Rajasthan With Taj Mahal
Delhi- Mandawa- Bikaner- Jaisalmer- Jodhpur- Ranakpur- Udaipur- Pushkar- Jaipur- Ranthambhore- Agra- Delhi.
Duration: 17 nights/ 18 days
ITINERARY
DAY 1: Arrival at Delhi
where our representative will meet and greet you and help you check in at the hotel. Overnight stay.
Day 2: Sightseeing in Delhi
After your breakfast at the hotel, you will be taken to visit Old Delhi- the former center of Mughal power which offers ancient monuments, narrow streets and ustling markets. Visit the Red Fort built in 1648 by the great Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan famous for his great edifice of love the Taj Mahal. Also see the biggest mosque in India the Jama Masjid, constructed by Shah Jahan in 1658. Then drive through the narrow lanes of Chandni Chowk to get a feel of the royal life of the Mughal emperors.
Post lunch you will be taken to see the “New Delhi” which came into existence much later, and is also known as Lutyens Delhi, taking after the name of a British architect who was largely responsible in designing the India Gate, The Presidential House, the Secratariat, the Parliament House and many other buildings in that area.
Drive on to see the tallest tower in Delhi, known as Qutub Minar, which declared the arrival and rise of Islam in India. Evening back to the Hotel. Overnight at the Hotel.
Day 3: Delhi- Mandawa by road. (240 kms)
See the many havelis built in this region by the rich merchants of Rajasthan, with beautiful frescoes and paintings on the walls of the havelis. Upon arrival check in at Hotel Late afternoon visit the Shekawati region.
Walk through the Shekawati region, which was the stronghold of Kayamkhani Nawabs till 1730. Besides the cenotaphs, wells, forts and temples the majority of frescoes are painted on the walls and gateways of Havelis. The havelis are mansions of a unique residential architectural style that evolved around courtyards to serve the purpose of family security, privacy for the women as also protecting the inhabitants from the long, harsh summers. The enormous Havelis with fascinating murals built by the wealthy Rajasthani merchants ("Marwaris") in the 19th century.
Overnight Mandawa
DAY 4: Mandawa to Gajner
Leave after breakfast and drive from Mandawa to Gajner ( 28 Kms/ 40 mins). Have lunch at Gajner Palace and then drive on to Bikaner which is 200 kms away. Overnight at Bikaner.
DAY 5: Bikaner
City sightseeing tour of Bikaner, this desert town in the north of the state was founded in 1488 by Roa Bikaji, a descendant of the founder of Jodhpur, Jodhaji. Visit the Junagarh Fort constructed between 1588 and 1593 by Raja Jai Singh, a general in the Moghul Emperor Akbar's army.
Overnight at Bikaner.
Day 6: Bikaner to Jaisalmer, 240 Kms.
Jaisalmer - is India's most exotic and unusual town - a medieval looking place, straight out of the 'Tales of the Arabian Nights'. This beautiful city is situated inside a huge mud fort and grew as a result of its strategic position on the trading route between India and Central Asia bringing great wealth to the city. Jaisalmer is a tiny jewel in the heart of the Thar Desert - once the capital of the Bhatti Rajputs. It started as an important caravan center and remnants of caravan sarais still exist.
Late in the evening visit the Sam dunes where you will witness sunset while enjoying the camel ride. Overnight at hotel.
Day 7: Jaisalmer
After breakfast, visit this perfect Rajput walled desert city which is like a golden jewel shimmering above the hard sand. Visit the palaces, the Jain temples and magnificent Havelis or merchant's houses, each richly decorated and carved from golden yellow sandstone - Patwon-ki-haveli (House of the Brocade Merchants) is the largest and most elaborate of the famous havelis of Jaisalmer. The Nathmalji-ki-haveli (The Mansion of Nathmalji), the last of the great havelis was built in the late 19th century. End the morning with a visit to Gadisar Lake - the large natural oasis that attracted Rawal Jaisal. Overnight at Jaisalmer.
Day 8: Jaisalmer to Jodhpur
Drive from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur 260 kms, evening at leisure. Overnight at hotel.
Day 9: City tour of Jodhpur
City tour of Jodhpur - the largest city in Rajasthan after Jaipur, Jodhpur stands at the edge of the Thar Desert. It was founded by Rao Jodha. Chief of the Rajput clan known as Rathores and the Rathore kingdom was once known as Marwar - the Land of Death. The tour includes Meherangarh Fort - one of the most impressive & formidable in the whole of fort-studded Rajasthan is situated on a high natural rock bluff and from which you can look down on the wonderful panorama of the bustling city below,Jaswant Thada - the Royal Cenotaphs.
Overnight at Jodhpur.
Day 10: Udaipur
After breakfast drive to Udaipur (260 kms / 6 hours).Visit Ranakpur Temples en route. Ranakpur temples: A visit to the famous Jain Temple, dating back to the 15th century. There are 200 pillars, none of which are alike, support its 29 halls. The Temple abounds with intricate friezes and sculptures. The tour includes visits to two more Jain temples and the Temple of the Sun God with its erotic sculptures.
Reach Udaipur by evening and check in at the hotel.
In the evening enjoy a boat cruise on Lake Pichola at sunset visiting the Jagmandir Island - in the middle of the Romantic Lake Pichola. It commands a magnificent view of the City Palace, Lake Palace and Sajjangarh Fort, on its own island, and it is where Prince Khurram was given refuge in the 17th century.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 11: Morning city tour of Udaipur
Morning city tour of Udaipur - the romantic lake city in Southern Rajasthan, famous for the stunning white marble Palace built on an island in Lake Pichola. It was the former Palace of the Maharana and now converted to one of the most glamorous hotels in India. The tour will cover the magnificent City Palace, Jagdish temple, some gardens and a drive around the other nearby lakes.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 12: Udaipur to Pushkar
Visit the famous Brahma Temple and other temples in this city, famous for temples and lakes. Overnight at hotel
Day 13: Pushkar to Jaipur
Drive from Pushkar to Jaipur. Check in at hotel, and visit the Amber Fort and palace. Here you will be taken on Elephant in royal style to the gates of the Fort and back. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at hotel.
Day 14: Sightseeing in Jaipur
Visit City Palace, Jantar Mantar and Hawa Mahal. Rest of the day for shopping and getting a feel of the city. Overnight at hotel.
Day 15: Jaipur to Ranthambhore
Drive from Jaipur to Ranthambhore- Just 2 1/2 hr drive from Jaipur via Tonk. Ranthambhore National Park got its status of a National Park in 1981. It is one of the finest places to view animals as they are used to being stared at here.
Check in at Hotel and rest for a while. After lunch go for the jungle safari at the Park for sighting of tigers. Overnight at hotel.
Day 16: Ranthambhore National Park
Take the early morning Safari of the Ranthambhore National Park with an expert guide/ escort.
You will be back at the hotel for breakfast and then visit the Fort. A huge fort after which the park has been named towers over the hill. There are many ruins of bygone eras scattered all over the jungle, which gives it a unique, wonderful and mixed flavour of nature, history and wildlife.
Back to the camp for lunch rest of the day at leisure to enjoy the hospitality of Ranthambhore Bagh and its owners. Overnight at hotel.
Day 17: Fatehpur Sikri
Early check out from Ranthambhore and drive on to Agra, visiting Fatehpur Sikri the abandoned city of the Mughal emperor Akbar, en route. Reach Agra check in at hotel. Evening at leisure.
Day 18: Taj Mahal
Early morning visit the Taj Mahal…… Little needs to be said about this architectural wonder which is always the soul raison-de-etre for every tourist's visit to Agra. Built by Shah Jahan, the Taj is a white marble memorial to his beautiful wife Mumtaz Mahal.
After noon visit the Agra Fort which lies on the bend of the river Yamuna, almost in the heart of the town. Akbar built it as his citadel over the years 1563-73 in the finest architectural style. It has imposing gates and walls of red sandstone and a moat.
Early evening start the drive back to Delhi and get dropped at a hotel or Airport for onward journey. End of tour and our services.