COLORS OF RAJASTHAN

DAY 1: ARRIVE DELHI

Arrive Delhi International Airport, after meet and greet by local tour manager, transfer to hotel.

Overnight: hotel in Delhi.

DAY 2: IN DELHI

After breakfast depart for full day city tour of Delhi. Begin with a visit to Raj Ghat, where Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the nation was cremated in 1948. Thereafter proceed to the magnificent Red Fort (closed on Mondays) built of red sandstone, dating from the very peak of the Mughal power. Then, Rickshaw Ride through Chandni Chowk. After that, visit to black and white onion domes and minarets of the Jama Masjid, the most elegant mosque in India. After Lunch, drive past Rashtrapati Bhavan (the Presidential Palace) and the Secretariat buildings - the centre of Government activity, down to the impressive Rajpath (the main avenue), to the World War I memorial arch, India Gate, the High Court Building and the Old Fort. Visit Humayun’s Tomb built in 1565 AD by his grieving widow Haji Begum, the Qutub Minar, a 72 metres high minaret and the ruins of Quwat-ul-Eslam (Light of Islam) Mosque. Here, see Delhi’s most curious antique, the uncorroded Iron Pillar, which dates back to the 4th century AD.

Overnight: hotel in Delhi.

DAY 3: DELHI-AGRA DRIVE (202KM)

After breakfast depart and drive to Agra. On arrival transfer to hotel. In afternoon visit

Agra Fort (lal Qila) where Shah Jehan spent the last years of his life, imprisoned by his son Aurangzeb. The Peacock throne (now in Iran) was in this fort, before being moved to Delhi by Emperor Aurangzeb. After that, visit to Taj Mahal (at sunset) (closed to visitors on Fridays), the most extravagant monument ever built for love. On the death of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, Moghul Emperor Shah Jehan built her this memorial over which 20,000 men labored for 22 years to create a masterpiece in white marble inlaid with semi-precious stones.

Overnight:  hotel in Agra.

DAY 4: AGRA-JAIPUR DRIVE (231KM)

After breakfast depart and drive to Jaipur. En route visit Fateh-Pur-Sikri, an epic poem in red sandstone. It was built by Emperor Akbar in 1569 and deserted 14 years later due to lack of water. The main attraction are The Diwan-e- Khas and The Diwan-e-Am (a courtyard arranged like a gigantic game board, where the Emperor played chess using slave girls as pawns). Drive continued to Jaipur.

Overnight:  hotel in Jaipur.

DAY 5: IN JAIPUR

In the morning visit former capital of Jaipur, the Amber Fort, just 11 km north of the city, with its honey-colored fortress-palace in the Aravalli Hills. Enjoy an elephant ride along (if Operational) the fortress ramparts. Walk into the Sheesh Mahal and admire the amazing interior décor thought of over 200 years ago. Inside, The Hall of Victory presents a galaxy of decorative art panels of alabaster with fine inlay work.  After lunch we will explore Hawa Mahal (Palace of Winds), Jantar Mantar (Jai Singh’s Observatory) built in the 17th century by the founder of Jaipur who was a prince, soldier, astronomer and builder, City Palace now a museum exhibiting fine Rajput and Moghul paintings, rare manuscripts and an armoury.

Overnight: hotel in Jaipur.

DAY 6: JAIPUR – PUSHKAR DRIVE (150 KM)

After breakfast drive to Puskhar, a small desert village at which a camel fair is held each year. The famous Pushkar fair is a great tourist attraction. In the afternoon explore the temples and Pushkar Lake.

Overnight:  hotel in Pushkar.

DAY 7: PUSHKAR - UDAIPUR DRIVE (290KM)

In the morning after breakfast depart for Udaipur. On arrival transfer to hotel.

In the evening, Boat ride at Lake Pichola.

Overnight:  hotel in Udaipur.

DAY 8: IN UDAIPUR

After breakfast, we explore the sites of Udaipur. Visit City Palace perched on a ridge, overlooking Lake Pichola, Sahelion-ki-bari, and the scene of royal parties for centuries. Drive around Fateh Sagar Lake excavated in the late 17th century by Maharaja Jai Singh and past the Kala Mandir (Puppet Museum), the Cenotaph of MaharanaPratap and the Jagdish temple.

Overnight:  hotel in Udaipur.

DAY 9: UDAIPUR-JODHPUR VIA RANAKPUR DRIVE (300KM)

Morning after breakfast depart for Jodhpur. En route visit Ranakpur, the most magnificent Jain temples in India. It is an extensive complex covering 3,600 sq. meters and has 29 halls with 1,444 pillars, each unlike the other, intricately covered with delicate carvings. The main temple is Chaumukha Temple or four-faced temple, dedicated to Adinath, the Revealer of Truth. Then, drive continued to Jodhpur. On arrival transfer to hotel.

Overnight:  hotel in Jodhpur.

DAY 10: JODHPUR -JAISALMER-JODHPUR DRIVE (300KM)

After breakfast visit Jodhpur, the 2nd largest city of Rajasthan founded by Rao Jodha in 1459. We visit Umaid Bhawan Palace. This opulent edifice in sandstone is still the residence of the former rulers with a part of it running as a luxury hotel and remaining part as a museum.  After that we visit the ‘Meherangarh’ (Majestic) Fort, 393 feet above the flat surrounding plain. Inside the fort, are several courtyards and palaces? On the rampart, stand cannons of Gaj Singh.  On the road down from the Fort visit Jaswant Thada, the blinding white marble cenotaph (chhatri) of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II and Clock Towers which stands in the city Centre. Then, drive continued to Jaisalmer. On arrival transfer to hotel.

Overnight:  hotel in Jaisalmer.

DAY 11: IN JAISALMER

After breakfast we take a walking tour of the town and explore the Gadi Sagar Tank, Folklore Museum. In the afternoon we continue our walking tour and visit the Jaisalmer Fort, which dominates the town. Later,we visit Salim Singh ki Haveli with its attractive peacock brackets, Nathumalki Haveli partly carved out of rock and the Patwonki Haveli. Evening at leisure. One can take a camel ride to sand dunes to witness the sunset.

Overnight:  hotel in Jaisalmer.

DAY 12: JAISALMER -BIKANER DRIVE (330KM)

After breakfast, we leave for Bikaner. On arrival transfer to hotel. Afternoon spent in exploring the Junagarh fort (This fort was built in 15th century by one of the most able and trusted generals of Akbar, Raja Rai Singh.), Lalgarh Palace, Temples (Designed by a Britisher for Maharaja Ganga Singh. This is a fine example of oriental and European style). If time permits, we may drive 10 km. to visit the camel breeding farm, probably the only one of its kind in Asia and managed by the local government.

Overnight:  hotel in Bikaner.

DAY 13: BIKANER -MANDAWA DRIVE (190KM)

In the morning, after breakfast, drive to Mandawa, Shekhawati region of Rajasthan, famous for Havalies (fresco painted houses of rich merchants) followed by a walking tour of the town to explore the Havelis.

Overnight: hotel in Mandawa

DAY 14: MANDAWA -DELHI DRIVE (265KM)

DEPARTURE

Morning at leisure. In afternoon depart and drive to Delhi. On arrival transfer to International airport for Onward flight.