Day 2 -- Mandawa
Today
we leave for our camp in the desert at Mandawa the centre of Shekhawati
culture. The Shekhawati region's famous for its wall frescos the world over.
Afternoon at Leisure to explore Mandawa and its Havelies ( Mansions of
mercchants ). In the evening we leave for the castle for a traditional
Dinner served in the manner which was done for the visiting Maharajas of
past. Overnight at the camp.
Day 3 -- Mandawa
After breakfast we take a camel safari into the desert. Lunch on the sand
dunes in the evening return to the camp. Dinner at the camp. Overnight at
the camp.
Day 4 -- Samode
Today we embark on the journey to experience the splendour of the era gone
bye. From now on for the next few days you will be living the life of a King
/ Queen. Our royal journey starts from Samode an old princely state. We
leave for Samode after a leisurely breakfast at Delhi traveling down the
national highway towards Jaipur and turning of to Samode to reach Samode in
late afternoon. Rest of day at Leisure to explore the village.
Day 5 -- Jaipur
We leave for the pink city of Jaipur arriving for lunch. After lunch day at
leisure to explore the streets and bazars of Jaipur. Overnight at hotel.
Day 6 -- Amer
Next day we visit the city palace, the palace of winds and then proceed to
Amer fort the ancient capital of Jaipur built in the 16th century by Raja
Man Singh in red sandstone and marble. It has some very intersting
apartments like the Sheesh Mahal the glass canopy apartments and Jai Mandir,
Sukh Niwas Baodi etc.
The highlight of this trip is the elephant ride up the ramparts of the fort
just like the maharajas did. After this we visit the Jaigarh fort the
armoury of the erstwhile state which houses the biggest cannon on wheels in
the world. Overnight at hotel.
Day 7 -- Sariska
We
leave for our next padaw ( halt ) Sariska wildlife sanctuary. Check in to
the hotel afternoon visit Alwar believed to be the oldest kingdom dating
back to the times of the Indian Epic Mahabharat. Though it is not as well
known as Jaipur as it is off the main highway it has as much to offer. Like
the Bala quila located on a 300 meter steep cliff, Alwar mueseum, Moosi
Maharani Chhatri, Vinay Vilas Palace, Rajgarh.
Day 8 -- Bharatpur
We take an early morning drive to the sanctuary. After late breakfast we
leave for Bharatpur the capital city of another racial community of India
The Jats. We take a drive through the possibly the biggest bird sanctuary in
the world Keoladeo Ghana National park overnight at the hotel .Early morning
we take another visit to the national park after which we visit the famous
Bharatpur fort which is different from other Rajasthan forts as it has thick
mud walls which the British army could not break despite laying a seige for
4 months.
Day 9 -- Agra
We take an early morning drive to the city of Taj Agra. Enroute we visit
the ancient city of Fathepur Sikri built by Emperor Akbar as thanks giving
for the saint who blessed him with a son. In the afternoon check in to the
hotel after a short break leave for the Agra Fort the fort where Emperor
Shajahan the builder of Taj was held captive by his son Emperor Aurangzeb
who usurped the throne. One can see the magnificant Taj from the quarters in
which the emperor was jailed. Before sunset visit the Taj a monument of Love
and romance.
Day 10 -- Gwalior
Drive to Gwalior the city of another racial tribe called Marhathas visit
the fort and one of the most famous mueseum drive back to Agra overnight
hotel.
Day 11 -- Delhi
Drive back to Delhi enroute stopping at Sikandra the mouseleam of the Great
Emperor Akbar. Reach Delhi in the evening. Farewell dinner at the village
overnight at the hotel.
Day 12 -- Delhi
Entire day at leisure for those interested a visit to Qutab Minar the
village of Mehrauli will be organized. In the evening depart for the airport
to catch the flight back home.
