Rajasthan Special Tours
Duration : 12 Nights / 13 Days
Places visited : Delhi - Mandawa - Bikaner
- Jaisalmer - Jodhpur - Udaipur - kota - Jaipur - Agra - Delhi
Day 01 : Delhi
Meeting
and assistance and transfer to hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 02: Delhi - Mandawa (242 kms. 6 hrs. approx.)
Morning drive to Mandawa, heart of the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan known
for its frescoed havelis. Driving in a south-westerly direction form Delhi one
immediately leaves behind the urban environs of the capital of India and gets
the glimpses of the country side. Stopping midway at Peer Mal Ki Haveli. On
arrival in Mandawa check into your hotel. In the afternoon visit the Havelis
notable among them being the Chokani, Ladia and the Saraf Havelis. Overnight
at hotel. (Dinner included)
Day 03 : Mandawa - Bikaner (164 kms. 4 hrs. approx.)
After an early breakfast start the drive at 0700 hours to Bikaner, which is
in true desert country, and part of the ancient caravan route that came from
west and central Asia. After traversing this part of the Thar desert stopping
at Ratangarh for lunch, one arrives at the fortified city of Bikaner. Check
into the hotel. In the afternoon a city tour of Junagarh Fort and the City Palace.
Overnight at hotel. (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner included)
Day 04 : Bikaner - Jaisalmer(353 kms. 8 hrs. 30 min. approx.)
Depart at 0700 hours after an early breakfast for Jaisalmer the 12th century
inhabited fort city. This fort city built by Rawal Jaisal has exquisite stone
work in typical yellow sandstone. This drive also gives you a glimpse of typical
desertic lifestyle with little thatched hutments, camels and sand dunes strewn
from horizon to horizon. Upon arrival check into your hotel. Rest of the day
at leisure or take an evening walk towards the chattris and watch the sun set
on the golden fort. Overnight at hotel. (Breakfast and Dinner included)
Day 05 : Jaisalmer
Jaisalmer is well known for weaving, embroidery, silver jewelry and its colorful
bazaars. The fort has some of the most intricately carved havelis such as the
Patwon ki Haveli, Nathmalji ki Haveli and Salim Singh ki Haveli and beautiful
Jain temples. In the afternoon take a drive to the sand dunes of Sam and watch
the spectacular sun set. One has the option to take a short camel ride. Return
to the hotel for dinner. Overnight at hotel. (Breakfast and Dinner included)
Day 06 : Jaisalmer - Jodhpur (300 kms. 8 hrs. approx.)
This
morning after breakfast leave Jaisalmer at 0700 hours, stopping midway at Pokhran
you arrive at Jodhpur -the blue hued city of the Rathore Rajputs, overlooked
by the imposing Mehrangarh fort. Jodhpur the former capital of the Mewar State
was founded in 1459 by Rao Jodha. In the late afternoon visit the Mehrangarh
fort its ramparts. Return to the hotel for an early dinner. Overnight at hotel.
(Breakfast and Dinner included)
Day 07 : Jodhpur - Udaipur (260 kms. 7 hrs. approx.)
An early start from Jodhpur takes you to Udaipur the enchanting city of dawn
and the lake side capital of Mewar. Enroute visit Ranakpur Jain temples which
are well preserved and in near perfect condition. The most distinctive feature
of the shrine dedicated to Adinath are the 29 halls of the temple which contain
1444 pillars of which no two are exactly alike. After lunch at Maharani Orchard,
continue drive to Udaipur. Check into the hotel. Overnight at hotel. (Breakfast,
Lunch and Dinner included)
Day 08 : Udaipur
The highlights of an excursion to Udaipur city involves a visit to the City
Palace, Saheliyon ki Bari - Garden of the maids of honour, Jagdish Temple and
museum of folkart. In the evening one has the option to take a boat ride on
the Lake Pichola. Return to the hotel for dinner. (Breakfast and Dinner included)
Day 09 : Udaipur - Kota (285 kms. 8 hrs. approx.)
Leave Udaipur for Kota via Chittorgarh the most romantic name in Rajasthan,
where the famous Rajput beauty Rani Padmini en-amoured the Sultan of Delhi,
Alauddin Khilji, upon seeing her reflection on a mirror. Visit the Chittorgarh
Fort believed to have been built by the Mauryan rulers in the 7th century AD.
Arrive at Kota - a fascinating mixture of medieval grandeur and modern industrialization
- an impressive fort stands like a sentinel over the present day Chambal Valley
Project with its many dams, while an old palace of the Hada Rajputs overlooks
the turbulent Chambal river. Overnight at your hotel in Kota. (Breakfast and
Dinner included)
Day 10 : Kota - Jaipur (242 kms. 7 hrs. approx.)
Depart Kota via Bundi to the capital city of Jaipur. Enroute visit Bundi Fortress
of medieval times standing sentinel to the city. Bundi is famous for its intricate
paintings and murals. Arrive Jaipur check into the hotel. Overnight at hotel.
(Breakfast and Dinner included)
Day 11 : Jaipur
Jaipur is part of the exciting Indian Trail. It is here that the seekers of
India experience their fantasy of a voyage of discovery. Jaipur is an exuberance
of color, dance and song with the traditional arts and crafts. Known as the
'Pink City' is one of India's most well planned cities with wide straight avenues,
roads, streets and lanes in a grid system. In the morning visit the impressive
Amber Fort, the former capital of the Royal Family of Jaipur, taking an elephant
ride to the top of the fort. In the afternoon visit the City Palace, the Jantar
Mantar, and the Hawa Mahal. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at hotel.
(Breakfast and Dinner included)
Day 12 : Jaipur - Agra (232 kms. 5 hrs. 30 mins. approx.)
Depart
Jaipur the land of the Rajputs to the Mughal splendour of Agra, enroute visiting
Fathepur Sikri the ghost city 35 kms from Agra. Fatehpur Sikri built in red
sandstone in honour of Saint Salim Chisti, who foretold the birth of 3 sons
to Emperor Akbar, is an example of robust stability combined with originality.
Each important edifice here represents a type by itself. Notable among them
is the Diwane Khas, Punch Mahal, the Tomb of Salim Chisti, and the Buland Darwaza.
Drive on to Agra and check-in to the hotel. Later visit the incomparable Taj
Mahal. This monument a fine example of fusion of many architectural styles is
one of the wonders of the modern world. Built in 1652 by Emperor Shah Jahan.
It took 22 years and 20,000 skilled artisans to complete this poem in white
marble. In the afternoon visit the Agra Fort which lies across the river Jamuna.
It was here that Aurangzeb the third son of Shah Jahan kept his father under
house arrest. One can get the most moving view of the Taj from the little octagonal
tower in the Fort. Overnight at hotel. (Breakfast and Dinner included)
Day 13 : Agra - Delhi (201 kms. 4 hrs. approx.)
Morning free. Drive to Delhi in time to connect your flight for onward destination.
(Breakfast included).
..
