After breakfast on day two we will be heading the the impressive Amber Fort just on the outskirts of Jaipur. The former stronghold of the Maharajahs of Jaipur, the fort has a rich history and as you explore the different spaces – from courtyards and royal chambers, to the halls of audience, you will get a real taste of life at the royal court in days gone by. It's quite easy to spend two or three hours at the fort, after which we will head back towards Jaipur, with a stop at the Royal Gaitor, the cenotaphs of the Maharajahs of Jaipur.
Lunch will be served at Samode Haveli, which is a quaint town house property that has been converted in to a well-known hotel within the city walls.

Post lunch you'll be exploring the old walled city of Jaipur, which includes the City Palace, Palace of Winds and Jantar Mantar (royal observatory). There's a lot to take in, but we can keep the pace fairly relaxed. As dusk approaches, the best place to be is the central area where there are numerous markets and the streets crowded with people doing their daily shopping. You'll experience all manner of sights and fragrances... hearty snacks being sold from battered wooden stalls, the heady aroma of spice stalls.



For dinner we include a full Christmas Eve dining and entertainment package at Devi Ratn.

Today we will drive for Ranthambore National Park at Sawai Madhopur which is around four hours from Jaipur. We would aim to leave by 09.30, arriving at Ranthambore in time to get you checked in to your luxury tent camp, Sher Bagh and for you to have lunch before an afternoon tiger safari.

For the safari you will have a private jeep with a driver and spotter who will take you in to the park and help you track these  amazing big cats. You'll drive over rugged terrain and through some spectacular landscapes between watering-holes, listening out for the telltale calls from Sambhar Deer and langurs, which signal the approach of a tiger. 



You will return to the camp as the sun sets and in time to enjoy drinks around the campfire and then dinner, where you will be able to share tiger stories with fellow guests and the staff.

If you didn't get to spot a tiger on the previous day, then you have another chance. Early morning is when tigers are most active and most likely to visit the watering holes, so you will be setting out in your jeep at around 6 am. The early start is definitely worth it, even if you don't get to spot a tiger. Hopefully today you will be able to see another part of Ranthambore which is divided in to five zones, which are assigned to visitors on daily basis.



A late breakfast is served back at the hotel and there will be time for a quick nap (should you require it) before heading on to the pretty and sleepy town of Bundi, which is about three hours drive. Along the way we'll make a short stop at Indragarh, a small village crowned by the stunning fort and palace which is built in to the hillside above the village.

In the afternoon you will be able to visit Bundi's Kshar Bagh, the royal cremation grounds which are still in use today. In many of the cenotaphs you will be able to see the sati memorials acknowledging the wives and concubines who would have joined their royal masters on the funeral pyre as a final act of devotion and historically an important religious rite.

In the early evening you can take a stroll through the heart of Bundi where locals flock to buy daily produce and foods from the many shops and stalls. Stop of at our favourite place for Aloo tiki (potato cakes) before heading back to the hotel for drinks and dinner by the pool, which has brilliant views up to the Taragarh Fort which is illuminated at night.

You will have the entire day to explore the major attractions in Bundi – the City Palace and abandoned Taragarh Fort. Less grand than their counterparts around Rajasthan, these two enormous complexes are still fascinating and perhaps more intimate.



City Palace, filled with vibrant wallpaintings which depict life within the palace in tiny detail, offers yet more opportunities to learn about the history of the royal houses in Rajasthan.  Your guide will be a local historian, who will explain more about the religious symbology used within the palace, as well as the architectural detail specific to this region.



Perched high above Bundi, the Taragarh Fort has stunning panoramic views on all sides and is a steady climb up from the palace. A virtual ruin, there are not very many visitors and there's a real sense of adventure as you explore abandoned rooms within the palace which is at the heart of the giant fort complex. There are huge stepwells, once used to supply water for troops garrisoned there and also for the palace and town below.

Enjoy a refreshing dip in the hotel's pool before dinner and afterwards you can catch the latest Bollywood film at the neighbouring cinema.

After breakfast you'll leave Bundi behind and head for Deogarh, another small town bursting with character. You will be staying at Deogarh Mahal, the royal palace at the centre of Devgarh (also known as Deogarh) which offers some of the best hospitality in the state, due mainly to the efforts of its owners, the erstwhile royal family.



Spend time wandering through the streets and get acquainted with the locals, take a a ride in one of the hotel's classic cars, go for a ride on the local railway, or head out in to the countryside for a nature walk, bird watching, horse riding... there is plenty to do!

Dinner is sure to be spectacular, with delicious Indian fare served in the palace courtyard, beneath a canopy of stars. Accompanied by traditional Rajasthan folk dancing and entertainment and an excellent wine list, this will be an extremely memorable evening!

Today you will be heading in the direction of Ranakpur, home to the famous Jain temples. After checking in to your hotel you can have lunch and relax by the pool, surrounded by rolling hills.



The highlight of the afternoon (and quite possibly your trip) will be a leopard safari with Thakur Devi Singh. An expert in all things leopard, he's the ideal person to show you around the rocky outcrops of Bera, where he spends much of his time studying these elusive big cats. And with excellent results as his knowledge of their habitat and behaviour gives you the best possible chances of seeing at least one leopard, often from very close quarters.



The day ends with drinks around the campfire and a superb meal prepared by Devi Singh's wife. It's also a good moment to find out more about leopard conservation and share the many leopard anecdotes that the family have.

Kumbhalgarh is the destination for today, with a short drive through idyllic countryside and small farming communities - the agricultural landscapes in this area are extremely beautiful, so we tend to take some side roads so you can see how the traditional way of life is being continued. The first official 'stop' is at Kumbhalgarh Fort, which is currently being restored and has a number of temple ruins within its confines and Indian's like to compare the fortifications to the Great Wall of China.

Lunch will be served at the Aodhi, which is one of the HRH Hotels, owned by the Rana of Mewar.



By mid-afternoon we will return to Ranakpur so that you can visit the Jain temples - one of the most important Jain sites in the world. The carvings are intricately detailed and it is an absolute masterpiece of devotional work, so it's possible to spend quite a while being completely engrossed. One of the resident monks will provide you with a short introduction to the buildings and life within this important working temple.



As dusk approaches you will go to one of the smaller temples, for a private introduction to meditation. The monk's powerful chanting of “Om” resonates throughout the small building and along with candle light and incense creates an almost electric atmosphere. You'll also be able to witness the prayer ceremony that is performed to close the temple at the end of each day.

Today you will be heading to Udaipur – billed as the most romantic city in Rajasthan, it is built around Lake Pichola and the infamous “floating palace” - now the Lake Palace hotel, as featured in the James Bond classic, Octopussy.

You will be staying at an equally stunning location – Devi Garh. Set within an historical palace, the almost ultra-modern interiors draw on local craftsmanship and materials, to stunning effect. You will check-in to your hotel and have lunch before choosing whether to visit the nearby 11th century Eklingji temples, explore local villages, or simply soak up the surroundings of the hotel grounds.



The New Year's Eve celebrations will take place at the hotel, which promises a full programme of entertainment, fireworks and delicious food as you countdown to 2012.

We offer you another flexible day – Udaipur is fairly small, so you can explore on foot and by tuk-tuk and if you're feeling particularly adventurous, take a map and wander without a guide. Before lunch you should take in the City Palace, home to the Mewar dynasty.

In the afternoon we suggest a walk through the streets and along the ghatts or around the many boutiques and galleries that fill the area. 



Before sunset you will be able to take the boat ride on Lake Pichola, stopping off at the Jagmandir Island and with a little planning, be able to enjoy the sun setting over the surrounding hills from the lake, the best vantage point possible.


You can choose to have drinks and dinner at one of Udaipur's finest rooftop restaurants, or return to your hotel where dinner will be served in one of the palace's turrets. A wonderful private dining experience accompanied by soothing, traditional flute of sitar music and a mouthwatering array of Indian and international dishes and outstanding service make for an unforgettable meal.