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