Transfer Option:

Day 1: Arrival in Udaipur. We collect you from the airport and bring you to the City Palace, the largest palace complex in Rajasthan. Directly inside the City Palace is your hotel, the famous Shiv Niwas Palace. The last Maharana of Udaipur Bhagat Singhji of Mewar converted parts of the huge palace complex into a luxurious Heritage Hotel after India had become independent and he had lost his kingdom. The rest of the day we invite you for a sightseeing tour of Udaipur or if you prefer you can also relax and enjoy the serenity and amenities of your hotel. Overnight stay at Shiv Niwas Palace, Udaipur.

Day 2: After breakfast we will pick you up from your hotel and take you the little village of Haldi Ghati, inside the Aravalli Mountains. If time permits you can visit the Chetak Chabutra, a marble memorial for the famous white charger of Maharana Pratap who gave his life to save his master during the battle of Haldi Ghati in 1576. The story is one of the most told tales in Indian history and it celebrates a famous horse. Shortly behind the memorial you will meet your guide and horses which are the direct descendents of Chetak and the former warhorses of the Maharajas. Start your ride through the beautiful Haldi Ghati Valley and finally master the steep climb up to the Kumbhalgarh Fort which is perched on one of the highest mountain peaks of the Aravallis. Arrival in your heritage hotel “The Aodhi” in the early afternoon. Get fresh and then we take you to visit the historic Kumbhalgarh Fort. Enjoy the great views all around and if you like stay there till the fort is illuminated after nightfall. We will then bring you back to your hotel. Overnight stay at “The Aodhi” Kumbhalgarh.

Day 3: Today’s ride will take you through the Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary, one of the last homes of the Indian Wolf. Although the sanctuary houses Wolfs, Leopards and Bears, they are not likely to be seen by visitors as all of them are mainly night active and prefer to sleep during the day. Still with some luck the riders can spot Chetal (Indian spotted deer), Nilgai antelopes and Indian gazelle and of course countless birds of different sizes as the Aravalli Mountains are a hotspot of birdlife. They are home to more than 250 different species ranging from the tiniest sunbirds to the majestic peacocks. Also often visible are groups of monkeys and smaller animals such as mongoose, striped squirrels or chameleon. Lunch break will be held in a small forest rest house overlooking a green lagoon which houses a couple of large crocodiles. In the afternoon the rides exit the Sanctuary and continue their ride through the Ranakpur valley along strange and bizarre rock formations. Arrival at the Ranakpur Jain Temple is around one hour later. Visit the temple and enjoy the exquisitely carved marble pillars, each one of the 1444 different from the rest. After your visit we will bring you to your hotel, the gorgeous Heritage Hotel Fateh Bagh just a stone throw away from the Jain temple. Overnight stay in the Heritage Hotel “Fateh Bagh.

Day 4: After breakfast we will collect you from your hotel and you start the ride through the serene Ranakpur valley and further down the way to the Rajasthani Bagar which is the fringe area between the hills and the Thar Desert in the North-West. Today the ride leads over an open plain dotted with small villages and little fields. Occasionally Nilgai Antelopes, India’s largest antelope, can be spotted. Bizarre rock formations continue to line the way till the riders arrive in the small hamlet of Narlai. Here the riders can ride straight to their hotel Rawla Narlai, an old palace converted into a prime Heritage hotel. The afternoon is free to discover the palace and make use of all the amenities of the property. Overnight stay in Rawla Narlai.

Day 5: Today the Aravalli Mountains will be finally left behind and the ride continues in the Rajasthani Bagar, an open and arid plain with sandy ground. Instead of bullocks, the villagers here use camels for their work and you will encounter quite a few all day long. The horses are eager to go fast, feeling the soft ground under their feet and seeing the wide plain before them. Open ground and long sandy village roads invite for long canters and gallops. Arrival in the small town of Jojawar in the afternoon and ride to the hotel Rawla Jojawar. The rest of the day is free to enjoy the hotel or visit the small typical Rajasthani town. Overnight stay in Ralwa Jojawar.

Day 6: After breakfast transfer either back to Udaipur or to Jodhpur. The remainder of the day can be used for some additional sightseeing or just relaxing. Overnight stay in Udaipur in Shiv Niwas Palace or in Jodhpur in Ajit Bhawan or similar.
Sightseeing options in Udaipur:
Boat ride on Lake Pichola
City Palace Guided Tour
Hike or Drive through the Old CityBagore-ki-Haveli (Cultural Centre)
Walk in Sahelion-ki Badi (Garden of the maidens)
Outdoor museum at ShilpgramVisit to Monsoon Palace
Half-day Excursion Eklingji and Nagda Temples
Traditional Rajasthani Folk Evening with dinner, music and folk dances

Day 7: Program ends after breakfast.

What to Bring for Rajasthan Castle to Castle Safari

Currently we are using these Heritage hotels:
Day 1: Shiv Niwas Palace, Udaipur.
Day 2: “The Aodhi” Kumbhalgarh.
Day 3: Heritage Hotel “Fateh Bagh.
Day 4: Rawla Narlai.
Day 5: Rawla Jojawar.
Day 6: Udaipur in Shiv Niwas Palace or Jodhpur at Ajit Bhawan or similar.

Shiv Niwas Palace,Udaipur
Where royalty has always felt at home, today you are invited to an experience of a lifetime


The crescent-shaped palace was built in the early 20th century, in the reign of Maharana Fateh Singh (period of reign: 1884-1930), and has been meticulously maintained and preserved. The palace was reserved exclusively for visiting dignitaries and guests of the House of Mewar. Today it is a Grand Heritage Palace for guests, combining the elegance of the last century with modern 21st century amenities.
Shiv Niwas Palace offers beautiful, yet differing suites and rooms to choose from 17 individually decorated suites carry original furniture and portraits that have been with the royal family for generations. All the suites look out onto the natural panorama of Udaipur. Unparalleled splendor and spaciousness characterise each room.
Guests to Shiv Niwas Palace like to return time and again. The hospitality is unchanged from the not-so-distant times when Shiv Niwas Palace was a royal guesthouse.
The distinctive character of Shiv Niwas Palace contributes substantially to the success of events of all types. Events benefit from a unique combination of history, luxury, impressive architecture, personalised service and the finest cuisine.
The ancient guesthouse of this palace has witnessed the arrival of Queen Elizabeth II nd also the shooting of the famous James Bond film Octopussy. It is famous for the traditional Rajputana hospitality The moment you step inside the doors of this hotel, you are sure to remember the royal past of the Rajput dynasty. The Shiv Nivas Palace hotel is three times winner of the prestigious award for the best national hotel in the Grand Heritage category.

Aodhi Kumbhalgarh

Fateh Bagh Ranakpur



This hotel has faithfully preserving the richness of Rajput architecture for 21st century visitors. It was in 1802 AD that Rawla Koshilav flourished as a palace on the foothills of Aravallis near Jodhpur. In 2002, almost 65,000 pieces of the crumbling palace werre tranplanted in a senic spot in Ranakpur, amidst the orchards and on the banks of a rain fed river, to create Fateh Bagh.
Facilities
Swimming pool, nature walks, Handicraft boutique, visits to the world famous Ranakpur Jain Temples; same day laundry and dry-cleaning; travel and tour guides; travel desk; money exchange available 24-hours; airport transfers and cars/ limousines on demand.


Rawla Narlai in Narlai

It makes no very persuasive effort at tourism and it prefers horses to camels, so the small town of Narlai is a bit removed from the popular icons that represent Rajasthan. In fact, the horses of Marwar are legendary for their endurance and their gait; what’s more, they descend from an old lineage—native Indian ponies crossed with Arabian horses with a dash of Mongolian. Narlai is 140km from Udaipur, 160km from Jodhpur. And Rawla Narlai, a 17th-century palace turned hunting lodge, is now a hotel  and offers visitors wonderful experiences. Upon entering the Rawla Narlai, there is a palpable sense of detachment from the outside world. Situated in Rajasthan midway between Jodhpur & Udaipur, it exudes a unmistakable, inimitable experience that has become to be a signature of this 17th century "villa". Wake up to the sounds of this 17-century village and take in the spiritual energy from the invigorating air descending from the Shiva Temple, lodged deep in a primal cave high on the hill. The village is caught in a time warp, since the Royal family moved back to the Kingdom of Jodhpur. Life has continued much as it was then in Narlai.
This is a lovely heritage hotel with a few rough edges, but its many good points and tons of charm certainly outweigh any little issues. The thing to bear in mind is that it's a tiny little village several hours drive from anywhere; this is the great charm of the place and the reason to visit; not a glossy metropolitan boutique.
The property built around a series of courtyards with fountains and beautiful blossoming trees, and a small temple of its own. Rooms are large, and clean, with aircon and fan, and a separate dressing room and bathroom (shower) and private terrace. There's an immersion heater switch for hot water in the bathroom. As in other heritage properties, there's no TV, but there was wifi. Rooms are shady, which is to be expected in a traditional building in a hot country with strong sunlight. A shady room is a cool room! Dinner is served by candlelight on a terrace underneath the granite rock mountain and is delicious.
"You must must MUST do the stepwell dinner. It might sound a bit cheesy, but trust me, it's an utterly magical experience. A 6th century stepwell, hundreds of oil lamps, the most delicious food, beautiful music. Step back in time a thousand years. Wonderful!!! "

Rawla Jojawar

This trip includes and can accommodate special dietary requests.

Passports
Passport valid for at least 190 days required by all nationals referred to in the chart.

Visas
Required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.
Note: Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements.
Visa Note
Certain parts of the country have been designated protected or restricted areas that require special permits and in some cases prior government authorisation. Intent to visit a specific restricted region should be indicated when applying for a visa and a permit will be granted to visit that region only. An additional form must be completed. Passengers are advised to check with the tourist board for up-to-date information before departure.
Types of Visa and Cost
Tourist visa: £30 (multiple-entry; six months); £50 (multiple-entry; one year). Business visa: £105 (one year); £160 (more than one year). Transit: £8 (single/double-entry). Prices for certain other nationals vary, nationals are advised to contact the embassy to check cost.
Validity
Tourist: six months or one year for multiple entry. Transit: maximum stays of 15 days within three months. Business: three or six months, or up to two years for multiple entry.
Applications to:
Embassy or high commission (or consular section at embassy or high commission); see Contact Addresses. There are also Indian Visa Application Centres in London, Birmingham and Edinburgh.
Working Days Required
Personal applications can normally be processed the same day. Applications made at the visa centres will take at least 2-3 working days. Postal applications take a minimum of 10 working days. Where referrals are required, applications may require 20-25 working days.