Rajasthan - Land of Maharajas
12 Days / 11 Nights
New Delhi | Agra | Fatehpur Sikri | Jaipur | Mandawa | Bikaner | Jaisalmer | Jodhpur | Ranakpur | Udaipur 12 Days / 11 Nights Udaipur | Jaipur | Agra
Day 01 : Arrive New Delhi 
Arrive at New Delhi International airport. You will be welcomed by our representative & transferred to hotel. The city of Delhi actually consists of two parts. Old Delhi, was the capital of Muslim India between the 12th and 19th Centuries. In Old Delhi you will find many mosques, monuments and forts relating to India's Muslim history. The other is New Delhi, the imperial capital city created by the British. Evening is free for leisure. Overnight stay in Delhi.
Day 02 : Tour Delhi & drive to Agra (04 hrs) After breakfast proceed on sightseeing tour of Old & New Delhi. Visit Red fort - Shah Jahan shifted his capital from Agra to Shahjahanabad and laid the foundation of Red Fort, or the Lal Quila, on 16th April 1639. It took nine years to build this mighty citadel and it got completed on 16th April 1648. Lotus temple - One of the most beautiful temples in India, the 40 m high Lotus Temple is also known as Bahai Temple, and is built in the shape of a half-opened Lotus flower. Situated near Bahapur village, it is the seventh Baha'i House of Worship in the world. Qutab minar - Qutubuddin Aibak laid the foundation of Qutab Minar, as a victory tower, in 1199 AD. Originally, it rose to a height of 72.5 m. It is undoubtedly one of the finest stone towers in India and one of the most important landmarks of Delhi. Iltutmish, the son-in-law and successor of Qutubuddin, completed its construction. Nearby, one can also see the ruins of the Tomb of Iltutmish. Rajghat- cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi is one of the most visited sites in Delhi. It consists of a simple square black-marble platform that stands on the spot where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated. Nearby, there are cremation sites of Jawaharlal Nehru - the first Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi, Sanjay Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shastri. Raj Ghat is situated to the south of Red Fort and is very peaceful. jama masjid - Shah Jahan, as his final architectural extravagance, built one of the largest mosques in India, Jama Masjid. It is situated in Old Delhi area of the capital. Owing to its huge size, it took six years to be fully complete. Situated on a high platform, the austere, yet beautiful, building was built in red sandstone, with extensive use of white marble. Chandni chowk - The antiquity of the main market area of Chandni Chowk has rendered it a venerated place in the markets of Delhi. Followed by tour of New Delhi. Drive along Rajpath, the capital's broadest avenue, for a view of the Parliament House, the President's House and India Gate. Visit the Humayun's Tomb & Qutab Minar. Late afternoon we drive to Agra - In the 16th and 17th Centuries, was the capital of Moghul India and its superb monuments date from that era. It has a magnificent fort and the building which so many people come to India solely to see - the Taj Mahal. Check in & relax. Overnight stay in Agra.
Day 03 : Tour Agra Early today on sun rise visit Taj Mahal (closed on Friday) - the mausoleum of Empress Mumtaz Mahal, the beloved spouse of Shah Jahan, who died in 1630. Generally considered the finest example of Mughul architecture - a style that combines elements of Persian, Turkish, Indian and Islamic elements - the Taj complex comprises a forecourt, lofty entrance and charming formal Mughal garden with canal and a central tank with a series of fountains. The tomb proper has an attached mosque on the west and its symmetrical counterpart on the east. The Taj is remarkable for its perfect proportions and rich pietra dura - the technique of using small, exquisitely cut and fitted, highly-polished coloured stones to create what is effectively a painting in stone. The building, often styled "a dream in marble" is said to have taken at least 22 years to build. Return to hotel for breakfast. visit Agra fort - The magnificent towers, bastions, ramparts, and gateways of the Agra Fort symbolize the stature and power of Mughal Emperor Akbar. The Agra fort is built alongside the Yamuna river and stretches almost 2.5 km. It consists of a wall built in red sandstone with several buildings inside. Part of the Agra fort is still in use by the Indian Army and are not accessible to the public, but there's still enough left to get an insight on the way the Mughals lived in the 16th century. Evening is free for leisure. Overnight stay in Agra.
Day 04 : Drive to Jaipur (05 hrs)
Today we drive to Jaipur : The capital city of the state of Rajasthan is popularly known as the 'Pink City' of the terra-cotta-colored lime plaster that coats the old part of the city's walls, buildings, and temples. The reasons for painting the town pink are unknown, some say it is because Maharaja Jai Singh II's being a devotee of Lord Shiva and as pink was his favourite. The most popular reason is that pink is the traditional color of hospitality, and the old part of the city was freshly painted and paved with pink gravel to warmly welcome Edward VII for his visit here in 1876. Today, Jaipur is a thriving world class economy that attracts more and more multinational enterprises to set up shop here than in any other city of prominence in North India. Enroute visiting Emperor Akbar's 16th century abandoned city of Fatehpur Sikri. This ghost town is remarkably well preserved and presents a perfect synthesis of Muslim, Hindu and Jain architecture. The sculptured columns bear mute testimony to this gallant experiment to unite Hindus and Muslims. Check in & relax. Overnight stay in Jaipur.
Day 05 : Tour Amber Palace & Jaipur City
Early today proceed on an excursion to Amber Fort, here you are transported back in time, riding royally atop elegantly draped and painted elephants to the mountain fortress of Amber - situated about 11 kilometres from Jaipur and was the ancient citadel of the ruling Kachwahas of Amber, before the capital was shifted to the plains, the present day Jaipur. The Amber Fort set in picturesque and rugged hills is a fascinating blend of Hindu and Mughal architecture. Constructed by Raja Man Singh I in 1592 and completed by Mirja Raja Jai Singh the fort was made in red sand stone and white marble. The rugged forbidding exterior belies an inner paradise with a beautiful fusion of art and architecture. Amber is the classic and romantic fort-palace with a magnificent aura. The interior wall of the palace depicts expressive painting scenes with carvings, precious stones and mirror settings. In the foreground is the Maota Lake providing a breathtaking vista. Afternoon proceed on city tour. Visit Palace of Winds - The poet king Sawai Pratap Singh built this Palace of winds. This is easily the most well-known landmarks of Jaipur and is also its icon. Located in the City Palace complex, it is best viewed from the road outside. Jantar Mantar - Across the road from the palaces is the famous Jantar Mantar, one of the five observatories in India, built by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh. This is one of the largest and the best preserved. The king was passionate about astronomy and numerology small wonder then that it led to the setting up of the observatory. City Palace & Observatory - Located in the heart of the walled city, the City Palace Complex gives you an idea about the farsightedness of the founder of Jaipur Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh. He left behind a legacy of some of the most imposing and magnificent architecture in the city. Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh built many buildings but some of the structures were also built by later rulers. The palace is a blend of Mughal and Rajput architecture and the ex-royal family still lives in a part of the palace. Evening is free to relax. Overnight stay in Jaipur.
Day 06 : Drive & tour Mandawa - Shekhawati Region (04 hrs)
Today we will drive you to heart of Mandawa a small & busy market town that came into being in the 18th century & was subsequently fortified by merchant families. It is known as open art gallery & offers some of the finest collections of fresco wall painted havelis (traditional mansions) in this region. Arrive & check in. Afternoon explore the magnificent frescoed haveli's built by rich merchants. Evening is free for leisure. Overnight stay in Mandawa.
Day 07 : Drive & tour Bikaner (04 hrs) This morning drive to Bikaner - tucked away in the desert of western Rajasthan and characterized by its beautiful sandstone architecture. Bikaner was frequented by the legendary caravans that strung out across the desert of West Asia & Africa. Upon arrival check in. Afternoon visit visiting the unusual and impressive Junagarh Fort, built on the desert plain itself, instead of a usual hilltop. The palace complex with its sumptuously decorated interiors, ornately lacquered walls and dazzling colored glass, is perhaps the best preserved example of its kind in India followed by visit to Karni Mata Temple & Camel Breeding Farm. Evening is free for leisure. Overnight stay in Bikaner.
Day 08 :Drive to Jaisalmer (04 hrs)
After breakfast drive to the Golden City of Jaisalmer awaits you with desert fortress whose stone ramparts glint like gold by the setting sun. A city that is unrivalled in its magic, romance & exotic beauty. Upon arrival check in. Experience a camel safari on the sam sand dunes & gaze the sunset overlooking the golden sands. The ripples on the wind-caressed dunes and the numerous musicians and dancers are a photographer's delight. Evening is free to explore the local bazaars. Overnight stay in Jaisalmer.
Day 09 : Tour Jaisalmer After breakfast proceed on a guided tour, Visit the awesome Jaisalmer Fort, housing the entire township within its ramparts. Visit the Lovely Nathmalji-ki-Haveli and Patwonki- Haveli, three beautifully sculptured Jain temples built between the 12th and 13th centuries and five interconnected palaces. Evening is free for leisure. Overnight stay in Jaisalmer.
Day 10 : Drive & tour Jodhpur (04 hrs) Early today we will drive you to Jodhpur – known as the blue city, this land of royalty is a glittering jewel set in the golden sands of barren desert landscape. The light that reflects of the golden sands engulf a land renowned for its vibrant colours, people in the bright clothes and beautiful jewellery, living in city dotted and dominated by towering fort and palaces that rise from sand like a mirage. On arrival proceed on a guided city tour of Jodhpur. Visit the fortress of Meherangarh Fort with its graceful palaces, a spectacular setting for the rich past & culture of the imperial city. Jaswant Thada - a white marble memorial built in memory of Maharaja Jaswant II in 1899. Umaid Bhawan Palace - Made of marble and pink sandstone, the construction of the Umaid Bhawan started in 1929 and it took 16 years to complete it. It is believed that the palace was constructed to give employment to the famine-struck population of Jodhpur. Evening is free to explore the local bazaars. Overnight stay in Jodhpur.
Day 11 : Drive to Udaipur (04 hrs) This morning depart for Udaipur. Stop en route and tour the beautifully sculpted 15th century Jain temples of Ranakpur. Continue your drive to the Udaipur - known as Venice of the East, the city is famous for its palaces, lake, museums, temples, and gardens. Late evening arrive & check in. Rest of the evening is free to unwind / relax. Overnight stay in Udaipur.
Day 12 : Tour Udaipur & depart After breakfast proceed on a guided tour of Udaipur, visit the City Palace, stronghold of the Maharanas of Mewar & Saheliyon ki Badi (garden of maids of honour). Afternoon is at leisure to enjoy the tranquillity & serenity of the city of lakes. Evening experience the sunset cruise on lake Pichola which overlooks the summer palace (lake palace) & the Jag Mandir. Late afternoon we transfer to Udaipur airport for your flight to onward destination.
End of a memorable tour !!!
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