|
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 at
Delhi.
Day 02: Delhi -
Mathura - Vrindaban - Agra
Book
this Tour
Proceed for Agra after breakfast. Visit
Mathura and Vrindaban - LORD KRISHNA'S ABODE.
Take a round of the ASHRAMS and TEMPLES. Have
lunch and proceed to Agra.Reach Agra in the
evening.
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}. Today a visitor to Agra is caught up
in a world of contrasting edifices, of red
sandstone and white marble, narrow galleys and
quaint buggies, and that irresistible charm
that this favorite city of the Mughals still
retains. It is not surprising, that modern
Agra still reflects its Mughal heritage most
conspicuously. A walk down the narrow bustling
streets of the city will introduce the visitor
to the wafting aroma of Mughlai cuisine.Check
in at hotel and relax. Overnight at Agra.
Day 03: Agra
After breakfast proceed to visit Taj. Enjoy
battery van ride to the Taj.
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. Proceed for
sightseeing to the AGRA FORT - Built by the
famed Mughal emperor Akbar in 1565 AD, the
fort is predominantly of red sandstone.
Ensconced within is the picture perfect Pearl
Mosque, which is a major tourist attraction.
Visit Itmadullah's Tomb built by Empress NOOR
JEHAN in memory of her father (The interiors
of which are considered better than the Taj).
Overnight at Agra.
Day 04: 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 it's character
and history - A beautiful fusion of the
yesteryears and modernity. 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.
Overnight at Jaipur.
Day 05: Jaipur
Breakfast 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. It's forbidding exterior belies an
inner paradise where a beautiful fusion of
Mughal and Hindu styles finds it'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. Its 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. Visit a rug factory and see the ladies
at the intricate work or a gem factory and see
the gem cutting and polishing
process.Overnight at Jaipur.
Day 06: Jaipur -
Pushkar
Proceed for Pushkar after breakfast. Reach
Pushkar by noon and relax. Check in at PUSHKAR
PALACE.
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. There are 52
bathing Ghats, which are linked to the lunar
calendar, enclose the lake. Each Ghat has its
own miraculous qualities and powers of healing
and this city of temples has over 500 temples
built over different eras with varied
architectural styles. The rose garden of
Rajasthan - the essence of the famous Pushkar
rose is exported the world over. Pushkar has
the most varied terrain in Rajasthan with
sand, rock, hills, and proximity to a number
of heritage properties in the area and a
number of fairs and festivals - especially on
the new and full moon days. Visit the
mausoleum, Anasagar and Akbar's Palace.
Overnight at hotel.
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. Ranthambhore - perhaps the best
place in the world to sight a tiger in the
wild. The Ranthambhore National Park 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 at Ranthambhore.
Day 08: Ranthambhore
Full day (two private safaris) at Ranthambhore.Overnight
at Ranthambhore.
Day 09: Ranthambhore -
Kota
Proceed for the morning SAFARI. Breakfast at
hotel. Start for KOTA.
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.
JAGMANDIR - in the island in
Kishore Sagar Lake was built by one of the
queens of Kota. You will take a paddleboat and
roam around the same for a spiritual
experience.Also visit the Govt. Museum and the
famous gardens of Chambal and Chatter Bilas.Overnight
at Kota.
Day 10: Kota - Bundi -
Chittaurgarh
Book this Tour
Breakfast at hotel. Start for Bundi.
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
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. Overnight
at Udaipur.
Day 12: Udaipur
Breakfast at hotel.
Proceed for sightseeing tour
of Udaipur, stopping first at 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 he 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 at Udaipur.
Day 13: Udaipur -
Kumbhalgarh
After breakfast drive to Kumbhalgarh.
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.Reach
Kumbhalgarh.
Cradled in the cluster of
thirteen mountain peaks of the Aravalli
ranges, the formidable medieval citadel-
Kumbalgarh stands a wary sentinel to the past
glory. Rising from a prominent ridge, 1914
metres high from the sea level, the fort was
built in 15th century AD by Maharana Kumbha
(1419-63 AD) and is the principal
fortification after Chittaurgarh, lying 90 km
north-west of Udaipur.
The massive fort,
encompassed by a 36-km long wall, has seven
majestic gates and seven ramparts, one within
the other. Rounded bastions and high
watchtowers strengthen the crenellated walls
of the fort making it an impregnable
structure.Stay overnight at the AODHI HOTEL of
KUMBHALGARH.
Day 14: Kumbhalgarh -
Jodhpur
Proceed in the morning after a leisurely
breakfast and reach Jodhpur.
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 at Jodhpur.
Day 15: 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 at Jodhpur.
Day 16: Jodhpur -
Jaisalmer
Proceed for Jaisalmer. 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 at Jaisalmer.
Day 17: 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 18: Safari
Breakfast at the camp. Start for JHAMBA CAMPS
through the desert in the jeeps. Reach in the
afternoon and overnight on camp.
Day 19: Safari to
Bikaner
Breakfast at the camp. Continue with the
safari and reach Bikaner via NAGAUR.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 at Bikaner.
Day 20: Bikaner -
Mandawa
Breakfast at hotel. Proceed for sightseeing
tour of Bikaner.
Rao Bikaji, a descendant of
Jodhaji - the founder of Jodhpur, founded this
desert town in the North of the state in 1488.
Visit the Junagarh Fort, constructed between
1588 and 1593 by Raja Jai Singh, a general in
the Moghul Emperor Akbar's army. The city is
also called the "Camel Country". Visit the
camel-breeding farm - the only one in Asia.
Visit the KARNI MATA TEMPLE.Proceed for
Mandawa. 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. 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. A two hundred
and forty year old fortess, that has been
converted by the family into a fine example of
traditional hospitality.
Reach and check in at hotel.
Overnight at Mandawa.
Day 21: Mandawa -
Delhi
Book
this Tour
Breakfast at 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. Reach by
evening. Overnight at Delhi.
Day 22: Delhi
Breakfast at Delhi. Proceed for a full day
tour of Old & New Delhi.
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.Cycle rickshaw ride from Jama Masjid to
Chandni Chowk.
NEW DELHI - An extensive
sightseeing tour of New Delhi would include a
visit to the Humayun's Tomb, the Qutub Minar,
a drive along the ceremonial avenue - Rajpath,
past the imposing India Gate, Parliament
House, the President's Residence and would end
with a drive through the Diplomatic
Enclave.Relax in the evening. Overnight at
Delhi.
Day 23: Delhi - Home
Breakfast at hotel. Day free to explore the
city and finish last minute shopping. Proceed
for the DANCES OF INDIA SHOW in the evening at
1800 hr after checking out of the hotel. After
the show you will have FAREWELL DINNER before
reaching the airport for flight home with
sweet memories of India. |