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Day 01 : Abroad / Delhi
On arrival at Indira Gandhi International airport, transfer to
the hotel. Rest of the day will be free for independent
activities. Overnight Stay in Delhi
Day 02 : Delhi - Mandawa
Morning: Drive to Mandawa and on arrival, check-in at hotel.
Rest of the day visit Havelis in and around Mandawa. Overnight
Stay in Mandawa
-- Shekhawati is a colourful fantasy having a fascination
uniquely of its own. The open-air art galley, as it is popularly
called, is famous for its plethora of painted havelis, all
commendable pieces of the rich artistic tradition of this
region. It is famous for its Havelis (mansion) built by rich
merchants of the region, display a unique architectural style
that evolved around the courtyards to ensure safety and privacy
of the women folk and protection from the heat of the long and
harsh summers. The Havelis, painted predominantly in blue,
maroon, yellow, green and indigo have beautiful wall paintings
that adorn their walls.
Day 03 : Mandawa - Bikaner
After breakfast drive to Bikaner. Upon arrival check-in Hotel.
Rest of the day is to visit city excursions of Bikaner.
Overnight Stay will be at Bikaner.
Bikaner, the royal fortified city, with a timeless appeal in the
North State of Rajasthan, retains the medieval splendour that
pervades the city's lifestyle. More popularly called the camel
country, the city is renowned for the best riding camels in the
world. This city stands on a slightly raised ground and is
circumscribed by a seven-km long embattled wall with five gates.
The magnificent forts and palaces, in reddish-pink sandstone
created with delicacy, bear testimony to its rich historical and
architectural legacy. Undulating lanes, colourful bazaars and
bright and cheerful folks make the visit Bikaner an interesting
experience. Visit the Junagarh Fort, built in 1593 AD by Raj Rai
Singh, one of the best in Rajasthan. It comprises of 37 palaces
with pavilions, mosaic courtyards, carved balconies, kiosks and
windows dotted all over the structure. The Shish Mahal, the
Grand Durbar Hall, the 17th century Karan Mahal, Anup Mahal and
the Phool Mahal bring to life the grandeur of a bygone era. The
Fort museum has a rare collection of Sanskrit and Persian
manuscripts and miniature painting.
Day 04 : Bikaner - Jaisalmer
In the morning enjoy the surrounding of Hotel. After breakfast,
drive to Jaisalmer. Upon arrival, check-in at hotel. Rest of the
day is to visit city excursions of Jaisalmer. Overnight Stay
will be at Hotel.
Day 05 : Jaisalmer
After breakfast, visit this perfect Rajput walled desert
city which is like a golden jewel shimmering above the hard
sand.
Rising from the Thar Desert like a golden mirage is the city of
Jaisalmer. The Jaiselmer fort etched in yellow sandstone stands
with all its awesome splendour. The life within the citadel
conjures up images of medieval majesty visible in its narrow
lanes strewn with magnificent palaces, havelies, temples and
typical desert life of men women cattle and camels. The 80 meter
high fort, perch on the hill, houses the entire township within
its ramparts. It has enchanting narrow lanes dotted with
exquisite havelis, beautifully sculptured Jain temples of the
12th-15th century and palaces. The fort is approached through
four gateways -Akhaiya Pol, Ganesh Pol, Suraj Pol and Hava Pol.
Some of the most exotic mansions or havelis, all intricately
latticed, are strewn all over Jaisalmer each with a different
facade. The Havelis of Nathmalji, Patwon and Salim Singh all in
Yellow Marble of Jaisalmer are exquisite works of art. A camel
safari through the interesting and remote desert villages of
Roopsi, Doojasar, Kanoi, Kuldara and the Cenotaphs of Barabagh
can be interesting. The villages are very special, as different
communities inhabit them.
Day 06 : Jaisalmer - Jodhpur
Proceed in the morning after a leisurely breakfast and reach
Jodhpur. Relax in the hotel and visit the museum of Umaid Bhawan
Palace and Mehrangarh Fort. Overnight Stay will be at Jodhpur.
At the edge of the Thar Desert, the imperial city of Jodhpur
echoes with tales of antiquity in the emptiness of the desert.
The massive 15th century AD Mehrangarh Fort looms on the top of
a rocky hill, soaring 125 mts. above the plains. A high wall
encompasses the city -10 km long with 8 gates and innumerable
bastions. The lifestyle in Jodhpur is unusually fascinating with
people wearing lovely multi hued costumes, artistically
designed. Shopping in Jodhpur bazaars is a heady experience with
a colourful display of the rich collection of exquisite
handicrafts. The tie-and-dye fabric, embroidered "jutis" or
slippers in suede, camel skin, velvet and leather, beautiful
silks, durries, marble souvenirs from Makrana, an extensive
range of useful and decorative items etc., are of interest. he
Mehrangarh fort is one of the most impressive and formidable
structures. Invincible from the outside, the fort has four gates
approached by a winding road. Within the fort are some
magnificent palaces with marvelously carved panels with latticed
windows These palaces house a fabulous collection of trappings
of Indian royalty including a superb collection of palanquins,
elephant howdahs, miniature paintings of various schools,
musical instruments, costumes and furniture.
Day 07 : Jodhpur - Udaipur
Early morning visits the surrounding villages and witnesses
their daily lifestyle of living and enjoy cup of tea / coffee
with them. Breakfast will be at hotel. Later drive to Udaipur,
enroute visit temples of Ranakpur. Upon arrival in Udaipur,
check-in at hotel.
Day 08 : Udaipur
Morning, city tour of Udaipur - the romantic Lake City in
Southern Rajasthan, famous for the stunning white marble Palace
built on an island in the Lake Pichola. It was the former Palace
of the Maharana and now converted to one of the most glamorous
hotels in India. The tour will cover the magnificent City
Palace, the Jagdish temple, the pleasure gardens and a drive
around the other nearby lakes.
Udaipur, the city of Dawn, is the Jewel of Mewar -a
kingdom ruled by the Sisodia Dynasty for 1200 years. Its
kaleidoscope of fairy-tale palaces, lakes, temples, gardens and
narrow lanes strewn with stalls, carry the flavour of a heroic
past, epitomizing valour and chivalry. Their reflection of these
building in the placid waters of the Lake Pichola is an enticing
sight.
Morning : City tour of Udaipur. Visit the City Palace, a
majestic architectural marvel that is perched on a hill and
towers over Lake Picchola. The Palace is a majestic
conglomeration of courtyards, pavilions, terraces, corridors,
rooms and hanging gardens. Each palace within is an outstanding
creation of art. Visit the Bharatiya Lok Kala Museum, which has
an interesting collection of Indian folk art including costumes,
ornaments, puppets, masks, dolls, musical instruments and
deities. Later visit Saheliyon-ki-bari the "Ladies Garden", with
its rich foliage and intricately designed fountains.
Afternoon : Enjoy a Boat cruise on Lake Pichola on which the
majestic Lake Palace Hotel is situated. See the ghats along the
lake and the interesting buildings on the banks. The view of the
city palace from the lake is spectacular. Dock at the Jagmandir
island where the Maharana of Udaipur once gave Shah Jahan
sanctuary.
Day 09 : Udaipur - Pushkar
After breakfast, drive to Pushkar and on arrival check in at
hotel. Rest of the day guided visit to Lake and Bramha temple.
Overnight Stay will be at Pushkar
Surrounded by hills on three sides, Pushkar, 11 kms from Ajmer,
abounds in temples; of these the most famous is the Brahma
temple - the only temple dedicated to Lord Brahma in the
country. Once a year, during the Kartik Purnima, the entire
region comes alive with a pulsating Camel and Cattle Fair. There
is a week long celebration with an explosion of fun, frolic,
games and laughter with threads of religious fervour. Bedecked
and festooned cattle wait in the clouds of sand and the pious
gather at the break of dawn to take a dip in the holy Pushkar
Lake to absolve themselves of all their sins.
Day 10 : Pushkar - Jaipur
After breakfast drive to Jaipur. Afternoon tour of "Pink
City" - Surrounded on three sides by the rugged Aravali hills,
Jaipur is the picturesque capital of Rajasthan. It takes its
name from the prince, soldier and astronomer Jai Singh II who
moved his capital here in 1727.
Day 11 : Jaipur
Tour of the impressive Amber Fort, situated on a ridge just
outside Jaipur City. At the foot of the hill you will mount your
caparisoned elephant for the slow but steady climb up to the
main gate, making your entrance in the time honoured fashion.
The Fort, completed in the early 18th century, took over 100
years to build and now, although deserted, offers a fascinating
insight into the lifestyle of the Moghul ruling families.
Jaipur, the vibrant capital of Rajasthan, is popularly
known as the ' Pink City ' because of the pink-coloured
buildings in its old city. It sits on a dry lake bed in a
somewhat arid landscape, surrounded by barren hills surmounted
by forts and crenellated walls. This buzzing metropolis is
certainly a place of wild contrasts and a feast for the eyes.
All through, Jaipur has retained its strong Rajputana flavour
tempered by several influences - the mughal being the most
prominent. The region's strong cultural heritage is distinctly
evident even today. The city is a visitor's delight. From the
intricate, delicate looking Hawa Mahal to the graphic forms of
the Jantar Mantar - an open air observatory of outsized
astronomical instruments, the Badi Chaupar lined with shops and
business establishments on both sides to the majestic
fort-palace at Amber; from the colorful fountains of life to the
sublime Birla Temple; from the architectural delight of the City
Palace to the serene Jal Mahal.
Day 12 : Jaipur - Ranthambhor
Drive Morning one more drive deep into the park then drive
to Ranthambhore National Park, which is rich in wildlife
including tiger, nilgai, jungle cat, mugger and python. Night
will be jungle Lodge.
Day 13 - 14 : Ranthambhor
Morning and afternoon have safaris in Ranthambhore. Overnight
Stay will be at Hotel.
Ranthambore National Park is in Sawai Madhopur District
of Rajasthan state. Located at the junction of the Aravalli and
Vindhya hill range, this is one of the finest places to view
animals, especially as they are used to being stared at here.
The park covers an area of Approximately 400 sq Km and if
combined it with the area of Sawai Man singh sanctuary area, it
is around 500 Sq km. Ranthambore national park was declared a
wildlife sanctuary in 1957 and in 1974 it gained the protection
of "Project Tiger". It got its status of a National Park in
1981.
Day 15 : Ranthambhor - Agra
Today morning one shorter visits the sanctuary. Later in
time drive to Agra. Evening arrive Agra and transfer to hotel
for night stay.
Agra is famous as the home to one of the Seven Wonders of
the World -the Taj Mahal. The architectural splendor of the
mausoleums, the fort and the palaces in Agra is a vivid reminder
of the opulence of the legendary Mughal Empire. Agra was their
capital for nearly a hundred years from 1564. A pleasant town,
with a comparatively easy pace, Agra is known for its superb
inlay work on marble and soapstone by artisans who are
hereditary craft persons. The city is also famous for its
carpets, gold thread embroidery and leather shoes.
Day 16 : Agra
Today morning enjoy city sight-seeing of Agra, visiting Red
Fort, Itimad-Ul-Daula and the world famous monument Taj Mahal.
Taj Mahal - One of the Seven Wonders of the World,
built by Emperor Shah Jahan in the memory of his beloved consort
Mumtaz Mahal. This beautiful mausoleum took 22 years to complete
with a work force of 20,000 craftsmen and master builders, who
came from all over Asia to join in this great work from Baghdad,
Shiraz, Delhi, Samarkand and Turkey. The marble, India s finest;
was quarried at Makrana near Jodhpur. Precious and semi precious
stones were imported from distant lands : Jasper from Punjab,
Jade & Crystal from China, Turquoise from Tibet, Lapis from
Afghanistan and Ceylon, Chrysolite from Egypt, Amethyst from
Persia, Agate from Yemen, Malachite from Russia, Diamonds from
Golconda and Mother of Pearl from the Indian Ocean.
Day 17 : Agra - Delhi
After breakfast, city tour of Agra. Afternoon, leave for Delhi,
on arrival, you will be transfer to the airport to board flight
back home.
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