Day 01 - Arrive Delhi
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.
Visiting
India gate (war memorial), Rajghat (the
cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi ) and Red Fort. 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. Overnight at hotel.
(Breakfast)
Hotel : Taj Palace ( 5 Star Deluxe )
Day
03 - Delhi - Agra
After breakfast check-out fron the hotel and drive to Agra. En-route
visiting Sikandra. On arrival check-in into hotel. In the
afternoon visit 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 it was used by his son Jehangir as the seat of power. With four gates
the Fort is enclosed by a double barricaded wall of red sand stone. The
Jahangir Mahal is reached through an impressive gateway and its inner
courtyard consists of beautiful halls, profuse carvings on stone,
exquisitely carved heavy brackets, piers and cross beams.
In the
evening 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. After her untimely death,
Shah Jahan had her mortal remains buried in this mausoleum. And after his
own demise he was placed to rest next to his beloved queen in the same
mausoleum. Its pure white marble shimmers silver in the moonlight.
Lovers still meet here in the moonlight in the shadow of the world's most
famous monument to love. Overnight at hotel. (Breakfast)
Hotel : The Oberoi Amarvilas ( 5 Star Deluxe )
Day
04 - Agra - Fatehpur Sikri - Bharatpur - Jaipur
Early morning visit the Taj Mahal which is most enthralling
in the quietness of early morning. After breakfast check-out from the hotel
and drive to Jaipur. En-route visit Fatehpur Sikri built by
emperor Akbar in 1569 & later abandoned due to scarcity of water.
Also visit 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.
Arrive
Jaipur and check-in into hotel Rambagh Palace which is a
magnificent building spread over 47 acres of gardens. This former residence
of the Maharaja of Jaipur is centrally located, near the main shopping area
and historical monuments. We have arranged your dinner at Revolving
Restaurant. View the Pink City from the 14th storey of the
revolving restaurant. Overnight at hotel. (Breakfast/Dinner)
Hotel : Taj Rambagh Palace ( 5 Star Deluxe )
Day 05 -
Jaipur
After breakfast visit Amer Fort - The royal family's
residence at Amber is only 11 km away. The palaces and forts of yesteryear,
once witness to royal processions, now shine amid the splendor of modern
monuments, a juxtaposition accepted quite naturally into the lifestyles of
an amazing people. Ascend on elephant back, the hill, on which the fort is
situated.
Afternoon
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, located in the
heart of the old city, is a large complex of courtyards, buildings, and
gardens, and also houses an interesting museum. 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. 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. Overnight at hotel. (Breakfast)
Hotel : Taj Rambagh Palace ( 5 Star Deluxe )
Day
06 - Jaipur - Udaipur (by Flight)
Morning check-out from the hotel and transfer to airport to catch
flight to Udaipur. On arrival you will be met by our representative, holding
a play card with your name on it in the arrival lounge. Arrival transfer to
hotel Taj Lake Palace which is one of the most beautiful
palaces in the world, arising out of the Turquoise Waters of the Pichola
like an elegant fantasy in white marble. The Lake palace was built in the
17th century on a natural foundation of 4 acers of rock. It was initially
called Jaginwas after its founder Maharana Jagjit Singh . The Maharana,
ruler of Jaipur from 1628 to 1654, was very friendly with Mughal Emperor
Shah Jahan and encouraged his craftsmen to copy some of the glories of his
incomparable buildings at Agra.
In the
afternoon 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. The rest of the
evening is free to explore this city of lakes on your own. Overnight at
hotel. (Breakfast)
Hotel : Taj Lake Palace ( 5 Star Deluxe - Heritage Palace
)
Day 07 -
Udaipur
After breakfast visit City Palace - the largest palace
complex in Rajasthan, with its scalloped arches, fretted balconies, and
cupolas. A part of the palace is converted into a museum.
You will be impressed by the monuments as it showcased arms and armor,
paintings and photographs, royal insignia, processional trappings and other
objects, which reflect Pioneer Journey's Pvt. Ltd., and tradition of the Mewar and Sisodia
Maharanas. Then, visit Jagdish Temple,
16th century temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. We’ll drive past Fateh
Sagar Lake with a visit to Sahelion-ki- Bari,
garden of the maids-of-Honor. Also visit Pratap Memorial, Atop the
Moti Magri or prarl hill, overlooking the Fateh Sagar lake is the memorial
of the Rajput hero Maharana Pratap with a bronze statue of the Maharana.
Later on visit Ahar - The ancient capital of sisodias, 3 Km from
udaipur, Ahar boasts of a profusion of royal cenotaphs of the rulers of
Mewar. A rare collection of antiquities including earthen pots, iron objects
and other art items excavated in the region are displayed in a small Govt.
museum.
Later an
excursion to Nathdwara and learn about the art of
Pichwai Paintings traditionally done in a variety of media : -
brocaded, block printed, embroidered or worked in gold. There are 24
iconographic renderings of the Krishna Legend traditionally portrayed in the
Nathdwara Pichwais. Overnight at hotel. (Breakfast)
Hotel : Taj Lake Palace ( 5 Star Deluxe - Heritage Palace )
Day 08 -
Udaipur - Ranakpur - Jodhpur
After breakfast, check-out from the hotel and drive to Jodhpur. En-route
visiting Ranakpur Jain Temples. Also visit Guda Bishnoi
: The villages are inhabitated by the Bishnoi tribe who are staunch
believers in the sanctity of plant and animal life. Villages are marked by
Khejri trees and deers, which thrive there.
Arrive
Jodhpur and check-in into hotel Taj 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. Overnight at hotel. (Breakfast)
Hotel : Taj Umaid Bhawan Palace ( 5 Star Deluxe - Heritage
Palace )
Day 09 -
Jodhpur
After breakfast, half day city tour 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. In the afternoon come back
to hotel. You can visit Ummed Bhawan Museum. A portion of
the Ummed Bhawan Palace has been converted into a museum.
The architectural splendors of these remnants will enthrall you. Overnight
at hotel. (Breakfast)
Hotel : Taj Umaid Bhawan Palace ( 5 Star Deluxe - Heritage
Palace )
Day 10 -
Jodhpur - Jaisalmer
After breakfast, check-out from the hotel and drive to Jaisalmer. 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. Arrive Jaisalmer and
check-in into hotel Gorbandh Palace. The very name of this
hotel is inspired by the influence of the desert. Gorbandh is a harness,
which the desert women decorate for their husband's camel with any material
they can find: cowry shells, beads, sequins, couloured threads and even
buttons. The architecture of this Royal Retreat has been inspired by
traditional Indian homes.
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)
Hotel : Gorbandh Palace
( Heritage - Royal Retreat )
Day 11 -
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.
In the late
afternoon we have arranged Sunset camel ride on the
Sam Sand Dunes. A trip to Jaisalmer is in incomplete without this
visit to most panoramic Dunes of Sam, where the wind is unceasingly carving
out scenic patterns on this desert sand. truly the essence of the desert,
the ripples of the Dunes create a enchanting mirage. By visiting the Sam
Sand Dunes, it is possible to get an insight into desert life from Jaisalmer
itself! Camel rides on the Sand Dunes are a thrilling experience, as is the
brilliant sunset. Overnight at hotel. (Breakfast)
Hotel : Gorbandh Palace ( Heritage - Royal Retreat )
Day 12 -
Jaisalmer - Khimsar
After breakfast check-out from the hotel and drive to Khimsar. Perched
on the edge on the great Thar Desert in the heart of rural India, the unique
fort at Khimsar offers a wide range of experiences. The battle-scarred walls
and turrets remind one of the glorious past of this place.
Arrive
Khimsar and check-in into hotel Khimsar Fort. Perched on
the edge of the Great Thar Desert in the heart of rural India lies this
unique fort offering a wide range of experiences. In the evening enjoy the
Folk Dances by the pool-side. Overnight at hotel.
(Breakfast)
Hotel : Khimsar Fort ( Heritage Deluxe )
Day
13 - Khimsar - Mandawa
After breakfast, Visit Khimsar Town. See the rural
Rajasthan on Village Safari Tour. Later on drive 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. Mandawa has beautiful frescoes, havelis & mansions.
Overnight at hotel. (Breakfast)
Hotel : Castle Mandawa ( Heritage Classic)
Day 14 -
Mandawa - Delhi (Departure)
After breakfast take 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.
Later on drive to Delhi. Arrive Delhi and rest of the day free for shopping until transfer to International Airport for flight to home. (Breakfast)