Day 01: Arrive Delhi
Arrive Delhi You will be met by our representative at the arrivals lounge & escorted till your check in at Hotel. Delhi, the Empress of Indian cities has a fascinating history and a stimulating present. She has often been sacked and left naked and desolate. But she could not be despoiled of the incomparable situation that marks her for the metropolis of a Great Empire. The capital of India, Delhi has been the seat of power of a number of dynasties – the Rajputs, the Afghans, the Turks and the Mughals who continued their imperial line until the British. Scattered over are surviving ruins, remnants of mighty edifices, tombs of warriors and saints, which in an impressive sense of magnificence are memorials not of a single city but of supplanted nations. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 02: In Delhi
Morning full day sightseeing tour of Old and New Delhi. New Delhi, the new capital designed by Sir Edward Lutyens. Drive past the Presidential Palace, the Rashtrapati Bhavan and the secretariat buildings - the centre of all government activity and down the main avenue, the impressive Rajpath to the World War I memorial arch, the India Gate, the High Court Building and the Old Fort. Visit Humayun’s Tomb built in 1565 AD by his grieving widow Haji Begum, the Qutub Minar, 72 metres high and the ruins of Quwat-ul-Eslam (Light of Islam) Mosque. See Delhi’s most curious antique, the uncorroded Iron Pillar, which dates back to the 4th century AD. Visit the Birla (Laxmi Narayan) Temple, with its many idols & Bahai Temple. Old Delhi, drive Past the Red Fort, the 300-year-old walled city built by Emperor Shah Jehan in 1648 as his capital and named after him. The magnificent Red Fort built of red sandstone dates from the very peak of the Mughal power, Opposite the fort are the black and white onion dome and minarets of the Jama Masjid, the most elegant mosque in India. Drive past Kotla Firoze Shah, ruins of an old fort of the 14th century with the 13 metre high Ashoka Pillar of 3rd BC. Visit Raj Ghat, where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated in 1948. Drive through the old city subject to traffic restrictions. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 03: Delhi-Mandawa
Morning after breakfast leave Delhi for Mandawa. ( 280 Kms or 06-07 Hours Drive) The town of Mandawa emerges like a mirage. A medieval fort (dated around 1750) gradually rises on the horizon. The Mandawa bazaar has many painted houses, parts of which have now been turned into curio shops. The havelis of the Chokanis, the Goenkas and the Sarafs have extravagantly painted frescos. On arrival transfer & check in at hotel Castle Mandawa. Afternoon a walking tour of Mandawa Village. Overnight at hotel.
Day 04: Mandawa-Bikaner
Morning after breakfast leave Mandawa for Bikaner. ( 200 Kms or 04-05 Hours Drive). Bikaner is a medieval flavoured city set along the old caravan route, which linked Central Asia & North India with the Gujarat seaports. Bikaner takes its name from Rao Bikaji, the sixth son of Rathore+31jput Prince Rao Jodha, the founder of Jodhpur. Bhika set up his independent kingdom in 1488. Charming red stone havelis (mansions) (unlike the gold sand stone one’s of Jaisalmer) stand in the old part of this walled city and a leisurely lifestyle still prevails in this sublimely picturesque place surrounded by harsh desert. Afternoon sightseeing tour of Bikaner. Visit the Junagarh Fort, one of the finest of Rajput monuments. Paved courtyards, narrow staircases and terraces in this Rathor stronghold connect all thirty-seven palaces, pavilions and beautiful Jain temples built by different kings. One must take particular note of the designed ceilings of the various homes in this region done either in wood, or copper plates, which are then covered with intricate painting work. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 05: Bikaner-Jaisalmer
Morning after breakfast leave Bikaner for Jaisalmer enroute visit the Rat Temple at Deshnok. ( 330Kms & 07 Hours Drive). Deshnok is a village 30km south of Bikaner along the Jodhpur road. A visit to Deshnok's fascinating temple of Karni Mata, an incarnation of Durga, is not far for squeamish. Here the holy rodents are considered to be incarnations of the storytellers and run riot over the temple complex.Karni Mata lived in the 14th century and performed many miracles during her lifetime. When her youngest son, Lakhan, drowned, Karni Mata ordered Yama, the god of Death, to bring him back to life. Yama replied that he was unable to do this, but that Karni Mata is an incarnation of Durga, could restore Lakhan's life. This she did, and decreed that members of her family would no longer die, but would beincarnated as kabas (rats), and these kabas would returns as members of her family. There are around 600 families in Deshnok who claim both decent from Karni Mata and that they will be reincarnated as Kabas. On arrival transfer & check in at Hotel.
Day 06: In Jaisalmer
Morning proceed for Half -day city tour of Jaisalmer. Visit the silent 12th century Fort built by Prince Jaisal and the Palace. The uniqueness of this fort is that it is the only ‘living fort’ only fort in Rajasthan – people still reside within the fort walls. The fort stands at the highest point (100 meters) above the marketplace. Also visit the Jain Temples (12th-15th century), which lie within the fort complex. Some of them have quaint but impressive figures of Jain saints of white marble and of red and black stone. Others have beautiful images of deities, which indicate the remarkable religious tolerance of that age. The famous art of the stone carvers of Jaisalmer is evident in the elaborate facades of the yellow sandstone desert havelis (mansions), which glow softly in honey tones. Visit intricately carved Havelis built by Merchants; the largest and most elaborate of the famous havelis of Jaisalmer is Patwon ki Haveli. Patwas were the merchants trading in rich brocades, gold and silver embroidery, sequins and ribbons. This family eventually expanded their business to include opium, banking and revenue collecting. A brief stop at Gadhi Sagar is a must – a man made pond; a luxury in the center of the Thar Desert! Evening camel ride at Sam sand dunes. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 07: Jaisalmer-Jodhpur
Morning drive to Jodhpur. (290 Kms or 06 Hours Drive). Rao Jodha, a chief of the Rajput clan ‘Rathores’, founded Jodhpur in 1459. Jodhpur certainly has one of the country's most spectacular fortress and palace complexes. It was from here that those baggie tight horse-riding trousers ‘jodhpurs’ took their name. On arrival check in Hotel. Afternoon proceed for city tour of Jodhpur, which sprawls along the top of a steep escarpment. Started in 1459 it has walls up to 36 meters high and 21 meters wide towering above the plains. It’s a fine example of Rajput architecture and remained the royal residence until the Umaid Bhawan Palace was completed in 1943. The fort museum has the Maharaja’s private collection of art and artifacts. There is a wonderful display of palanquins, armory and miniature paintings; stop by to see the well-preserved Hall of Public Audience and the Sheesh Mahal. Jaswant Thada, located half way up the interminably long road that climbs onwards to the fort, is the traditional cremation ground of the rulers of Jodhpur. Taking pride of place amongst the ornamental gardens and chattris is the fabulous white marble memorial to Jaswant Singh II, built in 1899. The cenotaphs of other rulers, in the same neighborhood, are relatively simpler. Inside the main hall are royal portraits and other possessions. Overnight at hotel.
Day 08: Jodhpur - Udaipur
Morning leave Jodhpur to Udaipur. ( 280 Kms or 06 hours drive). En route visit the Famous Jain Temple at Ranakpur. a deep, secluded valley at Ranakpur are the most magnificent Jain temples in India. It is an extensive complex covering 3,600 sq. metres and has 29 halls with 1,444 pillars, each unlike the other, intricately covered with delicate carvings. The main temple is Chaumukha Temple or four-faced temple, dedicated to Adinath, the Revealer of Truth. Late afternoon boat ride on Lake Pichhola will be provided - This Lake takes its name from the small village of Picholi on its West Bank. In the lake are several islands. On two of them the maharanas of Udaipur constructed pleasure palaces, the Jag Mandir and the Jag Niwas. On arrival check in at hotel. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 09: Udaipur - Jaipur
Morning after breakfast proceed for Udaipur. On arrival check in at Hotel. Visit the City Palace, once the home of Mewar’s rulers, is today a museum. It consists of several flawlessly integrated palaces, which overlook the clear blue of Lake Pichola. Visit Sahelion-ki-bari (Garden of the Maids of Honour) the scene of royal parties for centuries. Drive around Fateh Sagar Lake excavated in the late 17th century by Maharaja Jai Singh and past the Kala Mandir (Puppet Museum) and the Cenotaph of Maharana Pratap. And of course last but not the last - the Jagdish temple. Later by surface for Jaipur with meeting & assistance check in at Hotel. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 10: In Jaipur
The day begins with a visit to the Amber fort, the former seat of the Rajput rulers of Jaipur. Ascending the fortress seated on elephants, wander around the beautiful palaces and visit the Shiladevi temple (which continues to be the private temple of the Royal family) with its exquisite marble carvings and silver door. Afternoon, visit the open-air royal observatory "Jantar Mantar", with gigantic, astronomical instruments, the City Palace and Museum stopping by the "Hawa Mahal" or the Palace of Winds. A cycle Rickshaw will be provided to see the colourful market area. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 11: Jaipur – Sikri – Agra
Morning after breakfast leave Jaipur for Agra en route visiting Fatehpur Sikri. 35kms before Agra is Fatehpur Sikri, the abandoned red sandstone city built in the 16th century by the Mughal Emperor Akbar, one of India's greatest rulers. Remarkably broadminded for his time, this Muslim king married a Rajput princess in order to win over his Hindu subjects. The architecture at Fatehpur Sikri is acombination of Hindu and Muslim styles, expressing Akbar's vision of synthesizing the cultures. Continue to Agra. On arrival transfer & check in at Hotel. Balance of day at leisure. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 12 : Agra - Delhi
Early morning visit Taj Mahal (Closed on Every Friday) With its incredible lacy white grandeur the Taj Mahal is perhaps the most perfect architectural monument in the world. To the poet Tagore it was a `tear on the face of eternity'. In memory of his wife the great Mughal emperor Shah Jehan constructed this most extravagant and incomparable monument built for love. Amazingly graceful from any angle, itis the close up detail, which is really astounding. Later visit Agra Fort. Agra Fort is situated on the banks of the river Yamuna, another monumental mission accomplished by the great Mughal visionary Emperor Akbar. His son Jehangir and grandson Shah Jehan added to this imposing structure during their rule. The palaces, mosques and audience halls contained within its massive wall of red sandstone are perfect examples of blending Islamic and Hindu traditions. Afternoon drive to Delhi. On arrival in Delhi no hotels envisaged. Dinner will be served in a city hotel where 2-3 rooms will be provided for wash and change. Later in time transfer to airport to connect flight for onward destination leaving during early hours on Day 13.
Day 13: depart
Transfer to International airport to board flight to onward destination leaving Delhi during earlyhours. (No hotel in Delhi on return).
