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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. |
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Day 01
Arrival Delhi:
Met on arrival by representative. Traditional welcome
with garlanding and transfer to the hotel. Overnight
stay at the hotel.
Day 02
Delhi / Agra (200 Kms - 04 hrs):
After a morning at leisure we drive to the city of Taj,
Agra, stopping enroute at a good restaurant for
refreshment. We arrive by evening and check inn to the
hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight stay at the
hotel.
Day 03
In Agra:
After enjoying a hearty breakfast at the hotel we leave
to explore the monumental heritage of the Great Mughals,
including the magnificent Taj Mahal, 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.
Post lunch tour of the imposing Agra Fort, built of red
sandstone and marble is a hilltop citadel with fabulous
courtyards, fountains and gates.Overnight stay at the
hotel.
Day 04
Agra / Jaipur (250 Kms - 05 hrs):
After breakfast we leisurely drive to Jaipur - the
fabled "pink city" of the desert named after Jai Singh,
the former Maharaja of Jaipur. The palaces and forts of
the yesteryears, which were witnesses to the royal
processions and splendors, are now living monuments.
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. In
the afternoon continue to the 'Pink City' of Jaipur,
arrive and check inn to the hotel.
This will be a cultural evening, we visit Chokhi Dhani -
An ethnic village resort, the vitality of Rajasthani
folk culture comes alive as children dance rhythmically
to the loud tenor of folk songs sung by men and women,
festooned in bright clothes. Gaily caparisoned camel,
horses and bullock carts offer joy rides. A traditional
Rajasthani dinner will be served. Overnight stay at the
hotel.
Day 05
In Jaipur:
After enjoying a hearty breakfast at the hotel we visit
the dramatic hilltop Fortress at Amber - ascend the
imposing fort on a painted elephant. We wander among
glittering inlays and the Hall of Mirrors.
We stop to view the elegant Hawa Mahal (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 tour of 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 costumes. Later we visit
the unique Jantar Mantar Observatory - situated in the
heart of the city where time has been accurately
measured since the 17th century. Overnight stay at the
hotel.
Day 06
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 enroute visiting
Mandawa - often called the 'open air art gallery of
Rajasthan', the region is famous for the high quality
frescoes.
Arrive Bikaner and transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay
at the hotel.
Day 07
Bikaner / Jaisalmer (333 Kms - 06/07 hrs):
Breakfast at the hotel, followed by visit to the unusual
Junagarh Fort - 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 - is one of the
last princely bastions in the region, founded on the
crossroads of lucrative trade routes. On arrival check
inn to the hotel. Rest of the day will be at leisure.
Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 08
In Jaisalmer:
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 we enjoy Camel Ride by the sand dunes. Overnight
stay at the hotel.
Day 09
Jaisalmer / Jodhpur (308 Kms - 06 hrs):
After breakfast we leave for 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. On arrival check
inn to the hotel. Rest of the day free at leisure.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 10
In Jodhpur:
After breakfast at the hotel we will visit the majestic
Mehrangarh Fort, which dominates and offers spectacular
vistas of the blue-hued city.
Post lunch tour of Jaswant Thada - white marble
mausoleum built in 1899 in the memory of Maharaja
Jaswant Singh and visit the Museum in the gardens of
Umaid. 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 / Udaipur (260 Kms - 5.5 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.
We arrive Udaipur and check inn to the hotel. Rest of
the day at leisure. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 12
In Udaipur:
Breakfast at
the hotel, followed by an excursion to the famous temple
complex of Eklingji & Nagda, which enshrines the deity
of the Maharanas of Mewar. Spend the rest of the day
exploring this charming lake city by car.
This evening we take a cruise on Lake Pichola to visit
the Jag Mandir Palace - built in the 15th century as a
pleasure palace for royal parties and functions.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 13
In 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 the Jagdish temple on the shores of
Lake Pichola. The Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandir is a treasure
house of Rajasthani folk culture. The breathtaking
beauty of the Lakes - Pichola and Fateh Sagar truly make
Udaipur an oasis in the desert. Return to the hotel
after city drive. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 14
Udaipur / Delhi (By flight):
Morning we fly back to Delhi and check inn to our hotel.
Rest of the day is free for personal activities.
Evening transfer to the international airport to Board
your homeward flight or connect to your onward
destination. |
