ROUTES OF MAHARAJAS

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 -JODHPUR DRIVE (340KM)

After breakfast, drive to Jodhpur, the 2nd largest city of Rajasthan founded by Rao Jodha in 1459. Arrive and check in at hotel. Later in the afternoon 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.

Overnight: hotel in Jodhpur.

DAY 7: JODHPUR -UDAIPUR VIA RANAKPUR DRIVE (260KM)

Morning after breakfast depart for Udaipur. 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 Udaipur. On arrival transfer to hotel.

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, 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. In the evening, Boat ride on Lake Pichola (Subject to operations).

Overnight: hotel in Udaipur.

DAY 9: DEPARTURE

In the morning, after breakfast, transfer to airport for Delhi bound flight. On arrival transfer to international airport for onward journey.