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Classic Rajasthan
Tour Ref.# HT0020/RV   BOOK NOW

Special Feature: Indian Culture, Stay at Maharaja Palaces, Rural Life, Hill Station, Desert, Camel Safari, Wildlife etc.
Price: 15 nights from US$ 1695 (per person)
Destination: Rajasthan
Departure Date: As per the client's choice
Transportation : Air-conditioned Car with an expert driver

ITINERARY

Day 01 - Arrive Delhi
Arriving Delhi, you will clear customs and immigration. Leaving the airport, you will be met by our representative, holding a play card with your name on it at the exit. Arrival transfer to your hotel and assistance for check-in will be provided. After check-in overnight at hotel.

Day 02 - Delhi
After breakfast full day city tour of Delhi which is India's bustling capital city. It was from here that Hindu, Muslim and Mughal dynasties as well as the British ruled. Old & New Delhi present a stunning juxtaposition of sights and sounds with the ancient city built by Emperor Shah Jahan the builder of the famous Taj Mahal, and the new garden city built in 1911 by the British.

Covering India gate (war memorial), Rajghat  (the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi ) and Red Fort - Delhi's most magnificent monument. After that visit The National Museum is one of India's most prestigious institutions. The galleries of the museum follow a historical and chronological sequence. The Indus Valley Gallery displays many antiquities excavated from Mohenjodaro and Harappa, like terracotta toys, images and pots, jewellery, seals, bronze and copper implements and sculpture. Later on drive past President's House, Parliament House & Secretariat Building. Later on visit Qutab Minar which is 72.5 m in height and has a mosque at the base. Overnight at hotel. (Breakfast)

Day 03 - Delhi - Neemrana - Jaipur
After breakfast check-out from the hotel and drive to Jaipur. En-route visit Neemrana fort which is India's oldest heritage resort. Sited on a majestic plateau, concealed in a horseshoe formation of the billion year-old Aravalli ranges, the property covers 25 acres/10 hectares. The stepped palaces of this architectural jewel is cut into the hillside to sprawl over 3 acres/1.2 hectares. Arrive Jaipur and check-in into hotel.

Rest of the day free to relax at your hotel. OR you can explore the local markets for souvinir shopping the Jaipur is famous for- Jewellery, precious stones, paintings, hand printed textiles etc.  In the evening we have arranged your dinner at Indiana Restaurant. Enjoy your hot & delicious dinner with the Rajasthani Folk Dance & Music. Overnight at hotel. (Breakfast/Dinner)

Day 04 - Jaipur
After breakfast full day sightseeing of Jaipur which is an exuberance of color, dance, and song with the traditional arts and crafts. It's one of India's most well planned cities, with wide, straight avenues, roads, streets and lanes in a grid system. The great warrior/astronomer Maharaja Jai Singh II carefully planned Jaipur's foundation. Laid out in the 18th century, its design followed specifications from an epochal Hindu treatise on architecture. This "Pink City," so called because its buildings are painted in the tones of an autumnal sunset, intersperses the play of red and pink with white borders and motifs.

Morning we take you to Amber Fort, the ancient capital of the state until 1728. Ascend on elephant back to the hill, on which the fort is situated. In the afternoon visiting Hawa Mahal or "Palace of Winds," one of the major landmarks of Jaipur, although it is actually little more than a facade. The five-storey building overlooks the main street of the old city and is a stunning example of Rajput artistry with its pink, semi-octagonal, honeycombed, sandstone windows. It was originally built to enable the ladies of the royal household to watch the everyday life and processions of the city. The City Palace which is blend of Mughal and Rajasthani architecture and the royal family still lives in a part of the palace. The palace is now a fine museum. It houses a remarkable collection of textiles, paintings, manuscripts, and extraordinary weapons. On display there are two huge urns of silver, said to be the largest silver vessels in the world. Nakkarkhana-ka-Darwaza, the imposing gateway of the City Palace guarded by stone elephants, is monumental. Adjacent to the City Palace is Jantar Mantar, the ancient astronomical observatory built by Raja Jai Singh, whose passion for astronomy was even more notable than his prowess as a warrior. Overnight at hotel.(Breakfast)

Day 05 - Jaipur - Dundlod - Mandawa
After breakfast check-out from the hotel and drive to Dundlod. We have arranged your lunch at Dundlod Fort which is an embodiment of cultural amalgamation of Rajputana and Mughal School of Art and Architecture. Its motif of flowers and foliage, minarets, mythological paintings, archaic furniture, wall hangings of arrows and shields have remained unchanged since hoary past. Here commercialism of artificial world could not slip in.

Later on continue to Mandawa. Arrive Mandawa and check-in into hotel Castle Mandawa. Mandawa castle, one of the finest castles of Rajasthan is now a beautiful hotel. Caparisoned camels and horses saunter in, carrying the guests as musicians blow horns and drums roll the Royal Welcome. In the Castle, step into an arched open-fronted verandah and relax over exotic refreshements.

In the afternoon a walking tour of the painted 'havelis' of some of the leading business families of the country. Though they no longer live here, the local caretakers are happy to show the visitors around. Enroute you can shop for the colorful art and crafts of Rajasthan: tied and dyed textiles, metal handicrafts, carved wooden artefacts and more. You also get a unique insight to life in the desert by visiting nearby villages on a camel safari. Overnight at hotel. (Breakfast/Lunch)

Day 06 - Mandawa - Bikaner
After an early breakfast check-out and drive to Bikaner - the camel city. On arrival check-in into hotel. Later on we take you to on a visit to Junagadh Fort - constructed between 1588 and 1593 by Raja Rai Singh, fort has a 986 meter long wall with 37 bastions & two entrances. Visit Anup Mahal which is one of the most impressive rooms in the complex. And Badal Mahal or Cloud Palace's walls are painted with a fresco of rain clouds. Also visit Bhand Sagar Temple - Beautiful 16th century Jain temples, dedicated to the 23rd Tirthankar Parshvanathji. Other important temples of Bikaner include the Lakshminathji, Ratan Bihariji, Shiv Bari, and Nagnechiji temple. Overnight at hotel. (Breakfast)

Day 07 - Bikaner - Jaisalmer
After breakfast check-out from the hotel and visit Gajner Palace, just a 30-minute drive from Bikaner, is today a grand heritage palace of the HRH Group. The Gajner Palace, often described as an incomparable jewel in the Thar desert 'built by maharajah Ganga Singh of Bikaner stands on the banks of a lake. The palace was used by the maharajah for his extravaganza sporting the architecture is truly out standing as manifested in red sandstone with intricately carved pillars, jharokas and screens, demonstrating a marvel of craftsmanship. Over the years, royalty, both Indian and international, viceroys and other dignitaries have been entertained at this grand palace. The palace is surrounded by beautiful wooded area, now a preserved sanctuary, providing shelter to chinkara, blackbuck, neelgai and wildboar.

Later on continue drive to Jaisalmer - The Citadel City. On the way we pass camel carts, vibrant and colorful Rajasthani women carrying produce to the market, and men sporting brightly colored turbans usually sitting groups just passing the time of the day. On arrival check in into hotel. Overnight at hotel. (Breakfast)

Day 08 - Jaisalmer
After breakfast full day city tour of Jaisalmer city. Visit Jaisalmer fort. The fort stands about 100 meters over the city and in fact houses a citadel within its huge ramparts. Walking down the narrow cobbled stone lanes, one can feel the sheer magic of Jaisalmer. Outside the fort is the main market place called Manek Chowk. From Manek Chowk, one can walk into the lanes where the famous carved havelis are to be found. Also visit Tazia Tower. The Pagoda like Tazia Tower rises from the Badal Mahal (Palace of Clouds). Each storey of this five-tiered tower has a beautifully carved balcony.

Later on visit Patwon Ki Haveli - This is one of the largest and most elaborate havelis in Jaisalmer. It is five stories high and extensively carved. To see the beauty of the Thar Desert take a camel ride to Sam Sand Dunes. Overnight at hotel. (Breakfast)

Day 09 - Jaisalmer - Jodhpur
After an early breakfast check-out from the hotel and drive to Jodhpur - The Desert enchantment. Arrive Jodhpur and check-in into hotel.

In the afternoon visit Mehrangarh fort - unsurpassed in beauty & grandeur, it is one of the largest forts in India. Innumerable palaces in the fort, interspersed with sprawling courtyards, are intricately carved Jaswanthada - The 19th century royal cenotaph and the museum located in the Umaid public gardens. Later on we take you to on a visit to Ummed Bhawan Palace. A portion of the Ummed Bhawan Palace has been converted into a museum. The architectural splendors of these remnants will enthrall you. 

You still have time to browse in the bazaars of the old city for Jodhpur’s famous glass bangles, rugged "mojri" slippers and vivid tie and dye fabric. The area around the bazaars is a wonderful example of 19th century town planning, blending Rajasthani concepts with more contemporary styles. Overnight at hotel. (Breakfast)

Day 10 - Jodhpur - Ranakpur - Mount Abu
After an early breakfast, drive to Ranakpur. We have arranged your lunch at Fateh Bagh. Fateh Bagh Palace is recreated in Ranakpur by 65000 pieces of lovingly rebuilt stone by stone out of 200 years old Rawla Koshilav Palace. This is probably India's first attempt at transporting a palace, faithfully preserving the richness of Rajput architecture for 21st century visitors. Later on visit Ranakpur Jain Temples complex, one of the biggest and the most important cluster of Jain temples in India. Nestled in the Aravalli range. The Chaumukha Temple, or Four Faced Temple, is the main temple in the complex and dates back to the 15th century. Built in marble, the temple has 29 halls supported by more than 1400 pillars, no two of which are alike. The two other Jain temples in the complex are Neminath and Parasnath temple.

After that continue drive to Mt. Abu. Famous for its exquisitively carved marble temples, Mount Abu (1219 metres) is a pretty hill resort in the State of Rajasthan. In this hot state, it is one of the few hill stations and is hence very popular with the locals and foreigners alike. Arrive and check-in into hotel.

Later on you can take a boat ride on the Nakki Lake.  Nakki Lake is virtually in the heart of Mount Abu and is a big attraction with tourists. The lake takes its name from the legend that it was scooped out by a god, using only his nails, or nakh. It's a pleasant stroll around the lake - look for the strange rock formations. On the lake there is a dilapidated concrete boat-shaped snack bar. In the evening see Sunset Point for excellent photography. Overnight at hotel. (Breakfast/Lunch)

Day 11 - Mt. Abu - Udaipur
After an early breakfast visit Delwara Jain Temples - These remarkable Jain temples are Mount Abu's main attraction and among the finest examples includes two temples in which the art of carving marble reached unsurpassed heights. Guru Shikhar - The peak of Guru Shikhar, the highest point in Rajasthan, lies about 2 miles beyond Achalgarh. It commands a bird eye view of Abu and the surrounding areas. Temples located in this area are the ' Mira temple ' and ' Chaumundi temple '.

Later on drive to Udaipur. Arrive and check-in into hotel. The rest of the evening is free to explore this city of lakes on your own. Or you may enjoy our optional boat ride on the picturesque Lake Pichola, cruising past the spectacular City Palace, Jag Mandir Island and the famous Jag Niwas Island, which used to be the summer palace of the Royals of Mewar and is now the renowned Lake Palace Hotel. Overnight at hotel. (Breakfast)

Day 12 - Udaipur
After breakfast visit City Palace - the largest palace complex in Rajasthan, with its scalloped arches, fretted balconies, and cupolas. Jagdish Temple is an Indo-Aryan temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It has a black stone image of Vishnu as Jagannath, Lord of the Universe. Also visit Folk Art Museum which has an interesting exhibition of folk arts including dresses, dolls, masks, musical instruments, paintings, and puppets.

Later on an excursion to Eklingji & Nagda temples. Eklingji, It is famous for the beautifully sculpted temple complex with 108 temples within its high walls built in 734 A.D.The temples are dedicated to Lord Shiva, the presiding deity of Mewar ruler. The walled complex encloses an elaborately pillared hall or mandap under a large pyramidal roof and has four-faced image of Lord Shiva in black marble. Nagda, This ancient place in Mewar was the capital of Bappa Rawal and has a magnificient torana exquisitely carvedwith graceful apsaras. This ancient site dating back to the 6th century A.D. is renowned for the Sas-Bahu temples (9th- 1Oth century A.D.) with interesting architecture and carvings. Overnight at hotel.(Breakfast)

Day 13 - Udaipur - Deogarh - Pushkar
After an early breakfast, drive to Deogarh. We have arranged your lunch at Deogarh Mahal. Deogarh Mahal is an imposing structure built in the 17th century. It stands atop a hill and offers a commanding view of the Aravalli mountain range and the numerous lakes, strewn across the countryside.With its greying battlements, domes, turrets, jharokhas and huge gateways, it is a picturesque sight from the town below.

Later on continue to Pushkar - the city of Brahma. Pushkar is a sacred town for the Hindus, situated 11 kms. to the North-West of Ajmer. The charm of this sleepy, lakeside settlement so captivated the great Indian poet, Kalidas, that it found a place in his classic, Abhigyan Sakuntalam. The Great Hindu epics of Mahabharat and Ramayana make references to this religious place regarded to be Adi Tiratha. Evidence points to its having existed during the fourth century B.C. lake in the inhospitable surroundings of a desert is no less than a miracle.

Enjoy a peaceful day in the idyllic village around the holy Pushkar Lake. One can walk around the entire lake in about an hour. There is drumming every evening at sunset from the 52 ghats surrounding the lake. Visit various temples and the sacred lake. ( Pushkar fair is world famous and normally is during the months of October or November.) Overnight at hotel. (Breakfast)

Day 14 - Pushkar - Ranthambhore
After an early breakfast, check-out from the hotel at 0730 Hrs and drive to Ranthambhore. On arrival check-in into Jungle Resort. After check-in visit Ranthambhore National Park. This 420 sq km park was at one time the hunting grounds for the Maharaja of Jaipur and his court, before being declared a reserve forest within Project Tiger. Dominated by the massive ramparts of Ranthambore Fort, the varied vegetation of the park is the home to a wide variety of wild life and birds, and is regarded as the best spot in India to catch a glimpse of the elusive tiger. Take a jungle safari on jeeps to see the rare Indian tigers in full glory at the Ranthambhore National Park. Dinner at Jungle Resort. Overnight at hotel. (Breakfast/Dinner)

Day 15 - Ranthambore - Bharatpur - Fatehpur Sikri - Agra
Rising early, we visit the park at sunrise, returning to the lodge in time for breakfast. Later, a visit to the Ranthambore Fort offers marvelous views of the reserve forest. Later on drive to Agra enroute visiting Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary - one of the finest bird sanctuaries in the world. The marshes here are home to over 360 species of birds including the Siberian cranes that come to spend the winter here.

Later on continue drive to Agra via Fatehpur Sikri built by emperor Akbar in 1569 & later abandoned due to scarcity of water. Arrive Agra and check in into hotel. Rest of the day free to relax at your hotel. Overnight at hotel.(Breakfast)

Day 16 - Agra - Delhi (Departure)
Early morning visit the Taj Mahal - a poem in white marble, is a fine example of the fusion of many architectural styles. The incredible lacy white grandeur built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his loving Mumtaz Mahal. It has been described as the most extravagant monument ever built for love. With the rising Sun the white marble changes its colour and hues and it is excellent for photography. Come back to hotel for breakfast and after check-out visit Red Fort - a visit to the fort in ‘Agra’ is a must since so many of the events which lead to the construction of the Taj took place here.

In the afternoon drive to Delhi. Arrive Delhi and car and driver will be at your disposal until transfer to International Airport to catch flight for onward destination. (Breakfast)