Duration :- 11 Nights / 12 Days
Places to See:- Delhi - Jaipur - Pushkar - Udaipur - Ranakpur - Luni
- Jodhpur - Jaisalmer - Bikaner - Samode - Delhi
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 will be at Delhi.
Day 02 Delhi - Jaipur:
By Road
270 Kms/5 hr
Proceed for Jaipur after breakfast. Reach Agra in the afternoon.
Jaipur is the capital of the state of Rajasthan a romantic realm of resplendent
palaces, mighty fortresses and regal Maharajahs that lies in the western deserts
and is an utterly unique part of India. Proudly belonging to the KSHATRIYA
warrior caste and fiercely independent, the Rajput princes made fearsome foes.
However, many of them realized that to maintain their wealth and authority
locally, it was expedient to proclaim allegiance to the central power. Thus,
many enjoyed a privileged position under the Mughal emperors and also the
British Raj that followed. The bustling Rajasthan capital of Jaipur takes
its name from its venerated founder Jai Singh II, who was given the title
Sawai Maharaja by the Mughal. It is known as the 'Pink City' on account of
the distinctive colour of its buildings. This did not, however, form part
of the original plan, but dates back to 1856, when the city was given a wash
of pink in honor of a State Visit from Prince Albert.
This evening, visit the Birla Temple to learn more about the fascinating religious
life of Jaipur. The marble structure, built as recently as 1985, houses ornate
statues including one of Lakshmi (goddess of Wealth and Beauty) and Narayan
dressed in gaudy robes, representing a Hindu vision of heavenly luxury. Carvings
in the temple and on pillars supporting the covered walkways include images
of the Hindu pantheon, as well as Jesus, the Blessed Virgin Mary and St Francis
of Assisi. Your visit will coincide with the AARTI Ceremony, which involves
oil lamps being lit and waved, in order to awake and invoke the deity. Enjoy
the experience and spend night at Jaipur.
Overnight will be in Jaipur.
Day 03 Jaipur:
Proceed for a morning excursion to Amber Fort after breakfast. 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. Its forbidding exterior belies an inner paradise where
a beautiful fusion of Mughal and Hindu styles finds its ultimate expression.
Continue sightseeing.
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. It is a 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.
This afternoon is free for you to relax, shop or explore independently. Shopping
is superb in Jaipur, particularly for gold and silver jewellery, pottery,
tie-dye materials, silk, saris, wooden handicrafts and carpets.
Overnight will be at Jaipur.
Day 04 Jaipur - Pushkar - Udaipur:
By Road
342 Kms/3 + 4 hr
Proceed to Pushkar after breakfast. Reach and enjoy sightseeing.
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. Pushkar radiates an ambience of peace and spirituality
that casts a lure to visit again and again. 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.
Visit the BRAHMA TEMPLE, local markets and the GHATS.
Drive to Udaipur after lunch. Reach and check in at hotel by evening.
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 and spend night at Udaipur.
Day 05 Udaipur:
Breakfast will be 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 to visit the Jag Mandir Palace - the other island palace in the middle
of the lake. Spend some time at the Jag Mandir Palace.
Overnight will be at Udaipur.
Day 06 Udaipur - Ranakpur - Luni:
By Road
260 km/6 hr
After breakfast drive to Jodhpur.
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 Luni just before Jodhpur and enjoy a royal welcome.
Enjoy the safari of the villages and in the evening enjoy the cultural program.
Overnight will be at Luni.
Day 07 Luni - Jodhpur - Jaisalmer:
By Road
360 km/1 + 6 hr
Breakfast will be at the hotel.
Drive to 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.
Start 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.
Enjoy lunch and drive to 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.
Enjoy the evening program at the hotel.
Overnight will be at Jaisalmer.
Day 08 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.
Return to the city and spend night at Jaisalmer.
Day 09 Jaisalmer to Bikaner:
By Road
330 km/5 hr
Breakfast will be at hotel. Start for Bikaner and reach by noon. 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 will be at Bikaner.
Day 10 Bikaner - Samode:
By Road
200 km/5 hr
Proceed for sightseeing tour of Bikaner after breakfast.
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.
Drive to Samode.
Samode according to the Rajputana Gazetteer of 1879 was a large and flourishing
town. The Zamidars (landlords) of Samode - the principal thakurs of the state
of Amber were the Nathawat clan from Chomu, a branch of the house of Amber,
tracing their relation to the Jaipur Maharaja the fabled Prithviraj Singhji
the 17th prince of the house of Kacchwaha Rajputs. Gopal Singhji one of his
12 sons was awarded Samode, a noble feudatory of the Amber & Jaipur principality.
It was among the wealthiest territories in the Amber kingdom. The Zamidari
eventually passed within the clan to the hands of Behari Das, a Rajput warrior
in Mughal Service. After 6 generations in the hands of his descendants Samode
was relinquished to the Raj.
Check in at the palace and overnight will be at Samode.
Day 11 Samode - Delhi:
By Road
240 km/5 hr
Breakfast will be at hotel.
Proceed for sightseeing of a royal village SAMODE.
The 400-year-old SAMODE PALACE has a wealth of frescoes, many of them depicting
religious subjects. The highlight is a vast DURBAR HALL.
Take a walk of the Rajasthani village or take a camel cart ride. Have lunch
at SAMODE PALACE.
Proceed to Delhi and reach by evening. Relax and overnight at Delhi.
Day 12 Delhi - Home:
Proceed for a full day tour of Old & New Delhi after breakfast.
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.
Enjoy the 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.
Proceed for the GHAZAL SHOW (Indian Classical Music) 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.
TOUR ENDS
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