Taj Mahal & Rajasthan Tour
Duration
: 17 Days
Places to Visit : Delhi - Mandawa - Gajner -
Jaisalmer - Jodhpur - Luni - Udaipur - Deogarh - Khajrela - Pushkar - Jaipur
- Agra - Delhi
Day 01:Abroad / Delhi
Arrive late night at New Delhi
International airport. On arrival the guest will be met by our
representative and transferred to hotel. Upon arrival at hotel the guests
will be provided with the traditional Indian welcome. Consisting of
aarti-tikka and garlands.
Overnight at hotel.
Day
02: Delhi Morning sightseeing tour of Old Delhi. This morning you
will be taken to visit Old Delhi - Former centre of Moghul Power, Old Delhi
offers ancient monuments, narrow streets and bustling bazaars. Visit the
vast
Red Fort, built in 1648, the
Jama Masjid,
the greatest mosque in India and completed in 1658 by Shah Jahan who also
built the Taj Mahal.
Afternoon sightseeing tour of New Delhi.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 03: Delhi - Mandawa
After breakfast drive to Mandawa ( 280 kms).
Upon arrival check in at
Hotel Castle Mandawa. Late afternoon visit the Shekhawati region. Walk
through the Shekhawati region, which was the stronghold of Kayamkhani Nawabs
till 1730. Besides the cenotaphs, wells, forts and temples the majority of
frescoes are painted on the walls and gateways of Havelis. The havelis are
mansion of a unique residential architectural style that evolved around
courtyards to serve the purpose of family security, privacy for the women as
also protecting the inhabitants from the long, harsh summers. The enormous
Havelis with fascinating murals built by the wealthy Rajasthani merchants ("Marwaris")
in the 19th century.
Overnight at Castle.
Day 04: Mandawa - Bikaner - Gajner
After breakfast drive to
Bikaner (240 kms).
Upon arrival in Bikaner lunch at one of the hotels
followed by city tour.
City sightseeing tour of Bikaner, this desert
town in the north of the state was founded in 1488 by Roa Bikaji, a
descendant of the founder of Jodhpur, Jodhaji. Visit the
Junagarh
Fort constructed between 1588 and 1593 by Raja Jai Singh, a general
in the Moghul Emperor Akbar's army.
After sightseeing drive to Gajner
Palace (28 kms / 40 minutes).
Upon arrival check in at Gajner Palace.
Overnight at Gajner Palace.
Day 05 : Gajner - Jaisalmer
In the morning enjoy the surrounding of Ganjer Palace.
After breakfast, drive to Jaisalmer (260 km).
Upon arrival check-in at
hotel.
Jaisalmer - is India's most exotic and
unusual town - a medieval looking place, straight out of the 'Tales of the
Arabian Nights'. This beautiful city is situated inside a huge mud fort and
grew as a result of its strategic position on the trading route between
India and Central Asia bringing great wealth to the city. Jaisalmer is a
tiny jewel in the heart of the Thar Desert - once the capital of the Bhatti
Rajputs. Jaisalmer started as an important caravan center and remnants of
caravan sarais still exist.
Late in the evening visit the Sam dunes
where you will witness sunset while enjoying the camel ride. Overnight at
hotel.
Day 06: Jaisalmer
After breakfast, visit this perfect Rajput
walled desert city which is like a golden jewel shimmering above the hard
sand. Visit the palaces, the Jain temples and magnificent Havelis or
merchant's houses, each richly decorated and carved from golden yellow
sandstone -
Patwon-ki-haveli (House of the Brocade
Merchants) is the largest and most elaborate of the famous havelis of
Jaisalmer. The
Nathmalji-ki-haveli (The Mansion of
Nathmalji), the last of the great havelis was built in the late 19th
century. End the morning with a visit to
Gadisar Lake -
the large natural oasis that attracted Rawal Jaisal to this site.
sAfternoon, visit the
Royal Cenotaphs of the Rawals in
Barra bagh where the rural were cremated. This is also the best place from
which to watch the spectacular desert sunset, and photograph the fort.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 07: Jaisalmer - Jodhpur - Luni
After early breakfast, drive to Luni (310 km) enroute visiting
Jodhpur city.
City tour of Jodhpur - the largest city in Rajasthan
after Jaipur, Jodhpur stands at the edge of the Thar Desert. It was founded
by Rao Jodha. Chief of the Rajput clan known as Rathores and the Rathore
kingdom was once known as Marwar - the Land of Death. The tour includes
Meherangarh Fort - one of the most impressive & formidable in the whole
of fort-studded Rajasthan is situated on a high natural rock bluff and from
which you can look down on the wonderful panorama of the bustling city
below, Jaswant Thada - the Royal Cenotaphs. Continue drive to Luni.
Day 08 : Luni - Udaipur Early morning visit the
surrounding villages and witness their daily lifestyle of living and enjoy
cup of tea / coffee with them.
Breakfast at hotel.
Later drive to
Udaipur (240 kms).
Upon arrival in Udaipur, check-in at hotel.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 09: Udaipur Morning, city tour of Udaipur - the romantic
Lake City in Southern Rajasthan, famous for the stunning white marble Palace
built on an island in the Lake Pichola. It was the former Palace of the
Maharana and now converted to one of the most glamorous hotels in India. The
tour will cover the magnificent
City Palace, the
Jagdish
temple, the pleasure gardens and a drive around the other nearby
lakes.
The magnificent
City Palace, which is
simply enormous - an assemblance of not one but four separate palaces
covering some four acres of area and exceeding all other palaces for
colossal grandeur. Here you will marvel at rooms with mirrored walls and
ivory doors, colored glass windows and inlaid marble balconies; and the
Peacock Courtyard.
Late afternoon,
enjoy a boat cruise
on Lake Pichola at sunset visiting the Jagmandir Island - in the
middle of the Romantic Lake Pichola. It commands a magnificent view of the
City Palace, Lake Palace and Sajjangarh Fort, on its own island, and it is
where Prince Khurram was given refuge in the 17th century.
Overnight at
hotel
Day 10: Udaipur - Deogarh After
breakfast drive to Deoagrh enroute visiting Ranakpur Temples.
Ranakpur temples: A visit to the famous Jain Temple,
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. The tour also includes visits to two more Jain temples and the
Temple of the Sun God with its erotic sculptures.
Lunch at Maharani
Bagh.
Upon arrival in Deogarh, check-in at hotel.
Deogarh
Mahal - built in 1670 A.D., the Mahal stands at a height of 2100
ft. above sea level with its bold battlements, domed turrets and balconies
offering a commanding view of the surrounding Aravalli mountains and its
rugged rock-strewn countryside dotted by a number of lakes. Overnight at
hotel.
Day 11: Deogarh - Khajrela After
breakfast drive to Khajrela (184 kms).
Upon arrival check in at hotel.
Khajrela seems to rise out of the Narwar plains like a
sentinel. A sturdy fort, it is quite simple and uses very little
ornamentation to break the almost forbidding exterior. The interiors too are
simple and neat where the guests can look forward to genuine Rajput
hospitality. In the surrounding area has several interesting temples,
cenotaphs and stepwells and for the more adventurous - camels are available
to explore the countryside and visit Raika and Bisnoi villages.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 12 : Khajrela - Pushkar
After breakfast drive to Pushkar
(180 kms) enroute visiting the Dargah at Ajmer
Ajmer, is the
most sacred of all Muslim places of pilgrimage in India. Ajmer is a green
oasis on the shore of Ana Sagar Lake, hemmed in by barren hills.
Historically, Ajmer has always had great strategic importance. It was
founded in 7th century by Ajaipal Chauhan. He named it Ajaimeru the
'invincible hill'. The city's Muslim history began when Prithviraj Chau-han
lost Ajmer to Sultan Muhammad Ghori in 1193 A.D. The Persian saint Khwaja
Moinuddin Chishti who came with Muhammad Ghori from Persia in 1192 settled
here. Thus the place where he was buried is today known as the Dargah
Sharif. Construction of the shrine was completed by Humayun and the gates
were added by the Nizam of Hyderabad. Later Shah Jahan constructed a mosque
of white marble, it has 11 arches and a Persian inscription running the full
length of the building.
Later check in at hotel in Pushkar.
Pushkar is a mellow, serene and bewitching little town which attracts those
in search of some respite from the tumult of India. Pushkar is right on the
edge of the desert and is only 11 kms from Ajmer but separated from it by
Nag Pahar, the snake mountain
This traveler-friendly town clings
to the side of the small Pushkar Lake with its many bathing ghats and
temples. For Hindus, Puhskar is a very important pilgrimage centre and
you'll see plenty of Sadhus (individuals on a spiritual search).
Pushkar boasts temples, though few are as ancient as you might expect at
such an important pilgrimage site, since many were deserted by Aurangzeb and
subsequently rebuilt. The most famous is the
Brahma Temple,
said to be one of the few temples in the world dedicated to this deity. It's
marked by red spire, and over the entrance gateway is the hans, or goose
symbol, of Brahma, who is said to have personally chosen Pushkar as its
site.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 13 : Pushkar - Jaipur
After breakfast drive to Jaipur (120
kms / 3 hours).
Afternoon tour of "Pink City" - Surrounded on
three sides by the rugged Aravali hills, Jaipur is the picturesque capital
of Rajasthan. It takes its name from the prince, soldier and astronomer Jai
Singh II who moved his capital here in 1727. Jaipur is notable for its
distinctive pink-orange coloring. The whole of the old city, including many
fine palaces and buildings, was constructed from solid blocks of Sandstone
or faced with the same stone. But it was only in 1853 that it gained its
famous title, the "Pink City"- it was painted pink for the first
time in honour of a visit from Prince Albert. You will visit the Hawa Mahal
and the open air Jantar Mantar Observatory enjoy a through the colorful
bazaar before returning to your hotel.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 14 : Jaipur After breakfast tour of Amber Fort.
Tour of the impressive
Amber Fort, situated on a ridge
just outside Jaipur City. At the foot of the hill you will mount your
caparisoned elephant for the slow but steady climb up to the main gate,
making your entrance in the time honoured fashion. The Fort, completed in
the early 18th century, took over 100 years to build and now, although
deserted, offers a fascinating insight into the lifestyle of the Moghul
ruling families.
Afternoon, enjoy a cycle rickshaw ride through
the bustling bazaars. Jaipur is renowned for textile block printing, blue
pottery, carpet weaving, semi-precious stones and local crafts which still
thrive from the day of Maharaja Jai Singh's patronage when he designed
special areas in the city for the 'bandhanas', the 'cheepas' and the
'meenakari' workers.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 15 :
Jaipur - Fatehpur Sikri - Agra After breakfast drive to Agra (221
kms) enroute visiting Fatehpur Sikri
Fatehpur Sikri
- the impressive sandstone fortress was built in the 16th century and only
occupied for a few years before being abandoned, leaving the buildings in
virtually perfect conditions.
Continue drive to Agra
Upon arrival in Agra - check-in at the hotel.
Thereafter, visit
the
Taj Mahal, the guests will board the 'decorated
tongas' (horse carriage) which will take them to Taj Mahal……
Little needs to be said about this architectural wonder which is always the
soul raison-de-etre for every tourist's visit to Agra. Built by Shah Jahan,
the Taj is a white marble memorial to 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 it's 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.
The guests will remain till late afternoon to witness
the pristine Taj Mahal at sunset, to see this true Wonder of the world in
gentle late afternoon light.
Overnight at hotel
Day
16 : Agra - Delhi Breakfast at hotel. Thereafter, visit the Red
Fort.
Red Fort- lies on the bend of the river
Yamuna, almost in the heart of the town. Akbar built it as his citadel over
the years 1563-73 in the finest architectural style. It has imposing gates
and walls of red sandstone and a moat.
Afternoon, drive to Delhi
(203 kms/5 hrs).
Upon arrival the guests will be assisted and
transferred to airport for flight back home
Day 17 :
Delhi - Abroad Depart Delhi.
Taj Mahal & Rajasthan Tour Reservation Form
