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Rajasthan Desert Safari Holidays
Duration:
13 Nights / 14 Days
Destinations: Delhi - Agra - Jaipur - Udaipur - Jodhpur
- Jaisalmer - Bikaner - Mandawa - Delhi
Day 1: Arrival at Delhi
Company representatives will receive you on arrival at the international airport
in Delhi late in the evening. 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. It is a perfect introduction to the composite
culture of an ancient land. A window to the kaleidoscope - that is India.
Overnight will be at Delhi.
Day 2: Delhi - Agra
Proceed
for Agra after breakfast.
Reach Agra in the afternoon.
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. A walk down the narrow bustling streets of
the city will introduce the visitor to the wafting aroma of Mughlai cuisine.
Check in at hotel and proceed for sightseeing.
Enjoy battery van
ride to the Taj.
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. This monument took 22 years to be completed and was designed, and
planned by Persian architect Ustad Isa. Apart from its stunning design balance
and perfect symmetry, the Taj is also noted particularly for its elegant domes,
intricately carved screens and some of the best inlay work ever seen. Proceed
for sightseeing to the AGRA FORT - Built by the famed Mughal emperor Akbar in
1565 AD, the fort is predominantly of red sandstone. Ensconced within is the picture
perfect Pearl Mosque, which is a major tourist attraction.
Visit Itmadullah's
Tomb built by Empress NOOR JEHAN in memory of her father (The interiors of which
are considered better than the Taj).
Overnight will be at Agra.
Day 3: Agra - Jaipur
After breakfast drive to beautiful Pink
City - Jaipur.
 Stop
at 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 it's grandeur. Also visit the Bulund Darwaza, the largest gateway in the world.
Reach and check in at hotel.
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 it's character and history - A beautiful fusion of the yesteryears and
modernity. 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.
Overnight will
be at Jaipur.
Day 4: Jaipur
Breakfast at hotel.
 Proceed
for excursion to Amber Fort in the outskirts of Jaipur. Elephant ride ascent to
the fort.
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. It's forbidding exterior belies an inner paradise
where a beautiful fusion of Mughal and Hindu styles finds it's ultimate expression.
Proceed for sightseeing of the city.
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.
Its 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.
Visit a rug factory and see the ladies at the intricate work or a gem factory
and see the gem cutting and polishing process.
Overnight will be at
Jaipur.
Day 5: Jaipur - Udaipur
Start for Udaipur after
breakfast. Reach and check in at hotel.
 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.
Relax in the evening. Overnight will be at Udaipur.
Day
6: Udaipur
Breakfast at hotel.
Proceed for sightseeing 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 local folk Museum.
Proceed for Evening Motor
launch cruise on the placid waters of Lake Pichola. From he 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 7: Udaipur - Jodhpur
After breakfast drive to 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. A high wall -10 km long with 8 gates and innumerable bastions
encompasses the city.
Relax in the hotel and visit the museum of UMAID
BHAWAN PALACE. Overnight will be at Jodhpur.
Day 8: Jodhpur
Morning 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.
 Afternoon
sightseeing tour of Jodhpur - gateway to the desert beyond, home of the Rathores
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.
Overnight will be at Jodhpur.
Day 9: 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 10: Jaisalmer
After a relaxed breakfast proceed for full day sightseeing 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
Patwon-Ki-Havelies, Salim-Singh-Ki-Haveli and Gandhi Sagar Tank. Also visit Barabagh
Hill.
In the afternoon, proceed to the SAM SAND DUNES for visiting the
typical Rajasthani Desert Village. View the sunset from the dunes, as the sky
is set on fire. Return to the village for dinner amidst Rajasthani musicians playing
haunting tunes.
Stay overnight at the SWISS TENT CAMP.
 Day
11: Jaisalmer to Bikaner
Breakfast at the camp. Continue with the safari
and reach Bikaner via NAGAUR.
Check in at hotel.
BIKANER -
The royal fortified city with a timeless appeal. Lying in the north of the Desert
State, the city is dotted with many sand dunes. Bikaner retains the medieval splendor
that pervades the city's lifestyle.
More popularly called the camel
country, the city is renowned for the best riding camels in the world. The ship
of the desert is an inseparable part of life here. Be it pulling heavy carts,
transporting grains or working on wells, camels are the prime helpers. The wells
of Bikaner - an important source of water are other attractions of the city. These
are built on high plinths with slender minareted towers on each of the Four Corners
and can be noticed even from a distance.
Relax in the evening. Overnight
will be will be at Bikaner.
Day 12: Bikaner - Mandawa
Breakfast
at hotel. Proceed for sightseeing tour of Bikaner.
 Rao
Bikaji, a descendant of Jodhaji - the founder of Jodhpur, founded this desert
town in the North of the state in 1488. Visit the Junagarh Fort, constructed between
1588 and 1593 by Raja Jai Singh, a general in the Moghul Emperor Akbar's army.
The city is also called the "Camel Country". Visit the camel-breeding
farm - the only one in Asia. Visit the KARNI MATA TEMPLE.
Proceed for
Mandawa.
The medieval Fort of Mandawa gradually rises on the horizon
like a mirage. A breathtaking view of the town can be seen from the terrace of
Castle Mandawa. Precious collection of arms with jade handles, traditional ceremonial
costumes can be seen at the Museum at the Castle. The havelies worth a visit are
Chokhani, Saraf, Goenka and Ladia in this town. Built in 1775 by Thakur Nawal
Singh, descendant of Rao Shekhaji, who also founded the city of Nawalgarh? The
Castle, now a 51 rooms hotel has no two rooms alike. It also houses an interesting
collection of paintings, jade, costumes and antiques. The courtyard and the terrace
come to live during evenings with candle-lit dinners and fire-dances during the
season. A two hundred and forty year old fortess, that has been converted by the
family into a fine example of traditional hospitality.
Reach and check
in at hotel. Overnight will be at Mandawa.
Day 13: Mandawa - Delhi
Breakfast at hotel.
 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. Chowkhani Haveli, Gulab Rai Ladia Haveli, Lakshminarayan
Ladia Haveli, Mohahanlal Saraf Haveli and Bhagchandika Haveli are of special interest.
Spend the major part of the day looking into frescoes.
Also visit Mahensar
and Dundlod meeting the local village chief. Drive to Delhi. Reach by evening.
Overnight will be at Delhi.
Day 14: Delhi - Home
Breakfast
at Delhi. Proceed for a full day tour of Old & New Delhi.
OLD DELHI
- A sightseeing 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 Moghul Empire.
Cycle rickshaw ride from Jama Masjid to Chandni Chowk.
NEW
DELHI - An extensive sightseeing 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.
Proceed for the
DANCES OF INDIA SHOW in the evening at 1800 hr after checking out of the hotel.
After the show you will have FAREWELL DINNER before reaching the airport for flight
home with sweet memories of India.
TOUR ENDS
Rajasthan Desert Safari Holidays,
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