Rajasthan Desert Tour
Day 01: Arrive Delhi
Arrive Delhi Meeting & Assistance at the Airport, Transfer to the booked Hotel.
Please note, at hotels check-in and check-out time is 1200 noon.
Day 02:Delhi - sightseeing
Today after breakfast full day visit Delhi - Raj Ghat the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi, Jama Musjid - the largest mosque of India, Red Fort, President’s house and the Secretariat buildings, India Gate – The War Memorial, Humaun Tomb, Lotus Temple (also known as Bahai Temple) and Qutub Minar Overnight at Hotel.
Day 03: Delhi – Mandawa (drive about 06hrs./275kms.)
Today leave Delhi for Mandawa - Mandawa (Shekawati region). This region came into prominence in the 14th century when a number of Muslim clans moved into the area and the towns of this region developed into important trading posts on the caravan routes emanating from the ports of Gujarat. This region is famous for painted havelis (houses) most of which date back from the 18th century. The major towns of interest are Mandawa, Fatehpur, Nawalgarh.
Arrive Mandawa check-in & overnight at Hotel.
Day 04:Mandawa
After breakfast visit. Havelis in Mandawa and other villages of Shekhawati region. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 05:Mandawa – Bikaner. (drive about 04hrs./190kms.)
Today after breakfast leave Mandawa & drive to Bikaner - a desert town founded in 1488 by Rao Bikaji, a descendant of the founder of Jodhpur, Jodhaji.
Arrive Bikaner – visit the Junagarh Fort which was contructed between 1588 and 1593 by a general in the army of the Mughal Emperor, Akbar. The fort has a 986m long wall with 37 bastions and two entrances; Camel Breeding Farm, managed by Government this camel breeding station is probably unique in Asia and has thousands of camels. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 06: Bikaner – Jaisalmer (drive about 08hrs./333kms.)
Leave Bikaner & drive to Jaisalmer – the heart of Thar Desert, lies the honey-colored mirage of Jaisalmer. The lonely cliff of Trikuta Hills weathered dary winds and scorching desert sun for thousands of years to win a magnificent fort of yellow sandstone as its crown in 1156 A.D. It is said that Lord Krishna, the head of Yadav clan, had prophesized its emergence long before it was built. Rawal Jaisal, a Bhatti Rajput, who established his new capital at Jaisalmer, founded it after abandoning his fort at Lodurva. Once the commercial center of the ancient silk route, the city with its awesome beautiful scenery and extreme climate leaves a lasting impression on every mind.
Arrive Jaisalmer check-in & overnight at Hotel.
Day 07:Jaisalmer.
Today we visit Jaisalmer Fort - Perched on the 250 feet high hilltop, Jaisalmer fort is the second oldest fort in Rajasthan (after Chittor) and provides an ecstatic. Later visit Patwon Ki Haveli – a five storey mansion with carved pillars & murals of Salim Singh. Also visit Gadsisar, which had once supplied water to the city ; the temples & archways around it have been built by a courtesan.
Afternoon, excursion to Sam – 45 km away, is known for its sand dunes & is the venue for the Desert festival. Get the actual feel of the desert by enjoying a camel ride on the sand dunes and witness a magnificent sunset on the sand dunes. Return to Jaisalmer, overnight at Hotel.
Day 08: Jaisalmer – Jodhpur. (drive about 07hrs./ 298kms.)
Leave Jaislamer & drive to Jodhpur - was founded by the Rajput chief Rao Jodha in 1459. Earlier, Jodhpur was the capital of the princely state of Marwar (Land of Death). The old city is surrounded by a huge 10 kms long wall which has 101 bastions ans seven gates. There are about 100 towers in the city, most of which are surrounded by defensive battlements. This area was won by his Rathore Rajput clan in 1211 who had moved there after their defeat at Kanauj by the Muslim invaders. Rao Jodha moved to the Jodhpur after the older capital of Mandore has been to vulnerable.
Jodhpur - The city is known as the Sun City for the bright, sunny weather it enjoys all year. It is also referred to as the Blue City due to the blue-painted.
On arrival in Jodhpur, check-in at Hotel.
Day 09: Jodhpur. – Udaipur. (drive about 06hrs./278kms.)
After breakfast visit Mehrangarh fort – is built on a steep hill and is among the best in India with exquisitely latticed windows in residential apartments within.
Later drive to Udaipur. En-route visiting the Jain temples at Ranakpur : The cluster of temples, made of intricately sculpted white marble, come across as a marvellousfeat of architecture. It would take anyone by surprise to learn that they were built in 1460, so well preserved & sparkling is the marble. The main temple is supported on 1,444 pillars – none of which is similarly carved. After the visit, continue drive to Udaipur. Arrive Udaipur and check-in & overnight at Hotel.
Day 10: Udaipur.
Today visit the romantic city of Udaipur. Visit the City Palace which is the largest palace complex in Rajasthan; Jagdish temple, a fine Indo Aryan temple built in 1651; Sahelion ki Bari or Garden of the Maids of Honour, which is a small garden with its fountains, kiosks, marble elephants & lotus pool. In the evening, boat ride on Lake Pichola. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 11:Udaipur – Pushkar (drive about 06hrs./230kms.)
After breakfast drive to Pushkar. Arrive Pushkar by afternoon visit Lord Brahma Temple , Pushkar Holy Lake -Pushkar Lake is supposed to have appeared miraculously when a lotus flower fell from the hands of Lord Brahma and dropped into this valley. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 12:Pushkar – Jaipur. (drive about 04hrs./145kms.)
Today we leave Pushkar & drive to Jaipur - The Pink City : Jaipur needed a fresh coat of paint to welcome its distinguished guest the Prince of Wales in 1905-6. The contractor inability to supply any other color in the required quantity compelled the choice of pink shade for its walls. A contractor’s compulsion famed Jaipur to Pinkcity. Since then the PINK color is associated with hospitality in Rajput culture.
Arrive Jaipur and check-in at & overnight at Hotel.
Day 13:Jaipur
Early Morning at 0730hrs. visit to Amber Fort, the ancient Capital of the state until 1728. Enjoy the Elephant ride up to the hill on which the Fort is situated. Visit the Jagmandir or the hall of victory, Jaimahal (Look at the beautiful mirror work and intricate inlay work)
Later city tour of Jaipur. Visit the City Palace which has museum having an extensive collection of art, carpets, enamel ware and weapons; Jantar Mantar - the observatory built my Maharaja Jai Singh in 1728 and the façade of Hawa Mahal. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 14:Jaipur – Fatehpur Sikri - Agra. (drive about 06hrs./265kms.)
Today leave Jaipur & drive to Agra. En-route visit the deserted city at Fatehpur Sikri(40 KMS from Agra) built by Emperor Akbar in 1569 and abandoned it just after 15 years due to the scarcity of water. Visit the graceful buildings – The punch Mahal, Anup Talab,Diwan-e- Khas, Tomb of the holy saint Salim Chisti,Buland Darwaza and other important palaces where one experiences not only the Architectural brilliance but also its perfect fusion.
Continue drive, Arrive Agra check-in & overnight at Hotel.
Day 15:Agra
Morning visit the world famous Mausoleum – The Taj Mahal - An unique epitome of Love built by Moghul Emperor Shahjahan in 1630 for his queen Mumtaz Mahal to enshrine her mortal remains. A Sahajahan”s drop of tear on the cheek of Time that has now crystallized, the Taj began in 1631 and was not completed until 1653.
Red fort, which was built by Emperor Akbar in 1565, and additions were made up until the time of his grandson, Shah Jahan. It contains the hall of public and private audiences amongst many other beautiful structues; Itmad-ud-daulah, which was contructed by Nur Jahan between 1622 and 1628 and is very similar to the tomb she constructed for her husband, Jehangir. overnight at Hotel.
Day 14:Agra- Delhi (drive about 05hrs./220kms.)
Today we leave Agra & drive to Delhi, arrive Delhi & straight transfer to Airport for flight to onward destination.
End of Service.
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