A ROYAL EXPERIENCE
DESERT KING RAJASTHAN  WITH SAND DUNES

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Desert King Rajasthan
Tour Ref.# HT0022/RV  BOOK NOW

Special Feature: 02 Nights Camel Safari, Maharaja Palace stay, Elephant Ride, Daily Village Life etc.
Price: 14 nights from US$ 1765 (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 in the arrival lounge. Arrival transfer to hotel.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.

First of all visit Red Fort - Delhi's most magnificent monument, the Red Fort, was built by Emperor Shah Jehan, in 1638 A.D. Enclosed in this glorious Fort is Diwan-i-am, the hall meant for public audiences; Diwan-i-Khas, where private audiences were granted; Rang Mahal, the water cooled apartment of the royal ladies; the Pearl Mosque, a lovely, ornate dream in white marble. Later on vist India Gate which is a famous war memorial at the east end of Rajpath. Edward Lutyens designed this 42 m high gate structure in memory of the thousands of Indians who sacrificed their lives in World War I. Today, an eternal flame is lit under the gate known as Amar Jawan Jyoti, to honor the unknown soldiers and the martyrs who lost their lives in the Pakistan war of 1971. Also visit Rajghat (the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi ). Later on visit Lotus Temple(Bahai Temple) which is the newest most extravagant architectural wonder of the Bahai faith, located in Kalkaji, south of Delhi. The temple in white is shaped like a half opened lotus flower. Made of marble, cement, dolomite and sand, the Lotus Temple is a marvel of 20th century architecture. The lotus shaped temple in a modern and contemporary form captivates into its sanctum sanctorum people from all races, religious backgrounds and culture from around the globe. It represents the Bahai faith, - an independent world religion; divine in origin, all embracing in scope, broad in its outlook, scientific in its method, humanitarian in its principles, and dynamic in the influence. 

In the late afternoon visit Qutab Minar which is 72.5 m in height and has a mosque at the base. It is a magnificent structure whose construction started in 1199 by a Muslim King Qutab-ud-din Aibak (after whom it was named) and was finished by his heir IItutmish. There is an iron pillar standing proudly in front of it since 5th century and has not rusted till yet! It is said that if one hugs this Iron Pillar of Mehrauli and wish for something, it is granted. Later on drive past President's House, Parliament House & Secretariat Building. Overnight at hotel. (Breakfast)

Day 03 - Delhi - Bagar - Mandawa
After breakfast drive to Mandawa. On the way stopping at Bagar for lunch. We have arranged your lunch at Piramal Haveli. The Haveli has traditional courtyards enclosed by colonial pillared corridors. Frescoes of flying angels and gods in motor cars adorn the walls. Here, the famed traditional vegetarian cuisine of the Marwaris is served in thalis. After lunch continue drive to Mandawa. Arrive Mandawa and check-in into hotel Heritage Mandawa - Amidisnt The rolling Sanddunes of Rajasthan Lies Shekhawati Like an Oasis Of Art. Which is The Perhaps The Worlds Most highlyLand Of Exquisite fescoes & Paintings. Shekhawati has Also been Home Of The Mawari Community Which For More Than a Century Has Been The Back Of Commercial Enterpreneurship In India.Vivid Images Of Painting And fescoes, so Intricate and finally Executed In Its Havelis, Temples, Cenoteph & Well. The Old World Charm is Still Kept alive in Mandawa.

In the afternoon visit the grand havellis of the Shekhawati area. Shekhawati 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. Overnight at hotel. (Breakfast/Lunch)

Day 04 -  Mandawa - Bikaner
After breakfast check-out from the hotel and drive to Deshnok, the temple is dedicated to Karni Mata -an incarnation of Durga. The temple has fascinating huge silver gates and marble carvings that were donated by Maharaja Ganga Singhji The most attractive feature of temple are the rodents who scamper freely within the premises and if one touches your feet its considered auspicious.

After that continue drive to Bikaner. On arrival check-in into hotel. After check-in half day city tour of Bikaner - the camel city. Bikaner is home to a spectacular fort containing intricately carved palaces and temples.On your Bikaner travel you can visit the old city dotted with havelis and surrounded by 7km of high walls. Added to this it has a certain unspoilt charm, retaining the medieval splendor. Later on we take you to on a visit to Junagadh Fort - Built in 1593 A.D. by Raja Rai Singh, a general in the army of Emperor Akbar, the fort is a formidable structure encircled by a moat and has some beautiful palaces within. These palaces, made in red sandstone and marble, make a picturesque ensemble of courtyards, balconies, kiosks and windows dotted all over the structure. Also visit Bhandeshwar Jain Temple - Beautiful 16th century Jain temples, dedicated to the 23rd Tirthankar Parshvanathji. Overnight at hotel. (Breakfast)

Day 05 - Bikaner - Gajner - 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.

Rest of the day free to relax at your hotel. OR you can explore the local markets for shopping. Shop for exquisitely carved wooden boxes in tiny curios shop, traditional rugs, hand-woven blankets and shawls in typical Rajasthani colours and weave are also available. Mirror work, embroidered articles, silver jewellery, trinkets and curious are other buys of Jaisalmer. The main shopping areas are Sadar Bazar, Sonaron ka Bas, Manak Chowk, Pansari Bazar etc. Overnight at hotel. (Breakfast)

CAMEL SAFARI(2 NIGHTS/ 3 DAYS)

Day 06 - Jaisalmer - Badabagh - Baisakhai - Ramkunda
After breakfast Camel Safari starts for Bada Bagh: The site of royal cenotaphs of Bhatti Rajput Kings.The then rulers of Jaisalmer) Have lunch at Baisakhai: a typical village, visit a Hindu temple then proceed to Ramkunda, a holy place with beautiful landscapes and Hindu temples. Desert folk music, campfire is at sand dunes. Dinner and overnight in tents.(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)

Day 07 - Ramkunda - Roopse - Ludharva
After breakfast proceed to Ludharva via Roopsi, a mixed cast village with mud and stick houses. Have Lunch at Ludharva, visit Jain temple.Desert folk music, campfire is at sand dunes. Dinner and overnight in tents.(Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)

Day 08 - Ludharva - Jaisalmer
After breakfast start your journey back to Jaisalmer. Lunch on way back. On arrival check-in into hotel Mahadev Palace which is situated in a very peaceful are of good, early approachable location. The moment you enter in the Mahadev Palace hotel, you will feel warm hospitality in a loving family atmosphere. Overnight at hotel. (Breakfast/Lunch)

Day 09 - Jaisalmer
After breakfast proceed for a half day sightseeing. Visit the Jaisalmer Fort - The golden - yellow sandstone of Jaisalmer Fort, over 800 years old, crowns the Trikuta Hill. Within its walls, defended by 99 turrets, lies the old city, nearly a quarter of modern Jaisalmer. The fort stands almost 30 meters over the city and houses an entire living area within huge ramparts. It is approached through Ganesh Pol, Suraj Pol, Bhoot Pol and Hawa Pol. Also, within it are many beautiful havelies and a group of Jain temples dating from the 12th to the 15th centuries. Later on visit Manak Chowk and Havelis - Outside the fort is the main market place called Manak Chowk, which is the center of local activity. From Manak Chowk, one can walk into the lanes where the famous carved havelis are to be found. Each haveli's facade differs from other. Built mainly during the 18th and 19th centuries, the carving in the havelis of Jaisalmer is of a very superior quality.
Havelis - Some of the most exotic mansions or 'havelis', all intricately latticed, are stretched all over Jaisalmer, each with a different facade. The beautiful mansions built by Jaisalmer's wealthy merchants are known as 'havelis' and several of these fine sandstone buildings are still in beautiful condition. Also visit Patwon ki Haveli - is the most elaborate and magnificent of all the Jaisalmer havelis. It stands in a narrow lane and one of its apartments is painted with beautiful murals - unfortunately, at present, the building is closed up and not lived in. Overnight at hotel. (Breakfast)

Day 10 - Jaisalmer - Jodhpur
After breakfast check-out from the hotel and a short drive to Jodhpur - The Desert enchantment. Arrive and check-in into hotel.

In the afternoon half day city sightseeing of Jodhpur city which is the second largest city of Rajasthan and a major tourist attraction in the country. Jodhpur was founded by the Rajput chief Rao Jodha in 1459. The city was the erstwhile capital of the Marwar state. A 10-km-long wall made of stone and built about a century after the city was founded, surrounds the old city. There are about 100 towers in the city, most of which are surrounded by defensive battlements.

Covering Mehrangarh fort which is one of the largest forts in India. The fort has been a witness to the Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpursplendour of a bygone era. The beauty and the grandeur of numerous palaces in the fort narrates a saga of hard sandstones yielding to the chisels of skilled Jodhpuri sculptures. To enter the Mehrangarh fort, seven gates have to be crossed. Also visit Jaswanthada - The 19th century royal cenotaph and the museum located in the Umaid public gardens. In the late afternoon visit Umaid Bhawan Palace which has remained one of the top heritage hotels in India and the very best in Jodhpur. A splendid example of Indo-colonial & the art-deco style of the thirties, Umaid Bhawan is one of the largest and grandest private residences in the world. It took three thousand artisans 14 years to create this magnificent edifice. Umaid Bhawan Palace at Jodhpur is one of the largest and grandest private residences in the world. The palace was built by 3000 artisans worked over 14 years. The palace consumed one million square feet of the finest marble. A part of Umaid Bhawan Palace houses a well-maintained museum, displaying an amazing array of items belonging to the Maharaja and the royal family - weapons, antiques & fascinating clocks, crockery and trophies. Overnight at hotel. (Breakfast)

Day 11 - Jodhpur - Pushkar - Jaipur
After breakfast check-out from the hotel and drive to Jaipur. En-route visit 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.

Later on continue drive to 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.

On arrival check in into hotel. 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 12 - Jaipur - Ranthambhore
After an early breakfast half day city tour covering 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.

In the afternoon check-out from the hotel and drive to Ranthambhore. Ranthambhore National Park is 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. On arrival check-in into hotel. Dinner & overnight at resort. (Breakfast/Dinner)

Day 13 - Ranthambore
Breakfast at resort. We have included morning & evening game drives to explore Ranthambhore National Park. Embark on a Canter Ride into the Park for Game Viewing. Canter - a 20-seater vehicle which has been specially re-fitted and furbished for comfort and good viewing. Ranthambhore is the ideal place to spot the tiger. The majestic predator assured of protection, roams freely during the daytime and can be seen at close quarters. Other wildlife to be seen include sambar, chital, nilgai (blue bull), chinkara, langur, wild boar, sloth bear, hyena, jackal, jungle cat, pythons and leopards. Crocodiles abound in the lakes. The lakes also attract a large number of migratory and local birds. Dinner & overnight at hotel. (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner)

Day 14 - Ranthambhore - Bharatpur - Fatehpur Sikri - Agra
After breakfast check-out from the hotel and drive to Agra. Enroute visiting Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary - one of the finest bird sanctuaries in the world. You will enjoy a Rickshaw ride inside the Sanctuary for Bird Watching. Bharatpur is world renowned for its World Heritage listed Bird Sanctuary, the Keoladeo Ghana National Park. It is one of the finest bird sanctuaries in the world inundated with over 400 species of water birds. Exotic migratory birds from Afghanistan, Central Asia, Tibet as well as Siberian cranes, come here to spend the winters. Other common bird life to be seen are cormorants, spoonbills, storks, egrets, herons, pelicans, ibis and herons that can be spotted all over the park.

Also visit Fatehpur Sikri - Built by Akbar the Great in the 16th century to serve as the capital of his vast empire, Fatehpur Sikri was mysteriously abandoned 13 years later. The mosque at Fatehpur Sikri is considered a copy of the mosque at Mecca and is extremely elegant, containing elements of Hindu and Persian design. The main entrance to the complex Buland Darwaza or "Great Gateway" is reached by an impressive flight of stairs. Inscribed on the inside of the archway is the quote: "The World is a bridge. Pass over it, but build no house upon it. He who hopes for an hour, may hope for eternity."  Arrive Agra and check-in into hotel. Overnight at hotel. (Breakfast)

Day 15 - Agra - Delhi (Departure)
Early morning visit the Taj Mahal which is India’s most fascinating and beautiful masterpiece. Set amidst landscaped gardens on the banks of the Yamuna river, this edifice was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan as a memorial to his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Come back to hotel for breakfast. Rest of the morning free to relax at your hotel.

In the afternoon check-out from the hotel and visit Agra Red Fort which is surrounded by a 70 feet high wall. It is home to the beautiful Pearl Mosque and numerous palaces including the Jahangir Mahal, Diwan-i-Khas, Diwan-i-Am and Moti Masjid. Later on continue drive to Delhi. Arrive Delhi and car with driver will be at your disposal until transfer to International Airport for flight back home. (Breakfast)