AEI- 41 The Land of Kings 13N-14D
xpert Rating: Asia Escapes
“This itinerary is one of the most comprehensive and culturally profound routes we’ve designed. What makes this trip stand out is the perfect balance between monumental architecture (Taj Mahal, Amber), vibrant spirituality (Varanasi, Jain Temples), and everyday life (Dhobi Ghat in Mumbai, Jodhpur markets).
At Asia Escapes, we particularly appreciate the inclusion of Udaipur, which adds a necessary touch of romance to slow the pace of the journey, and the use of the Vande Bharat train to Varanasi, which offers a modern and efficient experience within Indian logistics. It’s a trip that’s not just seen, but felt, especially with experiences like the evening Aarti ceremony and sunrise on the Ganges—moments that completely transform the traveler’s perception.”
Day 1. Arrival-Mumbai
Arrival in Mumbai on an international flight. Our Spanish-speaking representative will meet you at the airport, provide assistance, and transfer you to your hotel. Overnight stay.
Day 2. Mumbai
Breakfast at the hotel. Panoramic tour of Mumbai, including a visit to Mani Bhawan, the former workplace of Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948). This house, located on a shady and stately street, is now a museum dedicated to Gandhi and houses an extensive scientific library. We will also see India Gate, considered India’s “Arch of Triumph.” This sand-colored arch was erected to commemorate the visit of King George V (1865-1936) and his wife, Maria von, to India in 1911. Ironically, this was the site chosen by the British to bid their final farewell to India on February 28, 1948. We will continue with a panoramic tour of Dhobi Ghat: the most famous and largest open-air laundry in all of India. Located not far from the city center, it overlooks a large area with dozens of rows of concrete washing basins, each equipped with its own scrubbing stone. The laundry workers, known locally as Dhobis, work outdoors washing clothes for hotels, hospitals, schools, and private individuals. They collect the laundry from homes and deliver it perfectly ironed and folded for a very reasonable price. It was built in the late 19th century during British rule to provide laundry services to a growing English and upper-class population. Since then, the Dhobi caste has grown considerably, and generation after generation has worked at its basins. Currently, more than four thousand people depend on the profits from this laundry. We will continue with a panoramic view of the Towers of Silence. This ancient funerary rite, believed to predate the Parsi faith itself, is 2,500 years old and was recommended by the prophet Zoroaster as a way to avoid contamination of the four sacred elements: air, water, earth, and, most sacred of all, fire. Return to the hotel and overnight stay.
Day 3. Mumbai-Udaipur (Flight)
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Udaipur, known by many names: the White City, the Venice of the East, and the most romantic city in India. Udaipur is built around several lakes surrounded by mountains. The most famous is Lake Pichola, which features a palace that has been converted into a hotel: the Lake Palace, an idyllic and contemplative place. Part of the James Bond film Octopussy was filmed in this palace-hotel, which appears to float on the lake. Arrival and transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay.
Day 4. Udaipur
Breakfast at the hotel. This morning, you will visit the beautiful city of Udaipur, admiring its City Palace and the museum it houses, which displays a valuable collection of miniatures and porcelain. The City Palace is one of the most remarkable buildings from the Rajput era, the rulers of Rajasthan. Located in the heart of Udaipur, next to Lake Pichola, the original construction of the palace was begun by Maharaja Udai Singh of the Sisodia clan, who founded the city. The entire City Palace complex exudes a beautiful harmony and uniformity in its architecture. The old part of the palace has been converted into a museum that preserves the memories of the Rajputs. In addition, part of the palace has been transformed into a luxury hotel. In addition, we will enjoy the paradisiacal Saheliyon ki Bari (Garden of the Maidens), located in the north of the city. It is an immense garden with kiosks and elephants carved from white marble, four ponds, and numerous fountains. Some jets emerge directly from the ground, cascading water down like a monsoon. This fountain system was once powered by water drawn from a lake located at a higher elevation than the garden, its pressure creating jets. The meticulously maintained garden boasts a variety of plant species; the immense palm trees and enormous mango trees are particularly striking. There are also trees with showy flowers in white, pink, and yellow, and hedges trimmed into whimsical shapes. Inside, there is a small museum displaying everyday objects from the royal palace, part of a large collection that is certainly worth seeing. Next, we will visit the Jagdish Temple. This Hindu temple is famous for its antiquity and for being a welcoming meeting place for the local population. Next, we will visit the Tribal Museum: this “ethnic complex” of artisans is one of the best in the country. It plays a vital role in the preservation and exhibition of the diverse art forms of the tribes of western India (Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Goa). In the afternoon, enjoy a boat trip on Lake Pichola. Return to the hotel and overnight stay.
Day 5. Udaipur-Ranakpur-Jodhpur (275 kms, 05 hrs + visit)
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure by road to Jodhpur, visiting en route the famous Jain Temples of Ranakpur (guides will explain the temples outside, as access is prohibited out of respect for the temples). Ranakpur is one of the five holy sites of the Jain community. Located 96 km from Udaipur, these temples were built in the 15th century AD during the reign of Rana. The exquisite sculptural decoration borders on pure filigree, with details, especially on the ceilings and columns, that are difficult to find in any other temple. Some say that the artisans of these temples were paid according to the amount of marble dust they were able to extract from the columns. This is one of the reasons for the extraordinary work. There are 24 Jain gods, called Tirthankars. And it is precisely to one of them (Rishabha, better known as Adinath) that the Ranakpur Temple is dedicated , which is not only the most beautiful but also the largest of the Jain temples in India. The work done on the Ranakpur Jain Temple is so impressive that the monument was even included on the list of 77 semifinalists in the vote for the New 7 Wonders of the World, which were finally chosen in 2011. After the visit, continue to Jodhpur. Arrival and transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay.
Day 6. Jodhpur
Breakfast at the hotel. Visit Mehrangarh Fort, built in 1459 by order of Rao Jodha, chief of the Rathore clan of Rajputs, who claimed descent from Rama (of the Ramayana epic), thus establishing the foundations of Jodhpur. A high stone wall, almost 10 km long, protects the fortified city and has eight gates facing in various directions. Situated on a 150 m high hill, it is the most formidable and magnificent fort in Rajasthan and one of the largest in India. Although it dates back to the 15th century (1459), most of what remains today dates from 1650. It has walls up to 60 m high and houses an exquisitely decorated palace with carved panels, latticed windows, and stained glass. It features three imposing gates, each built to commemorate a particular victory. Moti Mahal, the Pearl Palace; Phool Mahal, the Flower Palace; Sheesh Mahal, the Mirror Palace. Next, on the path down from the fort, we’ll encounter Jaswant Thada, the elegant marble cenotaph of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. We return to the city center and stop at Ghanta Ghar, where the Clock Tower stands, the heart of this blue city of Jodhpur. Sardar Singh erected this tower, just as he did the mausoleum of Jaswant Thada. Around this tower, we’ll find the various markets known as Sardar Market, where the life of Jodhpur’s people truly unfolds. Overnight stay.
Day 7. Jodhpur-Jaipur (280 kms, 6 hrs)
Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for Jaipur. Arrival and transfer to the hotel. Jaipur, the Pink City, owes its nickname to the color of the sandstone used to construct the buildings of the old city. The city’s pleasing design is thanks to Maharaja Jai Singh II, who began its construction in 1728 and commissioned his architect, Vidyadhar Chakravarty, to skillfully blend diverse styles such as Hindu, Jain, Mughal, and Persian. Overnight stay.
Day 8. Jaipur-Amber-Jaipur
Breakfast at the hotel. Excursion to Amber Fort. The ascent will be on elephant back (subject to availability), and the descent by jeep. The fort was built by the Mughal kings to defend the Citadel, which contains a palace and another fortress on higher ground. Next, visit the Maharaja’s Palace, the residence of the Jaipur royal family. This complex is filled with palaces, gardens, and other buildings, most notably the seven-story Chandra Mahal, which houses the Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Museum. Here you can admire carpets, enamels, weapons, miniature paintings, cannons, and clothing of the former maharajas. Following this, we will visit Jantar Mantar, the astronomical observatory, with its 30-meter-high sundial and other fascinating astronomical instruments. In the same area, we’ll see the famous Palace of the Winds, or Hawa Mahal, which is actually just a facade built so that women could watch the processions of the maharajas and their guests in Jaipur without being seen. Return to the hotel and overnight stay.
Day 9. Jaipur-Agra (240 km - 05 hrs)
Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, depart by road for Agra. Upon arrival in Agra, transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon, visit the Agra Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983. Construction dates back to 1565, and the fort was conceived as a walled palace surrounded by a deep moat. Accessed through an imposing gate called Amar Singh, the fort contains numerous palaces and stately buildings built by the Mughal emperor Akbar and used by successive Mughal governments as a base of operations for Mughal power. Overnight stay.
Day 10. Agra
Breakfast at the hotel. Today you will visit one of the Seven Wonders of the World: the Taj Mahal (closed every Friday throughout the year). This monument has brought worldwide fame to Agra and has become the symbol of India. The Taj Mahal is a mausoleum commissioned by Emperor Shah Jahan in 1631 in honor of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal, the Lady of the Taj, who died giving birth to their fourteenth child in 1629. Construction, which involved 20,000 people, was not completed until 1653. It is the most representative example of Mughal architecture. The chief architect, Isa Khan, designed the complex within a rectangle measuring 508 by 304 meters, with a central garden flanked on all four sides by octagonal pavilions. The mausoleum, built entirely of white marble, stands on a marble base with a minaret, also white, at each corner, each reaching 41 meters in height. The central section consists of four small domes surrounding a larger one in the middle. The remains of this couple rest in the crypt of this two-story building. While the architectural ensemble is impressive in itself, the decoration known as pietra dura, with its intricate details such as floral arabesques and geometric motifs in semi-relief adorned with precious stones, among other elements, is magnificent, making this structure a truly unique monument. Return to the hotel and overnight stay.
Day 11. Agra-Varanasi (Train, departure 6:00 hrs and arrival 13:00 hrs, except Wednesday)
Box breakfast. Transfer to the train station for departure on the Vande Bharat (except Fridays) to Varanasi. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Varanasi, also known as Benares, is known as the Eternal City and remains the most important pilgrimage site in India, as well as a symbol of Hindu rebirth. Varanasi’s main attraction is the Ghats, the steps from which pilgrims descend to the sacred river to perform their rituals. In the evening, we will return to the Ghats to witness the Aarti ceremony. Return to the hotel and overnight stay.
Day 12. Varanasi
At dawn, departure for a boat trip on the Ganges River (subject to water level). We’ll board the boat for a scenic ride along the ghats, observing people bathing and performing their daily rituals. After disembarking, we’ll walk to the cremation grounds to experience the atmosphere and wander through the heart of the city. Return to the hotel for breakfast. Panoramic tour of Varanasi, including Bharat Mata Temple. The rest of the day is free, and overnight stay.
Day 13. Varanasi-New Delhi (flight)
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Delhi. Upon arrival, enjoy a city tour, including an orientation through Old Delhi, strolling through Chandni Chowk, and then visiting Raj Ghat, a beautiful park where a black marble platform marks the spot where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated after his assassination, and where Pandit Nehru and Indira Gandhi were also cremated. Continue your tour of New Delhi, visiting government buildings and India Gate, a 42-meter-high stone triumphal arch inscribed with the names of 90,000 Indian Army soldiers who died during World War I. Walk through the Parliament area and visit the President’s Residence. Next, visit the Gurdwara Bangla Sahib, a Sikh temple located in Connaught Place, the site where the Sikh Guru lived. It is the most important Sikh temple in Delhi. Thousands of people come to visit this temple. We will visit Akshardham Temple (closed on Mondays; alternative visit on Monday will be to Birla Hindu Temple). It is a Hindu temple complex in New Delhi, also known as Swaminarayan. The complex showcases traditional Hindu culture, spirituality, and architecture. The central building was inspired and developed by Pramukh Swami Maharaj, the spiritual head of the Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha, whose 3,000 volunteers assisted 7,000 artisans in the construction of Akshardham Temple. Return to the hotel and overnight stay.
Day 14. Delhi - Next Destination
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to the airport for your flight to your next destination.
Our price includes
- 13 nights on a bed and breakfast basis in the chosen hotels.
- Assistance at domestic Spanish-speaking airports (subject to availability, if not, in English).
- Local Spanish-speaking guides will accompany you during visits to Mumbai, Varanasi, and Delhi. From Udaipur to Agra, we will provide a guide for the entire trip.
- 1 bottle of water per person per day in the vehicle.
- Transfers and visits in air-conditioned vehicles.
- Ascent to Amber Fort on elephant backs (subject to availability) and descent by jeep.
- Boat trip on Lake Pichola.
- Vande Bharat train from Agra to Varanasi in first class (no service on Wednesdays)
- Domestic flight Mumbai-Udaipur and Varanasi-Delhi (Checked baggage on domestic flight 15 kilo/7 kilo carry-on)
- Tickets to the monuments mentioned in the program.
- The rates applicable at this time.
Our price does not include
- Tips for porters, waiters, drivers, guides, etc.
- Fees for accessing monuments with cameras or videos.
- Extra expenses at the hotel such as phone calls, laundry, etc.
- Drinks are not included in the program, whether at lunch or dinner (in the case of optional drinks).
City/Region | Main Milestone | Star of Asia Escapes Experience |
Mumbai | Mani Bhawan and Dhobi Ghat | Observe the world’s largest outdoor laundry system and the Gateway of India. |
Udaipur | City Palace | Romantic boat ride on Lake Pichola in front of the Lake Palace. |
Ranakpur | Jain Temples | Admire the incredible filigree in white marble of one of the 77 semifinalists of the Wonders of the World. |
Jodhpur | Mehrangarh Fort | Explore the “Blue City” from its 60-meter-high fortress and the Jaswant Thada cenotaph. |
Jaipur | Strong Amber | Elephant ride to the fortress and visit to the Palace of Winds (Hawa Mahal). |
Agra | Taj Mahal | Visit the monument to love par excellence and the imposing Red Fort of Agra. |
Varanasi | Aarti and Ganges Ceremony | Take a boat trip at dawn on the Ganges River to witness the rituals of life and death. |
Delhi | Akshardham and Temples | Visit the impressive Akshardham complex and the contrast between Old and New Delhi. |
Days | Destinations | 5* Deluxe Hotels |
1 | Arrival in Mumbai | Trident Nariman Point |
2 | Mumbai | Trident Nariman Point |
3 | Mumbai / Udaipur | Trident Udaipur |
4 | Udaipur | Trident Udaipur |
5 | Udaipur / Ranakpur / Jodhpur | Ajit Bhawan – Heritage |
6 | Jodhpur | Ajit Bhawan – Heritage |
7 | Jodhpur / Jaipur | Hilton Jaipur |
8 | Jaipur | Hilton Jaipur |
9 | Jaipur / Agra | Jaypee Palace |
10 | Agra | Jaypee Palace |
11 | Agra / Varanasi High-Speed Train | Taj Ganges |
12 | Varanasi | Taj Ganges |
13 | Varanasi / Delhi Flight | Le Meriden |
14 | Delhi Departure | – |
