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Rajasthan Fort and Palaces Tour
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 - Agra
Proceed for Agra after breakfast.
Reach Agra in the afternoon.
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.
Check in at hotel and proceed for
sightseeing.
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: will be at Agra.
Day 3 : 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 will be at Jaipur.
Day 4 : 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: Overnight at Jaipur.
Day 5 : Jaipur - Pushkar (By Road 140 km/3 hr)
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 Hotel.
Day 6 : Pushkar - Ranthambhore (By Road 240 km/6 hr)
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 7: Ranthambhore
Full day (two private safaris) at Ranthambhore.
Overnight: will be at Ranthambhore.
Day 8: Ranthambhore - Kota (By Road 140 km/3 hr)
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 9: Kota - Bundi - Chittaurgarh (By Road 180 km/5 hr)
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 10: Bijaipur - Udaipur (By Road 180 km/5 hr).
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.
Overnight: will be at Udaipur.
Day 11: 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 12: Udaipur - Kumbalgarh (By Road 100 km/2 hr)
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 13: Kumbalgarh - Jodhpur (By Road 150 km/4 hr)
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.
Overnight: will be at Jodhpur.
Day 14: 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 15: Jodhpur - Jaisalmer (By Road 300 km/5 hr)
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 16: 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 17: Jaisalmer to Bikaner (By Road 330 km/5 hr)
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 18: Bikaner - Mandawa (By Road 140 km/3 hr)
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 19: Mandawa - Delhi (By Road 260 km/5 hr)
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. Reach by evening.
Overnight: will be at Delhi.
Day 20: 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 resort.
Day 21: Sawai Madhopur - Breakfast at hotel.
Game drives can be availed through the day as per annexure given at
the end of the itinerary.
Overnight: will be at Delhi.
Day 21: 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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