Experience the magic that is India with this ten-day itinerary that starts and ends in Delhi and includes both the architectural wonders of the region and breathtaking views of golden cities rising from the desert.

DAY 1: ARRIVE IN DELHI

Proclaimed the cultural capital of India, Delhi's spectacular architecture reflects an interesting blend of diverse cultures and the culmination of seven cities built by different emperors.

Begin your tour at the India Gate, a memorial to commemorate the 70,000 India soldiers killed in World War I. Built from sandstone; the arch also houses the Eternal Flame, in memory of the Indian soldiers whose lives were lost in the 1971 war with Pakistan.

Located very close to the India Gate, the National Museum has a rich variety of ancient Indian and central Asia history. With collections dating back as far as 5000 years, the museums houses collections representative of the different civilizations that make up the Indian culture.

Next, learn more about Indian culture and visit Chandini Chowk one of the country's best-known wholesale markets for textiles, electronic goods and watches.

DAY 2: DELHI-AGRA DRIVE - 5/6 HRS
Morning sightseeing of Old Delhi includes a visit to Rajghat where the mortal remains of Mahatma Gandhi were cremated on the west bank of the river Yamuna on the evening of January 31, 1948.

Next, visit the Jama Masjid, built by Shah Jahan in 1658, one of the largest mosques in India with a seating capacity of more than 20,000.

Tour the Red Fort, built of red stone where the British deposed Bhadur Shah Zafar, marking the end of three centuries of Mughal rule and the first Prime Minister of India, Pandit Jawharlal Nehru, announced India free from colonial rule.

In the afternoon, take a breathtaking drive to Agra through the Indian countryside with a visit of Sikandra Fort along the way. Built by Akbar, one of the greatest of the Mughal emperors, Sikandra Fort features Akbar's five-story tomb built in red sandstone with inlay marble and pattern work.

Arrive in Agra.

DAY 3: AGRA- JAIPUR DRIVE - 6 HRS

Tour the world famous Taj Mahal, architectural wonder of the world built by Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaj Mahal.

Continue your tour with a visit to the Agra Fort where Shah Jahan's third son, Aurangzeb, kept him under house arrest where he spent the last years of his life gazing at the tomb of his beloved.

Take an afternoon drive to Jaipur with a stop to visit Fatehpur Sikiri, an ancient ghost city built in red sandstone in honor of Saint Salim Chisti who foretold the birth of three sons to Emperor Akbar.

Arrive in Jaipur.

DAY 4: JAIPUR
Explore the capital of Rajasthan, Jaipur, known as the 'Pink City', painted pink to welcome the Prince of Wales in 1853. Built in 1727 A.D. by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh, the entire layout of Jaipur was inspired from Shilp Shastra, the Indian Architecture.

DAY 05: JAIPUR - JODHPUR DRIVE - 7 HRDS
In the morning, drive to Jodhpur. Arrive and tour Mehargarh Fort built in 1454 A.D. by Rao Jodha Singh undoubtedly one of India's premier tourist attractions, offering baroque architecture, excellent artifacts and well-lit displays.

In the evening, visit the sandstone Umaid Bhawan Palace with its multifaceted grandeur now converted into a five star hotel.

DAY 06: JODHPUR- JAISALMER DRIVE - 7/8 HRS
Take an early morning drive to Jaisalmer, known as the "Golden City" because of the honey color imparted to its yellow sandstone ramparts by the setting sun; arrive in the afternoon and enjoy the sunset.

DAY 07: IN JAISALMER
Tour the magnificent mansions (Havelis), all carved from wood and yellow sandstone, which are perhaps, the last truly Indian buildings, designed without a tint of European architecture.

Tour Sonar Kila, probably the planet's only living fort, with about a quarter of the old city's population dwelling in it, packed with houses, temples, handicraft shops, beauty parlors, and honeycombed with slender winding lanes.
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Take an afternoon excursion to Sam Desert for a two-hour camel safari. View the sunset in Sam Desert.

DAY 08: JAISALMER- BIKANER DRIVE -7/8 HRS
Early in the morning drive to Bikaner to visit the Junagarh Fort's beautiful alcoves within the red sandstone fort. Marvel at the fact that Junagarh does not command a hilltop position yet it has never been conquered.

DAY 09: BIKANER- MANDAWA DRIVE- 6 HRS
In the morning take a drive to Mandawa to visit the painted havelis of Mandawa.

DAY 10: MANDAWA- DELHI DRIVE - 6/7 HRS
Drive back to Delhi with a stop to visit Navalgarh Fort now converted into a museum and arrive in Delhi in the afternoon.

By following this itinerary, you will have visited many of India's greatest architectural treasures and attractions in only ten days. This taste of India however, will help you understand why it would take a lifetime to appreciate all that India has to offer.

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