Rajasthan Heritage Tour

Day 01 : Arrive Delhi
Welcome to India, You will be received and assisted by 1India Travel representative at International or Domestic Airport. Then drive to your hotel with your driver and exclusive car. In the hotel have a brief view about the tour from the representative. Overnight in Hotel.

Day 02 : Delhi – Mandawa (260km)
In the morning after breakfast city tour of India´s bustling capital city, Old and New Delhi present a stunning sights and sounds with the ancient city built by Emperor Shah Jahan the builder of the famous Taj Mahal, and the new garden city built in 1911 by the British. Drive through the old city past the Red Fort and visit the Jama Masjid – the biggest of its kind in India. Here take a walk through the winding streets of the old city to see the life of the people in this part of the world.Later visit the Qutub Minar – the tallest free standing minaret in stone in the world; then onto Humayun’s tomb – the first Mughal construction in India from 1565 AD. Also see the President House (Rashtrapati Bhawan), the India Gate built in the earlier half of the 20th century. Later move by your exclusive vehicle to Mandawa, upon arrival check into your hotel for overnight stay.

Day 03 : Mandawa – Bikaner (180km)
In the morning see this beautiful Heritage village of Shekhawati Region that used to be an important caravanserai of the yesteryears. See the many beautiful Fresco Painted havelis of this quaint little town built by the rich and the famous merchants of the 18th and 19th centuries. These havelis have been painted with activities of daily life and of deities to break the monotony of the desert life. Experience the Rural life of this village of Shekhawati region which consists important villages like Dundlod, Alsisar, Laxmangarh, Fatehpur, Ramgarh, Mahensar, Nawalgarh etc. Then proceed towards Bikaner en route stop at Fatehpur to see the splendid havelis of the local merchants of Shekhawati.Reach Bikaner by lunch time. See the Junagarh Fort, a royal museum that encompasses history of Bikaner from its days of construction that dates back to the 16th century. Later visit the Deshnoke Rat Temple in the Evening, Visit the Karni Mata Rat Temple in Deshnoke, a unique experience. In the evening walk along the busy market area of Bikaner city centre.

Day 04 : Bikaner – Jaisalmer (333km)
After breakfast we set towards our journey to Golden City Jaisalmer. Proceed towards the desert kingdom of Pokaran where the 3rd Mughal emperor, Akbar the Great, was born in 1543 inside the fort. The bazaar in the middle of this village is very colourful and full of local flavours. After lunch continue towards Jaisalmer and arrive by early evening to witness the sunset over the desert with the most imposing edifice of the town behind you at Bada Bagh Cenotaphs. Overnight in Hotel.

Day 05 : Jaisalmer
Morning an exclusive visit of the Jain temples inside the Sonar Kila.. The Jains are a community that respects life and are pure vegetarians by religion. Visit the citadel’s palace that houses a museum with a huge collection of robes and artifacts from the royal family of Jaisalmer. Visit the Patwaon ki haveli with intricately designed latticed windows used by the ladies to view the external world. Also see the Gadisar Lake.Later, we go to Sam or Khuri village. Here we have loads of excitement in store for you. Upon arrival in the village you will be taken to the nearby sunset point on the dunes to see the sunset by camel carts. After the sunset return to the village where you can take a dinner in mud huts or you can come back to the city to have a dinner. Later while you dine listen to the haunted tunes of the desert by the local artists and musicians, A lifetime experience.

Day 06 : Jaisalmer – Jodhpur (280km)
Today we reach Jodhpur the blue city by early afternoon. Post lunch session introduces you to the fabulous spice market of Jodhpur the 2nd largest city in Rajasthan. Walk along the market to feel the odours of the spices filling the air around you. Later visit Mandore the erstwhile capital of the kingdom of Marwar now in ruins. Here see the many cenotaphs of the Rathore dynasty of Marwar and also see the hall of local heroes and gods. On your way back stop by the Umaid Bhawan Palace the present residence of the present monarch of Jodhpur.

Day 07 : Jodhpur – Luni (40km)
After breakfast drive up to the majestic Mehrangarh fort the stronghold of the Rathore princes from 1453AD. We see the superb collection of paintings and arms and ammunitions. The view of the city from the rampart walls is breath taking. Later an hours drive brings us to a totally different world, the world of animals – the black buck, the national pride of India the peacock, rabbits and birds of different varieties. This is Luni – the palace amidst the more rustic life of Rajasthan. After lunch we take you on a safari to discover the hidden beauty of the jungle life. Here you would be visiting the Bishnoi villages. Bishnois are a tribe that respects life in every form – animals, trees and even dead branches. Then we would like you to witness the opium ceremony with the Patels – a rich tribe. It is a ceremony prevalent in this part of Rajasthan where the youth offers opium to drink mixed with water to the elders of the family when they come back from work in the fields.

Day 08 : Luni - Ranakpur - Udaipur (250km)
After breakfast drive up to Romantic City of Lakes - Udaipur, On the way visit Ranakpur a very big pilgrimage centre for the Jains. Just four hours drive from Udaipur is the eternal Jain pilgrimage centre of Ranakpur. Admire the workmanship from the 16th century. The temples are built out of marble and the main shrine of Adinath with 1444 columns is awe inspiring and none of these are similar. Also see the sun temple and the other temples in the campus. Later visit The Kumbhalgarh Fort - the stronghold of the kingdom of Mewar built by Maharana Kumbha in 1453. Visit the palace and see the beautiful mural paintings in the Zenana mahal (ladies quarters). The view from the parapet wall is breath taking and this is where the soldiers used to be stationed to view the advent of the enemies. The fort has 7 gates through which we need to enter to gain access to the palaces. See the temple where Maharana Kumbha was treacherously killed by his own kith and kin during his prayer to win the seat of Mewar. On the way stop by the fields to see the local way of farming and irrigation. Walk into the villages to mingle with the locals around to know more about their lifestyle.Reach Udaipur by late afternoon and check into your hotel.

Day 09 : Udaipur
Visit the City Palace the richest palace museum in the entire Rajasthan. See the Peacock Square and the miniature painting school inside the palace premises. Udaipur has the prestige of housing the best miniature schools in the country under the royal patronage of the king of Udaipur. Later, see the Sahelion ki Bari where Maharana Sangram Singh build this garden complex with fountains and lakes for his beautiful daughter. In the evening we take a lake cruise on the placid waters of Lake Pichhola by sunset and visit the island palace Jagmandir where according to legends the Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan lived and got inspired to build the Taj mahal later. In the evening we have a lake cruise on the Lake Pichhola by sunset.

Day 10 : Udaipur – Chittorgarh – Bijaipur (180km)
After a leisurely start this morning head towards Chittorgarh the former capital of the Maharanas of Mewar. See the Kumbha Palace and the Meera temple dedicated to Lord Krishna. Also see the tower of Victory built by Rana Kumbha in the 15th century after winning a series of battles. Later visit Maharani Padmini’s palace. Proceed towards your hotel in Bijaipur about 30km from the site.

Day 11 : Bijaipur – Pushkar (145km)
Leave Bijaipur, move out for Pushkar, which happens to be the holiest places according to the Hindus as it is considered that Lord Brahma (the Creator) and his wife Saraswati (the godess of learning and music) performed a ritual in the lake. Here we visit the only Brahma temple of the world before intermingling with the local colours in the local bazaar. Pushkar is the world famous for its cattle pushkar fair held each year in the month of October/November. Proceed towards Ajmer. Ajmer is the pious city for the Muslims. Surprisingly both the cities are at distance of 11km from each other. Visit the Durgah built in fond remembrance of Khwaja Muin ud Din Chisti where the Muslim pilgrims from all over India throng during the festival times. Later visit Mughal emperor Akbar’s Palace where his son Jehangir received Sir Thomas Roe to grant him the permission of trade to East India Company with India, that changed the history of India completely and slowly and steadily India became colony of the British Empire. Continue towards Jaipur and reach by late evening and check into hotel.

Day 12 : Pushkar – Jaipur (150km)
After breakfast continue towards Jaipur and reach by lunch-time and check into hotel.After lunch set off to see the Pink city visiting the observatory Jantar Mantar built in 1727 by Sawai Maharaja Jai Singh II who was a mathematician , an astronomer an astrologer and a great musician of his era. He built five observatories throughout India – Jaipur, Ujjain, Varanasi, Mathura and Delhi but only the one at Jaipur is functional. Then visit the City Palace of the Maharaja of Jaipur with a fabulous collection of robes and saris in cotton and silk with gold latticed work. The City Palace houses a collection of paintings also in the painting gallery and of course a collection of arms and ammunitions in the ammunition gallery. Later visit the Birla Temple which is a great piece of work in marble.

Day 13 : Jaipur
Visit the Amber fort in the morning which displays a beautiful mix of Mughal and Rajput styles of architecture.; included an elephant ride at the Amber fort. See the marvelous Sheesh mahal built in the 17th century in a fusion style of Hindu and Islamic art. Also see the hall of public audiences and Maharaja Man Singh’s Palace who had twelve queens. Enroute visit Water Palace which was a resting place for the kings in past. Later visit Galta Sun Temple which is a beautiful place sorrounded by mountains, the temple is also known as Monkey temple, Here you can find a lot of monkeys who are friendly and doesn´t harm. In the evening enjoy a cinema in Asia´s Second Best Cinema - a highly recommended place. Later enjoy a Dinner in a typical Indian Restaurant with Folk Dances by Gypsy women.

Day 14 : Jaipur – Fatehpur Sikri – Agra(232Kms)
Leave Jaipur after breakfast, On the way to Agra visit the ornithological reserve at Bharatpur – Keoladevi National Park. See the varied varieties of birds and animals during your tour inside the park. This is the only National Park where you get to see the rare species of the Siberian Crane during winter season. After lunch continue towards Fatehpur Sikri the Phantom city. Visit this abandoned city built by the Mughal emperor Akbar in the second half of the 16th century. Fatehpur Sikri was built by Akbar after his Hindu wife bore him the long awaited son who was born after the renowned sufi saint Salim Chisti blessed Jodhabai Akbar’s Hindu wife with a son. Also visit Jodhabai’s palace the biggest palace in Fatehpur Sikri even bigger than the emperor’s palace himself as this was the queen who bore him his heir to the throne.Continue towards Agra and reach Agra and then see the Agra Fort built by Akbar where Shahjehan’s own son Aurangzeb imprisoned Shahjahan. Late relax at your hotel or go to the local bazaar to see the lifestyle of the people.

Day 15 : Agra - Delhi(205Km)
Taj Mahal is awaiting your arrival today morning. A must see with the rising sun as the Taj Mahal is bathed in the golden rays of the morning sun. Built by Shah Jahan, the Taj is a white marble memorial that houses the tomb of 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 its 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 anywhere in the world. Then on the way to Delhi, visit Sikandara the tomb of the great emperor Akbar. Upon arrival in Delhi, Before taking your International Flight, You can visit Sikh Temple or you can walk around Cannaught Place, Take a dinner in the restaurants at this center of the city. Late you will transferred to the International airport 3 hours before to board the International flight time for your further journey back to your Country.