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Delhi - Agra - Ranthambhor
- Bundi - Bijoila - Bijaipur - Chittaurgarh - Udaipur - Ranakpur -
Rohetgarh - Jodhpur - Sand Dunes - Jaisalmer - Bikaner - Kuchaman -
Jaipur
Day 1- ARRIVE DELHI
Depart for Delhi. Night in the plane.
Day 2- Delhi
Morning
free to relax after jet leg. Afternoon visit Delhi, the capital of
India, comprising Old and New Delhi. Old Delhi was the capital of
Mughals between the 16th and the 19th centuries. Here there are many
mosques, monuments and forts the most notable being the famous Red
Fort and the Jama Masjid. The medieval atmosphere of Old Delhi
contrasts sharply with the open, spacious streets of New Delhi, the
city created as the capital of India by the British. Return to Hotel.
Overnight.
Day 3- DELHI
Morning visit of the Lutyens designed Delhi - the India Gate,
Parliament Building and the Rashtrapati Bhawan, the official residence
of the President of India. Qutab Minar. This 'Tower of Victory 'was
erected by Qutub-ud-din in 1193 and Humayun's Tomb, built by the wife
of the second Mughal emperor is fine piece of architecture, the Taj
Mahal, follows a similar style of architecture. Afternoon at leisure.
Day 4- DELHI / AGRA
In the morning, take the road towards Agra, the old imperial capital
of India. It has some superb monuments dating from that era. In the
Aft ernoon,
visit the world famous Taj Mahal, whose eternal beauty will astonish
and mesmerize the visitors. Thereafter visit of the Grand Agra Fort
where lived three Mughals Emperors. This fort rises on the edges of
Yamuna and is surrounded by a wall 20 meters high and 2500 m in
perimeter. Evening time free for shopping. Overnight.
Day 5- AGRA/FATEHPUR SIKRI/ RANTHAMBHORE
In the morning we begin our Journey to the princely State of
Rajasthan. Enroute visit Fatehpur Sikri, the abandoned city built by
Akbar as his capital for 14 years. This city built in 1569 has some
splendid Palaces – with an excellent blend of Hindu and Muslim
architecture. Thereafter proceed to Bharatpur station and take a train
towards Ranthambhore - Rajasthan's most renowned wildlife sanctuary,
it is 400 sq. kms of dry deciduous forest, perfect natural habitat for
tigers, set in the Aravalli and Vindhya hills. Arrive and proceed to
the Lodge. Afternoon visit the park for Game viewing which includes
the antelopes, spotted-deers, wild boars, monkeys, crocodile and the
majestic Bengal Tiger. Overnight.
Day 6- RANTHAMBHORE
Day dedicated for the visits of the Jungle to see the wildlife and the
Tiger. Overnight.
Day 7- RANTHAMBHORE / BUNDI
Morning,
depart for Bundi - the lively backwater town of 13th Century dominated
by large complex of Forts and palaces, hugging the steep hillside. The
complex is mainly made of two- Garh-Palace and Taragarh-Fort and then
flowering into series of palaces, with a fretted skyline of cupola,
loggias and canopies. Visit the Phool Palace below and the terraced
gardens and the splendid murals in the Chitra Shala depicting the
Bundi school style of miniature paintings. Overnight.
Day 8- BIJOILA / MENAL / BIJAIPUR
Morning, depart for Bijaipur enroute visiting Bijoila and Menal. Visit
the temple, which is one of the finest examples of 10th Century
Pratihara temple. Thereafter, continue for Bijaipur. Arrive and check
in to the Fort – built by Rao Shakti Singh in 16th century. Overnight.
Day 9- BIJAIPUR / CHITTORGARH / UDAIPUR
In the morning leave for Chittorgarh, famous for its sprawling hilltop
fort situated on the hill and spread over 700 acres, which epitomizes
the romantic, Rajput chivalry. Its sacred walls and ruined palaces
relate the saga of innumerable sieges and heroism. Visit the Vijay
Sthambh - the victory tower, it is 37 mts high with 9 stories. It was
built in 1440 to commemorate Maharana Kumbha’s victory over Muslim
rulers of Malwa and Gujarat. The Rana Kumbha Palace - the place where
princess Padmini and other royal ladies committed ‘Jauhar’ (mass
suicide). Continue towards the romantic city of Udaipur also known as
" The White City". Overnight.
Day 10- UDAIPUR
Set
around the vast Pichola Lake and dominated by dramatic palaces,
Udaipur is surely Rajasthan's most picturesque city. Morning visit the
romantic and stunning white marble Palace built on an island in the
Lake Pichola, the magnificent City Palace - built in 1725, the ancient
palaces of the Mewar Royal Family for centuries, the Jagdish temple.
Afternoon visit the Sahelion –Ki-Bari also called as the garden of
demoiselles and its pond covered with Lotus flowers, thereafter visit
the school of paintings, which specializes in miniatures. In the
evening enjoy the boat ride on Lake Pichola and visit of Jag Mandir in
the middle of the Romantic Lake Pichola. Return to hotel. Overnight.
Day 11- UDAIPUR / RANAKPUR / ROHETGARH
Morning depart for Ranakpur the most magnificent 15th century Jain
temples of India, delicately carved out of white marble, in the deep
secluded valley of the Aravalli Hills. There are 1444 pillars in the
temples and none of them is similarly carved. Also visit the temple of
Adinath. Thereafter continue for the village of Rohet--stay in the
fortified desert home of the descendants of the 16th century Champawat
clan and experience the famed warmth of courteous Rajput hospitality.
Late in the afternoon walk in the company of your host in the Village
to meet the people and get a first hand knowledge about their
tradition and culture. Overnight.
Day 12- Rohet / Jodhpur / SAND DUNES
In the morning depart for Jodhpur, the blue city of the desert. Visit
its grand and imposing Mehrangarh fort, which was to be practically in
expugnable in times of the wars. Spread over many kilometers, it
dominates the landscape. It shelters exquisite palaces decorated with
mural frescos and stone laces. Thereafter proceed to the city and walk
in its quaint and colourful markets, vividly testifying to the history
and glory of this princely state. Late in the afternoon continue for
the camp located atop a sand dune in the desert and stop for this
night. In the evening, take a Safari through the landscape of Thar.
Overnight
Day 13- SAND DUNES / JAISALMER
Departure
for Jaisalmer, the yellow city lying in the heart of the desert,
surrounded by sand dunes with an imposing and impregnable sand
coloured fort. Today it is an inhabited city whose chief attraction is
lacy filigree of pierced stonework facades of merchant Havelis and
private houses, and a series of ornately carved Jain temples. In the
afternoon visit the Gadisar Lake, adorned with an arched gateway and
the royal Cenotaphs at the Barj Bagh and view the setting Sun over
this city which has a peculiar glow.
Day 14- JAISALMER
Visit of Jaisalmer, splendid caravan city founded into 1155 by Rao
Jaisal The city is a jewel, the exquisitely carved balconies of the "
Havelis " with rich filigree work all over, the fort perched atop the
hill with beautiful palaces and ’jharokhas’, Jaisalmer is also called
’the Museum city’. In the afternoon, proceed for an excursion towards
Khuri-40 kms to see the picturesque wind-caressed dunes of the Thar
Desert creating enchanting mirages, indeed a breathtaking sight.
Overnight
Day 15- JAISALMER / BIKANER
After breakfast depart for the fortified city of Bikaner. Lying at the
northern tip of the famous triangle of the desert cities, Bikaner
stands on a slightly raised ground and is circumscribed by a long
embattled wall having five entrance gates. Visit the Junagarh fort,
palaces and temples – magnificent creations in red and yellow
sandstone, are living manifestations of its rich historical and
architectural legacy. Bikaner is also famous for the best riding
camels in the world. In the evening walk in the local market.
Overnight
Day 16- BIKANER / KUCHAMAN
Depart
through the arid land for Kuchaman City. This City controlled the salt
trade as far as back as 1250 years ago. The citadel is perched on the
hill like an eyrie. On arrival, the Jeeps take you atop this
magnificent fort hotel passing though many exquisitely designed gates
with fine paintings on the walls and the ceilings. Visit of this
superb place visiting the different palaces, Sheesh Mahal,
Diwan-e-Khas, Meena bazaar and the fabulous underground all weather
swimming pool. The visit of the fort speaks about its history and the
battles fought here. The place is really superb and the view at night
of the lit-up city and the Aravalli hills and Sambar Lake in the
distance is enchanting. Overnight
Day 17- KUCHAMAN / JAIPUR (125 km)
In the morning depart for Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan also called
the Pink City. Steeped in history and culture, this city is known for
its magnificent Palaces and forts; broad avenues and spacious gardens.
Jaipur with its romantic charm takes you to an epoch of royalty and
tradition. Enroute visit the old caravan city of Samode, locked up in
its walls and dominated by the castle. Visit the Palace, the Sheesh
Mahal- the hall of mirrors. After Lunch continue towards Jaipur,
Arrive and proceed to the Hotel. Evening a panoramic city tour of
JAIPUR. Thereafter have a joyful rickshaw ride in this quaint city.
Overnight
Day 18- Jaipur
Morning
excursion to Amber Fort, the ancient capital of the Rajput Empire
rulers, perched atop the hill overlooking the lake. Ascend to this
hilltop fort in Maharajah style… by decorated Elephant. Visit the
beautiful complex of palaces including inlaid mirror palace, halls,
pavilions, gardens and the famous Kali temple. In the Afternoon, city
tour of JAIPUR, visiting the City Palace- the Royal residence of
Maharajah built in Rajasthani and Mughal architecture, Hawa Mahal" the
Palace of Wind & the Observatory of the 18th century. Thereafter, have
a Walk in the bustling bazaars of Jaipur, well known for their
beautiful carpets, enamelled ornaments, precious and semi-precious
stones, brass ornaments and many other arts and crafts. Overnight.
Day 19- JAIPUR / DELHI
Like all good things come to an end, today we in the morning proceed
towards Delhi. Arrive Delhi and installation at Hotel. Afternoon is
free for independent activities or the last purchases. Overnight.
Day 20- Delhi /Home.
Transfer to the airport to board the flight back home |