Rajasthan Tour

1 - Arrive Delhi

Arrive Delhi by international flight. Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to hotel (Hotel check in time 1200 noon) Later proceed for combined city tour of Delhi. In Old Delhi. Drive past Red Fort and Chandi Chowk, once an imperial avenue of Mughal Royalty which today is the busiest commercial area of the city. Visit Raj Ghat (memorial to Mahatma Gandhi). Later sightseeing of New Delhi Drive past the India Gate (war memorial dedicated to the lives of laid down by the Indian soldiers), the presidents residence - formerly the Viceroys Palace, parliament House and the Secretariat buildings,- an interesting blend of the Victorian and 20th century architecture. Visit the 12th century Qutab Minar, gracefully hand-carved for its entire height of 234ft, and the iron pillar, which has withstood the ravages of time and not rusted even after 1500 years. Also proceed to visit Gurudwara Bangla Sahib is one of the most prominent Sikh gurdwara, or Sikh house of worship in Delhi, India and known for its association with the eighth Sikh Guru, Guru Har Krishan, as well as the pool inside its complex, known as the "Sarovar." It was first built as a small shrine by Sikh General Sardar Bhagel Singh in 1783, who supervised the construction of nine Sikh shrines in Delhi. Overnight at hotel

2 - DELHI TO MANDAWA

DRIVE FROM DELHI TO MANDAWA (258 KMS; 06 HRS)  After breakfast depart by surface for Mandawa.  Upon arrival check in at the hotel.  Afternoon sightseeing tour of Mandawa visit the Havelis, with their frescoes - of which the Chokanis, the Goenkas and the sarafis are extravagantly painted. The word haveli, which is of Persian origin, means surrounded or an enclosed place. The English equivalent mansion comes close enough, suggesting the spacious residence that haveli connotes, but it fails to capture the essence of a way of life that was more than just a form of architecture. Secluded from the outside world, a haveli set its own pace of life.  Overnight stay at the hotel

3 - MANDAWA TO BIKANER

DRIVE FROM MANDAWA TO BIKANER (185 KMS; 04 HRS)  Breakfast at hotel  Morning depart by surface for Bikaner. Upon arrival check in at the hotel  Afternoon Visit the Junagarh Fort, one of the finest of Rajput monuments. Thirty-seven palaces, pavilions and temples built by different kings are all connected by paved courtyards, narrow staircases and terraces in this Rathor stronghold. The oldest existing structures in Bikaner are the 14 th -century Jain temples built by two merchant brothers, Sandeshwar and Bhandeshwar.  Overnight stay at the hotel.

4 - BIKANER TO JODHPUR

DRIVE FROM BIKANER TO JODHPUR ( 292 KM, 07 HRS)  Breakfast at hotel  Morning depart by surface for Jodhpur. On arrival check into hotel  Later proceed for Sightseeing tour of Jodhpur Mehrangarh Fort and Jaswant Thada Cenotaphs from Balsamand or Ummed hotel. Visit the 5-km long Mehrangarh Fort situated on a 125-mt high hill. This is one of the most impressive and formidable structures in Rajasthan. Within the fort are some magnificent with meticulously carved panels, latticed windows or "Jarokhas" with evocative names. Later visit the Jaswant Thada - a cluster of royal cenotaphs in white marble built in 1899 AD in memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh-II  Overnight stay at the hotel.

5 - JODHPUR TO UDAIPUR

DRIVE FROM JODHPUR TO UDAIPUR (298 KM, 06 HRS)  Breakfast at hotel  Morning depart by surface for Udaipur en route visit Ranakpur.  RANAKPUR-100 kms from Udaipur, in a deep, secluded valley at Ranakpur are the most magnificent Jain temples in India.  It is an extensive complex covering 3,600 sq. metres and has 29 halls with 1,444 pillars, each unlike the other, intricately covered with delicate carvings, geometrically so designed that if one stands near any pillar, one can see the deity.  The central temple is dedicated to Adinath, the Revealer of Truth.  The temple was constructed in the early 14 th century.  Continue drive to Udaipur. Upon arrival check in at the hotel  Dinner & Overnight stay at the hotel

6 - IN UDAIPUR

 Breakfast at hotel.  Morning half day sightseeing of Udaipur - a splash of colour in Rajasthan that is brighter when tinged with the tones of local lore and legends. Visit the City Palace, built in 1725, which houses the Dilkhush Mahal, Sheesh Mahal - studded with glittering Belgium Mirrors, Moti Mahal and the Palace of Lord Krishna all of which are ornately decorated. Later visit the Jagdish Temple. This temple built in 1651 is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the preserver in the Hindu Trinity of Gods. Also visit the Sahelion Ki Bari gardens and fountains. Later drive around the Fatehsagar Lake.  Evening proceed to enjoy Boat Cruise on Pichola lake, 4 Kms long and 3 Kms broad, surrounded by splendid hills, palaces, temples, bathing ghats and embankments. Visit the island palace Jag Niwas which is beautifully set in the lake. (Boat ride is subject to water level in the lake)  Dinner & Overnight at the hotel

7 - UDAIPUR TO PUSHKAR

DRIVE FROM UDAIPUR TO PUSHKAR (290 KMS, 07 HRS)  Breakfast at hotel  Morning depart for Pushkar. On arrival check in at hotel  Afternoon visit Pushkar. 11 Kms from Ajmer and separated by the Snake Mountain Pushkar is a bewitching unique little town clinging to the side of the Pushkar lake surrounded by innumerable Ghats and temples. A religious place (meat / alcohol are taboo), it is always abuzz with activity especially during the Camel Fair when it breaks with riot of colourful events in the month of Kartik (October-November).  Overnight stay at hotel.

8 - PUSHKAR TO JAIPUR

DRIVE FROM PUSHKAR TO JAIPUR (160 KMS, 03 HRS)  Breakfast at hotel  Morning depart Udaipur by surface for Jaipur.  On arrival check in at the hotel  Overnight stay at the hotel

9 - IN JAIPUR

 Breakfast at hotel  Morning Excursion to Amber fort by jeep. Amber is a classic, romantic Rajasthani Fort Palace. The rugged, time-ravaged walls of the Fort may not look beautiful from the outside, but the interior is a virtual paradise. Miniatures painted on the walls depict hunting and war scenes apart from festivals. Precious stones and mirrors are embedded into the plaster. Inside the Fort visit the Jag Mandir or the Hall of Victory. Inside the Jag Mandir is the famed Sheesh Mahal - a room with all the four walls and ceiling completely embedded with glittering mirror pieces, which were specially imported from Belgium during that period. Enroute to Amber Fort, you will have a brief photography stop at Hawa Mahal - the Palace of Winds. Afternoon city tour begins with with a visit to the Maharajas City Palace, the former Royal residence, part of it converted into a museum. A small portion is still used by the Royal family of Jaipur. Built in the style of a fortified campus, the palace covers almost one-seventh in area of the 6 city. One of the major attractions in the museum is the portion known as Armoury Museum housing an impressive array of weaponry-pistols, blunderbusses, flintlocks, swords, rifles and daggers. The royal families of Jaipur once used most of these weapons. Later visit the Jantar Mantar, which is the largest stone and marble crafted observatory in the world. Situated near the gate of the city palace, the observatory has 17 large instruments, many of them still in working condition.  Enjoy rickshaw ride during the city tour  Overnight stay at the hotel.

10 - JAIPUR TO RANTHAMBORE

DRIVE FROM JAIPUR TO RANTHAMBORE ( 165 km, 04 HRS)  Breakfast at hotel  Morning depart by surface for Ranthambore . Upon arrival check in at the hotel.  Lunch at hotel .  Afternoon enjoy Jungle Safari through Ranthambore National Park (By an open Canter)  Dinner and overnight stay at hotel.

11 - RANTHAMBORE TO AGRA

DRIVE FROM RANTHAMBORE TO AGRA  Breakfast at hotel  Morning depart for Agra. Upon arrival check in at the hotel in Agra.  Overnight stay at the hotel

12 - AGRA TO DELHI

DRIVE FROM AGRA TO DELHI (205 KMS, 04/5 HRS)  Breakfast at hotel 7  Morning visit the world famous Taj Mahal at Sunrise, built by Shah Jahan in 1560 in memory of his queen Mumtaz Mahal to enshrine her mortal remains. This architectural marvel is a perfectly proportioned masterpiece fashioned fro m white marble that stands testimony to the skill of 20,000 craftsmen brought together from Persia, Turkey, France and Italy and who took 17 year to complete this Love Poem in Marble. (Taj Mahal remains closed on Friday).  Later visit Red Fort. Visit the Palaces in the Fort – the Anguri Bagh, Golden Pavilions, Khas Mahal, Diwan-I-Khas, Diwan-I-Am (halls of private & public audience), which are all splendid examples of Mughal architecture.  Continue drive to Delhi.Upon arrival check in at hotel .  Overnight at hotel

13 - LEAVE DELHI

LEAVE DELHI BY INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT  Breakfast at hotel .  In time transfer to International airport to connect flight for onward destination.