Duration : 15 Days / 14 Nights
Destinations covered : Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Udaipur,
Kumbalgarh, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Bikaner, Mandawa, Delhi.
Day 01 : Arrival at Delhi
Company representatives will receive you on arrival at the
international airport in Delhi late in the evening. Transfer
to your hotel. Relax.
DELHI, the capital of kingdoms and empires is now a sprawling
metropolis with a fascinating blend of the past and the
present. It is a perfect introduction to the composite culture
of an ancient land. A window to the kaleidoscope - that is
India.
Overnight will be at Delhi.
Day 02 : Delhi
Breakfast will be at Delhi. Proceed for a full day tour of Old
& New Delhi.
OLD DELHI - A sightseeing tour of Old Delhi would entail
visiting the Raj Ghat - the memorial site where Mahatma Gandhi
was cremated; Jama Masjid - the largest mosque in India and
the Red Fort - once the most opulent fort and palace of the
Moghul Empire.
NEW DELHI - An extensive sightseeing tour of New Delhi would
include a visit to the Humsayun’s Tomb, the Qutub Minar, a
drive along the ceremonial avenue - Rajpath, past the imposing
India Gate, Parliament House and President’s Residence. NIt would end with a drive through the Diplomatic Enclave.
Proceed for the DANCES OF INDIA SHOW in the evening. Overnight
will be in Delhi.
Day 03 : Delhi - Agra
By Road : 250 Kms/6 hr
Proceed for Agra after breakfast.
Reach Agra in the afternoon.
AGRA: Two great Mughal monarchs, Akbar and Shah Jahan,
transformed the little village of Agra into a befitting second
capital of the Mughal Empire - giving it the name Dar-ul-Khilafat
{seat of the Emperor}. Today a visitor to Agra is caught up in
a world of contrasting edifices, of red sandstone and white
marble, narrow galleys and quaint buggies, and that
irresistible charm that this favorite city of the Mughals
still retains. It is not surprising, that modern Agra still
reflects its Mughal heritage most conspicuously. A walk down
the narrow bustling streets of the city will introduce the
visitor to the wafting aroma of Mughlai cuisine.
Check in at hotel and proceed for sightseeing.
TAJ MAHAL: Little needs to be said about this architectural
wonder which is always the soul raison-de-etre for every
tourist's visit to Agra. Built by Shah Jahan, the Taj is a
white marble memorial to his beautiful wife Mumtaz Mahal. This
monument took 22 years to be completed and was designed, and
planned by Persian architect Ustad Isa. Apart from its
stunning design balance and perfect symmetry, the Taj is also
noted particularly for its elegant domes, intricately carved
screens and some of the best inlay work ever seen. Proceed for
sightseeing to the AGRA FORT - Built by the famed Mughal
emperor Akbar in 1565 AD, the fort is predominantly of red
sandstone. Ensconced within is the picture perfect Pearl
Mosque, which is a major tourist attraction.
Visit Itmadullah’s Tomb built by Empress NOOR JEHAN in memory
of her father (The interiors of which are considered better
than the Taj).
Overnight will be at Agra.
Day 04 : Agra - Jaipur
By Road : 221 Kms/6 hr
After breakfast drive to beautiful Pink City - Jaipur.
Stop at Fatehpur Sikri. The deserted, red Sandstone City,
Emperor Akbar built that as his capital and palace in the late
16th century is an exhilarating experience. It a veritable
fairytale city and its "ruins" are in pristine condition ...
it's not hard to imagine what the court life must have been
like in the days of its grandeur. Also visit the Bulund
Darwaza, the largest gateway in the world.
Reach and check in at hotel.
JAIPUR - The origins of the beautiful city of Jaipur can be
traced back to the eighteenth century, during the reign of Jai
Singh II who ascended the Amber throne in 1699. Jaipur today,
epitomizes the spirit of Rajputana. In-spite of growing into a
bustling metropolis, it still retains its character and
history - A beautiful fusion of the yesteryears and modernity.
It is popularly known as the Pink City because of the
extensive use of the locally abundant pink plastered stone,
painted so in honor of the visit of the royal consort of Queen
Victoria. Jaipur thrills the soul with its massive forts,
magnificent palaces, exquisite temples and lush gardens.
Overnight will be at Jaipur.
Day 05 : Jaipur
Proceed for excursion to Amber Fort in the outskirts of Jaipur
after breakfast. Elephant ride ascent to the fort.
AMBER FORT PALACE - Amber is the classic romantic Rajasthani
fort palace. Its construction was started by Man Singh I in
1592, and completed by his descendent Jai Singh I. Its
forbidding exterior belies an inner paradise where a beautiful
fusion of Mughal and Hindu styles finds its ultimate
expression.
Proceed for sightseeing of the city.
CITY PALACE - A delightful blend of Mughal and traditional
Rajasthani architecture, the City Palace sprawls over
one-seventh of the area in the walled city. It houses the
Chandra Mahal, Shri Govind Dev Temple and the City Palace
Museum.
JANTAR MANTAR - This is the largest and the best preserved of
the five observatories built by Jai Singh II in different
parts of the country. This observatory consisting of outsized
astronomical instruments is still in use.
HAWA MAHAL - The ornamental facade of this "Palace of Winds"
is a prominent landmark in Jaipur. It is a five-storey
structure of sandstone plastered pink encrusted with fine
trelliswork and elaborate balconies. The palace has 953 niches
and windows. Built in 1799 by Pratap Singh, the Mahal was a
royal grandstand for the palace women.
Visit a rug factory and see the ladies at the intricate work
or a gem factory and see the gem cutting and polishing
process.
Overnight will be at Jaipur.
Day 06 : Jaipur - Udaipur
By Air Flight : 9W 3401
Airline : Jet Airways
Departure : 0715 hr
Arrival : 0810 hr
Transfer to airport for flight to Udaipur after breakfast.
Reach and check in at hotel.
The city of Dawn, Udaipur is a lovely land around the azure
lake, hemmed in by the lush hills of the ARAVALLIS. A vision
in white drenched in romance and beauty, Udaipur is a
fascinating blend of sights, sound and experiences and
inspiration for the imagination of poets, painters and
writers.
Its kaleidoscope of fairy-tale palaces, lakes, temples,
gardens and narrow lanes strewn with stalls, carry the flavor
of a heroic past, epitomizing valor and chivalry. Their
reflection in the placid waters of the LAKE PICHOLA is an
enticing sight.
Udaipur is the jewel of MEWAR -a kingdom ruled by the Sisodia
dynasty for 1200 Years.
Proceed for sightseeing tour of Udaipur after breakfast,
stopping first at City Palace. Here you will marvel at rooms
with mirrored walls and ivory doors, colored glass windows and
inlaid marble balconies and the Peacock Courtyard.
Also visit the lovely Sahelion-ki-Bari Gardens, the Jagdish
Temple and the Royal Cenotaphs.
Proceed for shopping in the afternoon.
Proceed for Evening Motor launch cruise on the placid waters
of Lake Pichola. >From the boat you will be able to view the
city of Udaipur as it rises majestically above the lake in the
middle of the Rajasthan desert. Also visit the Jag Mandir
Palace - the other island palace in the middle of the lake.
Spend some time at the Jag Mandir Palace.
Relax in the evening. Overnight will be at Udaipur.
Day 07 : Udaipur - Kumbalgarh
By Road : 100 km/3 hr
After breakfast drive to Ranakpur.
En-route, visit the RANAKPUR TEMPLES, dating back to the 15th
century. 200 pillars, none of which are alike, support its 29
halls. The Temple abounds with intricate friezes and
sculptures. Includes visits to two more Jain temples and the
Temple of the Sun God with its erotic sculptures.
Proceed to KUMBALGARH and stay at the beautiful heritage hotel
- THE AODHI. Spend day in the fort or relax at the pool. You
can also take a horse safari in the forests of Kumbalgarh
trying to find a leopard.
Overnight will be in Kumbalgarh.
Day 08 : Kumbalgarh - Jodhpur
By Road : 160 km/4 hr
After a leisurely breakfast drive to Jodhpur.
Reach Jodhpur.
Set at the edge of the Thar Desert, the imperial city of
Jodhpur echoes with tales of antiquity in the emptiness of the
desert. Once the capital of the Marwar state, it was founded
in 1459 AD by Rao Jodha-chief of the Rathore clan of Rajputs
who claimed to be descendants of Rama - the epic hero of the
Ramayana. The massive 15th century AD Mehrangarh Fort looms on
the top of a rocky hill, soaring 125 Mts. Above the plains.
The city is encompassed by a high wall -10 km long with 8
gates and innumerable bastions.
Relax in the hotel and visit the museum of UMAID BHAWAN
PALACE. Overnight will be at Jodhpur.
Day 09 : Jodhpur
Morning go for a village safari in the jeep and have a rare
glimpse into the rich culture and true essence of India.
Abundant wildlife (game) and memorable moments of the great
desert landscape fascinates one while driving along the
countryside.
Afternoon sightseeing tour of Jodhpur - gateway to the desert
beyond, home of the Rathors of Marwar, visit the Mehrangarh
Fort, rising up a hilly scarp, built on the advice of a
hermit, overlooking the city in the image of a long sentinel.
Inside the Fort are a number of palaces added by successive
rulers. In this palace you would see different miniature
paintings & cradle room. After this you would visit Jaswant
Thada Memorial.
Overnight will be at Jodhpur.
Day 10 : Jodhpur - Jaisalmer
By Road : 300 km/5 hr
Proceed for Jaisalmer.
Rising from the heart of the Thar Desert like a golden mirage
is the city of Jaisalmer. A commanding fort etched in yellow
sandstone stands, with its awesome splendor, dominating the
amber-hued city.
The city has an interesting legend associated with it,
according to which, Lord Krishna-the head of the Yadav Clan,
foretold Arjuna that a remote descendent of the Yadav Clan
would build his kingdom atop the Trikuta Hill. His prophecy
was fulfilled in 1156 AD when Rawal Jaisal, a descendent of
the Yadav Clan and a Bhatti Rajput, abandoned his fort at
Lodurva and founded a new capital -Jaisalmer, perched on the
Trikuta Hill.
Reach and check in at hotel. Overnight will be at Jaisalmer.
Day 11 : Jaisalmer
After a relaxed breakfast proceed for full day sightseeing
tour of The Golden City - Jaisalmer. It is in the heart of the
Great Indian Desert. Its temple, fort and palaces are all
built of yellow stone. The city is a mass of intricately
carved buildings, facades and elaborate balconies. Visit the
JAISALMER FORT - The oldest living Fort in the world. (This is
the highlight of the tour)
See the Patwon-Ki-Havelies, Salim-Singh-Ki-Haveli and Gandhi
Sagar Tank. Also visit Barabagh Hill.
In the afternoon, proceed to the SAM SAND DUNES for visiting
the typical Rajasthani Desert Village. View the sunset from
the dunes, as the sky is set on fire. Return to the village
for dinner amidst Rajasthani musicians playing haunting tunes.
Stay overnight at Jaisalmer.
Day 12 : Jaisalmer to Bikaner
By Road : 330 km/5 hr
Proceed for Bikaner after early breakfast.
Check in at hotel.
BIKANER - The royal fortified city with a timeless appeal.
Lying in the north of the Desert State, the city is dotted
with many sand dunes. Bikaner retains the medieval splendor
that pervades the city’s lifestyle.
More popularly called the camel country, the city is renowned
for the best riding camels in the world. The ship of the
desert is an inseparable part of life here. Be it pulling
heavy carts, transporting grains or working on wells, camels
are the prime helpers. The wells of Bikaner - an important
source of water are other attractions of the city. These are
built on high plinths with slender minareted towers on each of
the Four Corners and can be noticed even from a distance.
Proceed for sightseeing tour of Bikaner. Rao Bikaji, a
descendant of Jodhaji - the founder of Jodhpur, founded this
desert town in the North of the state in 1488. Visit the
Junagarh Fort, constructed between 1588 and 1593 by Raja Jai
Singh, a general in the Moghul Emperor Akbar's army. The city
is also called the “Camel Country”. Visit the KARNI MATA
TEMPLE.
Overnight will be at Bikaner.
Day 13 : Bikaner - Mandawa
By Road : 140 km/3 hr
Proceed for Mandawa after breakfast.
The medieval Fort of Mandawa gradually rises on the horizon
like a mirage. A breathtaking view of the town can be seen
from the terrace of Castle Mandawa. Precious collection of
arms with jade handles, traditional ceremonial costumes can be
seen at the Museum at the Castle. The havelies worth a visit
are Chokhani, Saraf, Goenka and Ladia in this town. It was
built in 1775 by Thakur Nawal Singh, descendant of Rao
Shekhaji, who also founded the city of Nawalgarh. The Castle,
now a 51 room hotel has no two rooms alike. It also houses an
interesting collection of paintings, jade, costumes and
antiques. The courtyard and the terrace come to live during
evenings with candle-lit dinners and fire-dances during the
season. It is a two hundred and forty year old fortress that
has been converted by the family into a fine example of
traditional hospitality.
Reach and check in at hotel.
Take a walking tour of the painted 'havelis' of some of the
leading business families of the country. Though they no
longer live here, the local caretakers are happy to show the
visitors around. Chowkhani Haveli, Gulab Rai Ladia Haveli,
Lakshminarayan Ladia Haveli, Mohahanlal Saraf Haveli and
Bhagchandika Haveli are of special interest. Spend the major
part of the day looking into frescoes.
Overnight will be at Mandawa.
Day 14 : Mandawa - Delhi
By Road : 260 km/5 hr
Breakfast will be at hotel.
Proceed to visit Nawalgarh and Dundlod meeting the local
village chief and seeing th beautiful frescoes. Leave for
Delhi and reach by evening.
Overnight will be at Delhi.
Day 15 : Delhi - Home
Breakfast will be at hotel.
Spend day shopping for Christmas Gifts and in the evening
relax at the hotel.
Proceed for FAREWELL DINNER after checking out at 1800 hr and
onto the airport for flight home with sweet memories of India.
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