Pick & Choose - Rajasthan with Taj Mahal
Duration: 18 Nights / 19 Days
Places to See: Delhi - Varanasi - Khajuraho - Orchha - Gwalior - Agra
- Jaipur - Chhatrasagar - Deogarh - Udaipur - Jodhpur - Jaisalmer - Jodhpur
- Delhi
Day 01: Delhi
You
will be met on arrival at the International airport. Transfer to your hotel.
Relax.
DELHI, the capital of kingdoms and empires is now a sprawling metropolis with
a fascinating blend of the past and the present. Delhi is a perfect introduction
to the composite culture of an ancient land and a window to the kaleidoscope
- that is India.
Overnight will be in Delhi.
Day 02: Delhi
Breakfast will be at the hotel. Start tour of Old & New Delhi.
OLD DELHI - A sight-seeing tour of Old Delhi would entail visiting the Raj Ghat
- the memorial site where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated; Jama Masjid - the largest
mosque in India and the Red Fort - once the most opulent fort and palace of
the Mughal Empire.
Enjoy a Cycle rickshaw ride from Jama Masjid to Chandni Chowk.
NEW
DELHI - An extensive sight-seeing tour of New Delhi would include a visit to
the Humayun's Tomb, the Qutub Minar, a drive along the ceremonial avenue - Rajpath,
past the imposing India Gate, Parliament House, the President's Residence and
would end with a drive through the Diplomatic Enclave. Also visit the LOTUS
TEMPLE & BIRLA MANDIR.
Enjoy the DANCES OF INDIA SHOW in the evening.
Overnight will be in Delhi.
Day 03: Delhi - Varanasi
Breakfast will be at hotel.
Transfer in time to airport for flight to Varanasi. Upon arrival at Varanasi,
you will be met and transferred to hotel.
Varanasi is the World's most ancient living city. Sunrise on the riverfront,
as seen from a boat, can be spiritually uplifting sight. Crowded with temples,
and its labyrinth of streets, the city attracts the maximum number of tourists.
The religious capital of Hinduism, Varanasi is the carpet manufacturing place
of India. It was previously known as Kashi - the city that illuminates. The
present name is derived from the fact that the city is at the confluence of
the rivers Varuna and Asi.
Visit
Sarnath - 5 miles out of Varanasi for a day excursion: One of the holiest Buddhist
sites in the world, where Buddha preached his first Sermon in 590 BC. Witness
the ruins of a once flourishing Buddhist monastery and then visit a fine Museum
which houses an excellent collection of Buddhist art and sculptures found at
the site.
Overnight will be spent at Varanasi.
Day 04: Varanasi - Khajuraho
In the morning drive to Daswamedh Ghat and take a boat ride on the sacred river
Ganges to see the cremation Ghats and witness the living traditions of one of
the world's oldest and most important religions. (To start at 0500 hrs. for
the best lifetime experience) For you to appreciate this remarkable city, we'll
transfer you to the banks of the River Ganges before the sun rises. Board a
boat with your guide and proceed to the middle of the river, where at sunrise
the sight unfolds before you. Thousands of faithful come daily to the banks
to bathe and pray while in the background, temples and palaces rise in tiers
from the water's edge. Return for a walk through the cobblestone streets along
the banks of "Ganga". As shops are opening, the place now becomes
a beehive of activity as the faithful are coming and going.
Return
to hotel for a sumptuous breakfast. Proceed for a guided tour of Varanasi in
the afternoon including the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Gyanvapi Mosque, Benaras
Hindu University and other important monuments.
Transfer to airport for flight to Khajuraho.
Situated in the heart of India, in the state of Madhya Pradesh, Khajuraho is
a fascinating village with a quaint, rural ambience and a rich cultural heritage,
honoured by the world as India's unique contribution to human civilization.
The Chandela dynasty built eighty-five temples here. Twenty remain as embodiments
of Indian architectural and sculptural art at its most evolved state. Even ten
centuries after they were constructed, the temples of Khajuraho reflect an eternal
philosophy relevant to all mankind. The temples of Khajuraho is a world heritage
site and belong not just to India but to the world. Khajuraho is one of the
few millennium destinations of the world.
Reach Khajuraho. Transferred to hotel and relax. Visit the WESTERN SET OF TEMPLES.
Overnight will be at Khajuraho.
Day 05: Khajuraho
Breakfast
will be at hotel.
Proceed for a full day tour of the EXOTIC TEMPLES (EASTERN & SOUTHERN) of
Khajuraho.
Relax in the evening or proceed to the SHILPA GRAM for seeing the local artisans
at work. You can also see the colorful DANCES show. Overnight will be at Khajuraho.
Day 06: Khajuraho - Orchha - Gwalior
Proceed by surface to ORCHHA.
ORCHHA - A medieval city founded by Bundela rulers with Palaces and temples
of the 16th and 17th century which have remarkable withstood the onslaught of
time. The city is picturesquely flanked by the River Betwa.
Proceed for sight-seeing of ORCHHA sites within the Fort Complex.
Lunch
will be at Orchha and then proceed to the station (12 km away) for train to
Gwalior. {This is a superfast train with airline type seats}.
Reach Gwalior and transfer to hotel.
Gwalior's colorful history, going back to the eight century, is a mosaic of
Rajput clans of the Pratihasas, Kachwahas and Tomars, each leaving their marks
on the city's magnificent monuments. A trip to Gwalior is incomplete without
a visit to the fort, Scindia Palace and the tombs of Ghaus Mohammed and Tansen.
Overnight will be at hotel.
Day 07: Gwalior - Agra
Proceed for sight-seeing after breakfast.
Visit
the historic Gurjari Mahal, Man Mandir Palace, Sas Bahu ka Mandir, Royal Palace,
the Suraj Kund in the fort and also the Scindia Palace and cenotaphs.
Proceed to Agra after lunch. Reach Agra and relax.
AGRA: Two great Mughal monarchs, Akbar and Shah Jahan, transformed the little
village of Agra into a befitting second capital of the Mughal Empire - giving
it the name Dar-ul-Khilafat {seat of the Emperor}. Today a visitor to Agra is
caught up in a world of contrasting edifices, of red sandstone and white marble,
narrow galleys and quaint buggies, and that irresistible charm that this favorite
city of the Mughals still retains. It is not surprising, that modern Agra still
reflects its Mughal heritage most conspicuously.
Visit TAJ MAHAL at sunset. Overnight will be at Agra.
Day 08: Agra
Proceed for sight-seeing of the city after breakfast. First, proceed to TAJ
MAHAL which is just walking distance from the hotel.
TAJ
MAHAL: The fifth Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan, built it in 1631 in the memory
of his second wife, Mumtaz Mahal, a Muslim Persian princess. She died while
accompanying her husband in Behrampur in a campaign to crush a rebellion, after
giving birth to their 14th child. Her death so crushed the emperor that all
his hair and beard were said to have grown snow white in a few months. When
Mumtaz Mahal was still alive, she extracted four promises from the emperor:
first, that he build the Taj; second, that he should marry again; third, that
he be kind to their children; and fourth, that he visit the tomb on her death
anniversary. He kept the first and second promises. Construction began in 1631
and was completed in 22 years. Twenty thousand people were deployed to work
on it. An Iranian architect designed it and it is best appreciated when the
architecture and its adornments are linked to the passion that inspired it.
It is a "symbol of eternal love".
Having buried her down at Behrampur, it was time for the emperor to keep his
promise and build a tomb there itself. But by and by, it was felt that it was
virtually impossible to transfer all the marble there, as it would cost an entire
fortune and an entire lifetime. So, when Agra was chosen as the only alternative,
astonishingly her grave was uprooted and brought to Agra, only to be finally
transferred to the monument, completed twenty-two years later.
Proceed
to Agra and visit Agra Fort- which was built by Akbar In 1525 AD. After Agra
Fort we will visit Baby Taj - The interiors of which are considered better than
the Taj.
Visit TAJ MAHAL at sunset. Overnight will be at Agra.
Day 09: Agra - Jaipur
Proceed for Jaipur after breakfast.
Visit FATEHPUR SIKRI - The deserted, red Sandstone City, Emperor Akbar built
that as his capital and palace in the late 16th century is an exhilarating experience.
It a veritable fairytale city and its "ruins" are in pristine condition
... it's not hard to imagine what the court life must have been like in the
days of its grandeur. Also visit the Buland Darwaza, the largest gateway in
the world.
Continue your drive to Jaipur.
JAIPUR
- The origins of the beautiful city of Jaipur can be traced back to the eighteenth
century, during the reign of Jai Singh II who ascended the Amber throne in 1699.
Jaipur today, epitomizes the spirit of Rajputana. In-spite of growing into a
bustling metropolis, it still retains its character and history - A beautiful
fusion of the yesteryears and modernity. It is popularly known as the Pink City
because of the extensive use of the locally abundant pink plastered stone, painted
so in honor of the visit of the royal consort of Queen Victoria. Jaipur thrills
the soul with its massive forts, magnificent palaces, exquisite temples and
lush gardens.
Reach Jaipur and check in at hotel. Spend the evening relaxing at this beautiful
hotel or visit a couple of temples like the BIRLA MANDIR.
Overnight will be in Jaipur.
Day 10: Jaipur
Breakfast will be at hotel. Proceed for a morning excursion will be taken to
the Amber Fort. Enjoy the fort ascent on elephant back in a royal manner.
AMBER
FORT PALACE - Amber is the classic romantic Rajasthani fort palace. Its construction
was started by Man Singh I in 1592, and completed by his descendent Jai Singh
I. Its forbidding exterior belies an inner paradise where a beautiful fusion
of Mughal and Hindu styles finds its ultimate expression.
Proceed for city sight-seeing after lunch. The sites to include:
CITY PALACE - A delightful blend of Mughal and traditional Rajasthani architecture,
the City Palace sprawls over one-seventh of the area in the walled city. It
houses the Chandra Mahal, Shri Govind Dev Temple and the City Palace Museum.
JANTAR MANTAR - This is the largest and the best preserved of the five observatories
built by Jai Singh II in different parts of the country. This observatory consisting
of outsized astronomical instruments is still in use.
HAWA MAHAL - The ornamental facade of this "Palace of Winds" is a
prominent landmark in Jaipur. It is a five-storey structure of sandstone plastered
pink encrusted with fine trelliswork and elaborate balconies. The palace has
953 niches and windows. Built in 1799 by Pratap Singh, the Mahal was a royal
grandstand for the palace women.
Shopping
and relax in the evening. Overnight will be at Jaipur.
Day 11: Jaipur - Chhatrasagar
Breakfast will be at hotel.
Proceed to NIMAJ. (Chhatrasagar)
The fort of Nimaj was built in 1733 by the valiant ruler- Thakur Jagram Singh.
Situated in the heart of the town, it is a massive structure built in traditional
Rajput style with courtyards and separate wings for men & women. The little
township is surrounded by places of historical interest, like the 9th century
temple Magar Mandi, 3 kms away. Visit nearby villages to see local craftsmen
at work & a little further see blackbucks, blue bulls etc.
Lakes in the desert region are a rarity having their own charm. Chhatra Sagar,
4 kms from the fort is a beautiful water body nestled between two hillocks.
Built as a summer retreat, the lush green lawn, flowering trees and clear waters
are like an oasis in the otherwise dry region. Boating and angling is possible.
It is surrounded by lush green fields and vast grazing pastures. Chhatra Sagar,
a hundred-year old reservoir with a periphery of about 10 kilometers, is an
ideal destination for nature lovers and a perfect getaway from the chaotic city
life.
As
a hunting preserve of the Nimaj Estate, Chhatra Sagar has witnessed many exciting
shikar camps and leisure parties. Today, the campsite, situated on the dam,
offers breathtaking views of the sunrise, sunset and the Aravalli ranges on
the horizon. The old shooting box - Aodhi has been put to good use as it provides
a closer view of the water fowl and birds of prey.
Watch the birds, go for nature walks, soak in the fresh air, sit around the
bonfire and listen to old folk lore - or be more adventurous and take one of
the many safaris on offer. Experience the warm hospitality, and enjoy some truly
delicious Indian and traditional Rajasthani meals cooked with farm fresh vegetables
in the family kitchen.
Relax in the tastefully designed and well-appointed tented accommodation. Each
tent has an attached bath with running hot and cold water, and its own private
sit out overlooking the lake.
Overnight
will be at the camp.
Day 12: Chhatrasagar - Deogarh - Udaipur
Proceed to DEOGARH after a leisurely breakfast.
Deogarh lies on the borders of Mewar, Marwar and Merwara, about 80 miles north-east
of Udaipur. Its chieftain known as 'The Rawat' was one of sixteen UMRAOS (feudal
barons) privileged to wait upon the Maharana of Udaipur, the capital of Mewar
such feudal estates, called thikanas were granted by the ruling Maharana to
a nobleman either due to blood relationship or for an act of bravery. Deogarh
is also renowned as a school of miniature painting. Some Deogarh miniatures
adorn the personal collection of the present Rawat Sahib. Frescoes of this art
form can also be seen on the fort walls. The Mahal also has some exciting rooms
to browse through - Sheesh Mahal - the colourful hall of mirrors, is just one
of them!
Deogarh Mahal was converted into a hotel about 3 years ago, by the present owner
Rawal - Nahar Singh. A part of the Mahal is still occupied by his kin. The family
is closely associated with the hotel and personally supervises and monitors
the on goings. The care is reflected in the minutest details which have made
Deogarh a benchmark of Heritage Hospitality in Rajasthan.
Have
lunch at the DEOGARH MAHAL and find out more about the PRINCELY STATE. Proceed
to Udaipur.
The city of Dawn, Udaipur is a lovely land around the azure lake, hemmed in
by the lush hills of the ARAVALLIS. A vision in white drenched in romance and
beauty, Udaipur is a fascinating blend of sights, sound and experiences and
inspiration for the imagination of poets, painters and writers.
Its kaleidoscope of fairy-tale palaces, lakes, temples, gardens and narrow lanes
strewn with stalls, carry the flavor of a heroic past, epitomizing valor and
chivalry. Their reflection in the placid waters of the LAKE PICHOLA is an enticing
sight. Udaipur is the jewel of MEWAR -a kingdom ruled by the Sisodia dynasty
for 1200 Years.
Overnight will be at Udaipur.
Day 13: Udaipur
Breakfast will be at hotel.
Proceed
for sight-seeing tour of Udaipur, stopping first at City Palace. Here you will
marvel at rooms with mirrored walls and ivory doors, colored glass windows and
inlaid marble balconies and the Peacock Courtyard.
Also visit the lovely Sahelion-ki-Bari Gardens, the Jagdish Temple and the Royal
Cenotaphs.
Proceed for Evening Motor launch cruise on the placid waters of Lake Pichola.
From the boat you will be able to view the city of Udaipur as it rises majestically
above the lake in the middle of the Rajasthan desert. Also visit the Jag Mandir
Palace - the other island palace in the middle of the lake. Spend some time
at the Jag Mandir Palace.
Overnight will be at Udaipur.
Day 14: Udaipur - Jodhpur
Breakfast will be at hotel.
Proceed
for Jodhpur. En-route, visit the RANAKPUR TEMPLES, dating back to the 15th century.
200 pillars, none of which are alike, support its 29 halls. The Temple abounds
with intricate friezes and sculptures. Includes visits to two more Jain temples
and the Temple of the Sun God with its erotic sculptures.
Reach Jodhpur.
Set at the edge of the Thar Desert, the imperial city of Jodhpur echoes with
tales of antiquity in the emptiness of the desert. Once the capital of the Marwar
state, it was founded in 1459 AD by Rao Jodha-chief of the Rathore clan of Rajputs
who claimed to be descendants of Rama - the epic hero of the Ramayana. The massive
15th century AD Mehrangarh Fort looms on the top of a rocky hill, soaring 125
Mts. Above the plains. The city is encompassed by a high wall -10 km long with
8 gates and innumerable bastions.
Overnight will be at Jodhpur.
Day 15: Jodhpur
Breakfast will be at hotel.
Proceed for morning sight-seeing tour of Jodhpur - gateway to the desert beyond,
home of the Rathors of Marwar, visit the Mehrangarh Fort, rising up a hilly
scarp, built on the advice of a hermit, overlooking the city in the image of
a long sentinel. Inside the Fort are a number of palaces added by successive
rulers. In this palace you would see different miniature paintings & cradle
room. After this you would visit Jaswant Thada Memorial.
Afternoon
go for a village safari in the jeep and have a rare glimpse into the rich culture
and true essence of India. Abundant wildlife (game) and memorable moments of
the great desert landscape fascinates one while driving along the countryside.
Relax in the evening or proceed for shopping.
Overnight will be in Jodhpur.
Day 16: Jodhpur - Jaisalmer
Proceed for Jaisalmer.
Rising from the heart of the Thar Desert like a golden mirage is the city of
Jaisalmer. A commanding fort etched in yellow sandstone stands, with its awesome
splendor, dominating the amber-hued city.
The city has an interesting legend associated with it, according to which, Lord
Krishna-the head of the Yadav Clan, foretold Arjuna that a remote descendent
of the Yadav Clan would build his kingdom atop the Trikuta Hill. His prophecy
was fulfilled in 1156 AD when Rawal Jaisal, a descendent of the Yadav Clan and
a Bhatti Rajput, abandoned his fort at Lodurva and founded a new capital - Jaisalmer,
perched on the Trikuta Hill.
Reach
and check in at hotel. Overnight will be at Jaisalmer.
Day 17: Jaisalmer
After a relaxed breakfast proceed for full day sight-seeing tour of The Golden
City - Jaisalmer. It is in the heart of the Great Indian Desert. Its temple,
fort and palaces are all built of yellow stone. The city is a mass of intricately
carved buildings, facades and elaborate balconies. Visit the JAISALMER FORT
- The oldest living Fort in the world. (This is the highlight of the tour)
See the Patwaon-Ki-Havelies, Salim-Singh-Ki-Haveli and Gandhi Sagar Tank. Also
visit Barabagh Hill.
Proceed to the SAND DUNES by jeep after lunch for visiting the typical Rajasthani
Desert Village. Start your CAMEL SAFARI from the village. Ride into the desert
passing through small villages and camel herds grazing. View the sunset from
the dunes, as the sky is set on fire. Reach you camp and dinner will be served
in the camp.
Stay overnight at the TENTED CAMP.
Day 18: Jaisalmer - Jodhpur
Breakfast will be at the camp.
Start CAMEL SAFARI winding your way back through a new route to the village.
On your way see the villagers starting their day and the womenfolk setting out
to fetch water from the desert. The children would be going in groups to the
school. Also pass by solitary temples at times.
Reach
the VILLAGE and your jeep would be waiting there to take you back to Jaisalmer.
On reaching Jaisalmer have a hearty lunch at the beautiful HERITAGE HAVELI HOTEL
of NARAIN NIWAS PALACE. (Your extra luggage would have already moved here)
Start for Jodhpur and reach by evening. Relax in the evening.
Day 19: Jodhpur - Delhi
Breakfast will be in the hotel. Proceed to the airport to take the flight to
Delhi.
Reach and check in at a hotel for the day. Enjoy the day in the hotel relaxing
or do some last minute shopping. Late evening check out as per flight timing
and proceed to the airport for flight home.
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