Rajasthan With Taj Mahal

DESTINATIONS : Delhi - Mandawa - Gajner - Jaisalmer - Jodhpur - Luni - Udaipur - Deogarh - Khajrela - Pushkar - Jaipur - Fatehpur Sikri - Agra - Delhi
DURATION : 17 Days - 16 Nights

Day 01:Abroad / Delhi
Arrive late night at New Delhi International airport.

Day 02: Delhi
Morning sightseeing tour of Old Delhi. This morning you will be taken to visit Old Delhi - Former centre of Moghul Power, Old Delhi offers ancient monuments, narrow streets and bustling bazaars. Visit the vast Red Fort, built in 1648, the Jama Masjid, the greatest mosque in India and completed in 1658 by Shah Jahan who also built the Taj Mahal.
Afternoon sightseeing tour of New Delhi.

Day 03: Delhi - Mandawa
After breakfast drive to Mandawa ( 280 kms).
Upon arrival check in at Hotel Castle Mandawa. Late afternoon visit the Shekhawati region. Walk through the Shekhawati region, which was the stronghold of Kayamkhani Nawabs till 1730. The enormous Havelis with fascinating murals built by the wealthy Rajasthani merchants ("Marwaris") in the 19th century.

Day 04: Mandawa - Bikaner - Gajner
After breakfast drive to Bikaner (240 kms).
Upon arrival in Bikaner lunch at one of the hotels followed by city tour.
City sightseeing tour of Bikaner, this desert town in the north of the state was founded in 1488 by Roa Bikaji, a descendant of the founder of Jodhpur, Jodhaji. Visit the Junagarh Fort constructed between 1588 and 1593 by Raja Jai Singh, a general in the Moghul Emperor Akbar's army.
After sightseeing drive to Gajner Palace (28 kms / 40 minutes).
Upon arrival check in at Gajner Palace.

Day 05 : Gajner - Jaisalmer
In the morning enjoy the surrounding of Ganjer Palace.
After breakfast, drive to Jaisalmer (260 km).
Upon arrival check-in at hotel.

Jaisalmer - is India's most exotic and unusual town - a medieval looking place, straight out of the 'Tales of the Arabian Nights'. This beautiful city is situated inside a huge mud fort and grew as a result of its strategic position on the trading route between India and Central Asia bringing great wealth to the city. Jaisalmer is a tiny jewel in the heart of the Thar Desert - once the capital of the Bhatti Rajputs. Jaisalmer started as an important caravan center and remnants of caravan sarais still exist.

Day 06: Jaisalmer
After breakfast, visit this perfect Rajput walled desert city which is like a golden jewel shimmering above the hard sand. Visit the palaces, the Jain temples and magnificent Havelis or merchant's houses, each richly decorated and carved from golden yellow sandstone - Patwon-ki-haveli (House of the Brocade Merchants) is the largest and most elaborate of the famous havelis of Jaisalmer.

Day 07: Jaisalmer - Jodhpur - Luni
After early breakfast, drive to Luni (310 km) enroute visiting Jodhpur city.

City tour of Jodhpur - the largest city in Rajasthan after Jaipur, Jodhpur stands at the edge of the Thar Desert. It was founded by Rao Jodha. Chief of the Rajput clan known as Rathores and the Rathore kingdom was once known as Marwar - the Land of Death. The tour includes Meherangarh Fort - one of the most impressive & formidable in the whole of fort-studded Rajasthan is situated on a high natural rock bluff and from which you can look down on the wonderful panorama of the bustling city below, Jaswant Thada - the Royal Cenotaphs.

Day 08 : Luni - Udaipur
Early morning visit the surrounding villages and witness their daily lifestyle of living and enjoy cup of tea / coffee with them.
Breakfast at hotel.
Later drive to Udaipur (240 kms).
Upon arrival in Udaipur

ay 09: 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.

Day 10: Udaipur - Deogarh
After breakfast drive to Deoagrh enroute visiting Ranakpur Temples.

Ranakpur temples: A visit to the famous Jain Temple, dating back to the 15th century. 200 pillars, none of which are alike, support its 29 halls. The Temple abounds with intricate friezes and sculptures. The tour also includes visits to two more Jain temples and the Temple of the Sun God with its erotic sculptures.
Lunch at Maharani Bagh.

Day 11: Deogarh - Khajrela
After breakfast drive to Khajrela (184 kms).
Khajrela seems to rise out of the Narwar plains like a sentinel. A sturdy fort, it is quite simple and uses very little ornamentation to break the almost forbidding exterior.

Day 12 : Khajrela - Pushkar
After breakfast drive to Pushkar (180 kms) enroute visiting the Dargah at Ajmer

Ajmer, is the most sacred of all Muslim places of pilgrimage in India. Ajmer is a green oasis on the shore of Ana Sagar Lake, hemmed in by barren hills. Historically, Ajmer has always had great strategic importance. It was founded in 7th century by Ajaipal Chauhan. He named it Ajaimeru the 'invincible hill'. The city's Muslim history began when Prithviraj Chau-han lost Ajmer to Sultan Muhammad Ghori in 1193 A.D. The Persian saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti who came with Muhammad Ghori from Persia in 1192 settled here.

Pushkar is a mellow, serene and bewitching little town which attracts those in search of some respite from the tumult of India. Pushkar is right on the edge of the desert and is only 11 kms from Ajmer but separated from it by Nag Pahar, the snake mountain

This traveler-friendly town clings to the side of the small Pushkar Lake with its many bathing ghats and temples. For Hindus, Puhskar is a very important pilgrimage centre and you'll see plenty of Sadhus (individuals on a spiritual search).

Day 13 : Pushkar - Jaipur
After breakfast drive to Jaipur (120 kms / 3 hours).
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. You will visit the Hawa Mahal and the open air Jantar Mantar Observatory enjoy a through the colorful bazaar before returning to your hotel.

Day 14 : 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.

Afternoon, enjoy a cycle rickshaw ride through the bustling bazaars. Jaipur is renowned for textile block printing, blue pottery, carpet weaving, semi-precious stones and local crafts which still thrive from the day of Maharaja Jai Singh's patronage when he designed special areas in the city for the 'bandhanas', the 'cheepas' and the 'meenakari' workers.

Day 15 : Jaipur - Fatehpur Sikri - Agra
After breakfast drive to Agra (221 kms) enroute visiting Fatehpur Sikri

Fatehpur Sikri - the impressive sandstone fortress was built in the 16th century and only occupied for a few years before being abandoned, leaving the buildings in virtually perfect conditions.

Upon arrival in Agra

Thereafter, visit the Taj Mahal, the guests will board the 'decorated tongas' (horse carriage) which will take them to Taj Mahal…… Little needs to be said about this architectural wonder which is always the soul raison-de-etre for every tourist's visit to Agra. Built by Shah Jahan, the Taj is a white marble memorial to his beautiful wife Mumtaz Mahal.

This monument took 22 years to be completed and was designed and planned by Persian architect Ustad Isa. Apart from it's stunning design balance and perfect symmetry, the Taj is also noted particularly for its elegant domes, intricately carved screens and some of the best inlay work ever seen.

The guests will remain till late afternoon to witness the pristine Taj Mahal at sunset, to see this true Wonder of the world in gentle late afternoon light.

Day 16 : Agra - Delhi
Breakfast at hotel. Thereafter, visit the Red Fort.

Red Fort - lies on the bend of the river Yamuna, almost in the heart of the town. Akbar built it as his citadel over the years 1563-73 in the finest architectural style. It has imposing gates and walls of red sandstone and a moat.

Afternoon, drive to Delhi (203 kms/5 hrs).
Upon arrival the guests will be assisted and transferred to airport for flight back home

Day 17 : Delhi - Abroad
Depart Delhi

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