Destination : Delhi -
Mandawa - Bikaner - Jaisalmer - Jodhpur - Udaipur - Pushkar - Jaipur - Agra
- Delhi
Duration : 15 Nights / 16 Days
Day
01 : Abroad - Delhi Arrive at Delhi International airport.
On
arrival in Delhi, the guest will be met by our representative and
transferred to hotel.
Overnight at hotel.
Day
02 : Delhi
This morning you will be taken to visit Old Delhi - the
former centre of Moghul Power, Old Delhi offers ancient monuments, narrow
streets and bustling bazaars. Drive past the Red Fort, built in 1648 and
board the 'rickshaw ride' for a unique experience from the Red Fort, through
"Chandni Chowk" or Silver Street, experiencing the sights and
sounds of this very busy avenue heading west from the Fort. Later visit the
Jamia 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. 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
Overnight at hotel
Day
03 : Delhi - Mandawa
Morning drive to Mandawa (250 km)
Upon
arrival in Mandawa - check into the hotel
Afternoon visit the town, a
painted arched gateway adorned with Lord Krishna and his cows leads to the
bazaar. You can wander through the streets where mansions of rich merchants
are adorned with elaborate & lively frescoes, cataloging the life,
habits/fashions of the Marwari community and onto Fatehpur & Laxmangarh
completing the tour of Shekhawati region.
Overnight at hotel
Day 04 : Mandawa - Bikaner
Morning drive to
Bikaner (180 km).
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.
Rest of the
day at leisure to enjoy the surrounding areas of the Palace
Overnight
at hotel.
Day 05 : Bikaner - Jaisalmer
Morning drive to Jaisalmer (280 km)
Upon arrival in Jaisalmer -
check into the hotel
Late afternoon visit the Sand Dunes and a camel
ride to view the sunset, as the sky is set on fire and Rajasthani folk
musicians play haunting tunes. It can be an unforgettable experience.
Overnight at hotel
Day 06 : Jaisalmer
Morning visit the city's 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.
Late afternoon enjoy
Camel ride to 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
Morning
drive to Jodhpur (280 km)
Upon arrival in Jodhpur - check into the
hotel
Afternoon 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.
Overnight at hotel
Day 08 :
Jodhpur - Udaipur
Morning drive to Udaipur (260 km), en route
visit Ranakpur Jain temples
RANAKPUR
the most magnificent 15th
century Jain temples situated in the deep secluded valley of the Aravalli
Hills. Though over 500 years old, the temples here are superbly preserved in
a near-perfect condition. In the centre is the main "Chaumukha temple"
dedicated ot Adinath. The most distinctive features are the 29 halls
supported by 1444 pillars, of which no two are exactly alike. Every
conceivable surface is carved and every corner and angle is engraved with
Jain images. Includes visit to two more Jain temples and the Temple of the
Sun God with its erotic sculptures.
Thereafter continue drive to
Udaipur
Upon arrival in Udaipur - check into the hotel
Overnight
at hotel
Day 09 : Udaipur
Full day
City tour of Udaipur, one of India's most romantic cities and famed for its
lovely palaces and lakes. Begin by visiting the City Palace and wandering
through its beautiful rooms and apartments, then continue on to the Garden
of Maidens "Sahelion-ki-bari" and the Folk Art Museum, to view the
interesting collection of puppets & paintings.
Overnight at hotel
Day 10 : Udaipur - Pushkar
Morning
drive to Pushkar (280 km)
Pushkar - is famous for its colourful annual
fair during kartik poornima (full moon) in the November each year. At this
time this otherwise peaceful and gentle village on the banks of holy Pushkar
take is thrown into colourful confusion when the desert tribes and camel
caravans meet to trade cattle, camels, goat, sheep, clothes, jewellery and
spices beside the sacred Pushkar Lake and to perform their rituals in its
waters, to the accompaniment of temple & folk music. Upto 200000 traders
and 50000 cattle pour into town, along with numerous festooned camels and
colourful pilgrims. After 10 hectic days of livestock dealing, camel racing
and colourful festivities, everybody goes for a big holy dip in the lake on
the night of the full moon. (Kartik Purnima).
Upon arrival in Pushkar
- check into the Royal Camp captures the luxurious nostalgia of a bygone age
of the Maharaja's Safari and Shikar camps, combined with innovative design
demonstrating many of the skills and crafts of Marwar. The camp consists of
tents, each with verandah, bedroom and bathroom. There is a large dining
tent serving the best of Rajasthani cuisine and a large open reception tent
with seating areas. The campfire is the focal point for the evening
entertainment programme with cocktails & rhythms of the Thar-music,
dancing, magicians, puppet shows, jugglers, flaming torches & camel
parades.
Afternoon City tour of Pushkar - 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 Camp
Day 11 : Pushkar
Full day at the
fair. Built as 'an explosion of fun, frolic, games and laughter', the fair
provides some wonderful photographic opportunities and is a rare change to
see Rajasthani women decked out in all their traditional jewellery, dress
and finery. Temple music wafts through the night, as the fires die down and
the Rajasthani melodies played on the stringed ek-tara come to a close. On
the night of the full moon, the pilgrims bathe by moonlight, then send
marigold and rose petals floating across the lake on green plate-like
leaves. It is worth getting up early to see the camels and tribes rousing
themselves in the pink of the dawn desert light.
Overnight at hotel
Day
12 : Pushkar - Jaipur
Late morning drive to Jaipur (150 km)
Upon arrival in Jaipur - check into the hotel
Afternoon tour of the
City - "The Pink City" is spectacularly set within surrounding
rugged hills, dotted with ancient ruined fortresses. Your tour will include
the imposing City Palace, still home to the Maharaja although several of the
rooms are now open to the public. Many antiques and artefacts belonging to
the ruling family are housed here, including a collection of weaponry. You
will also visit the Hawa Mahal "Palace of the Winds", and the
open-air Jantar Mantar Observatory to see the vast astronomical instruments.
Enjoy a stroll through the colourful bazaar before returning to your hotel.
Overnight at hotel
Day 13 : Jaipur
Morning 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 at leisure
Overnight at hotel
Day
14 : Jaipur - Agra
Morning drive to Agra (221 km), en route visit
Fatehpur Sikri
Fatehpur Sikri the deserted, red sandstone city that
was built by Emperor Akbar as his capital and palace in the 16th century.
Also visit the Bulund Darwaza the largest gateway in the world.
Thereafter continue drive to Agra
Upon arrival in Agra - check into
the hotel
Afternoon visit Red Fort & the famous Taj Mahal
red Fort - lies on the bend of the river Yamuna, almost in the heart of the
town. It was built by Akbar 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.
Taj Mahal -This most famous Moghul monument was
constructed by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal "the
lady of the Taj". It has been described as the most extravagant
monument ever built for love, for the emperor was heartbroken when Mumtaz
died after 17 years of marriage, during the birth of her 14th child.The
central structure has four small domes surrounding the huge, central dome.
Above the tombs of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jahan are false tombs, a common
practice in Indian mausoleums. (Taj Mahal is closed on Friday).
Stay
at pristine Taj Mahal for sunset, to see this true Wonder of the world in
gentle late afternoon light.
Overnight at hotel
Day 15 : Agra - Delhi
Late morning drive to Delhi
(203 km)
Upon arrival in Delhi
Later in late evening transfer to
International airport for flight back to home
Day
16 : Delhi - Abroad
Seasons in India
Formalities
