Rajasthan Tour Package

ITINERARY

Rajasthan is one of India’s brightest jewels, a vast desert province where Rajput princes ruled for centuries in extravagant pomp and splendour. The great forts and palaces of the maharajahs bear witness to this proud and glorious past, but Rajasthan has more than just this rich historical legacy – it is also a land of traditional crafts, musicians and folk dances, women wearing bright saris bedecked with bangles and silver nose rings, festive village life and the contrasting forms and colours of the desert. Rajasthan is, simply, India at its best…

DAY 1 ARRIVE DELHI (BY 2300HRS)

Arrive Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport late this evening. You will be met at the airport by our representative who give you a warm welcome with fresh flower garlands and transfer to your hotel by airconditioned Car. Overnight stay at the hotel

DAY 2 DELHI

Morning after breakfast we leave for a sightseeing tour of Old and New Delhi. We visit Jama Masjid, this immense mosque is both the largest in India and the final architectural extravagance of Shah Jahan with a courtyard capable of holding 25,000 devotees, Raj Ghat, a memorial to Mahatma Gandhi is a simple black marble platform that marks the spot of his cremation on 31 January, 1948. Two museums dedicated to Gandhi are located near by. Later we drive past Red Fort citadel. In New Delhi we visit the 11th century Qutab Minar Tower, built by Qutub-ud-din Aibek of the Slave Dynasty, who took possession of Delhi in 1206. It is a red sandstone tower, standing tall at a height of 72.5 metres and is covered with intricate carvings and verses from the holy Qur’an. The India Gate, a memorial raised in honour of the Indian soldiers martyred during the Afghan war and drive past the grand government buildings the President’s House and Parliament House all dating back to the time of British Raj. Overnight stay at the hotel

DAY 3 DELHI/AGRA (200KMS – 4HRS)

Morning we drive we drive leisurely to the home town of Taj Mahal – Agra, takes us through the beautiful countryside. Early evening we leave to explore the monumental heritage of the Great Mughals, including the magnificent Taj Mahal (Closed on Fridays), one of the Seven Wonders of the World and surely the most extravagant expression of love ever created. 20,000 men laboured for over 17 years to build this memorial to Shah Jahan’s beloved wife. It’s a wealth of white marble and semi-precious stone – « undoubtedly the highlight of the tour ». Our next visitthe imposing Agra Fort, this powerful fortress of red sandstone encompasses, within its 2.5-km-long enclosure walls, the imperial city of the Mughal rulers. It comprises many fairy-tale palaces, such as the Jahangir Palace and the Khas Mahal, built by Shah Jahan; audience halls, such as the Diwan-i-Khas; and two very beautiful mosquesOvernight stay at the hotel.

DAY 4 AGRA / FATEHPUR SIKRI/JAIPUR (250KMS – 5HRS)

Morning we travel to the old walled city of Jaipur – founded by Maharaja Jai Singh II, this ‘pink city’ is meticulously constructed on the lines of the Shilpa – Shastra, an ancient Hindu treatise on architecture.

Enroute we stop at Fatehpur Sikri – which has been described as “the world’s most perfectly preserved ghost town”. Built by Akbar in the late 16th century, it was abandoned after only 14 years, and the elegant buildings of this superb walled city remain intact to this day. On arrival at Jaipur we check inn to our hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.

DAY 5 JAIPUR

Morning breakfast followed by a sight-seeing tour of the city visiting the dramatic hilltop fortress at Amber – ascend the imposing fort on a decorated painted elephant. We wander among glittering inlays and the Hall of Mirrors. On the way back we stop to view the elegant Hawa Mahal or Palace of the Winds this elaborate building, now little more than a façade, is encrusted with delicate screens and carved balconies from which the royal ladies, confined to their quarters, could sneak views of the outside world. Post lunch we tour the Maharajah’s City Palace, now partly a museum display a unique fusion of Mughal and Hindu architecture, and house a rare collection of paintings, Rajput armoury and costumesiH. Later we explore the city on our own and indulge in shopping for gemstones, silver jewellery, Paintings, blue pottery and hand printed textiles that Jaipur is renowned for. Overnight stay at the hotel.

DAY 6 JAIPUR/MANDAWA/BIKANER (321 KMS – 06/07 HRS)

After breakfast at the hotel we will be driven to the relatively remote city of Bikaner, tucked away in the desert region of western Rajasthan. The city is dotted with scores of sand dunes. Bikaner retains the medieval grandeur that permeates the city’s lifestyle. Enroute visiting Mandawa – The towns of Shekhawati are eminent for their amazing painted havelis. Such is the appeal of the havelis that this region is dubbed as “open art gallery of Rajasthan”. The havelis are noted for their frescos depicting mythological themes and that of huge animals. Some later day frescos shows the arrival of the British and highlighting steam locomotives and train doubtlessly for the benefit of those members of the household who did not travel to distance places by train or see this newly introduced mode of transport. On arrival at Bikaner we check in to our Hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.

DAY 7 BIKANER/JAISALMER (333 KMS – 06/07 HRS)

Breakfast at the hotel, followed by visit to the unusual Junagarh Fort – an unassailable fortress, which has never been conquered. Sumptuously decorated with its ornately lacquered walls in red & gold and panels of dazzling coloured glass inlay set over the coronation throne. Later we will journey through the vast Thar Desert to the ancient caravan city of Jaisalmer – one of the last princely bastions in the region, founded on the crossroads of lucrative trade routes. Its like straight out of an Arabian Nights fable. The name Jaisalmer induces a dramatic picture of utter magic and brilliance of the desert. The hostile terrain not with standing the warmth and colour of people is simply over whelming. We arrive Jaisalmer by early evening and check in to our hotel. Overnight stay at hotel

DAY 8 JAISALMER

Morning we set out to explore the honey-coloured fort that emerges from the flat dry desert sands and enjoy a walk through the maze of narrow streets in the city with ornately decorated ‘havelis’ in yellow sandstone, built by rich merchants at a time when the city was a key stopping place on the caravan routes from the Middle East. Jaisalmer has been described as an ‘open air museum’, and to enter its narrow cobbled lanes is to step back into another era. Evening just before sunset we arrive at Sam Sand Dunes to see the total sandy bush less desert. It has a truly glorious stretch of sweeping sand dunes. We enjoy Camel Ride by the sand dunes and will be able to take our favourite picture with a lone camel on a desert track and the setting sun in the backdrop. Overnight stay at the hotel

DAY 09 JAISALMER/OSIAN TEMPLES/JODHPUR (308 KMS – 06 HRS)

Today our drive takes us to Jodhpur through the most interesting contours of the desert landscape, the enchanting forts, temples, other royal residences and settlements retain its medieval character and comprise the town’s multifaceted attractions. Enroute we stop to visit Osian, An ancient town in the Thar Desert known for its temples. There are 15 brahminical temples and shrines, and a cluster of Jain temples, all built during the Gurjara Pratihara dynasty between the 8th and the 12th centuries. On arrival at Jodhpur in the evening we proceed to our hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.

DAY 10 JODHPUR

After a leisurely breakfast at the hotel we visit the majestic Mehrangarh Fort, Perched on a 150 m high hill its sprawl is the most formidable and magnificent fort in Rajasthan which dominates and offers spectacular vistas of the blue-hued city. On the way down from the fort, on left is Jaswant Thada, the graceful marble cenotaph of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. The main memorial has been built like a temple with intricately carved marble stone that is sculpted by the genius artesian. A visit to this structure is through the rocky hills giving it a secluded and a mystic aura. Later excursion tour to Mandore – the ancient capital of the Pratihara Rajputs, whose most remarkable monuments are the royal cenotaphs, particularly those of Jaswant Singh and Ajit Singh (XVII – XVIII centuries) A sanctuary dedicated to 300 million divinities shelters statues natural size local heroes. Overnight stay at the hotel

DAY 11 JODHPUR/KUMBHALGARH/RANAKPUR/UDAIPUR (259 KMS – 6 HRS)

After breakfast we drive to Udaipur – There is no place in Rajasthan, which appeals more to the imagination of poets and painter, travellers and writers than Udaipur, an oasis in the desert state of Rajasthan. Enroute we will visit the Jain temples at Ranakpur, superbly preserved in a near-perfect condition for over 500 years. The most attractive features are the 29 halls of the temple, which have 1444 pillars of which no two are like. On arrival at Udaipur we check inn to our hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel

Day 12 UDAIPUR

Let the glorious sunrise dazzle you at breakfast. Wander through the opulent City Palace grounds and the museum, which are the testamentto the valour and chivalry of the Mewar rulers. Visit Saheliyon ki Bari (the gardens the maids-of-honour), the Jagdish temple on the shores of Lake Pichola. The Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandir is a treasure house of Rajasthani folk culture. Evening we enjoy the Boat cruise in Lake Pichola. The breathtaking beauty of the Lakes – Pichola and Fateh Sagar truly make Udaipur an oasis in the desert. Overnight stay at the hotel

DAY 13 UDAIPUR / DELHI (BY FLIGHT)

Morning at leisure. Afternoon we fly back to Delhi, met on arrival at airport and transfer to the hotel. Free time for your own activity Overnight stay at the hotel

DAY 14 DELHI + DEPARTURE

After the breakfast at the hotel then timely transfer to the airport to catch the flight for your own destination