Route
: Delhi-Surajkund-Mandawa-Bikaner-Khimsar-Nagaur-Udaipur-Narlai-Jaisalmer-Jodhpur-Jaipur-Agra-Delhi
January 200330th
/Jan / Thu Abroad – Delhi
Arrive
late at night at Delhi International airport.
On arrival in Delhi, the
guest will be met by our representative and transferred to hotel.
Overnight
at hotel.
31st / Fri 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
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 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
February 200301st
/ Sat Delhi – Surajkund Fair – Delhi 
Full
day excursion to
Surajkund Fair (30 km)
Surajkund
(literally, 'Lake of the Sun') is a small town in Haryana, on the outskirts
of Delhi. For two weeks every year, on February 1-15, it gets transformed
into sprawling and comprehensive craftsmen's village.
As spring
glides in, full of warmth and vibrancy leaving the gray winter behind,
Surajkund adorns itself with colorful traditional crafts of India. The
Surajkund
Mela (Fair) is a meeting ground for talented artists, painters, weavers,
sculptors and craftsmen from all over India who exhibit their creations for
the arts and crafts lovers who come from the world over to admire and
acquire these creations. Skilled Artisans from all over the country display
the rich craft tradition of India in the typical setting of a rural Indian
marketplace. Cultural programmes and rural cuisine are also a part of this
colorful fair.
The Surajkund Mela (Fair) is not just the biggest
artisans' fair in the country; it is also unique, as every year there is a
different theme to the fair. So, nobody can say, "I've been to it,"
and ignore this celebration of the essence of Indian culture and traditional
crafts. The theme that changes every year, works on two levels. First, it
has a state theme, which dictates the look of the entrance, the fair
grounds, and the setting. One can get the specific ambience of the
particular state – the characteristic colors, materials, architecture,
furniture and decorations. The other is less cosmetic and more purposeful–each
year highlights one craft, and about half of the stalls is dedicated to that
craft. And there are a total of about 400 stalls.
01st / Sat
Delhi – Surajkund Fair – Delhi (contd.)The stalls also
function as workshops, where again one gets first-hand experience of how the
artisans work and how things are made. Woodwork, metalwork, papier-mache,
weaving, embroidery, sculpture, pots, vases, urns, molded images, trinkets
and bamboo and cane craft are all featured at the Mela.
One gets
an opportunity to try a variety of Indian cuisines, which is traditional
although there are several stalls selling fast food like pizza, burgers and
chow mien too. Apart from that, there is the usual gamut of entertainment–rides
and shows for kids, and daylong cultural events, including folk dance and
music recitals, with stress on the state theme.
Late evening
return to Delhi
Overnight at hotel
02nd / Sun Delhi –
Surajkund Fair – Delhi Full day at the Surajkund Fair
Late
evening return to Delhi
Overnight at hotel
03rd / Mon 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
04th / Tue Mandawa – BikanerMorning
drive to
Bikaner (230 km)
Upon arrival in Bikaner – check
into the hotel
Afternoon visit
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.
Overnight at hotel.
05th / Wed Bikaner –
KhimsarMorning drive to
Khimsar (145 km). The drive is very
interesting as gradual transformation takes place between the green hilly
areas of the Aravalis & the barren desert land. The beautiful
hamlet of Khimsar perched on the edge of the Thar Desert has a castle which
dates back to the 15th century.
Upon arrival in Khimsar –
check into the hotel
Afternoon an exciting
jeep safari to
the famous Black Buck Sanctuary to spot Antelope, Blue Bull, quantities of
Peacocks, Deer and Black Buck. Continue the safari through the various
tribal villages of the "Bishnois" who are well known lovers of
nature & staunch environmentalists.
Overnight at hotel
06th
/ Thu Khimsar – Nagaur FairLate morning drive to
Nagaur
(25 km)
Upon arrival in Nagaur – check-in at the Safari Camp
Nagaur
- situated half way between Bikaner and Jodhpur, Nagaur bustles with life
during its annual cattle fair which is one of the largest in the country.
The
Nagaur Fair is held in the month of January or
February in Nagaur in Rajasthan. During this time of the year, Nagaur
awakens with the thronging of cattle, horses and camels accompanied by their
colorfully turbaned owners. There is earnest bargaining between owners and
buyers, and plenty of fun and festivity. Games, tug-of-war contests, the
bull- fights, camel races and strains of ballads create a joyful atmosphere
with the setting sun in the background.
Overnight at Camp
07th / Fri Nagaur FairFull day at the Fair
Overnight
at Camp
08th / Sat Nagaur Fair Full day at the Fair
Overnight
at Camp
09th / Sun Nagaur – UdaipurMorning drive
to
Udaipur (260 km) en route visit
Ranakpur Jain templesRanakpur
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
to 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
10th
/ Mon UdaipurMorning
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
11th / Tue Udaipur – NarlaiMorning
drive to
Narlai (130 km)
Upon arrival in Narlai –
check into the hotel
11th / Tue Udaipur – Narlai (contd.)Rawla
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.
Later
visit the surrounding region including temples where a miraculous flame has
been burning for centuries producing saffron instead of soot! Wishes made
here, it is said, come true.
Overnight at hotel
12th
/ Wed Narlai – Jaisalmer
Morning drive to
Jaisalmer
(260 km)
Upon arrival in Jaisalmer – check into the hotel
Afternoon
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.
Overnight
at hotel
13th / Thu Jaisalmer (Desert Festival)Desert
festival of Jaisalmer is a magnificent spectacle of color, music and
festivity. It coincides with the full moon in February when the cherished
moments of its glorious past and rich colors are on display.
The
famous
Ghair dancers and the
Fire dancers are the special
highlights of the festival. Further excitement is in the air with the
turban-tying competition and Mr. desert contest.
The grand finale
is a trip to the Sam sand dunes where under the magic of the full moon the
entire canvas of desert sand undergoes a spectacular change, appearing
almost mysteriously silver and strangely haunting. One can have the pleasure
of a camel ride and also view the musicians and dancers performing on the
dunes. The artists of international repute are selected for the performance
so that audiences can experience the very best: The
Ghoomar, a dance
form, most commonly associated with Rajasthan.
Kalbelia dancers are
the most popular of all. This dance is executed by young girls dressed in
long black skirts, blouses, and odhnis all embroidered with silver.
The
Moria, Chari, Dhap, Ghair and many more delight the visitor with their
vigor and colorful costumes for which Rajasthan is so well known, make this
a spectacular event.
Overnight at Camp
14th / Fri
Jaisalmer – Jodhpur Morning drive to
Jodhpur (280 km)
Upon
arrival in Jodhpur – check into the hotel
Afternoon
city
tour - Jodhpur was founded by Rao Jodha, the chief of the Rajput clan of
Rathore. The tour includes
Meherangarh Fort – is one of the
most impressive & formidable fort in the whole of fortstudded
Rajasthan. It is situated on a high natural rock from which you can look
down on the wonderful panorama of the bustling city below. Also visit
Jaswant Thada the Royal Cenotaphs.
Overnight at hotel
15th
/ Sat Jodhpur – JaipurMorning drive to
Jaipur (320 km)
Upon
arrival in Jaipur – check into the hotel
Rest of the day at
leisure.
Overnight at hotel
16th / Sun 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
city tour - "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
17th / Mon 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 and check-in at hotel
Afternoon sightseeing
tour of the famous
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).
vernight at hotel
18th / Tue AgraMorning
visit the
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.
Afternoon visit the beautiful
mausoleum of the tomb of
Itmad ud Daulah, a Persian nobleman who was
the father in law and Chief Minister of Emperor Jahangir. It was the
first monument in India to feature Persian mosaic style inlay work or "Pietra
Dura". Greatly resembling the Taj in its use of inlay on white
marble, and its twin sandstone mosque, this elegant tomb is considered as
the precursor of the Taj Mahal and is known as the "mini Taj".
Overnight
at hotel
19th / Wed Agra – DelhiMorning at leisure.
Afternoon drive to
Delhi (203 km)
Upon
arrival in Delhi - transfer to International airport for flight to back home
20th
/ Thu Delhi – AbroadDepart Delhi
