Rajasthan Tours
Duration: 18
Days / 17 Nights
Destinations Covered: Delhi - Mandawa -
Bikaner - Pokaran - Jaisalmer - Jodhpur - Luni -
Ranakpur - Kumbhalgarh - Udaipur - Pushkar - Jaipur -
Amber Fort - Fatehpur Sikri - Agra - Gwalior - Orchha -
Khajuraho - (Flight) - Varanasi - (Flight) - Delhi |
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 Housr(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)
Early Morning drive to Jodhpur the blue city, In the
evening visit the Umaid Bhawan Palace, the present residence
of the king of Jodhpur. Retire to your hotel and relax.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.
Day 07 : Jodhpur
After breakfast, Visit 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.
Going down from the forrt visit Jaswant Thada. Later 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. They are vegetarians and
even in the villages they protect the animal life and don’t
let anybody practice hunting in the vicinity of their
villages. They live in a joint family system where the oldest
member is generally the head of the family. Then we would like
you to witness the opium ceremony with the Patels – a rich
tribe. It is a ceremony prevelant 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 : Jodhpur - Ranakpur - Udaipur (275km)
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.
Day 10 : Udaipur – Pushkar (275km)
Leave Udaipur and reach the temples of Nagda and
Eklingji.The temple at Eklingji is a temple that belongs to
the Maharana of Mewar (royal family) and he is often there to
pray. The temple complex of Nagda is a group of temples of
which only two remain intact and those are that of Saas and
Bahu. Both the temples, of Shiva and of Vishnu, are from the
7th century. Pushkar 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 11 : 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 12 : 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 13 : 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 14 : Agra - Orchha (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. On the way, visit
Gwalior- the erstwhile stronghold of the Scindia rulers, In
Gwalior take a visit to the fort, Scindia Palace and the tombs
of Ghaus Mohammed and Tansen. Other places to see in Gwalior
are Gurjari Mahal - The palace of the Gurjar queen Mrignayani,
Teli ka mandir, the Saas bahu ka mandir inside the fort. On
the way also visit the Datia Palace of the Bundela Kings.
Evening time arrive to Orchha, Rest of the time for leisure.
Day 15 : Orchha - Khajuraho (182Km)
Today we board our car to proceed towards Orchcha via
Datia and visit the palace of the Bundela kings. Datia and
Orchha are two twin cities from the medieval times. In these
villages time has stopped. And you feel the timelessness of
this spot. Orchha is a medieval city founded by Bundela rulers
with palaces and temples of the 16th and 17th century – which
have remarkably withstood the onslaught of time. The river
Betwa picturesquely flanks the city. In Orchha, see the
beautiful Palace Complex – Jahangiri Mahal and the Raja Mahal.
Closely study the intricacies of the mural paintings in the
Raja Mahal and visit the Laxminarayana Temple. Post lunch
continue towards Khajuraho about 182 km away by road. In the
evening, You can take a dinner in a restaurant having typical
Indian Dance shows in Khajuraho.
Day 16 : Khajuraho – Varanasi ( By flight )
Morning sight seeing shows us the temples built during the
9th to the 11th centuries by the powerful dynasty of Chandela
rajputs. The temples with their erotic sculptures are a feast
to the eyes. The Chandelas built 85 temples in all but today
only 20 temples stand intact. Visit the eastern and western
group of temples before being transferred to the airport to
catch your flight to Varanasi. (1525hrs), Upon your arrival
(1605hrs) in Varanasi transfer to your hotel. Rest of the day
is free.
Day 17 : Varanasi
Early in the morning (0500hrs) we take you to banks of the
river Ganges where we board a boat to see the morning
ablutions of the Hindus from the security of our boat. The
boat ride starts from Dasashwamedh Ghat and ends at
Manikarnika Ghat along the sacred Ganges, You can visit Assi
Ghat, Dasaswamedh Ghat, Harish Chandra Ghat, Manikarnika Ghat,
Tulsi Ghat. See the Kashi Vishwanath temple and the Gyanvyapi
kund and the mosque attached to it. Also visit the Benares
Hindu University the largest residential university in India
with more than 3000 residential students. Return to your hotel
for breakfast. Later visit Sarnath the sacred city for the
Buddhist all over the world. It was here that Lord Buddha
preached his first sermon to his first five disciples. Also
worth visiting is the museum with artifacts dating back to 3rd
century BC. Visit the nearby ruins of the ancient seat of
learning in Sarnath. Overnight in Hotel.
Day 18 : Varanasi - Delhi (By Flight)
In the morning, take a leisurely breakfast, Later take a
flight to Delhi, Upon Arrival in Delhi, You will be recieved
by Driver. 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.

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