renowned for its miniature painting.

Dinner and overnight at palace hotel.

After breakfast rural rumble to the nearby areas to see the villages and their way of life. Later check out of the palace and drive 4 hrs to Jodhpur.

Jodhpur is on the eastern fringe of the Thar Desert and serves as the gateway to the wonderland of sand dunes and shrubs, rocky terrain and thorny trees.

On arrival check into a palace hotel for overnight stay.

Morning city sightseeing of Jodhpur with your private English speaking guide. Evening explore the walled city on your own and visit the spice markets. Dinner and overnight at a palace hotel.

After breakfast transfer to airport for flight to Delhi.

Assistance on arrival at domestic airport and transfer to international airport for flight to onward destination.