This tour takes one through the land of the Rajputs where pages of history
were written in valor and blood down the centuries. The tour starts from
Agra of the Taj Mahal and moves on to Jaipur enroute visiting Fathepur Sikri
the abandoned city of Emperor Akbar for where we head to Udaipur the capital
of his arch rival and the epitome of Rajput valor onward to the blue city of
Jodhpur which was founded in 1459 by the Rathore chief Rao Jodha on to
Jaislmer fort that rises out of the desert haze the foundation of which was
laid by Rao Jaisal in 1156. Take camel safari into the Thar desert visiting
villages of the sturdy people of Rajasthan.This tour culminates with visits
to Bikaner another princely state and Mandawa the centre of Shekavati.
Day
- 1 -- Delhi
Arrive Delhi & transfer to Agra the city of Taj. Evening before sunset
we take a visit to Taj.
Day - 2 -- Agra
Half day sight seeing at Agra visiting the Fort where Emperor Shahjehan the
builder of Taj was kept in captivity by his son Aurangzeb, we also take a
visit to Sikandra the mausoleum of the greatest emperor of India Akbar.
After lunch drive to Bharatpur to arrive at such a time so that we can catch
the birds before they go nesting in the wonderful bird sanctuary of Kaladeo.
Day - 3 -- Bharatpur
Early morning we take a rickshaw ride into the bird sanctuary return to
hotel for breakfast. After breakfast visit the fort & leave for Jaipur
the pink city of the Kachawa dynasty enroute stopping at the abandoned city
of Fatehpur Sikri built as the capital in 1571 and abandoned 15 years later
when the wells went dry. Evening check in to the hotel at Jaipur.
Day - 4 -- Jaipur
A tour of the city palace, the palace of winds and then proceed to Amber
fort the ancient capital of Jaipur built in the 16th century by Raja Man
Singh in red sandstone and marble. It has some very interesting 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 - 5 -- Udaipur
Early morning drive to Udaipur (Venice of the East) which was founded in
1568 by Maharana Udai Singh the scion of the most valorous rajput clan of
sisodias. Udaipur is replete with fanastic hilltop fortresses exotic
fairytale palaces & gripping legends of medieval chivalry & heroism.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day - 6 -- Udaipur
Full day sight seeing in and around Udaipur.
Day - 7 -- Ranakpur
Early morning we drive to Ranakpur a distance of 90 km to see the most
exquisite of Jain temples in India. The temple built in 1439 has the most
beautifully carved 1444 pillars of marbles supporting 29 halls, no two
pillars are alike but the carving on them can be said to be the most
exquisite work of craftsmanship that one can see in marble.
After the tour of Ranakpur we proceed to Ghanerao which is just 18km from
Ranakpur for an overnight stay at the castle which is associated with
another legendary figure of Indian history MEERA BAI the princess who
devoted her life singing paeans of Lord Krishna.
Day
- 8 -- Kumbhalgarh
Take a drive or horse safari to Kumbhalgarh a 15th century fort & game
sanctuary. This fort was so impregnable that it took the might of entire
army of the Mughals combined with that of Amber & Marwar to breach its
defences. The game reserve here has a crocodile farm & the possibility
of sighting the four horn deer are good. Overnight at Ghanerao castle.
Day - 9 -- Jodhpur
Drive of to the heart of Thar desert i.e. Jodhpur the former capital of
Marwar state which was founded in 1459 by Rao Jodha. The massive fort of
Meharangarh came first & around it grew the city of Jodhpur the blue
city. Check in to the hotel. After lunch visit the famous Mehrangarh fort
evening at leisure.
Day - 10 -- Jodhpur
Full day sight seeing in & around Jodhpur.
Day - 11 -- Jaisalmer
Drive to Jaisalmer a distance of 285 km to the city of the desert. Very few
cities can boast of the magnificence which Jaiselmer can. The fort just
seems to rise out of the desert haze its yellow sandstone walls &
bastions take on a golden hue in the afternoon sun straight out of the Tales
of the Arabian nights. As Jaiselmer was once on the lucrative trade route
its merchants built magnificent havelis with beautiful sculptured filigree
screen windows, delicate pavilions & balconies. These buildings are a
veritable art museum. Check in to the hotel evening at leisure.
Day - 12 -- Jaisalmer
Morning roam the city streets after breakfast we drive to Desert National
Park which is just 40 km away the breeding ground of the great Indian
Bustard, you can also see the Indian Gazelle CHINKARA & many other wild
animals. Evening we take a camel safari to the sand dunes of SAM to see the
setting sun. Later on a dance performance by the gypsies on the dunes
overnight at hotel.
Day - 13 -- Bikaner
On the edge of the desert is Bikaner a drive of 335 km from Jaisalmer.
Check in to the hotel evening at leisure.
Day - 14 -- Mandawa
We drive of to Mandawa a distance of 250 km. Mandawa is famous world over
for its frescos on the mansions of its old merchants. Check into the castle.
Evening at leisure to explore the streets of Mandawa. At night a traditional
dinner is served in the castle with torch bearers & drums as it was done
during the by gone days for visiting kings & their entourage.
Day - 15 -- Mandawa - Delhi
Early morning some more exploration of Mandawa streets then leave for
Delhi. Evening check into the hotel at Delhi rest of the day at leisure.
Day - 16 -- Delhi / Departure
Sight seeing of Delhi till its time to catch the flight back home.
