Day 01. Arrive Delhi
Arrival in Delhi. The cosmopolitan City and capital Delhi is the
main gateway for travelers. You are met by our representative and
transferred to the pre-booked hotel
Day
02. Old - New Delhi
Morning at leisure. Afternoon
sightseeing in Old Delhi. A Rickshaw Ride parallel to the Red Fort
through the old city and famous Silk Road and Silver Bazaar.
Sights
eeing
of Old Delhi includes "Rajghat", the place where Mahatma Gandhi
was cremated and
Jama Masjid, the great mosque
of old Delhi. Visit the famous "Humayun Tomb" which is the first
substantial example of Mughal architecture in India. Before
proceeding to the Hotel, have a drive through New Delhi where you
can see the India Gate, Government Buildings and Embassies.
Day 03.
Delhi - Shekhawati (about 270 km)
In the morning visit "Qutab
Minar" which is 71 meter high and consists of five stories. In
1199 work began on this tower which was intended to be the most
glorious tower of victory in the world. This tower was damaged
twice and repaired in 1326 and 1368.After the sightseeing of Delhi
drive to Shekhawati region. Arrival at Shekhawati in the late
evening.
Day
04. Shekhawati - Bikaner
(about 190 km)
In the morning visit the
grand havellis of the Shekhawati area. Shekhawati lies in the
north east region of Rajasthan and is the homeland of marwaris.
The marwaris form one of the most important merchant and business
groups in India, they developed their business acumen on the trade
routes between Delhi and the coast between India and Central Asia.
Marwaris enjoyed protections by Maharajas and many of them built
grand havellis. The hovels are mansions, elaborately and
attractively decorated with a strong main entrance. The walls are
often covered with murals, local legends and religious scenes from
Hindu Mythology. After the visit of Shekhawati area, proceed to
Bikaner. After a short break in Bikaner visit the Junagarh Fort
(1571-1611 AD) constructed of red sandstone and marble with kiosks
and balconies embellishing the structure at intervals. This
imposing Fort and its palaces will be an unforgettable experience.
Day
05. Bikaner - Osian -
Jaisalmer (about 330 km)
Drive through the desert and
proceed for Jaisalmer via Osian. Osian is a great centre of Hindu
and Jain religions. The oldest Temple here was constructed in 1178
AD. Very often one can see along the road to Jaisalmer some of the
antelopes of this region. Blackbuck and fast running chinkara are
the most common among them. Enroute at a village to observe the
traditional life of the villages in Rajasthan. Arrival at
Jaisalmer in the late evening.
Day
06. Jaisalmer
Sightseeing of the medieval
city of Jaisalmer. Jaisalmer's crenellated golden sandstone walls
and its narrow streets lined with exquisitely carved buildings
makes this city unique. Jaisalmer is famous for its carved
havellis (grand mansions). In medieval times, its prosperity was
due to its location on the main trade route linking India to
Egypt, Arabia, Africa and the West. Jaisalmer is a marvel of
beautiful culture and this city remains one of the most exotic
city not only in Rajasthan but in the whole of India. Some of the
visitors called this city "a living museum". A walk through the
old city and visit the Fort and the Jain temple. In the afternoon
drive around 40 km. away from Jaisalmer to Sam dunes where you
enjoy the sunset before driving back to Jaisalmer.
Day 07. Jaisalmer - Jodhpur (about 290 km)
Early morning drive to
Jodhpur. The city was once the capital of the princely state of
Marwar (Land of death). Jodhpur is the second largest city in
Rajasthan. Jodhpur is also known as the blue city as most of the
houses of the old city are painted blue. The old city is
surrounded by a huge 10 km long wall which has 101 bastions and
seven gates. Jodhpur lies on the once strategic Delhi-Gujarat
trading route and the marwaris got benefit from the passing
traffic of opium, copper, silk which was traded to China. Visit
the Mehrangarh Fort (majestic fort). Mehrangarh Fort was built on
a steep hill and is among the best in India with exquisitely
latticed windows in residential apartments within. Also visit the
Jaswant Thada, a royal cenotaph built in white marble. After the
sightseeing, a walk through the Bazaars of Jodhpur.
Day 08. Jodhpur - Ranakpur - Udaipur (about 260 km)
Drive to Udaipur. Enroute
visit Ranakpur. Ranakpur is known for its superbly carved marble
Jain Temples. An enormous basement of this temple covers 48,000
sq. feet. There are four subsidiary shrines, twenty four pillared
halls. The total number of columns is 1,444, all of which are
intricately carved, no two being alike. The Ranakpur Jain Temples
were built during the 15th century. A break in Ranakpur before
proceeding further for Udaipur. Udaipur is called the romantic
city of Rajasthan. A city built around shimmering, clear, blue
water lakes which reflect the green hills of the Aravali ranges.
Day 09. Udaipur
Visit Udaipur, also known as
the city of sunrise. Start our sightseeing with the visit of
Sahelion-Ki-Bari. This Garden of the Maids of Honour is well laid
out with extensive lawns and shady walks. After the visit of
Garden of Maids, visit the Museum of folk art. This museum has a
rich collection of Folk dresses, ornaments, puppets, masks, dolls,
folk musical instruments and paintings on display. After a break
proceed to City palace, the biggest Palace in India, where 4
generations of Maharajas added their contribution, is so carefully
planned and integrated with the original buildings that it is
difficult to believe that it was not conceived as a whole. The
museum of the palace includes the beautiful peacock mosaic and
miniature wall paintings of Indian mythology. A visit to the
traditional painting school and see the famous miniature paintings
done. In the evening a Boat ride on the lake Pichola. The
famous Lake Palace of Udaipur was the summer residence of the
former rulers. The James bond Film Octopussy was shot here and
made this palace more known in the west.
Day 10. Udaipur - Pushkar (about 300 km)
Leave Udaipur and drive to
Pushkar. Pushkar being one of the most religious places for Hindus
has the atmosphere of an ancient religious town. The only temple
of God Brahma is in Pushkar thus making Pushkar an important
pilgrimage city for Hindus. Pushkar has become famous in the world
due to its Pushkar Festival which takes place in the month of
November when the whole of Pushkar is transformed into a
spectacular fair ground where thousands of pilgrims come to bath
in the holy water of Pushkar lake and the biggest cattle and camel
markets take place here where Farmers, breeders and camel traders
buy and sell. (if this tour takes place during the time of Pushkar
Festival spend 2 nights stay in Pushkar instead of one and
therefore the duration of this Tour will be extended for one more
day making it 17 days tour).
Day 11. Pushkar - Jaipur (about 120 km)
Leave the holy city of
Pushkar and drive to the Pink City Jaipur. This city owes its
name, foundations and careful planning to the great warrior and
astronomer, Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. Jaipur is the capital of
Rajasthan and famous for its handicrafts and precious and
semiprecious stones. After a break in Jaipur, visit the City
palace in the afternoon which is still the formal residence of the
royal family, built in a blend of the Rajasthani and Mughal
architecture. In the museum of the city palace, visit the private
collection of the Jaipur Maharajas. A visit to Jantar Mantar,
a stone observatory, the largest of Jai Singh's five remarkable
observatories. It’s complex instruments reveals us the secrets of
medieval Indian astronomy.