Magic of Rajasthan

DAY 01 : Arrive Delhi

On arrival meet & greet at the Airport and transfer to hotel.

Delhi: one of India's fastest growing cities has spread far beyond the "seven cities" created between the 13th and the 17th centuries. It has sprawled over the west bank of the Yamuna and now straddles the river. Remnants of the past survive cheek -by-jowl with skyscrapers, residential colonies and bustling commercial complexes. Delhi has some of the finest museums in the country. Its boutiques and shopping arcades offer access to a wealth of traditional and contemporary crafts from all over the country. It has specialty restaurants to please the gourmet, open parks and gardens ablaze with flowers, and in the winter months particularly, a variety of cultural events. Its many-layered existence is tantalizing and can entice the curious traveler into a fascinating journey of discovery.

Afternoon:- sightseeing of New Delhi. Visit the 12th century Qutab Minar, gracefully hand-carved for its entire height of 234ft, and the iron pillar, which has withstood the ravages of time and not rusted even after 1500 years. Visit the mausoleum of emperor Humayun - a forerunner of the Mughal style of architecture. Drive past the India Gate (war memorial dedicated to the lives of laid down by the Indian soldiers), the president's residence - formerly the Viceroy's Palace, parliament House and the Secretariat buildings, - an interesting blend of the Victorian and 20th century architecture.

Later sightseeing of Old Delhi takes you to Jama Masjid, - The largest mosque in India. Visit the magnificent Red Fort, - a marvel in red sandstone, built on the banks of River Yamuna by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. Drive past Chandni Chowk, once an imperial avenue of Mughal Royalty which today is the busiest commercial area of the city.

Overnight at hotel.

DAY 02 : Delhi - Mandawa (260 kms 6 hrs)

Morning:- drive to Mandawa.

Mandawa:- lies in the heart of Shekhawati region. A small town has many Havelies and temples. The terrace of the rugged fort provides a panoramic view of the town. The compact and busy litle market town of Mandawa was settled in the 18th century, and was fortified by the dominant merchant families. Today it has some of the finest painted havelies in the region, and is a perfect place for wandering at random.

Afternoon :- Visit around Mandawa of the Shekhawati region which is famous for the various havelies which are extravagantly painted. Some of the famous havelies one should not miss while in Mandawa are the Chokhanis, the Goenkas and the Sarafas. A short drive from Mandawa leads to Fatehpur a town once ruled by the Muslim. Here once must have a look out of the Devra and Singhania Havelis, which are unmatched.

Overnight at hotel.

DAY 03 : Mandawa-Bikaner (170 kms 4 hrs)

Morning:- drive to Bikaner.

Bikaner:- This city lies on the northern point on the triangle of desert cities. Bikaner is another royal walled city dating back to 1486 AD. It was established by a Rathore prince, Bika and came to be called Bikaner after him. Bika was the eldest son of the founder of Jodhpur state Rao Jodha. Bikaner was well protected from its enemies by the harsh desert which surrounded this rich city. It was, however, a major trade centre as it stood on the ancient caravan route, which linked Central Asia and North India with the Gujarat seaports. While other cities of Rajasthan are rich in lakes and pleasure pavilions, Bikaner seems quite bare in that respect. Given its severe climatic conditions, the wealth of its architectural heritage lies in its forts, palaces and temples.

Afternoon:- sightseeing of Bikaner. Visit the Jain Temples drive past the old havelis of Red Sand Stone. Also visit JUNAGARTH FORT: This fort was built in 15th century by one of the most able and trusted generals of Akbar, Raja Rai Singh. A high wall and deep moats surround the fort. The 37 bastions guard the fort and only two gates provide the access inside the fort. Inside the fort is a profusion of 37 palaces, temples and pavilions that are marvels in red sandstone construction. The palaces have exquisitely carved windows, balconies, towers and kiosks. The mirrors, paintings and carved marble panels in the Moon Palace are a treat for eyes.

Overnight at hotel.

DAY 04 : Bikaner-Jaisalmer (330 kms 7 hrs)

Morning:- drive to Jaisalmer.

Jaiselmer:- Unlike any other city, this desert fortress is one of Rajasthan's most exotic and unusual towns. Jaisalmer, an important ancient trading centre because of its strategic location on the camel trade routes, is often described as the 'golden city'. The havelis, built by merchants of the 19th century, are exquisitely carved from golden-yellow sandstone and are still in a beautiful condition. The fort built by Rawal Jaisal in the 12th century, stands on the 80 metre high Trikuta hill, with beautifully carved Jain temples.

Overnight at hotel.

DAY 05 : in Jaisalmer

Morning: Half day sightseeing of Jaisalmer, built in burnished sandstone is an intricately moulded wonderland. See the Citadel, the fort built by Rawal Jaisal where a fourth of the population lives. Also visit Jain temples of the 12th to 15th centuries Patwon ki Haveli, a five-story mansion with carved pillars and murals; Salim Singh and Nathmalji ki Haveli.

Rest of the day free for independent activities.

Overnight at hotel.

DAY 06 : Jaisalmer-Jodhpur (290 kms 7 hrs)

Morning:- drive to Jodhpur.

Jodhpur: One of the most beautiful places of tourist's interest in India is Jodhpur. Situated in the arid land of Rajasthan, this place was founded by Rajput Chief Rao Jodha in 1459. Rao Jodha is the descendent of King Ramachandra of Ramayana. Earlier, it was the capital of the Marwar state of Rajasthan. Jodhpur is surrounded by a tall stonewall of about 10 kms. Long. This wall has got eight doors facing various directions leading to different places of Jodhpur. Jodhpur is a beautiful small city with the golden sands covering the thorny shrub growing arid land. Jodhpur has about 100 towers most of which are surrounded by defensive battlements. Normally, guard's chambers could be seen along with these walls, which are considerably high armed with iron spikes on top of it. The forts and palaces in the city are the major source of attraction in the city. Exploring the forts gives you a feel of the times when the Rajput might was at its peak. The gates and the walls of the forts speak of the battles they have witnessed. One needs to spend enough time with these historical monuments to fully grasp the grandeur of the Rajput era.

Afternoon: visit the impressive Mehrangarh Fort on a 37 m low sandstone hill built by Rao Jodha in 1459. From the top of the fort one can get a bird’s eye view of the old city. You will notice the predominance of blue houses referred to as Brahmin houses - the colour being associated with the high caste. Proceed to the Jaswant Thada, an imposing marble cenotaph built in 1899 for Maharajah Jaswant Singh II, and smaller memorials to other Maharajahs of Jodhpur. At the end of the tour enjoy a short walk through the local and vibrant bazaar of Jodhpur.

Overnight at hotel.

DAY 07 : Jodhpur-Udaipur (260 kms 7 hrs)

Morning:- drive to Udaipur. En-route visit famous Jain Temple at “Ranakpur” situated in the lovely valley of the Aravali, built in the 15th century. Its surroundings are peaceful and picturesque. The main temple in the complex is the Chaumukha (four-faced) temple, built in 1439. Its 29 halls are supported by 1444 pillars, no two of which are alike.

Udaipur: Founded in 1568, by Maharaja Udai Singh, Udaipur rivals any of the world famous creations of the Mughals. As the capital of the old Mewar state, it was the only Rajput stronghold to uphold its Hindu allegiance in the face of Muslim invasion. From the late 16th century, peace brought about an era of renaissance in the arts and encouraged the building of beautiful Palaces around the Lake, which culminated in the City Palace, one of the largest Palace complexes in the world. The Lake itself is a romantic setting surrounding the gleaming white |Lake Palace and the Jag Mandir – a refuge of the rebel Mughal Prince, Shah Jehan, who soon became the creator of the Taj Mahal in Agra.

Overnight at hotel.

DAY 08 : In Udaipur

Morning:- Half day city tour of Udaipur, a splash of colour in Rajasthan that is brighter when tinged with the tones of local lore and legends. Visit the City Palace, built in 1725, which houses the Dilkhush Mahal, Sheesh Mahal - studded with glittering Belgium Mirrors, Moti Mahal and the Palace of Lord Krishna all of which are ornately decorated. Later visit the Jagdish Temple. This temple built in 1651 is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the preserver in the Hindu Trinity of Gods. Also visit the Sahelion Ki Bari gardens and fountains. Later drive around the Fatehsagar Lake.

Evening Boat Cruise on Pichola Lake, 4-Km long and 3-Km broad, surrounded by splendid hills, palaces, temples, bathing ghats and embankments. Visit the island palace Jag Niwas which is beautifully set in the lake.

Overnight at hotel.

DAY 09 : Udaipur – Deogarh (135 kms 3 hrs)

Morning:- drive to Deograh.

Deograh : A 17th Century town situated in the rugged countryside of the Aravalis, dotted by numbers of lakes visited by large numbers of migratory birds.

Overnight at hotel.

DAY : Deogarh-Jaipur (245 kms 5 hrs)

Morning:- drive to Jaipur.

Jaipur: Built by Sawai Jai Singh, the city of Jaipur is amongst the first of India’s planned cities. The ancient heart of the Pink City still beats in its fairy tale palaces; rugged fortresses perched on barren hills and broad avenues. Jaipur has a timeless appeal in its colorful bazaars that delights for its Rajasthan handlooms and trinkets. Beautifully laid out gardens and parks, attractive monuments and marvelous heritage hotels, once the residence of Maharajas, are worth admiration that makes a trip to the pink city a memorable one.

Afternoon:- city tour of Jaipur which begins with a visit to the Maharaja's City Palace, the former Royal residence, part of it converted into a museum. A small portion is still used by the Royal family of Jaipur. Built in the style of a fortified campus, the palace covers almost one-seventh in area of the city. One of the major attractions in the museum is the portion known as Armoury Museum housing an impressive array of weaponry-pistols, blunderbusses, flintlocks, swords, rifles and daggers. The royal families of Jaipur once used most of these weapons. Later visit the Jantar Mantar, which is the largest stone and marble crafted observatory in the world. Situated near the gate of the city palace, the observatory has 17 large instruments, many of them still in working condition.

Overnight at hotel.

DAY 11 : In Jaipur

Morning:- visit of Amber Fort with elephant ride. Amber is a classic, romantic Rajasthani Fort Palace. The rugged, time-ravaged walls of the Fort may not look beautiful from the outside, but the interior is a virtual paradise. Miniatures painted on the walls depict hunting and war scenes, apart from festivals. Precious stones and mirrors are embedded into the plaster. A major attraction at Amber is the Elephant Ride all the way up to the Fort entrance. This journey on caparisoned elephants is bound to enrich your memories with the Royal lifestyle of the Maharajas and leave you with a truly unforgettable experience. Inside the Fort visit the Jag Mandir or the Hall of Victory. Inside the Jag Mandir is the famed Sheesh Mahal - a room with all the four walls and ceiling completely embedded with glittering mirror pieces, which were specially imported from Belgium during that period. En-route to Amber Fort, you will have a brief photography stop at Hawa Mahal - the Palace of Winds.

Overnight at hotel.

DAY 12 : Jaipur-Agra (240 kms 5 & half hrs)

Morning:- drive to Agra. En route visit “FATEHPUR SIKRI” Situated around 40 km from Agra built by Emperior Akbar in 1569 and abandoned after 15 years due to scarcity of water. This was the capital of the Mughal emperor Akbar between 1570 to 1586. Fatehpur Sikri’s sprawling structure is made of red sandstone and combines both Hindu and Muslim architecture. The main entrance to this walled city is through the 175 feet Buland Darwaza. The finest monuments within this area are the Diwan-I-Am, Diwan-i-Khas, Panch Mahal, Jama Masjid and Panch Mahal.

Agra: On the right bank of the River Yamuna, Agra reigns over a glorious past created by warriors as skilled in art and architecture as they were on the battlefield. The city’s historical origins before the Mughal conquest are dim and it was practically founded by the Mughal Emperor Babur. To the lover of art and to the traveller seeking the wonders of India, Agra is the goal of a pilgrimage, its shrines being the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort.

Overnight at hotel.

DAY 13 : Agra – Delhi (210 kms 4 hrs)

Morning:- visit Taj Mahal which is the seventh wonder of world, built by Shahjahan as a memorial to his wife Mumtaz Mahal by the banks of river Yamuna. After her untimely death, Shahajahan had her mortal remains buried in this mausoleum. And after his own demise he was placed to rest next to his beloved queen in the same mausoleum The Taj has been called the most extravagant monument ever built for the sake of love. The great monument took almost 22 years to build and was completed in 1653. Around 20,000 workers from all over the country and central Asia were recruited to translate this dream into a reality.

(TAJ MAHAL IS CLOSED ON FRIDAYS).

Later visit the Agra Fort. The foundation was laid by Emperor Akbar in 1565 and continued till the time of Shahjahan. The high red stone monument stretches for around 2.5 kms, dominating a bend in the river Yamuna northwest of the Taj Mahal. The palace is a notable for its smooth blending of Hindu and central Asian architectural styles. The Diwan-i-Am (the hall of public audiences), the Diwan-i-Khas (the Hall of Private Audience), the Khas Palace (the private palace was used by emperor as a sleeping chamber), the Sheesh Mahal (palace of Mirrors), the Shah Jahani Mahal (Shahjahan’s Palace), Jahangiri Mahal (Jahangir’s Palace) and the Akbari Mahal (Akbar’s palace) are the fascinating palaces inside the fort. From the rear of Diwan-i-Khas a door leads to Mussaman Burj, a two storey pavilion, where Shahjahan was imprisoned by his son Aurangzeb in his old age. From here he caught the last glimpses of Taj Mahal before he died.

Evening drive to back to Delhi to reach in time to connect flight for onward destination.