Pushkar Camel Fair
Places to Visit: Delhi - Agra - Jaipur - Pushkar - Ranthambhore - Kota
- Bundi - Chittaurgarh - Udaipur - Ranakpur - Jodhpur - Jaisalmer - Bikaner
- Mandawa - Delhi
Duration: 20 Nights/21 Days
Day
01: Arrival at Delhi
Company representatives will receive you on arrival at the international airport
in Delhi late in the evening. Transfer to your hotel. Relax.
DELHI, the capital of kingdoms and empires is now a sprawling metropolis
with a fascinating blend of the past and the present. It is a perfect introduction
to the composite culture of an ancient land. A window to the kaleidoscope -
that is India. Overnight will be at Delhi.
Day 02: Delhi - Agra
Proceed for Agra after breakfast. Reach Agra in the afternoon.
AGRA: Two great Mughal monarchs, Akbar and Shah Jahan, transformed the
little village of Agra into a befitting second capital of the Mughal Empire
- giving it the name Dar-ul-Khilafat {seat of the Emperor}.
TAJ MAHAL: Little needs to be said about this architectural wonder which
is always the soul raison-de-etre for every tourist's visit to Agra. Built by
Shah Jahan, the Taj is a white marble memorial to his beautiful wife Mumtaz
Mahal. This monument took 22 years to be completed and was designed, and planned
by Persian architect Ustad Isa. Overnight will be at Agra.
Day 03: Agra - Jaipur
After breakfast drive to
beautiful Pink City - Jaipur.
Stop at
Fatehpur Sikri. The deserted, red Sandstone City, Emperor Akbar
built that as his capital and palace in the late 16th century is an exhilarating
experience. It a veritable fairytale city and its "ruins" are in pristine
condition ... it's not hard to imagine what the court life must have been like
in the days of it's grandeur. Also visit the Bulund Darwaza, the largest gateway
in the world.
Reach
and check in at hotel.
JAIPUR - The origins of the beautiful city of Jaipur can be traced back
to the eighteenth century, during the reign of Jai Singh II who ascended the
Amber throne in 1699. Jaipur today, epitomizes the spirit of Rajputana. In-spite
of growing into a bustling metropolis, it still retains its character and history
- A beautiful fusion of the yesteryears and modernity. It is popularly known
as the Pink City because of the extensive use of the locally abundant pink plastered
stone, painted so in honor of the visit of the royal consort of Queen Victoria.
Jaipur thrills the soul with its massive forts, magnificent palaces, exquisite
temples and lush gardens.
Spend night at Jaipur.
Day 04: Jaipur
Breakfast will be at hotel.
Proceed for excursion to Amber Fort in the outskirts of Jaipur. Elephant ride
ascent to the fort.
AMBER FORT PALACE - Amber is the classic romantic Rajasthani fort palace.
Its construction was started by Man Singh I in 1592, and completed by his descendent
Jai Singh I. Its forbidding exterior belies an inner paradise where a beautiful
fusion of Mughal and Hindu styles finds i's ultimate expression.
Proceed for sightseeing of the city.
CITY PALACE - A delightful blend of Mughal and traditional Rajasthani
architecture, the City Palace sprawls over one-seventh of the area in the walled
city. It houses the Chandra Mahal, Shri Govind Dev Temple and the City Palace
Museum.
JANTAR MANTAR - This is the largest and the best preserved of the five
observatories built by Jai Singh II in different parts of the country. This
observatory consisting of outsized astronomical instruments is still in use.
HAWA
MAHAL - The ornamental facade of this "Palace of Winds" is a prominent
landmark in Jaipur. It is a five-storey structure of sandstone plastered pink
encrusted with fine trelliswork and elaborate balconies. The palace has 953
niches and windows. Built in 1799 by Pratap Singh, the Mahal was a royal grandstand
for the palace women.
Overnight will be at Jaipur.
Day 05: Jaipur - Pushkar
Proceed for Pushkar after breakfast. Reach Pushkar by noon and relax. Check
in at the SWISS TENTS.
PUSHKAR - Amongst the grandeur of Rajasthan, discover a unique gem -
Pushkar. Lord Brahma - The creator of the world in a search for his abode on
earth, performed the supremely spiritual VEDIC YAGNA at Pushkar. It is thus
the site of the only Brahma Temple in the world. Blessed with cultural blends,
it is the venue for the famous Pushkar Fair, with people coming from all over
Asia to buy and sell cattle of breeds from across the world. The consecrated
mausoleum of Khawaja Moinuddin Chisti at Ajmer attracts pilgrims from all over
the world. A city of Pilgrimage from time immemorial with over 500 temples and
Ghats Pushkar begets a legacy of timeless architectural heritage. Pushkar radiates
an ambience of peace and spirituality that casts a lure to visit again and again.
The Pushkar fair is amongst the largest cattle fairs in the world and amongst
the oldest cities in India, with references in mythology and the Mahabharat.
Day
06: Pushkar
Full day will be spent in PUSHKAR FAIR.
Day 07 Pushkar - Ranthambhore
Visit the
BRAHMA TEMPLE - The only one in the world.
Start early after breakfast for Ranthambhore.
Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve, at the junction of the Aravalis and the Vindhyas,
is a unique example of natural and historical richness, standing out conspicuously
in the vast, arid and denuded tract of eastern Rajasthan, barely 14 kilometers
from Sawai Madhopur. Get in tune with nature for a luxury holiday in the heart
of the jungle. perhaps the best place in the world to sight a tiger in the
wild. has had more Tiger sightings than any other National Park in the country.
It has come to be known as "The land of the Tiger", where most of
the documented footage of this majestic beast has been recorded.
It spreads over a highly undulating topography varying from gentle to steep
slopes; from flat topped hills of the Vindhyas to the conical hillocks and
sharp ridges of the Aravalis, from wide and flat valleys to narrow rocky gorges.
An important geological feature the 'Great Boundary Fault' where the Vindhya
plateaus meet the Aravali hill ranges, meanders through the Reserve. The National
Park is bound by the rivers Chambal in the south and Banas in the north.
Proceed for the afternoon
SAFARI to spot tigers.
Overnight will be at Ranthambhore.
Day 08: Ranthambhore
Enjoy the day at Ranthambhore going out for
JUNGLE SAFARIS into the PARK.
Overnight will be at Ranthambhore.
Day 09: Ranthambhore - Kota
Proceed for the morning SAFARI.
Start
for
KOTA after breakfast.
Rajasthan's largest industrial town situated on the banks of the river Chambal
is well known for its Kota sarees and also for a miniature school of art which
specialized in hunting scenes.
Visit the
CITY PALACE AND FORT - On the banks of the Chambal river close
to the Kota Barrage is the fort and the city palace complex, which houses the
RAO MADHO SINGH MUSEUM containing the relics of the former rulers of Kota.
Overnight will be at Kota.
Day 10: Kota - Bundi - Chittaurgarh
Start for Bundi after breakfast.
36 km from Kota is a tiny picturesque town, Bundi - One of the unexplored
cities with a rich historical wealth. Once a part of Kota, it was ruled by
the Had Chauhans - an offshoot of the famous Chauhan clan who ruled Delhi
and Ajmer. Bundi is surrounded by the Aravalli hills on the three sides and
is circumscribed by a massive wall with four gateways. In 1193 AD when Prithvi
Raj Chauhan was defeated by Sultan Mohammed Ghauri, some Chauhan Nobles seeked
shelter in Mewar and became allies to the Rana while other young warriors
moved towards the Chambal valley and overpowered the Meena and Bhil tribals
thus establishing their own kingdom of Hadoti. Later, two branches of Hadas
formed two separate states of Kota and Bundi, on either side of the River
Chambal. Bundi is surrounded by the Aravalli hills on three sides and is circumscribed
by a massive wall with four gateways.
Visit the TARAGARH or STAR FORT. Perched on a thickly wooded hill is a marvelous
white fort with a huge reservoir that once supplied water to the palace. Built
in 1354 AD the fort is one of the most impressive forts of Rajasthan. This
magnificent edifice is a fine example of the Rajput architecture, housing
some of the superb Bundi murals.
CHATRASAGAR is a fascinating pavilion of a gallery of miniature murals.
Elaborate colorful paintings on the walls depict scenes from the 'Ragamala'
'Raaslila' -- the Radha-Krishna story.
SUKH MAHAL is a magnificent summer palace on the Sukh Sagar Lake amid
the lush surroundings of a beautiful garden. An underground tunnel is believed
to run from the Sukh Mahal to the old palace.
Proceed
to
CHITTAURGARH.
THE EPITOME OF ROMANCE AND VALOUR - The pride and glory of Rajasthan, CHITTAUR
echoes with the tales of romance and valor unique to the Rajput tradition.
This is a ruined citadel, where the royal past lives in its imposing forts,
graceful palaces and spectacular CHATTRIS. This fortified settlement has been
ravaged thrice and each time the outcome was 'JAUHAR' -when women and children
immolated themselves on a huge funeral pyre while men donned in saffron robes
of martyrdom rode out of the fort towards a certain death.
After visiting the FORT proceed to stay at the BIJAIPUR CASTLE SUITE.
Overnight will be at the CASTLE.
Day 11: Bijaipur - Udaipur
Start for Udaipur after breakfast.
Reach and check in at hotel.
The city of Dawn, Udaipur is a lovely land around the azure lake, hemmed
in by the lush hills of the ARAVALLIS. A vision in white drenched in romance
and beauty, Udaipur is a fascinating blend of sights, sound and experiences
and inspiration for the imagination of poets, painters and writers.
Its kaleidoscope of fairy-tale palaces, lakes, temples, gardens and narrow
lanes strewn with stalls, carry the flavor of a heroic past, epitomizing valor
and chivalry. Their reflection in the placid waters of the LAKE PICHOLA is
an enticing sight.
Udaipur is the
jewel of MEWAR -a kingdom ruled by the Sisodia dynasty
for 1200 Years.
Relax
in the evening. Spend night at Udaipur.
Day 12: Udaipur
Breakfast will be at hotel.
Proceed for sightseeing tour of
Udaipur, City Palace. Here you will marvel
at rooms with mirrored walls and ivory doors, colored glass windows and inlaid
marble balconies and the Peacock Courtyard. Also visit the lovely Sahelion-ki-Bari
Gardens, the Jagdish Temple and the local folk Museum.
Proceed for Evening Motor launch cruise on the placid waters of Lake Pichola.
From the boat you will be able to view the city of Udaipur as it rises majestically
above the lake in the middle of the Rajasthan desert. Also visit the Jag Mandir
Palace - the other island palace in the middle of the lake. Spend some time
at the Jag Mandir Palace.
Overnight will be at Udaipur.
Day 13: Udaipur - Jodhpur
Proceed in the morning after a leisurely breakfast and reach Jodhpur.
En-route, visit the
RANAKPUR TEMPLES, dating back to the 15th century.
200 pillars, none of which are alike, support its 29 halls. The Temple abounds
with intricate friezes and sculptures. Includes visits to two more Jain temples
and the Temple of the Sun God with its erotic sculptures.
Set
at the edge of the
Thar Desert, the imperial city of Jodhpur echoes with
tales of antiquity in the emptiness of the desert. Once the capital of the Marwar
state, it was founded in 1459 AD by Rao Jodha-chief of the Rathore clan of Rajputs
who claimed to be descendants of Rama - the epic hero of the Ramayana. The massive
15th century AD Mehrangarh Fort looms on the top of a rocky hill, soaring 125
Mts. Above the plains. The city is encompassed by a high wall -10 km long with
8 gates and innumerable bastions.
Relax in the hotel and visit the museum of
UMAID BHAWAN PALACE. Overnight
will be at Jodhpur.
Day 14: Jodhpur
Morning go for a village safari in the jeep and have a rare glimpse into the
rich culture and true essence of India. Abundant wildlife (game) and memorable
moments of the great desert landscape fascinates one while driving along the
countryside.
Afternoon sightseeing tour of Jodhpur - gateway to the desert beyond, home
of the Rathors of Marwar, visit the Mehrangarh Fort, rising up a hilly scarp,
built on the advice of a hermit, overlooking the city in the image of a long
sentinel. Inside the Fort are a number of palaces added by successive rulers.
In this palace you would see different miniature paintings & cradle room.
After this you would visit Jaswant Thada Memorial.
Overnight will be at Jodhpur.
Day 15: Jodhpur - Jaisalmer
Proceed for Jaisalmer after breakfast.
Rising from the heart of the Thar Desert like a golden mirage is the city
of Jaisalmer. A commanding fort etched in yellow sandstone stands, with its
awesome splendor, dominating the amber-hued city.
The
city has an interesting legend associated with it, according to which, Lord
Krishna-the head of the Yadav Clan, foretold Arjuna that a remote descendent
of the Yadav Clan would build his kingdom atop the Trikuta Hill. His prophecy
was fulfilled in 1156 AD when Rawal Jaisal, a descendent of the Yadav Clan and
a Bhatti Rajput, abandoned his fort at Lodurva and founded a new capital -Jaisalmer,
perched on the Trikuta Hill.
Reach and check in at hotel. Overnight will be at Jaisalmer.
Day 16: Jaisalmer
After a relaxed breakfast proceed for full day sightseeing tour of
The Golden
City - Jaisalmer. It is in the heart of the Great Indian Desert. Its temple,
fort and palaces are all built of yellow stone. The city is a mass of intricately
carved buildings, facades and elaborate balconies. Visit the
JAISALMER FORT
- The oldest living Fort in the world. (This is the highlight of the tour)
See the Patwon-Ki-Havelies, Salim-Singh-Ki-Haveli and Gandhi Sagar Tank. Also
visit Barabagh Hill. In the afternoon, proceed to the SAM SAND DUNES for visiting
the typical Rajasthani Desert Village. View the sunset from the dunes, as
the sky is set on fire. Return to the village for dinner amidst Rajasthani
musicians playing haunting tunes.
Stay overnight at the SWISS TENT CAMP.
Day 17: Jaisalmer to Bikaner
Breakfast will be at the camp. Proceed to Bikaner.
Check in at hotel.
BIKANER
- The royal fortified city with a timeless appeal. Lying in the north of the
Desert State, the city is dotted with many sand dunes. Bikaner retains the medieval
splendor that pervades the city's lifestyle.
More popularly called the camel country, the city is renowned for the best riding
camels in the world. The ship of the desert is an inseparable part of life here.
Be it pulling heavy carts, transporting grains or working on wells, camels are
the prime helpers. The wells of Bikaner - an important source of water are other
attractions of the city. These are built on high plinths with slender minareted
towers on each of the Four Corners and can be noticed even from a distance.
Relax in the evening. Overnight will be at Bikaner.
Day 18: Bikaner - Mandawa
Breakfast will be at hotel. Proceed for sightseeing tour of Bikaner.
The medieval Fort of Mandawa gradually rises on the horizon like a mirage.
A breathtaking view of the town can be seen from the terrace of Castle Mandawa.
Precious collection of arms with jade handles, traditional ceremonial costumes
can be seen at the Museum at the Castle. The havelies worth a visit are Chokhani,
Saraf, Goenka and Ladia in this town. It was built in 1775 by Thakur Nawal
Singh, descendant of Rao Shekhaji, who also founded the city of Nawalgarh.
The Castle, now a 51 rooms hotel has no two rooms alike. It also houses an
interesting collection of paintings, jade, costumes and antiques. The courtyard
and the terrace come to live during evenings with candle-lit dinners and fire-dances
during the season. It is a two hundred and forty year old fortress, which
has been converted by the family into a fine example of traditional hospitality.
Reach and check in at hotel. Overnight will be at Mandawa.
Day
19: Mandawa - Delhi
Breakfast will be at the hotel.
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. Chowkhani Haveli, Gulab Rai Ladia Haveli,
Lakshminarayan Ladia Haveli, Mohahanlal Saraf Haveli and Bhagchandika Haveli
are of special interest. Spend the major part of the day looking into frescoes.
Also visit Mahensar and Dundlod meeting the local village chief. Leave for
Delhi and reach by evening. Overnight will be at Delhi.
Day 20: Delhi
Proceed for a full day tour of Old & New Delhi after breakfast.
OLD DELHI - A sightseeing tour of Old Delhi would entail visiting the Raj
Ghat - the memorial site where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated; Jama Masjid -
the largest mosque in India and the Red Fort - once the most opulent fort
and palace of the Moghul Empire.
Enjoy the Cycle rickshaw ride from Jama Masjid to Chandni Chowk.
Day 21: Delhi - Home
Breakfast will be at hotel. Day will be free to explore the city and finish
last minute shopping.
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