Mumbai

Rajasthan

Kerala

Rajasthan Tour 06

THE RAJASTHAN FASCINATION
(22 Nights / 23 Days)

NEW DELHI -> |  BAGAR -> |  BIKANER -JAISALMER -JODHPUR -> |  KUMBALGARH -> |  UDAIPUR -> |  DUNGARPUR -> |  BIJAPUR -> |  KOTA -> |  RANTHAMBHORE -> |  PUSHKAR -JAIPUR -> |  NEEMRANA -> |  NEW DELHI

Day 01 : Arrival Delhi
Arrive Delhi, meet assist at the airport & transfer to hotel. Night stay in Delhi.

Day 02 : Delhi
After breakfast proceed for sightseeing tour of Old & New Delhi :
OLD DELHI - A sight-seeing 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.

NEW DELHI - An extensive sight-seeing 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, Lotus Temple and would end with a drive through the Diplomatic Enclave. Night stay in Delhi.

Day 03 : New Delhi - Bagar ( By road )
Morning drive to  Shekhawati town and Bagar. The typical havelis in Shekhawati consist of two courtyards, an outer one for the men which serves as an extended threshold and the inner one, the domain of the women. The biggest ones sometimes had three or four courtyards and two to three stories high. On arrival  transfer to hotel. Evening at leisure. Night stay in Bagar.

Day 04 : Bagar
Morning after breakfast excursion to Nawalgarh - founded in 1737 by Nawal Singh. Has some of the best preserved havelis and finest frescoes in Shekhawati. Later visit Mandawa  - founded in the 18^th century. Mandawa ,often called the open air art gallery of Rajasthan', the region is famous for the high quality frescoes. Also visit the painted Havelis of the ancient and the famous silk route. Night stay in Mandawa. Night stay in Bagar.

Day 05 : Bagar - Bikaner ( By road )
Morning drive to Bikaner - the camel city. Visit the well-preserved Junagarh Fort. It is an unassailable fortress, which has never been conquered. Built in 1593 A.D. by Raja Rai Singh, one of the most distinguished generals in the army of Emperor Akbar, the fort is a formidable structure encircled by a moat. In the evening visit the unique camel-breeding farm. This government managed station, 8km from Bikaner is probably unique in Asia. There are about 230 camels at the National Camel Research Center and three different breeds are reared here. The British army had a camel crops drawn from Bikaner during the World War I. Also visit Lallgarh Palace and Fort Museum. Night stay in Bikaner.

Day 06 : Bikaner - Jaisalmer ( By road )
Morning drive to Jaisalmer. On arrival transfer on camels to desert camp in a village outside Jaisalmer to spend the day in rustic desert atmosphere. Night stay in desert camp.

Day 07 : Jaisalmer
Morning drive back to Jaisalmer city and transfer to hotel. Later proceed for sightseeing of various attractions of the town covering forts ( 80 meters above plains ) & Jain Temples within the Fort built in 12th to 15th century which are very worth watching. The specialty of the Fort is that still approximately 5000 people are living inside. Visit Fort Palace & atop from Palace you can have the golden view of whole Jaisalmer city as whole city is built in yellow sand stones, when sun rays fall on the city, it give impression as golden city of India. Afterwards visit Patwon Ki Haveli and Nath Ji Mal Ki Haveli. Night stay in Jaisalmer.

Day 08 : Jaisalmer - Jodhpur ( By road )
Morning drive through desert landscape with brief halts at Kheechan (haven for migratory Demoiselle Cranes) and Osian village (ancient trading town famous for its superbly carved temples). Osian village is like an  oasis in the desert, situated on the diversion off the main Jodhpur - Bikaner Highway. A drive to this ancient township takes one past undulating terrain, punctuated by desert stretches and little hamlets. Osian has 15 beautifully sculpted Jain and Brahmanical temples. Of these the most outstanding ones are the earlier Surya or Sun Temple and the later Kali temple, Sachiya Mata Temple and the main temple dedicated to Lord Mahavira. At Jodhpur visit old markets around Clock Tower. Night stay in Jodhpur.

Day 09 : Jodhpur
Morning half day jeep safari to Bishnoi villages to see the sincere concerns shown by Bishnoi community for environmental conservation. Later back at Jodhpur and visit Mehrangarh Fort, Mehrangarh Fort was founded in 15th century by the Rathore Rajputs when they shifted their capital from nearby Mandore to Jodhpur. Mehrangarh appears to rise from bluff-coloured sandstone hill itself, so well built into the base that it is difficult to tell where the hill ends and the walls begin. It is approached by a series of seven gateways set at an angle so that armies could not charge them with any success. Pass the gates, the fort-palace takes one's breath away . Across from huge courtyards are the set wings of palatial apartments that have been built over five centuries of bristling history. Also visit the Jaswant Thada, located half way up the interminably long road that climbs onwards to the fort, is the traditional cremation ground of the rulers of Jodhpur. Taking pride of place amongst the ornamental gardens and chattris is the fabulous white marble memorial to Jaswant Singh II, built in 1899. The cenotaphs of other rulers, in the same neighbourhood, are relatively simpler. Inside the main hall are royal portraits and other possessions. Night stay in Jodhpur.

Day 10 : Jodhpur - Kumbhalgarh ( By road )
Morning drive to Kumbhalgarh, visit the temples of Ranakpur en route and reach Kumbhalgarh - a beautiful location nestled in forested hills encompassing an impregnable fort. Its location had always been Kumbhalgarh's greatest advantage. Because it was virtually inaccessible in the 15th century, Rana Kumbha of Mewar built this great defensive fortress on a 3,500 feet (1,100 meters) high hill overlooking the approaches from Ajmer and Marwar. Today, precisely because it is within easy reach of Udaipur, Jodhpur, Ajmer, and Pushkar -yet off the well trodden tourist routes-Kumbhalgarh is an attractive destination. Night stay in Kumbhalgarh.

Day 11 : Kumbhalgarh - Udaipur ( By road )
Morning drive to Udaipur and transfer to hotel.  At sunset take a boat trip over Lake Pichhola. Night stay in Udaipur.  

Day 12 : Udaipur
After a relaxed breakfast proceed for sightseeing of Udaipur covering City Palace, Saheliyon ki Bari, Eklingji and Nagda. Evening entertainment at Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandal. Night stay in Udaipur.

Day 13 : Udaipur - Dungarpur ( By road )
Morning drive to Dungarpur  and transfer to hotel. Later visit the stunning interiors of Juna Mahal Palace. The seven storey palace, Juna Mahal was built in stages between 13th and 18th centuries. It is filled with many old frescoes and paintings. The Aam Khas or main living room, has impressive mirror work and glass inlays. The former royal hunting lodge, on a nearby hilltop, has sensational views over the town and its many temples. Dungarpur has largest concentration of Bhil tribal population in Rajasthan. Evening at leisure. Night stay in Dungarpur.

Day 14 : Dungarpur - Bijaipur ( By road )
Morning drive to Bijaipur, on arrival  transfer to hotel. Later visit the most impressive Chittaur Fort, historically known for its fierce battles and bloody sacrifices. The Fort, the pride of Chittaur, is a massive structure with many gateways. It was built initially by the later Maurya rulers in the 7th century AD and in due course of time became the capital of the Sisodias of Mewar. Perched on a 180 m high hill, it sprawls over 700 acres. The fort has many magnificent monuments - all fine examples of Rajput architecture. Unfortunately, on account of the various battles fought and lost, many of the monuments are in ruins. Some of the monuments that can be seen are the Vijay Stambh (Victory Tower), Kirti Stambh (Tower of Fame), Rana Kumbha's and Padmini's Palaces. Night stay in Bijapur.

Day 15 : Bijaipur - Kota ( By road )
Morning drive to Kota through ruined temple towns of Menal and Bijoliyan. At Kota take a half-day sightseeing trip of the palace and the museum. Night stay in Kota.

Day 16 : Kota
After breakfast continue sight seeing in Kota. Kota  is an amazing example of majestic medieval age and modern industrialization. Its wealth of impressive forts, opulent palaces and splendid temples of past centuries retain their former glory. Its present-day edifices and heavy industries have made it the industrial heartland of  Rajasthan. The history of the city dates back to the 12th century AD, when chieftain Rao Deva, conquered the territory and founded  Bundi  and Hadoti. Later in the early I 7th century AD, during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Jahangir, the ruler of Bundi - Rao Ratan Singh, gave the smaller principality of Kota to his son, Madho Singh. Since then, Kota became a hallmark of Rajput gallantry and culture. Night stay in Kota.

Day 17 : Kota - Ranthambhore ( By road )
Morning drive to Sawai Madhopur, on arrival transfer to hotel. Later take a jungle safari in jeeps to see the famous  wildlife sanctuary which is said to have the India’s friendliest Tigers and also considered to be the best place in the world to photograph the tiger in its natural habitat. Night stay in Ranthambhore.

Day 18 : Ranthambhore
Morning safari in National Park. Later spent the day at leisure. Night stat in Ranthambhore.

Day 19 : Ranthambhore - Pushkar ( By road )
Morning drive to Pushkar.
Pushkar - is famous for its colourful annual fair during kartik poornima (full moon) in the November each year. At this time this otherwise peaceful and gentle village on the banks of holy Pushkar is thrown into colourful confusion when the desert tribes and camel caravans meet to trade cattle, camels, goat, sheep, clothes, jewellery and spices beside the sacred Pushkar Lake and to perform their rituals in its waters, to the accompaniment of temple & folk music. Upto 200000 traders and 50000 cattle pour into town, along with numerous festooned camels and colourful pilgrims. After 10 hectic days of livestock dealing, camel racing and colourful festivities, everybody goes for a big holy dip in the lake on the night of the full moon. Spend the day  to explore the spiritual facets of the town. Night stat in Pushkar.

Day 20 : Pushkar - Jaipur ( By road )
Morning drive to Jaipur and transfer to hotel. In the evening walk through many interesting lanes of Jaipur, which are full of shops of artisans, temples and traditional houses. Night stay in Jaipur.

Day 21 : Jaipur
After a leisurely breakfast ,  visit the majestic Amber Fort, is one that cannot be easily described. Ride up on Elephants to the former capital of the royals set against the backdrop of the wooded hills. Later visit the City Palace, Palace of  Winds also known as Hawa Mahal, this elaborate building, now little more than a façade, is encrusted with delicate screen sand carved balconies from which the royal ladies, confined to their quarters, could sneak views of the outside world. Past, present and future merge at Jai Singh's observatory, where time has been accurately measured since the 17^th  century. Evening enjoy dinner at Chokhi dhani (an ethnic village resort) where you will have an idea of the village life of Rajasthan here you will also enjoy various traditional Rajasthani dances, puppet show and various other interesting activities. Night stay in Jaipur.

Day 22 : Jaipur - Neemrana ( By road )
Morning drive to Neemrana and transfer to hotel. Later free to relax and appreciate the strong character the fort reflects. Night stay in Neemrana.

Day 23 : Neemrana - New Delhi - Departure ( By road )
Morning drive to New Delhi. Arrive Delhi and later transfer to airport for onward flight.

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