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RAJASTHAN HERITAGE TEST

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Royal Rajasthan
Stay at Heritage Havelies, Fort & Palaces,
Tour Ref.# HT002/RV   BOOK NOW

Special Feature: Forts, Palaces, Painted Havelis,Miniature paintings and Theme Dinners.
Price: 15 nights from US$ 1795 (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 - Jaipur
After breakfast half day city tour 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.

In the afternoon continue drive to Jaipur. 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 03 - 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.

In the 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. Overnight at hotel. (Breakfast)

Day 04 - Jaipur - Kuchaman
After breakfast check-out from the hotel and drive to Kuchaman. On arrival check-in into hotel Kuchaman Fort which is one of the most spectacular and luxurious Fort hotels of Rajasthan. The Kuchaman Fort was established as a "chowki" [garrison] by the Gurjar Pratiharas sometime between 450 to 750 A.D. Like a gigantic beast astride a triangular cliff, crouching, waiting to pounce on enemies, real or imagined.  Rest of the day free to relax at your hotel.

You can explore Kuchaman Fort. The Fort was built to control the ancient trade route from Central Asia. In 950 A.D. the Chuhans of Ajmer drove out the Gurjar Pratiharas, to open a new chapter in the history of Kuchaman Fort. In the following centuries, the Gaurs won and controlled the fort, until they surrendered it to the might of the Rathores. Being Suryavanshi Kshatriyas who trace their lineage back to Lord Rama, the hero of the epic Ramayana, the Rathores brought to the fort their long and glorious traditions. A new life came to the Fort, enriching its colorful history. At the Kuchaman Fort you discover tales of courage and valor woven into the very fabric of its formidable ramparts; with their 32 bastions that house cannon points, their thousands of muzzle loader ports from which pellets were once showered upon attacking armies, and their strategic 10 gates, each with its own soulful story. Overnight at hotel. (Breakfast)

Day 05 - Kuchaman - 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. Overnight at hotel. (Breakfast/Lunch)

Day 06 - Mandawa - Bikaner
After an early 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.

Later on drive to Bikaner - the camel city. On arrival check-in into hotel. In the afternoon visit Junagadh Fort - constructed between 1588 and 1593 by Raja Rai Singh, fort has a 986 meter long wall with 37 bastions & two entrances, Bhand Sagar Temple - The 16century Jain temple, is the most important of this temple complex. Overnight at hotel. (Breakfast)

Day 07 - Bikaner - Jaisalmer
After breakfast, check-out from the hotel and drive to Jaisalmer. 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)

Day 08 - Jaisalmer
After breakfast half day sightseeing of Jaisalmer.  Almost 900 years old, Jaisalmer was a major post on the trade route across the forbidding Thar Desert, and still today, one's first glimpse of the honey colored walls of the fort, rising out of the hot and barren desert is magical. Untouched by time, Jaisalmer, with its golden crenellated walls and narrow streets lined with exquisite havelies, has a medieval ambience. The fort encloses palaces decorated with delicate jali or lattice worked screens, carved doors and flora carvings, and elaborately carved 12th to 16th century Jain temples. The havelies in both the fort and the town are exceptional. Similar in style to the homes of Venetian merchants, the havelies were the mansions of wealthy traders. The houses are decorated with beautifully carved facades, jali screens and oriel windows, each with an inner courtyard surrounded by richly decorated apartments.

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)

Day 09 - Jaislamer - Jodhpur
After breakfast check-out from the hotel and drive to Jodhpur. Arrive Jodhpur and check-in into hotel. In the afternoon visit Mehrangarh Fort which is one of the largest forts in India. The fort has been a witness to the splendor 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. Magnificent Mehrangarh, one of Rajasthan's finest forts, looks down protectively over the city, from the hilltop. The fort is situated at an altitude of about 125 meters and is spread over an area of 5 sq. km with seven gates. One could drive up or walk to the top of the small and not so steep hill. Driving or walking up, the sheer rock face from where emerges the tall and massive sandstone wall of Mehrangarh looks awesome indeed.

Later on visit Jaswanthada which is a white marble memorial built in memory of Maharaja Jaswant II in 1899 A story goes that Maharaja Jaswant succumbed to injuries in this place while fighting the Mughal king Jahangir. In the afternoon visit Umaid Bhawan Museum. The ruling family of Jodhpur has recently converted a part of the gigantic Umaid Bhawan Palace as a palace museum. Items on display are rare collection of rocks, watches, fine china, ornate mirrored furniture, glass and crystal ware, photographs etc. Overnight at hotel. (Breakfast)

Day 10 - Jodhpur - Ranakpur - Udaipur
After breakfast drive to Ranakpur. 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.

Later on continue drive to Udaipur. On arrival 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 11 - 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. Folk Art Museum has an interesting exhibition of folk arts including dresses, dolls, masks, musical instruments, paintings, and puppets. Pratap Smarak, located atop the Moti Magri or Pearl Hill overlooking the Fateh Sagar Lake, is a memorial of the Rajput hero Maharana Pratap.

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. Overnight at hotel.(Breakfast)

Day 12 - Udaipur - Chittorgarh
After breakfast check-out from the hotel and drive to Chittorgarh. The sprawling hilltop fort of Chittorgarh epitomises the whole romantic, doomed ideal of Rajput Chivalry. Thrice Chittor was sacked by a stronger enemy and on each occasion, the end came in textbook Rajput fashion as jauhar was declared in the face of impossible odds. On arrival check-in into hotel Bassi Fort which glorifies the history of Chundawat clan was built in the 16th Century by Thakur Jaimal of Sisodia dynasty, cousin of Maharana Pratap, the founder of Bassi principality.

In the afternoon visit Chittorgarh Fort - The indomitable pride of Chittorgarh, the fort is a massive structure with many gateways built by the later Maurya rulers in 7th century A.D. Perched on a height of 180 m. high hill, it sprawls over 700 acres. The tablets and chattris within are impressive reminders of the Rajput heroism. The fort has many magnificent monuments, all fine examples of the Rajput architecture. Also visit other palaces and visit that very spot where Rani Padmini committed Johar. Overnight at hotel. (Breakfast)

Day 13 - Chittorgarh - Bundi - Ranthambhore
After breakfast check-out from the hotel and drive to Ranthambhore. En-route visit Bundi which is one of the unexplored cities, with a rich historical wealth. Once a part of Kota, it was ruled by the Hada Chauhans - an off shoot of the famous Chauhan clan who ruled Delhi and Ajmer. Arrive Ranthambhore and check-in into hotel. Rest of the day free to relax at your hotel. OR you have an option to take a evening game drive to Ranthambhore National Park.Dinner & Overnight at hotel. (Breakfast/Dinner)

Day 14 - Ranthambore
Breakfast at resort. We have included morning & evening game drive 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 15 - Ranthambhore - Bharatpur - Fatehpur Sikri - Agra
After breakfast, check-out from the hotel and drive to Agra. En-route 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. 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.

Later on continue drive to Agra via 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." On arrival check in into hotel. Overnight at hotel.(Breakfast)

Day 16 - 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. 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. The Taj is most enthralling in the quietness of early morning. 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.

Later on continue 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)