Rajasthan Fort and Palaces Tour

Tour Itinerary

Day 01: Delhi Arrival

Meeting and assistance upon arrival at Delhi International airport and transfer to hotel. (Check-in time 1400 hrs) Delhi, city and national capital territory, north-central India. The city of Delhi actually consists of two components: Old Delhi, in the north, the historic city; and New Delhi, in the south, since 1947 the capital of India, built in the first part of the 20th century as the capital of British India, One of the country’s largest urban agglomerations , Delhi sits astride (but primarily on the west bank of) the Yamuna River, a tributary of the Ganges (Ganga) River, about 100 miles (160 km) south of the Himalayas. The national capital territory embraces Old and New Delhi and the surrounding metropolitan region, as well as adjacent rural areas. To the east the territory is bounded by the state of Uttar Pradesh, and to the north, west, and south it is bounded by the state of Haryana. Delhi is of great historical significance as an important commercial, transport, and cultural hub, as well as the political centre of India. According to legend, the city was named for Raja Dhilu, a king who reigned in the region in the 1st century BCE. The names by which the city has been known—including Delhi, Dehli, Dilli, and Dhilli, among others—likely are corruptions of his name. Area Old Delhi, 360 square miles (932 square km); national capital territory, 573 square miles (1,483 square km). Pop. Old Delhi, (2001) 12,260,000; national capital territory, Overnight at the hotel.

Day 02: Delhi Sightseeing

Breakfast at hotel Morning visit of Old Delhi-the 300-year-old walled city built by Emperor Shah Jehan in 1648 as his capital and named after him. Drive past the Red Fort (Closed on Monday) built of red sandstone. Opposite the fort are the black and white onion dome and minarets of the Jama Masjid, the most elegant mosque in India. Drive past Kotla Firoze Shah, ruins of an old fort of the 14th century and the Ashokan Pillar of 3rd BC. Then visit Raj Ghat, where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated in 1948. Drive through the old city subject to traffic restrictions. Later visit of New Delhi-the new capital designed by Sir Edward Lutyens. Drive past the Presidential Palace, the Rashtrapati Bhavan and the secretariat buildings - the centre of all government activity and down the main avenue, the impressive Rajpath to the World War I memorial arch, the India Gate, the High Court Building and the Old Fort. Visit Humayun’s Tomb built in 1565 AD by his grieving widow Haji Begum, the Qutub Minar, 72 metres high and the ruins of Quwat-ul-Eslam (Light of Islam) Mosque. See Delhi’s most curious antique, the uncorroded Iron Pillar, which dates back to the 4th century AD. Later visit of Gurudwara- the place of of worship for the Sikhs Overnight at the hotel in Delhi

Day 03: Drive Delhi – Mandawa by surface (256 Kms / 6 -7 Hrs.)

After breakfast depart Delhi by surface for Mandawa, upon arrival check in at hotel. Afternoon visit the Shekhawati region, Mandawa and Nawalgarh, quaint towns with a large number of painted buildings. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 04: Drive Mandawa – Bikaner by surface (225 Kms / 5 Hrs.)

Breakfast at hotel. Morning depart Mandawa by surface for Bikaner. Visit one of the most beautiful monuments of Rajasthan, the Junagarh Fort with numerous palaces, pavilions and temples, which are connected by patios and terraces. After visit transfer to Hotel, upon arrival check in at hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 05: Drive Bikaner – Jaisalmer By Surface (340 Kms 6/7 Hrs)

Breakfast at hotel Morning city tour-the mesmerising music of the desert is echoed in Bikaner, a medieval flavoured city set along the old caravan route which linked Central Asia and North India with the Gujarat seaports. Charming havelis (mansions) stand in the old part of this walled city and a leisurely lifestyle still prevails in this sublimely picturesque place surrounded by harsh desert. Visit the Fort, one of the finest of Rajput monuments. Thirty-seven palaces, pavilions and temples built by different kings are all connected by paved courtyards, narrow staircases and terraces in this Rathor stronghold. The oldest existing structures in Bikaner are the 14th-century Jain temples built by two merchant brothers, Sandeshwar and Bhandeshwar. The Bandeshwar Temple has carved wooden columns with dancing figures, surrounding a dark sanctuary with checkered gold design and a mandap with astonishly well-preserved frescoes. The Sandeshwar Temple’s chief features are enamel and gold leaf wall paintings and a vaulted and arched ornamental ceiling. The two marble altars are lined with rows of white marble statues of Jain saints. After sightseeing proceed to Jaisalmer by surface on arrival check in at the hotel Overnight at the hotel

Day 06: Drive Bikaner – Jaisalmer By Surface (340 Kms 6/7 Hrs)

Breakfast at the hotel Morning city tour of Jaisalmer-set in a sea of golden tinged sand, Sonar Kila, a golden fort rises out of a rock of topaz. The entire living area of Jaisalmer lies within the gigantic citadel walls. Visit the silent 12th century Fort built by Prince Jaisal and the Palace which stands at the highest point (100 metres) above the marketplace. Also visit the Jain Temples (12th-15th century) which lie within the fort complex. Some of them have quaint but impressive figures of Jain saints of white marble and of red and black stone. Others have beautiful images of Hindu deities which indicate the remarkable religious tolerance of that age. The famous art of the stone carvers of Jaisalmer is evident in the elaborate facades of the yellow sandstone desert havelis (mansions) which glow softly in honey tones. Visit Salim Singh ki Haveli, (Salim Singh was the tyrannical Prime Minister of Jaisalmer in the 18th century), Patwon ki Haveli (House of the Brocade Merchants) the largest and most elaborate of the famous havelis of Jaisalmer. Patwas are merchants trading in rich brocades, gold and silver embroidery, sequins and ribbons. This family expanded their business to include opium, banking and revenue collecting. Visit Nathmal ki Haveli the last of the great havelis. Also visit Gadi-sar an artificial lake that was an important source of water in the past. A natural decline was enlarged to catch every drop of rain and, in a season of drought, Gadi-sar was the mainstay of Jaisalmer. Later in the afternoon proceed for Sam to experience the pace and space of desert life. Ride to the smooth, silky sands of Samm sand dunes where the Raikas (camel drovers) travel with their animals over vast distances and know every waterhole and pasture in their region. They are the best guides. The Raika is a handsome, romantic figure, and in local legends and folk-songs, he is referred to as the messenger of love or the carrier of good or bad tidings. Overnight at the hotel

Day 07: Drive Jaisalmer – Jodhpur by surface (290 Kms / 6–7 Hrs).

Breakfast at hotel. Late morning depart Jaisalmer by surface for Jodhpur , upon arrival check in at hotel. Rest of the day at Leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 08: In Jodhpur

Breakfast at hotel. In the morning we explore Jodhpur, located in the heart of the Thar Desert. Visit the Mehrangarh Fort. This extends majestic fort on top of a cliff 125 meters high. This is the most impressive and formidable fort of Rajasthan. Continuing the visit to Jaswant Thada mausoleum built in 1899 in memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh-II. The tour ends with a visit to the museum located in the majestic Umaid Bhawan Palace. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 09: Drive Jodhpur – Udaipur by surface (260 Kms / 6 Hrs.)

Breakfast at hotel. Morning depart by surface for Udaipur, En-route visit Ranakpur, located in a valley surrounded by lush shady forest, 98 kilometers north of Udaipur in the Indian state of Rajasthan, one of the largest temple complexes ornate Jain of India and one of the five great places saints of Jainism. The main temple in the complex is the Chaumukha built in 1439 has 29 marble halls supported by 1444 carved pillars, none of which is similar to the other. Visit Surya Temple and other Jain temples within walking distance from each other, later continue drive to Udaipur, upon arrival check in at hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 10: In Udaipur

After breakfast visit the Udaipur city, famous for its lakes and palaces; View of the Royal Palace, built in 1725, which houses ornately decorated buildings as Dilkhush Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, Moti Mahal and the Palace of Lord Krishna, continues to Jagdish Temple, built in 1651 and is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the preserver of the Trinity of Hindu gods. Visit Sahelion ki Bari beautiful garden and fountain, back to Hotel around Lake Fatehsagar. Also enjoy the Boat Ride on Lake Pichola (Boat ride subject to water level in the lake). Overnight at the hotel.

Day 11: Drive Udaipur – Ranthmbore by surface (410 Kms / 6-7 Hrs.)

After breakfast the drive to Ranthambore. On arrival check-in at hotel. Ranthambore National Park: Ranthambore, covering 410 sq. km. runs from the easternmost spur of the Aravallis to the Vindhya range. It has both the old fort and the wildlife sanctuary also known as Sawai Madhopur. The National Park is 10 kms of Sawai Madhopur town with the approach along a narrow valley. The path to the fort zigzags up the steep outcrop in a series of ramps and through two impressive gateways. The fort wall runs round the summit and has a number of semi-circular bastions. This, combined with the natural escarpment produces sheer drops of over 65 m in places and stunning views. There are two tanks, a palace and pavilion and a few temples inside the walls. All are in various states of disrepair but there are good views out over the surrounding countryside to warrant the effort of reaching the fort, and it is a wonderfully peaceful place. Background - The Chauhan Ranthambore fort on a 215m high rock 12 km NE of Sawai Madhopur, was built in 944 and over the next 6 centuries changed hands a number of times. Qutb-ud-din Aibak captured it in 1194 and later handed it back to the Rajputs. Ala-ud-din Khalji took it in 1301 and Akbar in 1569. It later passed to the house of Jaipur. Set in dry deciduous forest featuring Anogiessus pendula, the area covers rocky hills and open valleys dotted with small pools and fruit trees, and this became the private tiger reserve of the Maharaja of Jaipur. In 1972, the Sanctuary came under the Project Tiger scheme. Wildlife - Tigers can occasionally be seen in the daytime, particularly Nov-Apr. Sadly poaching has increased with the demand abroad for skins and bones and the tiger population has decreased (to around 25 in 1995, and two pairs had cubs in 1995). It provides a fine habitat for sambar; there are also a few leopards, nilgai, sloth bear, jackal, crocodile, the occasional rare caracal and a rich variety of birds. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 12: In Ranthambore

Early Morning and afternoon game ride of Ranthambore National Park by using open Jeep. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.

Day 13: Drive Udaipur – Jaipur by surface (394 Kms / 6-7 Hrs.)

After breakfast the tour continues to Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan. Balance day at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 14: In Jaipur

Breakfast at hotel. After breakfast excursion to Amber fort by Jeep; Amber is a classic, romantic Rajasthani Fort Palace. The rugged, time-ravaged walls of the Fort may not look beautiful from the outside, but the interior is a virtual paradise. Miniatures painted on the walls depict hunting and war scenes, apart from festivals. Precious stones and mirrors are embedded into the plaster. Inside the Fort visit the Jag Mandir or the Hall of Victory. Inside the Jag Mandir is the famed Sheesh Mahal - a room with all the four walls and ceiling completely embedded with glittering mirror pieces, which were specially imported from Belgium during that period. Enroute to Amber Fort, you will have a brief photography stop at Hawa Mahal - the Palace of Winds. Afternoon city tour begins with a visit to the Maharaja's City Palace, the former Royal residence, part of it converted into a museum. A small portion is still used by the Royal family of Jaipur. Built in the style of a fortified campus, the palace covers almost one-seventh in area of the city. One of the major attractions in the museum is the portion known as Armoury Museum housing an impressive array of weaponry-pistols, blunderbusses, flintlocks, swords, rifles and daggers. The royal families of Jaipur once used most of these weapons. Later visit the Jantar Mantar, which is the largest stone and marble crafted observatory in the world. Situated near the gate of the city palace, the observatory has 17 large instruments, many of them still in working condition. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 15: Drive Jaipur – Agra by surface (237 Kms / 6-7 Hrs.)

After breakfast depart by surface for Agra en route visiting Fatehpur Sikri. The deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri was built by Emperor Akbar in 1569, in honour of the great Saint Sheikh Salim Chisti who blessed Akbar and prophesized the birth of three sons to the heirless Emperor. Akbar used Fatehpur Sikri as his capital and the city was fully occupied for 14 years but slowly became deserted and ruined after Akbar left the city. Scarcity of water was the prime factor for the abandonment of this beautiful city. Visit the remarkably well-preserved, graceful buildings within the 'Ghost City' including the Jama Masjid, tomb of Salim Chisti, Panch Mahal Palace and other palaces that speak of the grandeur and splendour of the Mughal empire at the height of its power. Continue drive to Agra. On arrival check in at hotel Overnight at the hotel.

Day 16: Drive Agra – Delhi by surface (204 Kms / 4 Hrs.)

Breakfast at hotel Morning Visit Taj Mahal which is the seventh wonder of world built by Shahjahan as a memorial to his wife Mumtaz Mahal by the banks of river Yamuna. After her untimely death, Shahjahan had her mortal remains buried in this mausoleum. And after his own demise he was placed to rest next to his beloved queen in the same mausoleum The Taj has been called the most extravagant monument ever built for the sake of love. The great monument took almost 22 years to build and was completed in 1653. Around 20,000 workers from all over the country and central Asia were recruited to translate this dream into a reality. (TAJ MAHAL IS CLOSED ON FRIDAYS) Later visit to Agra fort Agra Fort- The foundation was laid by Emperor Akbar in 1565 and continued till the time of Shahjahan. The high red stone monument stretches for around 2.5 kms, dominating a bend in the river Yamuna northwest of the Taj Mahal. Late Afternoon depart by Surface for Delhi. Upon arrival check in at hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 17: Leave Delhi (204 Kms / 4 Hrs.)

Breakfast at hotel. Later intime transfer to airport to board flight to onwords destination.