Duration : 14 Nights / 15 Days
Destinations Covered : Delhi - Agra - Sariska - Jaipur - Mandawa -
Bikaner - Nagaur - Jodhpur - Ranakpur - Kumbalgarh - Udaipur - Mumbai
Day
01: Arrival Delhi Met upon arrival and assisted transfer to the
Hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 02: In Delhi
Enjoy full day sightseeing of Delhi. Overnight at the hotel.
Old
Delhi pulses with the energy and colour, the hustle and bustle of
thronged bazaars and is laced by a maze of narrow lanes, which twist and
turn between tall, leaning houses full of the sights, sounds and aromas of
the Indian sub-continent. In Old Delhi you will see the famous Red Fort
surrounded by shops, and bazaars (built by the Emperor Shah Jehan - the
builder of Taj Mahal), the Jama Masjid mosque with its tapering minarets and
wonderful marble domes, Chandni Chowk (Old Delhi's business nerve center),
the hustle-bustle of everyday Indian life all around you and chattering
voices.
As a complete contrast,
New Delhi stands in formal
splendour, like a lone sentry guarding an outpost of a long-gone empire. It
is a city of wide boulevards, which offers ever changing perspectives of
Lutyen's landscaped city. It is a city rich with formal parks and you will
see the magnificent Parliament Building and the Rashtrapati Bhawan (the
official residence of the President of India in the 330 acres of land and
designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens), once the awe-inspiring residence of the
British Viceroys and now the Presidential Palace, the Raj Ghat (cremation
site of Mahatma Gandhi), India Gate (a majestic 42 mts high arch, built as a
memorial to the Indian Soldiers killed in World War I), Qutab Minar (the
72.5 mts high tower dating back to 13th century and one of the greatest
bequests of Islamic Culture), Humanyun's Tomb (built in the 16th century and
architecturally the fore runner of the Taj Mahal, has Mughal Architecture at
its graceful best) and the Birla Mandir (a large Hindu Temple built in
1938).
Day 03: Delhi - Agra Depart by
surface to Agra (approx 200 kms - 4 hrs driving time) via Sikandra.
Afternoon enjoy sightseeing tour of the city including a visit to the Taj
Mahal, the Red Fort and the Tomb of Itamud-ud-daula. Overnight at the hotel.
Agra The Taj Mahal truly is one of the
wonders of the world. The Taj Mahal is a monument of love built by the
Mughal Emperor Shahjehan in 1630 for his Queen Mumtaz Mahal to enshrine her
mortal remains. For twenty-two years 20,000 men laboured day and night to
build this masterpiece, which has held the world awe struck ever since. Shah
Jehan was imprisoned by his son in the magnificent fort at Agra. Here you
will see the art and crafting of the white marble that has made the area so
famous, the Pearl Mosque, the halls of Public and Private Audience, and
finally the tomb of Itmad-ud-daula built by the Empress Noorjehan in the
memory of her father.
Day 04: Agra - Sariska Morning
drive to Sariska (approx 189 kms - 5 hrs driving time) via Fatehpur Sikri.
Overnight at the hotel.
Fatehpur Sikri
Visit the deserted Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri, which was built by Emperor
Akbar in 1569 and abandoned after fifteen years due to scarcity of water.
See the graceful buildings including the Jama Masjid, the Tomb of Salim
Chishti, the Panch Mahal & the other palaces.
Day
05: Sariska - Jaipur Morning enjoy Game drive in Sariska.
Amber
Fort Amber, built by Man Singh, embodies the Rajput belief that the
fort symbolises the strength of the King. Its commanding view, sheer walls
and rock face, and the curved route that leads to the palaces within, all
point to concern with security and defence. The fort is mirrored in Maota
Lake, which stands adjacent to the Dilaram Garden. The private apartments
begun by Man Singh in the 17th century combine Hindu and Mughal styles and
the Sheesh Mahal (Hall of Mirrors), its walls covered with tiny mirrors,
becomes a dazzling fantasy with the light of a single match. Visit the Jag
Mandir or the Hall of Victory, glittering with mirrors, Jai Mahal and the
Kali Temple.
Day 06: In Jaipur Enjoy
full day sightseeing of Jaipur city. Overnight at the hotel.
Jaipur - city sightseeing Jaipur is blessed with a wealth of
wonders. Here you will see the Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds) with its
incredible facade of balconies and pierced screens, the Jantar Mantar (the
Observatory), and the Maharaja's City Palace. Jaipur is a city of pink, and
you will be enchanted by the light playing upon the buildings, creating
shadows and highlighting every nuance of the architecture.
Day
07: Jaipur - Mandawa Morning drive to Mandawa via Nawalgarh. Rest
of the day at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.
Day
08 : Mandawa - Bikaner Drive to Bikaner in the morning via Fatehpur
Day 09 : In Bikaner Enjoy full day city
sightseeing tour. Overnight at the hotel.
Bikaner
The fortified city of Bikaner is encircled by imposing battlements
and stands on a slight eminence. Its roads undulate through colourful
bazaars and the predominant hue of the buildings is the strong reddish pink
of local sandstone. Junagarh Fort was built by Raja Rai Singh, an
outstanding general of Mughal Emperor, Akbar. It is encircled by a moat and
contains palaces made of red sandstone and marble with kiosks and balconies
embellishing the structure at intervals. Karni Mata Temple at Deshnok is
dedicated to Karni Mata, a mystic. Legend goes that she foretold the victory
of success of Rao Bika and the prophecy came true. Today along with her,
thousands of rats are revered here. The strange mode of worship owes to the
belief, that the souls of her devotees are housed in these rats, and
consequently they must be protected and well fed.
Day
10 : Bikaner - Nagaur - Jodhpur Morning drive to Nagaur via
Deshnok. Proceed to Jodhpur after lunch at Nagaur. Overnight at the hotel.
Karni Mata Temple at Deshnok is dedicated to
Karni Mata, a mystic. Legend goes that she foretold the victory of success
of Rao Bika and the prophecy came true. Today along with her, thousands of
rats are revered here. The strange mode of worship owes to the belief, that
the souls of her devotees are housed in these rats, and consequently they
must be protected and well fed. Nagaur The dull stretch of desert is
enlivened by Nagaur's fort, palace and the mosque (built by Akbar). A very
popular cattle fare is held just outside the town during which there are
camel races, cockfights, folk dances and puppet shows.
Day 11: In Jodhpur Full day enjoy sightseeing tour of Jodhpur city.
Overnight at the hotel. Jodhpur Visit the Mehrangarh Fort, founded by Rao
Jodha in 1459 when he shifted his capital here from nearby Mandore. There
are Palaces, housed within this daunting structure; among them are Moti
Mahal and Phool Mahal. Jaswant Thada, constructed out of thin sheets of
marble, which allow the sun to filter in, was built in the memory of
Maharaja Jaswant Singh II, in 1899.
Day 12:
Jodhpur - Ranakpur - Kumbalgarh Morning drive to Kumbalgarh enroute
visiting Ranakpur Jain Temples.
Ranakpur:
Though over 500 years old, the temples here are superbly preserved in a
near-perfect condition. In the centre is the main temple dedicated to
Tirthankara Rishabdeo with a Chaumukha or four faced shrine dedicated to
Adinath. The most distinctive features are the 29 halls of the temple, which
contain 1,444 pillars of which no two are exactly alike.
Day
13: Kumbalgarh - Udaipur Proceed to Udaipur in the morning after
visiting the Fort. Afternoon visit Monsoon palace. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 14: In Udaipur Morning enjoy a
sightseeing tour of Udaipur city. Afternoon enjoy boat ride on Lake Pichola.
Overnight at the Hotel.
Udaipur Udaipur,
the enchanting City of Dawn, looms up like a vision in white. City Palace
was built in 1725, and has various palaces inside such as Dilkush Mahal,
Sheesh Mahal, Moti Mahal, the Palace of Krishna etc, all ornately decorated.
Saheliyon Ki Bari - this 'Garden of Maids of Honour' is a small ornamental
pleasure garden, contains an elegant lotus pool, gushing fountains,
beautiful black marble kiosks on the corners of the pool and stunning
bougainvilleas covering the wall of the enclosures. Shilpgram situated on
the outskirts of Udaipur, the Shilpgram is a crafts and performing arts
centre and houses various craftsmen from different states who display live
their crafts and products for the benefit of the visitors.
Day
15: Departure Udaipur - Mumbai Morning assisted transfer to airport
in time to connect your flight to Mumbai (formerly known as Bombay). Upon
arrival met and transferred to hotel. Afternoon enjoy guided city
sightseeing tour. Evening enjoy farewell dinner. Transfer to International
airport in time to connect your flight for onward destination.
Cities
in Rajasthan
