Forts & Palace Tour of Rajasthan
DELHI/MANDAWA/BIKANER/JAISALMER/JODHPUR/UDAIPUR/PUSHKAR/JAIPUR/
AGRA/DELHI
Duration: 15 days.
Day-01 Arrive Delhi
Met on arrival in Delhi and transfer to
hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day-02 In Delhi
Morning after breakfast, proceed for
combined sightseeing tour of Old and New Delhi visiting - The mighty Red
Fort, Friday Mosque -- Jama Masjid, The silver street of Chandni Chowk,
Raj Ghat -- the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi, The Hindu temple --
Birla Mandir, The India Gate -- a 42 m high war memorial, The
Rashtrapati Bhawan -- President's House, The tomb of Emperor Humayun,
Qutab Minar -- a 73 m high victory tower and The Bahai Temple -- shaped
like a lotus flower and a proof of India's secularism.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day-03 Drive Delhi - Mandawa
(250 kms / 05 hrs)
Morning after breakfast, drive to Mandawa.
On arrival in Mandawa check in at Hotel Castle Mandawa (best
available hotel). Set in the heart of the Shekhawati
region(often called the largest open air art gallery in the world) of
Rajasthan. Castle Mandawa is an ideal base to discover the legacy of
18th Century frescoes that adorn the Havelies of this storybook town.
With canopied balconies and turreted battlements, the Castle Mandawa
offers modern comforts with an old world charm. The highlight of your
stay is a royal repast where guests dine under
the stars entertained by a Rajasthani
fire dancer. A two hundred and forty year old fortress, which has been
converted by the family into a fine example of traditional hospitality.
From Castle Mandawa you can take a walking tour of the painted 'havelis' of some of the leading business families of the country. Though they no longer live here, the local caretakers are happy to show the visitors around. En-route you can shop for the colorful art and crafts of Rajasthan: tied and dyed textiles, metal handicrafts, carved wooden artifacts and more. You can also get a unique insight to life in the desert by visiting nearby villages on a camel safari.
Overnight at the Hotel.
Day-04 Drive Mandawa - Bikaner (190 kms / 3 ½ hours)
From Castle Mandawa you can take a walking tour of the painted 'havelis' of some of the leading business families of the country. Though they no longer live here, the local caretakers are happy to show the visitors around. En-route you can shop for the colorful art and crafts of Rajasthan: tied and dyed textiles, metal handicrafts, carved wooden artifacts and more. You can also get a unique insight to life in the desert by visiting nearby villages on a camel safari.
Overnight at the Hotel.
Day-04 Drive Mandawa - Bikaner (190 kms / 3 ½ hours)
Morning after breakfast, drive to Bikaner.
Bikaner was founded by Rao Bika, second son of the founder of Jodhpur.
The city figured importantly on the great caravan trade routes. A long
city wall encircles the old city while all important buildings,
including the fort and the palaces, are outside the city walls. The
Ganga Canal, built between 1925 and 1927, brought prosperity to this
otherwise arid desert region.
On arrival in Bikaner check in at the
hotel. Afternoon proceed for half day sightseeing tour of Bikaner
city -- visiting The Junagarh fort which was built in
1588, with several places & temples Lallgarh palace carved from red sand
stone sandstone, Ganga golden jubilee museum & also visit camel breeding
farm.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day-05 Drive Bikaner -
Jaisalmer (330 kms / 7 hrs)
Morning after breakfast, drive to Jaisalmer,
the golden city of Thar Desert was founded in 1156 A.D. by Rawal Jaisal,
the head of Bhati clan of Rajputs. This citadel town blossoms with
intricately carved Havelies & Temples. Placid cows chew cud as life
continues at its own pace in this medieval fortified wonder of the Great
Indian Desert. This town with population of 40,000 is a definite walking
city & will transport you back in time. This town was declared a
national heritage city in 1974 & it is our endeavor to preserve &
protect it for your pleasure. The environs of Jaisalmer are home to many
endangered desert flora & fauna. The great Indian bustard is our prized
resident. "Aakal" Fossil Park is testimony of the antiquity of this
region.
On arrival in Jaisalmer check in at the hotel.
On arrival in Jaisalmer check in at the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day-06 Jaisalmer
Morning after breakfast, proceed for half
day sightseeing tour of Jaisalmer. This desert city is
unlike any city in India. It is also called the Golden City because of
the colour imparted to its stone ramparts by the setting sun. Your tour
of Jaisalmer starts with a visit to the Jaisalmer Fort built in 1156 by
Rawal Jaisal and is situated on the 80m high Trikuta Hill. The fort has
a maze of winding alleys, all of which are paved in stone. Within the
fort walls you will also see a group o beautifully carved Jain temples.
Proceed on to see two of Jaisalmers most famous Havelis Salim Singh ki
Haveli, once the residence of the Prime Minister of the former princely
state of Jaisalmer. Also visit Patron ki Haveli, another of Jaisalmer` s
elaborate residences.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day-07 Drive Jaisalmer -
Jodhpur (290 kms / 06 hrs)
Morning after breakfast, drive to
Jodhpur. Jodhpur is known as the 'blue city' because of its blue houses.
The bustling desert city of Jodhpur stands at the edge of the Thar
Desert and is the second largest city of Rajasthan after Jaipur. The
city is distinguished by a massive fort that tops a sheer rocky ridge
rising in the middle of the town. The old city is still surrounded by a
10 km long wall, built about a century after Jodhpur was founded. Eight
gates lead out of the old city and there are plenty of fascinating walks
through the jumble of winding streets Founded in 1459 by Rao Jodha, the
chief of a Rajput clan known as Rathores, Jodhpur was the capital of the
Rathore kingdom and was called Marwar.
On arrival in Jodhpur check in at the
hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day-08 In Jodhpur
Morning after breakfast, proceed for half
day sightseeing tour of Jodhpur city. Your tour of this
desert city takes you to one of the most imposing Forts -- The
Mehrangarh Fort, with its intricately carved sand stone edifice setting,
seemingly impregnable and built a top a 400 ft high rock. Close to the
Fort is The Jaswant Thada -- the royal crematorium and a cenotaph of the
rulers of Jodhpur built in translucent white marble. Walk through the
local giridkot and The Sardar market, colorful bazaars where one can
shop for textiles, handicrafts and clay figurines.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day-09 Drive Jodhpur -
Udaipur (275 kms / 06 hrs)
Morning after breakfast, drive to Udaipur.
Royal Capital of a divine dynasty, languid lake city or 'city of
sunrise', Udaipur, was founded in 1567 by Maharana Udai Singh, a
descendant of the legendary Sisodias of Mewar. Dotted with marble
palaces, hibiscus - laden gardens and fountain pavilions, Udaipur
appeals to the imagination of poets and painters, travellers and writers
like no other city in the country. The city's inherent romance and
beauty and its remarkable past redolent with episodes of heroism and
splendor, continue to enthrall the visitor even today. Udaipur, the City
of Dawn, looms up like a vision in white. Surrounded by hills and
mountains and set on the edge of three lakes which lead on to a fertile
plain - it is a truly enchanting city. Narrow streets lined with vividly
coloured stalls, gardens, temples and palaces mirrored in the placid
blue waters of lake Pichola, add to the magic of Udaipur.
On arrival in Udaipur check in at the hotel.
On arrival in Udaipur check in at the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day-10 In Udaipur
Morning after breakfast, proceed for half
day sightseeing tour of Udaipur city. One of most
romantic cities of Rajasthan, Udaipur is better known as the city of
lakes. Your tour takes you to City Palace -- towering over the lake,
this is the largest palace complex in Rajasthan, the main part of the
palace is preserved as a museum with a large and varied collection of
glass, porcelain figures and miniature paintings. Located only 150 mts
from the city palace is the famous Jagdish Temple -- which enshrines a
black stone image of Lord Vishnu as Jagannath, Lord of the universe and
Saheliyon ki bari -- or garden of the maids of honour. A small
ornamental garden with fountains, stone elephants and a delightful lotus
pool.
Evening enjoy sunset boat cruise on Lake
Pichola.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day-11 Drive Udaipur -
Pushkar (330 kms /07 hrs)
Morning after breakfast, drive to
Pushkar. Pushkar is a sacred town for the Hindus, situated 11 kms. to
the North-West of Ajmer. The charm of this sleepy, lakeside settlement
so captivated the great Indian poet, Kalidas, that it found a place in
his classic, Abhigyan Sakuntalam. The Great Hindu epics of Mahabharat
and Ramayana make references to this religious place regarded to be Adi
Tiratha. Evidence points to its having existed during the fourth century
B.C. lake in the inhospitable surroundings of a desert is no less than a
miracle.
On arrival in Pushkar check in at the
hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day-12 Drive Pushkar - Jaipur (145
kms /2.5 hrs)
Morning after breakfast, drive to Jaipur. Jaipur
is the capital of Rajasthan, known as the "Pink City" because of the
pink - colored buildings in its old city. It is situated on a dry
lakebed in a somewhat arid landscape, surrounded by barren hills
surmounted by forts and crenellated walls. Founded in 1727 by
Maharaja Jai Singh II, who was careful to cultivate good favour with
the ruling Mughals, he laid out the city with rectangular blocks
according to ancient Hindu architecture. It is a wonderful city for
shopping.
On arrival in Jaipur check in at the hotel.
On arrival in Jaipur check in at the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day-13 In Jaipur
Morning after breakfast, proceed for full day
sightseeing tour of Jaipur -- the pink city takes you to the Hawa
Mahal -- The Palace of Winds, the facade of which is all pink
windows and filigree screens, The Jantar Mantar -- the largest and
best preserved 18th century stone observatory, The City Palace
--still the home of the former royalty H.H Bhawani Singh Ji of
Jaipur housing an extensive collection of art, carpets and old
weapons. Also visit to Amber Fort situated 11 kms away from Jaipur.
Amber was once the ancient capital of Jaipur state. The Fort is a
superb example of Rajput architecture, stunningly situated on a
hillside and overlooking a lake, which reflects it's terraces and
ramparts. The climb to the fort is on gaily-bedecked Elephants.
Overnight at the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day-14 Drive Jaipur - Agra (250
kms /05 hrs)
Morning after breakfast, drive to Agra situated
on the bank of Yamuna River, is home to India's most famous
landmark, the Taj Mahal. Agra was the capital of Mughal Empire in
the 16th & 17th centuries and its superb monuments date from this
era, en-route visiting Fatehpur Sikri, the deserted capital
of Emperor Akbar approximately 35 kms outside Agra. Built in the
16th century, this city was abandoned 12 years later due to a
scarcity of water. The entire city of Red sand stone (sand stone
palaces and temples) is virtually intact and a site worth seeing is
the 54 m high main entrance -- The Buland Darwaza, The gate of
victory constructed to commemorate Akbar's victory in Gujarat.
On arrival in Agra check in at the hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day-15 Drive Agra - Delhi (220 kms/04
hrs) & Depart
Morning after breakfast, proceed for half day
sightseeing tour of Agra city visiting the world famous Taj Mahal,
one of the wonders of the world -- a monument of love created by
Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal and
perhaps the most perfect architectural monument of the world, The
red sand stone fort -- a testament to the rise and fall of the
Mughal empire built by Emperor Akbar in red sand stone over 400
years ago.
Later drive to Delhi airport to board flight for
onward destination.