Romance of the Desert
Duration of Tour : 13 Nights / 14 Days
Destination Covered : Delhi - Agra - Jaipur - Udaipur - Jodhpur - Jaisalmer - Bikaner - Mandawa - Delhi
Day 01 : Arrival Delhi
Arrive Delhi-Assistance on arrival and transfer to hotel.
Day 02 : Delhi
Morning combined sight seeing tour of Old and New Delhi visiting Qutab Minar, India Gate (War memorial), Lakhsmi Narayan Temple (a Modern Hindu Temple), drive past president's Estate, Parliament House and Secretariat builders. Also visit Raj Ghat and Shanti Van, the cremation sites of Mahatma Gandhi and Jawarlal Nehru, Jama Masjid and drive past the Red Fort and Chandni Chowk.
Taj Mahal interior, Agra
Morning drive to Agra, on arrival check in at hotel. Afternoon city sight seeing tour visiting the world famous Taj Mahal, built by the Moghul Emperor Shahjehan in 1630 for his queen Mumtaz Mahal to enshrine her mortal remains Later visit the Agra Fort containing the Pearl Mosque and the Hall of Public and Private Audience. Also visit Itmad-up-Dau's tomb, built by Noorjehan in memory of her father. Over night at the hotel.
Day 04 : Agra - Jaipur
Morning drive to Jaipur enroute visiting Fatehpur Sikri, built by Emperor Akbar in 1569 to commemorate the birth of his son and later abandoned due to scarcity of water. Visit the remains, it fortifications within the city including Jama Masjid, Tomb of Salim Chisti, Panch Mahal and other palaces. On arrival check-in at hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 05 : Jaipur
Morning excursion to Amber Fort the ancient capital of the state until 1728 and see the Sheesh Mahal or the Hall of Victory glittering with mirrors, Jai Mahal and temple of Kali. Ascend, on elephant back, the hill on which the fort is situated. Afternoon city sight seeing tour, Jaipur the capital of Rajasthan was given a colour of pink a century ago in honour of a visiting Prince. Ever since, it has retained the colour. Built by Maharaja Jai Singh, the notable astronomer, this city is 260 years old. Visit maharaja's City Palace of winds. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 06 : Jaipur - Udaipur
Morning drive to Udaipur- an oasis in the desert state of Rajasthan enroute visiting the Jain temples at Ranakpur, superbly preserved in a near-perfect condition for over 500 years. The most attractive features are the 29 halls of the temple, which have 1444 pillars of which no two are like. Arrive Udaipur and transfer to hotel. Night stay in Udaipur.
Day 07 : Udaipur
Morning city sight seeing tour. Built in 1559 A.D. by Maharaja Udai Singh, the city has been described as the most romantic spot on the continent of India by Col. James Todd. Visit theCity Palace museum, the Jagdish temple, Sahelion Ki Bari ( Queen's resort for their friends) Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandir ( Folk art museum) and the Pratap Memorial. Afternoon leisure. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 08 : Udaipur - Jodhpur
Drive for Jodhpur after breakfast. On arrival check in at hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 09 : Jodhpur
Morning city sight seeing tour. Jodhpur, stronghold of the fierce Rathore clan, was founded in 1459 by Prince Jodha. Visit the Mehrangarh Fort, situated on a low sandstone hill. Within the fort, visit Moti Mahal and Phool Mahal. Also visit Jaswant Thada, an imposing marble cenotaph, built in memory of Maharaja Jaswant singh II around 1899 and Umaid Public gardens. Overnight at the hotel.
Desert Safari, Jaipur
Morning drive to Jaisalmer, on arrival check in at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 11 : Jaisalmer
Morning city sight seeing tour. Throbbing in the heart of the Thar, the burnished sandstone, is an intricately molded wonderland in place of a barren land, today stands a city of gilded magic. The origins of Jaisalmer go back to the 12th century, when Rawal Jaisal abandoned his old fort at Ludarwa and laid the foundation of a new city. Visit the magnificent fort the Patwon Ki Haveli ( Mansion) and Salim singh Ki Haveli, whit their carved balconies and brackets which are supreme examples of the art. Evening camel ride to visit Sam Dune.
Day 12 : Jaisalmer - Bikaner
Morning drive to Bikaner. On arrival check in at the hotel. Afternoon city sight seeing tour. Bikaner is named after its founder Rao Bikaji in 1488. But long before this, the city was trade center on the caravan routes from Africa and West Asia. Bikaner's dominant features are rippling sands and abundant sunshine. The city stands on an elevation, enclosed by a 7 Kms wall, which can be entered from 5 gates. Bikaner City is bolstered by imposing walls and has a 16th century fort housing old palaces, temples and mosque. Founded by Raja Rai Singh the fort is distinguished by its long range of 37 pavilions, a line of balconies and aerial windows of varying designs. Also visit Lallgarh Palace, the museum, Bhanda Sagar Jain and Deshnoke Rat temple. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 13 : Bikaner - Mandawa
Morning drive to Mukandgarh/Mandava, on arrival check in at the hotel. Afternoon visit Mukandgarh/Mandava, foundin 1755 by Thakur Nawal Singh and still the home of his descendants, has beautiful frescoes, havelis and mansions. Mandawa castle one of the finest castles of Rajasthan, is now a hotel and house of collection of armories, costumes of ancestors, canons from 1820 ancient coins, numismatic collection and many other interesting items, preserved in a museum.
Day 14 : Mandawa - Delhi - Departure
Drive for Delhi, Arrive Delhi and transfer to Airport for onward Journey.
