Duration: 18 Days/17 Nights
Destinations: Delhi – Mandawa – Bikaner – Pokran – Jaisalmer – Jodhpur – Ranakpur – Kumbhalgarh – Udaipur – Pushkar – Jaipur – Amber Fort – Fatehpur Sikari – Agra – Gwalior – Orchha – Khajuraho (Flight) – Varanasi (Flight) – Delhi
Day 01 Arrival Delhi:
On arrival at Delhi, you are traditionally welcome by our representative and transfer to hotel by your Exclusive Car. In the hotel have a brief view of the tour from our representative. After enjoying the hearty breakfast, leave for the sightseeing tour of Old & New Delhi. Including Jama Masjid — one of Asia’s largest mosques, Red Fort- the magnificent and most opulent fort built during the years 1638 – 1648 by the Moghul Empire, walk through the silver street of Chandni Chowk, Raj Ghat – the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi, A massive temple – Akshar Dham, The Hindu temple -Birla Mandir, The Humayun’s Tomb & Qutab Minar – a 73 m high victory tower and The Bahai Temple – shaped like a lotus flower and a proof of India’s secularism. The India Gate – war memorial, The Rashtrapati Bhawan – President’s House, Parliament House and Government Secretariat Buildings. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 02 Delhi / Mandawa (260kms):
After breakfast at the hotel drive to Mandawa upon arrival check-in hotel and later we leave to see Mandawa – often called the “open air art gallery of Rajasthan’ the region is famous for the high quality frescoes. See the beautifully painted havelis on the ancient and the famous silk route built in the 18th and 19th centuary by the rich merchants. Later take a heritage walk in this beautiful village. You can also see the traditional lifestyle of the local people. Overnight in Hotel.
Day 03 Mandawa / Bikaner (180 Km):
After breakfast, drive towards to Bikaner. On the way visit Fatehpur Village which is also famous for the splendid havelis of the Shekhawati region. Reach Bikaner by afternoon later set of for the sight seen tour of Bikaner includes visiting the impregnable 15th century Junagarh Fort reputed to have remained unconquered till date,the fort has a number of gates- Karan Pol (gate) provides access to the fort, next to it is Suraj Pol (sun gate Also visit the Camel Breeding Farm which carries out breeding and training of camels (closed on Sundays). Evening time is to visit Deshnoke Rat Temple. Overnight stay at your hotel in Bikaner.
Day 04 Bikaner / Jaisalmer (330kms):
After early breakfast, leave through the Thar Desert for Jaisalmer, en-route visit Pokharan — the birth place of Akbar the Great (3rd Mughal Empror). Visiting the local market in the heart of the village and after taking lunch we proceed towards Jaisalmer. Arrive there by early evening. Let the Sun set view of this desert city weaves magic on you, leaving you speechless and mesmerized. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 05 Jaisalmer:
Sightseeing tour of the Golden City –Jaisalmer includes Sonar Fort or the Golden fort, rises from the sand and merges with the golden hues of the desert ambience. Badal Niwas, Manak Chowk, Patwon Ki Haveli — one of the largest and most extensively carved Haveli with remnants of mirror work and paintings on the walls, Nathmal Ji Ki Haveli known for its unique miniature style paintings and mighty tuskers carved out of yellow sandstone stand guard to the haveli & Deewan Salim Singh Ki Haveli — Prime Minister’s residence of 18th century. Visit the Gadisar lake then in evening camel carts safari for sunset onto Sam or Khuri Sand Dunes where you can enjoy dinner in mud huts listen to the folk tunes by the local artists and musicians. Overnight stay at hotel in Jaisalmer.
Day 06 Jaisalmer / Jodhpur (280 kms):
Early Morning depart to Jodhpur, en-route visit Mandore Gardens. Check into hotel. Post lunch seightseeing tour includes Mehrangarh Fort — pride of Jodhpur, still stand high witnessing the battles fought. Museum inside the fort displays a rich collection of old royal palanquins, arms, paintings, costumes, etc. Fort has number of palaces – Moti Mahal, Phool Mahal, Sheesh Mahal, Takht Vilas and Jhanki Mahal. On the way down from the fort, towards left is Jaswant Thada — intricately carved marble stone temple shaped cenotaph of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. Umaid Bhawan Palace or Chittar Palace – palace with no mortar bindings, only chiselled sandstone blocks are interlocked together. Evening is leisure or you can walk along the famous spice market and feel the flavours of indian spices. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 07 Jodhpur / Bishnoi Villages / Ranakpur (185 km):
After breakfast, drive to Ranakpur via Guda Bishnoi Village. Bishnoi tribe lead a vegetarian lifestyle, they respect and conserve nature in all aspect. Blackbucks, antelopes, chinkaras, peacocks and even cranes can be seen wandering freely and are worshipped by the Bishnoi tribes. On arrival at Ranakpur, the city named after Rana Kumbha, known for its Jain temple. The four images of Adinath are enshrined in the main temple called ‘Chamukh’, having 29 halls and 1444 columns all with differently carved sculpturs. The complex also includes Sun Temple, Amba Mata Temple, Parsvanath and Neminath temples. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 08: Ranakpur – Kumbhalgarh – Udaipur (140 km)
After breakfast drive to the City of Lakes – Udaipur, enroute visits Kumbhalgarh Fort – One of the few impregnated forts in Rajasthan, with 2nd longest wall after china around Kumbhalgarh, the Muchchal Mahavir temple is wisely popular. This fort stands on a rocky hill commanding an excellent view of the wild and rugged scenery of the Aravallis and the sandy desert of Marwar. Reach Udaipur in afternoon and check in hotel. Later, see the Sahelion ki Bari where Maharana Sangram Singh build this garden complex with fountains and lakes for his beautiful daughter. After that move around the narrow streets of Udaipur. Rest of the time free for your leisure.
Day 09 Udaipur:
After breakfast move out for the city tour of Udaipur visit the City Palace — a grand palace with beautiful architecture, the Jagdish Temple — dedicated to Lord Vishnu, and the folk art museum with a colorful collection of puppets, musical instruments and paintings.In the evening you can wander through the city or take an boat ride on Lake Pichola and see the fabulous lake palaces of Udaipur, the Jag Mandir Palace and the Jag Niwas Palace now known as the Taj Lake Palace, where you can enjoy your dinner in a regal ambience. Return to your hotel to stay overnight.
Day 10 Udaipur / Pushkar (275 km):
Leave Udaipur and head towards Pushkar on the way visit the Eklingji and Nagda Jain Temple. Also visit the Saas and Bahu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and Vishnu. Afternoon reach the Holy City — Pushkar, the place where Lord Brahma (Creator of the Hindu Trinity) and Savitri (His Wife) perform “Yagnas”. Here we visit Brahama Temple and Lake Pushkar,where devotees take holy bath in lake water. The legand says that the lake sprout on the place where the lotus petals fell on barth from the hands of Lord Brahma. Pushkar is popular for the Pushkar Fair or Camel Fair that held every year in the month of November. In evening enjoy the walk along the colourful and bustling local market.
Day 11 Pushkar / Jaipur (150 kms):
On the way to Jaipur in Ajmer visit Nasiya Golden Jain Temple, “Dargah Sharif” and Adhai Din Ka Jhopra. After that welcome to The Capital city of Rajasthan which is also known as “Pink City” This afternoon, set off to see The City Palace — still the home of the former royalty H.H Bhawani Singh Ji of Jaipur housing an extensive collection of art, carpets and old weapons. Jantar Mantar Observatory — situated in the heart of the city where time has been accurately measured since the 17th century the largest and best preserved stone observatory,on the way back visit Birla Temple. Evening at leisure.
Day 12 Jaipur:
A full day sightseeing stopping to view the dramatic hilltop fortress at Amber — ascend the imposing fort on a painted elephant. We wander among glittering inlays and the Hall of Mirrors ‘Sheesh Mahal’. Within the palace are Diwan-e-Aam the “Hall of Public Audience”, Diwan-e-Khas the “Hall of Private Audience” and the Sukh Niws where a cool breeze blows, the Jai Mandir or the “Temple of Victory”. Enroute visit Jal Mahal the “Water Palace” built in centre of Maota Lake which was a resting place of the kings. Hawa Mahal — The Palace of Winds, the facade of which is all pink windows and filigree screens. After Lunch visit “Monkey Temple”, Galta Sun Temple — beautiful place sorrounded by mountains. Enjoy a Bollywood movie at “Rajmandir” the Second best Cinema in Asia. In the evening then enjoy dinner with folk dances and music by typical Rajasthani women in an Indian Restaurant.
Day 13 Jaipur / Fatehpur Sikri / Agra (232 Kms):
After a morning at leisure we drive to the city of Taj, Agra, stopping enroute at ornithological reserve at Bharatpur – Keoladeo National Park. Post lunch tour of the Phantom city Fatehpur Sikri built by Akbar in the late 16th century, it was abandoned after only 14 years due to shortage of water. The entire city of Red sand stone (sand stone palaces and temples) is virtually intact and a site worth seeing is 54 m high main entrance. Jami Mosque, Buland Darwaza, Tomb of Shaikh Salim Chishti, Jodha Bai and Birbal’s house are the other attractions. On reaching Agra, visit the imposing Agra Fort, built of red sandstone and marble is a hilltop citadel with fabulous courtyards, fountains and gates, where Shahjehan imprisoned by his own son Aurangzeb. Thereafter, evening is free to explore this vibrant colourful city and its local markets.
Day 14 Agra / Gwalior / Orchha (205 Km):
Early morning visit incomparable Taj Mahal which is among the seven wonders in the world. Tajmahal,erected by Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife, Queen Mumtaz Mahal. Begun in 1631, 20000 workmen took 22 years to complete a dream in white marble which lies in perfect proportion to the elegant garden of fountains on the bank of Yamuna. Then on the way to Orchha, precede on a Gwalior city tour visiting the 9th century Teli ka Mandir, the 11th century Saas Bahu ka Mandir and the Jiwaji Rao Scindia museum. Continue the tour visiting the Tomb of Tansen – Akbar’s foremost court musician followed by the memorials of the earliest freedom fighters Tatya Tope, Datia Palace. Datia and Orchha are two twin cities from the medieval times. In these villages time has stopped. Orchha is a medieval city on the bank of river Betwa founded by Bundela rulers known for its palaces and temples of the 16th and 17th century. In Orchha, see the beautiful Palace Complex – Jahangiri Mahal, Raj Mahal, Raj Parveen Mahal known for the intricacies of the mural paintings. In evening arrive to Orchha check into hotel.
Day 15 Orchha / Khajuraho (182 Km):
After breakfast, visit the Laxminarayana Temple, Chaturbhuj Temple, Phool Bagh and finally the newly constructed Sun Temple. Post lunch continue towards Khajuraho. Khajuraho temple has achieved fame for the sensual appeal of its erotic sculptures built during the 9th to the 11th centuries by the powerful dynasty of Chandela rajputs. Visit the largest and grandest temple of Khajuraho is the immortal Kandariya Mahadeva, other Eastern and Western groups of temples are Visvanatha, Parsvanatha, Vaidyanatha, Jagadambi, Chitragupta. Return to your hotel to stay overnight. In the evening, you can take a dinner in a restaurant having typical Indian dance shows in Khajuraho.
Day 16 Khajuraho / Varanasi (By Flight):
After the leisure breakfast in the morning, you will be transferred to the airport to take the flight to Varanasi. On Arrival received by representative and transfer to the hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Day 17 Varanasi:
In the early morning we take you for a Boat cruise at the river Ganges to observe the way of life of pilgrims by the Ghats.The boat ride starts from Dasashwamedh and ends at Manikarnika Ghat also you visit Assi Ghat, Harish Chandra Ghat and Tulsi Ghat. After that visit the world famous Banaras Hindu University. Later visit Sarnath Temple, where Lord Buddha preached his first sermon. Sarnath’s temples and Archaeological Museum are full of Buddhist art treasures. The 20 meter high Ashoka Pillar, set up by the Emperor Ashoka in 258 B.C. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 18 Varanasi / Delhi (By Flight):
In the Morning after breakfast you can move to visit the Ghats. Later you will be transferd to airport to take your flight to Delhi. On arrival the driver will receive you and before taking your international flight you can move around the connaught place market for shopping or to take a dinner in a good restaurant and than you will transferred to International airport 3 hours before your international flight time to your home country.
Request Note: – The proposed tour can be customized as per your need and requirements.