Day 1: Arrive Delhi

Upon arrival in Delhi you will be met by our representative and transferred to the hotel. Rest of the day explore Delhi. Overnight at Delhi

 

Day 2: Delhi

After breakfast at the hotel we take you for a half day city tour of New Delhi. Visit the Qutab Minar - built to proclaim the victory of Islam over the infidel (unbeliever). Drive past the Ceremonial Avenue, Rashtrapathi Bhawan (official residence of the President of India), Teen Murthi Bhawan (houses the Nehru Memorial museum and from 1948 became the Prime Minister's residence). Also visit Rakab Ganj Gurdawara, which is a 20th century white marble shrine.

In the afternoon we take you for a half day city tour of Old Delhi, which includes visits to the Juma Masjid - the largest mosque in India and the largest architectural work of Shah Jahan. Raj Ghat - has the most prominent memorial of Mahatma Gandhi, also Shanti Vana - landscaped garden where Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru was cremated in 1964. Red Fort - built by Shah Jahan an octagon measuring 900 m by 550 m. It was surrounded by a 9m deep moat; now empty, fed by Yamuna River.

In the evening visit Red Fort for a Sound and Light Show at Delhi. The show scans through the history of Delhi since the age of sultans through the various conquests till her Independence.

Overnight at Delhi

 

Day 3: Delhi - Agra

After early breakfast drive to Agra, situated some 250 kms from Delhi. Enroute visit Sikandra - The tomb of Akbar the Great - The third Moghul Emperor. Drive towards Agra and check into the hotel.

In the afternoon we take you for a half day city tour of Agra. Visit of the Taj Mahal - built by Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. It took 22 years to be built by 20000 workers. This white grandeur is perhaps the most perfect architectural monument in the world

Also visit Agra Fort- on the western bank of Yamuna River; Akbar's magnificent fort dominates the center of the city. The outer walls are 20 m high, faced with red sandstone and topped with pointed merlons, tower above the outer moat. Visit the Jehangir Mahal (woman's quarters), Jodh Bai's Palace, Golden Pavilions (probably ladies bedroom), Khas Mahal, and Diwan-i-Am/Khas.

Overnight at Agra

 

Day 4: Agra - Fatehpur Sikri - Jaipur

After breakfast we drive towards the Pink City of Jaipur.

Enroute visit Fatehpur Sikri - Fatehpur Sikri (50 kms from Agra). This city is a testimony to the remarkable character of Akbar, the third and greatest of the Mughals. Fatehpur (town of victory) is over 400 years old and yet perfectly preserved. Visit the Royal Palace, Jami Masjid and the Buland Darwaza (41 m high gate) Proceed to Jaipur and check in to the hotel. Overnight at the Jaipur.

 

Day 5: Jaipur

After breakfast we take you for a half day tour of Amber Fort Place. Amber is the classic romantic Rajasthan fort-palace. Its construction was started by Man Singh I in 1592 and completed by his descendant Jai Singh I. Its rugged forbidding exterior belies an inner paradise where a beautiful fusion of Mughal and Hindu styles finds its ultimate refinement. Painted scenes of hunting and war adorn the walls with precious stones and mirrors set into the plaster. In the foreground is the Maota Lake with breathtaking reflections of the magnificent Amber Fort-Palace. For an experience that's truly royal, we will take you up the fort through snaking pathways on elephant back.

In the afternoon we take you for a half day city tour of Jaipur - the pink city. Visit Hawa Mahal - The ornamental facade of this "Palace of Winds" is a landmark in Jaipur. Its five - storey structure of pink sandstone encrusted with fine trellis work and balconies has 953 niches and windows, Jantar Mantar - the largest and best preserved of the five observatories built by Jai Singh II in different parts of the country.and the City Palace

Overnight at Jaipur

 

Day 6: Jaipur - Mandawa

Drive from Jaipur to Mandawa (4 hrs). Visit Havelis. See the murals in the rugged fort itself built in 1755 by Thakur Nawal Singh. Also visit the Goenka Havelies including Ladhuram Tarkeswar (1878) and Deraj Turmal (1898); the Ladia Havelies - Gulab Rai (1870) and Sneh Ram (1906), Murmuria (1935), Newatia (1910) and the Saraf Havelies (1870) which are interesting for its beautiful frescoes. Overnight at Mandawa

 

Day 7: Mandawa - Bikaner

Drive from Mandawa to Bikaner (3.5 hrs). This city was a major trade center on the old caravan route linking Central Asia and North India. This desert town was founded in 1488. Its superb large fort is most interesting and so is the camel breeding farm. The old city is encircled by a 7 km long city constructed in the 18th century.

Half day tour - a city tour visiting the Junagarh Fort built between 1588 and 1593 by Raja Rai Singh who was a general in the army of the Mughal Emperor, Akbar. The fort has a 989 meter long wall with 37 bastions. The Sun Gate is the main entrance to the fort. Within the fort are several palaces, pavilions and temples with superb stone carvings. This fort is one of the few forts in India, which has never been conquered although it was often attacked. The Lalgarh Palace, part of which is now a hotel still houses the Bikaner royal family. Visit the Fort Museum that has a valuable collection of ancient manuscripts, miniature paintings, jewellery, costumes, carpets, armory, etc.

Camel breeding farm - 10 kms from Bikaner is perhaps the only camel breeding farm in India where you will find hundreds of camels. The British army had a camel corps drawn from Bikaner during WWI.

Overnight at Bikaner.

 

Day 8: Bikaner - Jaisalmer

Drive from Bikaner to Jaisalmer (6 hrs). The desert citadel. This magical and incomparably romantic desert fortress is straight out of the Tales of the Arabian Nights. Because of its strategic location on the route between India and Central Asia, Jaisalmer was once a very wealthy place. The merchants and townspeople built magnificent houses and mansions all exquisitely carved from wood and sandstone.

Half day tour - visiting the Fort built in 1156, which has 99 bastions around its circumference. Houses, temples and palaces are packed within the fort complex between narrow and winding lanes. The view from the fort's walls provides superb views. Within the fort are a group of beautifully carved Jain temples built between the 12th and the 15th centuries. Enjoy a camel ride from the fort to the Patwa Haveli, which is the most elaborate and magnificent of all havelis in Jaisalmer. The other havelis worth visiting are the Salim and Nathmal Havelies.

Sunset visit to the Royal Cenotaphs - visit the Royal cenotaphs of the rulers of Jaisalmer at Bara Bagh (Big Garden).

The best place to watch the desert sunset and to photograph the fort is the cremation grounds near the city.

Evening excursion to Samm Sand Dunes - if you need to get some idea of the pace and space of desert life, drive out to the Samm sand dunes and take a camel ride.

Overnight at Jaisalmer.

 

Day 9: Jaisalmer

Sightseeing. Overnight at Jaisalmer

 

Day 10: Jaisalmer

Sightseeing. Overnight at Jaisalmer

 

Day 11: Jaisalmer - Jodhpur

Drive from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur (7 hrs). Beginning in 1549, when the city was called Jodhagarh, the Rathore clan of Rajputs fought and ruled from the virtually impregnable fort until their territory covered 35000 sq. miles making it the largest Rajput state. Today, the former capital of the state of Marwar retains much of its medieval character.

Half day tour of the city - visit the Meherangarh Fort or the "Majestic Fort" which is still managed by the former Maharaja of Jodhpur. Inside the fort there is a whole series of courtyards and palaces which house a fantastic collection of Indian royalty including an amazing collection of elephant howdahs, miniature paintings, folk music instruments, the Rajpur armory, palanquins, furniture and costumes. There's an enormous and luxurious tent originally made for the Mughal emperors. The palace apartments are beautifully decorated and painted and have delicately carved latticework windows of red sandstone. From the rampats of the fort ancient cannons look out at the city below. The views from the ramparts are magical. Visit the royal cenotaphs close by built in 1899. Drive out to the local market area where the clock tower is a popular landmark in the old city near which are narrow alleys that lead to bazaars selling textiles, silver and handicrafts. Overnight at Jodhpur

 

Day 12: Jodhpur

Jodhpur Sightseeing. Overnight at Jodhpur.

 

Day 13: Jodhpur - Ranakpur - Kumbalgarh

Drive from Jodhpur to Kumbalgarh (4.5 hrs) enroute visit Ranakpur. Kumbalgarh Fort built in the 15th century and situated at 1100 meters. This fort has witnessed several battles but was conquered only once in its history. The walls of the fortress stretch some 12 kms and within its walls are palaces, temples, dwellings, fields, farms, gardens and cenotaphs.

Visit Rankpur, one of the biggest and most important Jain temple complex in India. The main temple in this complex is called Chamukha (four-faced) built in 1439 and is the most complex and extensive of Jain temples in India covering over 40,000 sq. ft. It has 29 halls containing 1444 pillars each carved with intricate, delicate carvings. No two pillars are alike. Overnight at Kumbalgarh.

 

Day 14: Kumbalgarh - Udaipur

Drive from Kumbalgarh to Udaipur (2 hrs). Overnight at Udaipur

 

Day 15: Udaipur

Half day tour - Udaipur is often called the "Venice of the East" and the most romantic city in the state of Rajasthan. Udaipur nestles like a gem in a valley surrounded by green hills, reflected smooth and white in the clear blue waters of Lake Pichola. Visit the City Palace which was once the home of the Mewar rulers. Most of the Palace is converted into a museum and a luxurious hotel. Wander through the markets and bazaars to get a feel of the city situated close behind the City Palace. Visit the Jagdish Temple built in 1651 ornamented with excellent carvings and a bronze figure of the Garuda. Proceed to the Garden of the Maids of Honour constructed in the early 18th century which was used as a venue for royal parties.

Half day tour of Eklingi & Nagda - : A tour of the temple complex at Eklingi and Nagda (22 kms one way) is known for its 108 temples. The present structures date from the 16th century. The walled complex includes an elaborately pillared hall and features the four-faced image of Shiva in black marble. Close by is Nagda which has fine and intricate architecture and carvings including some erotic figures. A relaxing boatride on Lake Pichola. Overnight at Udaipur

 

Day 16: Udaipur - Chittorgarh - Udaipur

Full day excursion to Chittorgarh - East of Udaipur at a distance of 115 kms lies Chittorgarh, a place which witnessed one of the most fiercely contested seats of power in India. Three times in its long history, Chittor was sacked by a stronger enemy and on each occasion the end came when men donned the saffron robes of martyrdom and rode out to certain death whilst their women and children immolated themselves on a huge funeral pyre. Honour was always more important than death. The fort is a deserted ruin, but the impressive reminders of its grandeur still stands. Chittor was sacked 3 times, the last one took place in 1568 when Akbar took the town. During this struggle 8000 men rode out to their death whilst their women committed sati. Visit the fort which involves a climb of 1 km. Enroute you will see some memorials that mark the spots where some of the war heroes fell during battle. Within the fort complex are several palaces, museums and temples. Visit the tower of victory built between 1458 and 1468 commemorating a victory. Hindu sculptures adorn the outside of the tower. There are many sati stones here. The other interesting tower is the tower of Fame built by a Jain merchant decorated with erotic figures and dedicated to the first of the 24 Jain preachers.

Overnight at Udaipur.

 

Day 17: Udaipur - Delhi

Flight from Udaipur to Delhi 9W 3318 dep at: 1335 arr at: 1505 or 9W 3301 dep at: 0810 arr at: 1045. Overnight at Delhi

 

Day 18: Depart Delhi

Transfer to Delhi airport. Departure flight