Splendor of Rajasthan

Destinations Covered: Delhi, Udaipur, Kumbhalgarh, Rohetgarh, Jaisalmer, Bikaner, Mandawa, Jaipur, Agra
Duration: 12 Nights / 13 Days

Day 01- Arrive at Delhi
Arrival follows meeting and assistance and transfer to hotel, The Park. Spend the night at the hotel.

Day 02- Delhi
After the breakfast at the hotel a full day guided sight seeing tour is arranged, covering the Red Fort, the Jama Masjid, Jantar Mantar, the Humayun's tomb, the President House, the Qutub Minar and the India Gate. Spend the night at the hotel.

Day 03- Delhi/ Udaipur Flight
Breakfast at the hotel follows transfer to airport to catch the flight to Udaipur. After arrival at Udaipur reception follows, thereby transfer to hotel. Spend the night at Udaipur.

Day 04- Udaipur
Have your breakfast at the hotel and set out on a full day guided sight seeing tour of Udaipur, visiting the City Palace and the Museum, Shaliyon Ki Bari, the Jagdish Temple. Get back to the hotel in the evening and spend the night.

City Palace- It is a majestic architectural wonder, towering over the lake on a hill, surrounded by crenellated walls, it is a conglomeration of courtyards, pavilions, terraces, corridors, rooms and hanging gardens. The main entrance is through the triple arched gate, the 'Tripolia' with eight marble porticos. The Maharanas were weighed under the gate in gold, the correspondent amount of which was distributed among the general population.

Pratap Memorial- The memorial of the Rajput hero, Maharana Pratap is located at the top of the "Moti Magri" or the Pearl Hill.

Jagdish Temple- This temple was built in 1651 A.D. by Maharana Jagat Singh. This Indo-Aryan temple is the largest and the most beautiful temple of Udaipur with its remarkable sculpted images.

Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandir- It is folk arts museum with an interesting collection of Indian folk arts, folk dresses, ornaments, puppets, masks, dolls, folk musical instruments, folk deities and paintings.

Saheliyon-ki-Bari (Garden of the maids of Honor) - This small garden was a popular relaxing spot of royal ladies, who came for a stroll and hence the name. The garden has many fountains in its four delightful pools, chiseled kiosks and marble elephants.

Day 05- Udaipur / Kumbhalgarh (90 Km)
Breakfast at the hotel is followed by check out and journey to Kumbhalgarh. Arrive and check in at the hotel. Afternoon guided excursion tour of the mighty and one the best forts in Rajasthan, the Kumbhalgarh fort. Spend the night at the hotel.

Day 06- Kumbhalgarh/ Rohetgarh 185 Km
Have your breakfast at the hotel and check out and drive to Rohetgarh, via Ranakpur and see the finest cluster of Jain temples. Later drive to Rohetgarh. On arrival at Rohetgarh, check in at the hotel. In the evening you can explore one of the finest Rajasthani architectures. Spend the night at the hotel.

Day 07- Rohetgarh/ Jaisalmer (295 Km)
After your breakfast, check out and drive to Jaisalmer, visiting Jodhpur en-route. Later, drive to Jaisalmer and check in at the hotel on arrival. Spend the night at the hotel.

Meherangarh Fort- It is a 5 km long majestic fort, situated on a 125 meter high hill. It is one of the most impressive and formidable forts of India. The fort has four gates approached by a winding road. Within the fort you will find some magnificent palaces with beautifully carved panels, latticed windows and suggestive names. Prominent of these are the Moti Mahal, the Phool Mahal, the Sheesh Mahal, the Sileh Khana and the Daulat Khana. In these palaces you will find a wonderful collection of trappings of Indian royalty (a collection of palanquins, elephant howdahs, miniature paintings of various schools, musical instruments, costumes and furniture).

Jaswant Thada- It is a cluster of royal cenotaphs in white marble built in 1899 A.D. in memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. Inside the main cenotaph are the portraits of various Jodhpur rulers.

Day 07- Jaisalmer
Breakfast at the hotel follows a morning guided sight seeing tour of city. In the evening, go for Camel safari on sand dunes. Spend the night at the hotel.

Jaisalmer Fort- The Jaisalmer fort stands almost 30 meters over the city and houses an entire living area within its huge ramparts. It was one of the last bastions of the region and founded on the cross roads of trade routes. The fort is surrounded by fortifications and 99 turrets. The fort is approached through Ganesh Pol, Suraj Pol, Bhoot Pol and Hawa Pol. Also, within it are many beautiful Havelis and a group of Jain temples dating back to the 12th and the 15th centuries.

Gadsisar Lake- It is a picturesque rain Water Lake with numerous beautiful shrines around and a spectacular avian variety. The lake is an tranquil spot for outings.

Tazia Tower- The Tazia tower is a pagoda like structure rising up from the 'Badal Mahal' with beautiful 'Taazias' (ornately decorated bamboo, paper and tinsel replicas of a bier, carried out in procession during Moharram by the Muslims).

Havelis
The whole landscape of Rajasthan is dotted with some of the most striking mansions or Havelis, all intricately latticed. The most remarkable part of these Havelis is that each one of them has a different fascia.

Nathmalji-ki-Haveli- This Haveli belongs to the late 19th century and a fantastic example of craftsmanship. Though both left and the right wings of the mansion are similar and balanced in design but are not identical as they were carved by two brothers. The interior walls of the Haveli are well elaborated with splendid miniature paintings.

Patwon- ki- Haveli- This is the most detailed and splendid Haveli of Jaisalmer. It has neatly carved pillars and broad corridors and chambers. Another remarkable feature of this Haveli is that one of the apartments of this Haveli is painted with beautiful frescos.

Salim Singh-Ki-Haveli- This Haveli was built by Jaisalmer's Prime Minister Maharaja Rawal Gaj Singh-Salim Singh. It is about 300 years old. The Haveli has a beautiful blue cupola roof with superbly carved brackets in the form of peacocks. The Haveli is built in yellow stone and is full of elaborate carvings and has a projecting balcony on the topmost storey. Salim Singh-Ki-Haveli is among the most notable Havelis.

Jain Temple- In the Jaisalmer fort you will find three graceful Jain temples dedicated to the Jain Tirthankars- Rishabhdev, Sambhavnath and Paraswanath.

Gyan Bhandar or Library houses some of the oldest manuscripts of India. It was established as a part of Jain temples.

Day 08- Jaisalmer/ Bikaner (300Km)
After breakfast you will be driven to Bikaner (approx. 7 - 8 hrs). Upon arrival, check in at the hotel. After a brief rest, set out to explore the history and culture of Bikaner. Spend the night at the hotel.

Day 09- Bikaner/ Mandawa
Breakfast at the hotel follows check out and a guided sight seeing tour of city, visiting the Lalgarh palace complex and the camel breeding farm. Thereafter you will be driven to Mandawa. Upon arrival, check in at the hotel followed by overnight at the hotel.

Day 10- Mandawa/Jaipur
Have your breakfast at the hotel and check out and depart for a morning tour of the nearby rural area. In the afternoon drive to Jaipur. On arrival, check in at the hotel and spend the evening relaxing. Spend the night at the hotel.

Day 11- Jaipur

The City Palace- It was the residence of the erstwhile Rajput rulers. The city Palace is built in Rajasthani and Mughal styles. The carved arches of the city Palace are supported by grey-white marble columns elaborate with floral motifs in gold and colored stones.

At the entrance of the City Palace stand two carved elephants in marble, guarding the entrance. The City Palace houses a museum, which has a fabulous collection of Rajasthani costumes and armory of Mughals and Rajputs. There is an art gallery inside the Palace, having an excellent collection of miniature paintings, carpets, royal paraphernalia and rare astronomical works in Arabic, Persian, Latin and Sanskrit. All these were obtained by Sawai Jai Singh II to study astronomy.

Jantar Mantar- It is one of the 5 observatories built by the former ruler of Amber, Jai Singh. It is the largest of all. The observatory complex has instruments, whose setting and shapes are scientifically designed. These observatories are an insight into the medieval Indian astronomy. The most remarkable of these instruments are the Ram Yantras used for gauging altitudes.

Govind Devji Temple- It is supposed to be the most popular temple of Jaipur, dedicated to Lord Krishna. Govind Devji Temple is located in the central pavilion of the Jai Niwas Garden to the north of the Chandra Mahal. The patron deity of the temple is Govind Devji. The image of Govind Devji was installed here by Sawai Jai Singh II as his family deity.

Hawa Mahal- Hawa Mahal is the most important landmark of the Pink city, Jaipur. It was built in 1799 A.D. Hawa Mahal is a five storey building, along the main street of the old city with semi octagonal and delicately honey-combed sandstone windows. The Hawa Mahal was originally built with the aim of helping the royal ladies to watch the everyday life and royal processions of the city.

Birla Planetarium (Time 12.00 hrs to 19.00 hrs.)- The Planetarium offers unique audio-visual education and entertainment with its modern computerized projection system. There is a provision of concessions for schools also. The planetarium remains closed on the last Wednesday of every month.

Jaigarh Fort- Jaigarh fort is one of the few military structures of medieval India, which still retain their old splendor. The Jaigarh Fort houses palaces, gardens, reservoirs, a granary, an armory, a well planned cannon foundry, several temples, a tall tower and giant mounted cannon- the Jai Ban. The broad parkotas (walls), watch tower and gateways of Jaigarh dominate the western skyline.

Amber Fort- It is the former capital of the Kachchwaha Rajputs, of the old Dhundhar state. Unfortunately, very little of the main structures survive now.

Day 12- Jaipur/ Agra (250 Km)
Have your breakfast at the hotel, check out and drive to Agra, visiting the deserted town of Fatehpur Sikri, the former capital of the Mughals. After reaching Agra, relax for a while and then set out for sun set tour of the most beautiful symbol of love, the Taj Mahal. Spend the night at the hotel.

Day 13- Agra/ Delhi (201 Km)
Breakfast at the hotel follows departure for a guided sight seeing tour of Agra. The places covered in the itinerary are the Agra Fort, Akbar's tomb at Sikandra and Itmad-ud-Daulah's tomb. Thereafter you will be driven to Delhi to catch to catch the flight back Home.