Duration : 20 Nights
/ 21Days
Destinations Covered : Delhi - Neemrana
- Samode - Nawalgarh - Bikaner - Jaisalmer - Rohetgarh - Ranakpur - Udaipur
- Chittorgarh - Dungarpur - Deogarh - Jaipur - Pushkar - Fatehpur Sikri -
Agra
Day 01 Arrival Delhi Arrive at
Delhi in the late evening. You will be met on arrival and transferred to
your hotel for two nights.
Day
02 Delhi Enjoy a sightseeing of Old Delhi in the morning.
(Including Red Fort, Jama Masjid and the bazaars of Chandni Chowk) Old Delhi
pulses with the energy and colour, the hustle and bustle of thronged bazaars
and is laced by a maze of narrow lanes which twist and turn between tall,
leaning houses full of the sights, sounds and aromas of the Indian
sub-continent. In Old Delhi you will see the famous Red Fort surrounded by
shops, and bazaars (built by the Emperor Shah Jehan - the builder of Taj
Mahal), the Jama Masjid mosque with its tapering minarets and wonderful
marble domes, Chandni Chowk (Old Delhi's business nerve center), the
hustle-bustle of everyday Indian life all around you and chattering voices.
Enjoy a sightseeing of New Delhi in the afternoon. (Including Qutub Minar,
Humayun's tomb and Lutyen's buildings) New Delhi stands in formal splendour,
like a lone sentry guarding an outpost of a long-gone empire. It is a city
of wide boulevards, which offers ever-changing perspectives of Lutyen's
landscaped city. It is a city rich with formal parks and you will see the
magnificent Parliament Building and the Rashtrapati Bhawan (the official
residence of the President of India in the 330 acres of land and designed by
Sir Edwin Lutyens), once the awe-inspiring residence of the British Viceroys
and now the Presidential Palace, India Gate (a majestic 42-mts high arch,
built as a memorial to the Indian Soldiers killed in World War I), Qutub
Minar (the 72.5 mts high tower dating back to 13th century and one of the
greatest bequests of Islamic Culture), Humayun's Tomb (built in the 16th
century and architecturally the fore runner of the Taj Mahal, has Mughal
Architecture at its graceful best). Overnight at Hotel.
Day
03 Delhi - Neemrana Drive from Delhi to Neemrana (drive time - 4
hours approximately) Check in at your hotel for overnight stay. Afternoon
enjoy a sightseeing tour of Neemrana. Built since 1464 AD, Neemrana
Fort-Palace is India's oldest heritage resort. Sited on a majestic plateau,
concealed in a horseshoe formation of Aravalli ranges, Neemrana became the
third capital of Chauhans. From 1896, the ruins of this Fort-Palace have
been sensitively restored and constructed. Non-residents are allowed for
visiting the public areas for 2 hours, between 9 am & 5 pm only and with
prior approval. 122 km from Jaipur and 100 km from Delhi's international
airport. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 04 Neemrana -
Samode Drive from Neemrana to Samode (drive time - 4 hours
approximately) Check in at your hotel for one night. Enjoy a sightseeing
tour of Samode. Samode is situated in Rajasthan around 41 kilometres from
Jaipur city. Located on way to Shekhawati, this small village is famous for
its haveli and fort. Like most other places in north India, Samode too has
an extreme climate. The summers can be very hot with the mercury shooting up
to 45°C, whereas winters are chilly and the temperature can dip down to
5°C. The best time to go to Samode is the period between October and
March. The places of interest include Samode Palace, Samode Fort and
excursions to Shekhawati village. Overnight at Hotel
Day
05 Samode - Nawalgarh Drive from Samode to Nawalgarh (drive time -
4 hours approximately) Check in at your hotel for overnight stay. Enjoy a
sightseeing tour of Nawalgarh city later in the afternoon. Nawalgarh is
situated in the semi arid North-Eastern part of Rajasthan where every dune
vibrates with legends and is about 142 Kms from Jaipur and 224 Kms from
Bikaner. Nawalgarh is nostalgia and modernity together. A region rich in
chronicle, tradition chivalry and songs. Founded in 1737 A.D. by Thakur
Nawal Singh the warrior statesman whose renown is enshrined in history and
folklore. The town exudes an old charm with its colourful bazaar having the
largest number of painted havelis in Shekhawati. One cannot forget these
mansions covered with frescoes depicting the whole gamut of social and
religious life, where history is painted with humour. Overnight at Hotel
(Optional Horse Safari in nearby village)
Day 06 Nawalgarh - Bikaner Drive from Nawalgarh to Bikaner (drive
time - 5 hours approximately) Check in at your hotel for two nights. Rest of
the day is at leisure. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 07
Bikaner Enjoy a sightseeing tour of Bikaner city later in the
morning. The fortified city of Bikaner is encircled by imposing battlements
and stands on a slight eminence. Its roads undulate through colourful
bazaars and the predominant hue of the buildings is the strong reddish pink
of local sandstone. Junagarh Fort was built by Raja Rai Singh, an
outstanding general of Mughal Emperor, Akbar. It is encircled by a moat and
contains palaces made of red sandstone and marble with kiosks and balconies
embellishing the structure at intervals. Karni Mata Temple at Deshnoke is
dedicated to Karni Mata, a mystic. Legend goes that she foretold the victory
of success of Rao Bika and the prophecy came true. Today along with her,
thousands of rats are revered here. The strange mode of worship owes to the
belief, that the souls of her devotees are housed in these rats, and
consequently they must be protected and well fed. Overnight at Hotel.
Day
08 Bikaner - Jaisalmer Drive from Bikaner to Jaisalmer (drive time
- 7 hours approximately) visiting Deshnoke enroute. Karni Mata Rat Temple,
Deshnoke is dedicated to Karni Mata, a mystic and an incarnation of the
Hindu Goddess Durga. Rats are given sanctuary here due to the belief that
the souls of Karni Mata's devotees are housed in these rats. On arrival
Jaisalmer, check in at your hotel two nights Rest of the day is at leisure
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 09 Jaisalmer
Enjoy sightseeing tour of Jaisalmer city in the morning. The name Jaisalmer
evokes a vivid picture of sheer magic and brilliance of the desert. Over the
years the remote location of Jaisalmer kept it almost untouched by outside.
Jaisalmer is a marvel of beautiful culture and harsh climatic conditions,
together amounting to a memorable experience. Jaisalmer Fort - Like a yellow
sand stone fabric that seems to issue skywards from the golden sands,
Jaisalmer Fort is sheer magic. Standing proud to a height of hundred meters
over the city with its 99 bastions, the fort is a splendid sight in the
afternoon sun. One of the largest and the most elaborate houses in Jaisalmer
is Patwon ki Haveli, which are five storeys high and extensively carved.
Afternoon is at leisure for independent activities (Optional: Camel safari
in the Thar Desert) Overnight at Hotel.
Day 10
Jaisalmer - Rohetgarh Drive from Jaisalmer to Rohetgarh (drive time
- 8 hours approximately) Check in at your hotel for two nights Rest of the
day is at leisure
Day 11 Rohetgarh Enjoy
a sightseeing tour of Rohetgarh city in the morning. Rohet Garh is the
fortified desert home of the descendants of the 16th century Rathore. The
fiefdom of Rohet was bestowed upon the "Thakur" in 1622 AD by the
Maharaja of Jodhpur in appreciation of his bravery in the battle. Rohet is
an evergreen oasis, has linked its blue-green lakeside environs to a
perennial stream, which irrigates the desert lands of Jodhpur. A small but
quaint village, Rohet is home to several artisans and visitors here can also
visit Bishnoi settlements with their scrubbed homes and flamboyantly dressed
and bejeweled women. Afternoon is at leisure. (Optional: A horse safari)
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 12 Rohetgarh - Ranakpur -
Udaipur Drive from Rohetgarh to Udaipur (drive time - 5 hours
approximately) visiting Temples complex at Ranakpur enroute. Near the
village of Sadri lies the Ranakpur temple complex - one of the biggest and
most important clusters of Jain temples in India. Nestled in the Aravalli
Range, Ranakpur is a mere 90 kms from Udaipur. The Chaumukha temple, or four
faced temple, is the main temple in the complex and dates back to the 15th
century. Built in marble, the temple has 29 halls supported by more than
1400 pillars, no two of which are alike. On arrival Udaipur check in at your
hotel for two nights. Rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 13 UdaipurEnjoy a sightseeing of the
city in the morning (This will include the City Palace, Jagdish Temple and
Sahelion-ki-bari) Udaipur, the enchanting City of Dawn, looms up like a
vision in white. City Palace was built in 1725, and has various palaces
inside such as Dilkush Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, Moti Mahal and the Palace of
Krishna etc, all ornately decorated. Saheliyon Ki Bari - this 'Garden of
Maids of Honour' is a small ornamental pleasure garden, contains an elegant
lotus pool, gushing fountains, beautiful black marble kiosks on the corners
of the pool and stunning bougainvilleas covering the wall of the enclosures.
Shilpgram situated on the outskirts of Udaipur, the Shilpgram is a crafts
and performing arts center and houses various craftsmen from different
states who display live their crafts and products for the benefit of the
visitors. Afternoon is at leisure. (Optional: Boat ride on the placid waters
of Lake Pichola) Overnight at Hotel.
Day 14
Udaipur - Chittorgarh - Dungarpur Drive from Udaipur to Dungarpur
(drive time - 4 hours approximately) we take a detour to visit the
Chittorgarh. On arrival Dungarpur, check in at your hotel for overnight
stay. Rest of the day is at leisure. Dungarpur district is the stronghold of
the Bheels, a tribe whose history of occupancy in the Aravalli range is said
to date back to 4000 BC founded in 1197. The rulers of Dungarpur claim
descent from the Rajput house of Mewar. The first rulers of Dungarpur were
Kunwar Mahap and his descendants who resided in the town of Galiankot, where
their ruined castle still stands. Towards the end of the 12th century,
Samant Singh, the eldest son of the ruler of Mewar, had to leave Mewar in
favor of his younger brother Kumar Singh. Samant Singh drifted into the
hilly area of Bagar and, within the next century, Samant Singh's successors
controlled the whole province of Bagar. Rawal Udai Singh of Bagar was killed
at the battle of Khanua in 1527, fighting for Mewar against Moghul Emperor
Babur. His territory was thereafter divided between his two sons, forming
two separate states. Prithvi Raj remained in Dungarpur while his brother
Jagmal Singh became independent ruler of Banswara. Rest of the day is at
leisure. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 15 Dungarpur -
Deogarh Drive from Dungarpur to Deogarh (drive time - 5 hours
approximately) Check in at your hotel for overnight stay. Enjoy a walking
tour of Deogarh city (optional: Camel Cart ride) Deogarh lies in the
Rajsamund district, in Southern Rajasthan - 150 kilometres from Ajmer, off
National Highway No 8, running from Delhi, through Jaipur and Udaipur. The
Deogarh Mahal is a 17th century palace built by Rawat Dwarka Das, a Rajput
Jagirdar. He received Deogarh and its neighbouring areas in a land grant
from the Maharana of the mighty Rajput kingdom of Mewar. Today the Deogarh
Mahal is a Heritage Hotel run by the direct descendants of its builder.
Overnight at Hotel.
Day 16 Deogarh - JaipurDrive
from Deogarh to Jaipur (drive time - 6 hours approximately) Check in at your
hotel for three nights Rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight at Hotel.
Day
17 Jaipur Morning enjoy an excursion to Amber Fort which is
ascended on elephant back or by jeep. Amber, built by Man Singh, embodies
the Rajput belief that the fort symbolizes the strength of the King. The
commanding view, sheer walls and rock face, and the curved route that leads
to the palaces within, all point to concern with security and defense. The
fort is mirrored in Maota Lake, which stands adjacent to the Dilaram Garden.
The private apartments begun by Man Singh in the17th century combine Hindu
and Mughal styles and the Sheesh Mahal (Hall of Mirrors), its walls covered
with tiny mirrors, becomes a dazzling fantasy with the light of a single
match. Visit the Jag Mandir or the Hall of Victory, glittering with mirrors,
Jai Mahal and the Kali Temple. Enjoy a sightseeing of the city in the
afternoon. The capital of Rajasthan, also known popularly as the 'pink
city', Jaipur was founded in the year 1727. Here you will see the Hawa Mahal
(Palace of Winds), which remains only a façade today, was originally
built to enable ladies of the royal family to watch the everyday life and
processions of the city. The Jantar Mantar (Observatory) was built between
1728 and 1734. Each of the instruments serves a particular function and each
gives an accurate reading. Situated in the centre of the city occupying a
large area divided into a series of courtyards, gardens and buildings, the
City Palace is an interesting place to visit. You can see the textile and
costume museum, arms and armour museum, art gallery and hall of public and
private audience. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 18
Jaipur - Pushkar - Jaipur Enjoy a full day excursion to Pushkar
(approx 4 hours drive - one way) On the edge of the desert lays the tiny
tranquil town of Pushkar along the bank of the picturesque Pushkar Lake. It
is an important pilgrimage spot for the Hindus also known as "Nag Pahar"
or the snake between Ajmer and Pushkar. The Lake has a mythological
significance associated with it. According to myth, Lord Brahma was on his
way to search for a suitable place to perform a "Yagna" (a fire
sacrifice). While contemplating, a lotus fell from his hand on the earth and
water sprouted from three places. One of them was Pushkar where Lord Brahma
performed his yagna. Every year thousands of the devotees throng the lake
around the full moon day of Kartik Purnima in October-November. Overnight at
Hotel.
Day 19 Jaipur - Fatehpur Sikri - Agra
Drive from Jaipur to Agra (drive time - 6 hours approximately) visiting
Fatehpur Sikri enroute. The deserted Mughal city of Fatehpur Sikri was built
by Emperor Akbar in 1569 and abandoned after fifteen years due to scarcity
of water. Here you will see the graceful buildings including the Jama
Masjid, the Tomb of Salim Chishti, the Panch Mahal & the other palaces.
The attractions in Fatehpur Sikri are Jama Masjid - a beautiful building
containing elements of Persian and Hindu Design. The main entrance is
through a 54-metre high Buland Darwaza, the Gate of Victory, constructed to
commemorate Akbar's victory in Gujarat. The Hawa Mahal (Palace of the Winds)
is a projecting room with walls made entirely of stone latticework. Birbal
Bhavan, built either by or for Raja Birbal, Akbar's favourite courtier, this
small palace is extremely elegant in its design and execution. Hiran Minar
(Deer Minaret) is said to have been erected over the grave of Akbar's
favourite elephant. Panch Mahal - This amusing little five-storied palace
was probably once used by the ladies of the Court and originally had stone
screens on the sides. The lower floor has 56 columns, no two of which are
exactly alike. Check in at your hotel for two nights. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 20 Agra Visit Taj Mahal at sunrise.
Note: Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays. After breakfast enjoy a sightseeing
tour of Agra city. (Including Agra Fort) A sprawling industrial town, Agra
is situated 204 kilometres from Delhi. Agra was established in 1475 by Badal
Singh and came into its own when Sikander Lodhi of the Lodhi dynasty chose
it for his capital because of its proximity to the Yamuna. Babur defeated
the Lodhis to capture not only Agra but also to lay the foundation of the
Mughal Empire. Places of interest in Agra include the most extravagant
monument, Taj Mahal and Agra Fort Overnight at Hotel.
Day21
Departure Drive from Agra to Delhi (drive time - 4 ½ hours
approximately) On arrival, transfer to the hotel for wash and change and a
farewell dinner at an Indian specialty Restaurant. Later you will be
transferred to Delhi International Airport for your flight back home.
Cities
in Rajasthan
