Day 01 Arrive to Delhi
Depart from your destination to Delhi
Day
02 Delhi Arrive Delhi at 0125 hours. You will be met on arrival and
transferred to your hotel where room is held on immediate occupancy. Day
free. Overnight at hotel Oberoi Maidens (Std Rm).
Day
03 Delhi Full day sightseeing tour of Old & New Delhi.
Overnight at hotel Oberoi Maidens (Std Rm).
City tour of Old Delhi
includes Red Fort, Jama Masjid Mosque, Chandni Chowk market, Raj Ghat and
drive past Feroz Shah Kotla.
A New Delhi tour includes Qutab
Minar, Humayun's Tomb, India Gate, Lakshmi Narayan Temple and a drive past
the Parliament House, Rashtrapati Bhawan, Secretariat, Diplomatic Enclave,
Janter Manter and Connaught Place.
Day 04 Delhi
to Mandawa After breakfast depart by road to Mandawa, a journey of
about six hours. Afternoon visit to Mandawa's Havelis. Overnight at hotel
Mandawa Castle (Std Rm).
Spread over Jhunjhunu, Sikar and Churu
districts in north-western Rajasthan, the Shekhawati region is known for its
beautifully painted havelis, in its nearly 20 towns and villages. Mandawa is
one of them.
Besides the cenotaphs, wells, forts and temples the
majority of frescoes are painted on the walls and gateways of havelis. The
Shekhawati paintings mainly consist of red, green, yellow, brown, blue and
mushroom colours. Mandawa, founded in the early 18th Century, is dominated
by a rugged fort-turned-hotel.
Of interest are the Chokhani and
Ladia havelis, as well as the street with the Saraf havelis. A Shiva temple
with a rock crystal lingam can also be visited. The medieval fort of Mandawa
gradually rises on the horizon like a mirage. A breathtaking view of the
town can be seen from the terrace of Castle Mandawa.
Day
05 Mandawa to Bikaner After breakfast depart by road to Bikaner, a
journey of about five hours. Afternoon sightseeing tour of Bikaner city.
Overnight at hotel Bhanwar Niwas Palace (Std Rm).
Bikaner, founded
by Rao Bikaji in 1488, is the principal town of north west Rajasthan. Like
many of Rajasthan's cities it is surrounded by a high battlemented pink
sandstone wall. Bikaner is noted for its large fort, and derived its wealth
and importance as a staging post on the great caravan trade routes. The city
really prospered under the Maharaja Ganga Singh (1887-1943), who built a
railway, developed coal mining and founded the elite Bikaner Camel Corps. He
also built the Lalgarh Palace, which is now partly an hotel.
Day
06 Bikaner to Jaisalmer After breakfast depart by road to
Jaisalmer, a journey of about six hours. Overnight at hotel Gorband Palace
for two nights (Std Rm).
Jaisalmer, one of India's most exotic and
unusual towns, and probably the most perfect Rajput walled city of all. The
cobbled streets and the magnificent houses have their facades intricately
carved in yellow sandstone. Jaisalmer was founded in 1156 and was once the
capital of the proud Bhati Rajputs. The fort was a city in itself with
palaces, temples, armories and havelis, the mansions of the rich merchants.
The Most of the carved havelis have been declared national treasures. The
bazaars can turn up interesting artifacts, as Jaisalmer is the central
market place for the surrounding villages.
Day 07
Jaisalmer After breakfast sightseeing tour of Jaisalmer city.
Afternoon free. Evening camel ride at Sam to see the sunset over the Dunes.
Morning visit Lodruva, 18 kms away, has the ruins of the earlier
capital of Jaisalmer, and Jain temples which are now being re built as the
only reminder of its past splendour.En route visit Amar Sagar, a lake set
amongst fruit trees.
Day 08 Jaisalmer to Jodhpur
After breakfast depart by road to Jodhpur, a journey of about six
to seven hours. En route stop at Osiyan. Overnight at hotel Ajit Bhawan
Palace for two nights (Std Rm).
Jodhpur lies in the heart of
Rajasthan, standing on the edge of the Thar Desert. It is the second largest
city in Rajasthan (Jaipur is the first) and was founded in 1459 by Rao
Jodha. The Mehrangarh Fort is a classic Rajput fortress that dominates the
city from it's hilltop Eyre. In excellent repair the Royal apartments depict
days of regal splendor. Jodhpur has an interesting market in the colorful
Sardar Bazaar.
Osiyan has a Hindu temple.
Day
09 Jodhpur Morning sightseeing tour of Jodhpur city. Afternoon
free
Morning city tour visiting the massive 15th Mehrangarh Fort, which
has a stonewall protecting the well-fortified city. Within the Palace inside
the Fort are rooms with rich collection of palanquins, elephant howdahs,
musical instruments, costumes, furniture and armory. The display of Canon is
one of the rarest in India. Also visit Jaswant Thada, a white marble
memorial built in 1899.Umaid Bhavan Palace, this huge palace was built by
Maharaja Umaid Singh. Part of the palace has been converted into a hotel.
Manmandir temple supported by 100 pillars and has carvings depicting Yoga
postures.
Day 10 Jodhpur to Luni Depart
by road to Luni, a journey of about an hour. Afternoon village safari by
jeep. Overnight at hotel Fort Chanwa (Std Rm).
Day
11 Luni to Kumbalgarh After breakfast depart by road to Kumbalgarh,
a journey of about six to seven hours. En route stop at Ranakpur. Evening
free to visit the Fort. Overnight at Aodhi hotel (Std Rm).
Ranakpur
Jain temple complex was built in 15th century and has 29 halls supported by
1444 beautifully sculptured pillars none of which are alike. It is one of
the five main holy places of the Jain sect. Though over 500 years old, the
temples here are superbly preserved in a near perfect condition.
Kumbalgarh
Fort is the most important fort in the Mewar region and more interesting
than Chittorgarh. Maharana Kumbha built it on top of the Aravalli range at
nearly 1100 meters in the 15th century. The fort walls are approx 12km long
and enclose many fascinating palaces, temples and water storage facilities.
A walk on the wall can be invigorating.
Day 12
Kumbalgarh to Udaipur After breakfast depart by road to Udaipur, a
journey of about four to five hours. En route stop at Eklingji & Nagda.
Overnight at hotel Shiv Niwas Palace for two nights (Std Rm).
These
interesting temples are situated 23 kms outside Udaipur. Eklingji is a
celebrated temple dedicated to the presiding deity of Maharanas of Mewar,
the rulers of the region. The present building chisseled out of sandstone
and marble dates back to the 8th century (734 AD) and is a complex of 108
temples enclosed by high walls. Nagda dates back to the 6th century AD and
contains the exquisitively carved temples (Sas-Bahu temples pf 9th-10th
century) and are among the most beautiful ancient temples of Rajasthan.
Udaipur, the 'City of Dreams', is interspersed with shimmering
lakes, marble palaces and fountains and is often referred to as the most
romantic city in India. It was built in traditional Rajput style in 1559
A.D. by Maharana Udai Singh and was originally the capital of the State of
Mewar. It's beautiful lake setting, graceful architecture, bustling bazaars
and historical past make Udaipur rather special.
Day
13 Udaipur Morning sightseeing tour of Udaipur city. Afternoon free
Sites of note include the bazaars, the grand City Palace (largest in
Rajasthan) which overlooks Pichola Lake, the fountain gardens of
Sahelion-ki-Bari (Garden of the Maids of Honour) and the Jagdish Temple
noted for its elephant-motif carvings.
Day 14
Udaipur to Kota After breakfast depart by road to Kota, a journey
of about seven hours. En route stop at Chittorgarh. Overnight at hotel
Brijraj Bhawan Palace (Std Rm).
Chittorgarh has an important
place in the history of Rajasthan. It is where several influential battles
took place from the 14th to 16th centuries between the Rajputs and aspiring
conquerors. It has one of the most stunning forts in Rajasthan. The ancient
capital of Mewar State it has everything that a Rajput fort should; splendid
location, superb views, historical drama, legend, courage and romance. It is
also off the beaten track seeing few visitors.
Kota was an
independent Indian state until India gained independence. It was then
integrated into the state of Rajasthan. The city was built in 1264 and only
reached its present size in the 18th century. Kota boasts one of the best
museums in Rajastan and has plenty of palaces. The Chambal Gardens, south of
the fort at Amar Niwas has a crocodile enclosure as well as some impressive
royal tombs. Other attractions include the artificial tank of Kishore Sagar.
Day 15 Kota to Jaipur Depart by road to
Jaipur, a journey of about six & half hours. En route stop at Bundi.
Overnight at hotel Samode Haveli for two nights (Std Rm).
Jaipur
is the state capital of Rajasthan and owes its name, planning and foundation
to the Maharaja Jai Singh II. In 1727, Jai Singh decided to move from his
hillside fortress at Amber to the plains, and thus Jaipur was conceived. It
is also know as the "Pink City", derived from the pink painted
sandstone from which the buildings in the old walled city are constructed.
Day 16 Jaipur Morning sightseeing tour
of Jaipur city. Afternoon free.
Seven miles outside the city in the
rugged hills that surround Jaipur is the magnificent Amber Fort. A painted
elephant will take you up to the fort through its huge gateways and pillared
pavilions. This Rajput Fortress/Palace was constructed from 1592 by Raja Man
Singh II, and is a superb example of Rajput architecture.
Day
17 Jaipur to Samode After breakfast depart by road to Samode, a
journey of about three hours. En route stop at Amber Fort. Afternoon free to
explore the village. Overnight at hotel Samode Palace (Std Rm).
Seven
miles outside the city in the rugged hills that surround Jaipur is the
magnificent Amber Fort. A painted elephant will take you up to the fort
through its huge gateways and pillared pavilions. This Rajput
Fortress/Palace was constructed from 1592 by Raja Man Singh II, and is a
superb example of Rajput architecture.
Samode Palace the Mughal
Garden has been renovated to its original splendour with lawns, gardens,
fountains and terraces. There is even a small swimming pool. Behind the
garden is a compound and regal tented camp. In a mature garden with BBQ
facilities are large tents, decorated in the Haveli style. Comfortable, with
their own verandhars and en-suite brick built shower and toilet facility.
Meals are taken on the terraces overlooking the Mughal Garden.
Day
18 Samode to Agra After breakfast depart by road to Agra, a journey
of about six hour. En route stop at Fatehpursikri. On arrival Agra visit Taj
Mahal by sunset. Overnight at hotel The Trident (Std Rm).
In 1596
Akbar built Fatehpur Sikri, 37 kms away from Agra, in honour of Saint Salim
Chisti who had prophesied the birth of his son Jehangir. He moved his
capital there but abandoned it 14 years later, due to the water supply going
bad. Lying on a rocky ridge two miles long and one mile wide it is an epic
poem in red sandstone with impressive public halls, private residences,
fortifications, massive gateway, pavilions and palaces.
It was
during the Mughal era that Agra first gained prominence, during the 16th and
17th centuries when it served as their capital. The Moghul passion for
building endowed Agra with some of the loveliest buildings in the world.
Day 19 Agra to Delhi Morning sightseeing
tour of Taj Mahal, Agra Fort & tomb of Itmad-Ud-Dualah. Later depart by
road to Delhi airport hotel. En route stop at Sikandra to see the Akbar's
tomb, a journey of about five hours. (No room booked in Delhi airport hotel)
where you can use lobby level facilities and restaurant for dinner. Later
you will be transferred to international airport for your flight home.
Emperor
Shah Jahan built the Taj Mahal between 1630-1653 as a memorial in white
marble to his queen Mumtaz Mahal. Taj Mahal is one of the Seven Wonders of
the World and the greatest love stories ever written with white marble and
precious stones. Perhaps the most perfect architectural monument in the
world.
Akbar built Agra Fort in 1565 and this rusty red sandstone
fort stands like a crescent on the bank of Yamuna River. It is one of the
finest forts in India and is a silent witness to the rise and fall of the
imperial Mughal Empire. Visit its numerous palaces, pavilions and buildings
that echo the story of Mughal Empire.
Itmad-Ud-Daulah's tomb was
built by Empress Nur Jahan, daughter- in-law of Emperor Akbar, in memory of
her father Ghias-Ud-Din Beg, grandfather of Mumtaz Mahal, between 1622-28
AD.
Day 20 Delhi to London Depart to
London with British Airways on flight BA 142 at 0325 hours, arriving London
0750 hours.
