Your journey begins with the overnight flight to Delhi.

Welcome to Delhi! On arrival you are met at the airport and taken to your accommodation. Depending on availability, you can move into your room straight away or freshen up first. If you arrive before 3 a.m., an extra hotel night is included. You then take the metro to Old Delhi – on the way you already get a first impression of everyday life in this metropolis of millions. From Chandni Chowk station you explore the historic heart of Delhi on foot: narrow lanes, small shops, street vendors, women in colourful saris and rattling auto-rickshaws. Your tour guide tells you stories and background about the capital, and the deeper you venture into the maze of lanes, the fewer travellers you meet. Along the way you also make a photo stop at the Jama Masjid, one of the largest mosques in India. You then climb into a cycle rickshaw and ride to the Red Fort, which you see from the outside. After a short lunch break you head to spacious New Delhi: among other things you visit the Mahatma Gandhi statue and pass India Gate and the government buildings – the contrast to the lanes of Old Delhi could hardly be greater. At the Gurudwara Bangla Sahib Sikh temple you learn about Sikhism. Like the faithful, you cover your head and wash your hands and feet before entering the courtyard and the inner temple area with its spiritual chants. Your tour guide then shows you the huge dining hall where all worshippers and visitors receive a free meal – an impressive insight into the values and hospitality of this religion. At golden hour a spectacular photo opportunity awaits: the Qutb Minar (UNESCO World Heritage), a victory tower begun at the end of the 12th century. Afterwards you return to your accommodation and can reflect on the impressions of your first day at leisure. 1 night in Delhi.

1 night · Double room · With breakfast The Park Inn by Radisson is located in the lively Lajpat Nagar district in the south of Delhi, with good connections to business districts and sights. There is an outdoor pool with terrace, a fitness centre and the RBG Bar & Grill restaurant serving local and international cuisine; Wi-Fi is free. The modern rooms have shower/WC, TV, hairdryer, air conditioning and tea and coffee making facilities.

After a hearty breakfast you leave Delhi’s busy streets behind and drive to the Shekhawati region. You quickly notice that different standards apply in India: traffic is lively, roads are often very busy and even short distances take longer – but the journey offers plenty of fascinating insights into everyday life. In the afternoon you check into your heritage hotel in Nawalgarh. You then discover the world of the havelis: lavishly painted merchants’ houses whose decorated façades and windows make the area feel like an open-air gallery and tell of the region’s rich history. You then meet local artisans who show you their traditional techniques. In the early evening you stroll through the market where traders, craftspeople and residents go about their daily lives – if you get chatting with the traders, your tour guide is happy to translate. You end the day at your historic heritage hotel. 1 night in Nawalgarh. (B) (Distance: approx. 260 km; driving time: approx. 6 hrs)

1 night · Double room · With breakfast The Koolwal Kothi heritage hotel, a traditional haveli, is quietly located on the edge of Nawalgarh. Its simply but lovingly furnished rooms in traditional style exude rustic charm. In the restaurant you can enjoy specialities of Rajasthani cuisine, and you can relax by the pool or in the well-kept garden.

On the way to Bikaner you stop in Fatehpur, which is also known for its ornately decorated havelis. On a walk you discover more of these merchants’ houses, whose façades bear witness to the region’s former importance as a trading centre. After a short lunch break you visit the Karni Mata Temple, home to some unusual residents: rats! Hygiene conditions may take some getting used to, but the animals are highly revered by the Hindu priests and pilgrims. Look out for the rare white rats – they are said to bring good luck. You then continue to the only state-run camel farm on the edge of the Thar Desert. Here you see the desert animals up close and learn more about their importance for the region’s culture and economy. Afterwards you check into your accommodation in Bikaner; the evening is yours. 1 night in Bikaner. (B) (Distance: approx. 230 km; driving time: approx. 5 hrs)

Thanks to its location on a caravan route through the Thar Desert, Bikaner has an important past. Junagarh Fort, which you explore in the morning, bears witness to it: the extensive fortress is one of the best-preserved forts in Rajasthan, and its palaces, courtyards and decorations give an impression of the lives of its former rulers. The following drive is one of the longer stages of the trip. The landscape becomes increasingly barren, with small settlements alternating with open desert. Sit back, watch life by the roadside or chat with your fellow travellers. Several breaks liven up the journey – often with small shops selling spices and souvenirs, or simply with a cup of chai. Finally the golden sandstone fortress of Jaisalmer appears on the horizon, a living monument to long-gone desert kingdoms. 2 nights in Jaisalmer. (B) (Distance: approx. 330 km; driving time: approx. 7 hrs)

2 nights · Double room · With breakfast The Meri Haveli in Jaisalmer combines the character of a traditional Rajasthani haveli with the comfort of a modern boutique hotel. The family-run house has nine rooms and a restaurant serving Rajasthani cuisine, as well as a terrace with panoramic views of Jaisalmer Fort. Rooms have a king-size bed, free Wi-Fi, TV, air conditioning and a private bathroom with shower.

Jaisalmer rose to become an important trading centre as early as the 12th century. In the morning you visit the imposing fort that has towered over the city since the 12th century. Unlike many other forts in India, it is still inhabited today: behind its walls are homes, small shops, cafés and temples. You then get to know some of the famous havelis. The delicate stonework and elaborately designed façades of these merchants’ houses bear witness to the former wealth of the traders who profited from the caravan trade through the desert. After the lunch break you head to the sand dunes of Sam in the afternoon. On a short camel ride you experience the vastness of the Thar Desert from a new perspective and watch the colours of the dunes change. To end the day, you enjoy the view over the dunes with tea or coffee and small traditional snacks as the sun slowly sets. (B)

Today you continue to Jodhpur, the second-largest city in Rajasthan. For long stretches the landscape is dry and barren, but time and again you pass villages and fields that give insights into rural life. In the afternoon you reach the “Blue City”, named after the characteristic colour of many of its houses, and visit Mehrangarh Fort. The fortress rises on a rock high above the city; from here you look far out over the winding lanes. In the evening the bazaars come to life. With your tour guide you stroll through a sea of exotic goods and tempting aromas, discovering local crafts and culinary specialities. You return to the hotel by tuk-tuk, a small three-wheeled auto-rickshaw – right through Jodhpur by night. 1 night in Jodhpur. (B) (Distance: approx. 270 km; driving time: approx. 5.5 hrs)

1 night · Double room · With breakfast The Vega by The Ozone Hotels is centrally located in Jodhpur’s business district; Mehrangarh Fort and Umaid Bhawan Palace are in the wider area. The hotel has a restaurant serving international and regional cuisine, a bar, an indoor pool and a fitness and spa area (partly for a fee). The modern rooms have TV, fridge or minibar and free Wi-Fi.

Today is a day full of spiritual discoveries. Your first stop is the Jain temple complex of Ranakpur, one of the most important Jain sanctuaries in India. The white marble complex dates from the 15th century and is famous for its 1,444 intricately carved pillars, no two of which are exactly alike. On site you receive an introduction to the religion of Jainism and learn more about its rituals and the meaning and symbolism of the temple. Let the peaceful atmosphere of this holy place sink in. You then drive through the Aravalli Hills to Udaipur, which lies on Lake Pichola and is considered one of the most atmospheric cities in Rajasthan. In the afternoon you reach your accommodation and have time to settle in. 2 nights in Udaipur. (B) (Distance: approx. 260 km; driving time: approx. 6 hrs)

2 nights · Double room · With breakfast The Vasant Vilas heritage boutique hotel is located in the heart of Udaipur, around 4 km from Lake Pichola and the adjacent old town. There is a pool for relaxing. The rooms combine traditional charm with modern comfort and have air conditioning, TV, minibar and a spacious bathroom.

Udaipur is known for its romantic atmosphere: temples, palaces and its idyllic setting on Lake Pichola make it one of the most beautiful places in Rajasthan. The day begins at the Jagdish Temple, one of the city’s most important Hindu temples and still a living place of worship. You then stroll with your small group through the winding lanes and visit the City Palace. The vast complex was extended over centuries and bears witness to the wealth and influence of the Mewar ruling family; time and again you get views of the old town and the lake. After a short lunch break you explore the bazaars with your tour guide, full of crafts, spices and textiles – things are a little more relaxed here than in the big cities, but there is still plenty of hustle and bustle. In the evening – depending on the water level – you take a boat trip of about an hour on Lake Pichola and enjoy the sunset over the water. (B)

Early in the morning you set off for Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan. The drive is one of the longer stages and leads through the state’s varied landscapes; you make several breaks along the way. In the late afternoon a rickshaw ride gives you a first impression of the “Pink City”, whose old town with its pink façades is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You then visit the white marble Hindu temple of Lakshmi Narayan; with a bit of luck you witness a traditional prayer ceremony. On the way to your accommodation you pass the famous Bollywood cinema Raj Mandir, whose striking architecture has made it one of the city’s landmarks for decades. If time allows, you take a look inside together, or you can attend a screening on your own in the evening – your tour guide will be glad to help. 2 nights in Jaipur. (B) (Distance: approx. 395 km; driving time: approx. 6.5 hrs)

Your day begins at Amber Fort, an imposing fortress high on a hill. With your tour guide you explore the former royal residence with its ornate decorations and its extensive grounds. Back in the old town you pass the City Palace and make a photo stop at the “Palace of the Winds”, whose elaborate façade is one of Jaipur’s best-known landmarks. You continue on foot to the Jantar Mantar observatory (UNESCO World Heritage), where you learn more about astronomy and the importance of horoscopes in Indian culture. Afterwards you stroll through the colourful bazaars of the old town. To finish, you drive up to Nahargarh Fort in the Aravalli Hills above the city. Over a cup of tea or coffee you enjoy the panoramic view of Jaipur as the sun slowly sets. Back at your accommodation you can round off the day with a refreshing drink. (B)

Today you leave Jaipur and travel by minibus towards Agra. On the way you stop in Abhaneri at the famous Chand Baori stepwell: with its geometrically arranged steps it is one of India’s most impressive historic water structures and served for centuries as a reservoir and meeting place. You then continue to Agra, the former capital of the Mughal Empire. In the late afternoon you visit the Mother Teresa House and gain insights into the religious order’s social work for people in difficult circumstances – a very different view of India. At a farewell dinner together in a local restaurant you look back on the past two weeks – from the lanes of Delhi and the desert around Jaisalmer to the palaces of Rajasthan. 1 night in Agra. (B/D) (Distance: approx. 235 km; driving time: approx. 6 hrs)

1 night · Double room · With breakfast The Golden Tulip is conveniently located near Agra’s main sights such as the Taj Mahal. It has a restaurant serving international and local breakfast, a wellness and spa area and a roof terrace with pool and fine views. Rooms have a private bathroom, safe, air conditioning, TV and minibar.

One more special highlight: early in the morning you visit the Taj Mahal (UNESCO World Heritage). When the first rays of sunlight touch the white marble, you will be overwhelmed by its beauty. Mughal emperor Shah Jahan had the mausoleum built in memory of his favourite wife Mumtaz Mahal, who died in 1631 giving birth to their 14th child. As you stroll through the gardens, your tour guide tells you more about this moving story. You then return to your accommodation for breakfast. Before leaving Agra you visit Agra Fort (UNESCO World Heritage): for a long time the mighty red sandstone fortress was the residence of the Mughal emperors, and behind its walls lie courtyards, palaces and ornate buildings. Afterwards you drive back to Delhi, arriving in the late afternoon. 1 night in Delhi. (B) (Distance: approx. 205 km; driving time: approx. 4.5 hrs)

1 night · Double room · With breakfast The Park Inn by Radisson is located in the lively Lajpat Nagar district in the south of Delhi, with good connections to business districts and sights. There is an outdoor pool with terrace, a fitness centre and the RBG Bar & Grill restaurant serving local and international cuisine; Wi-Fi is free. The modern rooms have shower/WC, TV, hairdryer, air conditioning and tea and coffee making facilities.

In due course you are taken to the airport and fly from Delhi back home, arriving the same day. (B)