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Duration : 15 Nights / 16 Days
Destinations Covered : Delhi - Mandawa - Bikaner - Jaisalmer -
Jodhpur - Mt. Abu - Udaipur - Pushkar - Jaipur - Agra - Delhi
Day 01 - Arrive Delhi
Delhi - India’s capital & a major gateway to the country,
contemporary Delhi is a bustling metropolis which successfully
combines in its fold the ancient & the modern. Its strategic
location was one of the prime reasons why successive dynasties
chose it as their seat of power. New Delhi also reflects the
legacy the British left behind . The division between New &
Old Delhi is the distinction between the capitals of the
British & the Moghuls respectively. So, wherever the visitor
goes, he will invariably confront the citys’ past.
Day 02 - Delhi - Mandawa
After breakfast, half day city tour of Old Delhi. Visit
Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India. Built by Shah Jahan,
the construction was started in 1844 and was not completed
until 1658; Red Fort, which was also built by Shah Jehan. This
massive fort was built from 1638 to 1648; Chandni Chowk and
Rajghat - the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi. Afternoon,
leave for Mandawa. Arrive Mandawa and check in at prebooked
hotel.
Day 03 - Mandawa - Bikaner
After breakfast, visit Mandawa (Shekawati region). This
region came into prominence in the 14th century when a number
of Muslim clans moved into the area and the towns of this
region developed into important trading posts on the caravan
routes emanating from the ports of Gujarat.
This region is famous for painted havelis
(houses) most of which date back from the 18th century.
The major towns of interest are Mandawa, Fatehpur.
Visit the havelis in Mandawa and other
villages of Shekhawati region. Afternoon, leave for Bikaner.
Arrive Bikaner and check in at prebooked hotel.
Day 04 - Bikaner - Jaisalmer
After breakfast, city tour of Bikaner - a desert town
founded in 1488 by Rao Bikaji, a descendant of the founder of
Jodhpur, Jodhaji. Visit the Junagarh Fort which was contructed
between 1588 and 1593 by a general in the army of the Mughal
Emperor, Akbar. The fort has a 986m long wall with 37 bastions
and two entrances; Camel Breeding Farm, managed by goverment
this camel breeding station is probably unique in Asia and has
thousands of camels. Afternoon, leave for Jaisalmer. Arrive
Jaisalmer and check in at prebooked hotel.
Day 05 - Jaisalmer
After breakfast, city tour of Jaisalmer. Visit the the
citadel – the Fort built by Rawal Jaisal where a fourth of the
population lives. The fort also houses Jain temples of the
12th to 15th centuries, Patwon Ki Haveli – a five storey
mansion with carved pillars & murals of Salim Singh. Also
visit Gadsisar, which had once supplied water to the city ;
the temples & archways around it have been built by a
courtesan. Afternoon, excursion to Sam – 45 km away, is 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 and witness a magnificent sunset on the sand dunes.
Return to Jaisalmer for overnight stay.
Day 06 - Jaisalmer - Jodhpur
After breakfast, leave for Jodhpur. On arrival in Jodhpur,
checkin at prebooked hotel. In the afternoon, city tour of
Jodhpur. After breakfast, visit the Mehrangarh Fort which
literally means “Majestic Fort”, located at the very centre 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.
Jaswant Thada - 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
– the city centre.
Day 07 - Jodhpur - Mount Abu
After breakfast, leave for Mount Abu. On arrival checkin
at prebooked hotel & later city tour of Mount Abu which is the
only hill station in the state of Rajasthan. Visit the Dilwara
Jain temple, which are the main attraction in Mt. Abu and are
amongst the finest examples of Jain architecture in India. The
complex included 02 temples, the older of which is the Vimal
Visahi built in 1031 and is dedicated to the first tirthankar,
Adinath. The later Tejpal temple was built in 1230 AD and is
dedicated to Neminath - the 22nd tirthankar.
Day 08 - Mount Abu - Ranakpur - Udaipur
After breakfast, leave for Udaipur. Enroute visiting the
Jain temples at Ranakpur - The cluster of temples, made of
intricately sculpted white marble, come across as a
marvellousfeat of architecture. It would take anyone by
surprise to learn that they were built in 1460, so well
preserved & sparkling is the marble. The main temple is
supported on 1,444 pillars – none of which is similarly
carved. After the visit, continue drive to Udaipur. Arrive
Udaipur in the evening and check in at prebooked hotel.
Day 09 - Udaipur
After breakfast, visit the romantic city of Udaipur. Visit
the City Palace which is the largest palace complex in
Rajasthan; Jagdish temple, a fine Indo Aryan temple built in
1651; Sahelion ki Bari or Garden of the Maids of Honour, which
is a small garden with its fountains, kiosks, marble elephants
& lotus pool. In the evening, boat ride on Lake Pichola.
Day 10 - Udaipur - Chittorgarh - Pushkar
After breakfast, leave for Pushkar, enroute visiting
Chittorgarh. The hilltop fortress of Chittorgarh epitomises
the whole romantic ideal of Rajput chivalry. The fort was
sacked 3 times from 1303 to 1568 by a stronger enemy and on
each occasion, the end was "Jauhar". The men donned the
saffron robes of martyrdom and rode out from the fort to
certain death and the women and children immolated themselves
on a huge funeral pyre. After the visit, continue drive to
Pushkar. Arrive Pushkar and check in at prebooked hotel.
Day 11 - Pushkar - Jaipur
After breakfast, visit Pushkar which is an important
pilgrimage centre for Hindus. Pushkar is also famous for the
huge camel fair which take place here each October/November.
Afternoon, leave for Jaipur. On arrival in Jaipur check in at
prebooked hotel.
Day 12 - Jaipur
After breakfast, excursion to Amber Fort. Elephant ride
from the foothills of the Aravallis to the fort entrance.
Amber Fort - At a distance of 11 kms from Jaipur, Amber was
the ancient capital of Jaipur state. Construction of the fort
began in 1592 by Raja Man Singh, the Rajput commander of
Akbar's army and is a superb example of Rajput architecture.
Afternoon, free for individual activities. Afternoon, city
tour of Jaipur. Visit the City Palace which has museum having
an extensive collection of art, carpets, enamel ware and
weapons; Jantar Mantar - the observatory built my Maharaja Jai
Singh in 1728 and the façade of Hawa Mahal.
Day 13 - Jaipur - Fatehpur Sikri - Agra
After breakfast, leave for Agra. Enroute visit the
abandoned Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri - built by Emperor
Akbar in 1569, was the old capital of the Moghuls, which was
abandoned after 15 years due to scarcity of water. See the
graceful buildings including the Jama Masjid, Tomb of Salim
Chisti, Panch Mahal & other Palaces which are still preserved
in its original glory. Continue drive to Agra. Arrive Agra in
the evening and checkin at prebooked hotel. Overnight at the
hotel.
Day 14 - Agra
After breakfast, city tour of Agra. Visit Red fort, which
was built by Emperor Akbar in 1565, and additions were made up
until the time of his grandson, Shah Jahan. It contains the
hall of public and private audiences amongst many other
beautiful structues; Itmad - ud - daulah, which was contructed
by Nur Jahan between 1622 and 1628 and is very similar to the
tomb she constructed for her husband, Jehangir, near Lahore in
Pakistan; the highlight of the day - The Taj Mahal, which was
constructed by Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal.
Contruction of the Taj began in 1631 and was not completed
until 1653. Afternoon, free for individual activities.
Day 15 - Agra - Delhi
After breakfast, leave for Delhi. On arrival in Delhi
check in at prebooked hotel. Afternoon, city tour of New
Delhi. Visit Humayuns Tomb - built in mid 16th century this is
an early example of Mughal architecture; Qutab Minar, drive
past India Gate, President House, Connaught Place. The tour
ends with a visit to Laxmi Narayan Temple
Day 16 - Depart Delhi
Transfer to the airport to board flight back home/onward
destination.
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