Colors of Rajasthan with Romance of the Desert

Day 1: Arrive in Delhi

Arrive in Delhi in the evening/night, our representative will meet and greet you at the airport and you will be transferred to your hotel for an overnight stay. Delhi stands on seven successive cities and is one of the oldest cities in the world. This history helps one appreciate the scale of the sprawling metropolis. It’s a quintessential Indian city, marrying the ancient with the cosmopolitan. Revel in marvelous shopping, a treasure trove of architectural monuments, some of the swankiest restaurants in India, and heavenly street food.

Day 2: Delhi City Tour (B)

After breakfast proceeds for a sightseeing tour of Old & New Delhi:
OLD DELHI – A sight-seeing tour of Old Delhi would entail visiting the Raj Ghat – the memorial site where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated; Jama Masjid – the largest mosque in India.
NEW DELHI – An extensive sight-seeing tour of New Delhi would include a visit to the Humayun’s Tomb, the Qutub Minar, a drive along the ceremonial avenue – Rajpath, past the imposing India Gate, Parliament House, the President’s Residence and would end with a drive through the Diplomatic Enclave. Night stay in Delhi.

Day 3: Delhi – Agra Sightseeing (B)

After taking breakfast drive to Agra. On arrival, meet with tour guide and proceed to visit the Agra Fort, containing the Pearl Mosque – the rusty and majestic red-sandstone fort of Agra stands on the banks of the river Yamuna and the construction was started by Emperor Akbar in 1566. Also visit the Itmad-Ud-Daulah tomb also known as ‘Baby Taj’, built by Noorjehan in memory of her father. In the evening admire the exceptional sunset view of the Taj Mahal from the Mehtab garden. Night stay in Agra.

Day 4: Agra – Jaipur via Fatehpur Sikri (B)

Shahjehan in 1630 for his queen Mumtaz Mahal to enshrine her mortal remains. Later after breakfast drive to Jaipur Enroute visiting Fatehpur Sikri is also known as ‘Ghost city’, built by Emperor Akbar in 1569 to commemorate the birth of his son and later abandoned due to scarcity of water. Visit the remains, its fortifications within the city including Jama Masjid, Tomb of Salim Chisti, Panch Mahal, and other palaces.
Evening visit to Chokhi Dhani(optional): an ethnic village resort (optional). The vitality of Rajasthani folk culture comes alive as children dance rhythmically to the loud tenor of folk songs sung by men and women, festooned in bright clothes. Gaily caparisoned camels, horses, and bullock carts offer joy rides. Stay overnight at the hotel.

Day 5: Jaipur Sightseeing (B)

Morning excursion to Amber Fort. Elephant ride ascent to the fort.
AMBER FORT PALACE – Amber is the classic romantic Rajasthani fort palace. Its construction was started by Man Singh I in 1592, and completed by his descendent Jai Singh I. Its forbidding exterior belies an inner paradise where a beautiful fusion of Mughal and Hindu styles finds its ultimate expression. Continue sight-seeing.
CITY PALACE – A delightful blend of Mughal and traditional Rajasthani architecture, the City Palace sprawls over one-seventh of the area in the walled city. It houses the Chandra Mahal, Shri Govind Dev Temple, and the City Palace Museum.
JANTAR MANTAR – This is the largest and the best-preserved of the five observatories built by Jai Singh II in different parts of the country. This observatory consisting of outsized astronomical instruments is still in use.
HAWA MAHAL – The ornamental facade of this “Palace of Winds” is a prominent landmark in Jaipur. Their five-story structures of sandstone plastered pink encrusted with fine trelliswork and elaborate balconies. The palace has 953 niches and windows. Built in 1799 by Pratap Singh, the Mahal was a royal grandstand for the palace women.Later optional visit to Jal Mahal or Monkey Temple. Night stay in Jaipur.

Day 6: Jaipur – Udaipur via Pushkar (B)

Morning drive to Udaipur- an oasis in the desert state of Rajasthan en route visiting Pushkar. Pushkar boasts temples, though few are as ancient as you might expect at such an important pilgrimage site since many were deserted by Aurangzeb and subsequently rebuilt. The most famous is the Brahma Temple, said to be one of the few temples in the world dedicated to this deity. It’s marked by a red spire, and over the entrance gateway is the Hans, or goose symbol, of Brahma, who is said to have personally chosen Pushkar as its site. Arrive in Udaipur and transfer to the hotel. Night stay in Udaipur.

Day 7: Udaipur City Tour (B)

Morning city sightseeing tour of Udaipur. The city is built in 1559 A.D. by Maharaja Udai Singh and has been described as the most romantic spot on the continent of India by Col. James Todd. Visit the City Palace museum, the Jagdish temple, and Sahelion Ki Bari (Queen’s resort for their friends).  In the evening, take a boat ride on Lake Pichola/Fateh Sagar Lake and later visit Sajjan Garh Fort/Monsoon Palace for a beautiful sunset. Night stay in Udaipur.

Day 8: Udaipur – Jodhpur via Ranakpur (B)

After breakfast drive to Jodhpur in route visit Ranakpur Jain Temple. Ranakpur is one of the five holy places of the Jain community. These temples were built in the 15th century AD during the reign of Rana Kumbha and are enclosed within a wall. The basement is of 48, 000 sq. feet area that covers the whole complex. There are four subsidiary shrines, twenty-four pillared halls, and eligibly domes supported by over four hundred columns. Continue to drive to Jodhpur on arrival transfer to the hotel. Night stay in Jodhpur.

Day 9: Jodhpur City Tour (B)

After a relaxed breakfast proceeds for a city sightseeing tour of Jodhpur. Jodhpur – the stronghold of the fierce Rathore clan, was founded in 1459 by Prince Jodha. Visit the Mehrangarh Fort, situated on a low sandstone hill. Within the fort, visit Moti Mahal and Phool Mahal. Also visit Jaswant Thada, an imposing marble cenotaph, built-in memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II around 1899, and Umaid Public gardens. Night stay in Jodhpur.

Day 10: Jodhpur – Jaisalmer (B)

The morning after breakfast drive to Jaisalmer – induces a dramatic picture of utter magic and brilliance of the desert. The hostile terrain notwithstanding the warmth and color of people is simply overwhelming. One of the main draws is the daunting 12th century Jaisalmer Fort and beautiful Havelis which were built by wealthy merchants of Jaisalmer are yet another interesting aspect of you can let your eyes caress the sloppy sand dunes while you ramble your way in a camel safari. Bhatti Rajput ruler Rawal Jaisal, after whom the city finds its name, founded Jaisalmer in 1156. The drive passes by dry vegetation, with villages of colorfully dressed people. Plenty of camels and camel carts, sheep, and goats pass you by. On arrival in Jaisalmer, check in the Hotel. The rest of the day is free at leisure. Night stay in Jaisalmer.

Day 11: Jaisalmer City Tour (B)

After breakfast treat yourself to a visual feast as you tour the golden city of Jaisalmer.
Jaisalmer is a 12th-century trading post for camel caravans journeying through the Silk Route, which remains untouched by the sands of time. Rising majestically amidst the shifting golden dunes of the Thar Desert are the bastions of the imposing 12th century Jaisalmer Fort. The fort is honeycombed with beautifully carved Jain temples and cobbled alleys flanked by the most beautiful Havelis (Patwon ki Haveli, Salim Singh ki Haveli, and Nathmal ki Haveli). Hewn entirely out of sandstone, the city is a tawny color in the day and at sunset, it magically morphs into a honey-gold hue.
In the afternoon drive to Khuri / Sam, located 45 km east of Jaisalmer, a quaint village with clusters of thatch roof houses, where men sport magnificent mustaches and bright turbans and women are swathed in gaily-hued Odhinis. On the sand dunes here, take a sunset ride through the scrubland of Rajasthan on a camel safari that is a lifetime experience. Stay overnight at Jaisalmer hotel.

Day 12: Jaisalmer – Bikaner (B)

Morning drive to Bikaner. On arrival transfer to the hotel. Afternoon city sightseeing tour. Bikaner is named after its founder Rao Bikaji in 1488. But long before this, the city was a trade center on the caravan routes from Africa and West Asia. Bikaner’s dominant features are rippling sands and abundant sunshine. The city stands on an elevation, enclosed by a 7 Kms wall, which can be entered from 5 gates. Bikaner City is bolstered by imposing walls and has a 16th-century fort housing old palaces, temples, and mosques. Founded by Raja Rai Singh the fort is distinguished by its long range of 37 pavilions, a line of balconies, and aerial windows of varying designs. Also visit Lallgarh Palace, the museum, Bhanda Sagar Jain, Deshnoke Rat temple, and The Camel’s Breeding Farm. Night stay in Bikaner.

Day 13: Bikaner – Mandawa (B)

Morning drive to Mandawa, on arrival transfer to the hotel. Later visit the painted Havelis of the Dundlod town and surrounding areas of the Mandawa, Mandawa founded in 1755 by Thakur Nawal Singh and still the home of his descendants, has beautiful frescoes, Havelis and mansions. Mandawa castle one of the finest castles of Rajasthan is now a hotel and house of collection of armories, costumes of ancestors, canons from 1820 ancient coins, numismatic collection, and many other interesting items, preserved in a museum. Night stay in Mandawa.

Day 14: Mandawa – Departure from Delhi (B)

Morning After breakfast drive to Delhi and transfer to the airport for your onward journey. Your tour comes to end but its sweet memories and vivid colors of India will remain forever.