Day 01 - Arrive Delhi
Assistance
and transfer to the hotel. Check-in time is 12'Noon. Overnight.
Day 02 - Delhi
Full day sightseeing tour of Old and New Delhi Sprawling on the banks of
the river Yamuna, Delhi, the capital of India, typifies the soul of the
country. The city conceals within its bosom the remains of civilization that
flourished over the last three thousand years. Since those legendary days,
many dynasties and rulers have flourished on its regal soil. The legacy of
that past survives in the many monuments left behind by the regents.
Old Delhi, constitutes of Red Fort built by Emperor Shahjehaan in 1638 AD,
Jama Mosque largest mosque in India also built by Shahjehan, Raj Ghat and
Shanti van-the cremation sites of Mahatma Gandhi and Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru
and drives past Chandni Chowk, the main congested shopping hub of Old Delhi.
New Delhi visit includes Qutab Minar, one of the earliest remains of
Imperial Delhi (13th century AD ) Humayun's Tomb-the fine monument believed
to be forerunner of Taj Mahal, India Gate, the 42 metre high arch was raised
as a memorial to soldiers, drives past Parliament House, President's House,
Secretariat Building, Laxminarayan Temple and The Connaught Place.
Day 03 : Delhi-Mandawa drive, 260 km/5 hours
On arrival, check-in at the hotel. Afternoon sightseeing tour in Mandawa.
The land of Shekha (Rao Shekhaji 1433-1488) is known for its human and
artistic enterprises. This region has been the home of Marwari community,
for more than a century has been the backbone of commercial
entrepreneur-ship in India. Hundreds of havelies, temples, cenotaphs, wells
and forts, as in this region have intricate wall paintings, frescoes. The
important ones to be seen are in Mandawa, Mukandgarh, Dundlod and Nawalgarh.
Day 04 - Mandawa-Bikaner drive, 200 km/4 hours
Morning
drive to Bikaner and on arrival, check-in at the hotel. Afternoon city
sightseeing tour of Bikaner.
Bikaner - stands on the northern tip of the desert
triangle. Junagadh Fort built around 1587 to protect 37 palaces, temples and
pavilions within, the fort is one of its kind. Today Junagadh houses a
museum of valuable miniature paintings and other rare items that are several
centuries old. Lalgarh Palace-the imposing red sandstone monument is a
successful blend of oriental facade, designed by Sir Swinton Jacob for
Maharaja Ganga Singh. The 14th century Jain temples of Bhandeshwar and
Sandeshwar; and their gold leaf paintings are noteworthy.
Day 05 - Bikaner-Jaisalmer drive, 333 km/6 hours
Morning drive to Jaisalmer and on arrival, check-in at the hotel. Rest of
the day free. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 06 - Jaisalmer
Morning sightseeing tour of Jaisalmer.
Jaisalmer - much has been written about this city but
nothing can prepare the visitor for the sheer magic and brilliance of this
Desert City. Rawal Jaisal laid the foundation of the city in 1156 AD. The
Jaisalmer Fort stands almost 100 meter over the city with its 99 bastions,
several entrances, a group of Jain Temples from 12th to 15th century. The
other places of interest include Tazia Tower with its five tiered splendour,
each storey graced by a delicately carved balcony for its intricately
latticed and conspicuous facades.
Afternoon visit Sam Dunes and one hour camel ride. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 07 - Jaisalmer-Jodhpur drive, 287 km/5-1/2 hours
Morning drive to Jodhpur and on arrival, check-in at the hotel. Afternoon
sightseeing tour of Jodhpur.
Jodhpur - The former capital of Marwar state was founded in 1459 by Rao
Jodha, Mehrangarh Fort spreading over 5 km on a perpendicular hill and
looking down 125 metres, the fort appears rugged and impenetrable from the
outside but houses some of the most intricately adorned palaces with
exquisitely carved panels and latticed windows, Moti Mahal, Phool Mahal,
Sheesh Mahal are some of the important areas to visit A collection of royal
cenotaphs, built in while marble, lies very close to the fort. Built in
1899, the cenotaph also houses portraits of rulers of Jodhpur.
Day 08 - Jodhpur-Udaipur drive, 290 km/6 hours
Morning drive to Udaipur visiting enroute Ranakpur Temples.
Ranakpur - The Jain community. like several others, had
always enjoyed the patronage of the ruling family of Mewar and quite a few
important positions were held by the Jains. In 15th century, Rana Kumbha of
Mewar gave a large stretch of land in a quite and picturesque valley, deep
in the Aravallis, to the Jains. This area came to be known as Ranakpur,
Located 96 km from Udaipur, this is one of the five main holy places of the
Jains. Although over 500 years old, these temples are well preserved almost
in perfect condition. The central temple is the CHAUMUKHA temple, dedicated
to Adinath, the first Jain Tirthankar (saint). This temple is the most
complex and extensive in design. It has 29 halls , 80 domes and 1444
pillars. What is interesting is that no two pillars are alike. On arrival,
check-in at the hotel for overnight stay.
Day 09 - Udaipur
Morning sightseeing tour of Udaipur, One of the most beautiful cities in
all of Rajasthan, better known as cities of Lake, founded by Maharana
Udaipur, the places of interest include City Palace which has several carved
balconies, arches and decorated pillars, Zenana Mahal, Fateh Prakash, Durbar
Hall and Shambhu Niwas. Also visit Jagdish temple, Sahelion-ki-Bari (queen's
resort for the friends). Afternoon at leisure.
Day 10 - Udaipur-Pushkar drive, 280 km/4 hours
Morning
drive to Pushkar and on arrival check-in at the hotel. Afternoon sightseeing
tour of Pushkar/Ajmer.
Pushkar, this sacred town lies 11 km north east of Ajmer and 130 km from
Jaipur. According to mythology, Pushkar Lake is supposed to to have appeared
miraculously when a lotus flower fell from the hands of Lord Brahma and
dropped into this valley. On Kartik Poornima, thousands of pilgrims come to
bathe in the holy waters of the Pushkar Lake. The fair is overwhelming in
its magnitude and its visual impact. Colourful bazaars are set up, camels
are paraded and also bough and sold. Besides colourful bazaars, shops
selling sweets, snacks, handicrafts, sports for children, camel carts and
other trading activities of utensils, hardware.
Ajmer, a stronghold of Chauhans till 1194 AD, the legendary Prithvi Raj
Chauhan was born here and died fighting against Sultan Ghori's army. Located
132 km west of Jaipur, in a valley encircled by the Aravali Hills, it is
famous for the Dargah popularly known as Dargah Sharif, the shrine of the
Sufi mystic Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti (1142-1236AD)
Day 11 : Pushkar-Jaipur drive, 132 km/2-1/2 hours
Morning drive to Jaipur and on arrival, check-in at the hotel. Rest of the
day at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 12 - Jaipur
Morning excursion to Amber Fort, set in a picturesque location. Amer is a
fascinating blend of Hindu and Muslim architecture. Built in the 16th
century by Raja Mansingh in red sandstone and white marble, the palace
complex has some very interesting apartments. Jai Mandir, Sheesh Mahal, Sukh
Niwas, Ganesh Pol and Temple of Kali are some of the prominent areas of
interest. Elephants are provided to ascend the fort to visit the complex.
Afternoon city sightseeing tour.
Jaipur,
this city was built by Maharaja Jai Singh, the notable astronomer 260 years
ago. Visit the Maharaja's City Palace, the home of the erstwhile royal
family, the Observatory, Ram Niwas Gardens, Hawa Mahal or the Palace of
winds built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh and drive past the old
part of Jaipur city
Day 13 - Jaipur-Ranthambhore drive, 185 km/4 hours
Afternoon jungle safari to view wildlife. Afternoon jeep safari to view
wildlife. 410 km of desert ecology speckled with dhok, ronj, salai, bear and
palm trees, surrounded by the Vindhyas and Aravalis, the Park with thick
forest with nullahs and waterfalls is an oasis of biomass. The three major
lakes - Rajbaugh, Milak talao and Padam talao serve as watering holes for
the creatures that inhabit the park studded as it is with Rajput pavilions
and palaces and Ranthambhore Fort. The wildlife spotted here are the tiger,
leopard, sambar, blue bull, chital, chinkara, hyena, jackal, fox, caracal,
jungle cat, ratel, sloth bear, langur and wildboar. Over 300 species of bird
can be seen.
Day 14 : Ranthambhore
Morning and afternoon jungle safari.
Day 15 : Ranthambhore-Agra drive, 318 km/6 hours
Drive to Agra visiting en-route Fatehpur Sikri. Fatehpur Sikri, the birth
story of this beautiful city is interesting. There, in a grotto in Sikri,
lived a Muslim Saint , Sheikh Salim Chishti by name. Akbar hearing of his
renown, asked of the blessings of a son, and when a son was born, not only
was the child named Salim, the site for a mighty and ambitious project - a
city - was chosen near the residence of the saint erected in k1569. The
shortage of water lead to the desertion of this city. Visit the mosque of
Salim Chishti, Panch Mahal and other Palaces. On arrival, check-in at the
hotel for overnight.
Day 16 - Agra-Delhi drive, 204 km/4 hours
Morning sightseeing tour of Agra. Agra, the home of the immortal Taj Mahal,
the inimitable poem in white marble is the first expression of love of an
Emperor Shahjehan for his queen Mumtaz Mahal. This great monument was
completed in 1653 AD. Agra Fort, the imposing structure on the banks of the
river Yamuna is replete with priceless examples of craftsmanship in the
Mughal period, including the beautiful pearl Mosque, it was designed and
built by Emperor Akbar in 1565 AD. Tomb of Itimad-ud-Daulah built between
1622 AD by Empress Nur Jehan, in memory of her father, Ghias-id-Din Beg., it
is considered a precursor of the Taj Mahal. Afternoon drive to Delhi airport
for onward international flight
