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DELHI-AGRA-JAIPUR-PUSHKAR-MANDAWA-GAJNER-JAISAMER-
JODHPUR-UDAIPUR-DELHI
23rd / Friday
/ Arrive Delhi
On
arrival at Indira Gandhi International airport, the guest
will be met by our representative and transferred to hotel.
On arrival at hotel the guests will be provided with the
traditional Indian welcome consisting of aarti-tikka and
garlands with non-alcoholic welcome drink.
Delhi
- is the capital of India, the center of 'Indo-Islamic'
culture. This ancient city is replete with architectural
marvels, such as the Red Fort, the imposing
Jama Masjid, (the largest mosque in India),
both built between 1638-1648 by Shah Jahan, India's most
famed Moghul emperor and fervent architect. The Qutab
Minar, 234 feet tall minaret dating back to the
13th century and the tomb of Humayun. We will wander through
Chandni Chowk, once the richest street in India, today a
picturesque bazaar teeming with covered arcades, tiny sacred
temples and thronged with novelty stores. Delhi remains
distinctly British, the old imperiousness of the Viceroys
now the political gentry of the Indian ruling class. Overnight
at hotel.
24th / Saturday
/ Delhi
Morning
sightseeing tour of Old Delhi.
This morning you will be taken to visit Old Delhi - Former
centre of Moghul Power, Old Delhi offers ancient monuments,
narrow streets and bustling bazaars. Visit the vast Red
Fort, built in 1648, the Jama Masjid,
the greatest mosque in India and completed in 1658 by Shah
Jahan who also built the Taj Mahal, and the Raj
Ghat, the simple memorial to Mahatma Gandhi.
A
unique experience of taking 'rickshaw ride'
from the Red Fort, through "Chandni Chowk" or
Silver Street, experiencing the sights and sounds of this
very busy avenue heading west from the Fort. Chandni Chowk
- literally means "moonlit crossroads" and an
area which best represents the "super-Oriental"
- the glory and the guile; the grandeur and the grime, with
its crowded bazaars, twisting lanes, maze of small streets
strange aromas, the pungent odour of Oriental spices, the
cries of shopkeepers, coolies and "rickshaw-walas"
and the clatter and whirr of furious industry. Afternoon
free for own activities. Dinner and overnight at hotel.
Afternoon
sightseeing tour of New Delhi.
New
Delhi - drive past the stately government buildings of the
British Era designed by Lutyens, including the India
Gate & the Presidential Palace.
Continue onto the beautiful Humayuns Tomb
of the Mughal era & predecessor of the world famous
Taj Mahal. End the tour at the towering minaret of Qutab
Minar.
Dinner and overnight at hotel.
25th / Sunday
/ Delhi - Agra
After
breakfast drive to Agra. Upon arrival in Agra Check-in at
the hotel.
Red
Fort - 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.
Later
in the afternoon the guests will board the 'decorated tongas'
(horse carriage) which will take them to 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 it's 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.
India's
greatest poet Rabindra Nath Tagore described Taj in these
evocative words -
Though
emeralds, rubies, pearls are all.
But as the glitter of a rainbow.
Tricking out empty air.
And must pass away.
Yet still one solitary tear.
Would hang on the cheek of time In the form of this.
White and gleaming Taj Mahal.
The
guests will stay at Taj Mahal and witness sunset, to see
this true Wonder of the world in gentle late afternoon light.
Visit
a marble-in-lay factory to see the "Pietra
Dura" work made famous by the Taj Mahal. This art is
passed down from father to son.
In the evening witness magic show. Magic
show - There is nothing that captures the magical spirit
of the lad as much as the conjouror who enthrals his audience
with sleights of had and a range of tricks. Only the adventurous
can volunteer to be sawed in half.
Dinner
and overnight at hotel.
26th / Monday
/ Agra - Jaipur
After
breakfast, group will drive to Jaipur enroute Fatehpur Sikri.
Fatehpur
Sikri - this impressive sandstone fortress was
built in the 16th century and only occupied for a few years
before being abandoned, leaving the buildings in virtually
perfect conditions.
Upon
arrival in Jaipur - check-in at the hotel.
Jaipur
- Encircled by the rugged Aravalli hills with numerous peaks
crowned by imposing forts, Jaipur the capital of Rajasthan
looks cradled and well protected. It takes its name from
Maharaja Jai Singh II, who in the early 1700s became king
at the age of 13. He conceived & designed his new capital
with exquisite buildings of rose-colored terracotta and
broad tree-lined avenues exhibiting an astonishing model
of city planning.
Tour
of the Pink City - Surrounded on three sides by the rugged
Aravali hills, Jaipur is the picturesque capital of Rajasthan.
It takes its name from the prince, soldier and astronomer
Jai Singh II who moved his capital here in 1727. Jaipur
is notable for its distinctive pink-orange coloring. The
whole of the old city, including many fine palaces and buildings,
was constructed from solid blocks of Sandstone or faced
with the same stone. But it was only in 1853 that it gained
its famous title, the "Pink City"- it was painted
pink for the first time in honour of a visit from Prince
Albert.
27th / Tuesday
/ Jaipur - Pushkar
After
breakfast tour of Amber Fort.
Tour
of the impressive Amber Fort, situated
on a ridge just outside Jaipur City. At the foot of the
hill you will mount your caparisoned elephant for the slow
but steady climb up to the main gate, making your entrance
in the time honoured fashion. The Fort, completed in the
early 18th century, took over 100 years to build and now,
although deserted, offers a fascinating insight into the
lifestyle of the Moghul ruling families.
After
lunch - drive to Pushkar.
Upon
arrival check in at hotel.
Afternoon witness the Pushkar fair. Overnight at camp.
28th / Wednesday
/ Pushkar
Pushkar
- is famous for its colourful annual fair during
kartik poornima (full moon) in November each year. At this
time this otherwise peaceful and gentle village on the banks
of holy Pushkar is thrown into colourful confusion when
the desert tribes and camel caravans meet to trade cattle,
camels, goat, sheep, clothes, jewellery and spices beside
the sacred Pushkar Lake and to perform their rituals in
its waters, to the accompaniment of temple & folk music.
Upto 200000 traders and 50000 cattle pour into town, along
with numerous festoned camels and colourful pilgrims. After
10 hectic days of livestock dealing, camel racing and colourful
festivities, everybody goes for a big holy dip in the lake
on the night of the full moon. (Kartik Purnima).
Check
into the Swiss Camp captures the luxurious nostalgia of
a bygone age of the Maharaja's Safari and Shikar camps,
combined with innovative design demonstrating many of the
skills and crafts of Marwar. The camp consists of tents,
each with verandah, bedroom and bathroom. There is a large
dining tent serving the best of Rajasthani cuisine and a
large open reception tent with seating areas. The campfire
is the focal point for the evening entertainment programme
with cocktails & rhythms of the Thar-music, dancing,
magicians, puppet shows, jugglers, flaming torches &
camel parades. (Important note: As this is a religious and
sacred place therefore no non-vegetarian food or alcohol
will be served .)
Full
day at the fair. Built as 'an explosion of fun, frolic,
games and laughter', the fair provides some wonderful photographic
opportunities and is a rare change to see Rajasthani women
decked out in all their traditional jewellery, dress and
finery. Temple music wafts through the night, as the fires
die down and the Rajasthani melodies played on the stringed
ek-tara come to a close. On the night of the full moon,
the pilgrims bathe by moonlight, then send marigold and
rose petals floating across the lake on green plate-like
leaves. It is worth getting up early to see the camels and
tribes rousing themselves in the pink of the dawn desert
light.
vernight in the camp.
29th/Thursday
/ Pushkar - Mandawa
After
breakfast proceed for Mandawa.
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 mansion
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 at hotel.
30th/Friday
/ Mandawa - Bikaner - Gajner
After
breakfast drive to Bikaner.
Upon
arrival in Bikaner lunch at one of the hotels followed by
city tour. 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.
After
sightseeing drive to Gajner Palace.
Upon arrival check in at Gajner Palace.
Overnight at hotel.
01st/Saturday/December
/ Gajner - Jaisalmer
In the
morning enjoy the surrounding of Ganjer Palace.
After breakfast, drive to Jaisalmer.
Upon
arrival check-in at hotel.
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. Jaisalmer
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.
02nd/Sunday / 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 to this site.
Afternoon, visit the Royal Cenotaphs of the Rawals in Barra
bagh where the rulers were cremated. This is also the best
place from which to watch the spectacular desert sunset,
and photograph the fort.
Overnight at hotel.
03rd/Monday
/ Jaisalmer - Jodhpur
After
early breakfast, drive to Jodhpur.
Upon arrival check in at hotel.
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 hotel.
04th/Tuesday
/ Jodhpur - Udaipur
After
breakfast drive to Udaipur enroute visit Ranakpur Temples.
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.
Upon arrival in Udaipur, check-in at hotel.
Dinner and overnight at hotel.
05th/Wednesday
/ Udaipur - Delhi
Morning
City tour of Udaipur - the romantic Lake City in Southern
Rajasthan, famous for the stunning white marble Palace built
on an island in the 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, the Jagdish temple, the
Pleasure Gardens and a drive around the
other nearby lakes.
Late
afternoon, 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.
Evening
transfer to the airport for flight Udaipur /Delhi.
Upon
arrival transfer to hotel where rooms will be available
for wash and change.
Thereafter dinner at the hotel.
06th/Thursday
/ Delhi - Abroad
Depart
Delhi.
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