Route : Delhi - Agra - Jaipur - Mandawa - Gajner - Jaisalmer
- Jodhpur - Udaipur - Pushkar - 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 – AgraMorning drive to
Agra (203 km)
Upon
arrival in Agra – check into the hotel
Afternoon visit red fort and
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 14
th 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 04 Agra – JaipurThereafter drive to
Jaipur (221 kms), 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 Jaipur
Upon arrival in Jaipur – check into the
hotel
Afternoon at leisure to explore the city.
Overnight at hotel
Day 05 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
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 06 Jaipur – MandawaMorning drive to
Mandawa (157 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 07 Mandawa –
Bikaner - GajnerMorning 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 08 Gajner – 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 09 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 10 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
11 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
Overnight at hotel
Day 12 Udaipur - Narlai
Morning
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.
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 13 Udaipur – PushkarMorning
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. 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 14 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. 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 15 Pushkar – Ajmer – Delhi Early
morning drive to Ajmer ( 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 Delhi –
AbroadDepart Delhi
