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Day 01 : Morning tour of
Delhi visiting Raj Ghat and Shanti Vana - the cremation sites of
Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, Jama Masjid and drive past Red
Fort and Chandni Chowk. Qutub Minar built by Qutub-ud-Din Aibek in 1199,
Humayun's Tomb, India Gate (War Memorial Arch ), Lakshminarayan
Temple - a modern Hindu Temple. Also drive past President's House,
Parliament House, Government Secretariat Buildings and Connaught
Place shopping centre. Overnight Delhi.
Day 02 : Drive to Mandawa. Rest of the day visit the
Shekhavati villages of Dundlod, Mandawa, etc. Mandawa was founded in
1755 by Thakur Nawal Singh and is still the home of his descendants.
Mandawa houses a collection of armories, costumes of ancestors,
canons from 1820, ancient coins, numismatic collection and many
other interesting items preserved in a museum. The whole area of
Shekhavati has beautiful frescoes, havelis & mansions and is called
the open air gallery. Overnight Mandawa.
Day 03 : Drive to Bikaner. Afternoon tour of this desert
city. Bikaner is bolstered by imposing walls and has a 16th century
fort housing old palaces, temples and a mosque. Founded by Raja Rai
Singh, the fort is distinguished by its long range of 37 pavilions,
a line of balconies and aerial windows of varying designs. An
enormous arched doorway leads to the Joramal Temple. The royal
chapel is Har Mandir where royal weddings and births were once
celebrated. Overnight Bikaner.
Day 04 : Drive to Jaisalmer. Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight Jaisalmer.
Day 05 : Morning visit Jaisalmer. Visit the Fort, bazzars and
the old mansions known as "havelis". People still live in these
ancient buildings dating from 12th to 15th century. Every house has
exquisite carvings and filigreed work. Overnight Jaisalmer.
Day 06 : Morning drive to Jodhpur.
Afternoon visit the Meharangarh Fort, situated on a low sandstone
Hill, including Moti-Mahal and Phool Mahal. Also visit Jaswant Thada,
an imposing Marble Memorium built in 1899 and the museum located in
the Umaid Public Gardens. Overnight Jodhpur.
Day 07 : Morning drive to Udaipur visiting Ranakpur Temples
enroute. Ranakpur - 98 kms from Udaipur, the Jain Temples built in
the 15th century are situated in the lovely valley of the Aravali.
Its surrounding is quiet and picturesque. Ranakpur has grand
structures and beautiful sculpture. There are 1444 pillars in the
temple and none of them are similar. The magic of light & shade is
really awe inspiring. Surya Temple and other Jain Temples are side
attractions. Overnight Udaipur.
Day 08 : Morning tour of Udaipur. Visit the City Palace,
Jagdish Temple, drive around Fatehsagar Lake, Sahelion ki bari
(Queen's resort for her friends) and Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandir (Folk
art museum). Afternoon free. Overnight Udaipur.
Day 09 : Drive to Ajmer/Pushkar. Afternoon visit the Tomb of
the Sufi Saint, Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti, the Dargah Sharif. The city
was founded by the Chauhan ruler, Aiaipal, during the 11th century &
is dominated by the Taragarh Fort built by Prithviraj Chauhan. In
Pushkar, visit the holy Lake and also the famous Brahma Temple.
Pushkar is one of the holiest places for Hindus. Overnight Pushkar.
Day 10 : Morning drive to Jaipur. In Jaipur visit the Amber
Fort - the ancient capital of the State. Visit the Sheesh Mahal or
the Hall of Victory glittering with mirrors. Ascend the Fort on
Elephant back.
Afternoon tour of Jaipur. Jaipur - the capital of Rajasthan was
given a colour coat of pink a century ago in honour of a visiting
Prince. Built by Maharaja Jai Singh, the notable astronomer, this
city is 260 years old. Visit Maharaja's City Palace, the Jantar
Mantar Observatory
& Ram Niwas Gardens. Drive past Hawa Mahal & through the pink rose
residential & business areas. Overnight Jaipur.
Day 11 : Drive to Agra visiting Fatehpur Sikri enroute.
Fatehpur Sikri is 40 kms from Agra and built by Emperor Akbar in
1569 and abandoned after 15 years due to scarcity of water. See the
graceful buildings including the Jama Masjid, Tomb of Salim Chisti,
Panch Mahal and other Palaces.
Afternoon visit the world famous Taj Mahal built by the Moghul
Emperor Shahjehan in 1630 for his Queen Mumtaz Mahal to enshrine her
mortal remains. Later visit the Agra Fort containing the Pearl
Mosque, the Halls of Public and Private Audience. Also visit the
Tomb of Itmad-ud-Daullah built by Empress Noorjehan in memory of her
father. Overnight Agra.
Day
12: Drive to Delhi. Afternoon free. Overnight stay.
Day 13 : Morning transfer to airport. |
