Best of North India

Rajasthan Tour
Duration: 19 Nights / 20 Days
Places Covered: Delhi - Agra - Jaipur - Mandawa - Bikaner - Jaisalmer - Jodhpur - Udaipur - Delhi

Day 1: Delhi (Arrival)
Arrive Delhi's Indira Gandhi International airport this evening. You will be met at the airport by our representative who give you a warm welcome with fresh flower garlands and transfer to your hotel by air-conditioned Coach. Your room is available for immediate occupancy. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 2: Delhi
Morning breakfast at the hotel, followed by a sightseeing tour of Old & New Delhi. Including Jama Masjid - this immense mosque is the largest in India, Red Fort - once the most opulent fort and palace of the Moghul Empire, nearby we enjoy the rickshaw Ride in the local markets of Chandni Chowk & Kinari Bazar.

In New Delhi visit 11th century Qutab Minar Tower, the India Gate and the grand government buildings, the President's House and Parliament House all dating back to the time of British Raj. Overnight stay at the Hotel.

Day 3: Delhi - Mandawa (Approx. 200 Kms/ 05 Hrs.)
Morning after breakfast drive to Mandawa - often called the 'open air art gallery of Rajasthan', the region is famous for the high quality frescoes, on arrival check-in to the Hotel. Later sightseeing of Mandawa. Overnight stay at the Hotel.

Day 4: Mandawa - Bikaner (316 Kms - 06/07 hrs)
Morning after breakfast at the hotel drive to Bikaner, tucked away in the desert region of western Rajasthan. Arrive Bikaner and transfer to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 5: Bikaner - Jaisalmer (333 Kms - 06/07 hrs)
Morning breakfast at the hotel, followed by visit to the unusual Junagarh Fort - sumptuously decorated with its ornately lacquered walls in red & gold and panels of dazzling coloured glass inlay set over the coronation throne.

Later we will journey through the vast Thar Desert to the ancient caravan city of Jaisalmer - is one of the last princely bastions in the region, founded on the crossroads of lucrative trade routes. On arrival check inn to the hotel. Rest of the day will be at leisure. Overnight at hotel.

Day 6: Jaisalmer
Morning after breakfast explore the honey-coloured fort that emerges from the flat dry desert sands and enjoy a walk through the maze of narrow streets in the city with ornately decorated 'havelis' in yellow sandstone, built by rich merchants at a time when the city was a key stopping place on the caravan routes from the Middle East. Jaisalmer has been described as an open air museum and to enter its narrow cobbled lanes is to step back into another era. Evening we enjoy Camel Ride by the sand dunes. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 7: Jaisalmer - Jodhpur (308 Kms - 06 hrs)
Morning after breakfast we leave for Jodhpur through the most interesting contours of the desert landscape, the enchanting forts, temples, other royal residences and settlements retain its medieval character and comprise the town's multifaceted attractions.
On arrival check inn to the hotel. Rest of the day free at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 8: Jodhpur
Morning after breakfast at the hotel we will visit the majestic Mehrangarh Fort, which dominates and offers spectacular vistas of the blue-hued city.

After lunch tours of Jaswant Thada - white marble mausoleum built in 1899 in the memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh and visit the Museum in the gardens of Umaid.

Later excursion tour to Mandore - the ancient capital of the Pratihara Rajputs, whose most remarkable monuments are the royal cenotaphs, particularly those of Jaswant Singh and Ajit Singh (XVII - XVIII centuries). A sanctuary dedicated to 300 million divinities shelters statues natural size local heroes. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 9: Jodhpur - Ranakpur - Udaipur (259 Kms. - 6 hrs)
Morning after breakfast we drive to Udaipur - There is no place in Rajasthan, which appeals more to the imagination of poets and painter, travellers and writers than Udaipur, an oasis in the desert state of Rajasthan. Enroute we will visit the Jain temples at Ranakpur, superbly preserved in a near-perfect condition for over 500 years. The most attractive features are the 29 halls of the temple, which have 1444 pillars of which no two are like and continue drive to Udaipur, arrive and check inn to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 10: Udaipur
Morning breakfast at the hotel, followed by an excursion to the famous temple complex of Eklingji & Nagda, which enshrines the deity of the Maharana's of Mewar. Spend the rest of the day exploring this charming lake city by car.

Afternoon visit to City Palace grounds and the museum, which are the testamento the valour and chivalry of the Mewar rulers. Visit Saheliyon ki Bari (the gardens the maids-of-honour), the Jagdish temple on the shores of Lake Pichola. The Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandir is a treasure house of Rajasthani folk culture. The breathtaking beauty of the Lakes - Pichola and Fateh Sagar truly make Udaipur an oasis in the desert. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 11: Udaipur - Pushkar (Approx. 275 Kms/ 06 Hrs.)
Morning after breakfast drives to Pushkar - quiet and tranquil, Pushkar is a heaven for tourist searching for respite, a religious town built around a lake. Pushkar holds its sanctity on account of the legend that Lord Brahma (the Creator) and his wife Saraswati (the goddess of learning and music) performed a ritual in the lake here. Arrive & check in to the hotel.

Evening we visit to the lord Brahma temple of the world and there after intermingle with the local colours in the local bazaar. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 12: Pushkar - Jaipur (Approx. 125 Kms/ 03 Hrs.)
After breakfast we drive to Jaipur - the fabled "pink city" of the desert named after Jai Singh, the former Maharaja of Jaipur. The palaces and forts of the yesteryears, which were witnesses to the royal processions and splendors, are now living monuments, arrive and check inn to the hotel. And rest of the day at leisure.

This will be a cultural evening; we visit Chokhi Dhani - An ethnic village resort, the vitality of Rajasthani folk culture comes alive as children dance rhythmically to the loud tenor of folk songs sung by men and women, festooned in bright clothes. Gaily caparisoned camel, horses and bullock carts offer joy rides.

A traditional Rajasthani dinner will be served. Overnight at the Hotel.

Day 13: Jaipur
Morning after enjoying a hearty breakfast at the hotel we visit the dramatic hilltop fortress at Amber - ascend the imposing fort on a painted elephant. We wander among glittering inlays and the Hall of Mirrors.

We stop to view the elegant Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds)- this elaborate building, now little more than a façade, is encrusted with delicate screens and carved balconies from which the royal ladies, confined to their quarters, could sneak views of the outside world.

After lunch tour of the Maharajah's City Palace, now partly a museum display a unique fusion of Mughal and Hindu architecture, and house a rare collection of paintings, Rajput armory and costumes. Later we visit the unique Jantar Mantar Observatory - situated in the heart of the city where time has been accurately measured since the 17th century. Explore the colourful bazaars of Jaipur where one can shop for Jewellery, Paintings, block prints, textiles, carpets, brassware, blue pottery etc. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 14: Jaipur - Fatehpur Sikri - Agra (Approx. 260 Kms. / 06 Hrs.)
Morning after breakfast drive to the city of Taj, Agra, we stop at a good restaurant for lunch enroute also visit the evocative city of Fatehpur Sikri - Built by Emperor Akbar as his capital and palace in the late 16th century, it is a veritable fairytale city built of red sandstone, and its "ruins" are in pristine condition. And continue to Agra, arrive and check inn to the hotel.

Afternoon we leave to explore the monumental heritage of the Great Mughals, including the magnificent Taj Mahal - one of the Seven Wonders of the World and surely the most extravagant expression of love ever created. 20,000 men laboured for over 17 years to build this memorial to Shah Jahan's beloved wife. It's a wealth of white marble and semi-precious stone - undoubtedly the highlight of the tour.

Later tour of the imposing Agra Fort - built of red sandstone and marble is a hilltop citadel with fabulous courtyards, fountains and gates. Rest of the evening free to explore the local handicrafts and shopping centers of the city where one can look for marble inlay work, fine quality carpets, Zari and embroidery, leather goods etc. Overnight at the hotel.
[Taj Mahal remains closed on every Friday].

Day 15: Agra - Orchha (Approx. 240 Kms./ 05 Hrs.)

Morning after breakfast we drive to Orchha - once the capital of Bundelas, Orchha is a village, set amongst a complex of well preserved palaces and temples. Though Orcha was founded in 1531, it's golden age was during the first half of 17th century. When Jahangir visiting the city in 1606, a special palace, the Jahangir Mahal was built for him.

After lunch tour of this historical site with magnificent temples and monuments. Some of the Palaces were decorated with painted murals, which represent the finest flowering of the Bundela school of Painting. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 16: Orchha - Khajuraho (Approx. 180 Kms./ 04 Hrs.)
Morning after breakfast drives to Khajuraho - the legendary temples of Khajuraho built in the 9th and the 10th century are an incomparable experience. Acknowledged as one of the world's artistic wonders. Khajuraho has achieved fame for the sensual appeal of its erotic sculptures.

Afternoon arrive and check in to the hotel. After lunch we visit the exquisite 10th century temples of Khajuraho. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 17: Khajuraho - Varanasi (Approx. 390 Kms/ 08 Hrs.)
Morning breakfast drive to Varanasi - said to be the India's most sacred city situated on the western bank of the holy river Ganga. It is also the oldest living city in the world. As a place for devotion and worship, with hundreds of temples dotting the city, sunrise on the riverfront as seen from a boat can be a spiritually uplifting sight. It has a fascination uniquely its own, a quality of sublime beauty, a timeless eternal appeal. Varanasi is the city, which cannot be described, only experienced, on arrival at Varanasi and transfer to the hotel. Overnight stay at the Hotel.

Day 18: Varanasi
Early morning we take a Boat cruise at the river Ganges to observe the way of life of pilgrims by the Ghats later back to hotel for breakfast.

After breakfast visit to Bharat Mata Mandir, Benares Hindu University, New Vishwanath Temple, Durga Temple, Ramnagar Fort, Sarnath. Evening we take the rickshaw ride to the holy river Ganges, and take the boat cruise to view the "Aarti" ceremony on the Ghats. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 19: Varanasi - Delhi (By Air)
Morning breakfast at the Hotel.
Later transfer to the Airport to connect the flight to Delhi, on arrival transfer to the Hotel. Overnight stay at the Hotel.

Day 20: Delhi (Departure) Check-out - 1200 Noon
Morning breakfast at the Hotel.
Rest of the day free for shopping.
Later transfer to International airport to connect the flight to your onward journey.

End of our services.