Day 1 Arrive At Delhi (in
the evening)
On arrival, our local guide
will meet and assist you at
the airport and transfer you
to the pre-booked hotel for
an overnight stay.
Delhi: As
the capital of the largest
democracy in the world, Delhi
is the focus of the socio
economic and political life
of India. India's capital
& a major gateway to the
country, contemporary Delhi
is a bustling metropolis which
successfully combines in it
the ancient & the
modern. It's origin is thought
to extend as far back as 1200
BC, and since then seven cities
have been built and destroyed.
Its strategic location, was
one of the prime reasons why
successive dynasties chose
it as their seat of power.
All of them have left their own
distinct mark, reprint and relics,
making the capital, as a
well known & one of the most popular city
of India, an irresistible travelmasti
itinerary. So, wherever the
visitor goes, he will invariably
confront the city's past.
Day
2 Delhi-Nawalgarh/Mandawa
(Shekhawati)
After breakfast, go on a half
day city tour of Old Delhi.
Visit the Jama Masjid, Red
Fort and Rajghat. At afternoon,
leave Delhi for Nawalgarh/Mandawa.
Arrive at Nawalgarh/Mandawa and
check in at the pre-booked
hotel.
Shekhawati:
Starting around 14th century,
a number of Muslim clans moved
into the area and the town
which developed in the region
became important trading posts
on the caravan routes emanating
from the ports of Gujrat.
The merchants prospered and
in later years, encouraged
by the British rulers, established
themselves as traders across
the country. Although the
towns have lost the
importance they once used to
have, What they have not
lost is the amazing painted
'havelis' (houses) built by
the rich merchants. Most of the
buildings date from the 18th
century to early of this century.
Day 3 Nawalgarh/Mandawa -
Bikaner
Morning trip is the visit
at the 'Havelis' of Nawalgarh
& Mandawa, and in the
afternoon, transfer to Bikaner.
Upon arrival, check in at
pre-booked Hotel for overnight
stay.
Bikaner:
Binaker’s history dates
back to 1488 A.D. when a Rathore
Prince, Rao Bikaji- a descendant
of the founder of Jodhpur,
transformed a barren land into an
impressive city, called Bikaner.
Bikaner stands on a slightly
raised ground and is cirucmscribed
by a seven km long embattled
wall with five gates. The
magnificent forts and palaces,
created with delicacy in redding-pink
sandstone, bear testimony
to its rich historical and
architectural legacy. Undulating
lanes, colorful bazaars, a
line of balconies, aerial
windows of varying designs
and bright and cheerful folks
make Bikaner an interesting
experience. Founded by Raja
Rai Singh, the fort is distinguished
by its long range of 37 pavilions,
an enormous arched doorway
leading to the Joramal Temple.
The Royal Chapel is Har Mandir
where royal weddings &
births were once celebrated.
Day
4 Bikaner-Jaisalmer
After breakfast, visit the
Junagadh Fort and the Camel
Breeding Farm Camel Breeding
Farm - 10 km away, an institute
for research work on camels.
The first of its kind in Asia,
you can see camels of all
types, sizes & ages. In
the afternoon, leave Bikaner
for Jaisalmer. On arrival,
check in pre-booked Hotel.
The Rest of the day is free,
so spend it at your leisure.
Jaisalmer: Rising
from the heart of the Thar
Desert, like a golden mirage
is the city of Jaisalmer.
A commanding fort etched in
yellow sandstone stands, with
all its awesome splendour,
dominating the amber-hued
city. Deep in the heart of
the Thar Desert is Jaisalmer,
one of the last princely bastions
in the region. Founded on
the crossroads of lucrative
trade routes, this remote
settlement came to be celebrated
for the valour & strength of its rulers
and for the aesthetic sense
represented by their palaces
& havelis. The setting
sun turns Jaisalmer into
a beautiful golden brown hue, making
it a spectacular sight.
Day
5 Jaisalmer
In morning, take a city tour
of Jaisalmer. See the citadel
- the Fort built by Rawal
Jaisal, where a fourth of the
population of the town lives. The fort
also houses, many Jain temples of
the 12th to 15th centuries, like,
the famous, Patwon Ki Haveli - a five
storey mansion with carved
pillars & murals of Salim
Singh. Also visit Gadsisar lake,
which had once supplied water
to the entire city; the temples &
archways around it have been
built by a courtesan. Later
in the evening take an excursion
to Sam - 45 km away, known
for its sand dunes & is
the venue for the Desert festival.
Get the actual feel of the
desert by enjoying a camel
ride on the sand dunes.
Day
6 Jaisalmer-Jodhpur
After breakfast, transfer
to Jodhpur. Upon arrival,
check in at your pre-booked
hotel.
Jodhpur:
Nestling within the depths
of the Thar Desert, is the
stronghold of the Rathore
clan - Jodhpur. Once the capital
of the former princely state
of Marwar, it is the second largest
city of Rajasthan, after Jaipur.
It is an island of marble
palaces, cordoned off from
the desert by an immense wall,
with eight gates facing different
directions. It showcases some
very fine momentoes of its
glorious past in the form of - palaces, temples
and other elegant monuments
of architectural and historical
value. The graceful palaces,
forts and temples strewn throughout
the city bring alive the historic
grandeur, exquisite handicrafts,
folk dances, music and the
brightly attired people lend
a romantic aura to the city.
The colorful turbans worn
by the men folk add more color
to this colorful city .
At afternoon, visit the Mehrangarh
Fort which literally means
"Majestic Fort",
located at the very center
of the city. There are, in
all, three gates, each built
to commemorate a particular
victory, as well as to reinforce
the fort. It has a collection
of musical instruments, palanquins,
furniture & cannons on
the forts ramparts are well
preserved.
Close to the fort complex
lies this white marble cenotaph,
built in 1899, in commemoration
of Maharaja Jaswant Singh
II. Rare portraits of Jodhpur's
rulers are, also, to be seen
at Jaswant Thada. Also visit
the Clock Tower - at the city
center.
Day 7 Jodhpur - Ranakpur -
Mount Abu
In morning, transfer to Mt. Abu,
en-route visit the Jain temples
at Ranakpur.
Ranakpur: Renowned
for some marvelous carved
temples in Amber stone, Ranakpur
is one of the five holy places
of the community, 96 km from
Udaipur The cluster of temples,
made of intricately sculpted
white marble, comes across
as a marvelous feast of architecture.
It would take anyone by surprise
to learn that these were built
in 1460, as these are so well preserved
and sparkling in the white marble.
The main temple is supported
on 1,444 pillars - none of
which is similarly carved.
After the visit, continue
driving to Mt. Abu. On arrival,
check in pre-booked hotel.
Day 8 Mount Abu - Udaipur
In morning, visit the
Dilwara Jain temples at Mt.Abu, one
of the finest examples of
Jain architecture in India.
The complex includes 02 temples
in which the art of carved
marble has reached to the unsurpassed
heights. In afternoon, transfer
to Udaipur: "The Venice
of the East", Udaipur
is an enchanting city. From the
lakes in the midst of sandy
terrain, to the green forested
hills where wildlife still
abounds, it holds a bundles of
endless surprises.
And, by the lakes or their edges,
there are many palaces coming
straight out of fairy tales,
each more beautiful than the
other. Founded by Maharana
Udai Singh, Udaipur is surrounded
by the Aravalli mountain ranges
situated on the edge of three
lakes.
Day
9 Udaipur
Witness the Jagdish Temple,
drive around Fatehsagar Lake,
Visit Sahelion Ki Bari (Queen's
resort for the maids of honor)
& the City Palace. In
the evening, take a boat ride
on Lake Pichola.
Day 10 Udaipur - Chittorgarh
- Pushkar
After breakfast, leave Udaipur
for Pushkar, en-route visit
Chittorgarh.
Chittorgarh:
The Pride and glory of Rajasthan,
Chittaur echoes with the tales
of romance and valour unique
to the Rajput tradition. A
ruined citadel, where the
royal past lives in its imposing
forts, graceful palaces and
spectacular chattris. Three
times in its long history,
Chittor was sacked by a stronger
enemy.
The men dorned in the saffron
robes of martyrdom and rode
out from the fort to certain
death, while the women and
children immolated themselves
on a huge funeral pyre as
honor was always more important
than death. The first defeat
occurred in 1303, the second
in 1535 and this time the
carnage was immense. It is
said that 13,000 Rajput women
and 33,000 Rajput warriors
died following the declaration
of Jauhar. The final sack
came in 1568, when Mughal
emperor Akbar, took the town, under his rule.
In 1616, Jehangir returned Chittor
to the Rajputs but there was
no attempt of resettlement.
After the visit, continue
driving to Pushkar. Upon arrival,
check in at your pre-booked
hotel for overnight stay.
At afternoon, pay a visit to the holy
city of Pushkar.
Day
11 Pushkar - Jaipur
At afternoon,
leave Pushkar for Jaipur.
Upon arrival, check in at
the pre-booked hotel. Jaipur:
picturesque capital of Rajasthan,
Jaipur is color washed in the pink-the
color associated with hospitality
in Rajput culture. Jaipur
displays a remarkable harmony
and architectural splendor.
The ancient heart of the Pink
City still beats in its fairy-tale
palaces, rugged fortresses
perched on barren hills and
broad avenues that dot the
entire city. The only planned
city of its time, Jaipur is
encircled by a formidable
wall. There is a timeless
appeal to Jaipur’s colorful
bazaars where one can shop
for Rajasthani handlooms and
trinkets.
Beautifully laid out gardens
and parks, attractive monuments
and marvelous heritage hotels,
once the residence of Maharajas
are worth admiration. Not
to mention the ambling camels
and cheerful people in multi-hued
costumes that make your trip
to the pink city a memorable
one.
Afternoon, city tour of Jaipur.
Visit the Jantar Mantar -
the observatory built by Jai
Singh in 1728; the City Palace
is a blend of Rajasthani
and Mughal architecture. It
also has a museum with an
extensive collection of art,
carpets, paintings, enamel
ware and weapons dating back
to the 15th century; the facade
of Hawa Mahal or the Palace
of Winds which was built in
1799.
Day
12 Jaipur - Fatehpur Sikri
- Agra
After breakfast, take a short
excursion to Amber Fort -
the ancient capital of the
state until 1727, when Jai
Singh decided to move from
his hillside fortress at Amber
to a new site on the plains.
The construction of this fort
began in 1592 by Raja Man
Singh, the Rajput commander
of Akbar's army. The fort
is a superb example of Rajput
architecture, stunningly situated
on a hillside and overlooking
a lake which reflects its
terraces and ramparts. Visit
the Jagmandir or the hall
of victory, glittering with
mirrors, Jai Mahal & temple
of Kali. Ascend on elephant
back & explore the hill, on which the
fort is situated.
In the afternoon, leave Jaipur
for Agra, en-route visit the
abandoned Mughal city of Fatehpur
Sikri.
Fatehpur Sikri:
Built by Emperor Akbar in
1569, it was the old capital
of the Moghuls, which was
abandoned after 15 years due
to scarcity of water. Watch
the graceful buildings including
the Jama Masjid, Tomb of Salim
Chisti, Panch Mahal &
other Palaces which are still
preserved in its original
glory, credit of which goes
to Lord Curzon. Continue driving
to Agra. Upon arrival, check
in at your pre-booked hotel.
Day
13 Agra
Visit the Agra Fort containing
the halls of Private &
Public audience, Itmad-ud-Daulah
followed by the visit to the
highlight of the day - Taj
Mahal, built by the Mogul
emperor Shahjehan in 1630
for his queen Mumtaz Mahal,
to enshrine her mortal remains,
perhaps the most perfect architecture
in the world.
Day
14 Agra-Delhi
In the morning, transfer to
Delhi. Upon arrival, check
in at your pre-booked hotel
and spend the afternoon with
the visit to New Delhi - Drive
pass Presidents House &
the Parliament, witness the
India Gate & visit Humayun's
Tomb & Qutab Minar. In evening,
transfer to the airport to
board on your onward/return
flight. |