India is a great destination for family vacation. Not only Indians love children, there are a large number of informal hotels of charms to host a family vacation. The destination has many attractions for children in most parts of the country. Any child would love a cycle rickshaw ride, game drive to see elusive tiger, some interaction with tame elephants and joy ride on a camel while camping in sand dunes – India has it all.

Join us in our family adventure. Enjoy rickshaw ride in Old Delhi, go tiger spotting in Ranthambore, enjoy bathing, feeding and riding an elephant in Jaipur, make your own blocks and print souvenirs, fly kites or race pigeons at a local’s home, camp in the desert, enjoy a joy ride in a local train and stay in stunning fairytale palaces.

Itinerary Summary

Day	City	Programme
Day 1	Delhi	Arrive and transfer to hotel
Day 2	Delhi	Enjoy cycle rickshaw tour of Old Delhi and visit Rail Museum
Day 3	Agra	Drive to Agra and visit Taj Mahal, enjoy Mughal Heritage Walk
Day 4	Ranthambore	Drive to Ranthambore en route visit Fatehpur Sikri
Day 5	Ranthambore	Enjoy game drives inside the park
Day 6	Jaipur	Drive to Jaipur, enjoy block printing workshop
Day 7	Jaipur	ExploreJaipur city, participate in kite or pigeon flying
Day 8	Jaipur	Visit Amber Fort, cycle down to spend time with elephants
Day 9	Desert Camp	Drive deep inside Thar Desert, enjoy camel ride and camping
Day 10	Jodhpur	Drive to Jodhpur, enjoy city tour
Day 11	Jodhpur	Explore Bishnoi villages and enjoy picnic lunch
Day 12	Udaipur	Drive to Udaipur – en route visit Ranakpur Jain Temples
Day 13	Udaipur	Explore Udaipur
Day 14		Fly to Delhi and fly back home

The Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Delhi

Arrive Delhi today. You will be received at the airport and taken to your hotel.

Accommodation: Delhi

Meals: None

Day 2: Delhi

This morning you will be taken to visit the medieval Jama Mosque followed by a walking/cycle rickshaw tour of traditional businesses of Old Delhi (market closed on Sundays) – exploring centuries' old arts and crafts with businessmen belonging to the 6th or 7th generation of the men who first started them.

You will visit a marvellous old-fashioned shop where you can test Indian perfume (attar) from cutglass bottles. You will saunter through the main bridal street of Old Delhi, Kinari Bazaar, with its dazzling display of embroidered silk wedding sarees, beautiful bangles and colourful turbans for the bridegroom. The Khari Baoli is all about spices - here, rice and dal, dry fruits, nuts and saffron dealers have traded for more than 150 years. The smell of the spices will remain with you even after you have left the market.

Later in the afternoon you will be taken to visit – Indian Rail Museum.

National Rail Museum (closed on Mondays) is the focus of Rail Heritage of India - a source of fascination and interest in Railways for all. Sprawling over 11 acres, the Museum promises to take the visitors on an exciting journey into the Railway history and heritage and depict their contribution to the industrial and economic progress of the country. At the museum children may also have opportunity of joy ride in a toy train.

Continue to explore Qutab Minar. Dominating the ruins of the earliest existing settlement of Delhi is the city's famous landmark - the Qutab Minar. This imposing victory tower (73m) has five storeys, each marked by intricately carved projections or balconies. Elaborately carved pillars embellish the courtyard of a nearby mosque. At the centre of the courtyard is the amazing Iron Pillar (4th-5th century A.D.), which has not rusted through the centuries.

Accommodation: Delhi

Meals: Breakfast

Day 3: Delhi – Agra

Today you will be driven to Agra (3.5 hours) and head straight to visit Taj Mahal where you arrive in tongas (horse-drawn carriage).

The Taj Mahal (closed on Fridays) has been described as a 'tear on the face of eternity' and as an enduring monument of love. The unique beauty of Taj Mahal is blended with grandeur and its massive over-all design is matched with immaculately intricate execution. Built by Mughal Emperor Shan Jehan in the memory of his beloved queen Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj Mahal complex took 22 years to be completed and is today counted among the Seven Wonders of the World.

Later in the afternoon you would be taken on a Mughal Heritage Walking Tour – passing through Agra Fort Station, enter the Old Agra area before proceeding to Mehtaab Bagh on the other side of river Yamuna, overlooking the Taj Mahal.

Accommodation: Agra

Meals: Breakfast

Day 4: Agra - Ranthambore National Park

Leave early today for Ranthambore National Park - en route visit the deserted Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri. At Sikri the children would find it fascinating to try the game of Parcheesi which the royal family played using members of their harem as colour-costumed 'pieces' on large outdoor boards.

Arrive Ranthambore in time for lunch and check into your hotel. Rest of the day would be at leisure.

Accommodation: Ranthambore

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Ranthambore

Early this morning and again in the afternoon you will go for jeep safaris inside the National Park to attempt catching a glimpse of the elusive tiger and other wildlife of the park. Riding in open jeeps with a naturalist guide, each safari lasts 3 hours.

Besides tiger, Ranthambore is home to mammals such as leopard, hyena, jackal, jungle cats, sloth bear, reptiles such as marsh crocodile and a large variety of bird-life that includes Jacanas, painted stork, black stork and white necked stork which are seen along the water bodies. Peafowl are found in abundance and other birds include Bonelli’s eagle, crested serpent eagle, the great Indian horned owl, quail, partridge, spurfowl and paradise flycatcher.

Accommodation: Ranthambore

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Ranthambore – Jaipur

Today you will be driven 3.5 hours to Jaipur. On arrival check into your hotel and be at leisure for the rest of the day.

Later in the afternoon you will be taken to Sanganer to visit and do a textile workshop. You will visit the small town of Sanganer, known worldwide as the centre of block printing. A workshop will be organized for you to understand, learn and try your hand at this fascinating technique. Try your hands at preparing the block and then printing a souvenir which you can carry with you to show off back home.

Accommodation: Jaipur

Meals: Breakfast

Day 7: Jaipur

Today you will be taken for a guided tour of Jaipur city.

Start the day with a visit to the milk market where large quantities of milk is procured from individual sellers and then resold to whole buyers. Enjoy the interesting ways by which the buyers judge the purity of milk and negotiate the prices.

Continue to visit the City Palace, Jantar Mantar (medieval observatory) and drive past Hawa Mahal (palace of winds).

The City Palace is situated in the heart of the city. The whole complex is wonderfully laid out with large courtyards, balconies, cupolas, arched entrances and gardens, which are a combination of Rajput and Mughal architecture. The observatory at Jaipur, built in 1728, has curious collection of sculptures which enable the calculation of many astronomical and astrological events like eclipses etc. Built in 1799 Hawa Mahal or the palace of winds is one of the landmarks of Jaipur city, although it is little more than a façade.

Later in the evening you will be taken to visit a local’s home where (depending on the month of your travel) we have arranged for some kite-flying or interaction with a kabootar baz (pigeon fancier). The activity will end with dinner with the local family.

Accommodation: Jaipur

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 8: Jaipur

This morning you will be taken to visit Amber Fort, one of the more fascinating of Indian forts. It was the ancient capital of the erstwhile Jaipur state. Its construction began in 16th century and was subsequently added on to by successive rulers. Inside the fort, the places worth visiting are the Palace of Mirrors, inlaid with hundreds of tiny glistening mirrors, the hall of Public Audience and the beautiful manicured gardens.

After visiting the fort we have arranged for cycles which you can ride down to Dera Amer – passing through villages and wilderness and may be visit a local school. After an hour of cycling you will reach the little oasis like camp of Dera Amer. The Camp is surrounded by the wilderness of a reserved forest with no urban civilization in the vicinity, just a few hamlets housing the local villagers.

At Dera Amer we have arranged for some interaction with the resident elephant - spend some time bathing, feeding and painting the elephant trunk before venturing into the wilderness for a ‘safari’ on elephant back. The safari will culminate with a lunch at the camp.

After a fun and relaxing afternoon, return to your hotel.

Accommodation: Jaipur

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 9: Jaipur - Desert Camp

This morning you will be driven deep into the desert of Rajasthan (7 hours drive). After lunch and sightseeing en route at Nagaur Fort, you will arrive at your stunningly located campsite, surrounded by sand dunes on all sides, late in the afternoon.

In the evening you will be taken on camels to the neighbouring sand dunes – ending the ride at a great location where dinner has been laid out for you on top of a dune with live music.

After a great evening, retire for the night in your comfortable tent.

Accommodation: Private Desert Camp

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10: Desert Camp – Jodhpur

After leisurely breakfast today, you will be driven a short distance (1.5 hour) to Jodhpur and check into your hotel.

Founded in 1459, Jodhpur was once the capital of the Marwar State and a major trade centre in the 16th century due to its location on the ancient silk route. Today, Jodhpur has grown to become the second largest city of Rajasthan without shedding its medieval splendour.

Later in the afternoon you will be taken to visit the city in a half-day tour – visiting Mehrangarh fort, Jaswant Thada and walking around clock tower market area.

Mehrangarh fort, one of the largest forts in India, is unsurpassed in beauty and grandeur. Innumerable palaces in the fort, Moti Mahal, Phool Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, Sileh Khana and Daulat Khana are interspersed with sprawling courtyards and intricately carved. A collection of old weapons, arms, musical instruments, palanquins, royal costumes and furniture are preserved and displayed in the Sileh Khana. Close to the fort is the 19th century royal cenotaph, Jaswant Thada, a creation in white marble which displays some rare portraits of Jodhpur’s rulers. Those who want to feel the city are advised to visit the clock tower and the nearby colourful market featuring textiles, silver and handicrafts.

Accommodation: Jodhpur

Meals: Breakfast

Day 11: Jodhpur

Today you will be taken on a jeep drive to thee Jodhpur countryside too explore Bishnoi villages – Visiting local communities, culture and wildlife.

We set off from hotel after breakfast and before long, we are hitting thee dirt tracks and camel cart tracks. After an exciting 4x4 drive through a dry river bed, we arrive at the hutments and villages of the local communities. You are given the opportunity to enter their homes and witness their simple and colourful lifestyle. You are welcome to interact with them as we explain to you their customs and culture and how they have always lived in complete harmony with nature. After a couple off home visits, we serve you a delicious picnic lunch at a scenic spot or under the shade of a tree... This is followed by a visiit to a villagee where we introduce youu to a senior member of the local community who invites you to take part in a ceremony of friendship and brotherhood and then personally takes you for a walk around the village so that you can see craftsmen at work and get a glimpse into the village life of western Rajasthan.

During the drive you will have plenty of opportunities to view the variety of wildlife that this region has to offer, like thee black buck, the neel gai (blue bull), chinkara, wild boar, desert fox, the occasional wolf, and avian life like the demoiselle crane, lesser bustard, migratory ducks and geese species, peacocks, sand grouses and others.

Accommodation: Jodhpur

Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch

Day 12: Jodhpur - Udaipur

After breakfast today you will be driven to Udaipur (5 hours). En route visit stunning Jain temples of Ranakpur - one of the biggest and the most important Jain temples in India.

After visiting the temples continue to Udaipur where you arrive early in the evening.

Accommodation: Udaipur

Meals: Breakfast

Day 13: Udaipur

This morning you will be taken for a guided city tour of Udaipur city –– including City Palace and Sahelion-ki-bari.

The huge city palace, towering over the lake, is the largest palace complex in Rajasthan. It is a blend of stern Rajput military architecture on the outside and lavish Mughal-inspired decorative art on the inside. Started by Maharana Udai Singh, the city's founder, the city palace is made up of at least four separate interconnecting palaces built over a period of nearly three centuries by successive maharanas. The main part of the palace is now preserved as a museum which houses interesting artefacts from the days of the royalty. Sahelion-Ki-Bari are beautiful gardens laid out in the mid-18th century for a retinue of forty-eight young ladies-in-waiting who were sent to Udaipur as part of a princess's dowry. The gardens have beautiful lawns, lotus pools, marble pavilions and marble elephant-shaped fountains.

Accommodation: Udaipur

Meals: Breakfast

Day 14: Udaipur – Delhi – Onward Destination

After a leisurely forenoon (check out before 12 noon), today you would be driven to the airport in time to board your flight to Delhi. On arrival in Delhi you would be met and taken to a nearby hotel for Farewell Dinner before being brought back to the airport for flight back home.

Accommodation: None (check out before 12 noon)

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

 

*****End of the Arrangements*****