Route : Delhi-Mandawa-Gajner-Jaisalmer-Jodhpur-Udaipur-Pushkar-Jaipur-Agra-Delhi
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
Day
03 Delhi – MandawaMorning 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.
Overnight
at hotel
Day 04 Mandawa – Bikaner - Gajner
Morning
drive to
Gajner (230 km), en route visit
BikanerBikaner
- 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.
Thereafter continue drive to Gajner
and check into the hotel.
Gajner Palace is an
incomparable
"Jewel in the Thar Desert" built on the
embankment of a lake by His Late Highness Maharaja Ganga Singhji of Bikaner.
During winter even now, this palace with its beautiful lake and surrounded
wooded areas become the home of different species of migratory birds, most
renowned amongst them being the
Imperial Sand Grouse.
Endangered Antelopes like Black Bucks, Nilgais, Chinkaras
and other
animals like the
Wild Boar roam freely in this area which is now a
preserved sanctuary.
Rest of the day at leisure to enjoy the
surrounding areas of the Palace
Overnight at hotel.
Day
05 Gajner – JaisalmerMorning 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 JaisalmerMorning 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 visit the
Royal Cenotaphs of the Rawals in
Barra bagh
where the rulers 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 – JodhpurMorning 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,
the chief of the Rajput clan of Rathore. 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 – UdaipurMorning drive to
Udaipur (260 km),
en route visit Ranakpur Jain temples
Ranakpur Temples the
most magnificent 15
th 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
Late afternoon
enjoy a
cruise by private boat on the placid waters of
Lake
Pichola. From the lake you have a wonderful view of the City Palace
stretching along the east bank, while the south bank has pleasant gardens
running down to the waterside.
Overnight at hotel
Day 09 Udaipur - NarlaiMorning
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.
Drive
to Narlai (130 kms)
Upon arrival in Narlai – check into the
hotel
Narlai - a royal hunting retreat, between Jodhpur and
Udaipur is an enchanting new destination. Situated amidst dramatic boulders
and ancient temples, the Rawla lies at a foothill of a stupendous 350 –
foot single rock granite hill. Maharaj and Rani Swaroop Singh and their sons
oversaw the careful restoration of this 15
th century home of
Marwar nobility. The ambience is a special blend of aesthetics and comfort
that envelope the senses.
Later visit the surrounding region
including temples where a miraculous flame has burnt for centuries producing
saffron instead of soot! Wishes made here, it is said, come true.
Overnight
at hotel
Day 10 Narlai – PushkarMorning drive to
Pushkar (200 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.
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, on the night of the full
moon (Kartik Purnima), everybody goes for a big holy dip in the lake and
performs religious rituals in its waters, to the accompaniment of temple &
folk music.
Upon arrival in Pushkar - check into the Royal Camp
which 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 the only one temple in the world dedicated
to this deity.
Overnight at Camp
Day 11 PushkarFull
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. It is worth getting up early to see
the camels and tribes rousing themselves in the pink of the dawn desert
light. 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.
Overnight at hotel
Day 12 Pushkar – JaipurLate
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 JaipurMorning 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 18
th 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 – AgraMorning
drive to
Agra (221 km), en route visit
Fatehpur SikriFatehpur
Sikri the deserted, red sandstone city that was built by Emperor Akbar
as his capital and palace in the 16
th 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.
Day 14 Jaipur – Agra (contd.) 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 –
DelhiLate morning drive to
Delhi (203 km)
Upon arrival in Delhi – check in at hotel
Rest of the day
at leisure
Later in late evening transfer to International airport for
flight back to home.
Day 16 Delhi – AbroadDepart
Delhi
