A leisurely start to day two and after breakfast we'll take you to the Monkey Temple which as the name implies is home to a gang of mostly docile monkeys, always on the lookout for food. From there you'll head to the imposing Amber Fort to look around the former stronghold of the Maharajah's of Jaipur. You'll quite easily spend a couple of hours learning about the distinctive architecture as well as the uses of each space within the fort – from quiet to courtyards to the impressive halls of audience.

On the way back in to the centre of Jaipur itself, you'll stop off at the cenotaphs of the Maharajahs before lunch.



Then it's back to the old city - here we'll take you by tuk-tuk to explore the heart of Jaipur. It's the fastest way to get around the busy streets and will give you a real taste of life in Rajasthan's lively and somewhat chaotic capital. You'll have chance to take in the City Palace, Observatory and Palace of Winds, but not to worry our pace doesn't need to be too hectic and you can choose to see all the sights or just the ones you prefer. 


Time permitting, another option is to pay a visit to elephant village, home to many of the working elephants in Jaipur. You can either look from a distance, or take part and help wash these gentle giants, or just play with them in the water.

From street level to the skyline – for dinner you can experience one of Jaipur's many stylish rooftop restaurants and yet another perspective on this amazing city.

After breakfast on day three we head in the direction of Pushkar, the holy town built around a lake and one of the most important Hindu pilgrimage sites. Legend has it that the lake appeared when Lord Brahma dropped a lotus flower on the site, and you'll be visiting the temple dedicated to him.



Pushkar is particularly relaxed and has been a favourite with international visitors for years. After a leisurely lunch at one of our favourite restaurants you can take your time wandering the narrow streets and generally soaking up the atmosphere.

 Later in the afternoon we'll get you checked in to the resort and your luxury tent which is a completely different take on “camping”.

Go for a quick dip in the pool before it's time for a sunset camel ride in the desert and then a mouthwatering meal of rich, traditional Rajasthani food.

From one spectacular place to the next on day four, and after breakfast we'll be heading to Khimsar, and a small resort surrounded by towering sand dunes. It's a true oasis, so remote that you can only get there by jeep, or camel. This is the real definition of “getting away from it all”. 



After lunch you can take a jeep safari for the afternoon, visiting the small local villages to get a taste of the real Rajasthan, or you can explore the beautiful Nagaur Fort, nearby Tarkeen Dargah and Jain temples. In the evening you'll be back at the Dunes Village where you'll be able to enjoy dinner sitting at the top of one of the dunes. We've done it and it's a truly fantastic experience!

You'll be heading to Jodhpur on day five and a very different experience – this time in the bustling “Blue City”. We'll be taking you by tuk-tuk to explore the spice markets and of course, the awe-inspiring Mehrangarh Fort and Jaswant Thada. The views from the fort stretch out for miles – a breathtaking vista, dotted with blue houses after which the city takes its nickname.

In the evening you will be wandering around Jodhpur's vibrant market and then you'll be able to enjoy a candle-lit dinner at the rooftop restaurant in your design hotel, with views up to the Mehrangarh Fort which is beautifully illuminated and perhaps even more stunning at night.

After breakfast on day six it's on to Ranakpur, driving over winding road through the Aravali Hills. You'll have lunch at your hotel, before it's time to visit the amazing white-marble Jain temples. The main temple of the complex is supported by 1444 uniquely carved pillars and is amazingly tranquil. You'll get an introduction to the main temple and Jainism by one of the resident monks, followed by plenty of time to take in all of the fine detail.

Late afternoon and we head to Bera, where you'll be going on a leopard safari – which really is something special. Thakur Devi Singh -  conservationist and self-professed leopard addict, will be taking you out in his jeep and helping you to get up close with these amazing but somewhat elusive big cats. Seeing one from just a few metres away is breathtaking in the real sense, and guaranteed to be one of your abiding memories of Rajasthan. After the safari you'll be able to hear many leopard stories from Devi Singh over drinks and then a true Rajasthani meal, prepared by his wife.

On day seven we take you on another wonderful drive, this time to Kumbahlgarh. The small villages and rural settlements along the way look like time has stood still. Traditional farming is not an euphemism here - oxen plow the fields or drive the centuries old irrigation systems. You'll get to visit Kumbhalgarh Fort with its mighty walls that once ran over 36 kms. The fort complex is made up of the palace of Rana Kumbha along with many temple ruins, and the views are quite unique as you look out over rolling hills and valleys.

You'll be back at the hotel in time for a quick dip in the pool and al fresco dinner. Don't forget to look up – because of its rural location, Ranakpur has very low light pollution, so stars and constellations are particularly visible.

After breakfast on day eight we'll take you to Udaipur, where you'll start out with a relaxing lunch and afternoon at your palace hotel. We're always impressed with the combination of this historic building and thoroughly modern, stylish design – and we think you will be too. You can choose to spend the afternoon just lounging by the pool with its incredible surroundings, or go for a walk and see the nearby village where children learn English just by talking to visitors. Another option is to go for a visit to the nearby temple complex at Eklingji - the oldest temple dates from the 11th century and has been restored to some of its former glory.

Dinner will be served, in spectacular style at the hotel.

No need for an early start on day nine as you'll have the entire day to explore Udaipur. We'll provide you with information about the most important sights and a map so you can wander at your leisure.  We're always on hand should you need us, but we definitely recommend exploring by yourself as the centre of the city is fairly compact and it's difficult to get lost.  Visit the City Palace and the ghatts and maybe stop at one of the German bakeries for Kaffee und Küchen along the way. Peruse the work of local artists and students in the many galleries around the ghatts – ranging from traditional to contemporary and certainly worth a look. 



Later in the afternoon after lunch with views over Lake Pichola, you can visit the Jagdish temple, and take a boat ride, with a stop off at the Jagmandir Island and the chance to see the renowned “floating palace” - the Lake Palace, made infamous by the James Bond film Octopussy.

Your final evening in Rajasthan and you'll be having drinks and dinner at a cosy rooftop restaurant in the heart of Udaipur - the finest Rajasthani cuisine with wonderful views of the lake, the beautifully lit floating palaces and the surrounding hills.