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Historical Tour of Rajasthan
Detailed Itinerary
Namaste - We welcome you with folded hands
Day 1 : Arrival at Delhi
Company representatives will receive you on arrival at the
international airport in Delhi late in the evening. Transfer to your
hotel.
Relax.
DELHI, the capital of kingdoms and empires
is now a sprawling metropolis with a fascinating blend of the past and
the present. It is a perfect
introduction to the composite culture of an ancient land. A
window to the kaleidoscope - that is India.
Overnight: will be at Delhi.
Day 2 : Delhi - Mathura - Vrindaban - Agra
Proceed for Agra after breakfast.
Visit Mathura and Vrindaban - LORD KRISHNA'S ABODE. Take a round of the ASHRAMS and TEMPLES. Have lunch and proceed to Agra.
Reach Agra in the
evening.
AGRA: Two great Mughal monarchs, Akbar
and Shah Jahan, transformed the little village of Agra into a befitting
second capital of the
Mughal Empire - giving it the name Dar-ul-Khilafat {seat
of the Emperor}. Today a visitor to Agra is caught up in a world of
contrasting edifices, of red
sandstone and white marble, narrow galleys and quaint
buggies, and that irresistible charm that this favorite city of the
Mughals still retains. It is
not surprising, that modern Agra still reflects its Mughal
heritage most conspicuously. A walk down the narrow bustling streets of
the city will
introduce the visitor to the wafting aroma of Mughlai
cuisine.
Overnight: will be at Agra.
Day 3 : Agra
After breakfast proceed to visit Taj. Enjoy battery van ride to the Taj.
TAJ
MAHAL: Little needs to be said about this architectural wonder which is
always
the soul raison-de-etre for every tourist's visit to Agra.
Built by Shah Jahan, the Taj is a white marble memorial to his
beautiful wife Mumtaz Mahal. This
monument took 22 years to be completed and was designed,
and planned by Persian architect Ustad Isa. Apart from it's stunning
design balance and perfect
symmetry, the Taj is also noted particularly for its
elegant domes, intricately carved screens and some of the best inlay
work ever seen. Proceed for
sightseeing to the AGRA FORT - Built by the famed Mughal
emperor Akbar in 1565 AD, the fort is predominantly of red sandstone.
Ensconced within is the picture
perfect Pearl Mosque, which is a major tourist attraction.
Visit Itmadullah's Tomb built by Empress NOOR JEHAN in memory
of her father (The interiors of which are considered better than the
Taj).
Overnight: Overnight will be at Agra.
Day 4 : Agra - Jaipur
After breakfast drive to beautiful Pink City - Jaipur.
Stop
at Fatehpur Sikri. The deserted, red Sandstone City, Emperor Akbar
built that as his capital and palace in the late
16th century is an exhilarating experience. It a veritable
fairytale city and its "ruins" are in pristine condition ... it's not
hard to imagine what the
court life must have been like in the days of it's
grandeur. Also visit the Bulund Darwaza, the largest gateway in the
world.
Reach and check in at hotel.
JAIPUR - The origins
of the beautiful city of Jaipur can be traced
back to the eighteenth century, during the reign of Jai
Singh II who ascended the Amber throne in 1699. Jaipur today, epitomizes
the spirit of Rajputana.
In-spite of growing into a bustling metropolis, it still
retains it's character and history - A beautiful fusion of the
yesteryears and modernity. Popularly
known as the Pink City because of the extensive use of the
locally abundant pink plastered stone, painted so in honor of the visit
of the royal consort of Queen
Victoria. Jaipur thrills the soul with its massive forts,
magnificent palaces, exquisite temples and lush gardens.
Overnight: Overnight at Jaipur.
Day 5 : Jaipur
Breakfast at hotel.
Proceed for excursion to Amber Fort in the outskirts of Jaipur. Elephant ride ascent to the fort.
AMBER
FORT PALACE - Amber is the classic romantic Rajasthani fort palace. Its
construction was started by Man Singh I in 1592, and
completed by his descendent Jai Singh I. It's forbidding exterior belies
an inner paradise where a beautiful
fusion of Mughal and Hindu styles finds it's ultimate
expression.
Proceed for sightseeing of the city.
CITY
PALACE - A delightful blend of Mughal and traditional Rajasthani
architecture, the City Palace sprawls over
one-seventh of the area in the walled city. It houses the
Chandra Mahal, Shri Govind Dev Temple and the City Palace Museum.
JANTAR
MANTAR - This is the largest and the best preserved of the five
observatories built by Jai Singh II
in different parts of the country. This observatory
consisting of outsized astronomical instruments is still in use.
HAWA
MAHAL - The ornamental facade of this "Palace of Winds" is a prominent
landmark in Jaipur. Its
five-storey structure of sandstone plastered pink
encrusted with fine trelliswork and elaborate balconies. The palace has
953 niches and windows.
Built in 1799 by Pratap Singh, the Mahal was a royal
grandstand for the palace women.
Visit a rug factory and see the ladies at the intricate work or a gem factory and see the gem cutting and polishing process.
Overnight: will be at Jaipur.
Day 6 : Jaipur- Pushkar
Proceed for Pushkar after breakfast. Reach Pushkar by noon and relax. Check in at PUSHKAR PALACE.
PUSHKAR
- Amongst the grandeur of Rajasthan, discover a unique gem - Pushkar.
Lord Brahma - The
creator of the world in a search for his abode on earth,
performed the supremely spiritual VEDIC YAGNA at Pushkar. It is thus the
site of the only Brahma Temple
in the world. Blessed with cultural blends, it is the
venue for the famous Pushkar Fair, with people coming from all over Asia
to buy and sell cattle of
breeds from across the world. The consecrated mausoleum of
Khawaja Moinuddin Chisti at Ajmer attracts pilgrims from all over the
world. A city of Pilgrimage
from time immemorial with over 500 temples and Ghats
Pushkar begets a legacy of timeless architectural heritage. Pushkar
radiates an ambience of peace and
spirituality that casts a lure to visit again and again.
The Pushkar fair is amongst the largest cattle fairs in the world and
amongst the oldest cities in
India, with references in mythology and the Mahabharat.
There are 52 bathing Ghats, which are linked to the lunar calendar,
enclose the lake. Each Ghat has
its own miraculous qualities and powers of healing and
this city of temples has over 500 temples built over different eras with
varied architectural styles. The
rose garden of Rajasthan - the essence of the famous
Pushkar rose is exported the world over. Pushkar has the most varied
terrain in Rajasthan with sand,
rock, hills, and proximity to a number of heritage
properties in the area and a number of fairs and festivals - especially
on the new and full moon days.
Visit the mausoleum, Anasagar and Akbar's Palace.
Overnight: will be at Pushkar.
Day 7: Pushkar - Ranthambhore
Visit the BRAHMA TEMPLE - The only one in the world.
Start early after breakfast for Ranthambhore.
Ranthambhore
Tiger Reserve, at the junction of the
Aravalis and the Vindhyas, is a unique example of natural
and historical richness, standing out conspicuously in the vast, arid
and denuded tract of
eastern Rajasthan, barely 14 kilometers from Sawai
Madhopur. Get in tune with nature for a luxury holiday in the heart of
the jungle. Ranthambhore - perhaps
the best place in the world to sight a tiger in the wild.
The Ranthambhore National Park has had more Tiger sightings than any
other National Park in the
country. It has come to be known as "The land of the
Tiger", where most of the documented footage of this majestic beast has
been recorded.
It spreads over a highly undulating topography
varying from gentle to steep slopes; from
flat topped hills of the Vindhyas to the conical hillocks
and sharp ridges of the Aravalis, from wide and flat valleys to narrow
rocky gorges. An important
geological feature the 'Great Boundary Fault' where the
Vindhya plateaus meet the Aravali hill ranges, meanders through the
Reserve. The National Park is
bound by the rivers Chambal in the south and Banas in the
north.
Proceed for the afternoon SAFARI to spot tigers.
Overnight: will be at Ranthambhore.
Day 8: Ranthambhore
Full day (two private safaris) at Ranthambhore.
Overnight: will be at Ranthambhore.
Day 9: Ranthambhore - Kota
Proceed for the morning SAFARI. Breakfast at hotel.
Start for KOTA.
Rajasthan's
largest industrial town situated on the banks of
the river Chambal is well known for its Kota sarees and
also for a miniature school of art which specialized in hunting scenes.
Visit
the CITY PALACE AND FORT - On the banks of the Chambal river close to
the Kota Barrage is the
fort and the city palace complex, which houses the RAO
MADHO SINGH MUSEUM containing the relics of the former rulers of Kota.
JAGMANDIR - in the island in Kishore Sagar Lake was built by one of the queens of Kota. You will
take a paddleboat and roam around the same for a spiritual experience.
Also visit the Govt. Museum and the famous gardens of Chambal and Chatter Bilas.
Overnight: will be at KOTA.
Day 10: Kota - Bundi - Chittaurgarh.
Breakfast at hotel. Start for Bundi.
36 km from
Kota is a tiny picturesque town, Bundi - One of the unexplored cities
with a rich
historical wealth. Once a part of Kota, it was ruled by
the Had Chauhans - an offshoot of the famous Chauhan clan who ruled
Delhi and Ajmer. Bundi is
surrounded by the Aravalli hills on the three sides and
is circumscribed by a massive wall with four gateways. In 1193 AD when
Prithvi Raj Chauhan was
defeated by Sultan Mohammed Ghauri, some Chauhan nobles
seeked shelter in Mewar and became allies to the Rana while other young
warriors moved towards the
Chambal valley and overpowered the Meena and Bhil tribals
thus establishing their own kingdom of Hadoti. Later, two branches of
Hadas formed two separate
states of Kota and Bundi, on either side of the River
Chambal. Bundi is surrounded by the Aravalli hills on three sides and is
circumscribed by a
massive wall with four gateways.
Visit the
TARAGARH or STAR FORT. Perched on a thickly wooded hill is a marvelous
white fort with a huge reservoir that
once supplied water to the palace. Built in 1354 AD the
fort is one of the most impressive forts of Rajasthan. This magnificent
edifice is a fine example of the
Rajput architecture, housing some of the superb Bundi
murals.
CHATRASAGAR is a fascinating pavilion of a gallery of miniature murals. Elaborate colorful
paintings on the walls depict scenes from the 'Ragamala' 'Raaslila' -- the Radha-Krishna story.
SUKH
MAHAL is a magnificent summer palace on the
Sukh Sagar Lake amid the lush surroundings of a beautiful
garden. An underground tunnel is believed to run from the Sukh Mahal to
the old palace.
Proceed to CHITTAURGARH.
THE EPITOME OF
ROMANCE AND VALOUR - The pride and glory
of Rajasthan, CHITTAUR echoes with the tales of romance
and valor unique to the Rajput tradition. This is a ruined citadel,
where the royal past lives in its
imposing forts, graceful palaces and spectacular
CHATTRIS. This fortified settlement has been ravaged thrice and each
time the outcome was 'JAUHAR' -when
women and children immolated themselves on a huge funeral
pyre while men donned in saffron robes of martyrdom rode out of the
fort towards a certain
death.
After visiting the FORT proceed to stay at the BIJAIPUR CASTLE SUITE.
Overnight: will be at CASTLE.
Day 11: Bijaipur - Udaipur
Start for Udaipur after breakfast.
Reach and check in at hotel.
The
city of Dawn, Udaipur is a lovely land around the
azure lake, hemmed in by the lush hills of the ARAVALLIS. A
vision in white drenched in romance and beauty, Udaipur is a
fascinating blend of sights, sound
and experiences and inspiration for the imagination of
poets, painters and writers.
Its kaleidoscope of fairy-tale
palaces, lakes, temples, gardens
and narrow lanes strewn with stalls, carry the flavor of a
heroic past, epitomizing valor and chivalry. Their reflection in the
placid waters of the
LAKE PICHOLA is an enticing sight.
Udaipur is the jewel of MEWAR -a kingdom ruled by the Sisodia dynasty for 1200 Years.
Relax in the evening.
Overnight: will be at Udaipur.
Day 12: Udaipur
Breakfast at hotel.
Proceed for sightseeing tour of Udaipur, stopping first at City Palace. Here you will marvel at rooms with
mirrored walls and ivory doors, colored glass windows and inlaid marble balconies and the Peacock Courtyard.
Also visit the lovely Sahelion-ki-Bari Gardens, the Jagdish Temple and the local folk
Museum.
Proceed for Evening Motor launch cruise
on the placid waters of Lake Pichola. From he boat you will be able to
view the city of Udaipur as it
rises majestically above the lake in the middle of the
Rajasthan desert. Also visit the Jag Mandir Palace - the other island
palace in the middle of the lake. Spend some time at the Jag Mandir
Palace.
Overnight: will be at Udaipur.
Day 13: Udaipur - Kumbalgarh
After breakfast drive to Kumbalgarh.
En-route, visit the
RANAKPUR TEMPLES, dating back to the 15th century. 200 pillars, none of
which are alike, support its 29 halls. The Temple
abounds with intricate friezes and sculptures. Includes
visits to two more Jain temples and the Temple of the Sun God with its
erotic sculptures.
Reach Kumbalgarh.
Cradled in the
cluster of thirteen mountain peaks of the
Aravalli ranges, the formidable medieval citadel-
Kumbalgarh stands a wary sentinel to the past glory. Rising from a
prominent ridge, 1914 metres high from the sea level, the fort was built
in 15th century AD by Maharana Kumbha (1419-63 AD) and is the principal
fortification after Chittaurgarh, lying 90 km
north-west of Udaipur.
The massive fort, encompassed by a 36-km long wall, has seven majestic gates and seven ramparts, one within the other. Rounded
bastions and high watchtowers strengthen the crenellated walls of the fort making it an impregnable structure.
Overnight: will be at Kumbalgarh.
Day 14: Kumbalgarh - Jodhpur
Proceed in the morning after a leisurely breakfast and reach Jodhpur.
Set
at the edge of the Thar Desert, the imperial city of Jodhpur echoes
with tales of antiquity in the
emptiness of the desert. Once the capital of the Marwar
state, it was founded in 1459 AD by Rao Jodha-chief of the Rathore clan
of Rajputs who claimed to be
descendants of Rama - the epic hero of the Ramayana. The
massive 15th century AD Mehrangarh Fort looms on the top of a rocky
hill, soaring 125 Mts. Above the
plains. The city is encompassed by a high wall -10 km long
with 8 gates and innumerable bastions.
Relax in the hotel and visit the museum of UMAID BHAWAN PALACE.
Overnight: will be at Jodhpur.
Day 15: Jodhpur
Morning go for a village safari in the jeep and have a
rare glimpse into the rich culture and true essence of India. Abundant
wildlife (game) and memorable moments of the
great desert landscape fascinates one while driving along
the countryside.
Afternoon sightseeing tour of Jodhpur - gateway
to the desert beyond, home of the Rathors of Marwar, visit the
Mehrangarh Fort, rising
up a hilly scarp, built on the advice of a hermit,
overlooking the city in the image of a long sentinel. Inside the Fort
are a number of palaces added by
successive rulers. In this palace you would see different
miniature paintings & cradle room. After this you would visit
Jaswant Thada Memorial.
Overnight: will be at Jodhpur.
Day 16: Jodhpur - Jaisalmer
Proceed for Jaisalmer.
Rising from the heart of
the Thar Desert like a golden mirage is the city of Jaisalmer. A
commanding fort etched in yellow sandstone stands, with its awesome
splendor, dominating the
amber-hued city.
The city has an interesting
legend associated with it, according to which, Lord Krishna-the head of
the Yadav Clan, foretold Arjuna
that a remote descendent of the Yadav Clan would build his
kingdom atop the Trikuta Hill. His prophecy was fulfilled in 1156 AD
when Rawal Jaisal, a
descendent of the Yadav Clan and a Bhatti Rajput,
abandoned his fort at Lodurva and founded a new capital -Jaisalmer,
perched on the Trikuta Hill.
Overnight: will be at Jaisalmer.
Day 17: Jaisalmer
After a relaxed breakfast proceed for full day sightseeing
tour of The Golden City - Jaisalmer. It is in the heart of the Great
Indian Desert. Its temple, fort and palaces are all built of yellow
stone.
The city is a mass of intricately carved buildings,
facades and elaborate balconies. Visit the JAISALMER FORT - The oldest
living Fort in the world. (This
is the highlight of the tour)
See the Patwon-Ki-Havelies, Salim-Singh-Ki-Haveli and Gandhi Sagar Tank. Also visit Barabagh Hill.
In
the afternoon, proceed to the SAM SAND DUNES for visiting the typical
Rajasthani
Desert Village. View the sunset from the dunes, as the sky
is set on fire. Return to the village for dinner amidst Rajasthani
musicians playing haunting tunes.
Overnight: will be at SWISS TENT CAMP.
Day 18: Safari
Breakfast at the camp.
Start for JHAMBA CAMPS through the desert in the jeeps. Reach in the afternoon and overnight on camp.
Overnight: will be at Camp.
Day 19: Safari to Bikaner
Breakfast at the camp. Continue with the safari and reach Bikaner via NAGAUR.
Check in at hotel.
BIKANER
- The royal fortified city with a timeless appeal. Lying in the north
of the Desert State,
the city is dotted with many sand dunes. Bikaner retains
the medieval splendor that pervades the city's lifestyle.
More
popularly called the camel country, the city is renowned for the best
riding camels in the world. The ship
of the desert is an inseparable part of life here. Be it
pulling heavy carts, transporting grains or working on wells, camels are
the prime helpers. The wells of Bikaner - an important source of water
are other attractions of the city. These are built on high plinths with
slender minareted towers on each of the
Four Corners and can be noticed even from a distance.
Overnight: will be at Bikaner.
Day 20: Bikaner - Mandawa.
Breakfast at hotel. Proceed for sightseeing tour of Bikaner.
Rao
Bikaji, a descendant of Jodhaji - the founder of Jodhpur, founded this
desert town in the North of the
state in 1488. Visit the Junagarh Fort, constructed
between 1588 and 1593 by Raja Jai Singh, a general in the Moghul Emperor
Akbar's army. The city is also
called the "Camel Country". Visit the camel-breeding farm -
the only one in Asia. Visit the KARNI MATA TEMPLE.
Proceed for Mandawa.
The
medieval Fort of Mandawa gradually rises on the horizon like a mirage. A
breathtaking view of the town can be seen from the terrace
of Castle Mandawa. Precious collection of arms with jade handles,
traditional ceremonial costumes
can be seen at the Museum at the Castle. The havelies
worth a visit are Chokhani, Saraf, Goenka and Ladia in this town. Built
in 1775 by Thakur Nawal
Singh, descendant of Rao Shekhaji, who also founded the
city of Nawalgarh. The Castle, now a 51 rooms hotel has no two rooms
alike. It also houses an
interesting collection of paintings, jade, costumes and
antiques. The courtyard and the terrace come to live during evenings
with candle-lit dinners and
fire-dances during the season. A two hundred and forty
year old fortess, that has been converted by the family into a fine
example of traditional hospitality.
Overnight: will be at Mandawa.
Day 21: Mandawa - Delhi.
Breakfast at hotel.
Take a walking tour of the
painted 'havelis' of some of the leading business families of the
country.
Though they no longer live here, the local caretakers are
happy to show the visitors around. Chowkhani Haveli, Gulab Rai Ladia
Haveli, Lakshminarayan Ladia
Haveli, Mohahanlal Saraf Haveli and Bhagchandika Haveli
are of special interest. Spend the major part of the day looking into
frescoes.
Also visit
Mahensar and Dundlod meeting the local village chief. Leave for Delhi.
Overnight: will be at Delhi.
Day 21: Mandawa - Delhi
Breakfast at hotel.
Take a walking tour of the
painted 'havelis' of some of the leading business families of the
country.
Though they no longer live here, the local caretakers are
happy to show the visitors around. Chowkhani Haveli, Gulab Rai Ladia
Haveli, Lakshminarayan Ladia
Haveli, Mohahanlal Saraf Haveli and Bhagchandika Haveli
are of special interest. Spend the major part of the day looking into
frescoes.
Also visit Mahensar and Dundlod meeting the local village chief. Leave for Delhi.
Overnight: will be at Delhi.
Day 22: Delhi
Breakfast at Delhi. Proceed for a full day tour of Old & New Delhi.
OLD
DELHI - A sightseeing tour of Old Delhi would entail visiting the Raj
Ghat - the memorial site where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated;
Jama Masjid - the largest mosque in India and the Red Fort
- once the most opulent fort and palace of the Moghul Empire.
Cycle rickshaw ride from Jama Masjid to Chandni Chowk.
NEW
DELHI - An extensive sightseeing tour
of New Delhi would include a visit to the Humayun's Tomb,
the Qutub Minar, a drive along the ceremonial avenue - Rajpath, past the
imposing India Gate,
Parliament House, the President's Residence and would end
with a drive through the Diplomatic Enclave.
Overnight: will be at Delhi.
Day 23: Delhi - Home
Breakfast at hotel. Day free to explore the city and finish last minute shopping.
Proceed for the DANCES OF INDIA SHOW in the evening at 1800 hr after checking out of the hotel. After
the show you will have FAREWELL DINNER before reaching the airport for flight home with sweet memories of India.
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