Kaleidoscope of intense color ancient splendor, vibrant music and exuberant life is Rajasthan. It’s being called the land of Kings and Maharajas –warriors, their might fortresses and spectacular palaces, desert landscapes and above all ancient cities.
A unique potpourri of history and modernity this state has a heritage of courage and valorousness through generations. The rich and colorful art effect and sonority of its costumes with traditional attires are alluring for the tourists. There are Palaces, Forts and havelis littered across the State that stand as a living testimony of its past and create an ambience of hybridism that is magical and seemingly unreal. Tall camels galloping beside modern cars on the city streets, wooden artifacts and colorful costume shops that accept all the major credit cards, elephants welcoming its guests by throwing rose petals in a five star heritage hotels; all these and more, only happens in Rajasthan!
Rajasthan - the Exhibiting Land of India!
As one pronounce the name Rajasthan: an image of endless golden sands, forts and palaces appears as first image. This is being the land of royal past with many dynasties come and go leaving and indelible mark on its landscape which have become numerous attractions of the state. This has instated power to lure loads of tourists from various parts of country as well as across the globe throughout the year. Right from massive forts and splendid palaces to impressive havelis, shifting sand dunes and rich wildlife, Rajasthan has it all.
Day 01 – Arrive Delhi
Arrive Delhi and meet our representative in the arrival lounge and transfer to hotel. Rest of the time to get rid jet leg. Overnight at hotel.
(Meal: None)
Day 02 - Delhi
Breakfast at the hotel. Proceed on a city tour of this city of astonishing history. We visit Old Delhi and The important places in Old Delhi include the majestic Red Fort, a rickshaw ride through busy and historical Chandni Chowk is some experience; visit the Jama Masjid (the mosque). We continue with the tour and visit Raj Ghat (The place where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated) and Shanti Vana. We make our way towards New Delhi and drive past Rashtrapati Bhawan (Presidents Palace and one-time imperial residence of the British viceroys) visit The India Gate: a memorial raised in honor of the Indian soldiers, Qutab Minar, built by Qutub-ud-din Aibek of the Slave Dynasty and Humayuns Tomb, The Laxminarayan Temple, built by the Birlas (Leading industrial house in India) We return to hotel to relax and spend the night. (Meal: Breakfast)
Day 03 - Delhi – Agra (204 kms/4.5 hrs)
Morning drive for Agra on arrival check-in at your hotel. A couple of hours to relax. Later proceed for the city sightseeing tour visiting The Taj Mahal, which is entirely made of white marble and its walls are decorated with exquisite pietra dura (stone inlay) work. Taj Mahal is one of the Seven Wonders of the World and surely the most extravagant expression of love ever created. 20,000 men labored for over 17 years to build this memorial to Shah Jahan's beloved wife. Also visit imposing Agra Fort - built of red sandstone and marble is a hilltop citadel with fabulous courtyards. Overnight at hotel. (Meal: Breakfast)
Day 04 - Agra – Jaipur (250 kms/5 hrs)
Morning drive for Jaipur enroute visiting Fatehpur Sikri, a phantom city. A red sand stone city of yesteryears. But the inner citadel is immaculately preserved. Its walls, palaces, baths, royal mint, courts and gardens still stand in splendid homage to a great visionary and builder. The heart of the palace complex however, is very much alive. On arrival in Jaipur, check-in at your hotel. Rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight at your hotel. (Meals: Breakfast)
Day 05 - Jaipur
This morning excursion to Amber Fort, which is located just outside the city, This is among the most beautiful example of Rajasthani forts and gives a majestic view of the city down below. You can have the Royal experience of traveling on elephant back to and from the top of the hill on which the fort is situated. Continue the city tour and visit City Palace in the heart of Jaipur is known for its blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. Very close to this is the Central Museum with its huge collection of jewellery, colorful costumes, woodwork, jewellery, costumes, brassware, and pottery. We would also see Jantar Mantar, which is the largest of the five observatories built by Sawai Jai Singh. The Hawa Mahal or the Palace of Winds, Also explore colorful lanes of Pink city. Jaipur is world famous for it's textile, jewellery, gems etc. Overnight at hotel. (Meal: Breakfast)
Day 06 - Jaipur – Mandawa (190km/4.5 hrs)
Morning proceed for Shekhawati town “Mandawa” Arrive and check into hotel. Shekhawati -The semidesert region of Shekhawati is a colourful fantasy having fascination of ancient manuscript of is own. 'The open air-art-gallery', as it is popularly called, is famous for its superabundance plethora of painted havelis, all applaudable pieces of the rich artistic tradition. 'Shekhawati', meaning "The Land Of Shekha's clan" derives its name from Rao Shekha (1433 AD-1488 AD) a scion of the Kachhwaha family of Jaipur. Spread over Jhunjhunu, Sikar and Churu districts in north-western Rajasthan, the Shekhawati region is full of beautifully painted havelis, in its nearly 20 towns and villages. Mandawa is one of them. Mandawa: Founded in the mid 18th Century, Mandawa’s skyline today is dominated by an imposing mirage like fort now turned into a hotel. A painted archway decorated with Lord Krishna and his cowherds leads to the bazaar. Afternoon visit Mandawa Besides the cenotaphs, wells, forts and temples the majority of frescoes are painted on the walls and gateways of havelis. The Shekhawati paintings mainly consist of red, green, yellow, brown, blue and mushroom colors. Overnight at your hotel. (Meal: Breakfast)
Day 07 - Mandawa – Bikaner (200 kms/4hrs)
Morning drive for Bikaner and check-in at your hotel. Bikaner is 500-year-old town standing still in time. The rulers here built beautiful forts that echo of opulence and images of monsoon clouds in this dry land. The wealth of its architectural heritage lies in its forts, palaces and temples– magnificent creations in red and yellow sandstone are living. Afternoon city tour of Bikaner covering Junagarh fort, Overnight at your hotel. (Meal: Breakfast)
Day 08 - Bikaner –Jodhpur (250 kms/5 hrs):
Post breakfast drive to Jodhpur. On arrival check-in at your hotel. Jodhpur: 2nd largest city of Rajasthan is situated on the edge of Thar Desert. Suryavanshi Rao Jodha founded this city in 1459 AD, once being the capital of Marwar. With number of palaces, temples and other architectural monuments which add to its glory. The old city is encircled by a 10 km long wall. This wall separates the old city with new one. The new city is grown round this magnificent Mehrangarh fort. The statuesque sandstone palace Umaid Bhawan is being on the East and Mehrangarh Fort on the West providing a shield from the deserts with its eight gates facing different directions. The resplendent and exquisite monuments, temples and gardens of the city are a reminder of the past and depict a multi-faceted grandeur. P.M. city tour covering Meherangarh Fort – One of the biggest in India and most significant in Rajasthan –this fort is sprawled atop on a perpendicular hill. The magisterial walls of fort have successfully rendered many attacks of invading armies. The wall of first gate is still scarred by cannonball hits. The original fort was built by Maharaja Rao Jodha in 1459, when he shifted his capital from Mandore to Jodhpur. Jaswant Thada: This white marble architectural entity – cenotaph built in commemoration of Maharaja Jaswant Singh-II in the year 1899. A memorial built out of intricately carved sheets of marble with extraordinarily thin and polished stones they emit a warm glow when the sun's rays dance across their surface. The cenotaph has two more tombs within it near to this are the royal crematorium.
(Meal: Breakfast)
Day 09 - Jodhpur –Bishnoi Village – Jodhpur (100 kms one way/2 hrs)
Morning you into the waiting jeeps and proceed on a safari to Bishnoi Villages, this 450 years old white turbaned tribe has a distinct way of life. They are the world's first environmentalists preserving the black buck, brought back from the verge of extinction. They have a distinctive way of lifebeing environmentalists, preserving the wilds and the eco-system, living in harmony with nature. Also visit the villages of craftsmen - potters, weavers, and metal-ware. Overnight at hotel. (Meal: Breakfast)
Day 10 - Jodhpur – Udaipur (285 kms/6 hrs)
After breakfast drive to Udaipur en-route visiting Ranakpur- The beautifully sculptured Jain temples lie in a tranquil valley of the Aravallis. The main ‘Chaumukha Temple’ is dedicated to the Tirthankara Adinath and has 29 halls supported by 1444 pillars, all distinctly carved. Two jain temples dedicated to Neminath and Parsvanath & a Sun Temple a little distance away are also noteworthy. On arrival in Udaipur, check-in at your hotel. Udaipur: Glimmering over clear cerulean water lakes, The Jewel of Mewar located in Aravali hills is famous as city of lakes. Artistic creations are illustrious with its Grotesque Forts, Opulent Palaces, Adorable Lakes, Marvelous Temples, and Endearing Mountains with its unique serene location has become the most popular attractions amongst the tourist across the Globe. This heritage city is being the choice of the traveler for its commingling of traditions with modernity. Overnight at your hotel. (Meal: Breakfast)
Day 11 - Udaipur
Morning guided city sightseeing tour of Udaipur covering City Palace, An amazing architectural marvel towering over the lake on a hill surrounded by crenellated walls, it is a conglomeration of courtyards, pavilions, terraces corridors rooms and hanging gardens. The main entrance is through the triple arched gate, The Tripolia with eight marble porticos. The Maharanas were weighed under the gate in gold, the equivalent amount of which was distributed among the populace. The Suraj Gokhada: the balcony of the Sun is where the Suryavanshi Maharanas of Mewar presented themselves to the people in time of trouble to restore their confidence. The “Mor Chowk” known for its exquisite peacock mosaics in glass and the Chini Chitrashala noted for its blue and white ceramics are another attraction in the palace. Saheliyon ki badi – Garden of the Maids of Honour; is in the north of the city, is well maintained, with fountains and cubicles, a delightful lotus pool and marble elephants. A small museum is also there with an attraction of some stuffed cobras., Afternoon is free for personal activities and boat ride at Lake Pichola - Beautiful Lake Pichola was enlarged by Maharaja Udai Singh II after he founded the city. He built a masonry dam, known as the Badipol and the lake is now 4km long & 3 km wide. Nevertheless, it remains fairly shallow and can actually dry up - in severe droughts it's possible to walk to Jagniwas and Jagmandir island.Overnight at your hotel. (Meal: Breakfast)
Day 12 - Udaipur – Delhi / Mumbai – out
Departure transfer to the airport in time to board the flight for Delhi or Mumbai. (Meal: Breakfast)
