Rajasthan with Taj Mahal
Places to Visit: Delhi - Mandawa - Gajner - Jaisalmer - Jodhpur - Luni
- Udaipur - Deogarh - Khajrela - Pushkar - Jaipur - Fatehpur Sikri - Agra -
Delhi
Duration: 16 Nights/17 Days
Day
01:Abroad / Delhi
Arrive late night at New Delhi International airport.
Day 02: Delhi
Morning sightseeing tour of
Old Delhi. This morning you will be taken
to visit
Old Delhi - Former centre of Moghul Power, Old Delhi offers
ancient monuments, narrow streets and bustling bazaars. Visit the vast Red Fort,
built in 1648, the Jama Masjid, the greatest mosque in India and completed in
1658 by Shah Jahan who also built the Taj Mahal.
Afternoon sightseeing tour of
New Delhi.
Day 03: Delhi - Mandawa
After breakfast drive to Mandawa ( 280 kms).
Upon arrival check in at Hotel Castle Mandawa. Late afternoon visit the Shekhawati
region. Walk through the Shekhawati region, which was the stronghold of Kayamkhani
Nawabs till 1730. Besides the cenotaphs, wells, forts and temples the majority
of frescoes are painted on the walls and gateways of Havelis. The havelis are
mansion of a unique residential architectural style that evolved around courtyards
to serve the purpose of family security, privacy for the women as also protecting
the inhabitants from the long, harsh summers. The enormous Havelis with fascinating
murals built by the wealthy Rajasthani merchants ("Marwaris") in the
19th century.
Day 04: Mandawa - Bikaner - Gajner
After
breakfast drive to Bikaner (240 kms).
Upon arrival in Bikaner lunch at one of the hotels followed by city tour.
City sightseeing tour of Bikaner, this desert town in the north of the state
was founded in 1488 by Roa Bikaji, a descendant of the founder of Jodhpur, Jodhaji.
Visit the Junagarh Fort constructed between 1588 and 1593 by Raja Jai Singh,
a general in the Moghul Emperor Akbar's army.
After sightseeing drive to Gajner Palace (28 kms / 40 minutes).
Upon arrival check in at Gajner Palace.
Day 05 : Gajner - Jaisalmer
In the morning enjoy the surrounding of Ganjer Palace.
After breakfast, drive to Jaisalmer (260 km).
Upon arrival check-in at hotel.
Jaisalmer - is India's most exotic and unusual town - a medieval looking
place, straight out of the 'Tales of the Arabian Nights'. This beautiful city
is situated inside a huge mud fort and grew as a result of its strategic position
on the trading route between India and Central Asia bringing great wealth to
the city. Jaisalmer is a tiny jewel in the heart of the
Thar Desert -
once the capital of the Bhatti Rajputs. Jaisalmer started as an important caravan
center and remnants of caravan sarais still exist.
Day 06: Jaisalmer
After breakfast, visit this perfect Rajput walled desert city which is like
a golden jewel shimmering above the hard sand. Visit the palaces, the Jain temples
and magnificent Havelis or merchant's houses, each richly decorated and carved
from golden yellow sandstone - Patwon-ki-haveli (House of the Brocade
Merchants)
is the largest and most elaborate of the famous havelis of Jaisalmer. The Nathmalji-ki-haveli
(The Mansion of Nathmalji), the last of the great havelis was built in the late
19th century. End the morning with a visit to
Gadisar Lake - the large
natural oasis that attracted Rawal Jaisal to this site.
sAfternoon, visit the Royal Cenotaphs of the Rawals in Barra bagh where the
rural were cremated. This is also the best place from which to watch the spectacular
desert sunset, and photograph the fort.
Day 07: Jaisalmer - Jodhpur - Luni
After early breakfast, drive to Luni (310 km) enroute visiting Jodhpur city.
City tour of Jodhpur - the largest city in Rajasthan after Jaipur, Jodhpur
stands at the edge of the Thar Desert. It was founded by Rao Jodha. Chief of
the Rajput clan known as Rathores and the Rathore kingdom was once known as
Marwar - the Land of Death. The tour includes Meherangarh Fort - one of the
most impressive & formidable in the whole of fort-studded Rajasthan is situated
on a high natural rock bluff and from which you can look down on the wonderful
panorama of the bustling city below, Jaswant Thada - the Royal Cenotaphs.
Day 08 : Luni - Udaipur
Early morning visit the surrounding villages and witness their daily lifestyle
of living and enjoy cup of tea / coffee with them.
Breakfast at hotel.
Later drive to Udaipur (240 kms).
Upon arrival in Udaipur
Day
09: Udaipur
Morning, city tour of
Udaipur - the romantic Lake City in Southern Rajasthan,
famous for the stunning white marble Palace built on an island in the Lake Pichola.
It was the former Palace of the Maharana and now converted to one of the most
glamorous hotels in India. The tour will cover the magnificent City Palace,
the Jagdish temple, the pleasure gardens and a drive around the other nearby
lakes.
The magnificent City Palace, which is simply enormous - an assemblance of not
one but four separate palaces covering some four acres of area and exceeding
all other palaces for colossal grandeur. Here you will marvel at rooms with
mirrored walls and ivory doors, colored glass windows and inlaid marble balconies;
and the Peacock Courtyard.
Late afternoon, enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Pichola at sunset visiting the Jagmandir
Island - in the middle of the Romantic Lake Pichola. It commands a magnificent
view of the City Palace, Lake Palace and Sajjangarh Fort, on its own island,
and it is where Prince Khurram was given refuge in the 17th century.
Day 10: Udaipur - Deogarh
After breakfast drive to Deoagrh enroute visiting Ranakpur Temples.
Ranakpur temples: A visit to the famous Jain Temple, 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. The tour also includes
visits to two more Jain temples and the Temple of the Sun God with its erotic
sculptures.
Lunch at Maharani Bagh.
Upon arrival in Deogarh
Deogarh
Mahal - built in 1670 A.D., the Mahal stands at a height of 2100 ft. above
sea level with its bold battlements, domed turrets and balconies offering a
commanding view of the surrounding Aravalli mountains and its rugged rock-strewn
countryside dotted by a number of lakes.
Day 11: Deogarh - Khajrela
After breakfast drive to Khajrela (184 kms).
Khajrela seems to rise out of the Narwar plains like a sentinel. A sturdy fort,
it is quite simple and uses very little ornamentation to break the almost forbidding
exterior. The interiors too are simple and neat where the guests can look forward
to genuine Rajput hospitality. In the surrounding area has several interesting
temples, cenotaphs and stepwells and for the more adventurous - camels are available
to explore the countryside and visit Raika and Bisnoi villages.
Day 12 : Khajrela - Pushkar
After breakfast drive to Pushkar (180 kms) enroute visiting the Dargah at Ajmer
Ajmer, is the most sacred of all Muslim places of pilgrimage in India.
Ajmer is a green oasis on the shore of Ana Sagar Lake, hemmed in by barren hills.
Historically, Ajmer has always had great strategic importance. It was founded
in 7th century by Ajaipal Chauhan. He named it Ajaimeru the 'invincible hill'.
The city's Muslim history began when Prithviraj Chau-han lost Ajmer to Sultan
Muhammad Ghori in 1193 A.D. The Persian saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti who came
with Muhammad Ghori from Persia in 1192 settled here. Thus the place where he
was buried is today known as the Dargah Sharif. Construction of the shrine was
completed by Humayun and the gates were added by the Nizam of Hyderabad. Later
Shah Jahan constructed a mosque of white marble, it has 11 arches and a Persian
inscription running the full length of the building.
Pushkar
is a mellow, serene and bewitching little town which attracts those in search
of some respite from the tumult of India. Pushkar is right on the edge of the
desert and is only 11 kms from Ajmer but separated from it by Nag Pahar, the
snake mountain
This traveler-friendly town clings to the side of the small Pushkar Lake with
its many bathing ghats and temples. For Hindus, Puhskar is a very important
pilgrimage centre and you'll see plenty of Sadhus (individuals on a spiritual
search).
Pushkar boasts temples, though few are as ancient as you might expect at such
an important pilgrimage site, since many were deserted by Aurangzeb and subsequently
rebuilt. The most famous is the Brahma Temple, said to be one of the few temples
in the world dedicated to this deity. It's marked by red spire, and over the
entrance gateway is the hans, or goose symbol, of Brahma, who is said to have
personally chosen Pushkar as its site.
Day 13 : Pushkar - Jaipur
After breakfast drive to Jaipur (120 kms / 3 hours).
Afternoon tour of
"Pink City" - Surrounded on three sides by
the rugged Aravali hills, Jaipur is the picturesque capital of Rajasthan. It
takes its name from the prince, soldier and astronomer Jai Singh II who moved
his capital here in 1727. Jaipur is notable for its distinctive pink-orange
coloring. The whole of the old city, including many fine palaces and buildings,
was constructed from solid blocks of Sandstone or faced with the same stone.
But it was only in 1853 that it gained its famous title, the "Pink City"-
it was painted pink for the first time in honour of a visit from Prince Albert.
You will visit the Hawa Mahal and the open air Jantar Mantar Observatory enjoy
a through the colorful bazaar before returning to your hotel.
Day
14 : Jaipur
Tour of the impressive
Amber Fort, situated on a ridge just outside Jaipur
City. At the foot of the hill you will mount your caparisoned elephant for the
slow but steady climb up to the main gate, making your entrance in the time
honoured fashion. The Fort, completed in the early 18th century, took over 100
years to build and now, although deserted, offers a fascinating insight into
the lifestyle of the Moghul ruling families.
Afternoon, enjoy a cycle rickshaw ride through the bustling bazaars. Jaipur
is renowned for textile block printing, blue pottery, carpet weaving, semi-precious
stones and local crafts which still thrive from the day of Maharaja Jai Singh's
patronage when he designed special areas in the city for the 'bandhanas', the
'cheepas' and the 'meenakari' workers.
Day 15 : Jaipur - Fatehpur Sikri - Agra
After breakfast drive to Agra (221 kms) enroute visiting Fatehpur Sikri
Fatehpur Sikri - the impressive sandstone fortress was built in the 16th
century and only occupied for a few years before being abandoned, leaving the
buildings in virtually perfect conditions.
Upon arrival in Agra
Thereafter, visit the
Taj Mahal, the guests will board the 'decorated
tongas' (horse carriage) which will take them to 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. Apart from it's stunning design balance and perfect symmetry,
the Taj is also noted particularly for its elegant domes, intricately carved
screens and some of the best inlay work ever seen.
The guests will remain till late afternoon to witness the pristine Taj Mahal
at sunset, to see this true Wonder of the world in gentle late afternoon light.
Day 16 : Agra - Delhi
Breakfast at hotel. Thereafter, visit the Red Fort.
Red Fort - lies on the bend of the river Yamuna, almost in the heart
of the town. Akbar built it as his citadel over the years 1563-73 in the finest
architectural style. It has imposing gates and walls of red sandstone and a
moat.
Afternoon, drive to Delhi (203 kms/5 hrs).
Upon arrival the guests will be assisted and transferred to airport for flight
back home
Day 17 : Delhi - Abroad
Depart Delhi
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