Delhi – Mandawa – Bikaner –
Jaisalmer – Jodhpur – Udaipur - Jaipur - Agra
– Delhi
Duration: 15 Days Season: Oct – Mar
DAY 01. FLY TO DELHI
Fly to Delhi, the capital of India.
DAY 02. ARRIVE DELHI
Early morning arrive Delhi, after meet and greet by tour manager,
transfer to hotel, and rest of the morning at leisure. Afternoon
half day guided tour of New Delhi includes drive past Parliament
house, visit India Gate, the memorial arch, Humayun’s tomb
built in 1565 AD and the 13th century Qutab Minar, 72 meters high.
Night Stay: Hotel
DAY 03. IN DELHI
After breakfast half day guided tour of Old Delhi previously called
Shahjehanabad, the 300 year old walled city built by Shah Jehan
as his capital. Begin with a visit to Raj Ghat, where Mahatma
Gandhi, the Father of the nation was cremated in 1948. Thereafter
proceed to the magnificent Red Fort (outside view only) (closed
on Mondays) built of red sandstone dating from the very peak of
the Mughal power. Opposite the fort stands Jama Masjid, the largest
and most elegant mosque in India. Afternoon at leisure.
Option for mutiny and war
site Lovers: |
After breakfast, most of the day will be spent
around old Delhi to explore the war / mutiny related sites.
We will visit Battlefield of Badli-ki-Serai, built by an old
king as traveler’s shelter; single pillared memorial
of Gordon Highlanders, Mutiny Memorial – an octagonal,
tapering tower built to commemorate the British and the Indians
who fought on their side in 1857, John Nicalson’s Grave,
Kashmiri Gate area - Built in 1835, it was raised as a defense
against any attack from the direction of the Ludlow Castle,
which was towards the north-west of the city, brief look at
St James Church, then explore Jama Masjid and drive past by
Red Fort (Outside only) which stands along the eastern edge
of the walled city, on the west bank of the Yamuna River.
In between sightseeing, take a break
for lunch.Night Stay: Hotel
DAY 04. DELHI – MANDAWA or NAWALGARH Drive 240 Km
Morning after breakfast drive on to Mandawa / Nawalgarh. The animated
crowds of the bazaar contrast with the well to do charm and opulence
of the Haveli quarter; the grand facades of the havalis (merchants
houses) reveal little by little secrets of their charming interior
courtyards. After checking in at hotel, walking tour of Havelies
and the market.
Night Stay: Hotel
DAY 05. MANDAWA or NAWALGARH – BIKANER Drive 199 Km
After breakfast drive to Bikaner. Arrive and check-in
at hotel. Late afternoon visit the fort. Bikaner dates back to
1488, when a Rathore prince, Rao Bikaji, son of Rao Jodhaji of
Jodhpur, chose a barren wilderness called 'Jangladesh' and transformed
it to a charming city called 'Bikaner', after the founder's name.
Bikaner's forts, palaces and temples - magnificent creations in
red and yellow sandstone, are living manifestations of its rich
historical and architectural legacy.
Night Stay: Hotel
DAY 06. BIKANER – JAISALMER Drive 333 Km
Morning drive to Jaisalmer via Pokran, en - route brief stops
at some typical villages. Arrive Jaisalmer and check –in
at hotel.
Jaisalmer founded in 1156 by Rawal Jaisal, a Bhatti Rajput King,
is famous for cobbled streets, strewn with palaces, forts, temples
and havelis. Every house, here, is exquisitely carved, having
filigreed work all over. These houses date back to 12th - 15th
century. And hence Jaisalmer is called 'the Museum city'.
Night Stay: Hotel
DAY 07. IN JAISALMER
This region of Rajasthan is dominated by the great Thar Desert
that forms part of the desert belt extending from the Sahara of
North Africa, across Arabia and Rajasthan to its furthest extremity
in the Great Gobi of Central Asia.
Morning explore the fort and (Havelis)
the intricately carved houses of rich businessmen including the
largest Salim Singh Ki Haveli and Pathwoon Ki Haveli. Afternoon
drive to Jain temples and Royal cenotaphs for sunset.
Night Stay: Hotel
DAY 08. JAISALMER – JODHPUR Drive 308 Km
Morning drive to Jodhpur. Visit Mandore Gardens. Arrive and check
– in at hotel.
Jodhpur is a resplendent city, with
a blend of modern and traditional buildings. The enchanting forts,
temples, other royal residence and settlements retain its medieval
character and comprise the town’s multifaceted attractions.
In 1459, Rao Jodha founded Jodhpur after the old capital of Mandore
had proved too vulnerable. Some five centuries later, Maharaja
Umaid Singh had completed for himself one of the largest private
homes in the world with 347 rooms, to create employment as a measure
of famine relief.
Night Stay: Hotel
DAY 09. JODHPUR – UDAIPUR Drive 259 Km
Morning visit the Mehrangarh fort and Bazaar and immediately drive
on to Udaipur, en-route visit Jain temples at Ranakpur. Arrive
Udaipur in the evening and check-in at hotel.
The royal house of Mewar, now better
known as Udaipur, has two reasons for pride. The first is that
it can trace back its recorded history to Bapa Rawal (728 A.D.),
where as Jaipur and Jodhpur lag behind by 200 and 483 years respectively.
The second is pride in being Hindu and not losing honor to the
Muslims. Udaipur has a profusion of Palaces, Lakes, Temples and
Cenotaphs.
Night Stay: Hotel
DAY 10. IN UDAIPUR
Morning 24 km drive to Eklingji temple, carved from marble and
even today the Maharana of Udaipur who is Diwan of the temple,
makes it a point to visit it every Monday. Return to Udaipur to
visit City palace, Temple and bazaar. Afternoon at leisure for
personal activities.
Night Stay: Hotel
DAY 11. UDAIPUR – JAIPUR Drive 405 Km
After breakfast depart and drive to Jaipur, en – route brief
stop at Ajmer to visit Dargha (tomb) of Khawaja Mohi-u din-Chisti,
a muslim saint, thousands of devotee from all faiths pay homage
every day. Arrive Jaipur by late afternoon and check – in
at hotel.
Jaipur founded in AD 1727 by Sawai
Jaisingh II, the capital of Rajasthan is popularly known as the
Pink City with broad avenues and spacious gardens. The original
city light grey, edged with white border and motifs. In honor
of the visit in 1983 of prince Albert, consort to Queen Victoria,
it was order to be painted the traditional color of welcome, which
has been retained since.
Night Stay: Hotel
DAY 12. IN JAIPUR
Morning visit Amber, 11 km, the former capital of the intensive
Jaipur state until Jai Singh II moved down to the plains. From
the base of the hill we will enjoy elephant ride (subject to availability)
up to the fortress palace built by Maharaja Man Singh (1592 -
1615) , return to Jaipur for Lunch.
Afternoon visit Jai Singh’s
Observatory built in the 17th century by the founder of Jaipur
who, besides being a prince was also soldier, astronomer and builder.
This is an architectural feat, drive past the Hawa Mahal an elaborate
building encrusted with delicate honeycomb screens and carved
balconies from behind which the royal Zanana, could view the world
outside, the City Palace now a museum exhibiting fine Rajput and
Moghul paintings, rare manuscripts and an armory.
Night Stay: Hotel
DAY 13 JAIPUR – AGRA Drive 232 Km
After breakfast drive to Agra, en route visit Fatehpur Sikri -
the deserted capital of emperor Akbar, In 1570, Akbar built the
breath - taking city of Fatehpur Sikri as a token of devotion
to the saint Sheikh Salim Chesti. Arrive Agra by late afternoon.
Night Stay: Hotel
DAY 14 AGRA – DELHI Drive 202 Km
Morning visit Taj Mahal - the mausoleum of empress Mumtaz Mahal,
the beloved spouse of Shah Jahan, who died in 1630. The complex
is said to have taken at-least 18 years (1631 - 48) to build.
Agra Fort - built by Akbar as his citadel over the years 1565
-73 in the finest architectural style. After lunch drive to Delhi,
arrive and check in at hotel.
Night Stay: Hotel
DAY 15 DEPARTURE
Transfer to international airport for homeward flight.
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