Day 01 : Arrive Delhi
On arrival meet and assist at the airport and transfer to prebooked hotel.
Delhi : India's capital & a major gateway to the country, contemporary
Delhi is a bustling metropolis which successfully combines in its fold the
ancient & the modern. Its strategic location was one of the prime
reasons why successive dynasties chose it as their seat of power. New Delhi
also reflects the legacy the British left behind . The division between New
& Old Delhi is the distinction between the capitals of the British &
the Moghuls respectively. So, wherever the visitor goes, he will invariably
confront the citys' past.
Day 02 : Delhi - Agra (203 Kms / 04-05 Hrs)
After breakfast, half day city tour of Old Delhi. Visit Jama Masjid, the
largest mosque in India. Built by Shah Jahan, the construction was started
in 1844 and was not completed until 1658; Red Fort, which was also built by
Shah Jehan. This massive fort was built from 1638 to 1648; Chandni Chowk and
Rajghat - the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi. Afternoon, leave for Agra.
Arrive Agra and check in at prebooked hotel.
Day 03 : Agra - Fatehpur Sikri - Jaipur (256 Kms / 06-07 Hrs)
After breakfast, city tour of Agra. Visit Red fort, which was built by
Emperor Akbar in 1565, and additions were made up until the time of his
grandson, Shah Jahan. It contains the hall of public and private audiences
amongst many other beautiful structures; Itmad-ud-daulah, which was
contructed by Nur Jahan between 1622 and 1628 and is very similar to the
tomb she constructed for her husband, Jehangir, near Lahore in Pakistan; the
highlight of the day - The Taj Mahal, which was constructed by Shah Jahan in
memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. Contruction of the Taj began in 1631 and
was not completed until 1653.
Afternoon, leave for Jaipur. Enroute visit the abandoned Mughal city of
Fatehpur Sikri - built by Emperor Akbar in 1569, was the old capital of the
Moghuls, which was abandoned after 15 years due to scarcity of water. See
the graceful buildings including the Jama Masjid, Tomb of Salim Chisti,
Panch Mahal & other Palaces which are still preserved in its original
glory. Continue drive to Jaipur. Arrive Jaipurin the evening and checkin at
prebooked hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 04 : Jaipur
After breakfast, excursion to Amber Fort. Elephant ride from the foothills
of the Aravallis to the fort entrance. Amber Fort : At a distance of 11 kms
from Jaipur, Amber was the ancient capital of Jaipur state. Construction of
the fort began in 1592 by Raja Man Singh, the Rajput commander of Akbar's
army and is a superb example of Rajput architecture. Afternoon, free for
individual activities. Afternoon, city tour of Jaipur. Visit the City Palace
which has museum having an extensive collection of art, carpets, enamel ware
and weapons; Jantar Mantar - the observatory built my Maharaja Jai Singh in
1728 and the façade of Hawa Mahal.
Day 05 : Jaipur - Mandawa (168 Kms / 04-05 Hrs)
After breakfast, leave for Mandawa. Arrive Mandawa and check in at
prebooked hotel. Afternoon, visit Mandawa This region came into prominence
in the 14th century when a number of Muslim clans moved into the area and
the towns of this region developed into important trading posts on the
caravan routes emanating from the ports of Gujarat. This region is famous
for painted havelis (houses) most of which date back from the 18th century.
The major towns of interest are Mandawa, Fatehpur, Nawalgarh. Visit the
havelis in Mandawa and other villages of Shekhawati region.
Day 06 : Mandawa - Bikaner (190 Kms / 04-05 Hrs)
After breakfast, leave for Bikaner. Arrive Bikaner and check in at
prebooked hotel. Afternoon, city tour of Bikaner. a desert town founded in
1488 by Rao Bikaji, a descendant of the founder of Jodhpur, Jodhaji. Visit
the Junagarh Fort which was contructed between 1588 and 1593 by a general in
the army of the Mughal Emperor, Akbar. The fort has a 986m long wall with 37
bastions and two entrances; Camel Breeding Farm, managed by goverment this
camel breeding station is probably unique in Asia and has thousands of
camels. Afternoon, leave for Jaisalmer. Arrive Jaisalmer and check in at
prebooked hotel.
Day 07 : Bikaner - Jaisalmer (333 Kms / 06-07 Hrs)
After breakfast, visit the Karni Mata temple at Deshnoke. Later, leave for
Jaisalmer. Arrive Jaisalmer and check in at prebooked hotel.
Day 08 : Jaisalmer
After breakfast, city tour of Jaisalmer. Visit the the citadel - the Fort
built by Rawal Jaisal where a fourth of the population lives. The fort also
houses Jain temples of the 12th to 15th centuries, Patwon Ki Haveli - a five
storey mansion with carved pillars & murals of Salim Singh. Also visit
Gadsisar, which had once supplied water to the city ; the temples &
archways around it have been built by a courtesan. Afternoon, excursion to
Sam - 45 km away, is known for its sand dunes & is the venue for the
Desert festival. Get the actual feel of the desert by enjoying a camel ride
on the sand dunes and witness a magnificent sunset on the sand dunes. Return
to Jaisalmer for overnight stay.
Day 09 : Jaisalmer - Jodhpur (290 Kms / 05-06 Hrs)
After breakfast, leave for Jodhpur. On arrival in Jodhpur, checkin at
prebooked hotel. In the afternoon, city tour of Jodhpur. After breakfast,
visit the Mehrangarh Fort which literally means "Majestic Fort",
located at the very centre of the city. There are ,in all , three gates ,
each built to commemorate a particular victory, as well as to reinforce the
fort. It has a collection of musical instruments, palanquins, furniture &
cannons on the forts' ramparts are well preserved. Jaswant Thada : Close to
the fort complex lies this white marble cenotaph, built in 1899, in
commemoration of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. Rare portraits of Jodhpur's
rulers are, also, to be seen at Jaswant Thada. Also visit the Clock Tower -
the city centre.
Day 10 : Jodhpur - Ranakpur - Udaipur (225 Kms / 05-06 Hrs)
After breakfast, leave for Udaipur. Enroute visiting the Jain temples at
Ranakpur : The cluster of temples, made of intricately sculpted white
marble, come across as a marvellousfeat of architecture. It would take
anyone by surprise to learn that they were built in 1460, so well preserved
& sparkling is the marble. The main temple is supported on 1,444 pillars
- none of which is similarly carved. After the visit, continue drive to
Udaipur. Arrive Udaipur in the evening and check in at prebooked hotel.
Day 11 : Udaipur
After breakfast, visit the romantic city of Udaipur. Visit the City Palace
which is the largest palace complex in Rajasthan; Jagdish temple, a fine
Indo Aryan temple built in 1651; Sahelion ki Bari or Garden of the Maids of
Honour, which is a small garden with its fountains, kiosks, marble elephants
& lotus pool. In the evening, boat ride on Lake Pichola.
Day 12 : Udaipur - Delhi (Flight)
After breakfast, transfer to the airport to board flight for Delhi. Arrive
Delhi and transfer to prebooked hotel. Afternoon, city tour of New Delhi.
Visit Humayuns Tomb : built in mid 16th century this is an early example of
Mughal architecture; Qutab Minar, drive past India Gate, President House,
Connaught Place. The tour ends with a visit to Laxmi Narayan Temple
Day 13 : Depart Delhi
Transfer to the airport to board flight back home/onward destination.
Cities
of Rajasthan
