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Duration:
17 Days
Destinations: Delhi - Mandawa - Gajner - Jaisalmer -
Jodhpur - Luni - Udaipur - Deogarh - Kharela - Pushkar - Jaipur - Agra -
Delhi
Day 01:Abroad / Delhi
Arrive late night at New Delhi
International airport. On arrival the guest will be met by our
representative and transferred to hotel. Upon arrival at hotel the guests
will be provided with the traditional Indian welcome. Consisting of
aarti-tikka and garlands.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 02:
Delhi
Morning sightseeing tour of Old Delhi. This morning you
will be taken to visit Old Delhi - Former centre of Moghul Power, Old
Delhi offers ancient monuments, narrow streets and bustling bazaars. Visit
the vast Red Fort, built in 1648, the Jama Masjid, the greatest mosque in
India and completed in 1658 by Shah Jahan who also built the Taj Mahal,
and the Raj Ghat, the simple memorial to Mahatma Gandhi.
Afternoon sightseeing tour of New Delhi.
New Delhi - drive past
the stately government buildings of the British Era designed by Lutyens,
including the India Gate & the Presidential Palace. Continue onto the
beautiful Humayuns Tomb of the Mughal era & predecessor of the world
famous Taj Mahal. End the tour at the towering minaret of Qutab Minar.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 03: Delhi - Mandawa
After breakfast drive to Mandawa ( 280 kms).
Upon arrival check in at
Hotel Castle Mandawa. Late afternoon visit the Shekhawati region. Walk
through the Shekhawati region, which was the stronghold of Kayamkhani
Nawabs till 1730. Besides the cenotaphs, wells, forts and temples the
majority of frescoes are painted on the walls and gateways of Havelis. The
havelis are mansion of a unique residential architectural style that
evolved around courtyards to serve the purpose of family security, privacy
for the women as also protecting the inhabitants from the long, harsh
summers. The enormous Havelis with fascinating murals built by the wealthy
Rajasthani merchants ("Marwaris") in the 19th century.
Overnight at Castle.
Day 04: Mandawa - Bikaner - Gajner
After breakfast drive to
Bikaner (240 kms).
Upon arrival in Bikaner lunch at one of the hotels
followed by city tour.
City sightseeing tour of Bikaner, this desert
town in the north of the state was founded in 1488 by Roa Bikaji, a
descendant of the founder of Jodhpur, Jodhaji. Visit the Junagarh Fort
constructed between 1588 and 1593 by Raja Jai Singh, a general in the
Moghul Emperor Akbar's army.
After sightseeing drive to Gajner Palace
(28 kms / 40 minutes).
Upon arrival check in at Gajner Palace.
Overnight at Gajner Palace.
Day 05 : Gajner - Jaisalmer
In the morning enjoy the surrounding of Ganjer Palace.
After breakfast, drive to Jaisalmer (260 km).
Upon arrival check-in
at hotel.
Jaisalmer - is India's most exotic and unusual town -
a medieval looking place, straight out of the 'Tales of the Arabian
Nights'. This beautiful city is situated inside a huge mud fort and grew
as a result of its strategic position on the trading route between India
and Central Asia bringing great wealth to the city. Jaisalmer is a tiny
jewel in the heart of the Thar Desert - once the capital of the Bhatti
Rajputs. Jaisalmer started as an important caravan center and remnants of
caravan sarais still exist.
Late in the evening visit the Sam dunes
where you will witness sunset while enjoying the camel ride. Overnight at
hotel.
Day 06: Jaisalmer
After breakfast, visit
this perfect Rajput walled desert city which is like a golden jewel
shimmering above the hard sand. Visit the palaces, the Jain temples and
magnificent Havelis or merchant's houses, each richly decorated and carved
from golden yellow sandstone - Patwon-ki-haveli (House of the Brocade
Merchants) is the largest and most elaborate of the famous havelis of
Jaisalmer. The Nathmalji-ki-haveli (The Mansion of Nathmalji), the last of
the great havelis was built in the late 19th century. End the morning with
a visit to Gadisar Lake - the large natural oasis that attracted Rawal
Jaisal to this site.
Afternoon, visit the Royal Cenotaphs of the
Rawals in Barra bagh where the rural were cremated. This is also the best
place from which to watch the spectacular desert sunset, and photograph
the fort. Overnight at hotel.
Day 07: Jaisalmer - Jodhpur - Luni
After early breakfast,
drive to Luni (310 km) enroute visiting Jodhpur city.
City tour
of Jodhpur - the largest city in Rajasthan after Jaipur, Jodhpur stands at
the edge of the Thar Desert. It was founded by Rao Jodha. Chief of the
Rajput clan known as Rathores and the Rathore kingdom was once known as
Marwar - the Land of Death. The tour includes Meherangarh Fort - one of
the most impressive & formidable in the whole of fort-studded
Rajasthan is situated on a high natural rock bluff and from which you can
look down on the wonderful panorama of the bustling city below, Jaswant
Thada - the Royal Cenotaphs. Continue drive to Luni.
Day 08
: Luni - Udaipur
Early morning visit the surrounding villages
and witness their daily lifestyle of living and enjoy cup of tea / coffee
with them.
Breakfast at hotel.
Later drive to Udaipur (240 kms).
Upon arrival in Udaipur, check-in at hotel.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 09: Udaipur
Morning, city tour of Udaipur - the
romantic Lake City in Southern Rajasthan, famous for the stunning white
marble Palace built on an island in the Lake Pichola. It was the former
Palace of the Maharana and now converted to one of the most glamorous
hotels in India. The tour will cover the magnificent City Palace, the
Jagdish temple, the pleasure gardens and a drive around the other nearby
lakes.
The magnificent City Palace, which is simply enormous -
an assemblance of not one but four separate palaces covering some four
acres of area and exceeding all other palaces for colossal grandeur. Here
you will marvel at rooms with mirrored walls and ivory doors, colored
glass windows and inlaid marble balconies; and the Peacock Courtyard.
Late afternoon, enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Pichola at sunset
visiting the Jagmandir Island - in the middle of the Romantic Lake
Pichola. It commands a magnificent view of the City Palace, Lake Palace
and Sajjangarh Fort, on its own island, and it is where Prince Khurram was
given refuge in the 17th century.
Overnight at hotel
Day 10: Udaipur - Deogarh
After breakfast drive to Deoagrh
enroute visiting Ranakpur Temples.
Ranakpur temples: A visit to
the famous Jain Temple, dating back to the 15th century. 200 pillars, none
of which are alike, support its 29 halls. The Temple abounds with
intricate friezes and sculptures. The tour also includes visits to two
more Jain temples and the Temple of the Sun God with its erotic
sculptures.
Lunch at Maharani Bagh.
Upon arrival in
Deogarh, check-in at hotel.
Deogarh Mahal - built in 1670 A.D., the
Mahal stands at a height of 2100 ft. above sea level with its bold
battlements, domed turrets and balconies offering a commanding view of the
surrounding Aravalli mountains and its rugged rock-strewn countryside
dotted by a number of lakes. Overnight at hotel.
Day 11:
Deogarh - Khajrela
After breakfast drive to Khajrela (184 kms).
Upon arrival check in at hotel.
Khajrela seems to rise out of the
Narwar plains like a sentinel. A sturdy fort, it is quite simple and uses
very little ornamentation to break the almost forbidding exterior. The
interiors too are simple and neat where the guests can look forward to
genuine Rajput hospitality. In the surrounding area has several
interesting temples, cenotaphs and step wells and for the more adventurous
- camels are available to explore the countryside and visit Raika and
Bisnoi villages.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 12 :
Khajrela - Pushkar
After breakfast drive to Pushkar (180 kms)
enroute visiting the Dargah at Ajmer
Ajmer, is the most sacred
of all Muslim places of pilgrimage in India. Ajmer is a green oasis on the
shore of Ana Sagar Lake, hemmed in by barren hills. Historically, Ajmer
has always had great strategic importance. It was founded in 7th century
by Ajaipal Chauhan. He named it Ajaimeru the 'invincible hill'. The city's
Muslim history began when Prithviraj Chau-han lost Ajmer to Sultan
Muhammad Ghori in 1193 A.D. The Persian saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti who
came with Muhammad Ghori from Persia in 1192 settled here. Thus the place
where he was buried is today known as the Dargah Sharif. Construction of
the shrine was completed by Humayun and the gates were added by the Nizam
of Hyderabad. Later Shah Jahan constructed a mosque of white marble, it
has 11 arches and a Persian inscription running the full length of the
building.
Later check in at hotel in Pushkar.
Pushkar is a
mellow, serene and bewitching little town which attracts those in search
of some respite from the tumult of India. Pushkar is right on the edge of
the desert and is only 11 kms from Ajmer but separated from it by Nag
Pahar, the snake mountain
This traveler-friendly town clings to
the side of the small Pushkar Lake with its many bathing ghats and
temples. For Hindus, Puhskar is a very important pilgrimage centre and
you'll see plenty of Sadhus (individuals on a spiritual search).
Pushkar boasts temples, though few are as ancient as you might expect at such
an important pilgrimage site, since many were deserted by Aurangzeb and subsequently
rebuilt. The most famous is the Brahma Temple, said to be one of the few temples
in the world dedicated to this deity. It's marked by red spire, and over the
entrance gateway is the hans, or goose symbol, of Brahma, who is said to have
personally chosen Pushkar as its site.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 13 : Pushkar - Jaipur
After breakfast drive to Jaipur (120 kms / 3 hours).
Afternoon tour
of "Pink City" - Surrounded on three sides by the rugged Aravali
hills, Jaipur is the picturesque capital of Rajasthan. It takes its name
from the prince, soldier and astronomer Jai Singh II who moved his capital
here in 1727. Jaipur is notable for its distinctive pink-orange coloring.
The whole of the old city, including many fine palaces and buildings, was
constructed from solid blocks of Sandstone or faced with the same stone.
But it was only in 1853 that it gained its famous title, the "Pink
City"- it was painted pink for the first time in honour of a visit
from Prince Albert. You will visit the Hawa Mahal and the open air Jantar
Mantar Observatory enjoy a through the colorful bazaar before returning to
your hotel.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 14 : Jaipur
After breakfast tour of Amber Fort.
Tour of the impressive
Amber Fort, situated on a ridge just outside Jaipur City. At the foot of
the hill you will mount your caparisoned elephant for the slow but steady
climb up to the main gate, making your entrance in the time honoured
fashion. The Fort, completed in the early 18th century, took over 100
years to build and now, although deserted, offers a fascinating insight
into the lifestyle of the Moghul ruling families.
Afternoon,
enjoy a cycle rickshaw ride through the bustling bazaars. Jaipur is
renowned for textile block printing, blue pottery, carpet weaving,
semi-precious stones and local crafts which still thrive from the day of
Maharaja Jai Singh's patronage when he designed special areas in the city
for the 'bandhanas', the 'cheepas' and the 'meenakari' workers.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 15 : Jaipur - Fatehpur Sikri -
Agra
After breakfast drive to Agra (221 kms) enroute visiting
Fatehpur Sikri
Fatehpur Sikri - the impressive sandstone fortress was built in the 16th century
and only occupied for a few years before being abandoned, leaving the buildings
in virtually perfect conditions.
Continue drive
to Agra
Upon arrival in Agra - check-in at the hotel.
Thereafter, visit the Taj Mahal, the guests will board the
'decorated tongas' (horse carriage) which will take them to Taj Mahal……
Little needs to be said about this architectural wonder which is always
the soul raison-de-etre for every tourist's visit to Agra. Built by Shah
Jahan, the Taj is a white marble memorial to his beautiful wife Mumtaz
Mahal.
This monument took 22 years to be completed and was
designed and planned by Persian architect Ustad Isa. Apart from it's
stunning design balance and perfect symmetry, the Taj is also noted
particularly for its elegant domes, intricately carved screens and some of
the best inlay work ever seen.
The guests will remain till
late afternoon to witness the pristine Taj Mahal at sunset, to see this
true Wonder of the world in gentle late afternoon light.
Overnight at
hotel
Day 16 : Agra - Delhi
Breakfast at hotel.
Thereafter, visit the Red Fort.
Red Fort- lies on the bend of
the river Yamuna, almost in the heart of the town. Akbar built it as his
citadel over the years 1563-73 in the finest architectural style. It has
imposing gates and walls of red sandstone and a moat.
Afternoon, drive to Delhi (203 kms/5 hrs).
Upon arrival the guests
will be assisted and transferred to airport for flight back home
Day 17 : Delhi - Abroad
Depart Delhi.
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